Enkel Apperal

 Enkel Apparel is a new project we have decided to get involved with.  It's a clothing company that we are helping launch!  While Enkel is in the "start up" phase, the goal, once fully funded, will be the "buy-one give-one" model.  The t-shirt or item you purchase, will also buy a child in foster care a garment of their choosing.  This is an incredible tool for young people to have, especially when they find themselves at the mercy of donations.  

Please check out Enkel Apparel's website, scroll down and watch the video, scroll down more for future merchandise at: http://www.enkelapparel.com/  

In the video, you will hear a story about a young man who was placed in foster care with only the clothes on his back and flip flops on his feet. Nick and I helped "co-parent" him for  two years.  This was our first experience as a couple with the foster care system and it broke our hearts to see how broken the system is for our hometown kids.  This is our way of trying to make a difference.  

If you would like to help us make a difference, here are a couple ways YOU can help:

*Watch the video

*Like Enkel Apparel on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/EnkelApparel

*Give towards this project, please visit the Gofundme site at: http://www.gofundme.com/3zruck  

*Spread the word!!!  The more people know, the more kids we can reach!!!!

 Some of our favorite designs!

More Family

Will you just look at these beautiful babes???  We had the pleasure of meeting Adrian and Cecilia for the first time when my cousin John and his wife Jessica came in town for a family wedding.  They had such individual personality that I could barely stand it!  Adrian looks so much like John while Cecilia looks like Jessica with a hint of her grandmother Joyce-my fun-loving Buffalo Aunt who we miss every day.  We met Jessica too for the first time and Nick described her perfectly, "A sweet heart.  Not sweetheart, she just has a sweet heart."  They are a beautiful family and I look forward to knowing them more as life goes on.

The following pictures are from a stop we made at 10:30 on a Sunday night so our Aunt Donna could try one of "Oprah's favorite things"-eCreamery.  We were even MORE delighted to find out that she had actually watched the episode of Shark Tank when eCreamery was featured.  All three of us went with a scoop of "Shark Bait"-a mix of vanilla ice cream with pretzels and chocolate chunks.  Delish!

With one more night left to enjoy east-coast family, some of us headed Down Town to Spaghetti Works in the Old Market.  It was kid's night so, there were several plates of meatballs and eyeball balloon hats.  We had a lot of fun catching up, keeping little bodies occupied, and just being in each other's company.

LOVE THESE KIDS!!!

After dinner, we took the kiddos to the BIG slides.  Let's just say, I don't know who had more fun hoot'n and holler'n, the kids or Nick!

Our last stop for the evening was an Omaha staple, Ted and Wally's Ice Cream Shop.  Think, retro design meets homemade ice cream-Perfecto!  We spent our last moments in between licks of root beer and Carmel cashew, praying time would stand still and we wouldn't have to say goodbye....

...but, goodbye it is.  Until next time!

A Wedding We'll Never Forget

 September 7, 2013, my Uncle Doug married his beautiful bride Tracie

Family from New York and Oregon traveled to take part on this happy day.  Not only was it special to watch them pledge their love and lives to each other, but my hubby Nick had the opportunity to perform the ceremony!  He did a fantastic job and brought many to tears.

 Small touches were made to make this day even more special.  VIP photo booth-that was put into good use-yummy baby bunts, and a small tribute to remember those who weren't there to celebrate, but in spirit. 

After the ceremony, everyone hit the dance floor and had a blast!

Omaha Midnight Run 2013

Bringing Transformation to the city of Omaha, partnering with established nonprofit organizations serving the inner-city, connecting resources to the need.

This year, I had the honor of attending the Omaha Midnight Run as an actual participant rather than a volunteer.  My Aunt Donna from New York was in town and decided to lend her support.  We didn't actually make it out on the track, but instead talked with runners and visited the non-profit tables who were there that night. 

 One non-profit that is near and dear to my heart, is Takin It To The Streets.  Our friends Bryan, Jill, and Josh are members of the "family" and welcomed the opportunity to show the city their love for people. Check out their website at: http://www.takinittothestreetsomaha.org/

OFW Backstage Pass

Omaha Fashion Week~Backstage Pass

These photos were from the Friday Night "Vessel" show. Despite the heat and having to dress up, Nick agreed to be my date!  This show was totally different from the weeks prior shows because we were escorted into a tent that was covered with black garbage bags...you know, artsy stuff. What entailed was a very high-end fashion show with scantly clad teenage girls sulking around a half-circle to sci-fi music.  The designers for this show ended up winning the $20,000 prize for the week.  Interesting...

...speaking of interesting, here are a couple shots I got while lounging in the hottest model tent ever!

 Little Girls in crocheted dreams and a visit from my beautiful lil friend Sophie

 6-foot alien models

 My friend Shelby and I in the VIP lounge

 A fanciful dress with feathers

My designers dress rack
http://sushebyjtracey.webs.com/

Franconia 2013

Welcome to Franconia!  A lovely little town in Minnesota that hosts a splendid sculpture park on 20-acres. With a rotating collection of over 95 contemporary sculptures, reflecting the creative talents of local, national, and international artists, the park is free and open to the public 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. 

 Here are some of our favorite pieces this year! 

LOVE the break dancing skeleton!

The "Boys" trying to figure out the solar panel/PC piping sculpture

A rickshaw with an ocean background and a voice coming from the floorboards talking about the rickshaws trip to America.  One of the more "performance" pieces.

One of the super cool things about Franconia is that you never know when you'll happen upon a sculpture in progress!

Even the bathrooms are festive!

What seems to draw us back again and again is the various states we find the sculptures in, the stories of their wear and tear, the artist unique perspective on recognizable objects, and the adoring company who always graces us with their presence.