Dog Days

Last week, there was a news report covering a horrible attack on a woman in San Diego by two pit bulls. They got loose from their home and attacked their 75 year old neighbor, critically injuring her. She's lost one leg and faces amputation of another leg and arm. This is horrific and tragic. Unthinkable, really. In the week following this incident I saw 2 more news reports on pit bull attacks- incidents where a pit bull had bit someone. 

Lucca and I

Now it seems, the idea of banning pit bulls from San Diego is being tossed around. This would not be the first city to enforce such a ban- Denver and Miami have already done so.  There are many who believe pit bulls are inherently aggressive and dangerous. I am a dog lover, but not a dog expert so it's not my place to offer an opinion on that. Here is what I can say:

In the summer of 2010, my husband was bit by a dog which sent him with a severely injured hand to the ER, followed by months of visits to the doctor, hand surgeon and physical therapist.  The dog that attacked him was a 40lb shepherd mix with razor sharp teeth.  Did anyone report on this on the evening news? No. Earlier this year, a fellow dog owner in the neighborhood showed me cell phone pics of the giant gash in his thigh from a dog attack at the park. Was this a pit bull? No. Was it on the news? Nope.

Dog attacks and bites are traumatizing. I still have a hard time dealing with my husband's dog bite incident. But these attacks are not exclusive to a breed. Whether one breed is more prone to aggression than another may or may not be true but what is clear is that attacks by certain breeds are more publicized. I can't tell you how many times people cross the street when I'm walking towards them with my great dane, Lucca. I can guarantee you if you get close enough, all he's going to do is lick your face.  I'm hoping we can remember that there are completely loveable dogs in every breed. Ive met plenty of pit bulls that roll over and want their belly scratched. 

Instead of a ban on pit bulls, what I would love to see is as push to educate dog owners on proper dog training and care. In the same breathe, I admire those who have taken in abandoned dogs who may have issues and given them a home. Let's provide outlets for them to learn how to rehabilitate their dog or if these outlets do exist, let's make sure dog owners know where to turn for help. Let's find out the root of the problem and start there. 

There has to be a better solution than simply tossing a breed of dog out of your city. I hope you will consider calling the following number and letting them know you do not want pit bulls banned from San Diego County. It's all automated- Call 1(800)244-6397 ext. 2506 and Press "2"

What do you think? What are your thoughts?

What a weekend!

The weekend was filled with Mimi and Lu news! 

First, I received pictures of Ashely Colburn, host of "TakeOff... with Ashley Colburn" wearing Mimi and Lu Luxe Earrings at the Regional EMMY AWARDS!!! Here she is on the red carpet....

Ashley in Luxe Earrings (Styled by Krystel Tien of Couture Events Boutique)

On Saturday morning,  I woke up to find Mimi and Lu on San Diego 6 News . They featured a selection from our new collection as part of a Summer Fashions piece with Cecilia Boutique.  Boutique employee, Jessica Delee- also of RoseRags clothing- did an amazing job in her television debut. That's her hand below, showing off the Dina Ring. Thanks to Jessica and Cecilia Boutique for including Mimi and Lu!

By the time Sunday rolled around it was time to wind down and relax in our jewelry making class. Jen (of Jennifer Rea Jewelry by Design) and I had a great time teaching the combo class and we are looking forward to scheduling the next class. Thanks to everyone who attended- your necklaces were beautiful and we hope you enjoyed designing and making them.

 And, if you missed it last week, Mimi and Lu was featured on Keylee Sanders Style Studio. Click below to see the feature and read the interview. 

 

Can you guess what Keylee's favorite Mimi and Lu necklace is?? She is wearing it in this Style Session video on her blog. Click here to get your own!

What a fun week-- it's Monday again- can't wait to see what's in store for the week ahead!

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!

Double Trouble

It seemed like every time I turned around lately, someone was having a baby. Is there a such thing as baby season? So this weekend, it was our turn and I became the aunt of TWINS!  My sister gave birth to Anthony Leon (4lb 12oz) and Maryanne Rose (3lb 7oz). It was a bit unexpected but all is well and mom and babies are recovering in the hospital. Can't wait for them to come home from the NICU so I can hold them. Nicole expects they will become little gymnasts (taking after their dad, Charlie Tamayo, who is training for 2012) but I'm secretly planning to turn Maryanne into a chic fashionista so I can adorn her in all sorts of jewelry.  Whatever and whoever they turn out to be, we are just so happy they are here and doing well. Welcome Anthony and Maryanne!

Rain Rain (Don't!) go Away

 So Im not the biggest fan of rain, but I have to admit, rain does tend to force me to hunker down and work on new designs. The next collection is in the works (finally!!) and I have to say, the rain today has helped push it along. Here is a sneak peek!! What are your favs?? 

(Im leaning towards #4...)

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#4

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Our First Jewelry Class!!

 Thank you to everyone who joined us for our wire wrap jewelry class.  Together with Jen Rea, of Jennifer Rea Jewelry by Design, Mimi and Lu held it's first jewelry making class at Cecilia Boutique in Mission Hills.  Our intent was to have a class that was fun, relaxing and accessible.  It was great to see each person come up with their own unique design, choosing from a colorful selection of beads and stones. Everyone walked out with a new skill and a pair of earrings they designed and produced themselves. (Not to mention they were treated to a 15% off discount at Cecilia Boutique on any purchase they made that day!!)

More classes will be scheduled soon so stay in the loop by checking in on our 'classes' page, joining the Mimi and Lu mailing list (click on the green envelope!), adding yourself as a fan on our Facebook page, or following us on Twitter.

Hope everyone had as much fun as I did and looking forward to hosting more classes soon!!

What's Love.

Quite a pair.

It's never too late for true love. Ask my grandma. Sometimes I'd catch my 90-something year old grandparents flirting. Sometimes it was hard to remember that their 16 year marriage started when they were in their late 70's/early 80's.

My "real grandfather", and my grandma's first husband, died in a car accident 32 years into their marriage. They owned a nightclub and bowling alley in rural Ohio and had 5 children, one who died at birth. Of the remaining 4, one has Multiple Sclerosis, one has battled Brain Cancer (twice), one has Multiple Myeloma (form of bone marrow cancer) and the the fourth, my mother, is the "caretaker". At 96, after seeing her family through every hardship, there's still one thing that consistently puts a smile on her face- Muxie.

My grandma "Sito" and Muxie, dancing on my wedding day.

After my grandma's first and second husband's passed away, she reconnected with a man she'd known from her days in the nightclub. Muxie had been the owner of Budweiser's midwest distributing company and was the one who delivered beer to her bar so many years prior. It didn't take long for him to pick up and move to California to be with my grandmother. Together at last, they were each others' true love. I've never seen her glow and giggle as much as she has with him.

Muxie is the only grandfather I really ever knew. He felt like a grandfather. In typical grandparent fashion, he'd always have cash appearing out of his pockets when we'd visit, insisting we put it in ours. Everyday, without fail, his signature lunch was a fried bologna sandwich and a Budweiser. Ordering anything but a Budweiser when we were out to dinner was a no-no. At 98, he was still 'sneaking' potato chips and cookies, hiding them from my grandmother. He was goofy in his own quiet way and caring in a sweet and subtle way. When his sight started to fail him and he could no longer drive, he plucked flowers from the backyard to give to my grandma on her birthday. He was a giver his entire life, involved with his community, even putting kids through college who weren't his own.

A couple days before he died, my grandmother (who, may I remind you, is pushing 100 years old) told me these have been the best 16 years of her life. What an interesting perspective to consider-- No matter how you feel today, whatever you are struggling with or whatever paths in life didn't seem to turn your way- you can be 50/60/70 years old and you just never know- the best may be yet to come.

Loved by so many, he will be missed. I know he'd want us to munch on some potato chips and toast him with a Budweiser in his honor.

Love you, Muxie.

Bruno "Muxie" Paolina 1913-2011