Shake if Off, Colton!

Shake it off, Colton!!!

I heard these very words on Sunday at football game of six year olds.   Seems little six year old Colton was trounced and his momma wanted and needed him back in the game.  I had one of those HOW THE HELL DID I GET HERE MOMENTS, as if my life was accompanied by the Talking Heads song Once in a Lifetime.You know the song.

How did I, the art school chick who married a nice New York Jewish boy, give birth to a baby redneck who loves football?  Is it so bad to bring my embroidery to the field?  Why do all these Moms of Coltons have folding sport chairs, fancy water bottles and cameras as big as chihuauas?

Then I took a deep breath and cheered for my wee blitzer, the boy who is so fearless and gung ho he  played the entire game and got four touchdowns.  His little eyes light up on the field and he loves the game.  Do I wish he chose a less violent sport like ballet?  Yes, but karma is a bitch and this is what I get.

SHAKE IT OFF, KATE!

I also reminded myself that in two weeks I will be back in New York for the New York International Gift Fair.  Ooh twice a year I schlep my pillows up and sell sell sell!

This is made from vintage needlework

New pillows hand stitched by fair trade artisans in India

While in New York I will catch up with my pals from me salad days as a twenty something in the city.  I will sleep by myself in a fancy hotel room (at least that's what I tell my husband).  Most importantly, I will walk through Times Square and buy New York Giants, Jets, Mets, and Yankee gear for my own little Colton, waiting for me in the Lone Star State.

So come and see me at Home in Textiles, Booth 7942 at the Javits Center.

*This pillow is based on a true story and inspired by actual events

xo,

Kate



What's Trending Today : August Morgan Southwestern Pillows

Sometimes in the morning, when I am microwaving my children's breakfast, the Today Show is on.  I usually watch CNN and get up to date on the world, but usually I have been up since 5 and need to chuckle and sneer at the audience outside of Rockefeller Center.

Do you feel like Ann Curry is judging you, or is it just me?  I feel that way when I watch her, but I do covet her snazzy modern wardrobe now that she got that promotion.

After Natalie Morales gives  cliff notes on the world's floods and whatnot, she says "and here's what trending today..."

What the hell does that mean I thought the other morning?  Turns out it means what popular on the world wide web, like a hilarious video of some poor moose stuck in a swimming pool.  Then Al, Matt, Natalie and Ann have a chuckle and prep for the next segment of sending care packages to your child at college. 

"Well, what in the hell does this have to do with your blog, Missy?," you may want to ask me.  Just the title to my blog : What's Trending Today : August Morgan Southwestern Pillows.

I have always had the uncanny knack to forecast trends, but was too lazy to act and cash in.   My college roommate and I wrote a journal called The Drinker's Diaries, and then a year later Bridget Jones Diary came out.  I could go on but I fear my blood temperature would rise.

Anyhoo, little ol' me and my pillow company (little ol' me and my housekeeper) are bringing Southwestern decor back, but in a good way.  No pink wooden howling coyotes, don't you fret.

A selection of my Southwestern style pillows

http://www.augustmorgan.com/

Most of these are made from re purposed needlework, with new down inserts and canvas back.  I do have a Squash Blossom Necklace Pillow, which is available in multiples. 

Hand embroidered by fair trade artisans in Haiti, hand sewn in Austin.

Detail of Squash Blossom Necklace Pillow

The talented women in Haiti sewing for August Morgan.  We pay a fair wage and transportation and lunch.

Do you think the women in Haiti know what a Squash Blossom Necklace is or were they thinking "what the hell is this?"  Not many people are very familiar with Native American jewelry.  I grew up spending summers in New Mexico and went to college in Santa Fe for a bit, so I know a bit but want to learn more.

A collection of vintage bracelets at the Millicent Rogers Museum near Taos, NM.  I was tempted to break the glass and run for it but my uncle had the car keys.  I did buy my necklace in the gift shop.  They have an excellent selection of vintage jewelry. 

Here I am at the New York Gift Show selling my pillows and wearing my necklace.

Deep thought : does craft imitate life or life imitate craft?

This is a vintage Zuni Cluster Bracelet.  I simply must have one.

Last week my husband said he was basically traveling for work until Thanksgiving.  I looked him in the eye and said, "I want a vintage Zuni Cluster Bracelet."  He asked how much and I answered.  His answer was "buy two."

Turns out I accidentally low balled it.  Here's what I need for you to do : join the trend for Southwestern August Morgan Pillows and buy, buy, buy!  You could help me fulfill my dream of the week.  Imagine me drinking coffee in the morning, Zuni Cluster Bracelet shining on my wrist as I bring the cup of coffee to my lips, stopping to chuckle at the Today Show clip of a baby bear running through the produce aisle at an Alaska super market.



Must Like Dogs

Tomorrow I am interviewing a gal to be my intern!  Why do you need an intern, you might ask?  I was hoping you would tell me!  But it seems like everyone has one, and since El Rey, my husband, won't  give me a personal assistant, an intern will do.

Do you think I can ask an intern to give me daily blowouts so I can look like this for the carpool line?

The intern will be trained to help me embroider my pillows.  I tried to employ my children and dogs.  No go

I was an intern once....Oh the salad days!  My summer internship lead me to my one and only job pre pillow maker, at http://www.sothebys.com/en.html, Sotheby's.  Those were some fun times as a 20 something in Client Services in New York.  I would tell you about them but it is not wine time and I have dogs to walk.

Anyhoo, I will actually pay the intern to be a few hours a week to organize, promote pillows, and whatever else I need.

Intern to Bergdorf Goodman : "may I please send you a sample of our hand embroidered Greek Vase Pillow?"

What do you think I should have my intern do?  Think about it while I walk my dogs, something an intern might just want to do for me.....

M is for me, I mean Missoni

I bought into the hype.  I went to Target for the Missoni.  I vowed I wouldn't do this as I have a pretty nice Missoni collection, from before the economic downfall.  Plus a few more things from after.  Oops!

Anyhoo, I also thought that Missoni for Target would cheapen my cherished Missoni.  It had once been my trademark when I actually went out, before the advent of children's football games, swim meets, and other long, hot parenting obligations.

Yesterday at 8:30 am I found myself in a Target parking lot.  I noticed the lot was full of Range Rovers and BMW's.  I gulped down my coffee and ran into Target, realizing these ladies had 30 minutes on me.

The Missoni in the store was almost wiped clean.  I panicked realizing I didn't even have time to fetch a cart.  I ran around like a lunatic but I got a few very nice things I shall share with you.

What's that?  Oh I wore a Burberry dress from Neiman's to scoop up my Missoni wanna be's.

this is what I bought for my daughter

Shoes, tights, and a frame

I bought this for my housekeeper

I bought the dress at Target, the Missoni cardigan I have had for 6 years!

The bottom sweater is from Target, on top is a five year Missoni cardigan

Score of the day : golden sweater set

If it ever rains in Texas again I will be prepared

I am quite please with the quality.  The collection actually goes with some of my Missoni collection.

The houseware section was plucked bare, but no worries:

These August Morgan pillows are very Missoni like.  They are made from vintage needlework so they are one of a kind and you won't see them at your neighbor's casa.

http://www.augustmorgan.com/



Oh, and where will I wear my new Target Missoni?  To my children's sporting events, natch!

Pre-recession!

xoxo

Is this thing on?

Why a blog, you ask?  Well I have always been a day late and a dollar short and this Internet thing is no exception.

Why you, you ask?  Why the hell not!  I had a boyfriend that used to say, "get off the stage, Kate," and "it's not all about you."  He is no longer my boyfriend.  My current (and only) husband, El Rey, ignores my self indulgences because he has many of his own.

What is the purpose of this blog, you ask?  Well, let's make this up as we go along.

Oh, and to sell pillows.  Yes, glorious, glorious pillows. 

These are made from vintage needlework, with down inserts, new canvas backs and invisible zipper.  They are hand sewn by my fab seamstress, who I found off craigslist!

This is my Embroidered Chinese Snuff Bottle Pillow.  It is available in multiples.  The pillow is hand silk screened by hipsters in Austin, hand embroidered by fair trade artisans in India and Haiti, and hand made in Austin.

Pillows available at www.augustmorgan.com.

Well, this has been fun.  Let's meet back soon.  It's 6:00 and I have children to wake and feed and whatnot.  Time to make the donuts!!