Procrastination= food

NOTE: do not read this post on an empty stomach

So, I am totally procrastinating today. My plate is full and I don't care.

I should be working on a press release for our new non-profit foundation, adding new inventory to our web site (which is down right now because I need to add the inventory), and getting ready for our grand opening of our new retail outlet (which is tomorrow), make cupcakes for the opening, and I should be working on our new Spring 2011 line, but I am not.

Instead of working on my TO-DO-LIST, I will tell you about my favorite new gadget, because I would rather think about food right now.

Trent and I lived in Orlando Fl, about 7 yrs ago (while he was going to Motorcycle Mechanics Institute) and while there we fell in LOVE with Cuban sandwich's. I mean obsessed, and we ate them regularly. And it is the one thing that we have been craving lately, and you just can't get them here.

So, we did our research and bought a sandwich press for christmas, so that we could make our own cuban sandwich's. We finally decided on the "Imusa" press.

Can I tell you that this is the best invention ever? And how Trent now makes THE best cuban sandwich's ever! He came up with an amazing pork recipe and let me tell you just how awesome they are. I think he needs to open a Cuban sandwich shop now.....

And not only does it make the best cuban sandwich's, we have used this almost daily. Last night we made lasagna and for the appetizer we took a bag-get (I think that is how it is spelled...you know the long french bread), and pressed fresh mozzarella, fresh pesto sauce and tomatoes in the press. Yummmmm.

And then today, I made the yummiest invention for lunch;

French bread- or a bag-get

Avocado

Dutch cheese (commonly known as Gouda)

Press together and can you say, "YUMMMMMM".

This post really isn't just about food. there really is a point........I am having a little competition;

Question:

"To this day what is the best selling item that Knuckleheads has ever made?"

(Since our retail web site is down, you really have to know your Knuckleheads)

Rules:

Please post your guess here on the the blog, one winner will be chosen. If there is more than one winner, we will do a raffle.

Prize:

Winner will receive a goodie bag filled with Knuckleheads stuff- Valued at $50 retail.

Time: Winner will be announced on Tuesday!

Procrastination over.....back to work. (tomorrow I will try tuna/cheese melts)

Is it really about the hair?

My friend Autumn and I would like to know what the aliens did with our husbands?

Exhibit 1- Trent (aka Mula's Man)

Before

After

Exhibit 2- Ryan (aka Bomb's man)

Before

After

No comment

Organizing my life in 2010

How do your organize a family of 6, with a bit of a shoe addiction?

The first step is to admit you have a problem. So in behalf of my family, I Melissa admit that we have a bit of a shoe addiction. And because of this addition, we have caused disorganization that needs attention asap.

There! Now that we have admitted the problem, how do you fix it?

Keep in mind that each person in our family is suppose to keep shoes in their own closets, however they never end up there. Instead shoes are kicked off by our front door and left to be tripped over. (* see below )

Then child #1 aka "the cleaner" freaks out and tosses the shoes in either in the garage or in our front coat closet. Leaving a HUGE mass of shoes in piles.

Instead of fighting the system, I decided to "go with it" and we created a system to organize our shoes in the garage and front closet.

The front closet is narrow and also houses all of our jackets (did I mention that we also have a bit of a coat problem)? So, Mula's man (aka hubby) came up with this skinny shelf to put the shoes on. It helps keep most of them off the floor, which is the priority.

* please note, none of these are mine, I actually put my shoes away* and note that Mula's man has a Van's obsession.

Thanks to Ikea, Trent was able to build this coat/shoe area in the garage. It works out perfectly and makes me happy. And you know what they say, " A happy wife is a happy life"

Next project...... organizing the laundry room.

Little Threads Foundation

The idea to start a children’s foundation formed in 2009, when a friend of mine, who is a foster mother sent me an email, telling me about a foster child that she just received in her home. The little boy’s feet were black from playing in the street, and the only article of clothing he had on was his diaper.

When we heard the news we went right over to our Knuckleheads warehouse and gathered clothing for the child and rushed it right over.

A month went by and another child was placed in the same friend’s care. This child came wearing raggedy clothing and toeless shoes. I felt compelled to help once again, so I sent over a bag of clothing so the child could start in a new school with nice clothes.

In my later discussions with my friend I learned a lot more about foster care. I learned that when a child is pulled from their home, they are taken quickly because of harmful circumstances and they often come to their new foster homes with nothing. The foster families are then left to try to find the right size clothing, shoes, and diapers within an hours notice. Sometimes calls even come in the middle of the night.

I also found out that the foster families don’t get reimbursed for the items they purchase for the children, and this really shocked me. I realized the importance of helping these foster parents get access to new clothing.

I was particularly moved when the foster mother told me the story of a little girl that was placed with her whose clothing was so old and dirty that she got made fun of at her old school; and she was only in kindergarten!

Later on, I was delighted to hear how this little girl was excited to own something new and pretty, and that someone had bought specially for her. It helped her feel confident and happy, and what an awesome feeling for me. I couldn’t get these two events off my mind. I knew that I had to do something.

In 2009, with the help of family and friends, (including my dear friend who is the foster parent in this story) “Little Threads Foundation” was born.

The first purpose of “Little Threads” is to provide clothing, shoes, blankets and an item of comfort to children in distress who are placed into foster care.

The second purpose is to provide essentials to these wonderful foster families giving care to the children and bringing them into their homes, which is often a financial burden.

Please join us and help with our goal of dressing and caring for foster children in need.

Melissa Nash

Founder and CEO Knuckleheads Clothing

www.littlethreadsfoundation.com (web site coming soon!)

info@littlethreadsfoundation.com

Hula Mula Fall 2010

I am so excited! I think this is our best Hula Mula line so far, and I want to give a little sneak peak to ya'll. These are some of my favorite outfits in the line. Fall 2010 is available for pre-orders now, ships to stores in July/August.

Now this is done, we are designing Spring 2011...I know right? Sounds a bit crazy, but it is what it is. I am thinking bright yellow?? Anyone? Ideas??

My one and only red carpet event

When ever I tell people what I do for a living, they assume my life is so exciting and full of fun. Sure, I get to travel a lot and yes we do meet the occasional celebrity, but for the most part I am sitting at home in my P.J.'s on the computer with a pile of dishes in the sink, and screaming kids in the back ground just like most moms out there.

So, when I have a chance to escape and get away for a fun event, I am so on board.

My Dallas rep (Hollee from Hope's Chest) also reps a line called "Belle Parish", that is designed and owned by actress/model Ali Landry...you know the hot Dorito's girl?

Anyhoo, Hollee decided to put on a fancy red carpet event, bring in the celebrity and get some press. Knuckleheads was one of the sponsors at the event, so I took my daughter Lily with me to dallas to attend the event.

Here I am (in my Betsey Johnson purple dress), and I must be saying something really important.......

Here is a group photo of all the manufacturer's that attended the event on the red carpet. Look at miss Lily right in the mix of things. (for some reason I didn't get the memo to wear tons of necklaces)

Hollee's cute kiddos on the red carpet wearing Knuckleheads & Hula Mula

Did I mention, that I HATE seeing pictures of myself, especially when I have no clue I am being photographed? I am just gabbing away, and hopefully not sounding like an idiot. At least I have their attention eh?

And the lady of the hour; Ali....and yes she is really this stunning in person!

Meet the Knuckleheads

Here is your first view of a day in the life of a Knucklehead! Our virtual tour of our warehouse/offices.

Meet miss Kaila and Tori hard at work

View from my desk....

Spring 2011 samples getting ready.....Yes, we are that far ahead!

Sample holding area....aka one of our trade show booths we no longer use

Indoor skate ramp for the big boys and the kids indoor slide.

Tori's (our office mananger) desk area

Behold the inventory! We have dozens of shelves like these where we carefully pick and pull each order by hand.

Sorting area for salesman samples getting ready to ship. Can you say Crazy??

More samples, inventory sorting and the kids playhouse (trailer)

Miss Ruby happy watching a movie in her trailer

Now you know what we Knuckleheads are up to! Come on by anytime and see us in person!!

I'm so excited.....are you??

Hula Mula pre-orders for boutique owners NOW! Contact us to see more!!

Slowly but surely

What have we been up to lately?....(Besides running a small business and raising our 4 kids)

Because we don't have enough on our plate already, we added remodeling a investment house to our list. Ha ha...I know we are crazy, but lets put it this way.........the property is located on the oregon/washington coast line in Long Beach, WA, with a partial ocean view and fresh ocean breeze, who can resist a vacation/get-a-way home like that??

So, here is our latest update in the guest room, I am totally feeling the 60s vibe with this wall paper, the colors are orange and greys. I can claim credit for picking it out, but hubby put it up and I owe him big time. Matching the pattern was crazy hard!

Here is the newly updated "pirate" room...still have lots to finish in here, but so far the kids seem to like it. ( I am not allowed to make it scary pirate's, only nice pirate's) I found the Peter Pan vintage poster in Orlando, it is an original movie poster dated and everything, it is huge if you didn't notice. And the Treasure Island was an ebay find. We are on the hunt for a old treasure chest and a few more non-scary authentic details.

Here are a few of my favorite spots in the house;

So, now you know.....when I am not answering emails and ignoring my phone where I really am!