OCM Show

Well, the OCM show went off without a hitch. We had a great time – thanks to all of you who stopped by! We love meeting you! I was elated to have sold a few prints, a lot of shirts and taking a break from being a mom for a weekend is always refreshing! (ha ha). Here is a photo from my scramble prep to get prints ready – notice the pile of old cameras at my feet…..box of magazines with markers for color options on shirts, new Sari curtains un-hung on the top of the cd cabinet…basket of blankets waiting to be folded – oh yes, day in the life of a busy mom trying to start a business and keep a few hobbies running. (ECK – would you even know I’m a perfectionist!) ha ha ha. Anyway – it was a great show! If you didn’t get a chance to check us out, you might look for us at Renegade Chicago this year!

Come out and see us MAY 3 and 4!!

If you are in the mood for browsing art, photography….jewelry….a myriad of other types of creative studios – come to Hot Shops tomorrow and Sunday downtown! I’ll be in room 222 – stop in and say ‘Hello!’ Of course, Monkeyboy shirts available – and also, I will have some new prints available for purchase! (Of course, Amy’s creations are a draw in and of themselves, so you have nothing to lose!) As well, we have a few new rockin’ ladies in the Mafia, and their stuff is the bomb! Come see us!!! (Do or die).

For more about the Mafia:

Omaha Craft Mafia

OCM on flickr

the Garden

I finally narrowed down what my little plot of land could hold for the season. I think we’ll be full of peppers, tomatoes, peas, strawberries, raspberries, spinach, radishes and more herbs then I can name. I think I might have been a bit over zealous! But, the kids love it! (Here’s to the season’s first sunburn!)

So, we finally finished planting the garden. Hopefully, all the hard work will pay off!

Orange pepper plant

Our patch of asparagus. We watched his little threads weather the winter and were overjoyed to see these little spears coming up a whole season early!

The back yard raspberry bush. This is a fall variety. His buddy in the front yard is a spring bearer (and going nuts) – our goal is to have raspberries from summer to late fall. (We are all ‘berry’ crazy round here.) ha ha.

Fresh strawberry bed. We scooped a pit, mixed stand, dirt, a little prayers…and hopefully they will be coming out of our ears by summer!

Snow peas. The best part of planting the snow peas was the hike we took to find the stakes. (Why buy when you can recycle?!)

Another Fabulous art show!

I’m SO behind. However, for those of you in a more spontaneous mood, Espana is hosting an art reception tonight from 7-10. Miss Cake will be a featured artist – check out her website for more information! Following is an event hosted by LOOM with some rockin dj’s. No fee for the art show and the cover for LOOM is 5 bucks. By the way, Espana is one of the swankiest joints in town. (In my humble opinion – I CRAVE their sangria and mojitos almost daily.) Check it out!

Espana art gallery 60th Maple Street

Scout Dry Goods fashion show

Finally stopped in to Scout – great shop! Cool design….a wall by Miss Cake no less. If you haven’t yet, must check it out and show some support. Scout’s opening party/fashion show is Feb. 23 at 7pm – don’t miss it! It’s fre for all ages and they are serving ?chocolate milk? Hmm. Nice change from all the wine. (Though I DO love my wine, I can’t see wine and clothing mixing all that well.

Be there! 5019 Underwood Ave

Trocadero and a rockin’ art show!

I have to say that the Pulp art show seemed a great success. It was packed! The art represented was very well done and I thought, all in all, it was a great show. Lots of people, networking and raising money for great women’s charities. Pulp really seems to be making it happen! Go Brigitte!

On another note, I stopped in to Trocadero for the first time since it opened in October! I’m ashamed! I couldn’t seem to find a spare moment to squeeze in before 6 pm. I didn’t know what was better, the fact that the shop itself is sophisticated, classy and a sweet taste of the finer things NYC OR that the shelves are stocked with such goodies as D.L&Co. (AHHH), vintage Miroslav Sasek illustrated children’s books, the John Derian line (even though I might say that Kaas in the West Village still has a slight edge!), Botkier bags (LOVE the black rose line) and my personal favorite skin care line – Korres. (This is the ONLY line of skincare that my skin doesn’t have a dry reaction to – I HAD to pick up their Milk Proteins 3 in1 cleansing system – my favorite and who can beat NOT having to pay for online shipping for once!!!). There was a great deal more fantastic lines (Oh, did I forget the Bond No. 9 fragrances! Oh, the scents of NY!) but I could spend all day listing and raving. Alice Kim has very fashionable taste. (Is that wrong to say she has ‘good’ taste if it’s similar to my own! Natch!) . Anyway, I wish her the best of luck! A great new addition to Omaha, NE!

Pulp Art Show

Please join pulp owner, Brigitte McQueen and many artists in the midwest and beyond for the Jan. 18 artist reception for Paper Dolls art show. This show features all female artists and all proceeds will go to support V-Day. Below is a link to a video by Christine Schuler Deschryver explaining a bit of what takes place in countries where V-Day is active. This is a hard video to listen to, but I think we’ve all heard of these things taking place in the world – this makes it a bit closer to home. Having had little or no ability to assist, this is an easy way to show your support and help out as well as see some great art while you’re at it. I know a few of the artists, but not all and the ones I know do great work, so stop by and check it out! I’m definitely not going to miss it!

*Pulp presents Paper Dolls: Wall-to-Wall Work by Women *
*January 18th through February 13th*
*Artists’ Reception: January 18th | 7pm to 10pm*
*with guest DJ Brent Crampton*

Pulp is pleased to present “Paper Dolls” — a group show featuring work from
more than 25 local and national artists.

Please join us for our Artists’ Reception on Friday, January 18th from 7pm
to 10pm. This exhibition is a celebration of the 10th anniversary of VDAY -
a global movement dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. A
portion of the proceeds from the work sold during the show will be given to
VDAY, and donations for several local women’s charities will be collected
during the artists’ reception.
For more information on VDAY, please visit www.vday.org.

“Paper Dolls” will bring together a wide range of contemporary painters,
print makers, sculptors and photographers, including works by:

Jite Agbro • Claudia Alvarez • Caitlin Applegate • Courtney Blazon •
Jennilie Brewster • Meghan Boylan • Nicole Cawlfield • Merrilee Challiss •
Jenna Colby • Rebecca Dolan • Dana Damewood • Rachel Epp Buller • Wanda
Ewing • Allyson Gibbs • Peggy Gomez • Christina Graf • Elizabeth Huey •
Olivia Jeffries • Mindy Kober • Karen Kunc • Renee LeDesma-Hoover • Jessica
Levy • Natalie Linstrom • Jessica McCourt • Bonnie O’Connell • Darci
Pressnall • Jill Rizzo • DeAnna Skedel • Kate Taucreti • Nubby Twiglet
Pulp: 6114 Military Avenue

http://v10.vday.org/meet-vday/activist-spotlights/christine-schuler-deschryver

Style Omaha

I like to make ‘city sweeps’ now and then to check out any new shops, restaurants or cool places in or coming to my city. Now and then, I will find something truly inspiring (like Pulp, for example) and be pumped enough to write about it. Here are a few places I’ve come upon as of late. As a business owner, one of my favorite parts of finding new, great shops is meeting those that were willing to do the work to open them. If nothing else, show support to them by stopping by and giving them a well deserved pat on the back.

Trocadero – 12th and Howard (Owner – Alice Kim former InStyle magazine accessories editor)
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1208&u_sid=10217366&u_rss=1&

The Giving Tree (Shops of Legacy at 168th and Center) and Be Yourself (Off of Cass next to World Market) owners Jennie O’Dell and Kim Vasey (one of my personal favorites – doing some great things in the city.) http://www.thereader.com/lifestyle.php?subaction=showfull&id=1178134845&archive=&start_from=&ucat=13&

Of course, there is Tops on 48th and Leavenworth – awesome shop for all things rock and edgy. Think Haight Street, San Fran.

New to Omaha – Runway Boutique opened by owner Nicole Brown. I’ve not been in yet, but have heard awesome things and being that she is a local new boutique owner, would be good to show some support and check out her shop.

Now, I’m not one to get all hyped on chain or large stores, but we are getting a Sephora! I do have to admit to being a Sephora junkie especially in a city where great facial/body and make up products are hard to find when boutique style.

Sephora

Shadow Lake Towne Center
7751 Towne Center Parkway

Now for some product/shop plugs. I’m stoked that Paper Dolls carries Grace Sun pieces especially the gray tulip dress and petal blouse. http://www.gracesundesign.com/SS08/16.html
http://www.gracesundesign.com/AW07/15.html
Paper Dolls Passageway 10th Howard

You can also now buy Art School Girl cards at Pulp! It’s always much better to walk into a shop rather then order online! http://www.artschoolgirl.com/shop/cards/

Also, I have found Odyn jeans at the Garment District here in Omaha. Now, if we could only get some Little Bigs…..
http://www.odynjeans.com/womens.htm
Garment District
16909 Lakeside Hills Plaza/ St. 103

I’m sure everyone has stopped out at Urban Outfitters. Though I’m not as fond of them as I used to be – too corporate. I’m still crossing my fingers for my very top notch favorite – Anthropologie. Seeing as they own Urban…maybe if we give them some good biz, they’ll send us an Anthropologie. We also could use Erotokritos…but I don’t think we’re quite Paris yet. (Even for a native Greek.)http://www.erotokritos.com/pages/erotokritos.html

http://www.anthropologie.com

More fabulous places coming soon to Omaha

Again, another fabulous shop to check out – Scout in Dundee. Speaking with various local business owners, I learned about a dry goods shop opening in Dundee soon. The coasts (especially Seattle area) have dry goods shops and I’m excited that the Omaha market has opened up past chain and department stores to make room for a great little boutique like this. Perhaps Omaha will follow it’s performing arts scene and gain some reputable, artisan style boutiques to make our city truly unique. Not only that, but hand made and recycled goods is best for people and the environment. When they open, show your support. I can’t wait!

http://www.myspace.com/scoutdrygoods

Support Local Paper shop Pulp

I was recently in a fabulous new store in Benson called Pulp. I had the opportunity to meet proprietor, Brigitte McQueen. She is a stylish, classy gal and her shop is truly inspiring. It’s filled with amazing, handmade stationary, journals, bags, pins, journals, zines and various books. I even spied a little pin hole camera that you put together yourself – wonderful! Wooden post cards…so many things to really appreciate. The design of the shop feels earthy and modern – very fresh. One half will be used for an ultra hip art show area and there will be shows once a month featuring various artists. There is a show coming in January that will feature many local female artists. I’m totally pumped about this shop. Something Omaha has been in need of. I felt like I was back in NYC for a few brief moments…only it’s own local feel. Support Pulp – stop out, say ‘hello’ and show some support for owner Brigitte and her new Benson paper boutique. It’s a wonderful shop.

6114 Military Avenue
Omaha, Nebraska 68104www.p-u-l-p.com