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And for those of you listed above, I ask that you email Kiara with your name, address and size in order for us to send you SOMETHING SPECTACULAR. Email is [email protected]
It feels since forever since I have blogged and feels even longer since I have had a sane mind to think clearly. It is a combination of everything, finding a balance is so much easier to say than do. And sleeping? Ya, not happening around here much. Lynette says January is always my hibernation month and that is why I am going 1/2 insane…cuz I am not hibernating and clearing my brain. But there is no time for that right? We’ve got one of our best Spring Lines ever coming out in just over a week, and a huge 435 Art Fair to plan.
Let’s talk Art Fair cuz I know you all want to. The 435 Art Fair will be at our our building once again. How could we not? It is 435 after all. Our Pre-Party is taking place downtown at the beautiful Headwaters Park. I’m most excited about this, well, super excited. The layout is much easier, it is within walking distance for all you downtown hotel folks and parking is easy. I wanna tell you the theme so bad but then again I really want to keep it secret. Hmmmm….. We have 2 new events taking place. I’ll share one with you right now.
On Friday afternoon we will be having a special luncheon for those interested in hearing about and supporting Chicks for Children. It’ll be in the building adjoining 435. There will be an amazing lunch, one on one conversation with all the MJC girls, and the crew from Chicks for Children, plus the chance to hear Mark Cooper’s story from him. Ahhh..I have goosebumps thinking about this, It is so close to my heart and has brought such change to my life that I could not imagine not being part of it. I love these guys. You will also be able to shop early for 15 pieces. A limited amount of tickets will be sold for $125.00 with all proceeds going directly to Chicks For Children. I’m already dreaming up how much this will help the children.
Tickets will go on sale next Wednesday, I believe. We are working with a 3rd party ticket site so Becky is busy plugging in information to get it ready. As things are firmed up we will let you know….do not worry. Just check back here.
And now Gabe is begging me to come read him a book. I have asked you all your favorite MJC memories, now what about your Art Fair Memories??
I actually have never attended art fair, but my favorite memory of the event, from last year, is reading all the FB post from the folks sleeping on the side walk, while waiting overnight, in line. I remember thinking, really, they are sleeping on the sidewalk…what an adventure that must have been!
I cant wait to hear more
Hoping that I get the opportunity to join 
Oh my goodness…the Art Fair memories! I remember the first year I went. I was so nervous, I only reserved a ticket for the pre-party for myself. So I remember waiting in the parking lot ( you were doing the trolly) and I met this fantastic mom and her little girl. We hit it off, as we were both nervous and did not know anyone. We hung out during the pre-party and have now been friends going on the 3rd year. I remember how start struck we were seeing everyone from MJ. Like seeing superstars
So glad to have met a great mom and her family and we now make it a point to get together every year at art fair.
How awesome! Thanks for sharing such awesome info! Sounds like a wonderful event planned…
If may not be my most memorable but funny event from Art Fair 2012. It was my first time going. I had NO idea at all that there were 2 Courtyard Marriott hotels. Needless to say I typed in my GPS the address to the Marriott hotel, which I thought was downtown. I could not for the life of my figure out why I kept driving in circles and never getting to the street name I needed to be at. I called the Marriott from the parking lot, I think, from Wendy’s.. They told me they DID NOT have reservations for me in Downtown Ft. Wayne, that I was at the other hotel 20 mins. away. PANIC set in! Seriously, who does this!? LOL.. I asked if they had any available rooms at the downtown, and of course they didn’t! I scrambled to call the Hilton Hotel, where thankfully they had a room available! This would never happen to anyone but me! Lesson learned! LOL
My favorite Matilda Jane Art Fair memory would have to be attending AF last year for the first time with my 4 year old daughter Holland. She had so much fun at the preparty! It made me so happy to see the excitement and sparkle in her eyes from seeing all the other little girls wearing “tilda janes”, to the face painting, desserts with flowers, and dancing. I even took her to the second opening of the shopping portion when it wasn’t busy and let her pick her own things. That little girl does have a love of clothes and surprisingly I had to remind her of the 15 item limit! Lol! I didn’t attend the after party, but instead took a few of my girlfriends children to the Tin Caps game that evening so they could go. We had quite a blast there too! Holland is so excited to go back this year, and we are making it a family affair. We will be bringing my 11 year old daughter, Gabby, 6 year old son, Carson, and for course our now 5 year old daughter, Holland. Funny thing is, my husband is even excited to go too! Can’t wait to meet up with old friends from last year, and make some new ones too!
My favorite art fair memories are the ones yet to come as this will be my first and I am sooooo excited about the memories I’ll make that will be as special as the beautiful clothes
OMG…Denise!! That is amazing! I hope I am lucky enough to get a ticket! Great idea!
My favorite art fair moment…Meeting you of coarse…lol… (No I am not a brown noser) haha
I am so shy and nervous and I watched you running around and visiting with everyone just way to nervous to approach you. Multiple times you were within’ 5 feet of me and I just could not move my feet…haha!! Finally, when shopping was almost over, you were there hanging some things back on the racks and I did it!! I said HI and you gave me the biggest hug and you were so sweet! I wish I had done it sooner! I should have asked for your autograph…haha! xo
This is so great !!! I would love to learn how we can be involved in helping these kids.
I’ve gone to art fair two years now. Besides the fun of hanging with my sister and friends and antiquing our way there and back, I would say my favorite memory has to be winning the grand prize last year where I won the entire fall 2012 collection!! I was beyond excited and am still shocked that I ever won a prize like that!!
Last year was my first year to go to Art Fair. I was excited, but also very nervous, as I really didn’t know anyone there. I have met my friend Sarah shopping online and we have been virtual friends for one, before finally meeting at AF! What an amazing trip it was. Not only because of shopping ( for which I slept on the side walk all night haha), but also because I have met so many wonderful women, including a little interview with Sam and the owner of the Good Ones
Very excited for AF this year!!
Sitting in the parking lot with a dead car battery after art fair with three of my other MJ loving friends! We had driven up from 5 hours away and it was my husband and I’s anniversary. We still managed to have an awesome time and got some cute clothes!
Meeting the other jelly in our PB&J sandwich, my best friend and confidante, would have to be my best AF memory. Enjoying the fun and magic with her in the spirit of what brought us together in the first place is just priceless. The ride that is MJC is sometimes crazy but sharing the journey with friends is amazing.
I’ve only been to art fair once, but is was the most fun thing I’ve ever done!! One of the biggest memories I have didn’t happen directly at AF but was directly related to AF. The day before I remember a lot of people saying paypal was having problems and it was not showing any money in their paypal accounts. I remember freaking out about it, because ALL of my AF money was in my paypal account(I planned on using my Paypal Debit Card) Once we got to or hotel and the morning of AF before we left to get to 435 I was constantly checking and re checking my paypal account, making sure my money was still there. Thankfully I never had any problems, boy I don’t know what I would have done had I not been able to buy any MJ pretties! LOL
Art Fair is still a bit of a blur! An amazing blur!
I had so many great memories, but my favorites were being with the MJC creators and the MJC lovers.
I loved meeting girls I had been chatting with for a year and having an instant bond. It is hard to explain the feeling of meeting a stranger and then introducing yourself and realizing you are very close friends! So incredible
The same went for meeting the MJC staff- y’all were so sweet and genuine. I was blessed to spend a little extra time with the staff and Denise- even a quick look at where the magic happens! Meeting Mitzi was such a great experience too- lol. I tried explaining to her how people are crazy over her shoes and how we have resale pages and pay over retail for used shoes. She was astonished! Haha. She even had me explain it to her twice. 
New friendships, beautiful parties, staying up all night laughing like middle school girls, shopping in an addicts paradise… Yep, it was all one amazing blur!
Can’t wait to do it all again!!!
My fav moment at AF was the moment I got to finally meet and hug my MJ addicts Facebook friends (imaginary friends) as my hubby so lovely refers to them. I’d become so close with many women who were hundreds of miles apart from me and the moment we connected in real life was unforgettable!
My best and only AF memory was meeting Mitzi from Livie and Luca last year! I was a little intimidated because of who she was but she was literally the sweetest most genuine lady. She was trying petals on my daughter Ruby and taking pictures with her and of her. I felt like she really cared and her energy was contagious. Definitely a great partner to MJC.
I was lucky enough to go to AF in 2011, missed AF 2012 due to being diagnosed with cancer the same week and started chemo right away, so this year I am going!!! I can’t wait, I hope I’m able to “catch” two of the Friday lunch tickets, it sounds dreamy!!! I love, love, love MJC so much. I wear my willow to chemo and I always get asked where I got it. I can’t wait to see y’all again. Christy from CA
I desperately want to be able to come to Artfair in the coming years! I want to create memories with my dd at such an amazing event! Here’s to wishing on a star!
Fav AF memory….hmmm…HAS to be the moment everyone was let into AF and I scrambled to get back in my wheelchair. Just having an open hip dislocation and having new screws holding my hip together I was scared to get knocked over and dislodge the screws!! Sitting there watching as everyone ran into the room running to find special pretties. The energy, the moment, was awesome. I got to just take it all in. Was amazing. And so was the help of the mjc crew to the mama who so desperately wanted to attend AF even in a wheelchair. Coming home to my girls who were SO excited to see what I brought back…a treasured moment with them!!
My memory post was a lot based on art fair but here goes:
Year 1, the excitement about meeting friends and how new it all was
Meeting Sam, and seeing her with Ady!
Being able to make it back for 4 years in a row (devastated we can’t go this year, unless you make it 2 weekends, wink!)
Asking Denise if I could go and look at her neato chandelier up close
Seeing the boys grow up each year!!!!
Getting to see Sam, Denise, Kayla, Rhonda etc every year!
Cerys taking Denise’ sister by the hand and dragging her all around art fair.
Lunch last year with the MJC gals!
Laying on the ground in line year 3 because I was that sleep deprived and a wee bit hungover.
So many memories…FRIENDSHIPS!
I’ll be attending my first Art Fair this year and I can’t wait to make some wonderful memories!
I went to art fair 2011. The entire thing was amazing. My favorite part was watching the little girls walk the runway. I really wanted a weekend free of kids, but when those little girls got all dressed up, you could not help but want to see more. They sure did work that runway too.
The karaoke wasn’t to shabby either 😉
my very fav AF memory was just form 2012. I reunited with a college Sorority Sister that i had not seen in 13 years. We had been penpals for a while through MJC and decided to make the treck together…The seamless friendship was so refreshing and the LATE night giggle exactly the same. As an added bonus, we bought some amazing clothes for our little girls. AOE to Angelia Good.
Well this year will be my first Art Fair and I cannot WAIT to answer this question next year!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!! I am beyond thrilled, and sooooo very grateful and humbled. <3
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!! I am beyond thrilled, and sooooo very grateful and humbled. <3 Thank you!!!!!!!!!!
AWESOME NEWS!!! OMG, that will be a great place to have it! I can see it now….little girls in MJ soaking wet playing in the fountain!! ;-D Super rad!!!!! So excited! Last year I was a window shopper because I didn’t give myself enough time to stand in line. This year I’ll be prepared!!!
That is wonderful. I love the idea of getting to shop early, I would love to bring my family to Art Fair and would love to shop, but I cannot in good conscience ask my husband to stay in a hotel room in a strange city with two kids. I would want this to be a family trip. $125 seems like a small price to pay to go to a good cause and make the trip possible. Now if only I could get one of these. Fingers crossed.
Well last year was my first Art Fair trip, so my memories are still pretty vivid
I got up the courage to go, just my daughter and I and let me tell you it was amazing! From the minute we checked into our hotel and they handed her that pretty little pink box of cupcakes, she felt like a princess and it was priceless. You take for granted the little things that a 4 year old will delight in. Like ordering room service for a bedtime snack…she was in awe that she got to eat french fries in bed!! Or how about getting to sleep with Mommy in that big king bed…snuggled up close all night long. We woke up had a cupcake for breakfast and walked over to 435 on that sunny morning…the lines were long gone by then, but we still got some beauties to bring home…I smile every time she wears one of those dresses…I love the memories they bring back. We already booked our hotel for this year 
See you soon!
My favorite AF memory was watching my husband shop. He was brave enough to come with me one year. I have to admit I was very proud of him, as he didn’t know what he was getting into and came through with flying colors. I tried to have him well prepared for what to expect, even quizzed him over the styles, and I don’t know very many guys that would get up at 2 am to sit in line for shopping. Not only did he hold all the goodies so I could continue to shop, but he was right there with everyone else grabbing items from the racks and actually got several things I wanted. I still smile thinking about it and laugh a little too. I don’t know if I could ever convince him to come back with me, but it is a great memory. Plus, I have pictures to use for blackmail 😉
This will be my first ArtFair, and I could not be more excited! I will be hopping a plane to fly to Ohio to meet up with my Board-Bestie that I met because of MJ. We speak every day, and share lots of laughs! We will head to IN to meet up with a group of friends that have been brought together by MJ. It really is such an amazing thing. Every day I think, how can June STILL be so far away? Sleeping on the street with no shower sounds like absolute paradise <3 If Artfair even comes close to the experiences I’ve had since my initial MJ purchase, I don’t know how I will ever come home!!
Matilda Jane is more than clothes. This unpredictable brand has brought me so many things, far beyond the insanely beautiful clothes. It's about relationships and friendships, and I am so thankful for the ones I have made over the past year.
MJ and the online community of BST has taught me many things. I have learned how to PRACTICE PATIENCE (while waiting for plat to load), how to GIVE (helping Mama’s find an ISO), I have learned how to NEGOTIATE (which has actually helped me with my job) I have learned how to RESEARCH (while scanning boards for best price/condition for past items that I just HAVE to have!)/ I have learned CONFIDENCE (standing up for what I think is right), I have learned how to multitask (buffet of snacks and coloring books for Payton, while I am carting my life away!) I have learned to TRUST again, taking a leap of faith in people. I have learned to APPRECIATE finding the art and beauty in MJ pieces, and the amazing charity work Denise chooses and we support. When I found out about the Warm and Cozy event, it was such an amazing opportunity to join forces with MJC. With a little help from my friends we were able to donate boxes and boxes of stuffed lovies, in honor of the Beloved 27 from Sandy Hook. Without MJC Lookbooks I may not have seen the blog post. Now that I am an official Jane <3 I am so excited to really be a part of the MJC family.
The most important thing that has come from this world I adore, is the friendships. This is a place I can come and be ME. If it is 3am, and I am feeling down, I can jump on one of my Matilda Jane groups certain that I will find another mama who is happy to lend an ear. Every friendship has started with shared love for the brand, a picture of our beautiful girls, or a funny story. We have experience the hardest times together, and celebrated the best of times together. So many of us have never even met, yet would give the world for each other. Trust, communication, loyalty, and love- these are things I have experienced because of MJ. We share a common love for the brand, yes, but the friendships we’ve made is the real prize, and the best memory!
I cannot wait to be a part of AF2013 and finally meet my MJ Mama’s face to face : )
My fave AF memory from last year, was standing in line and watching a sweet mamma giving away the rest of her donuts to other ladies in line. Then, one of your mjc girls came and plucked her out of line and let her go to the front! She was so excited and I was so proud of mjc for recognizing the generosity of your customers after a long night of waiting. Those small moments make it the most memorable event!!!!!!
Last year was my first time at Art Fair, so the memories are still pretty vivid. I got up the courage to go, just my daughter and I and let me tell you, it was amazing! From the minute we checked into our hotel and they handed her that little pink box of cupcakes, she felt like a princess…it was priceless. You take for granted the little things that a 4 year old will delight in. Like ordering room service for a bedtime snack…she was in complete awe that she got to eat french fries in bed!! Or getting to sleep with Mommy in that big old king sized bed, snuggled in close all night long. We had a cupcake for breakfast and then walked over to 435 on that sunny morning. The lines had long since died down, but we were still able to find some beautiies to bring home with us. I loved having her all to myself all weekend and it makes me smile everytime she wears one of those dresses and the memories come flooding back. We already booked for this year
See you soon!
I already had planned on coming up on Thursday so I would have Friday to just browse around….so to speak. The lunch is a perfect idea to benefit something so close to your heart and share the entire story with some sweet mommas…hope I will be one.
If I have to work next Wed…I will be sad. 😉 No watching the internet while selling clothes to mommas… ha ha!
Art Fair seems so amazing. I’ve never been to one yet but I hope to change that some day. until then I live it through all the stories and pictures:)
Since I live in the Pacific Northwest and Art Fair seems to be on my Birthday weekend as well as the week of my husbands business travels, I have never been able to come. Just overlooking fact that I was either pregnant or nursing. Thank you for moving the date!!! We (yes, my husband would come with me) are thinking about going this year. How sweet of him to do this for/with me. Even told him about the night he will have to spend on the sidewalk with a lot of women. So no memories, just dreams. Oh, and I would be missing my MIL birthday.
My favorite memory was at last year’s Art Fair. Getting our own little tour of 435 and the platinum building by Miss Bridgett from Lookbooks. I’m sure we looked like a couple of kids on Christmas morning. But it was the BEST experience. That moment made our trip from Utah totally worth it. And made me love the sweet ladies from Matilda Jane even more!
This will be my 5th year…I am interested to see how it plays out this time….lol……its always a good time….and I always love a charity lunch!
My fave memory was from the second year.my dd got picked to go shop w Sam on Friday night. She was 3 at the time….and was in love w Sam…didn’t stop talking about her for weeks….the smile on her face was priceless!
Favorite memory Art Fair 2012…. Trying to sleep on a sidewalk to be awaken by ants! Oops… Maybe that’s my worst memory! Yuck! Bring on AF 2013!
I have never gone before the timing was always wrong and by change we are going this year:) It will be a great weekend away my my little girl and I. I think it is great to do something for charity and next year I will post on the great moments of my own.
Thank you so much, Denise!!!! Love making memories with Matilda Jane!!!
Oh I hope I am able to get tickets for the Chicks for Children event. Both my husband and I work for Poultry companies and we would love to personally get involved and also take the information back to our respective companies. I believe this is something they would loved to be involved in.
I’m so excited to hear about this opportunity!
AF 2012 was my first and all those memories are priceless and not sure which would be considered good or bad so I will share a funny one. We got stuck in traffic and were totally late for the pre party. All 5 of us changed from our travel duds to our party attire while en route. We missed the giveaway purses and even missed the chance to enter raffles
So the next night (post party) we were going to be in line earlier and we certainly were. Our group of 5 (from Nashville) arrived first. A few minutes later a couple more groups arrived(all also from Nashville). I guess all of of Nashville area ladies missed the goodies from the first night. We sat for a few minutes and an SUV pulls up with its window down waving at us. It was DENISE and she something like…she chatted for a moment and then said “we’re going to get ready for the party. We’ll be back in about an hour.”
Can you give us any idea what time this special event on Friday will be at??
Also if you are going to sell tickets for it next Wednesday can you make sure that whomever buys these tickets is not allowed to buy just for the sake of reselling them for 3x what they pay?? This really worries me!!
I haven’t attended art fair and have just now hit my 1 year mark of being in the Matilda Jane world. Though what I remember about last years was being a world away on different time zones and living vicariously through all the girls. I love that with technology I could be in Japan and it feel like I was hanging out on the sidewalk with the girls getting my “number” on my hand.
I can’t make it this year but once again I will be living vicariously and attending the Chicks for Children party, lining up and giggling all night with the girls, and dreaming about the doors opening up at the 435 to go shopping!!
my favorite AF memory is the wonderfully hilarious Minnie Paddy commentary videos. Minnie takes Lemons and makes Mike’s Hard Lemonade. MORE shorties please.
Last year was my first art fair and I can not wait to make more amazing memories!! I got to meet some amazing friends in person and we had so much fun! Staying up all night long, hanging out on the sidewalk, getting anxious and excited as the sun started coming up! waiting for Denise to let our group of ten in and once it was our turn running around looking at all the beautiful pieces
then meeting back up with my friends for sorting & trading out pieces we found that wouldn’t work or that we knew someone else wanted! Then going to eat lunch and coming back for round 2 after the break….so many memories that I will remember forever!! All thanks to MJ I have met some women I couldn’t live without
The one and only art fair I’ve been able to go to was the year before the 435 Art Fairs started. I went to the one in Plymouth. It was an awesome road trip for one, meeting the MJ team was great, dinner was awesome and I remember being so nervous I could barely eat or talk. The tent set up with all the goodies,amazing. It was insane how many people were there and that was 4 years ago! It was awesome fun all around and meeting the MJ team and introducing my husband to it all was awesome.
Mine was being able to meet a close friend in person! And share a weekend of shopping and camping out together. Its awesome how the love for the clothes brought us together!
This will be my first year coming to AF (it’s my Mother’s Day gift from my husband) – hoping to make some great memories, meet some fabulous people and be inspired by an amazing company! I LOVE the idea of the luncheon for charity! You guys come up with the best ideas! Can’t wait to hear about the “second” event! I’m sure it will be equally fabulous!
What a wonderful idea! I would love to be able to come to the luncheon. I hope I can snag a ticket! What time do y’all think though. some of us have quite a ways to drive. I have 7.5 hours to drive…. so the later in the afternoon the better. 😉 I can’t wait to at least come to the pre-party and shop the next day! I am an Art Fair Virgin! lol!
At Art Fair, I camped out overnight with some of my favorite people in the world, but I unfortunately got very sick. However, it was a happy sickness (at least in hindsight) because I was 5 weeks pregnant. I am due in Feb with my second little girl and I will always think how our first big trip together was to Art Fair.
My favorite memory was waiting in line with my girls! We didn’t get there until 3am, but it was the most fun ever. I think that’s what Art Fair is all about. Spending time with friends and having a great time. THe clothes are an added bonus
Last year was my first AF and I remember so many wonderful memories! I remember how sweet and friendly Sam was the second we bumped into her, all the racks of amazing clothes and the hustle and bustle. But most of all I remember the night in line. New friendships formed, existing friendships blossomed–I didn’t sleep even for one second and it was amazing. Now I also remember reaking of sweat and ick the next afternoon when we’d been awake for 34 hours straight without a shower (I think all in all I made it to 39 hours of no sleep when you figure we made it through post-party too). I am super excited to return again this year. The memory of it, and the anticipation of it is what I’m really focusing on right now while I’m entrenched in my current health treatments–AF is the light that is giving me daily smiles and occupying my thoughts with better, more fun days!
Wow…congrats to the winners:) I am so excited about this AF, and what a great cause:) I am so hoping that I can snatch a ticket and be a part of the excitement!!
My 1st was AF 2011 and besides being overwhelmed with all the amazing clothes I was in complete love with the display tables you all decorated. Those were works of Art as well in my opinion!
just when i think art fair can’t get more exciting than it was the last two years, i read this!
so hope i’m lucky enough to get a ticket to such a fabulous luncheon.
thanks for doing all you do.
Cupcake confetti
In the past few years, Art Fair has been on the weekend of my anniversary – 6/23 – so I haven’t been able to go. Wonder of wonders…the date has moved this year, so I can go! Yay!
My memories have yet to be made for the “official” Art Fair. I kinda feel like I’m 2 or 3 and I really just got the idea of Christmas or something. Oooooh the anticipation. Isn’t that the best. When you know everything will be a surprise?
Looking forward to it!
Thanks, Heather
Favorite art fair memory… gosh, there’s so many! I guess I’ll go with the first one that popped to mind. Hugging my long time online friend Lisa for the first time, yup, pretty awesome. And then she drove me to 435 on Friday morning, just to take a look… because we’re cool like that, lol. It all felt so surreal to me, actually being there after so many years of living through other’s pictures.
“Patty Cake” (Australian for cupcake)
Baker’s Dozen
sugar and spice
Drury lane