You gotta bet, if you're going to win.

We have been home for about 2 weeks now,and we are organizing and planning like we never have before. Already, the energy we have surrounding the 2010 collection is bigger and more exciting than anything we have felt so far. There is this confidence that is almost causing hesitation on my end. It's almost as if I am scared to succeed.

I have never been afraid to take chances or take on change. In fact, all my life change and risk have been some of my best qualities. So what is it that is holding me back? I am making all my lists, down to the last detail to make sure we have all the right pieces. I want to be prepared in all ways.

So I have started facing my fears. I opened excel to figure out an order sheet. I finished the wholesale order sheet. I have made a list of our first order for samples for reps, and the little touches I want to add for internet ordering.

If you asked me 5 years ago if I would be a business woman, a woman excited about business...I would have laughed. I never thought I would be so excited and fueled by the possibilities at my fingertips...not only the creativity but the logic behind it all...

I have included our a picture of our clutch...'cuz weren't you wondering about how it ended up?

Our Collection.

Don't I just feel like a proud mom.

In the works of posting the 2010 collection. We cant' wait to hear what you think!

Stateside.

So now we are on the Step 2. I love the creation process...all the behind-the-scenes of everything..the running around the sketches and work that goes behind the final product. You finally reach the point of that satisfaction when the piece is finished. And then what?

And then its time to bring it to everyone else. I want people to reach out to our creations because they feel connected to it. I want people to pick up the jacket or bag and when they put it on - feel so good, they have to have it. Over the years, I have moved away from novelty and leaned more towards having something I reach for every time. Fashion that is functional. Fashion that resides at the intersection between function and desire. That sense of security I have when I wear my favorite thing is a home, a connection to something that makes me: me.

So now we are coming back to Chicago to represent the voice of our vision.
Its time.

Rubix Cube.

I have never completed a Rubix Cube. I find that when I pick it up I think of the next move, and then the move after that. The key, I think, is to think 2 or 3 steps in front of your obvious choice, where your immediate colors line up. I have seen some people playing with one and it looks like mush until one more move and BAM! It all starts to make sense, and then it is completed.

Much like a Rubix Cube, I dedicated every last bit of my patience into the last week. It was worth it - its all coming up roses.

When I got my pilot jacket sample back today, I did that weird girly squeal thing. I was so delighted with the results it seemed the last week of stress and racking my brain with every possible analyzation was entirely rewarded. The physical manifestation of a piece was met with vision.

Its a race between patience and the clock. So much work but sometimes just as much waiting…doing all you can, and letting it happen the way it will. Plan for as much as you can, allow for what you didn't plan for. 2 weeks ago I didn't think that I would have what I wanted in my hands by the time we left.

This is truly my voice and I have so much more to say.

Mondays.

Monday on Bali really means Tuesday, apparently.

I have organized paperwork, cleaned the house, and am currently rocking back and forth.

Serenity.

The monkey forest never gets old. Wandering the sanctuary, about 400 monkeys roam uncaged to do as they like. It might be the bananas they want in your hand that you bought at the door, your dangly earrings, your camera, your hanging scarf, anything that catches their attention. As they walk by it might be a very intentional retrieval, or it might be as mindless as running your hand along a table as you walk by. Watch out for tails, and don't try to take anything back after they have taken from your hands. We had some more good laughs this time, and I even managed to catch umm, a few intimate moments on camera. I think it might be a little inappropriate to post on a business blog, but here is what else I caught.

After we left the monkey forest we visited a water temple in Tampaksiring. We had visited this temple several times before but never on a holiday, particularly this busy…such a beautiful experience.

Time crunch.

The decision has been made on the clutch. I was just informed that the piece I bought, and broke, is actually out of stock. No more worrying about whether or not it will work, just acceptance that is not even available to try. I have chosen the stronger piece and am working the design with it, and it will be beautiful just the same.

Still waiting for Monday to come so we can get our custom zipper pulls!!! On Monday I will also be getting back 2 more jackets and the finished clutch. Just 2 more days of waiting. Because there is nothing we can do, we are getting out of the house for a few days, away from work, and heading up to Ubud for some relaxation time. We will go to the water temple,go to the monkey forest, visit with our lovely friends up there and come back ready to pound out the last 2 weeks of focus.

It so funny that even though I have everything submitted, shy of 2 last designs, inspiration is still flowing out of me. I feel like a mad scientist sometimes, and even if I am doing something else, I still have my designs laid out like they will magically appear in physical form. I never stop thinking about it.I love what I do, clearly. This part of it, as stressed out as I am, is such an amazing use of brain power, problem solving, raw creativity, shared vision, and the grand finale when you are finally proud of all the accomplishments. Sometimes it feels like its a long road to get to where you're going, but when you finally arrive, man - you have arrived.

I have no choice but to accept that we will end up exactly as we should the night we leave the island. We will have all the pieces that we set out to make, and they will all be wonderful expressions of us.