Aaaaaaand Scene

Fa La La La La!!!


I am back for our final blog of the year, I know…its like coming back from vacay and clocking in for a day before you go on maternity leave, but it’s just how it worked out:)

So here I am, ending 2010 as a madre of two boys. I can’t believe I’m the mama pushing a tandem (I really should have been asked to take a test to drive this thing…one too many diet cokes and I can take someone out easy)

The holidays are “the holidays” to me. As in I’m thankful for a merry treat trickin’, happy new year. Yep…they blend together and I'm giddy as a little girl from when they start to once they end.

At the end of each year, I tend to look back and thank my lucky stars I am still here, reflect on what I have accomplished, learned, and of course, what I want to improve on /change for the better in the year to come.

Here are our top ten reasons for loving 2010 and saying hello to 2011 according to Pinky Swear Designs:

10. The “other” Pinky Swear company who threatened us with “court documents” way back in the beginning of the year has finally realized we’re not giving up our name. You heeeeard me:)

9. CHANEL.com…it allows us to oooh and awww over every collection as if we were in the Grand Palais in Paris sitting next to Karl himself (avec big black sunglasses of course, oh and a hat!)

8. Chocolate…I really think it played a major part in me kicking the baby blues so quickly. It helps release endorphins I’ll have you know;)

7. Unique LA…this “little” show has brought us to a whole new level and has been such an incredible fun outlet for us mama design obsessed fools. Not to mention…it’s keeping this little engine running:)

6. FaceBook-seriously…what an amazing forum for Pinky & personal use to spread the love…and its free…and we get to connect with people even if we’re stuck at home ‘cause someone has pink eye (it’s a glamorous life sometimes)-‘nough said.

5. Friends and fam…as in the ones we talk to off of the FaceBook walls…you know who you are.

4. Coffee…I think it speaks for itself.

3. Nap time…this really deserves to be, like, numbers 5-1, but for now…its 3. Nap time =lunch break/re-grouping (peacefully)…in both of our houses.

2. The Hubsters/loves of our lives, aka graphics department and tech support/CFO. Honestly…we married the same man…just 15 years apart…scary.

1. Our kiddos, aka, the beans, aka, boy wonders, aka, duders # 1 & 2. We’re doing this venture for them. We started Pinky, not only to get rid of some nervous design/artistic energy…but because one day, we’re hoping this will all pan (2 years and still going!) out and we’ll be able to stay home with these babes foreva and continue to raise the true works of art that they are.

Just a quick shout out to these things that we love…and that includes all of you too:)

Talk to you next year!!!

Peace, love, and wine
Love Aj & Lo

p.s. we’re just (b)logging out for the year…you can still and always order a necklace;)

Unique LA - Post Game Roundup

*Ms. A.J. made tiny mossy wreaths for our holiday table! So cute!

We had an awesome time this weekend! We always love doing these shows. We love having a display to plan, we love meeting new people (consumer and artisans alike) and we love any place with a good DJ. And of course its always great to hear feedback about our line and those new orders aren't too shabby either ;)

Thanks again to everyone who came by and hello and welcome to anyone new to us here!

Unique LA Roundup - Everything Else!

So there's no way I could post about everyone that is going to be at Unique LA, so here's my final plug!

There's something for everyone! Seriously! Your music fan can shop at the Amoeba pop-up shop, hang out with the DJs or snag a band poster straight from the source. Your foodie can visit one of the many gourmet food trucks, not to mention the stand alone vendors selling pie, organic ice cream, to die for chocolate and more. Your crafty friends can visit the workshops and make something (for free!) Your kids can go to the photo booth or the creativity zone set up just for them. Your friends with fur-babies can buy some unique pet toys and accessories. And you can maybe cross a few more people off your Christmas list while supporting local artisans and business. Its a blast and everyone that has ever gone always tells me that is was so fun, and so different from any other "craft shows" they've been to. The free booze helps too. ;)

Looking forward to seeing some of you this weekend, if we don't, have a great weekend anyways!

Unique LA Roundup - Kids

Is your baby all grown up? Never fear, there's a ton of stuff for "big" kids too! Check out a few of my favs:

1. Homespun Vintage - To die for kid's vintage! Kid's vintage can be kind of hit and miss for me, but I love every single piece they have on their site. This jacket alone should be enough to get you to LA this weekend. So rad.
2. Jupey Krusho - JK were our neighbors at the Spring Unique LA, and all his characters are adorable. My kids got a couple posters from him and they love 'em. I think this comic book would be a great stocking stuffer for my littles.
3. Allen Ave. - Yes again. I love this stuff! But, hello? Its a pirate. In a plane. My son is already begging me for it.
4. Scrappynaps - All in one fabric placemats that have pockets for a napkin and utencils! Such a great idea. We picnic a lot and these would be awesome to take to parks
5. Stella Industries - There's a ton of great children's clothes makers at Unique, but I do love this line. Everything is fairly simple, but modern with out being too "grown-up" Can't wait to browse through their booth.

Unique LA Roundup - Babeez!!

There's nobody more fun to shop for then babes. Its just a fact. And Unique LA is dangerous on that front. With Ms. A.J.'s bean and my sis about to have her first, we're in big time trouble. Here's a few:

1. Green Thread - Organic blankets and clothing, I fell in love with these guys at the spring show. Everything was sooo soft and sweet and just yummy. Alas in springtime the babies in my life were just twinkles in their mother's eyes. But this year? Its ON.
2. Whimzee Baby Boutique - Really nice burp clothes seem silly at first (why pay more for something the baby is just going to throw up on?) but then you get a few as gifts, and you find your self reaching for the nice ones every time. Cute patterns, and some cute totes as well.
3. Moncalin - Simple, sweet and machine washable. Destined to become your babes lovey.
4. Allen Ave. - I love this diaper bag. Its rad. I'd carry and I don't have kids in diapers.
5. Allen Ave. - Double feature for Allen Ave, but I couldn't just let this giraffe go unnoticed! How cute is he??

Unique LA Roundup - Art & Posters

I loooove all the art at Unique LA, its probably one of my favorite things. Here's a fast and furious round up of just a few of the awesome artists that will be there this weekend:

Lulu Dee - Sweet, retro looking prints. I love this plywood print!

DKNG Studios - Band and event posters, I drooled over these prints last time around. They even "feel" nice.

Alena Hennessy - Beautiful painting and prints. I want this one for my bedroom, so serene.

Roadside Photographs - I love the saturated tones in these photos.

Unique LA Roundup - Home

Today's roundup is for your home! Lots of great stuff (in fact, I had to split up the artwork/posters from this home post cause there's just too much great stuff!)

1. Hysteric Haus - Its a golden girl pillow. Do I even need to say more?
2. Collision Ware - Adorable oven mitts and more. I also love these zombie oven mitts, my six year old would be all over that.
3. Alyson Iwamoto Ceramics - Loving these collaged plates and dishware. I still harbor dreams of having a plate collection to hang on my wall.

I'm really obsessed with Relight candles too. They take vintage glasses, planters, crystal, etc and make soy candles out of them. I'm loving the line of black and gold and if that Andrew Jackson one is sold I might just throw a temper tantrum.

Unique LA Roundup - Men

Here's some vendors I want to check out for the menfolk in my life:

1. Entropy Apparel - Great tees and great designs. Especially love this one not only for its design, but also because proceeds from this tee go to non-profit organizations that support veterans.
2. Suburban Riot - Got a Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia fan in your life? This company has several tees that have been worn on the show.
3. FAQ Clothing - I like the simplicity/abstract quality to this line. And they make women's tees...

And lest you think that there's only some tees out there for the guys, here's some accessories too! This holster wallet from Maiden Voyage is awesome. So awesome in fact that at the last Unique OC a certain member of ZZ Top bought several, even buying the artist's own wallet right out of his pocket. And Graf & Lantz always has us drooling over their wool and leather creations. I would love to replace The Husbands ratty old work bag with this (and I'm sure he would like that too)

Check out the rest of the Unique LA here!

Unique LA Roundup - Women's Clothing

I'm going to post some short and sweet round-ups of some of the stuff we're excited about for Unique LA this weekend (Dec. 11th and 12th!). Today I'm starting with women's clothing!

1. Sabo - Upcycled clothes that are super cute!
2. MNKR - Loving the comfy look of these sweatshirts and tees from MNKR, looks like the perfect thing to add to my "mommy" wardrobe (love anything that is close to just wearing sweats without looking like...well, sweats! ;)
3. Smoke & Mirrors Clothing - Love their tanks and dresses, especially this gorgeous pink one!

And I can't wait to check out Effie's Heart! Everything on their site looks amazing! A vintage aesthetic, which we love, and in fabrics that make them perfect for everyday. Can't wait to see this in person.

These are only a tiny handful of all the great women's clothes that will be at Unique LA, check out all the participants here!