Check out out THE SANDBUCKET

Oh,, and here’s a little bit about one of my favorite ladies!

“My name is Sandi.  When I was about three years old my brothers and sisters started calling me Sandi Bucket, Sand, Sand Bucket and eventually just Bucket.  I thought this name was awful and would cry and complain to my Mom to make them stop calling me that.  My wise Mother told me if I would just stop complaining about it and pretend that I didn’t mind, well then they would eventually forget and stop calling me that.  Well, next month I turn 40 and am still referred to as Sand, Sando, Sandi Bucket and Bucket.  I have long stopped complaining about it though.  Instead, I think of it as a term of endearment.  Now when I am referred to as such it is always from someone who has known me since childhood.   Someone that loves me, someone that I love.   So I do hold the name of Sand Bucket dear to me.   However, the magazine is certainly not named after me.

When I was trying to come up with the mission of what I wanted this magazine to accomplish I knew I wanted it to be a place of ideas gathered from wise women from all over.  I thought about what it was that could hold treasures and pictured someone walking along the beach.  Whenever I am at the beach with my children they gather up all sorts of treasures and carry them along in their sand buckets.  Plus, the fact that one has endless possibilities of what they can create with a simple sand bucket.  And so here is where the name of the magazine was dreamt up.

As I grow older and learn more, I realize how much I do not know.  In no way do I want this magazine to look like a “know it all- this is how life is done” magazine.  Rather, my dream is that it can be a collection of experiences from women from all over.  Life lessons that we can share and learn from together.

The first issue will be released in January of 2012 for both online viewing and print.  It will be filled with articles from real people of their experiences.  There will also be a number of fun articles of diy projects as well as fashion and just plain fun.  I hope you check back to this blog regularly as well.  We will have lots of fun posts for this holiday season.  And don’t forget to go to our facebook and be our friend to stay updated!”

Oh, and that’s another reason I love ART FAIR. There are SO many new people each year! I will have butterflies and flying monkeys in my stomach for weeks leading up to the event and then… It’s here and it’s love. Every time. We all hang out and it’s as if we’ve known each other forever. I’ve never been apart of anything like it. ART FAIR is seriously my favorite MJC event. Ever.

And that brings me to the most incredible people I have met simply by working in this old brick building we call 435. You hear Denise and I talk about ‘our girls’ all the time so you know how much we appreciate and admire these woman. Each person that works here has brought something unique and wonderful to 435. Whether it’s Kiara and her natural ‘cutting’ skills or Alicia and her OUT OF THIS WORLD people skills. So many of us are lucky to have found a niche here and really thrived because of it.

And sometimes, if only occasionally, our girls will fly from the nest and set out on their own adventures, outside of 435 and Matilda Jane. We are luckiest when they find what they were looking for and make it back : ) Last summer one of our fastest girls (fast at packing, fast at pulling, just plain FAST) left us for an adventure of her own, and I’m happy HAPPY HAPPY to say that she has come back to us. Yep, today is her first day back and we couldn’t be more pleased. You guys have any ideas of who this sweet girl is?

I’ll pick the first correct winner and a few randoms for a great prize!

LOVE, SAM

As crazy busy as we all are, there is something exciting on the horizon for us too! The photo shoot for THE RIGHT ONE is this week! Denise, Lynette, and I get on a plane this Thursday and fly out to Austin, TX. There are about a million reasons why I’m looking forward to this, but here’s a list of the top 5:

1. Getting to meet THE RIGHT ONE. Can’t wait to work with you, cute Isaiah!

2. Getting to meet a bunch of new friends. Yep, we certainly are unpredictable and when we go on a trip there’s usually more than one reason, not to mention always a few surprises up our sleeves!

3. Seeing Michelle Huesgen and Jami Davis!!!!!!

4. A photo shoot in a new place with new people! We are taking along our buddies Matt and Jake from One Lucky Guitar to help make this one of the BEST shoots ever. Just you wait.

5. To see the boys line to come to life! Seriously, we can’t wait to let you in on the secret!

And up at the top, those cute arms are from one of the models from the Serendipity shoot in CA. I highly doubt this weekend’s photo shoot will have as many sparkly accessories as the CA one : ) But that’s half the reason I’m so excited–to hang with your sweet boys instead of your darling girls for a change!

I have a feeling a few boy’s sneak peeks are in your future, so hold tight!

LOVE, SAM

As some of you know, I just got back from my second trip to China. I am in awe each time and it takes me a few days before realizing where I am. How many people can say they have been to China. “Is this really my job?” I say to myself over and over as we walk the streets in Shanghai. Each view more beautiful then the next.

This trip I was accompanied by Lynette, Cindy and Carla. I have never laughed so much in my life. I am so thankful for all three of these ladies in more ways then I can count. For my travel partner, Lynette, you are everything I hope to be in a Mother and Women. To Cindy, for your HUGE heart and sense of humor, and to Carla for everything you have taught me and everything I have yet to learn. It amazes me the women you come in contact with through MJC. From the customers to the Trunk Keepers, you ladies amaze me, always so full of laughter, passion, and kindness. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

On a side note, sorry if this is off subject, but for all you Fort Wayne readers. Look who was on our flight. Fort Wayne’s re-elected Mayor. What are the chances? I see why he was re-elected; even after a 15 hour flight he was so sweet and kind. Thank you, Mr. Mayor for posing for a pic so Denise would believe us.

Today the whole MJC family sat together for Lunch. These are moments to be thankful for, a bunch of great girls and (David, Joe and Gabe) taking time to laugh together and enjoy one another before Thanksgiving. I think it is important to do that every once in awhile, and Denise is so good at arranging that. Denise and David’s kindness is endless and are the main reason I have so much to be Thankful for.  “Thank you” would never be enough to show my gratitude, but none the less, “THANK YOU” one more time.  My life was forever changed after that late night interview while Gabe ran crazy across the cutting table. (The part about Gabe hasn’t changed though. LOL). MJC is who I am and for that I thankful.

I think I could go on and on for all of the things I am thankful for but I will save that for another day. In honor of Thanksgiving and for David (He made us do this at lunch so I am passing it on)

What is your favorite kind of Pie? (David please note my proper use of  “your”)

Well Ladies Have a FABULOUS Thanksgiving and Drive Safe

XOXO

Kayla

It has been these past six months- crazy as they may have been- that have taught me about what it really means to be thankful and about what REALLY matters in life. I’ve found that it’s not finally having the college degree that has been my focus for the past four years,  being able to throw around that I work at THE Matilda Jane to anyone who asks where I’m working (although I do love that!), or how much cute stuff I have decorating my apartment (again- definitely not a bad thing!), but it has been the relationships with my friends and family that I have been the most thankful for.

Being away from my family has allowed me to be aware of all of the things they have done to help me get to where I am today- not just over this past summer and fall, but over the course of my entire life they have taught me, encouraged me, challenged me, disciplined me, and instilled in me values and principles that I am finding myself living by every day now. I can tell you that it was for sure not the easiest job in the world to be my parents every day when I was growing up, but I am so thankful that they did not give up on being my parents so that now I can not only call them my parents, but two of my best friends. My other biggest cheerleader throughout my life has been my grandpa. He is by far and away my favorite person in the entire world, and to be completely honest, I have missed him more than anyone else that I moved away from. Growing up, I saw him almost every day, and going from that to seeing him once every one or two weeks has made me realize just how much I don’t know what I would do without him. He is the sweetest, spunkiest, and WITH IT 89 year-old you will ever meet! You can see for yourself just how cute he is!

It has not just been my family that I’ve learned to appreciate more than anything else, but it has also been my friends- both old and new- who I am thankful for. I love the old friends who I’ve known for over a decade, who know the true me, and who we can get together for a weekend after not seeing each other for weeks, and it is as if we were never apart. I love my coworkers who have become more than coworkers- who help me paint crazy designs on my wall, who stop at Starbucks while they’re out running errands to bring me an afternoon pick me up, and who laugh at my ridiculous stories of the awkward situations I get myself into. And I love all of the new friends I’ve made since moving to Fort Wayne- the friends from my new church who completely accepted me when I was the new girl, who invited me to spend time with them before they even knew my name, and who have already learned about a lot of my quirks and still talk to me- even if they do love to make fun of me!

I am so excited to get spend more time with my family and friends this next week, and I hope that you all are making plans to be with the ones you love and who love you! I know the holidays can become stressful and overwhelming, but I guarantee if you can take a minute to think of and be thankful for even one person who has made a difference in your life this year, you can get through anything the next week and month will throw your way! I will be talking to you all again in a few weeks! And…. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

And this photo makes me feel grown up too. Like I have my entire life figured out. I know I don’t. And in life, curve balls are a dime a dozen. But today, this morning, the future does not seem so scary to me.

Plus, when you work with people like this, your friends. (hi carrie and emily!)

And you live with people like this, your family.

How could growing up seem anything but exciting?

Thanks to Michelle Huesgen, one of MJC’s closest friends, for the beautiful photos. You are an incredible person and we are all lucky to know you!

Enjoy your Veteran’s Day weekends.

LOVE, SAM

Denise always laughs at me when I do my blog contests because they’re almost always a “Wow, I bit off more than I could chew this time” kinda deal. And of course, this time was no exception! You guys sure know how to write! And how to tear at my heart strings! If there’s one thing I love in this world, it’s my best friend. Best friends I should say. I’ve got the best girl in the world, Megan, and the best boy in the universe, Mark, holding those titles. If you’ve been to any of the past 3 art fairs, you would have seen them there. Ahhh, I love them. ANYWAY,  it’s very clear to me you love your ‘other half’s’ too! So how about Sarah Cleveland, Kimberly B. (BFF Mark), Kayla (Bff Ren), and Kristy Determan email Kiaraa@matildajaneclothing.com with BOTH (Yours and your BFF’S) of your sizes and she’ll send you out a taste of our You&Me adult collection!

Now I’m off to work, Denise is out of town this week which usually means things are pretty crazy here. Kind of makes me laugh because they’re usually pretty crazy when she IS here too!

LOVE, SAM

The most creative gal stepped up when we were looking for donations for Val’s auction. Her name was Lisa and she blew us all away with her hair goods.  They were nothing short of fantabulous. And I was even more excited when she sent us some for the You+Me photo shoot.  As you can see from many of the photos they were well used!!! And as you can see from her Etsy page, she is oozing of talent.

So a huge shout out and “thank you” to Lisa for helping us out with the shoot!

And a heartfelt thank you to you and all your sweet comments!

Basically what I’m getting at is during the Fall 2011 Photo Shoot, we were all talking about our blogs (Jami, Val, Michelle). We were sharing ideas for future blog/website layouts, great graphic artists, and how exciting it would be when we could finally post the photos from the shoot. I told Val how EVERY time her lil chicken Claire shows up on her blog she’s wearing MJC and I LOVE that. Her simple response was “Oh ya, I’m fiercely loyal to you guys.” Reading it doesn’t do it justice, she was FOR REAL, not just casually saying it. I could feel it. That was a month ago now and I’m still thinking about it. Weird right? Honestly I have no idea where I’m going with this… But I had to share that thought. It’s been floating alone in my brain for too long and needs to find a few new good homes (maybe in your brain?!).

Here’s a sneak peek of what our Summer Girls (interns Lauren, Jamie, and Sophie) have been working on for the look book. Just you wait. I was supremely jealous not to be a part of this project! It’s all about color and it’s all turning out amazing. You’ve gotta check it out on Monday.

LOVE, SAM

To continue on seeing my movie starts in 37 minutes…I think it is just about the right time to start spreading some love in a BIG way.  And because I think I am fancy, David set up an email just to do so, spreadthelove@matildajaneclothing.com. (You know a friend said, well,  kinda hinted I look unprofessional cuz I had a yahoo email account, is that bad? I really just am so used to it… but hey, Spread the Love is very professional…so we are good to go. And in case you wonder why I always put ….it’s cuz I am not quite sure if I should put a comma or a period. And no I am not blaming my finger on that.)

Okay back to the story…. (ha, dot dot dot again) There is nothing I love more than sending out surprise packages. I love it and would do it all day long if I could.  Seriously, what is better than putting a smile on someone’s face?  I’m totally smiling thinking about it.  Now your job is to shoot us an email with who you think we should surprise with a nice MJC package. It could be a teacher, a friend,  your mom or pretty much anyone that you want to put a smile on their face. We will need a complete address and sizes to be considered.  Please note due to the volume of requests we get we will not be able to reply to all of them therefore  you MUST include the above information to be considered.  We’ll keep this running for as long as we can get it to them in time for the holidays.  And if you saw my Pink Tree, I am so dying to send a little girl a tree with little presents. So cute and she would totally be in love! I can see it now..and I am in love with what I see.

Oh, and I should show you something that you may love….and try not to notice the pics..Sam does flats and they always look great. Me? Not so much..and that is why I have the yahoo email!

Yup, meet your Jane Exclusives. Well, some of them. Now remember, you must be a Jane (host a show) in order to get these goods….but they are only while supplies last.   Talk to your TK and she will help you out.  If you have never had a Trunk Show, contact customerservice@matildajaneclothing.com and they’ll help you out.  Wow, I am super sensitive about the yahoo thing, cuz normally I would put matildajaneinfo@yahoo.com, but maybe me and Kayla need to get MJC emails. Oh, man, what do you think Kayla?  Ha, next we’ll have to wear pantsuits to work!

Ya,  pantsuits and rollers. Hmm, I think Kayla is the only one that could pull that off.

Start thinking about who you are nominating…..and send all of the required info to spreadthelove@matildajaneclothing.com

Good night : )

UPDATE::: PLEASE ENTER AT THE SPREADTHELOVE@matildajaneclothing.com  EMAIL.  Any emails that go to the office will not be accepted. Sorry, but it is way too many to keep track of.  Thanks