Layla Grayce

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.

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.

Jennifer Sbranti is the charming and fashionable creator of the revered blog the HostessWithTheMostess.com and popular daily blog – HostessBlog.com. See what inspires her this Valentine’s day – a two part special.

Need some gift ideas that coordinate with this theme? Whether you’re shopping for the party hostess, the guest of honor, or another special someone, here are some personal favorites that work well with this look… all from the current collection at Layla Grayce:

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February is the month of love, and as tradition holds full of reds, pinks, hearts, and flowers. But what is there for those of us who do not fit the norm? Those of us who are inspired by the modern and refreshingly eclectic? In these days of reinvention a valentine takes many different shapes, and the possibilities are endless. Inspire us Hostess.

Jennifer Sbranti is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Hostess with the Mostess® (HWTM), a hip and modern party planning resource. HWTM brings creative entertaining ideas to light through an inspirational “how-to” website – HostessWithTheMostess.com and popular daily blog – HostessBlog.com.

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Has the sight of an object ever evoked a powerful memory, feeling or emotion? One glimpse of the pieces in the Somerset Bay collection and the light breeze coming through your window suddenly becomes laced with a hint of salt, you can almost feel the sand beneath your feet, and is that the distant sound of a seagull you hear? Never has furniture transported you like this. And while your senses are still indulging, your mind can rest assured knowing that the craftsmanship of Somerset Bay has raised the bar. With its relaxed style and unique lines the collection does not shy away from color, but rather features a 6 step patina finish that is just one of the many example of the quality Somerset bay exudes. Never has your home seemed more like a getaway destination before.

Layla Grayce fans gather around to get a healthy fix of their favorite style in the current issue of Romantic Homes Magazine on newsstands now. Our very own Wendy Estes shares her inspirations behind the design of her Atlanta, GA home using Layla Grayce products through a series of question and answers with our friends at Romantic Homes Magazine.  Tiffany Harris was also asked to give readers an inside peak at her predictions on upcoming design trends for 2010. Complete with images taken from Wendy’s home, this feature is a thrill for us at Layla Grayce and we just couldn’t wait to share.

To read more about Wendy & Tiffany’s style and design tips found in Romantic Homes Magazine, download the full article in pdf format.  See anything you would like to purchase from Layla Grayce? Browse through the Inspiration section of our website, or give our customer service department a call or drop us an email. For more press features, visit our Press Page.

One part cosmopolitan, one part kitchy fun – all parts Company C. Welcoming this line into your house (and onto your floors) is like welcoming an old friend. A friend that is as dependable and reliable as they are colorful and full of flair. As their motto goes “Designs for Colorful Living”, Company C is full of exotic influences – most notably Russian textiles. But blended with contemporary style these rugs fit in almost every home with ease. And if going green is your thing, Company C’s resume is impressive. They proudly support ethical sourcing, community contributions, and are most mindful of their environmental footprint. We all can use a friend like this!

View entire Company C collection

The much anticipated launch of Annette Tatum’s new line of crib bedding has finally arrived, and we are tickled pink to be one of the select vendors to offer these fresh new patterns online. And my, my – what a grand new line this is! Still holding true to her soft simplicity Annette kicks the fun up a notch with a few Alice in Wonderland-esque sets like Sprout and Forest, which are playful in all the right ways, inventive, and charmingly unisex. And much to our delight Annette’s new line still embodies elements of the bohemian with fabrics like Brocade, Goa, Daisy, India Toile, and Pirouette. In with the new!

View entire Annette Tatum collection

I don’t know about you, but right now seems like the perfect time to clean out the linen closet and spruce up that holiday table setting. Fresh and modern Coasters, Placemats, Dinner and Cocktail Napkins, by the innovative designers at DwellStudio bring a clean and chic look to your table top. Why not add a touch of modern to your fall look this year? Chinoiserie birds with graphic napkins bring to life the bright aqua, burnt orange and mustard color pairings. Gorgeous rich colors with a pop of white mix the warmth of fall with the crispness on the looming winter. A table setting for all seasons.

View entire DwellStudio collection

Makes one 10 inch pie
Submitted by Tiffany Harris

Fall has arrived and it’s that time of the year to pull out the best recipes for the Holidays. Here is a twist on the classic pumpkin pie that is easy to make and special enough for a fussy crowd, including those that don’t care for pumpkin pie (this includes me)! The addition of the eggnog gives this pie a less intense taste and rich flavor. Enjoy!

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