Pick one thing up, and put it away.

It's been over a MONTH since the last blog post which is shameful. I could give an entire laundry list of excuses- some very good ones- but if you know me, you know how much I hate excuses. Instead, Ill just tell one story.

Carefree kid.

When I was a kid, I was - how should I put it- messy. My brain was in a thousand places at once and eventually my room would explode into piles of laundry and stacks of school supplies. When it became time to clean up, I'd often feel overwhelmed and my mom always said the same thing- "Just pick one thing up and put it away" - So that's what I would do. Pick one thing up, put it away- pick another thing up, put it away. It always worked.  Luckily, I've managed to leave (most) of the piles of laundry behind me but tasks pile up and feel overwhelming that mantra still plays in my head- "Pick one thing up, and put it away."

A couple weeks ago, my computer crashed. While most of my files were saved- my website was not. It was still visible and working online but within my program it vanished and I just so happen to use a particular program where it cannot simply be reloaded, it must be rebuilt piece by piece, page by page, link by link. I felt heartbroken that hours and hours of work had slipped away so suddenly. The task of rebuilding something I'd worked months (years?) on was overwhelming but once again my mom's mantra replayed in my head-"Pick one thing up and put it away." In this case, it was about starting with one piece, one page , one element and then moving on to the next. Tackling it piece by piece thinking only about the page in front of me and not about the million other pages to go.

Carlina Bracelets

It worked. And Im thrilled to say the website has been rebuilt and in the process I was able to rework the site and add NEW pieces and pages. A few pages are still under construction but I hope you'll take a peek at the new pieces and let me know what you think! You might find a few other new surprises as well. (Classes!!) If you are  a frequent Mimi & Lu website visitor you might need to refresh your pages or clear your cookies to make sure you are viewing the updated site.

And when things in your life start piling up, you're overwhelmed and you just don't know where to start say to yourself- "pick one thing up, and put it away." and it'll work...(I promise!)

Luv, Luv, Luv

I'm thrilled that the Mimi and Lu  'Luv Necklace' was featured in this BEAUTIFUL (and delicious) post on TheKnottyBride.com!! I love the necklace shots and was and a bit surprised how well such a dainty piece photographed.  So take a peek at the post and tell me what you think! I already know you'll want to reach right through your computer screen and eat all those amazing treats!

 

 

View the Knotty Bride's Valentine's Post in it's entirety here.

Get your own Luv necklace here! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

We know you'll LOVE this giveaway!!

It's almost February! Wow. I apologize for being so absent during the month of January....I expected a slow down after the holidays but one thing rolled into another and here we are just as busy as ever.  Don't worry, I'm going to make it up to you, but more on that later.

Many projects have been in the works & keeping Mimi & Lu busy. Brought my jewelry to a shoot with Exquisite Weddings Magazine a couple weeks ago - so much fun! Can't wait to see the pics in their March issue with the new Mimi & Lu bridal pieces.

I'm also excited to be adding another sales rep in Florida and a couple in-house interns! The Mimi & Lu team is growing and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Mini Puffed Heart Necklace

A new branch of Mimi & Lu is also in the works, which will include consulting and assisting other up and coming designers to navigate the sometimes overwhelming world of selling your own handmade goods. More on that soon...

So I said Id make it up to you and here you go: I will be giving away this dainty and delicate Friendship Heart necklace for Valentines Day!! The chain is 18" and the charm is a mini puffed heart in 14Kgoldfill. More on it here.

Entering to win is EASY. Simply comment on this blog post and make sure to include your email. Then you are ENTERED!

ADDISTIONAL Entries for:
-Following the Mimi & Lu Blog
-Following Mimi & Lu on Twitter
-Becoming a Fan ("Like") on Facebook

Be sure to mention in your comment if you have done any of the above (or already do)! Contest closes Feb 4th 1p.m. PST. (contest open to US only-must ship within continental US)

And remember to get any other Valentines Day jewelry requests in ASAP.

GOOD LUCK!!

BE HAPPY

Now how about that for a New Years Resolution?

Let me introduce you to my cousin, Dino. He was once deemed the “Laker Fan of the Year. (Literally-brought through the locker room and onto the court.) He’s the president of the Metallica Fan Club (No joke- Los Angeles Chapter). Dino is son, husband, father, Godfather, uncle and brother and has always been the ‘rock’ in his extended family of 50, not to mention life of the party.

Dino also has cancer.  In November of 2010, Dino was diagnosed with a very rare form of bladder cancer- Neuroendocrine differential Small Cell cancer of the bladder. He's already undergoing chemotherapy and faces bladder removal surgery soon. While this type of cancer is aggressive, we know Dino is a fighter and will be back at the Laker games in no time.

Ok, so we normally don't use the word HAPPY and CANCER in the same sentence but Don't Worry Be Happy Shirts have brought those words together.  DWBHshirts.org is a fundraising tribute to Kevin Carlberg and have welcomed Dino as one of their cancer warriors.  The DWBHshirts organization raises funds to help people with cancer pay medical bills and help to find a cure by selling shirts that spread the message of happiness and optimism.

Buy a DWBH shirt and 40% of your purchase goes directly to helping cancer patients pay their medical bills and allows them to focus on healing and being happy.

To buy a shirt or other DWBH product in Dino's name, please visit www.DWBHshirts.org. Simply shop their store and upon checkout, put "Dino" in the area where you can make a note to the Seller.

(Not only do they carry an amazing message, but they are stylish too! (even Fergie loves them!))

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

P.S. PLEASE email me a pic of you in your DWBH shirt so we can show Dino the love!!

Merry Christmas x 3

After all the jewelry has been made and shipped, my Christmas begins. It's been going pretty much the same way for some time and it comes in three parts. I'll go backwards. 

3. Christmas Day- Always at my grandparents and most likely a lot of eating. This year, at 96 and 97, my grandparents were still up socializing when we left, exhausted. Since Lucca came along, my grandpa's favorite past time seems to be sneaking salami, crackers and cheese to the dog.

 Lucca's favorite person in the house.

2. Christmas Eve Day- For the past few years we have been hosting a brunch or lunch at our place for my immediate family. We ate, exchanged gifts, and went for a walk to S.D. Harbor and through Little Italy. (Then, we were hungry again so we ended up at Sushi Diner (YUM!)- Have you been?!?)

Lucca rests on our walk.

1. TAMOUSH PARTY- This has been a tradition since before I was born. Usually the weekend before Christmas, all of the Tamoushes get together under one roof. It's chaotic, noisy and possibly quite shocking to a newcomer (i.e. new spouse).  And despite the fact that you usually run the risk of being 'booed' or thoroughly embarrassed at some point during the party, every Tamoush looks forward to this day every year.

Keep your eye on the Don't Worry Be Happy t-shirts- Click here for info and more to come on the blog soon!

Hope your Christmas was Merry too! (or three...)

Holiday Wish List

A. Kai Lotion $34, Cecilia Boutique B. Element Eden Penny Handbag $49.50, Mimi and Red Boutique C. Alex Drawer Unit $119.00, Ikea D. Michael Kors Women's Gold Blair Watch $240, Amazon  E. Magnetic Kitchen Timer $12, Anthropologie F. Alexander Wang flared wool leg warmers $185 (SOLD OUT!), Shopbop  G. Cashmere Poncho $400, Nicole Miller H. Large Sunflower Pillar Holder $19.95 (sale) Anthropologie I. Hobo Wallet, Rachel Vintage $128, Hobo International J. Printers Letter Stand $19.95 (sale), Anthropologie

Naughty or Nice?

Petco just posted this on their twitter feed: This year my pet has been naughty/nice (pick one)
I figured Id let these pictures from the past year talk for themselves:

Don't forget to follow Mimi & Lu on Twitter for jewelry (AND Lucca) updates!

See you there!