Today is President's Day, so I have the day off from teaching.  Need to put a full day for Rais Case.  Grant, Nala, Phebe and I are sitting at the kitchen table getting the day going. :)  Some of the big RC to-do's today include: 
1) Order 2 leather hides for RC straps
2) Phone meeting with Kirk Strohman!  He is a friend and lawyer who is giving me legal advice.  Thanks Kirk!
3) Collaboration meeting with Rachael over at L33...we have some really cool stuff in the works.

Then there are the mundane to-do's such as, go to the post office (yuck!) and emails. And if there is time, I want to experiment dying burlap.  I bought some wine colored dye that I think would look amazing on the burlap bags.  Enjoy your day!
 

My website needed a little TLC.  I've changed my landing image and navigation bar giving the look a little more personality.  I still have a little more fiddling around to do on the collage.  What are you thoughts? 

I love the great colors & rich textures in this line of Burberry bags!  Fun fun fun. 

My doormats always fade too quickly, that's why I love this DIY doormat project on A Beautiful Mess' blog.
The sky is the limit on what design and colors you could use to personalize this project.  Elsie has tons of amazing projects and more info on the doormat post...check it out.

Doing some retail research on brown leather totes.  I'm loving all of these!  Would love to know your favorite(s)....

I have been pouring effort into Rais Case and I am about to see what happens if I try and take it to the next level.  I have a great opportunity to have my bags in a showroom in L.A..  This an amazing chance for my biz to grow. And after many discussions with family and friends this weekend (you know who you are, THANK YOU!), I decided to go for it.  Financial worries aside, I believe in what I am doing and as my sister said...all businesses have to take risks to grow.

The showroom really likes my line and what I am all about (versatility, functionality, one of a kind products manufacturing and sourcing supplies in the USA).  And I love the lines that the showroom represents Will Leather Goods and ZH Collection are two of them.  Check out some of their pieces below.

As if there wasn't enough visual stimulation online, Pinterest is now become my latest place to get inspired.  I go one Pinterest once a week to add items to my visual inspiration boards.  It's like a virtual sketchbook of ideas...below are some of my top 'pins' for bags.   Click here to see the rest of my 'pins' and if you don't have an account and would like one, let me know...I'll send you an invite! 

Nine beautiful Pendleton wool designs that I've picked out.  Hoping to set up a wholesale account with Pendleton.  Fingers crossed.  

Love so many of the elements from this line...especially the embellished straps on the cross body bags.