Day 5

image by Victoria Breton

Today is day 5 for me of my "28 to Great" challenge".  It is also day 5 of having sick children house. Angelina has been running a high fever since Monday, and Iris (and my husband) got it yesterday. Stressful when you are running  a business from home and trying like mad to pull together your Spring Collection before it is actually spring... You bet.  Yesterday the girls were fighting, the TV had been on for 4 days, and I was ready to fall in a heap and just cry.

So I did.

Then I picked myself up, did a 40 minute workout, made some chicken noodle soup from scratch for everyone. It is amazing how much better my workouts make me feel both mentally and emotionally. I am also hoping that all of the healthy whole foods I am eating will keep me from catching this yucky virus.
Today is another day- I am going to try and make it a good one!

Anthology!

I am so excited to have napkins featured in the winter issue of Anthology! If you have not checked out this magazine you should- it is heaven from cover to cover. I am honored to be included, what a great way to start the week. You can pick up a copy at Anthropologie, you will not be sorry that you did!

28 to Great

After the New Year and my birthday this year I was feeling really out of balance- my body was hurting, I was tired and my pants were a little snug after a holiday season of sitting (working, but still- sitting) discovering my love of whiskey and holiday party food.  I felt like I had a good rhythm with work and family but diet and exercise were not making the cut in my busy life. Time for a change.

I saw my friend Gwen the other night and she looked amazing- she told me she was taking the "28 to Great" challenge from Barre3 - an exercise program that is described as "Where ballet barre meets yoga and pilates". I decided to check it out ( I love yoga and pilates, but never had the time to practice in a studio) and decided to join the challenge too! For $28 I get unlimited online classes for a month, a Barre3 ball sent to me in the mail, recipes and meal plans. So far I am totally in love. The workouts are challenging, but fun and relaxing and I can do them at home from my lap top while the girls play.  I have already made a few of the recipes and they are easy and delicious- it is not a diet, just suggestions for eating whole foods and tons of veggies. I also love that Barre3 is a woman owned business started right here in Portland. It feels like the perfect jump start to add strength back into my body, not just my business in 2013.
And I can't wait to shop for cute workout clothes when I reach my 28 day goal....

Working on...

New bags! These are part of a Spring Collection I am putting together...still working out the kinks. I am designing a cross body bag and new textile patterns too.

These bags are hand printed canvas in a warm gray, jade and yellow ocher with soft, buttery chocolate brown leather details. More to come!

Anna Joyce is looking for an Intern!

Whew, what a year so far! Emma and I are up to our ears in work and new projects and I think the time has come to look for more help with running my business- this is where you come in!
I am looking for an intern to help me about 10-15  hours a week in and out of the studio. I
need someone here in Portland to with help with cutting and sewing, researching and sourcing materials for new products, computer work, running errands...a little bit of everything. And in return you will gain experience, contacts in the business and see first hand how a small business runs day to day. For now this position is unpaid, but my last intern Emma was so fantastic that she is now my paid assistant! 

If you are motivated, detail oriented, know how to sew (THIS IS A MUST) have awesome computer skills and are wanting to learn what it takes to run a successful Etsy shop and wholesale business  then please contact me at annajoycedesign@gmail.com and tell me about yourself- I look forward to hearing from you!

xo Anna

Happy 2013!

I am back from a much needed vacation and will be posting more ( a New Years resolution!), but in the mean time how cute is this vintage wool Pendleton bow? I need one. You can get yours here.