Hi All!

Okay – the time has come. Time to take down the Christmas decor, come out from holiday hiding, and get your LA Market schedules out (guilty as charged – my tree’s still up!!)

If you’re heading out to LA Market, Jan. 15-19, make sure to set up an appointment with me to view the lines.

If you’re passing on this show,  please let me know so I can start working on road trips to come see all your lovely faces.

Looking forward to a productive and profitable 2012!!

Cheers!

It’s happened! We’ve made it!

My husband and I have made it to Portland and are pretty much settled in and enjoying the sun-shiney weather (while we can!!)

For those of you who don’t know, my husband Eric is getting his MFA at PNCA here in Portland, so we will be here for the next 2 years. I am still representing Circle 5 Showroom and all the lines therein, as well as independent LA-based designer, CAMEO, and AIGLE boots which I have taken on as individual representation.

Please feel free to contact me regarding all lines – AIGLE, Cameo, bobi, Bordeaux, Kier + J, and S H A E.

I will be at all markets (LA, SF CALA, Project, Denver CALA, etc.) and can be reached 24/7 for all your buying queries.

[looks long but worth the read]

Okay. So…I wasn’t going to post today because I’ve had so much going on and it’s happening all at once.

However

…tonight I’m meeting with some lady friends of mine to eat a potluck meal and talk about this book we’ve been reading together. I volunteered to bring the main course (part of my determination to be a good cook) and because we have a vegan in the group and a gluten-free gal in the group, I decided to make Vegan Tofu Veggie Enchiladas, courtesy of Lunchbox Bunch.

Which brings me to Roberto.  I went to Whole Foods to collect my ingredients.  As I reached for the poblano peppers, I heard someone ask me if I was making chile relleno for dinner. I turned around and said proudly, “No. Vegan tofu veggie enchiladas!” Little did I know that Roberto, the local Whole Foods product stock boy, was a self-proclaimed enchilada professional (with a vegan/low calorie twist). He walked around the store with me and gathered all the ingredients I needed and then went step by step on how to prepare it all.  I was soaking this all in, let me tell you! He seemed to totally know what he was talking about, not to mention making me drool with his descriptions and explanations!  As we continue talking, he slips in very shyly that Whole Foods has agreed to sell his homemade [amazing] guacamole in their stores all over California!! He has been awarded numerous certificates and acknowledgements from the community and the company for the high volume of sales his guacamole does in comparison to other dips and condiments! So cool!

I guess what I wanted to share with whoever reads this blog (if anyone at all), is that people are more than they seem and are excited to talk about and share their passions with other people. He was thrilled that I was making enchiladas and wanted to make sure it tasted delicious for me! He didn’t stop what he was doing to help extensively because he was looking for a tip at the end of our conversation.  He genuinely wanted me to have a good meal and to share it with others.  He was building community!

I learned a lot from Roberto today. I feel motivated. I feel refreshed. I feel ready to make some en-cheel-ah-daz!

Next time, you’re in Whole Foods at the marketplace in Long Beach. Say hi to Roberto and try his guac!! {chomp chomp} It’s fantastic!!

As many of you may already know, my friend Ruthi and I operate the Makers League of Long Beach.  We just had our June Maker Mornings brunch at the home of Rachel from No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane!! BIG thank you to Rachel for opening up her home (and for her delicious baked french toast!!) on game day.

Check out the photos from brunch!