2009

It was a year of extreme hardship, extreme epiphany's , and finding rare opportunities in unexpected situations and relationships. I know for many 2009 wasn't the best year to date. I can only reflect on the life lessons I have learned in the economic depression.
Life lesson 1 - there are many hidden opportunities in unexpected places the key is to be open minded and creative.
Life lesson 2 - never never never never give up....... Even when you feel like you have nothing left to give find that one spec of courage with in your self to follow your dream!!!
Life lesson 3 - learn patience!!! I am the queen of ideas as well as the queen of inpatient. If an idea takes to long to show results I want to 86 it and move on!!!! BIG MISTAKE!!!!!! I have learned to take a deep breath and let the idea marinate and take it's coarse.
Life lesson 4 - STOP LISTING ALL THE REASONS WHY SOMETHING WON'T WORK AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!
Life lesson 5 - Always look to the positive and never the negative. Reflect on what you do have and not what you don't!!!!

The last thing I want to share is a quote from Mister Rogers... " Some days, doing "the best we can" may fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn't perfect- on any front- and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else."

Happy 2010 Everyone!!!!

Small Businesses is it a dying breed?????

I hope the day never comes when we are over run by big chain department stores. I was at a city meeting and the city manager is trying to revitalize the city by bringing in big chain discount department stores. Ok this city already has a Kholes and a Ross why do they need two more????? This was my question to him and his answer "to attract people to the city". I asked him "why can't we attract small businesses"? His response "small business are a dying breed." At that moment I was saddened. I did express my deep heart ache and half of me agreed and the other half is still a believer of the entrepreneurial dreamer. The argumentative fighter I am asked if he would reconsider his decision and look to allowing small businesses to come to the city he agreed. So now here I am trying to attract entrepreneurial dreamers to open shop in this undesirable economic crunch that were in. I am believer that small businesses can thrive. I am saddened to think of the day when personal customer service is out the door and we're left with a cold miserable sales people to help us. Vision is my favorite thing to see carried out in a small business and to here it from the owner of why they started the business is "The American Dream" come to a reality!

The King of Halloween

Some may say that this statement is bold, and especially since we are quickly coming upon Christmas, but it needs to be out there that artist Albert Reyes really does come close it and he does it all in El Sereno. Every year, besides having an annual party that includes live acts, he builds a haunted house in his backyard. And, every year the project has grown. Initially we had to crawl through the maze, which was no easy task in our costumes. In 2009, it became a full walk-through maze with a watchtower. This creative venture takes at least 5 months, but right after Halloween it comes down in a day. It is an artistic tradition that is truly a labor of love. And for those of us that hold Halloween as our favorite holiday, we can't wait to see what the next edition holds!

Ego

Hey everyone....
OK. today I need to get something off my chest. "EGO." Let me tell you about an incident that happened. Angie and I met at a new beer bar (in a neighborhood trying to become exciting) for a meeting. I loved the atmosphere! Now, I am an active member in the chamber that this bar resides in and I approached the owner about having a beer fest at his bar in October. He said yes politely and said he is planning to have an event in October and invited us to co host it with him. GREAT RIGHT???? Now here comes the EGO part. When I asked him if we can meet next week on a specific day and time, he said yes as of now but call him on Mon. because he is "really busy and might have to cancel due to his hectic schedule." I then asked him if we can just secure the Wednesday date and time. He said no because if anything comes up he would have to cancel but at that moment he had nothing scheduled which leads me to believe that I was not important enough to schedule a secure appointment.

Now, why would someone do this? Was he trying to say he is too important for the city and for me? Was he also trying to say he was busier than me? I think it was his EGO and not his brain talking. After this conversation I asked him how business was going and he said "great he is thinking of opening another bar". I think it's fabulous he's doing so well but don't ever let your EGO get in the way of making a new connection. If we are in business no matter how big or small we are always trying to bring in revenue and make new connections. To all my entrepreneurs out there never let your EGO come in the way of making a new relationship. You never know where that connection will lead. We aren't in business to be a "SNOB" we are in business to bring a great idea, product, or service to the public. Let's remember that we are in the business of people not our EGO!!!!

What's uh Happenin', Hot Stuff?

I can't help but feel sad that John Hughes has died. With classics as Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, he defined the 80s for many of us, not to mention launched the careers for many young actors! John Hughes' movies are timeless, and still continue to provide support for the angst ridden lives of young people. They share those feelings of isolation that characterize the teenage years, while showing us the humor that can be found in them. His movies also prove to be a historic log of the fashion of the eighties; a fashion statement that has been recycled these last couple of years. I personally love his movies and can watch them over and over. One quote from Ferris Bueller's Day Off has especially influenced my life and seems even more relevant today than ever, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Thank you, John Hughes...

Gentrification

So, Angie has been blogging and has done a fabulous job!! It's my turn to contribute!! I have chosen to write about a subject that I'm on the fence about! "GENTRIFICATION" is it good or is it bad?????? Well, here are my thoughts...... I love neighborhoods that have massive amounts of potential and are riddled with low income families. I see opportunity!!! Now I know so do many others (like developers) but the difference is I see an opportunity for great entrepreneurs to thrive and prosper. Cheap rent means more money on marketing,inventory, and labor (also maybe security) RENT IS A BITCH!!! RENT ALONE WILL BANKRUPT YOUR BUSINESS!!! In this economy it's common. In my opinion it's not about location it's about creativity and passion if you have a great store or product people will go to you no matter where you are located (remember Field of Dreams "build it and they will come")

Now as you all know I live in a north east Los Angeles town named El Sereno home to the famous Charlies Trio and Troys Burgers. On Huntington Drive a developer built a brand new shopping mall that currently houses a Subway and nothing else. Come on, we can be creative...a coffee/tea shop would do fabulous in this center, a wine bar etc.. Why aren't people taking that entrepreneurial leap and just going for it? Now is the time to wheel and deal make ugly fashionably depressed neighborhood's better, not trendy, "better"!!!
One city I love that is going thru some gentrifying is Highland Park. My family has lived there for years. My mom and aunts went to elementary, junior high as well as high school. They witnessed the remains of "The White Flight". Highland Park has beautiful Victorian and Craftsman designed homes rich in architectural history. On York boulevard a few businesses have opened up that are not 99cent stores or liquor stores. These are actually real entrepreneurs trying to accomplish their dream and saw potential in this economically depressed neighborhood. Cudos to them. They are the pioneers that will restore this town to it's original glory. I am so in love with towns that have small busineses when you actually are able to go into the store get one on one service with the owner and really get on a personal level. Don't get me wrong, I love the Big Chains but there is nothing like personal service and having a personal connection to a store you love.

The Cross of LaCroix

The couture shows for Fall 2009/2010 have come and gone. And, unfortunately, daily life and it's current struggles have kept me from commenting. But, there is one blog that cannot be ignored, and that is on what is probably the final haute couture collection for Christian Lacroix. His company's own financial woes had forced his investors to file bankruptcy protection back in May. He, lucky for us, persevered in presenting his Fall collection. Despite being more restrained than usual, it displayed his talent of finding beauty in the form and detailing. The collection embodied the sophistication and elegance that is Christian Lacroix. Hopefully it won't be the last we see of his designs, because the fashion world will surely be at a loss.

El Sereno Community Garden

Our little neighborhood is making it's mark on the Green Map! Thanks to Marie Salas, the garden's manager, and her gardening friends, that have made our community garden a place of growth, both in the creative and the green sense. El Sereno benefits highly from this meeting place. Not only do they plant all kinds of healthy eats, but they share knowledge and earth wisdom which is easily forgotten in the concrete jungles most of us inhabit today. The garden makes a clear difference in our neighborhood, but it is now being recognized by the American Community Gardening Association. They have been invited to participate in the 30th Annual Conference in Columbus Ohio on August 6th-9th, 2009. An El Sereno Community Garden member will fly over, accompanied by the LA Conservation Corp and the Los Angeles Community Garden Council, to represent our small oasis. We can't help but be so proud of the local gardeners and this accomplishment!

There's No Place like Home...

Grey Gardens is definitely an "acquired taste," but once you get past the first shocking sip you are left with something which is purely vintage. It took me two doses, the documentary and then the HBO movie to confirm, to myself, that I am a true fan of the two Edies. Both films show the complex relationship of a mother and daughter in their co-dependency, but more so, how social class and traditions can thwart dreams. Despite their eccentricity, or perhaps because of it, the two women easily captivate the audience. They confidently tell their story, while their home decays behind them. Perhaps the house is a reflection of their dying dreams; regardless, they have a joie de vivre that is infectious. My favorite line is when Little Edie states how "the relatives didn't know that they were dealing with a staunch character," while her accent cements the point. A true fashion original; she continually reinterprets her wardrobe. She even dresses up the plain towel on her head with a magnificent broach! No doubt both the mother and daughter are performers. It is only natural that they finally have their moment to shine, even if they are considered the "black sheep" on the Bouvier family tree.

Enchanted

Nothing has captured my fashion and art sensibilities like Lula magazine. Printed in the UK, these highly collectible fashion issues provide the deepest satisfaction to dreamers worldwide. A cross between M83 and the Virgin Suicides, the magazine paints a watercolor picture of beauty. That beauty is found in the details...its pages are heavy weight, its fonts have a scripted feel, its art direction is playful and attractive. Although most of the time I am somewhat of a tomboy, who is very much into the urban market, I can't help but be entranced by the delicately lit photo shoots and the dresses galore. Lula is transcendentally feminine, touching on past ages while including the modern celebrity. Plus, now that media is finding its new home on the web, it's good to see that some of us that love the printed page can still satisfy that dream. Angie

A Local Discovery

Early last week I had an amazing opportunity presented to me. Diving back into history, I was transported to the early 20th century as I was granted a hall pass to check out the Farmdale schoolhouse still standing within El Sereno Middle school. Originally established as a six year High School in 1937, this location was a large campus that took the name Woodrow Wilson High School. That is until 1969 when the four year High School became a seperate entity nearby. Now there are three schools: Wilson High School, Farmdale, and El Sereno Middle School that encompass what once was one neighborhood school. And, although the reminders of modern times were endless, as the fences encased everything within the school and the kids were as diverse and eclectic in their personal expression as any current public school, you couldn't help but feel the echoes of the past in this one small place. It took my breath away. Angie

Fun in Fullerton

When going out in Los Angeles, I hardly ever consider going to Fullerton. In fact, I hardly ever consider going to Orange County. But, thanks to a good friend at Element, he steered me to a great show at a fairly new gallery in Fullerton. The gallery is named Hibbleton; the artist is Chad Eaton. This show is appropriately named "Timber!", as the subject matter concentrates on the woodsman and his terrain. The presentation is fun: with skateboards, carvings, paintings and graphic t-shirts! You can even get hands-on with some of the artwork. It's a well-crafted show and worth the trek. While you are there, you can explore Fullerton too. It's a college town full of history, as it was founded in 1887. With tons of historic buildings, an Arboretum, lots of shopping and restaurants in the downtown area, there is definitely a lot more to do than I anticipated. So open your mind and your horizons! It's good to escape Los Angeles once in a while. And, if you really want to have your own adventure take the Metro.... "Timber!" will be running until May 3rd, 2009. Angie

To copy or not to copy...

Fashion week in New York showcases so many ideas. For more traditional silhouettes, you can rely on Chanel or Stella McCarthy. For a show, but perhaps a bit harder to swallow, there is the theatrical John Galliano or Alexander McQueen. For me, no one collection seemed to be a knockout for this Fall, but there were definitely nice elements within each collection. This retro 40s inspired outfit comes from Bottega Veneta. But, now comes the turmoil! I love, love, love this outfit, but the possibility of my ever really buying a runway outfit is unfortunately close to a dream. So instead I hope for an appropriate knock-off. But, when does the "copying" go too far? As reported in New York magazine, Fashion 21 may have gone too far with their knock-off of Trovata's designs. Check out the article and decide for yourself. Angie

Tickled Pink

Fashion on the runway has always been a creative energizer for me. But, my actual first recognition of fashion came in the form of a little doll named Barbie. Now, at age 50, Barbie and the New York Fashion runway become one! Mattel, the maker of Barbie, is sponsoring the New York Fashion week for three years, and they just had their runway show in February for Fall 2009. It was everything you could imagine for Barbie: big hair, fashion through the ages, and lots of pink. Although models have often been categorized as somewhat plastic, there is no doubt on this runway show that it's what they are...models embodying their plastic predecessor. Although I didn't see anything quite exciting in the fashion sense, it looked like a fun flaunt into the life of an iconoclast that has inspired so many little girls to dress up and be seen. Angie

...In the Beginning

You never know when connections will be created.  Ours happened in a little town called South Pasadena.  Bent, which was an urban retail store/art gallery, was the community space that catered to the artists there.  I, Angie, happened to be the owner.  Melissa, a stylist at the time, just happened to walk in one fateful day.  Fast forward to now, three years later:  Bent is no longer and Melissa is marketing director for Jayvee Dance Studio.  Out and about one day, we began to reminisce about our love of fashion, art and community.  Feeling a bit disconnected from it all, we decided to get out there and join the throngs of people voicing their opinion.  We are a crazy mix of non-biased connoisseurs.  Loving everything from the ghetto to the fabulous, and we are ready to bring it to you.  Although! one thing we are biased about is that we are eastsiders, born and bred. So get ready for your daily dose injection.  We swear it won't hurt. :)