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!

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.

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!!

Check out the photos from brunch!

[thanks for the heads up, sarah]

He was my husband’s grandpa on his mother’s side – the side of the family we spend most holidays with.  Here is a little clip of how we knew grandpa from Christmas 2009 -

And here is a little taste of how the world knew grandpa…

Playing with jazz flutist Paul Horn in a TV special from the early 60′s, “The Story of a Jazz Musician” . (at about 4:18, he starts his solo)

Below is a photo I took from some images Eric’s cousin Daryl posted on Facebook. This is Grandpa Moer with Eric…

Rest in peace sweet and gentle soul. Enjoy Jesus.

In memory of Paul Moerschbacher.

(taken from ProjectSmall blog – thx Delilah!)

Stay tuned for more.

Knowing this, my husband bought some crystals for me as a gift.

(you can’t tell the size but some are a good handful)

Next on my list…

Would not wanna get in a fit with this…

I could totally rock that. Pssh. (had to)

And these!! Whaat!!

How amazing are these? They’re from online wholesaler, Unearthen.  Although I don’t really believe in the healing powers of crystals (maybe I just haven’t done my research…eh..?), I do love this idea!! Apparently, “the uniting of the crystal and empty bullet creates a powerful opposition causing old dreams and new beginnings to fall upon its bearer.”  How very magical. I just think they’re pretty and they make me very happy.

Nice day to you.

Today, I met a new neighbor.  Actually, he’s not new at all. He’s been residing in our neighboorhood for well over 60 years.  Hard to believe, huh?  Staying in one place for a minute in our culture is unheard of these days.

His name is Charles.  People call him Chuck, but I like Charles.

Since I work from home, and since our neighborhood teeter-tots between the nice part of Long Beach and the not-so-nice parts, I keep my front door closed and locked during the day.  I get the usual ring of the doorbell from either a needy neighbor looking for a cigarette, the local little homeless lady looking for collectibles, and GreenPeace (or any of that sort).  Alas, front door stays shut. (I seem to have succeeded at making my neighborhood sound like the barrios…it’s lovely and we love it!)

In this particular case, I felt different about the situation and opened the door to Charles, as he was looking for a friendly neighbor to help him get inside his house as he locked himself out.  He mentioned not having met me before and that “in [his] day, everyone knew everything about everyone in their neighborhood” and how sad he is about how different it is these days.  It’s so true.  Had I not for some reason felt like opening to door, Charles may have knocked on 5 doors or more before finding help!  Then, he politely asked if he could have my phone number in case anything happens and he needs help.  I said, “Sure you can!” and he smiled, then said, “It’s a rare thing finding a neighbor like who’s willing to help in this day and age. Thank you!”  Then up drove the locksmith, our last thank yous and your welcomes were exchanged and I proceeded one house over to write to you all about my experience.

Made me long for the “good ole days” I feel like even I had as a child. I wonder what will it be like for my kiddos?

aaaand, since we’re on the topic of neighbors, check out my post below for an additional way in which you can (more anonymously) be a good neighbor!!

SHARE SOME SUGAR

“I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?”

-Mother Theresa

Remember the good ole days when neighbors were relied upon if you ran out of or broke something?  You could run next door (or down the street…)and ask your neighbor for a cup of milk for the baby, or some sugar for the pie you’re baking.  And you know the Joneses always let you borrow their lawmower when yours kaputzes.  Or what about that iPod charger you left in the plug at the school library or local coffeeshop?

SHARE SOME SUGAR is your saving grace.  It’s a place where you can find the people in your neighborhood that have what you’re looking for and are willing to lend it for borrower’s use – for a nominal per-day fee that you set for the goods you decide to lend. (You also can decline a lend! It’s all up to you!)

Interested to see if I was one of the late-comers to this party, I went in search of Long Beach lenders and nothing!! Guys!! Let’s get this thing started in our neck of the woods! Sometimes my sewing machine jams or I break a needle and I need a new one for a quick hem.  If we each tell 5-10 friends about this in our LB neighborhoods – post it on FB pages or blogs, we could have quite a collection of goodies at our disposal.  However, keep in mind that there are other people’s items of whom have spent their hard earned money and time obtaining these items so let’s show some respect when borrowing.

I’m already signed up.  Now it’s your turn…

Tag, you’re it!