Cote d’azur - summer 2018

Get ready for fun summer styles!

Cote D'Azur launched Tuesday to amazing acclaim. The design inspiration came from the South of France where sunny skies hit the beautiful blue waters. Here's a look at each of the collections:

Paloma Pearl:  Set your sights on the iridescent reflections of cool silver seashells + clear crystal pave sparkle, inspired by the wonders found beneath the waves of the Mediterranean with the Paloma Pearl.

Cap Moderne:  The hidden convertible details, crisp lines + subtle movements, these structural styles call forth the famed architectural feats of the French Rivera.

Maree:  Discover all the jewels of the tide in this swept-in-by-the-sea mini collection featuring semi-precious abalone pops of cream pearl and an on-trend turquoise color palette.

Clara:  Genuine cubic zirconia crystals, shiny gold plating + iridescent Kyocera opal gemstones, Clara calls to mind the watery reflections of the Mediterranean coastline.

Sur Mer: Get away to the French Riviera with sparkling swept-in-from-the-sea designs, featuring clear crystal pave starfish, textured shaky shells + bejeweled coral motifs.

La Place:  Drawing inspiration from underwater wonders + sparkling South of France sighs, layers of luxe beading + semi-precious stone heed the siren call of style.

Toujours: Adding to our collection of essential pieces, this collection was created for "always" or "toujours" wear, these haute-hammered metals feature on-trend fringe + interlocking luxe loops, perfect for mixing, matching + layering to your heart's content.

Riviera:  Set sail for paradise in the carefree color palette of the Mediterranean coast, featuring semi-precious peach jade + hand-swirled geometric gemstones.

Find your favorites and add some summer fun to your summer style!

Taking the road less followed ...

The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world ... are the ones that do.

Ya'll have heard a bit about my new obsession with Sseko, a company supporting women in Uganda, free trade, improved working environment and safety for the 50+ women who work for Sseko and the 19 young women who it has sent to a Ugandan university just last year! Over the past few weeks, I have come to appreciate this little Northwest company and feel very inspired by it's story. I feel compelled to join this small group of entrepreneurs to give back to the wonderful world that we share. 

Not only has Sseko inspired me, but has also set a flame under my youngest daughter and a friend of mine. We have decided to take on this new adventure together! My daughter will take a collection with her to the University and share the story with her new friends. My friend and I will be creating a buzz on this side of the mountains with public markets and trunk shows. This handmade products will create quite a stir in our little "do-good" area of the country.

I have decided to take a step back from Chloe + Isabel and turn my attention to this new adventure. I will continue to sell C+I, but will begin hosting Trunk Shows for Sseko as a "Sseko Fellow." For those of you loyal C+I customers, I will still be available for pop ups in your home, and will be happy to take you through the latest and greatest collections. I will keep you appraised of sales and promotions - and of course I will happily give personal styling advice!

Sseko designers have created the most beautiful fine leather bags, purses, small leather goods and big, beautiful travel cases. In addition, they create many of the most comfortable sandals I have ever worn with leather and ribbon that are fully customizable. They've partnered with a swimsuit designer to create one-size-fits-all clothing and scarves. Finally, they have trendy, simple jewelry with interchangeable charms and bold designs. 

Everything I have seen and felt is so finely made with care by each of the Sseko tradeswomen. Each and every piece is signed with love from an inspirational woman on the other side of the world - and you can find she and her story on the webpage and see who your purchase has helped.

If you would like to see how a trunk show works and buy your first pair of ribbon sandals, I will be hosting a trunk show of my own with the help of my Sseko Fellow Monique on May 18th at 7pm. She is in Texas but we will be hosting a Facebook Group event so you can see just how much these beloved pieces need to be part of your everyday.

I've attached some of my favorites and invite you to request your invite to the Trunk Show, support women of the world and kick your summer off with a bang! I'm feeling mad-inspired by this little company and I can't wait to share the products with my friends!

Keto update and egg cooker review

I've lost 8.8 lbs in 14 days on my Keto diet. I've hit a bit of a plateau for the past 3-4 days, but weekends are tough! I've not cheated or splurged during the past 2 weeks, but I think my lack of veggies and protein heavy eating is not doing me any favors. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and have a salad for lunch.

On a good note, I haven't cooked a great hard boiled egg since my mom died. Seriously, she had a knack for eggs and mine either come across with sticky shells or weird colors. Until my friend Paige turned me on to Amazon's Vobaga Electric Egg cooker. It steams the eggs rather than boiling them and every single one has come out perfectly! (Save the few with cracked shells going in that have exploded out of the shells but in hard boiled form). Dave and I have been eating eggs like crazy on our diets as an easy no carb snack. If you struggle with cooking hard eggs, definitely try this baby out! Thanks Paige!

I'm having a bit of fruit withdrawals while I've been trying to stick to a plan between Dave's paid membership at a diet center and my Keto app Lifesum. I may have to splurge a bit on some berries or melon in order to switch things up.

Dave's down 20 lbs in just under 4 weeks! Great job baby!!

Sseko Review ...

Wow, just wow! I ordered my Brave earrings with Peace charms on Thursday and they showed up in my mail this morning! That's 2 business days!! I'm impressed.

Here's a video I took of my unboxing ... I'll give you an update of my ribbon sandals later today.

Making a difference ... one sandal at a time

Sseko founder, Liz Forkin Bohannon, first traveled to Uganda in 2008 with a fresh Journalism Master's degree from the University of Missouri in her pocket. Her goal was the assist in the communications efforts for a youth development organization based in Kampala. While there, Liz encountered an incredible group of talented young women struggling to finance their post-secondary education.

After traveling the country by motorcycle to find raw materials and learn how to produce footwear by hand, Liz hired three women making sandals together under a mango tree, to an International fashion brand that provides employment opportunities and entrepreneurial training for over 50 women in East Africa. She believes that business is a powerful platform for social change and that girls are the future. Liz and her husband live in Portland, Oregon, and I couldn't think of a more appropriate city to build this compassionate company.

My friend Katie hosted a Sseko Trunk Show last week and I was captivated by this small company and their story. I began hearing about these fantastic ribbon sandals she was wearing in California during her spring break as well as a beautiful genuine leather belt purse (trendy fanny pack turn clutch). With my interest fully peaked, I joined her online trunk show hosted by her Sseko Fellow Monique Boehme, and purchased my first pair of sandals and created quite an extensive wish list.

I am inspired by this company, not only their mission, but I believe this mission is pure. Sseko works hard to source as many of the materials (from beads to rubber) in the East African region with the aim of supporting the local economy and community. She employs women who would otherwise be forced to work in much more difficult conditions such as in clothing factories where they are paid very little and beaten by their male employers.

I heard the story of one Sseko employee, Matilda. Following her husband's death, the only job she could find was brutal, back-breaking work in a rock quarry. Now this incredibly strong, resilient woman works alongside 50+ Ssiters in a dignified, supportive, environment, earns a fair living wage and looks forward to the day when she will employ her grandchildren in a family business that she will start herself.

Liz personally selects the tannery partner who is intentionally working towards and investing in environmentally friendly processing techniques. In the world of vegan alternatives, Sseko is supporting tanneries by providing jobs and creates a market for the hides left over after animals are sold for meat. This means more income for farmers and more support for the region.

The combination of fashion and making an impact worldwide has given me wings. As I grow older, my focus becomes less on consuming and more about progress in a world where women, like my daughters, have an equal and compassionate voice. We share this planet with billions of other humans, and we have been sorted and categorized by men. I can't think of a more appropriate place to start then to support a company that supports women of multiple countries, works to provide a financially self-sustaining model, that makes choices not based solely on financial opportunities, but on how to make a sustainable life for women globally. Empowering women to have voices in professions that will someday lead countries.

I am excited to receive my first pair of ribbon sandals (and Brave earrings with lava stone charm for my Young Living Essential Oils) this week and I am hosting a Trunk Show mid-May to do what I can to support this beautiful company. Please join me and then ask yourself "Who are the clothes I'm wearing made by? Were they treated fairly? Are they earning a living wage?" and consider that each and every Sseko piece comes with the name of the women who made it and how you are supporting her dreams.

Stay-at-home-mom

I waited 14 years to be a full-time stay at home mom. When the girls were little, I worked part-time, but when my youngest started Kindergarten we invited my mom to come live with us and share our lives. From that point on, I was able to return to work and get back some of the things Dave and I enjoyed before kids. A few family vacations, concerts, activities for the kids, and eventually private school education. When my oldest left high school and her tuition was paid for by the school district, I felt it possible to leave my job and pursue other opportunities.

I've been home for almost 18 months, and while we've adjusted, I haven't found anything that has inspired me, except spending time with my girls. In a few short months, the oldest graduates from her program at college and my youngest is university bound. By September, the big one will be working and the little one away. So what is mom going to do? Continue to stay home and talk to the dogs?

It's back to work I go! As much as I yearn for some consistent, well-paying part-time work, it may be necessary to return to full-time. I've added my name to the list of returning bailiffs when a position becomes available I can apply for and we'll see how it goes! I'm giving this one up to my mom, applying for anything that sounds interesting and hoping that she will lead me in the correct path.

In the meantime, we've got a deck to complete, a possible kitchen remodel for a friend, helping my wonderful friend Heather when she needs a hand, getting the big one off to school, and preparing for a graduation party. That's plenty for now ...

It's finally sunny in the PNW - so get out and enjoy it!

Gabby

What’s Up Wednesday?

Check out the Mother’s Day Garden Party capsule launch and 6 new Unicorns from the Chloe + Isabel vintage vault in my What’s Up Wednesday newsletter. While you’re there, read my feature about one of my favorite people, Mary Siracuse, an extremely talented seamstress who specializes in bridal alterations and extraordinary travel experiences. Got a Prom dress needing help? Give her a call and book your appointment today! 

Sure, we'll do your kitchen remodel

Side job #342

Just kidding ...

When you are able to impress your friends and co-workers with the modifications and remodeling in your own home, they start to refer others! So this husband and wife are teaming up in Chip and Joanna style to design and remodel a kitchen for a co-worker!

We've met with this wonderful single lady once already and I look forward to sitting down with her again to discuss details. Thankfully, she's already a fan of Pinterest! I've started combing the site myself for ideas and creative ways to make her little kitchen homey and storage smart. Our second conversation will be planning where she wants to put everything to make her kitchen efficient with more workable services.

Meanwhile, Dave makes everything look so simple. We enjoy working together on projects. We laugh and joke around. He makes fun of me when I ask stupid questions or make impossible requests - but I get him back by pushing forward when he feels like taking a break. I set deadlines and organize the project and he does the heavy lifting. This time it's a family affair! He's hired our youngest to come help!

Dave's a hard worker and he's been a Teamster for nearly 30 years. He's eligible to retire in less than 5 years - he's been looking for a way to supplement his retirement income and give him something fun to do. This little business just might be it!

Stay tuned for more remodeling with "Dave & Gabby". LOL

Graduation party loooming!

We built our deck about 10 years ago and what started out as something to cover our little concrete patio on the back of the house when we purchased it turned into a massive deck that spans nearly the length of our back yard. (That was my older brother's brilliant idea.)

About 4 years ago, King County Ramp-a-Thon chose our home for installation of ramps and a concrete path to provide emergency access for our physically disabled daughter. Since that time, we'd been trying to work with the State on installation of some deck railings so it would be safe for her use. They've denied our requests for the past 3 years. To that end, she spends little to no time enjoying outside, and neither do we in lieu of spending time with her.

Our baby has decided she wants a party at our house (with a growing guest list of 75+). Well, there's no way that many are going to fit inside, so outside we go! We have 2 months to build the pergola, deck railing, dad's cook area, a double chaise chair, hang a swing and fix up the yard.

I'm proud to say that my husband has rocked the start this weekend! He and Papa bought all the supplies on Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon they installed all of the support beams and enclosed that side of our deck! I was amazed at the progress! He'll be working next weekend to complete the pergola and then wait for a sunny day to paint it white.

Next we'll design the outdoor BBQ area of his dreams (on a budget) and construct the chaise DIY project.