Go Pee IN STYLE!

My friend Victor got married last weekend...."CONGRATULATIONS VICTOR AND AMIE!". I love to see how events, weddings, and other things are put together. Some of the highlights of the wedding aside from the newlyweds themselves were Crustables peanut butter and jelly sandwiches provided for the kids, a separate kids table with crayons and coloring stuff, a super fun photo booth that I took full advantage of, and the best ever............Royal Restrooms. Yep, Royal Restrooms are port a potties that are waaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the lovely, steamy, blue plastic thingies we're used to with that nasty toxic blue liquid smell. Royal Restrooms are real restrooms, with real restroom comfort for peeps to handle their biz. If you're planning an event and you need a restroom, I highly recommend Royal Restrooms. Throwns fit for a King and Queen! Click on this link for the website.

Dress for the Nines: Maternity and Mad Steez

One of my newer friends Allison Andrews just opened up a boutique for new mama's called "Dress For The Nines". Allison is a marketing/retail consultant that I met last year when she approached me about donating Crush and Kreed sunglasses to an event in Huntington Beach. Things went well at that event, so a year later she called me up and wanted to do it again. She also let me know that her new maternity boutique was open, so I made it a point to check it out.

Other than working with Allison once a year, I don't really know her, so I didn't know what to expect as I made the drive into Hillcrest. Ya'll know how it is- it could go two ways. Her boutique could be very well put together and interesting, or it could just be boring and I wouldn't have anything to blog about! The fact that you're reading this blog should clue you in that her boutique is pretty dope and worthy of some exposure. I was very impressed!

You know me, I love clean, 'less is more' style layout, and Dress For The Nines is just my steez. The walls are wrapped beautifully with hanging garments as each section has a color theme to it, and the end of each section displays a full outfit of cute things that compliment each other. The rad thing about it is that there's a great selection, but not too too much product. Like Allison is saying....."What I have is all you need, because I carefully picked these pieces out for you mommies". Almost like someone picking out the ripe strawberries from the bowl and offering it to another. No need for a whole bunch of strawberries, just the sweet ones.

I'm not in the market for maternity/nursing clothes (duh), so I can't elaborate on the product too much. Something I can relate to is she has a selection from Putamayo records (one of my favorite labels) including some soothing lullabies from around the world. I DO know that San Diego needs a place where "fashion meets peanut butter and pickles", so this is THE spot. Also, Allison's favorite section the "living room", is perfect for the "new papas" if they need to chillax while mama's shoppin up a storm. So all you mamas and papas to be, please visit Dress For The Nines if you want to stay steezy while carrying yer baby, and let Allison know that Neen's sent ya!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THE STORE.

Gimme a BEAT!!!

So I was given a fun opportunity to shoot the Beat Freaks during one of their appearances at a Blended Events show at V2O in Long Beach. I love to shoot photos, and I LOVE the Beat Freaks, but I will admit that I'm a super rookie when it comes to shooting with flash. Actually, I'm just not that technical of a photographer, so when the natural light comes shining in, bring it on. But when I have to get all crazy with the settings, I just mess around and hope that things come out okay. I can also do simple Photoshop stuff like mess with the contrast, but I'm not a wiz at that either.

So here are some photos of the Beat Freaks through my lens. They (my photos) might not be pro, but the Beat Freaks are amazing regardless. It was hard to shoot them cuz I just wanted to watch with both of my eyes as opposed to one eye through the lens. These girls are super fun, and from what I could see, they don't carry an attitude with their status as one of the best dance crews in the world. They get mad respect from me, and if anyone reading this knows them personally, please let them know that I would love the opportunity to shoot them in a different element.

Thank you to Blended Events (RaRa) for letting me shoot, thank you to Brenda the photographer for trying to show me how to work my flash, thanks to the Checkmate film crew for being cool, and thanks to the Beat Freaks for doin what you do!

CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE A FEW PHOTOS.

Neens and the Beat Freaks

Yep, that's me and the Beat Freaks. I haven't uploaded all the photos, so this is just a teaser. More to come...........

Don't let the photo fool you. We ain't tight or nothin, but I do hope to shoot some real photos with them soon. I'm gonna pursue it, we'll see if it happens.

Isabel's Cantina

My brother in-law gave me the task of planning a surprise birthday for my lil' sis, Tish. I was stoked to take on the mission, and I immediately thought of Isabel's Cantina (IC), a steezy lounge style restaurant in Pacific Beach. I hadn't been to IC in a few years and remembered that I always liked their "interesting" food and the chill environment they produce. I don't know how, but I also had some sort of clue in my mind that they would be great to host a small private party, so I gave them a call.












In short, I called IC and after a little bit of phone tag, Isabel and I talked everything over. I gave her an ideal price that I thought everyone would be able to afford (in these slim times) and she went to work to put together a menu that would fill our tummies and fit our budget. Two days later the menu was emailed to me, I gave my feedback, and it was all good. She also mentioned the menu items would all be served "family style", and I was excited about that.











The whole of the night ya'll can see in the photo album. Bottom line is that my sister was surprised, and EVERYONE who attended was impressed with the work of Isabel and her staff. The food was super taste bud stimulating, the ambiance was stylish-ly comfortable, and the freakin flourless chocolate cake is too delicious to describe with my fingers and a keyboard. Of course I also have to mention that Kelly and the staff were very nice and worked hard to make things happen on a busy Saturday night. I guess my only disappointment is that we weren't able to meet Isabel herself, but maybe next time, and for breakfast. Coconut French toast will break your mouth!













P.S. The whole "Cantina" thing can throw peeps off, especially in SoCal. Isabel's Cantina is not an enchilada serving, mariachi playing mexican style restaurant. IC (to me) is a full fusion style restaurant that mixes flavors that aren't normally mixed. Isabel is a chef with an artistic view on food, and the kitchen is her studio in which she creates flavorful and edible sculptures.

P.S.S. My blogging skills are limited. It's late, I'm tired, and I don't know why the layout is all weird. I will sleep now, and I know you can still read the blog. Thanks for tolerating.

Link to photo album

Link to Isabel's Cantina

Isabel has a book you should buy

Lei Maker?

How many of you that know me, know that I spend a few hours a week making fresh flower leis? It's odd in a cool way, I know. It all comes with having a family owned store called Motu Hawaii. We've been bringing "aloha" to San Diego through products like leis, li hing mui snacks, soda crackers, Locals slippers, aloha shirts, hula implements, music and sooooo much more since 1995 (that's 14 years, bu!) Although it's a family thing (my uncle and I laid the floors down in this place), I also consider Motu Hawaii a client. I'm able to help with the marketing, merchandising, and buying of products. Working retail once in a while helps keep a fresh perspective on things since I'm so used to being on the "other side" of retail. I recommend that any marketing or design person take a part time retail job once in a while. It's a great way to understand the buyer and consumer perspective. If you're in the Pacific Beach area, or if you have a special occasion coming up that would be complimented well by a fresh flower lei, please stop by and throw some shakas my way. Click on this link to get to the Motu Hawaii website.

Disclosure: Plumeria flowers have a wonderful fragrance, but please don't try to smell the one that I am holding in the picture. You might jack up your monitor.

PF Flyers Reissues The 1940 Sportshu, Made In Japan

When you think of Japan, what are the first things that come to mind? In my mind I think sushi, great packaging, people with mad steez, and cars that last well over 200,000 miles. Well the Japanese are pretty consistent, so I can almost write the same line over again for the reissue of a Japanese baseball classic, the 1940 Sportshu. The shoes will have great packaging, mad steez, and you should get some great walking miles out of these puppies. My friend (more like brother) Vincent Marjes is part of the team that is putting on the North American premiere of these at Conveyor in Santa Monica, so check the flier and show up at the event if you want to be cool. PF Flyers is only releasing a very very limited amount, so if you're a sneaker connoisseur and want to add the Sportshu to your collection, you best get there early!