as the sun sets slowly in the west...

... I'm savoring the last moments, dreaming of my future adventures, blowing farewell kisses to 2011 and wishing you a happy New Year.

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Just when my Zooey Deschanel fatigue is at it's most acute, my sweat heart shows me this. Totally adorable. 


So what are you doing New Year's Eve?

a gift that keeps giving

For our Christmas tree (Hanuka bush) this year we got a Satsuma mandarin orange. It's leaves are lovely and it smells of citrus blossoms. I can't wait to plant it in our yard.

Merry Christmas!

May all your wildest holiday dreams come true.

like a partridge in a pear tree

We made just two of these organic cotton scarves in ocean blue, hand printed with our bird on a branch design. The very last one is for sale in our Etsy shop. Click {here} to shop.

hearts & crafts

I gotta say it was a good day. Not only did I have my heart warmed by little singers at Oak Grove School's Winter Assembly, but we had some of our Little City pieces bought by a lovely shop in Ojai. 

The store is called Modern Folk Living and it has a perfectly curated selection of clothing, decor and gifties, all consciously & carefully made. Wanda, the owner, purchased some of our new organic scarves and organic ladies scoop neck Ts with the wintery Horned Beast design. 

I'm most excited that she's taken our newest hearted hoody designs. These we don't even have these in our Etsy shop yet so they are EXCLUSIVE to Modern Folk. The deep red patch above is what we used on these new pieces, stitched with gold thread on black heather, organic blend hoodies. They're precious, if I do say so myself.

So if you're in the Ojai or Ventura area, and have always wanted to see Little City's organic lovelies in person, now your chance! Maybe I'll see you there as I plan to do a little holiday shopping at this wonderful lil' shop. Click {here} for more information and directions.

New Coat

Mom gave me an early Hanuka present. Oooh I just love my new coat. I feel a bit like Lady Hawk when I put the hood on.

{these photos are from my Instagram collection. Do you Instagram? Maybe we could be photo sharing pals. My handle is miabot. Come find me.}

Polaroid Holiday

Now available in Little City Design's Etsy shop. Click {here} to browse.

beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I found an amazing collection of old Santas while I was downtown last Sunday.

I think I'd like to wander through the antique malls again this weekend, see what other old timey holiday treasures I can find and photograph. Maybe there will even be a little time to make our bungalow seasonally festive. 

What about you? Any Christmas or Hanuka decorating in your near future? Whatever you plans, I hope your weekend sparkles like tinsel and smells like fresh pines.

Bloomin' Heart Scarf

Brand new in Little City's Etsy shop... our Bloomin' Heart scarf. Completely original, hand printed design, 2 sided styling in delicious plum and deep burgundy jersey with contrast stitching on the edges in a gun smoke gray.



This scarf is so soft and so luscious. A perfect holiday giftie for a stylish some one. Click {here} to shop.

P.S. 'Board' readers get 15% anything and everything in our Etsy shop with code THEBOARD.

artful weekend

Our weekend started off with a creative bang at Oak Grove's High School Showcase. It was amazing! I always stress before these events and worry and fret about every little thing. And then I see the art up on the walls, classrooms transformed into galleries, and my fears melt. My students never cease to impress me. Some of their work is pictured above.

Saturday, rather than recovering and reflecting on Friday's Showcase, Ian and I woke up with the sun and printed new shirts and scarves and hoodies for the Handmade Holiday Bazaar. Above is a photo of one of the designs in progress, being cut from rubylith for our old fashioned, hand pulled, screen print process. The new stuff's for sale, of course, in our Little City Etsy shop.


The Bazaar was great fun and we got to spend the day with other talented local artisans. I hope to show off some of their works on The Board in the days leading up to Christmas.


How did you spend the weekend? Was there art? Or holiday shopping? Maybe both?


P.S. There's a Little City coupon just for you lovely readers. Use code THE BOARD at checkout to receive 15% off your entire purchase. Happy shopping!

Handmade Holiday Bazaar & Ballyhoo!

Little City Designs be selling our organic apparel at this heavenly handmade event in Downtown Ventura this Saturday. And there will be other talented local artisans showcasing their handmade goods. Our Bazaar is during the Winter Wine Walk, so you can sip while you shop. Click {here} for more info.

any other Friday

Hat's off to those of you who are working this (black) Friday. And happy shopping to the rest of you.


{photo from the Library of Congress}

Giving Thanks

This holiday I am giving thanks for the long shadows and high contrast afternoons of autumn, warm sun spots in our pretty little bungalow, blushing pear & raspberry pies, new dresses and old sweaters, quiet moments after loud weekends, moody Faulkner hard bounds, breezy glossy Sunsets.


And, of course, I'm thankful for my family.

Make a Wish

What'd you wish for?

The Friday Scenic Route

On Fridays I usually take the scenic route home. At the end of these busy weeks, it's nice to sink into my seat, gaze at the autumn clouds and just enjoy the ride.


Have a heavenly weekend.

Halloween Cuties

Since Halloween fell on a Sunday last year, I didn't get to see all the little cuties in their costumes at school.

But this year I had a perfect seat for the Oak Grove All Hallow's parade.

weekend wanderings

I didn't make it out of town this weekend, but I did wander a bit in my own backyard. Here are some quickies from my downtown evening meanderings.

(almost) 3 day weekend

Since Monday is a holiday from one of my 3 jobs, I am feeling like I could almost go on a mini vacay. I'm not sure where to, but escaping into the horizon feels just right. Good thing I've always got that little suitcase packed.


{photo by me, again}

bad apples

I have been so busy lately, really running and going like crazy. And wouldn't you know it, I finally have a moment for a little creative outlet, and I'm feeling vacantly uninspired.


Yesterday, I bit into this beautiful homegrown fuji only to find out it was full of worms. Well, there was just one worm, but that was one too many. I'm pretty certain I didn't eat any of the extra protein. But I had a lump in my throat all afternoon anyway.


It feels like some kind of metaphor. I just don't know what it means.


{photo by me}

Saturday Sunshine Surprise

The California sun has set, although you couldn't really see it from here. But it is officially Friday night none the less. 


These gray days have got me thinking I will spend the weekend indoors, working on the computer, baking, getting ready for next week's camping trip. Then again, maybe tomorrow will be a Saturday sunshine surprise. In that Saturday scenario I'm at the beach reading my beautiful new Faulkner book and sipping a cold hecho in Mexico Coca Cola.


Have a wonderful weekend. I hope there's sunshine where you are, if you like that sort of thing.


{this photo was taken out at Hobson's Beach, on a much brighter day than today}

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

Pretty adorable.

Classes Have Finally Started

After days and days of cleaning and organizing the art room, classes have finally started.





I'm getting to know all kinds of new students, and hanging out with some of last years art stars as well.





It's pretty awesome.

The Future

Yes, The Future has some narration by a cat. And some dialogue with the moon. But I think I still want to see it. Supposedly, it was already released in the States. But either I missed it, or the release was so limited that it never made it to Southern California. Did any of you catch it? I'd love to hear a review.

Little City's Labor Day Sale Continues!

I am so excited that our Bloomin' Heart hoodies are finally in the Esty shop. Not only are they good for your wardrobe, but they are good for the planet, made from organic and earth friendly materials. 


And what's even better is that their ON SALE! We're offering FREE SHIPPING in everything to anywhere within the states. Use coupon code 'LABORDAY' at checkout. Click here to shop.

Treats for Your Holiday Weekend

Happy Friday wild ones! Hope you have some crazy adventures planned for the weekend.





In honor of Labor Day, the coming fall, and all our new scarves and hoodies, we've put our whole Little City shop on sale. From now through Monday everything ships for FREE anywhere in the U.S. Use coupon code 'LABORDAY' at checkout. Click here to shop.

old fashioned afternoon

Yesterday was (sort of) my day off with Mr. C.

After running hither and yon, gathering things for my classroom, we spent some time just hanging out. 

For as addicted as I am to Words With Friends, there's still nothing like a good old fashioned game of Scrabble. Mr. C won with a 4 point spread.

the way home

Part 3 of a summer road trip...

Leaving Ashland was a sad business. But I do so love a good drive, even when I'm driving away from a glorious summer holiday.

The fast changing view from my car window included snowed topped Shasta peaks, blood orange sunsets...

...  high mountain valleys & roadside cherry stands.

And no road trip down the Northern 101 would be complete without a pancake stop in Salinas, CA.

There are some really lovely old buildings and signs in that town. Marquees that look like they were there before color. 

I always think about those great American depression writers & photographers when I pass through Salinas. Although, I never have visited Mr. Steinbeck's museum.