It's a Luv Thing

14 Days to Say I Love You: Day 3

I am obssessed with my new chain bracelet! These Jacquie Aiche bracelets are all the rage in LA, so dainty and sexy.

New Wildfox Sparkle Heart Sweatshirts

We just got in a new selection of Wildfox Sparkle Heart Baggy Beach Jumpers! To see all our colors in stock, and to buy one now, click here!

Many colors to chose from!

Courtney in Rainbow Heart Wildfox

Do you watch The Bachelor? We saw this Rainbow Heart Wildfox sweatshirt on one of the contestants, Courtney.

Looks familiar! To get yours, call us 760 632 8013

LIFE IS CHANGE GROWTH IS OPTIONAL

You have heard me say this many times, and many of you even have a t-shirt saying this favorite phrase of mine, but it seems like it really applies to the last few years of my life as well as many of yours.

Well once again I am feeling ready for some more changes here at The Luv Shack. It's not that business is terrible. I am still here right? But the hustle and bustle of 4 or 5 (or should I say 20) or more of you shopping at the same time is somewhat of a fond memory. Life is changing, and well, shopping is certainly changing too.

My family and I had a great Christmas, the best in many years, along with tons of food and presents it was just an all around great season.

The day after Christmas, my daughter Sam (who is 14 going on 21) came home from Urban Outfitters with 6 tops for $36 bucks. Ouch. They were cute. Really cute. I wasn't sure if I should congratulate her for her amazing thrifty shopping skills or cry because I knew my Luv Shack could no longer compete.

The Shopping Climate

Like life, shopping and retail go through many ups and downs, just like any business. When I opened my boutique 6 years ago it was definitely different times. We all had money, and all along the coast you could find darling boutiques where premium denim was the ticket. If you didn't have your True Religion, AG, Paige, Citizens or Joes you should stay home (JK!) Oh how I loved shopping Barbarella and M Collection in the day! And now some of our old familiar friends proudly hang at Target. . . A sure sign of the times! Doors are closing and things are different. Like always, I try to look at the doors that are opening! Over my new year's celebration, I looked around and realized just how much all the gaps in our world are changing. The black tie people were now mingling with the tattooed, snake wearing, sexy panty wearing people.  A magical time and place where everyone belonged, everyone was happy, along with the laughter and fun there was no room for judgement or negativity.  A perfect way to ring in the New Year and contemplate my next lifes phase.

Now is a time of personal style, defining yourself, where you are going, and how you would like the world to perceive you. No longer are you identified with the brand you are wearing, the house you live in, or the car you drive!

At this point, if you don't put on something and just LOVE it, it is probably not for you. Now it's about picking out pieces that define who you are, make you feel comfortable, and in a way it's your uniform to help you be the best you.

How will you re-create yourself this up coming year??

HERE IS WHATS GOING ON AT THE LUV SHACK!

Many of you have called us while driving by, not finding us behind all the decoration next door, and many of you believe we are out of business. Well HONAY- IF I AM GOING DOWN IT IS GOING TO BE KICKING AND SCREAMING AND YOU WILL KNOW IT! Thats exactly why I save my pennies to stay at the Magic Castle.  I need inspiration. I need to invest my money in ME!!

The market is full of crap I don't like. I obviously can no longer compete with the lower price points. The two story H & M that just moved in. . . Please!! What I love doing is being with "my people" so I have invited my friends Carla Manuel from Kites as well as Lindsay Strieker from Malaika to the shack. These girls are long time friends and incredible independent designers. Both of these girls, along with their beautiful treasures, will be moving in! I will be focusing once again on brands and items you cannot get all over town. I will still shop to bring you those great trends at lower price points as well as focus on my own Luv Thing Brand.

I will be shopping the market to find you the best brands and of course give you the best prices as possible. Keep an eye out for my favorite new knit lines American Vintage... and did you see the Dittos in the store? Did any of you wear them the first time around?  See the cycles?.....  :)

You will love the new Wildfox jewelry and swim! Yes swim!!!!

And I said I would Never carry SWIM!!!

Never say never, it is 2012!!!

My Rodeo Drive Wish List

After I rang in the new year, I woke up at my usual early hour and went on a walk through Beverly Hills. It was cold as I began on the wandering journey from my hotel. I came upon these tulips, one of my favorite flowers. Only in Beverly Hills will you find them life size!

As chance would have it, I ended up on Rodeo Drive. This is the perfect time to window shop, while nobody is even in the stores. So. . . if I were Julia Roberts starring in my favorite movie Pretty women, I would buy this today:

Stewart Weitzman over the knee boots with extra bling, all in white.

This green Tom Ford party dress.


My boyfriend would buy me plenty of things from the fancy lingerie store. In fact, he would have this place on speed dial!

As I continued my walk back through Beverly Hills I saw this stained glass window. The cute owl talking to the moon reminded me of the Lauren Moshi white sweat pants I wore here on my trip. Somehow I just know I am going to leave here wiser, and I guess I will wear them home as well. Check out this owl, is it really that easy to talk to the moon? The sunset was beautiful, and the perfect way to end a perfect weekend.

Barbie Has Everything!

Maybe it's only in Beverly Hills, but Barbie now has a smart car! I always say Barbie has everything. . .

 So here's to living in your own barbie world!!

A few weeks ago I got a call from my sister saying that my mother had a brain aneurysm and needed surgery. At the time she was in critical care and they would do surgery when they could get her a little more stable. Oh no, here we go on the roller coaster ride with God again. Just when my life was getting so simple again. Or, maybe it was getting boring?

After the surgery, my daughter Savannah and I hopped on a plane to become the nurse and cheer up committee for my mother. Utah. A place I ran away from when I was 17 and rarely went back. It wasn't the people I disliked, but the energy of the place. It always felt weird to me. But it sure is beautiful.

My mother's recovery was slow and it was hard for her to recieve care. She has always taken care of herself and has always been quite modest. I told her I had seen so many naked women in my store, nothing shocked me,  and it was true.  I felt quite honored to be there for her in a time of need. I hadn't really settled in and hung out for days like this with my mother.

I had run away from home when I was 17. I can still hear my mother saying, "You came bare ass naked and you can leave bare ass naked," and so I did. Pretty much, just leaving behind a high school room filled with awards, posters, pictures, pom poms, all my records, and a standing jukebox that had a turntable and disco lights. What would I give to have that again!!!!

I never saw my room again. My parents divorced. My mom moved, moved again, married, again moved again.  

My mother, two days out of the hospital from a major brain surgery, insists we go to her house to decorate her tree and maybe a few rooms in the house. This was no small feat! We're talking 20 boxes out 20 boxes in, of home decor and christmas crap. And ok, she does have some good stuff but I am a bit of a simpleton when it comes to that stuff.

After 10 hours of decorating she says she has a present for me, and my sister knowingly goes and gets it.

MY BARBIES!!!!!!  I scream as I see the familiar plaid hat box with the cute strap for my wrist. As a child these went everywhere with me. The perfect zipper kept them safe inside, and as I opened it I found all the familiar things were there.

The first Ken that I could remember and the first curly haired barbie. Don't worry, Malibu barbie was still there, and there were a few others but couldn't tell who they were as they were missing the heads!! Who beheaded them in the past 40 years is a mystery to me but of course it wasn't me! Barbie has and always will be, my favorite icon. I guess I knew back then what I really wanted to do was play barbies, dress up with my friends and hang out with Ken.

Duh who wouldn't?

I may have run away, but my mother knew my finest treasure and had carried them around with her knowing I would someday come home for them. Can you imagine picking up your kids same toys and moving them around for close to 40 years!!!!

That to me is LOVE!!!!!

New Wildfox Sparkle Heart Sweatshirts

We got in more Wildfox Sparkle Heart sweatshirts, and we're taking special orders on all of these colors!!!!  Call us ASAP if you are interested in getting this must-have, yummy sweatshirt.

Ashley Tisdale in Wildfox

Who in this town has been wearing this Wildfox sweatshirt before Ashley Tisdale???

Jennifer Love Hewitt in Wildfox

I wore this dress yesterday! Love when celebrities are following me ;) We've still got one of these left!

Skirts & Shorts

Rochet pull on skirts- If you haven't stopped by and checked out these skirts you will LOVE them. Easy to pull on with elastic waist. Fits everyone!

Gypsy 05 Skirts- I am obsessed with these long gypsy skirts! The black silk one is so ridiculous, dress these skirts up or down you will LUV them. Definitely worth saving your pennies for as they will be a great additon to your collection.

Vanessa Hudgens loves it too!

Ruffle tap short- Great layering piece to wear with your long tanks or tunics.