Settled.

We did it. We bought it. It's bought.

I live in a house that I own. Well, I suppose husband owns it as well...

In the past 3 1/2 years, my husband and I have traipsed in what feels like every direction possible, and now we've committed to a semblence of permanence. It feels weird.

This is a basic list, for the amusement of those who've corresponded with me over the past few years... I wasn't making all of those moves up!

Sept 2006 marry Caleb, move from Quilcene, WA, to Minneapolis, MN

Sept 2007 pack up, quit jobs, move to Eldoret, Kenya

Jan 2008 back in US, basically homeless, and casting about for direction as we head West again

Feb 2008 move from my parents' house in WA to a tiny cottage in Portland, PA

March 2008 sister introduces me to Etsy

April 2008 madly attempt to sell earrings whilst frantically applying for jobs, eventually try clothing...

June 2008 move downtown Portland (closer to Caleb's work), Etsy and boutiques pick up!

Nov 2008 take a house-sitting opportunity in Port Ludlow, WA in exchange for maintenance and the possibility of being turned out at a day's notice

May 2009 homeless again, staying with parents and once again without any direction... begin to consider Pittsburgh...

Aug 2009 accomplish our 3rd cross country move after much familial resistence, settle into a tiny apt in Pittsburgh, get involved in an amazing church, and covet a tiny cottage on the Northside

Dec 2009 move into our FIRST HOUSE, begin to rip up carpets, paint, and sanitize

Jan 2009 increasingly installed in our new home, expecting our third set of houseguests tomorrow, very grown up indeed.

I feel so incredibly thankful this January. I know that God has been so good to us!

Because we must live, and because I say so.

At 9:00 PM eastern time, Necessityisthemother will be immersed in the thralls of a HUGE 15% off EVERYTHING sale.

What's the occasion? Well...

I want to buy a cottage. A little brick cottage on the edge of Pittsburgh with a huge yard and woods to the back. I've told Husband that if we can buy this little dwelling surely all of our troubles will be over and we will be contented for the rest of our days.

Of course we both know that once we commit financially and geographically to one place, it may well be that all of our troubles will begin...

but it's so cute. Help us on our journey to adulthood-- and help yourself to cheap, handmade fashiony goodness at the same time. Nesty!

Nancy Drew and the Mystery of What to Wear...

I've always had such a soft spot for Nancy Drew...

Who can resist a brainy redhead, ready at a moment's notice to avert crisis, unravel conundrums, and entrap crooks? As an ode to the Girl Detective, I'm excited to introduce the Nancy Drew Jumper!! This design features big, roomy pockets (perfect for stashing clues), a sensible cupcake shape, and handmade buttons. Lovely!

There's no place like home...

when you have a new one every 6 months! I've thought alot about the definition of home lately, particularly as I've packed and unpacked my sewing scissors, bias, buttons, and odds and ends so many times this year. There are certain possessions we've carried with us back and forth across the country-- little things I would sorely miss if they were lost (as so many things have been) in our endless shuffling.

One of my prized possessions is this watercolor painting of Paris that my mum and sister gave me. It's graced every kitchen I ever burnt a dish in!

This funky little toaster, also a gift from my mum, is another deeply emotionally pertinent item. It's probably nothing like energy efficient, and lately the toast has been a bit black, yet I love it dearly.

My conclusion is that, appliances and wall hangings aside, Home is where the Husband is. For me, at least.

And away we go...

Today we've said goodbye to our friends here at home, packed up the last of our odds and ends, and turned our faces East. It's all very dramatic. I think I heard the dart-thrown-at-the-map joke at least ten times today. I'm feeling a bit forlorn, as I know one always must when leaving loved ones behind. To Pittsburgh...

In other news, the Tramp Sale is in it's last hours-- EVERYTHING in the store is 15% off until midnight (or so) tonight!! Come take advantage of this crazy free for all, and help lighten my load! www.necessityisthemother.etsy.com

XO

Arielle

I'm OK!

I'm excited to have just finished a wholesale order for the lovely Lindsay of Collected Thread in Oklahoma City, and here are pictures of some of the pieces that will appear there!

It's such an honor to have Fancy Clothing carried by Collected Thread, and after discovering these adorable "I'm OK" t-shirts, I'm just about ready to head to OKC myself! Can you move to a city just for a boutique?

http://collectedthread.com/

It's a Fiesta, my Loves!

Etsy has this adorable and yet not actually utlitarian function wherein users can "heart" or favorite items and shops that suit their fancy. Etsy addicts are well familiar with what I'm referring to, and those less well-adjusted and more insecure Etsy sellers among us know the warm glow of earning a new heart, which acts as a sort of balm to our tender senses of self-worth when no new sales occur that day...

In celebration of Necessity is the Mother's reaching the 5,000 heart mark, I'm launching the

***Fabulous 15% Off Everything Fiesta***

Come share the love! Everything in the shop is 15% off, and the fiesta lasts until Friday night. Buenos Dias!!

www.necessityisthemother.etsy.com