HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCCA!

It's truly amazing we have made it this far, but today is Lucca's 3rd birthday!! This past weekend Mike and I were talking about how we are probably those people who others say - "Here they all come again--what's with them and that dog?!?!" - And we admit it- we are shamefully in love with our big baby. He has been an integral part of Mimi & Lu as well as our personal lives. Who knew this big, slobbery, dumb creature could capture so much attention. A look back:

Almost immediately, Lucca used one of his nine lives. Here we are a week into owning Lucca at the Animal Hospital where he was treated for Parvo.

Well, 6 months later Lucca would fracture his front leg, leaving us trying to lift a 75lb dog up and down stairs for potty breaks. This was one of the most trying times with Lucca. Can't you see the sadness in his eyes!

and the Cancer scare.

Then of course there were the dog attacks.

He has joined me at boutiques

and bead stores

Brought a smile to those sick

And occasional gave someone  a hand.

Despite the slobber...

We love this guy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUCCA!!

Shoot!!

No, not in that 'darn' kind of way but as in PHOTO shoot! Yesterday, we had a Mimi & Lu photo shoot in Little Italy. It was a long day, but a fun one. I have many people to thank for making it happen. Both my models- Joanna and Carissa, the photographer- Chris Wood, Jessica Delee from RoseRags for helping style the shoot, Vocabulary and Cecilia Boutique for the clothing (and a place to change!), and my husband for opening up the Firehouse Museum and for being the 'go get us a sandwich' guy.  Oh and of course Lucca even though he was a not so patient participant. 

Here are some behind the scene sneak peeks!

Weekend Wandering

Thank you to everyone who came out for the upcycle event at Cecilia Boutique in Mission Hills. RoseRags showed off their upcycled clothing, Moda Viajando displayed their bags - many which are made from old leather jackets and the Mimi & Lu "build your own necklace station" was a hit!

Mimi & Lu table at the upcycle event

Jessica, owner and designer of RoseRags shows off her upcycled necklace creation

Upcycled runway show

Models with RoseRags designer, Jessica Delee

We had a great time, thanks for having us!!

***************

 Now, a few pics from the rest of the weekend......

Discovered this amazing vintage clothing boutique in North Park, Ms Vintage, while wandering Ray at Night. They just opened less than 2 weeks ago, so still settling in, but a ton of fun pieces at reasonable prices to search through. Ms Vintage Clothing Boutique- 3011 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92104 (619) 682-0217

Ms Vintage in North Park

 Later, on a walk up to the park, I spotted this GIGANTIC Dahlia flower at the Juniper Front Community Garden. You can't tell in the pic but it's as big as my head.

Juniper Front Community Gardens

 Ended with a trip to Balboa Park with the boys. Lucca had no interest in walking. He prefers to lie in the grass and people watch. (who doesn't?)

Balboa Park

 

What's your Mahal Style?

Last week, Mahal Style, an online fashion community, stopped by to find out more about Mimi & Lu consulting- a new branch of my business that helps up and coming designers get up and running.  I had such a great time with the Mahal Style team and, as you can see, Lucca did too.

Watch the interview

Getting ready to interview with stylist Kiki Smith from Mahal Style.

Lucca wants the spotlight mid-interview.

A glimpse at the upcoming Lucca Love collection. A portion of the sales from Lucca Love pieces will be donated to Southern California dog rescues.

Lucca loved having the Mahal Style team over and so did I. Thanks Mahal Style!

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...)

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!

Drama Queen (or King)

My dog, Lucca, is dramatic. Actually, dramatic doesn't really say it well. Over-dramatic? Melodramatic? Ridiculous, is what I'd call it. Let's start with his yawn. This comes to mind because this morning he dragged himself off the couch, waltzed into our bedroom and in his downward dog yoga position let out the loudest, most over the top yawn I've ever heard. It's starts with low rumbling and sorta crescendos to the end - which is topped off with the highest pitch screeching squeal you can imagine. He's basically saying, HELLO EVERYBODY-I'M UP AND I'M TIRED AND I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW IT.

His dramatic nature doesn't end there. It's everything. If he is excited to see you- he's on 10- usually on his tippy toes he lets out a low howl. With his lips together it's almost like a low grumbling "Im trying to talk" sound. If he is tired but can't get comfortable you can bet he will let out a HUGE sigh- expanding his chest up as far as it will go and then letting it deflate.  If he is scared? Well today, he jumped 5 feet & knocked me over all because he saw this terribly "frightening" statue on our walk. (see flower pic- part of the Urban Tree project at the Port of San Diego)

Is your dog this dramatic?? Or should I just go ahead and ship this dog to Hollywood for acting classes...

Shake it off

I've been absent lately and haven't had a new post in some time. It's been a chaotic couple months and life got crazy (whose isn't?). After the dog bite incident (which is ongoing), we had to move (on short notice) & got hit by a car (please stop texting and driving, people!) I'm finally playing catch up and in between designing the new collection, working on updating the website and settling into our new home I'll suddenly think, "Did I brush my hair?" "What about my teeth?" "What's this stain on my shirt?" Sometimes I feel like this slobbery mess of a photo looks and ultimately, in the end, we just have to shake it off.

The Kindness of Strangers

Dear Stranger,

I want to say thank you.  Last weekend while out of town & at the beach, my husband was bitten severely on the hand by a dog that was trying to attack our dog, Lucca. As soon as it happened, our world went into chaos mode. As much as I tried to keep it together and figure out a way to get my injured, pale husband, confused dog and beach gear to the car in record time, I felt like I was falling apart.

We had made it across the beach and up the stairs to the road and not one person- despite all the stares- stepped into help. And then, out of nowhere, you stepped in. You saw me frantically sitting my husband down at the top of the beach stairs, arms overflowing with towels, beach bags and blankets with a 135lb dog in tow, dropped all of your things and said, 'let me help you'. You held my dog and sat with my husband as I ran to pull around the car.

I never got your name and I don't remember a face but your calm and reassuring nature stuck out to me so much so that I actually made note of it in my head amoungst the thousands of thoughts racing through my brain. You gently suggested I give my husband some water and reminded me to type the hospital into my GPS before pulling away. Im pretty sure you smiled and said 'Ok now, have a good day' or 'everything will be fine' as we pulled away.

Sometimes it's the kindness of strangers that gets us through an experience like that and so we'd like to thank you for being our kind stranger.

Sincerely,
Mimi and Lu

Freeloader

 

Lucca spends most of his day finding a new position on the couch. I've mentioned before that Danes are couch potatoes but I'm starting to think he's taking advantage of this title. Sometimes I'm not sure how he can possibly still be snoring when his head has been hanging upside down for an hour and all the blood is rushing to his head. Recently, we've taken to call him 'the freeloader' and have been waiting for him to get up in the morning, brush his teeth, put on a tie and go to work. 

We're still waiting. 

(Although, to be fair, he did make it to the top of Cowell's Mountain recently so we won't label him as a total bum (yet!).)