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You are here: Home / family / {When your weekend reminds you of an adventure…}

{When your weekend reminds you of an adventure…}

July 1, 2013 · 4 Comments
Filed Under: family, Los Angeles, seasons

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beach-day-gussy-sews

Side note: as I wrote this post I have crazy, freshly-highlighted curls blowing around from the fan near our front door. It’s still pretty warm in our apartment. Zack walked past me and mentioned quickly, “you look like one of ‘those’ bloggers as you sit in your mustard chair with your glasses on and laptop — like Sarah Jessica Parker or something.” What he doesn’t know is how much of a compliment that is to me. For years I secretly watched SATC and dreamed about writing a blog, just how SJP wrote a column. Not on the same topic as her — of course!, but the idea of typing away late at night on a particular topic, creating community on said topic, thrilled me. So, thanks babe for making me feel like I’ve accomplished something. And mom, sorry to break the news about watching an HBO show, it was always at Allyssa’s house ;)

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at Santa Monica Beach and the entire time we were packing to get there I was thinking about how similar heading to the beach is with running a handmade shop from home… with a 3.5-month-old: it’s plain hard! Once we decided we were going, Zack + I rushed around the apartment packing the beach bag with extra diapers, wipes, blankets, burp cloths, clothes for everyone, water bottles, the list goes on. “And don’t forget to grab the stroller from the outside closet,” I mentioned to Zack. We like to over-prepare so we feel prepared for anything, it’s how we stay so calm as new parents ;) We changed Max one final time and headed out the door.

Because Zack works in Santa Monica we can park fairly close to the beach at a nearby garage, the same one he parks at when he drives to work. But, there’s still about 7 blocks of walking to do. Once we can see the Pier we both exhale a little, almost there! Thankfully there’s a boardwalk that takes you pretty darn close to the ocean, so we head that way and enjoy some final smooth sailing. Swim suit covers come off, Max stretches on our family heirloom quilt, water is guzzled. We’re finally at the beach :)

Running a handmade shop from home is no different: there’s so much to prepare for [constantly], little perks to enjoy along the way as encouragement, a bit of a climb near the end of a specific project, but then finally — the launch is announced, the post is published, the order has been placed. And, an exhale can be heard.

We have been super busy lately with preparing for Round 2 of The Gussy Club, we’re almost sold out — just 14 spots left. We’re getting ready to launch item 2 from Round 1 [click here to buy item 1 from Round 1, Geometric medium zip]. We are sewing lots + lots of tote bags, shipping a wholesale order to Kentucky, and browsing fabric online for upcoming events. When your job is your hobby, one that makes your eyes brighten and your soul sparkle, work never ends.

I’m so grateful the late nights I’ve had, watching the clock strike 2am, have been a positive challenge for me. Moving to Los Angeles from Minneapolis just 10 months ago was a lot more difficult than we anticipated. We’ve had to work super hard this last month and it feels so good to be seeing positive results. I am so blessed to have such an awesome team to help me make Gussy Sews happen. I’m sure I could make it to the beach on my own with Max, but I don’t think I could keep Gussy Sews alive without a few assistants. I’m slowly figuring work + mommyhood out and it feels great to be challenged in this way.

PS. I’m working on a post about being an Indie Biz mommy, I’d love if you left any questions you have below in the comments. Or email me, gussy at gussysews dot com.

So tell me, how was your weekend? Was there something about your weekend that reminded of you of an adventure you’re currently chasing? xo

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4 Comments
Filed Under: family, Los Angeles, seasons

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Comments

  1. Erin @ Isaboo Designs says

    July 1, 2013 at 5:59 am

    Going to the beach with a baby IS an adventure! Love all the great photos :) I’ve always had kids running my biz and I tell ya, it’s like you have to readjust every 6 months or so as your children change. Some for the worse and some for the better. Like when my kids decided to quit taking naps…oh. my. word. It reminds me that I need Jesus to help me be a good mommy. Can’t wait to see what you have to share about being a mommy in this biz, it’s tough, but wonderful all at the same time :) xo

    Reply
  2. Shawna Miller says

    July 1, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Being able to go to the beach all the time sounds like a treat! I have a 6 month old and I’m trying to get my ety shop off the ground, find time to clean, workout, blog….the list goes on, and everyday is a challenge. How do you manage your time to get everything done?

    Reply
  3. Cassie @ Live.Laugh.L0ve. says

    July 1, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    It looks like y’all had an amazing time and I LOVE the way you have your hair in these pictures! Getting away, especially when you work at home is SO necessary! I hope your week is wonderful! xoxo

    Reply
  4. Joy says

    July 2, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    Ha! So funny you had to ‘sneak watch’ SITC. I wasn’t allowed to watch it either. My parents were pretty (ok, really) strict about what we watched/listened to but when I was 12/13 I would go to my friend Amanda’s house and we’d dance around her room singing along to NSync. I loved ‘sneak listening’ to them.
    As for your adventure, I’m so glad you guys can get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful place you live! And your hair – oh em gee. Perfect! ;)
    xo

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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recent posts:

  • On writing regular letters. January 19, 2021
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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
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What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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“We step into Freedom. 
We step into all you have for us.” -Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

There IS freedom from the anxiety attacks. For me: music, scripture, eating healthy, vitamins, rest, crying, prayer, honesty — these things help tremendously. Also getting up and MOVING when my anxiety sits on me like a boulder, that helps too. 🖤

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Thanks for coming along with me to the pool, nature trails, the park, hosting friends in our backyard, reading adventures, popcorn & movie night, art, planting flowers, planting a garden, bike rides, neighborhood walks, lake swimming, and supplying the ice cream truck w/ roughly $84 this summer. 

I loved our time together! 🥰🧒🏼👩🏻👧🏼🧒🏻

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When your mind feels foggy, step outside. When your home feels too small or too big, step outside. When the bickering is loud or your internal criticism is high, step outside. 

Give yourself (and your family) the joy of an adventure away from the home. 

🌾Visit my blog for the full post, link in profile or #maggiewhitleydotcom
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Many times we are out & about in the neighborhood and I think, “oh the flowers surrounding your porch are lovely!” Or, “wow” (to the elderly man) “you have such a great smile, thanks for sharing it with us!” Wouldn’t it be great to jot that down in a card and send it through the mail as well?

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Community & kind words: I’m coming for you!

PS. wanna join me in sending 20 cards by Dec. 31?
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Working on this project has been so good for my mental health. Doing > worrying.
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the (in)courage Devotional Bible:
Proverbs 14:1 and Lamentations 5
31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer and Doer:
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