Around Here :: January 2015

January is probably my least favorite month of the year. It just seems to drag. It's particularly grey and dreary and spring is still so far away. I have to keep myself busy and on the move this time of year. This month flew by...it was a busy one!! Here are 9 of my favorite things that happened in January... 

1 - A major case of nesting has arrived. Trying to get organized around the house!

2 - 29 week baby bump & my favorite GYPSY THREADS BLAZER

3 - My favorite pregnancy craving these days is a tuna melt accompanied by chips and sweet pickles. (ew...I know)

4 - Made a last minute weekend trip back home to SLC to see my family.

5 - Airport style.

6 - Me & dad wore the same shoes to church. 

7 - Packing GYPSY THREADS orders like crazy!! Gotta get the shoppe cleared out ASAP! 

(( Everything in the shoppe 40% - 75% off, and going FAST!! ))

8 - Sometimes you just gotta have a donut. 

9 - Layered legs with GYPSY THREADS SOCKS and LOTTA FROM STOCKHOLM BOOTS 

Change in the Air...

Well...it's time for a post I've been dreading. 

A few months ago we found out that we are expecting a baby boy in April. We couldn't be happier to be adding a little brother to our family. I have fallen in love with being a mom to a little boy, and can't wait to have another one. It's truly a blessing to be expanding our little family by one. 

But, sometimes with blessings (even really great ones) comes challenges, trials, and big changes. With out going on and on with details, there's been a chance of this pregnancy/delivery being slightly more complicated than with my first. (There's also a chance it won't, and everything will be perfectly perfect!) But I have felt strongly that I need to get my life and home in order and be prepared for all the changes that our little addition may bring. 

I LOVE Gypsy Threads and this online community we have been I have been lucky to be a part of. Truly, it's been so much fun to run the shoppe, but when it comes right down to it, putting my family first is the most important thing. 

So, Gypsy Threads will be closing (hopefully just temporarily) till our little family is all together and settled. It is unknown exactly if and when I will reopen the shoppe, but I do plan to stay connected to this wonderful network of friends online. I will continue the blog and all of our social media accounts. I look forward to sharing more about myself, our life and family here in the PNW as well as sharing some of my favorite small businesses and brands, the way so many others have shared their support and love for Gypsy Threads. 

I am truly grateful to the bloggers and instagrammers who have posted, highlighted and shared their love for my little business. They have made this crazy idea a success, and I truly am grateful to them. 

As for the shoppe...everything has been marked down 40%-75% and will be available to purchase till the end of February when the website is no longer live. 

Thank you so much for all of your support...I do hope you'll stay connected HERE on our blog as well as HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE!

XOXO Brittany

Britt's Picks :: Portland Plaid

 In the Pacific Northwest, you never take a sunny day for granted. Especially when a sunny day comes along in November. You get outside, squint your eyes and let those rays in. 

After a long stretch of rain, the sun made an appearance over the weekend, so we headed out to our neighborhood beach. If you live in the Seattle area, or if you ever visit, head north to Mukilteo. It's not a tropical beach experience by any means. It's cold and rocky and sometimes you are required to climb over giant drift wood to make your down the shore. You won't find palm trees and coconuts, but it's the perfect place to take in the beautiful PNW scenery and Puget Sound, and a great opportunity to let Miles get his wiggles out. (Toddlers can get a little restless here, in the winter months) 

He loves to watch the ferry and fishing boats, throw rocks into the icy cold water, collect sticks and seashells, and there's the occasional harbor seals that pop up to say hello. It's a petty magical place to live, and I feel pretty lucky to be a part of it.

My PNW fall/winter must-haves are flannel, thick black leggings, and good rain boots. They are staples in my wardrobe, and wear all 3 things more than I probably should.  Gypsy Threads just added new plaid flannel pieces to the shoppe, my favorite style is the PORTLAND PLAID TOP in Green. 

It's soft and warm with and can easily be layered up with jackets, cardigans, leggings, skinny jeans or  you could even wear it as a mini dress with tights. The full length roll up/button sleeve makes it versatile depending on what your day entails. (My days are usually filled with chasing a 2 year old and packing orders- so I love rolling the sleeves!) The elastic waist and belt give it a polished, feminine look. I like pieces that cinch at the natural waist. It's always flattering look, especially if you are high waisted like me. 

My favorite thing about the PORTLAND PLAID TOP it the fact that there's some room to expand. It makes a great fall top for the early stages of baby bump growing...and these days that's exactly what I'm doing! We are expecting baby #2 this spring and we are thrilled! I've been extra sick with this pregnancy, so orders have shipped late, emails have gone unanswered, and I've been a little behind on work. Thank you for your patience!! I am back on my feet and in the studio, ready to get on it! To thank you for your understanding, I'd like to offer a discount this week. 

Use discount code: GYPSYBABY and get 20% off your entire order.

Thank you so much for your support!

XOXO Brittany

SHOP THESE LOOKS:

Brittany

PORTLAND PLAID TOP :: GREEN  (also available in RED)

LEGGINGS

HUNTER BOOTS (these are my favorite rain boots-they are great for wide calves)

Miles

SHIRT

CORDUROY PANTS

HAT (similar)

HUNTER BOOTS

Odds & Ends // September

September is such a charming month in Seattle. Them temperatures are pleasant and it's the last of the sunny days for a while. Leaves aren't quite changing yet...but soon. It's lovely.

SURISE IN THE CITY

BOUGHT THE FIRST PUMPKIN OF THE SEASON! (MANY MORE TO COME)

LITTLE WALKS AROUND THE BLOCK (WEARING THIS)

VISITING THE LOCAL LIGHTHOUSE

SUNSETS ON THE SOUND

IT'S OFFICIALLY PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP TIME IN OUR HOUSE!

ENJOYING THE LAST DAYS OF WARM SAND

Little Adventures

 Just a little peek at my favorite way to spend time. 

Miles is such a trooper. He loves helping me with my daily tasks, especially vacuuming and trips to the post office to ship GYPSY THREADS orders. He loves Ace Hardware store and he's more fascinated by flora than fauna. He asks me what the names of different plants are, and he likes to water the "suck-you-wents" on the porch. 

He LOVES the Space Needle, and sometimes we take trips down town and just walk around the grounds. We did that just a few weeks ago, munched on grilled corn on the cob, danced to the Guatemalan band that always plays outside, met a creepy spiderman, and then, because it's Seattle, we got caught in the rain.

It was magic. 

XOXO

Brittany

Fresh Tomato & Ricotta Bruschetta

This time of year is simply the best for getting fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets and festivals. It's so important to support local growers, bakers, and shop vendors. I love visiting the different small markets in the greater Seattle area and finding recipes to make using the produce I find.

Today I am sharing an easy summer bruschetta using fresh bread, cherry or grape tomatoes and ricotta cheese. It makes a great appetizer, or even lunch.

WHAT YOU NEED:

-1 BAGUETTE SLICED EVENLY (ABOUT 1/2 INCH THICK)

-EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 

-1 CUP RICOTTA CHEESE

-1/4 CUP BASIL LEAVES CHOPPED

-SALT & PEPPER

-2 PEELED GARLIC CLOVES SLICED IN HALF

-CHERRY OR GRAPE TOMATOES SLICED LENGTH WISE (ONE CARTON OR ABOUT 1 POUND)

-1 TSP. LEMON JUICE

WHAT YOU DO:

-Heat grill pan or frying pan to medium high. Drizzle olive oil over the sliced bread pieces on one side. Grill the bread in the pan oil side down for a few minutes until toasted. Remove from heat and place bread on a platter.

-In a bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1/2 of the chopped basil, lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp. both salt and pepper. Stir till smooth, but the basil will look "choppy" -that's ok. 

-Rub garlic cloves over the toasted side of the bread.

-In a separate bowl, toss together the tomatoes, remaining basil, 1/4 tsp. of both salt and pepper, 1 tbs. olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.

-Spread about a tbs. of the ricotta mixture over each piece of bread and top with the tomatoes and basil. Garnish with extra basil. 

FRESH AND DELICIOUS! ENJOY!