ONE

mirasa design turns ONE on day ONE of the New Year. We are filled with joy and gratitude.   



We are just like toddlers. Having learnt to crawl; by clutching, grabbing, leaning, falling
and crying. We are now learning to walk and run with all the little steps learnt this first year.

photo: stacey vaeth

 Each day has been a new lesson, finding ourselves forever learning, exploring and discovering for the next.

storytime over the comfy My Tiger FLoor Pillow
photo: stacey vaeth


There is no better reward than being appreciated. When a child stops crying as My Monkey does the mirasa monkey dance; The confusion of decision making between the My Tiger or My Owl be it an adult or a child (It’s happened plenty!); The big hugs My Lion Floor pillows receive; Story time only over the comfy My Monkey Floor Pillow; The surprise and laughter when the wrist bands rattle. Want more?



my owls likes to....
photo: stacey vaeth

I hope we can continue to enjoy mirasa together as we enter year Two. We look forward to 2011 with inspiration; to creating More FUN for you!

 

Atia(my biggest inspiration), giving her My Lion Floor Pillow ALL the love
photo: stacey vaeth

 

Thank YOU for making this year special. Happy New Year to you ALL.
Have FUN!
Aashumi

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love, joy & cheer

 

We ended our outdoor season with the Downtown Holiday Market. It was exhilarating to see the charm in Holiday shopping.



My Monkeys  jumping in the basket!

You can always be some one's little monkey. My Monkey will have many new friends this Saturday. Whether its whooping love from an older brother to his forty year old sister or to a new born from her god mother; they are both some one's little monkey.   

Big brother William came along in his Santa hat with his father. He wanted a special Christmas present for his little sister Lila. My Monkey wrist band, My Monkey pillow or the toys?? But which one?



My Lion, My Tiger....My OH My!



He was confused. His father decided it was time for a "talk". "How much do you think you have in your wallet?" There was an exchange of whispers.
William was ready.


William happy with his Holiday shopping.

Little Lila will have her new friend on Saturday.
The Owls hooted with glee!  

My Owl hooting with gleeeee


We're on a short break from being under a canopy until the New Year. Yes, we'll miss you ALL! If you miss us, visit the zoo on facebook  or mirasadesign.com

Happy Holidays to ALL of You and a Wonderful New Year!

 







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memories

Almost every time I call Bombay to speak with my family, it's expectedly my Naanima (Grandma) who will answer and we will have the same conversation as if it were novel.

The family with Naanima in Bombay 2009

Did you have your morning coffee? What are you cooking for lunch? How is Carlos? Are you teaching him Gujarati (my mother tongue)? How are the toys; your work? Are you happy? What is the time in DC? When are you coming to Bombay? Ohh Naani, I was just there!
Now, we will never have this conversation. Now, it will always be a memory.

Thank you Divya(fellow vendor)for sharing your masala chai with me. All of you who stopped- smiling and sharing your appreciation for My Fun. To Carlos for picking me up on time. To a family I love and one that loves me right back.

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hmmm...



photo: stacey vaeth



I took a Yin Yoga class last night at Past Tense Studio with Stacey Vaeth. Adhering to Yin tradition we held onto each asana(posture) for 3-5 minutes. There was discomfort, fluttering & shifting of thoughts and then- stillness, relief and deep relaxation.

Finding comfort in discomfort; enegry in stillness; strength in the present.

I hope to apply this through the cold days ahead. We have a 4day weekend of mirasa activity starting tomorrow. This will be our last one for the year; until we gather up and return with More FUN! Yes, we're excited and No I don't love the cold.



My Owl toy
photo: stacey vaeth



BUT we love meeting all of you, sharing mirasa's My Fun with little ones and watching My Owl make new friends.
So in the end;the chattering, layering, and sniffling is well rewarded.

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mirasa in the elements

my niece Atia  playing with her My Owl toy
just like little kialeigh.
photo: stacey vaeth

We have a few memorable experiences to share with you from this weekend.

Little Kialeigh came along with her grandma and mommy. Her tiny fingers and curious eyes went straight for the My OWWWL toy.
But as she cuddled with her big eyed friend she noticed all the others waiting eagerly for attention! Mommmieee- look!
There's a monkeyyy, a hippppo, a tigerrr....! What a confusing and exciting moment for a child.
My Owl now has a new friend!

On Sunday morning; instead of a typically overwhelming sea of white tents was a bare parking lot with puddles. There was no struggle to make the cut this morning. If it weren't for Carolina-a gentle but strong willed woman and a mother of three boys, I might have turned around. I'm glad we stuck out the elements because it was FUN!

The Essa Family with mirasa's My Fun Bag
My Owl, My Hippo, My Monkey with a FREE My Fun Bag.

We met Elizabeth Essa two weeks ago at Eastern Market. She was so excited to return with her daughter - Karen Leigh to shop for their first grandchild. And they did. It was lovely to meet this family; to momentarily be part of their love and joy. I am so thrilled My Fun will be part of their child's world.

marina's reaction with the wrist bands wasn't much different
and we LOVE the idea of using these as napkin rings!
photo: stacey vaeth

The day gets colder and rainier...we still keep shop open. Marina Galvani steps in with a friend. "Are these napkin rings?" she asks with fascination. Marina rattles away with a bag full of My Fun Wrist Bands!  

We did pack up by the early afternoon. The Zoo after all does need to stay warm and dry.

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ellasport does yoga?

ellasport does yoga?

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Shopping with mirasa

Awwww, so cute! I WANT them ALL! How Daaarling! Just SO Beautiful!
These are some of the few and most common reactions we've had in the past 11 months of mirasa life.

We have a few ideas to make your holiday shopping FUN and Easy! Inspired by shopping patterns we've observed from YOU and what we think will make the perfect Holiday gift.
Be different- Support small business, Support handmade, Support a cause.

All mirasa design products are hand crafted, 100% cotton fabric, eco-friendly and handmade in India. We are gender neutral, designing with sensory stimulation, creative imagination and self directed child play as focus, while employing the very traditional handcrafting methods of Indian Textiles.
A portion of all proceeds go Room to Read, towards their Girls' Education programs and Reading Room programs in India.

My Owl toy in process: hand crafted all the way!

Shopping for more than one infant? We are gender neutral!

 my onesies & my friends set:
divide into 3 presents: $26 each + *FREE shipping!

My Monkey onesie & My Tiger wrist band

My Onesies! 100% organic cotton

Shopping for more than one infant or toddler? We are gender neutral!

My Fun animals!

 My Fun Set: select your choice of any 3 My Fun toys and get a FREE My Fun Bag! divide into 3 presents: $26 each+ *FREE shipping!

So many more My Fun animals!

My Tiger set

Shopping for siblings?We are gender neutral!
We LOVE the pillow and toy sets, you can also throw in
a dangler! (Under $75)

1) My Tiger Pillow, My Tiger Toy & My Tiger Dangler
2) My Monkey Pillow, My Monkey Toy & My Monkey Dangler

3) My Elephant Pillow & My Elephant Toy
4) My Lion Pillow & My Lion Toy

5) My Hippo wubbie pillow(with tabs) & My Big Hippo
*FREE shipping!

Shopping for one infant/ toddler:
We are gender neutral! ($26 & Up)
1) Of course My Onesies gift set!
2) My Onesie & Toy combination, My Monkey onesie with a My Monkey toy
3) My Tiger toy & My Tiger Dangler
4) My Play mat/ Wall hanging
5) Floor Pillow: My Lion, My Monkey, My Tiger
6) Any My FUN animal!
*FREE shipping!



My Play Mat/Hanging



My Pillow, My Toys, My FUn!

 

Shopping for yourself?
Our note cards are whimsical just like everything else!($13.50)
 *FREE shipping!

My Fun Notes, I want to SAY....

photo credit: stacey vaeth photography 

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mirasa weekend

Saturday: 2pm-6pm
Past Tense Studio's Gift of Fab

The afternoon started with a comforting cup of hot chocolate. Sweeet!
The studio was a buzzing ball of talent. It is always inspiring for me to meet women in creative and business. 

post Gift of Fab in ellasport



I did some holiday shopping for friends & myself (hmmm).
My favorite NY spin instructor, tri-athlete and friend Pam (Pamela Oelerich) drove down from the big apple with ellasport. It was difficult not to have yet another perfect moisture wicking ellasport tank.
Super cool Third Eye Pillows by Ronni Key also a yoga teacher with Past Tense studio (perfect gift for my friend who just got her yoga certification).
Calamarie, unique(you decide) jewelry (made from orange peel!) Unique? Yes!
Fun, Fun, Fun!!

Sunday: 10am to 5pm
Eastern Market

Yes, it was freezing. Yes, it was windy and Yes, we packed up early.


photo: stacey vaeth
My Owl, My Fun!

We will be back there next weekend even if it’s frigid. As long we can keep the My Fun zoo tamed and comfortable in their baskets.

If you missed us through the weekend, shop with us on www.mirasadesign.com. FREE shipping through the holiday season only!

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Gift of Fab



I took a yoga class with Kelly DiNardo at the Washington Sports Club in the Spring of 2009. Kelly was in the process of  opening her own yoga studio Past Tense and I promptly offered to volunteer as a Studio Assistant. The Studio is a charming and tranquil space on the corner of Park and Mt.Pleasant Street.
Now, almost like home to my new found world of yoga. This is where I go to pause; to feel restful and challenged, grounded and internal, to give and receive.



photo: stacey vaeth



My Tiger, My Fun!
Photo: Stacey Vaeth

So for all the FAB this space has offered me and mirasa, I am excited to be part of the Gift of Fab tomorrow.

Take a walk through Mt.Pleasant.
Make a Stop. See you there!

Gift of Fab
Saturday December 4th
3253 Mt. Pleasant St, NW

Time: 2pm-6pm

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Making My Owl

Here is a glimpse of the handmade process for mirasa's My Owl toy from my trip to the workshop in Bombay (Mumbai). This is only one aspect of the production process. We handcraft all our toys, pillows and accessories using traditional Indian hand embroidery and applique methods practiced for generations.

My Owl : Step 1
The illustration is first chalked onto the fabric to guide the craftsman for
all hand applique and embroidery details


 

My Owl: Step 2
Applique process; here we see them working with areas that are "Teal"



My Owl: Step 3
Preparing for hand embroidery



My Owl : Step 4
Finishing applique.



My Owl in Process





My Owl having Fun his new friend Atia
Photo: stacey vaeth





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Ready, Set and Go...



photo: stacey vaeth


We're at the start line every Friday evening with a mirasa check list:
- mirasa's Fun zoo: toys, pillows, owls, elephants, tigers, lions- Growwwwlll!
- story tags
- post cards
- mirasa totes
- credit card swiper
- pen, tape, scissors
- price list
- X Y Zzzzzz

Loading and unloading for a market or event weekend after weekend; zipping out the canopy, settling down the tables, merchandising the 10' x 10' space each time.
Yes, it can be cumbersome, tedious and exhausting BUT it is FUN and we look forward to it every weekend!

Eastern Market has been one of our favourites even though making through the gates as a vendor always stands to be challenge. We start our day at 6.45am with out ever being sure whether we'll be on the other side of foot traffic. The market is a bazaar of creative energy-ideas, product, skill, management, experiences, a business school in the real world with modern and tech savvy ideas alongside the traditional. We Love being here every Sunday and hope to see all of you Eastern Market regulars there more often through the holiday season.

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