this and that, prairie style...

Ahh, what a few weeks it has been.

In the midst of ME & Blue launching its fall collection at the Magic show in Las Vegas, I got word that my 100 year old grandfather was nearing the end. Off to Cherokee, Oklahoma I went for a few days... that has turned into a couple of weeks. It has been a blessing to see life go out as I feel new life inside of me.

Goofing around in Oklahoma... a week later, a more formal ceremony would take place.

I'm used to high rises and mountains as landmarks when I am driving. In small towns like Alva, Oklahoma, the grain elevator is a typical sight.

Sunset at the Great Salt Plains. Gorgeous. It's a great place to dig for salt crystals.

I love this sign, in nearby Helena, Oklahoma. It always makes me laugh.

Chilling out on the front porch. Fake beer and watching the traffic go by in the small town of Cherokee, Oklahoma.

We all stayed at my grandparent's house. And got the player piano going.

A formal funeral... my grandfather was the Chief of the Border Patrol and had a beautiful ceremony full of Border Patrol officers who did an amazing job of honoring his life.

He wrote this book , "The Journey" that discusses the significant historical events of his career...

Flags, 21 gunshots, and lots of olive green. The uniforms looked the same as they did 70 years ago.

Each rose represented a member of the Ster/Hughes/Molnar families. I view funerals as a chance to think and celebrate the best of the person and to think about how you want the rest of your life to go.

Later that day... a drive in the old pickup truck.

With my sister, Blue and her hubby, Kevin and Sallie who was all smiles.

Later that evening, family time at the Great Salt Plains State Park. Gorgeous.

It's been great to spend time with family and I'm fortunate to have a loving hubby who has been taking care of my life in LA. I can't wait to see him in a couple of days!

And many thanks to the ME & Blue gals (and guys!) who have helped me keep the business running while away.

XO, M.E.

Sista Blue shoots some sassy photos in Oklahoma.

My sister, Blue is in Cherokee, Oklahoma for a few weeks.

She had a good time posting some fun photos. Long walks with her dog, Sallie Mae can really make you see what's around you.

I'm in my car so much here in LA, I miss that here.

There's something really beautiful about open plains, towns with a single red light, and rusty pickup trucks all around.

John Cougar Mellancamp said it well. Small town.

XO, M.E.

Oklahoma is OK.

I'm on Oklahoma for a few days. Gathering up vintage goodies, inspiration, and some extra sleep. Danielle and Brittany are holding down the fort back in Venice. It will be nice to get back. But in the meantime, I'm hanging with family and having a fab time in flyover country. Be back soon!

XO, M.E.

I'll Fly Away...

It's been a hectic few weeks.

My dear Grandmother Shirley (shown below with my sister, Blue) passed a couple of weeks ago and I went to Oklahoma to spend time with my family and celebrate her life. She was one of the most generous people that I have ever known. She would have me sit down at her house and write out checks to her favorite charities. When we would see someone less fortunate on the street, she would say... "Now M.E., say a prayer for that person."

It was nice to spend time with my mom and dad (above) and brother and sister (below).

The hot Oklahoma wind was opportune as we sang this song before she laid to rest...

XO, M.E.

party on the prairie and plenty of inspiration.

My mom and I took a detour from my recent trip to North Carolina to attend the funeral of my dear Aunt Frances. I had a chance at the end of the bittersweet day to hang out with my mom and cousins at the Cherokee, Oklahoma farmhouse where she and my Grandfather grew up. We hung out until the sun set, reminiscing about Frances' mom, Mary Ellen Blue Coppock and the memories that we had of her.

The outside has peeling paint, lots of land, a silo, and maize growing in the field.

The inside looks like the setting for an Anthropologie catalog, with floral carpeting, wall paper, and light switches. The red shag carpeting is a throwback to the early 70's.

My extended trip has been a gift in sharing quality time with my family. I'm fortunate to have quality help at my boutique until I'm back next week.

XO, M.E.

vintage-o-rama

I can't resist when I travel. "I brake for thrift stores" should be a bumper sticker on my car. And my recent trek to Oklahoma proved no different. Check 'em out.

I'm thinking this bling bling number is early 90's. Perfect for a holiday party.

More goodies. They're all drying up after a good wash.

And more fun styles are coming in tomorrow. I'm working on getting smaller sizes per customer requests. It proves to be difficult for the 80's and 90's stuff as a lot of styles were oversized, but I scored some fab styles.

XO, M.E.

Leaving on a jet plane...

I'm spending a few days with my family in Oklahoma. My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. Today was super hectic. Teaching at FIDM, picking up more Brittany tops and Bond belts, and spending quality time with my honey. It will be nice to spend a few days with family. XO, M.E.

OOOHH klahoma!

Last week my brother, Donald and sister, Blue joined my

Mom & Dad for a few days in Oklahoma. They all got together

to visit to our 100 year old Grandfather to the small town of

Cherokee, OK where he grew up and is now still living in...

I was recovering from my trip to London and will be heading out

there in the next week or so. I'm sorry I missed it. Fortunately,

my sister took these photos so I didn't feel like I missed out so much.

Blue in front of a rusty pickup.

Chloe Mae, the stray dog my parents found.

Uuh, purebred is more like it! She's GORGEOUS!

My Mom & Dad in front of the town elevator/silo.

I love this sign!

Donald jogging out on the dirt roads. Every intersection

means you've jogged a mile. If you every fly over this

part of the country, it looks like a quilt. The best part of

it? The grid system is great for tracking mileage!

I love this!

Donald and Blue at the grave site of our

Grandmother who passed late April of this

year.

Sunset.

XO, M.E.

Family matters...

My sister, Blue has just moved back to the US from Ireland. She's taking a couple of months to spend quality time with my grandmother who is now 93. In April, she and her husband will be headed to Asheville, NC to start a new life. But in the meantime, I'll be joining her, my mom & dad, & my 99 year old grandfather in Oklahoma in a couple of weeks. In this fast paced world, it's easy to think about the next buck, staying ahead of the game. But what happens when you slow down and spend real time with family? I'm looking forward to a bit of that soon. I hope you had a quality weekend with loved ones. They matter.

The photo below (l to r)

Cousin Debbie, my Grandmother Shirley, my Grandfather Donald Coppock, Aunt Frances, My Great Grandmother Coppock. Check out the Eastern Airlines plane in the background. Classic!

XO, M.E.

Peaches and pit stops.

My trip to the east coast got extended when I heard word that my dear Aunt Frances had passed. Danielle and Brittany are holding down the for at the boutique, and I just road tripped with my mom from our cabin in North Carolina to Oklahoma. Sharing the drive is always fun, and I'm always stopping for fun photo opportunities and yummy food, too!

I tend to stop for hand painted signs and was drawn to this fruit stand in Forrest City, Arkansas. We picked up a basket, and marveled at the yummy cantaloupe and watermelon, too!

And a fab song about...Peaches!

XO, M.E.