It's a Luv Thing

Dog Shit Theory

Well if that isn't the biggest clump of dog shit on my brand new Vince shoes!!! A picture does tell a thousand words.

When I sat down to write during one of my "wake ups",  one of the first theories that came to mind was the dog shit theory. There have been three incidences in the past couple weeks, and I feel compelled to share. Plus I have truly committed to wearing my heart on my sleeve and sharing it with whoever cares to read this blog. I mean really???

First it was my tennies while on a walk with Cleo my little black dog. I stepped in a huge pile, and just took off the disgusting shoes right away. They needed a good excuse to be thrown away anyway.

And then my Rocket Dog favorite nasty old clogs were another thing! But now my beautiful new treasured Vince Camuto shoes, and on the first day I wore them. Do you see all that dog shit caked in there?

Ok, ok, I will tell you the theory now, take it for what it is. It goes something like this: If I were wearing these amazing shoes, and I walked into your home with a clump of poo attached to my beautiful shoes, would you be ok with that?

I think not. Just, no. JUST SAY NO! The translation carries over into life's relationships in this way. . . Just be done with other people's behavior if you do not like it. It is stinky., and I say, "No thank you."

It doesn't matter who you are or where you came from honay! Shit is shit no matter what and let's not spread it around. If someone walks into your life, your house, your conversation, and you can smell the shit, kindly call it out, speaking your truth. I am trying this on a lot lately and it is not nearly as eloquent as I would like it to be, it is very uncomfortable, and at first not so easy. The idea remains the same even if you want to call it out inwardly, as long as you're being honest with yourself and speaking from the heart. But I have one girlfriend who calls it out and then laughs, humor being good medicine! If I don't laugh at myself and my poor shoes I will cry.

Watch where you step ladies, there is a lot of yucky stuff out there, it is very easy to get sucked in to all the shit!! 

On a positive note, I loved Vince's mission statement on the inside of the shoe box!  xo

I'm passionate about creating a product that women really want... infusing great style, comfort, and unparalled value for every stage of her life.

                                                    - Vince Camuto

 

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!!!

Peace is Stolen?

Ok, so usually I turn my head and try to ignore it, sending loving forgiveness to the poor girl who finds it necessary to steal from me. But this one has just gotten under my skin this morning!

 

Not only did someone steal from a little local store called "Its a luv thing" but also had the nerve to steal a peace sign sweatshirt.......REALLY? I find myself seriously perplexed.

Girlfriend!!! You stole the new amazing wildfox sweater, and yes you have excellent taste, but to steal a peace sign sweater from a love store? Do you get the karma you are so lovingly bestowing upon yourself?? 

You smuggled it out,  I would suggest you smuggle it back in. This time I will turn my head and pretend it never left.

Price Per Wear

Growing up I was one of those kids whose mom loved a bargain. You can get six things for the price of one. While me on the other hand, I just wanted the one.

On my 40th birthday I treated myself to an amazing hot pink sweater from designer Petro Zillia. I know some of you cringe seeing me in this sweater. It's either a really good day, hence the happy sweater- or a really bad day, and I need the happy sweater. And damn, have I worn that sweater, and worn it good!

Now fast forward some odd years later and I still love the sweater. Oh and yes I have bought more "happy sweaters" to line up next to that one, but none will ever take its place!  

That's my hot pink crochet with gold trim, fits to a tee happy sweater! What's not to like?  

How much you ask? Well it's definitely one of the higher priced ticket items in my wardrobe. I am a bit frugal, ok? So, confession... the sweater was $500.00 bought from my favorite Encinitas boutique at the time, Barbarella.  I am happy to report I have the sweater down to $4.16 per wear!

Now think about that the next time you buy something. Do I LOVE it? Do I feel amazing in it?  How many times will I wear it? And once again, do I feel amazing in it?

That Target tee you throw in the basket for $19.00 could cost you $19.00 per wear. But the Wildfox sweatshirt that you won't take off for a week until it smells, well need I say more?

Do the math honey, and ring yourself up for that splurge item, guilt free and happy!

xoxo

Change of Path

Raining in July is a new one!  I cannot remember in the 20 some odd years of living here that I ever recall it raining in July.  I wasn't too motivated to do much this past week or so, and especially didn't look forward to my morning walks like I usually do. If I wear a parka people will look at me like I am crazy and if I don't I will be freezing my you know what off.  Can you swear on a blog?  Because if you really know me you know I would say I was freezing my ass off! 

What do you wear on a walk in July at 8 a.m. in the morning? I mean REALLY... what do you even wear everyday and how the hell am I suppose to be selling shorts, tank tops, and summer dresses when everyone has been wearing jackets!  I really needed a walk and an attitude adjustment. 

So I put on a big sweatshirt, found 8 bucks and a rose quartz in my pocket, and made some tea instead of buying it at Starbucks (which I do almost everyday).  Funny how this one simple pleasure of knowing I can still afford my tea makes me feel safe.  I know, I know all of you are saying, "it adds up!", but hey.

I took a back trail through some cool houses in Cardiff  my friend Lori once took me on. It was absolutely beautiful.  Some things just look more beautiful with a little dew!  

I spent the rest of the day in some comfy jeans.  What did I find in the pocket?  Another rose quartz.  I'm not sure what the universe was trying to say but maybe taking another path brings abundance?  Look at life different,  more appreciative, not expecting?  Nobody was at the beach.  It was cold, wet, and amazing.

Maybe I should take a different path everyday- it wasn't even 8:30 in the morning and I had already found money and jewels.  Sometimes it is so  hard to break our cycles of life and let something new come in.

Being creative no matter what you do

I ran across an amazing women at the beach.  Talk about creative!  This woman had 4 kids, 4 surfboards, and a couple bags and toys of every sort.  Each kid was happy as they made the long trek back to the car. 

I love the Zen Master Osho's explanation of creativity:

Creativity is the quality that you bring to the activity you are doing.  It is an attitude, an inner approach-how you look at things... Not everybody can be a painter- and there is no need also.  If everybody is a painter the world will be very ugly;  it will be difficult to live.  And not everybody can be a dancer, and there is no need.  But everybody can be creative.  Whatsoever you do, if you do it joyfully, if you do it lovingly, if your act of doing is not purely economical, then it is creative.  If you have something growing out of it within you, if it gives you growth, it is spiritual, it is creative, it is divine. 

Love what you do.  Be meditative while you are doing it- whatever it is!

Crashing In and Out of Peace

So if you read my last post, Bali or Bust, you'd know the beginning of my trip didn't start out as magical as I'd expected.  After leaving my passport in the copy machine, and not realizing until I was at the counter in LAX, my trip was rerouted 12 hours later to Korea.

After another 12 hours in the Seoul airport, and a long flight to Bali, I made it with a warm welcome to my dear friend Maggie's.

Upon my arrival, her entire house was covered in ridiculous jewels from all over the country of Indonesia.  I was in jewelry girl heaven   She had gathered 200 year old Tibetan beads and was making amazing things with the finds.

Me being the jewelry picky that I am, quickly claimed them all for my store.   It was fascinating watching her create and bring to fruition these magical beads from such ancient times.

Bali is one of the most enchanting places I've ever been.  It's filled with amazing, beautiful people and never in my life have been around a culture that is so wanting and eager to please others.  Oh yeah, and the 2 hour massage for 15 bucks is not bad either.

Bali or Bust?

I think the beginning of my adventure was a definite bust.

I was all packed and ready to go on vacation!  The main advice I kept hearing over and over was to make a copy of my passport.  So I stopped by the store to do just that, and headed off to airport.

Well what usually happens when you make a copy?  You leave the original!  And yes, that's where my passport stayed until my time of check in when I realized where I had left it.

It was a 12 hour delay at LAX, and the word was I wasn't going anywhere.  I cried, called friends, and I started praying.  I surrendered. 

Stealing

Stealing... It isn't in my vocabulary.  I am in denial that it even happens. 

Each year we take inventory and I cringe when I see the giant gap between the "on hand"  and the really what is "on hand".  I think to myself hmm.....could I have given away an extra 10 or 15K worth of merchandise??  I am generous.......but no.  Everyone knows Nancy runs a tight ship and yes she may let me slide a little,  but she pretty much knows where every piece of merchandise is or where it should be. 

Just today, on Nancy's day off, a lady came in because she thought her daughter left her sweater.  I looked in the closet.  Nope sorry.  Nancy walked in as the lady was leaving.

"Hi, I have your daughters sweater.  I put it in the closet."   Of course it was there, the prized sweater passed down from two older sisters, Nancy once again the hero.  Who are we kidding?   She runs the show at It's a Luv Thing.