However, today’s post is about something I am even more excited about. I feel like a little school girl when the “Habitat” subject comes up. I have so much love for them and the things they do and feel so honored to be organizing some events in order to reach our goal of $30,000. Last Year, with all of your help, we were able to raise nearly $13,000.  That is OUTSTANDING and we are so grateful. We could not have done it without all of your support and I know this year will be even more successful.  All of these donations went to building the home for Trinell and her three children. She is so sweet and appreciative and on top of that one of the hardest workers on the job site. We are all excited to meet the recipient of this years Women Build I am sure she is just the same. Below is Trinell and her children on the day of her dedication. I can only imagine what that day meant to her.

This year we will be hosting an online auction  in March and trust me you will not want to miss it. There are so many cute items from different vendors that will be available. I won’t spoil it for you today,  but I can say that there is a wide range of items that are all AMAZING. Thank you to those of you who have donated items so far.  Your generosity is heart warming. Which brings me to my next subject.

We are also hoping to gather about 50 photographers who are willing to donate a session to go up for auction in March. In return, Matilda Jane may include your contact info in our first Matilda Jane Clothing Publication that will be mailed out in April to roughly 50,000-100,000 people. If you are interested please email me (Kayla) at matildajaneinfo@yahoo.com with your website. (Spaces will be limited due to the space available in the publication and not every photographer will be selected for the publication.  Photographers chosen to be included in the feature will be hand-selected by MJC….more details to come.)

On top of those big announcements, Matilda Jane will also be co-sponsoring the annual Habitat Tea in April. This luncheon is their main source of funds for the Women’s Build in September and has been very successful so far. If you are in the area, we would love for you to join us. In order to attend the event, Habitat requires a $2,500 donation which includes 5 volunteer spots come September, and a table of 8 at the Tea. This year the Tea is April 21st at 2pm EST. I attended it last year and it was a blast. Children are welcome and each year they have a theme they run with. This year the theme has not been sent but with Denise’s brain behind some of the ideas you know it will be nothing short of cute. If this is something you are interested in as a company, family or friends you can contact me also and I can get you that information. We hope to see some of you there.

There will be some more details to come at a later day, I just couldn’t hold back the details that I know as of today. Told you I was excited.

Lastly, I haven’t done a give-a-way in awhile and after the conversation Lynette just had with Kiara we thought today would be the perfect time. This one will be hard so the winner will win Lynette’s two Favorite pieces from Serendipity.

What is Lynette’s one obsession/hobby she partakes in every year?

XOXO

Kayla

I just wanted to share a little story about last weekend here at 433.  As I am sure many of you know we had a massive sale that started on the 6th and ended on the 13th.  Then Platinum Pass on the 14th. Needless to say,  after a full week and a half of pulling orders, we had a ton and I mean a TON of packing to do. The four of us Paltinum Girls; Kiara, Desi, Viv, and I all worked Saturday and Sunday packing each day for 6 hours.  I can not even begin to tell you what a great time we had doing it.  I mean  we try to always keep things light and fun around here at 433, but these 2 days didn’t even feel like work…it really felt like hanging out with friends.  It  started when we decided to all pack at the same table, which was a bit tricky figuring  out how we were all going to fit. Usually only one or two people  pack at a table. It was a little crowded but we made it work. We listened to some music, 80′s pop, which Kiara was surprised that she actually knew most of the songs. Seeing as  she wasn’t even born in that decade…..lol.  I caught her dancing  a couple of times. I wont lie, I did reenact Pat Benatar’s Love Is A Battlefield video.  At one point we all did some version of the Thriller.  Time flew by. It was the fastest 6 hours I have ever worked. We did get alot accomplished; I think secretly we were all racing to see who could pack the most packages….lol.

             ……A saturday view from Desi’s perspective

Its strange for me sometimes, being the oldest in the group. They make me forget how old I am until I mention something that was popular when I was younger and they have know idea what I am talking about….lol.  It  amazes me that we all have our own personalities, but can blend so well as a group.  We can get so much accomplished when we put in a group effort.  I feel lucky to be surrounded by such a awesome group of girls. So I guess this is a thank you to my Platinum Girls,  who make working overtime on the weekend fun.  I love them all!

                                                                                                           …Viv, Kiara, Me, and Desi

xoxo

<3

Carrie

Once in a while when Sam and Denise are designing they will give a name to a piece, but a lot of times pieces are named once they have come back from being sewn and when we can see their true personalities. Sometimes it happens while Kiara is building item numbers, and she will search for the perfect name. Or sometimes Carrie is stocking the shelves with an item that has not been named yet and will hold up the piece and ask for suggestions. As I am sure you can tell by now, we draw inspiration for this from everywhere!! Fabrics, trims, cities, people we know, memories, and movies can all spark new names. You may remember the ruffle pants that were uploaded in November that had a theme: Veruca, Beauregard, and Snozzberry were all borrowed from our favorite, Willy Wonka. The day we named these pants, I searched on Google to be sure I had the correct spelling of “Snozzberry”, and believe me, there are many variations! Later that day, Sam walked by my computer, saw the word “snozzberry” in the search bar on my browser and asked, “Umm, Desi? Why were you googling snozzberries??”

Remember Carter? The CUTEST little knot dress with the cutest trim ever that is in the picture above? Would you believe me if I told you this dress earned her name from the little wiener dogs on the apron trim? Yep, at my college there was a little hot dog stand that showed up in The Village late at night and was known as Carter’s Hot Dogs. Everyone on campus knew that Carter had the best late night snacks for when you needed a break from pulling an all-nighter studying at the library. Or Haley- the sweetest little flutter that was everyone’s favorite (and my favorite!) from a recent upload. She was named after my childhood best friend who, I promise you had a dress exactly like this one when we were growing up!

We haven’t had a contest in a while, so why don’t you let me know what YOU think the most adorable name for a new Platinum piece is?? On Monday we’ll choose one of your names, name a dress after your sweet little girl, and when it is uploaded we will send you your very own in your child’s size! I hope you all have an amazing weekend!!

Love, Desi

The past 2 years we have been donating our slightly damaged goods to a orphanage in Nigeria. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we love the idea of clothing these children. A mother of a friend of mine is the one who founded it and although I have never met her it is nice to help someone who does good things just for the sake of helping others. Last year, we had great intentions of visiting that orphanage. A little Matilda Jane Mission per-say. Due to lots of circumstances, the trip was postponed. But as everyone knows, where one door closes another one opens.

Let me get back on track to why yesterday was THE BEST DAY EVER cause I am sure you are wondering why or what I am talking about!!!!  I feel like I have to mention something before I tell you the details. See Denise is a little tricky. She emailed Kiara, Alicia and I an email that looked as if it was just intended for each one of us (Not as a group). In the email she mentioned that she needed to meet with me to go over some emails and how to address them. I am going to be honest, I started to freak out a little. I am totally a people pleaser and the idea that I might be in trouble was a little terrifying. As I walk into the meeting, that I thought I was the only one in, I see Alicia and Kiara are also seated at the table. A little confused Denise hands each of us a piece of paper. We begin reading and suddenly I find myself shaking. If you asked me what was on that piece of paper at that time I would not have been able to tell you. All I could focus on was this picture.

Needless to say this meeting had nothing to do with emails and how to address them. Denise was simply being a brat (Yep I can say that). She was actually giving us the gift of giving, and for me making a life time dream come true. I am not sure how many of you are familiar with Noonday.  If you do not know about Jessica and the wonderful things she is doing you need to go to the website and read about it. Although, I have personally not met her she sounds WONDERFUL. Read her story, but in a short version, she travels to poverty stricken villages in different countries and the proceeds from Noonday pay for job training for roughly 10 women. After these women have been trained she reaches out to companies in order to find these women work. They sew anything from  bags, wallets, or jewelry. Her heart alone is inspiring and I can see why Denise jumped on board. Matilda Jane will partner with Noonday and these women from Rwanda in manufacturing goods we will later sell. In doing this, these women will be able to better provide for their families which is the ultimate goal.

Starting next week Kiara, Alicia and I will design and upload on Platinum an item or two that we have personal design, packed, and everything else. We even get to decide how to package and market each item. We are required to raise adequate funds before May in order to cover the expenses. All sales from these items will go to our Noonday Mission.  In May, we will travel to Rwanda for their graduation and bring samples of the items they will be creating. We are all soooooo excited for this opportunity this not only gives us but more importantly what this will mean to these women and their families!!!!!! You ladies are so supportive of everything we have done along the way and I know this will be no different.

We have so many ideas floating around of things we are wanting to make. Do you ladies have any ideas of products or items that you would love to see. I would love to hear your feedback. Stay tuned next week for our first upload, you will not want to miss it.

XOXO

Kayla

I can’t even begin to tell you how many things we have going on this week at Matilda Jane. I know its Friday, which would mean the end of another work week, but not here. It looks like overtime this weekend pulling and packing all the goodies from the sell.

Not only are the girls in the back at 435 packing, but they are unloading semi-trucks full of the marvelous spring line. A few of them are getting the first release kits ready to send to the TK’s.

Here at 433 we are just as busy. I’m pulling the orders and stocking the shelves, Viv is busy packing her little heart out, Desi is shipping and answering the phones, and Kiara is; well doing a little bit of everything. This sale is massive, it’s all hands on deck.

We are also getting items ready for the Platinum Pass Tomorrow and an upload on the 21st! Wow! We a literally running out of room in 433. I am sitting on a pile of dresses as I am writing this…(not really but it feels like it). I can’t even see the top of my desk. I have three piles of super cute Ellie tops, waiting for buttons, and no you’re not getting a pic…lol.

The view from my desk. Not the prettiest, but it’s whats inside the bins that counts!:)

So as chaotic as this week has been its alright, its beautiful chaos. It warms my heart that you are all getting your oh so pretty items at such a great price.  That I get to look at all the amazing Platinum pieces day in and day out (we fall in love with the pieces just like all of you). The spring line takes my breath away every time I see a piece. That I am a part of all this wonderfulness.

So I will leave you with this. Have a great weekend! Stay bundled and safe, if you got snow like we did.

It’s back to pulling orders for me, but I am so happy to be doing it!

<3

xoxo

Carrie

Between Christmas and New Year’s, I took a little trip with some friends, one of whom was about 3 inches tall. This little Hello Kitty came to live with me shortly before Christmas, and took up residence in my hobo bag that I took on my trip. Once I discovered that she was with us, I decided to have a little fun! So throughout the trip, Hello Kitty posed for pictures in various places that we went to and even created her own photo album blog that developed quite a lot followers!! Was there a point to doing this? No, not really. It was just FUN! I’ve been realizing that there are way too many things to be serious about, so why not take a few minutes out of the day to do something silly, just because you can?! Life is too short to grow up to be a Professional Professional (as I like to call people who take evvvverything seriously!). So go out, by yourself or with your kids, and do something fun or silly or crazy, just because you can! Just because today will be the best day that you allow it to be!

Love, desi

Wow! Can you believe that 2011 is almost over? It was a great year for me, but I am fondly looking forward to all of the possibilities that 2012 holds. I’ve been thinking about making my New Year’s resolutions.  You know we all make them and some are easier to keep than others. I have a few so far. One- is not to text but to actually call people. Two- (which kind of goes hand in hand with number one) is to write more letters. Yep, actually put pen to paper.  I just want to feel more connected to people. To  be a little more personable. Just to simplify things a little, take time and slow down.

Lincoln, my son, gave me the idea for my third one, and its a great idea. We were talking about a fortune he got from a cookie on Christmas day. His was ‘you are surrounded by true friends’;  then he turns to me and says “you know what else would be a good fortune for a cookie” -”live the secret dreams of your heart.” Wow, pretty good advice from a six year old. So that is my challenge to myself and to you. To live the secret dreams of your heart. I always wanted to write a book or a song. I think that 2012 is the year that I am going to do it. They might not be best sellers or chart toppers but they will be mine.

I hope that 2012 brings great things to all of you. Have a happy New Year! Kiss the one you love at midnight and  DREAM of all the possibilities for the coming year!

<3

xoxo

Carrie

And today I will take this cold I got from Santa along with the beautiful snow we are getting this morning all while going over Fall 2012 fabrics. The cold is the bad, definitely. It’s the kind where you feel like you have half a brain and can’t make sentences correctly (good thing I’m blogging then, right?! LOL). The snow is….kinda good. I hope it starts sticking to the ground soon instead of turning into the gray mush I see before me!! But being back at 435 after a 3 day weekend makes it ALL good. I think I was driving Mark nuts yesterday complaining about being sick AND bored. HANDS DOWN I would choose being sick at work over being sick at home. So happy to be back to 435 infecting everyone with the sickness : ) Good thing Andrea is already sick!!!

And for you, since you’ve been so good this year, some more Spring sneak peeks! I’m sure this goes without saying, but I can’t WAIT to give you some color!

LOVE, SAM

Today we chose the last three names randomly from all of your comments. And the Winners are…

Addy Van Anne

Michelle Clouse

Steph Marty

Congrats, Ladies! We can’t thank you enough for spending this December with us. We sure have felt the love from you and we hope that somehow we’ve passed a little bit of joy on to you.

Happy Holiday’s everyone, safe travels, we’ll see you on Tuesday!

It’s Friday again and that means we’re drawing our LAST THREE NAMES today for the Hobo Bag giveaway. At our last 11AM gift drawing this morning Alica and Carrie finally got their last presents and now we’ve got an empty shelf here at 435. It’s a little sad but also pretty exciting because that means there is only two more sleeps til Christmas! What a truly wonderful time of year!

And now it’s your turn to take part in the MJC 25 Days of Christmas! Just leave us a little love on this post and your name will be entered to win your very own Hobo Bag! At 4PM EST today we will randomly draw THREE NAMES from the group! Check back here at the blog to see whose name was drawn.

Please only enter once. No need to fear if you don’t see your comment show up on the blog for a while (you’ll get a little “pending approval” notification); we have a spam filter that diligently keeps our blog posts tidy and when lots of you leave us love he gets a little bogged down. But we see all of your comments on the back end of our website just as soon as you post them so, rest assured, each and every one of you is entered into the drawing immediately.

Merry Christmas, everyone and thank you so much for spending December with us!