cheers!

A New Year brings a new tide. As we wrap up 2011 with gratitude I look forward with excitement to the offerings of the New Year. My goal, ever forward.

photo: stacey vaeth

Thank you all for a wonderful 2011. It has been a fun year for us.
Wishing you all the best in 2012.
Happy New Year!
Aashumi
mirasadesign.com

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Lets Do. No Reaction.

Lets Do. No Reaction.

These words have become part of my mantra this past month. I just finished my 200 
hour intensive yoga teacher training with Heather Seagraves at Quiet Mind Studio in Washington DC. We only held Parivritta Utkatasana (revolved fierce pose) for 10 breaths...yesss, I was so ready to untwist and spring back up to straight legs; Sigh and make facials with my fellow yogis. “No Reaction” said Heather “Lets Do, Utkatasana on the left side”. 

At Quiet Mind Studio with Heather & gang on our last day of training.
8.26.2011

My mirasa wall

Saturday 8.13 wasn’t quite as stormy as today with Irene passing through. The clear summer sky suddenly whirled up into a grey and we felt the air change at Eastern Market. I just stood there with mirasa’s My Fun, hands on hips staring up and just being. Day dreaming. 

“Aashumi!!! can we help you pack? It’s about to storm!! Where are the plastic bags? Do you have any? Just tell us what to do!” Sunny and Jenna came out of no where to my rescue, and just in time. Thank you, my co- work study yogis from Past Tense Studio. For the first time in my life I was calm and with out panic.
It was just rain. 

Lets Do. No Reaction. 

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my fun, my family

We were introduced to the Reston Market a couple weekends ago. Morning set-up is quite a bustle but once the animals find their way to the baskets it feels like being on vacation. Surrounded by bursting green trees right by Lake Anne, the plaza is buzzing with people. "Good morning!" A bag in hand for the Farmers Market and a leash in the other. "I'll stop by on my way back" and sure enough he does. We also met little Jacob for the second time this Saturday and maybe next time in his My Giraffe onesie.

My Fun in the shade of orange drapes.
Our newest display addition. 

Ok, I did say vacation, but markets are work and there is nothing better than a delicious meal right after. We spent the rest of the evening with the Santhanams playing Wizard with the kids and devouring fresh mozzarella over tomatoes, saffron and mushroom risotto and Nielsen's frozen custard- thanks Toral & Raj!

Oh Yes, and the kids did have this to share with me.

Zaahir: "Shumi we love the mirasa floor pillows!"

me: "Really? What do you use it for?"

Annika (rolling her eyes): "Oh, he uses it for everything...."
Umm... yes and he sure does-  please Zaaz, that Monkey Floor Pillow 

needs a wash!

Annika(8) & Zaahir (11) hanging out with their My Fun Floor Pillows. 

  

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mirasa in mumbai

It's almost time to pack up and head back home to DC. I feel lucky to call two very different cities, thousands of miles apart, Home. My Fun animals had some great adventures in Mumbai. As I worked away creating new friends for mirasa's next collection; my friends here had some fun exploring and digging through my Mumbai. 

Filling up on some delicious Haapoos (Indian Alphonso Mango)
before staring a day of FUN!

My Monkey waiting for the bus to Colaba

no. 63 to my grandparents home at Napean Sea Road

no. 80 to Chowpatty Beach

no. 81 to school, J.B Petit High School For Girls

 shopping Chappals (traditional Indian footwear) at Colaba Causeway
before heading to Chowpatty Beach. 

A taxi ride to Chowpatty Beach

Sneaking in between lovers for a perfect picture at the beach.

Snacking on Makkai ka Butta(corn on cob).
A must have at the beach!

 My Monkey's view: Arabian Sea on the left and traffic jam on the right.

So many flavors for my Baraf Ka Gola! (ice balls dipped in syrup)

A stop at the temple before heading back home from a day of FUN!

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handmade in mumbai-from the workshop

playing with pleats

Engine failure, 8 hours in Newark and 15hours of flying, two days later finally home in Mumbai.

Nostalgic, Rooted, Inspired...
I spent my first day in Mumbai at the workshop with our karigars (crafters). There is rhythm as Ganesh (lead crafter) needles the thread in and out of the fabric creating form and texture. I watched and watched some more, completely mesmerized!

Backside of the monkey wrist bands. Look at all the knots
and thread work needed to create the monkey.

I am shy, actually very shy but the crafters, Oh My! refused to let me photograph them so this is a glimpse of their work in action.

We are handmade in Mumbai with a lot of patience, skill and talent; making each mirasa toy special and unique in itself. Stay tuned for more mirasa from mumbai!
-Aashumi

Atia wearing mirasa's my monkey wrist band
photo: stacey vaeth

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what we hear...

my owl
photo: staceyvaeth.com

"Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! Those are so cute!"
"I need a baby."
"So soft, I want to sleep with them."
"Aaaah, these are sweet!"
"So awesome! I want to steal a baby and put it in this cute stuff."

my onesies
photo: staceyvaeth.com

This is some of what we hear every weekend.
We appreciate all of you who stop to learn about mirasa design. Those of you who've shopped with us and return to tell us how much the little ones enjoy their toys.
You keep us inspired to create More FUN.

We will be away from the markets for a few weeks after May 8th to return in June. We are always available for you online at mirasadesign.com and YES we do offer FREE shipping. If you want to shop with us in person(of course we love it!) we will be at Celebrate Mama Saturday May 7th and Eastern Market Sunday May 8th.

Have FUN!
Aashumi

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Shop For Japan

Sara Walker (Thank You for thinking of me!) sent me a message on Facebook last night about participating in Shop for Japan. A One-Day global community event to benefit Japan. As I read through the "about" section and browsed through the very concise website I was amazed by the power of technology and social networking. It has made our world smaller enabling us to make change. Yes, it's no longer a new realization especially after Egypt, but still, its a reminder of how we can make a difference. So YES, mirasa design is a Shop For Japan on Saturday March 26th. We will be contributing 20% of all proceeds from sales on this day to the American Red Cross. 
Spread the word, we can all participate together as a business or consumer to make a difference!

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playtime ny

We're back from an invaluable three days at Playtime NY. It was our first international trade show. These few days in NY were fun and intense; from business to bonding with old friends and family. Now back in DC and still fueled by NY's energy, we're ready to head on.

We were well prepared for the show, except I should have trained with a handyman or interned at a construction site. I silently panicked as my fiery hammering resulted in only an annoying TTTHKKKK, THHHKKKKH, and then a "Tiiiiing" loosing the nail to the floor. Thanks Cristina for your fearless and precise strokes to the temperamental - plywood - make shift walls.
Now back to creating More FUN, Eastern Market, Yoga at Past Tense Studio and life in DC.

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my animals are hungry

I landed at the tree house (or the Parikh Pyle residence) when my niece Atia was just finishing a wholesome breakfast her father had prepared. She was relishing the last few blobs of sour cream over spinach and eggs as baby Tino charmed his way into a post breakfast snack of Cheerios. Atia is in the developmental phase of adult modeling. It's interesting to see how a child's experience forms fantasy and directs play.
Of course it was Atia's turn to feed her My Fun friends!

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atia's playtime

I spent a sunny Tuesday morning with my niece Atia and nephew Santino. Atia was excited to see me twice in the same week.
"Shumi is coming over again!?!"
"Shumi wears nice shirts, I love Shumi's shirts..."
Atia is 3.5 years old. Do you remember what that age felt like? Did you make up stories? Did you have a favorite toy? Did you find different textures fascinating? I did and it hasn't stopped for me!
Here is a glimpse of Atia's playtime with her collection of My Fun!

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