Layla Grayce Backroom Blog

An Angel at Peace

Kerry — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:38:14 +0000

With mixed emotions, we mourn the loss of Layla Grace Marsh who touched hearts across the country with her story. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marsh family. Little Layla, your grace will not be forgotten.

To leave messages for the family, please visit the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95631285947 or the family’s website at: www.laylagrace.org

Miracle Monday

Melissa — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:13:54 +0000

We truly have the best customers and fans – we’ve been uplifted and deeply touched by the response for little *Layla Grace Marsh shown and expressed in messages on our Facebook page and blog. Your efforts have collectively made an enormous difference in both the lives of this family and in helping to spread awareness about Neuroblastoma cancer.

Our “Layla Grayce for Little Layla Grace” fundraiser continues through Friday, March 12th. We will be donating 20% of every purchase from DwellStudio, Little Giraffe, Newport Cottages, Oopsy Daisy Baby pettiskirts and Skip Hop to be split between the Marsh family’s medical expenses and the Texas Children’s Cancer Center (one of the premier children’s cancer centers in the country.) We’d like to thank these vendors for partnering with us in our pledge to Layla Grace, and thank all of you who are demonstrating how one little girl can touch the hearts and minds of so many.

For more information on little Layla Grace, the Marsh family, and updates on her condition, visit them at: www.laylagrace.org, and www.twitter.com/laylagrace. Become a fan of Layla Grayce (the company): http://www.facebook.com/laylagrayce and little Layla Grace: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95631285947 and keep the fundraising efforts going.

*To clarify, Layla Grace Marsh (with no “y” in Grace) is a 2 year old in the final stages of Neuroblastoma cancer. The similarity in names as well as what this little girl and her family are dealing with is what led us, Layla Grayce the company, to raise money for the Marsh family and to help raise awareness about Neuroblastoma.

Layla Grayce Pledges for Little Layla Grace

Kerry — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:34:14 +0000

Some of you may be aware of the story of Layla Grace – a brave little 2 year old from Texas who is in the final stages of Neuroblastoma (for details, read her family’s accounting of her illness on their blog: www.laylagrace.org). Due to similarity of names, many Layla Grayce customers and followers have asked us if there is a way we could bring attention to her story, and it is our honor to share this with you; to do what we can to help Layla Grace and raise awareness about Neuroblastoma.

Unfortunately Layla Grace does not have months or even weeks ahead of her. It is down to days, to hours. Her doctors have never seen anyone able to hold on for so long in her condition, but her parents have come to believe that Layla is holding on for a reason, that there is a purpose. Layla’s time with us here is coming to a close, but her story can bring a greater awareness about her cancer. Neuroblastoma is one of the most common kinds of cancer in children. It occurs most often in babies and very young children and is 70-90% curable if detected early.

We’ve been in contact with the family to learn more, to see what they are in need of. Their story is compelling and powerful, and ultimately Layla’s parents want people to learn more about their daughter and Neuroblastoma. Shanna, Layla’s mom, used to run the website Baby Wears Prada but closed her business to be with her daughter (we recently realized we shared a business connection with Shanna as we had advertised on her website a few years ago). The family faces huge medical bills not covered by insurance, and in a twist of fate, just when her family was hopeful that Layla’s condition was improving, her father was laid off work and Layla received her terminal diagnosis.

Here is what you can do to help, and what we at Layla Grayce pledge to do for both the family and the fight against childhood cancer:

Go to laylagrace.org, read about little Layla, learn about Neuroblastoma. Spread the word about this disease, about how it is 70-90% curable if detected early. Learn what the initial symptoms are and what to look for. Early detection is the key to a higher success rate. Stage 4, which is what Layla was at the time of diagnosis has a survival rate of only 30%. Read more about this type of cancer at the Texas Children’s Cancer Center website.
Become a fan/spread the word – we’ll donate $1 directly to the family’s medical fund for every new Layla Grayce Facebook fan that signs up through March 12th. It’s an easy way to help and to spread the word about this disease. If you are already a Layla Grayce Facebook fan, suggest the page to friends at: www.facebook.com/laylagrayce. We pledge to donate up to $10,000. We started today with 5666 fans. It will be wonderful to watch your outpouring of support for this family!
Some of our favorite brands have partnered with us in pledging to help. Through March 12th, Layla Grayce will donate 20% of purchases from the following brands to help the cause: DwellStudio, Little Giraffe, Newport Cottages, Oopsy Daisy Baby pettiskirts and Skip Hop. From those sales, we will donate 50/50 to the family’s medical funds and the Texas Children’s Cancer Center. Click into the links below to shop any of these lines.

We have been so touched by this story. Please keep the family and little Layla Grace in your thoughts and prayers, and please join us in supporting this special cause.

Click into the images below to shop any of these lines partnering with us to help Layla Grace.

Our Hats Off To Spring

Melissa — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:37:25 +0000

It may not be time for April showers, but check out these flowers! We can’t get enough of these enchanting embellishments on sweet-as-can-be knit hats and headbands for your darling girl. She’ll be the envy of all (adults and kids alike) with these handmade and vintage inspired gems. The scrumptious candy-like colors and captivating textures make these beauties stand-out accessories to cherish forever. True love lasts a lifetime, after all.

Winter Whites

Melissa — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:35:32 +0000

Wondrous winter whites are a sight to behold. They can brighten anyone’s day and embody the pristine elegance of the season. Texture adds great depth to this one-color palette. Hints of color and sparkle go a long way. Welcome to our wonderland.

Climb Away With Me

Melissa — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:14:32 +0000

For those of us urbanites who dream of sandy beaches and lush forests, we may have just found our bliss. Pine Cone Hill’s new collection is most appropriately titled Urban Treehouse with its raw linen, washed-out color palette, and bold stripes. And the touch and feel of these pieces is delightful and unexpected. It’s the unpolished look of nature meeting the sophistication of the city… a perfect balance that so many of us strive for. Your own private retreat awaits you.

Guest Blogger and Giveaway – MOR Cosmetics

Melissa — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:02:29 +0000

Our senses are heightened with delight to bring you a guest blog by the co-creator of the visually stunning and tactilely tantalizing MOR, Deon St. Mor. Readers, stay tuned for details below for another fabulous giveaway!

Tell us a bit about your company’s history. What was the inspiration for starting your business?

Since we met Dianna Burmas (co founder) and I have always complimented one another. With her background in visual merchandising and mine in industrial design plus a shared passion in travel, fashion, food and the arts, it was a natural progression for us to form a business partnership.

Both of us are inspired by traditional apothecary and creating body care products fed our experimenting passion in blending age old and contemporary ingredients. The whole process allowed us to channel our energies into capturing something truly original that we both wholeheartedly believed in.

Today we have over 150 products within the MOR range that we sell globally. Though presented with a distinctive MOR signature, each collection is purposely different from one another, as we always wanted to offer something for everyone”.

What influences your design and color selection?

Everyday living influences my design. Different people have also always influenced me in different ways, such as my girlfriends, family, friends and people I have met through various walks of life.

Colour is vital to product expression and our products come to life through multiple tones and colours.

MOR’s packaging and aesthetic has always had a feminine feel and the textures, patterns, shapes, forms, colour palette has always been purposefully retrospective.

The design influences date back to 500BC Ancient Greek Mythology, to the elegant 16th-18th Century pre French Revolution era, on to the 50¹s Post Depression pastels age, to the current contemporary interpretation of fashion trends.

Often it is about turning the ‘old into the new’.

Is there a favorite design or design concept this season?

Rather than design concepts we like to work in “moods” and this season we are presenting a moody, gothic edge in our visual communication.

Our latest photo shoot presents our collections in a dark and moody atmosphere, with exaggerated tones of true blood red’s, pewter, deep green moss and gothic elements. We aspired to create the ‘twilight’ affect with a MOR twist, which I think we achieved beautifully.

What’s new ahead in the way of trends or product features?

Over the next two seasons we are leaning towards a dark, gothic and moody edge to drive our creative.

Is your company “Green” or do you have some sort of community outreach program?

As a rule of thumb we are pro active and keep in mind all printing and manufacturing processes that harm the environment. Where possible, we will pull back on extra layers of added processes that add to environmental degradation.

Its giveaway time! A luxurious giveaway is at hand! Leave a comment on our blog, or for a facebook entry, please leave a comment directly below this posting saying what your favourite thing about the MOR line is (i.e. is it a scent, a particular product, packaging on an item), and one lucky winner will take home the scrumptious My Summer Of Love gift set – yum! Winner selected at random, contest closes on Friday 2/26 6pm, est.

Congratulations to Jo McDonald the winner of the Mor Cosmetics Summer of Love Gift Set. Enjoy!

A Space To Live In

Melissa — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:11:34 +0000

With all of the phenomenal rug choices from Dash and Albert it’s understandable that you might find endless possibilities for the inside of your home. Now you can enjoy the same welcomed array of options for your outdoor rooms as well. Indoor/Outdoor rugs are all the rage with their ability to expand your living space in mere seconds, and a Dash and Albert rug is a dependable choice with a spot-on design statement. And to spruce up those not-so-outdoor spaces Dash and Albert has a delightful new collection of wool rugs. The peppy Zipper pattern comes in an array of colors that will put a spring in your step, and not to mention – your home.

Well Dressed, All Around

Melissa — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:29:57 +0000

The fresh airy colors of spring have arrived with the new Annette Tatum collection for kids and home. Breathe new life into your bedrooms with pleasant print pairings that embrace the whimsical, classic, and even a touch of retro vibe. With signature Annette Tatum mixing and matching, your bedding can reflect one or even all of these styles at the same time… little bit of this, little bit of that = one fashionable bed. And how darling are the kids bedding interpretations? Youthful bedding sets are grown-up chic and a house of full style.

Can Lightening Strike Twice?

Melissa — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:33:35 +0000

Hang on to your hats – there’s a whirlwind of delight headed our way. With glorious grays, powdery blues, and soft neutrals like buttercream and warm brown, Petunia Pickle Bottom brings us their spring line of diaper bags, baby carriers, and blankets. The beautiful use of white as a background and accent color lightens the mood and highlights the exquisite patterns this company is known for. And let us not forget the delectable stylings of Cake – freshened up in color, and holding strong in timeless appeal. Cherry on top? A limited edition 10th Anniversary Heirloom bag, not to be missed. Decidedly fairer weather is headed our way, and these are perhaps the most fashionable items to be seen with.