Post Parisian Blues

When we were young coming home from a trip was like a deep sigh of relief.  Yes, oh thank God, all of our legos were still there, our neighborhood friends still were ready to ride bikes to the park.  We could smell the apple cider and fresh laundry.  Halloween and Christmas would be here soon.  We didn't care to unpack or to talk about our trip.  We picked up where we left off doing cannon balls into the pool and eating ice cream and watching Harry Potter.

Last week, upon our return from France, I think I moaned with displeasure.  A stack of bills awaited, a stack of bags to unpack awaited, emails needed to be sent, and calls to be returned.  How did I just come from eating an entire brick of cheese and loaf of bread for lunch at a charming cafe in the south of France back to waking up at sunrise to get paid minimum wage to serve tables at a cowboy joint?  How do you deal with that up and down?  Also, how did I not get a severe stomach ache from all that cheese?

The days of legos and care free evenings with Hagrid and Dumbledore may feel like forever ago, but I don't think the return from our summer trips has to be all bills and errands.  So often do I forget that each day is a series of choices, and the minute you get lazy and start making the easy choices to be bummed out that you're back at work or that you're not the famous author you thought you'd be, that is the same minute you get the blues.  You're eyes glaze over and each decision after that first one becomes easier and easier to choose to be defeated.  All the sudden it's been a week and you're still sad thinking about the jerk client you had to deal with or the money you lost on a dumb bet.  

You have to choose each and every day, especially those days after vacation, to be happy.  Enjoy the quiet moments with a cup of coffee and the chaos you sometimes walk into.  You have to choose to apply for the jobs you don't think you can get, you have to ask out the girl who is way out of your league, because, hell, one day you might be kneeling down in a garden in the south of France asking her to be your wife.  ;)

This, what you're reading, is more a letter to myself than anything.  Call me selfish if you'd like, but I needed a pep talk.  I'm writing to tell myself to be happy with the beautifully temporary stage I am in right now. I was always told to think big picture, look at the grand scheme of things.  I'm sure there's a great lesson in that cliche somewhere, but for now I'm going to say it's crap.  Think little picture ya'll!  Think postage stamp size picture.  Get excited about the little details in life. If I think big picture I realize may not be able to buy a French Chateau and retire there into a life of ease and violent amounts of cheese, but hey in the little picture of right now, hot damn, I've got a super gorgeous, badass fiancee! (more details to come later)

Addie is my heart.  She inspired my self pep talk.  She kicks me in the ass when I need it.  But she's always in my corner, she's the one rubbing my shoulders and patching up my eye and giving me a squirt of water and sending me back out into that boxing ring for round two.  She knows I can do it even when I don't believe I can.  I love her more than anything in this world.  And I love how she loves me.  There's all the mushy gushy stuff you needed for the week everyone.  

Choose little picture happiness.  That's how you get through, and that's how you stop having to get through and start enjoying the getting there.  

Now here look at some pictures France and Iceland.

Best,

The Mister

Paris Inspiration

The Mister and I are headed France in a little under two weeks. Bradley has been twice before but I have never been. I'm a little nervous but plenty excited as well. Nervous because large cities are always daunting to me, I'm really a small town girl at heart. It's Paris how could I not be excited, I've been waiting to explore this city for years! Planning a trip to a different country is such a great task, there's the transportation, the eating out, the language barriers, the time change but planning one to the fashion capital of the world is extra tricky. There's the shoes, the scarves, jewelry, bags, pants, dresses...and this has to all fit in a 50 pound bag. PLUS we plan on bringing home many Parisian treasures. Dilemma. 

We'd love to hear any tips, opinions, thoughts or recommendations you guys have for us! We are planning on just taking each day as it comes with the exception of a day spent at Versailles. And I'm sure the packing thing won't be that hard once we start.... hah.

Cheers

A + B  

All Images Sourced From Pinterest.

All Images Sourced From Pinterest.

UPDATES

Whoa. You guys, it's August. Meaning three things:

1. We have been in our new place for almost 2 months. 

2. We leave for France + Iceland in 2 weeks. 

3. We have been seriously slacking with our MMRP posts. 

So in a few snapshots here is the past few months. 

Bedroom snapshots. 

New roomies, life long buds. Our little bedside table vignette.

Taylor was a dear and gave our porch a much needed update with some white paint. The view from our bathroom into our room.

FINALLY. i got to bring Abe home. I have been waiting for so long, thanks Connie from The Green Vase for always having the best stuff. Oh and there's us, being boring. 

Treasures, treasures and more treasures.

But of course we had to take a quick break from working and moving to spend a few days soaking up the sun, shopping and eating tacos in Palm Springs. DUH. Royal wasn't invited.

Sadly, we weren't to impressed with The Ace Hotel. But I mean it's vacation so ain't nobody gettin' us down! 

XO 

The Miss 

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow...

As you know all good things must come to an end. The Beatles, Hostess ding-dongs, your mother doing your laundry, your belief in Tooth Fairy. You see where I'm going with this right? You grieve them and it's on to the next thing right, like cronuts? About a month ago we received some sad and unexpected news that come this September we would need to say goodbye to our cute little studio and need to find a new place to call home. I know, you're thinking "September? That's so far away".  Unfortunately for us it will be here far too quickly and we needed to find a new place ASAP. If you are a San Luis local you will relate with me when I say finding something small that allows pets or really any sized property that allows pets is a huge challenge. Grrr Royal, you make life hard good thing you're cute. Between Bradley working his butt off to send us to Paris this fall { seriously though, he doesn't have a butt } and me working on weddings during this busy wedding season, we really needed to find a place. Flash forward to two weeks after we found out we needed to move and through all the stupid craigslist posts we had to sift through and BOOM. Our dreams, prayers and curses were answered in the form of a cute-3 bedroom-yellow-with white trim-fixer-upper only 4 minutes from Sally Loo's! 

Though all of our first adventures started at our little studio on Lawton Ave we are very excited for all the new ones ahead of us. To say we wont miss it would be a lie, this was afterall where Bradley and I met for the first time. I can say we will not miss our tiny kitchen or only having one bathroom. We are also excited to say we will be moving in with our very close friend Taylor Kitto, who we featured not to long ago on this blog. She is the creative mind behind A Wild Poppy. 

Taylor and I are going to be documenting our move and redecorating process every step of the way and once we are settled we'd love to have you all over and cook for you in our ACTUAL kitchen. So stay tuned for the decorating projects + dinner invite. 

xo

The Miss

Meet The Honey Trees

The Honey Trees spent four years perfecting their newest album, Bright Fire.  We think it is absolutely incredible!

As I sat in the café with the picturesque duo, Jacob Wick and Becky Filip, discussing their album I could sense their apprehension in saying they were expecting big things for the future of their work.  They rubbed their hands and stared at the ceiling fan.  Deep down they felt they had created something beautiful and meaningful, but before the album released they were holding their breath.  It was obvious they believed in one another, and that is enough. 

“It is not easy working on something creative with someone you love; it is one of the most intimate and meaningful things in the world, but it is dangerous.”  Becky looked at Jacob for a moment and they shared a knowing smile.  They told me not to get it twisted in my head, working that closely tested their relationship.  Expectations of one another crept in.  It was a bold move as a couple, but they have grown closer through it.  

The album has an incredibly intimate sound.  Their dreamy Americana style, the smooth shiver of their voices, and the candor in their lyrics is just what folk listeners have been waiting for.  Jeremy Larson played strings on the album as well as mixed and produced it.  Jake and Becky spent a month recording with him at his studio in Missouri.  The strings add to the ethereal feel of the album; the otherworldly experience you get while listening to it is hard to find.  Still I Try is romantic and crushing all at once.  Lyrically, Jake and Becky hold strictly to image driven lines.  Becky’s voice is so silky it is haunting.  At times I looked up from my notebook and thought perhaps the two of them were not real.  They are kind and humble, talented and way too good looking.  Thank goodness for all of us they are real.  They’re album is out now, and you can find it here.             

I will say, without a doubt in my mind Bright Fire is the start of a great career for The Honey Trees.  One day, I will brag about that time I went to coffee with them.

Sincerely,

The Mister

Don't forget!

Don't forget to sign up for the cocktail workshop at Sidecar this Tuesday night.  Click here to get yourself a spot.

poster by Lauren Buzzetti 

We hope to see you all there!

Sincerely,

The Mister and The Miss

Cocktail Workshop

Mark your calendars, friends!  Tuesday, April 29th, at 9:30 pm, at Sidecar in downtown SLO, the king of gin, the colossus of bourbon, the great rum-bino, Josh Christensen will be teaching a cocktail workshop.

The workshop will cover cocktail making basics; Josh will teach step by step how to create a few classic cocktails, we will discuss stocking your bar at home, and maybe whip up a few wild drink recipes.  

Tapas will be served as we learn and relax together.  

Please go to "cocktail workshop" button in our online shop to reserve your spot.  Since it is our first workshop the price is simply to cover the cost of liquor and Josh's time.  

We cannot wait to see you all and meet new faces.

Cheers,

The Mister, The Miss, and The Royal Pup

Our First Gathering

Hello all,

We wanted to say thank you to everyone who made it out to our first Mister and Miss Gathering.  It was fantastic meeting a few new faces.  Addison and Taylor spent the entire day cooking an amazing tapas table filled with cheese plates, salads, and flat breads; they arranged the table with white linens, candles, and wild honeysuckle.  It was breathtaking.  

Photo by : The Mister

A special thank you to Jen and Brandon Manuele for lending us Sally Loo's for the evening.  You really know how to love like family; it never ceases to amaze us.

We hope everyone can make it out to our next Gathering.

Cheers,

A + B

Photo by : Taylor Kitto

Photo by : Taylor Kitto

Meet Taylor Kitto

Taylor owns a vintage clothing and home décor online shop called A Wild Poppy.  She is a jewelry maker, a weave weaver, and collector of vintage goodies.  For the past month Taylor and her beaux, Phil, have been renovating a light blue 1950’s camper.  The finished product is absolutely breath taking.  

Rory and Taylor inside the camper

This Friday and Saturday The Wild Poppy Camper will be popping up at Ruby Rose from 10am to 4pm.  The trailer will be exploded with incredible vintage clothes and goods handpicked or hand made by the lovely lady herself.

A few days ago, Addison, Royal, and I had the pleasure of spending the evening with Taylor, Phil, and their pup, Rory, who is Royal’s best friend in the whole world. 

It was a warm evening in Morro Bay when we walked the boardwalk.  Taylor and Addison discussed their favorite thrift shops around town, their sunhats turned against the sun glinting off the water.  Phil and I trailed behind with the pups stopping to smell the planter boxes and benches that litter the sidewalks of the town.  Shell chandeliers hung in the windows of the shop, and rows upon rows of wooden boxes kept the different shells organized.  There were shark teeth, coral fans, and conch shells filling every corner.  

Taylor studied the shop, glided through the isles as if patiently awaiting her muse to inspire.  I didn’t know exactly what era Taylor belonged in, but she seemed classic.  She was like Carrie Mulligan, like Gwyneth Paltrow; she spoke softly to Phil and they held hands for a moment looking at the glass case full of coral.  The evening seemed seeped in sunset sepia tones.  We walked together for a while longer until all the shops closed and the crisp evening breeze began to blow.  We drove south through the hills, shell shop treasures in the trunk and puppies climbing over us all.

Taylor has offered to help with the Mister & Miss Gathering this Sunday at Sally Loo’s Café.  We are so happy to have her incredible talents to help up make the evening a big success.  There’s nothing so special as a friend who is generous with their time.  Taylor, you’re a treasure.

Sincerely,

The Mister

Mister & Miss Gathering

Evening all,

Mister, Miss, and The Pup here!  This Sunday, March 23rd, we will be hosting our first official Gathering at Sally Loo's Cafe.  The doors will open at 7pm.  If you are reading this then consider yourself invited.  We can't wait to meet you.  

There will be tapas and drinks provided by us and our dear friend Taylor Kitto of A Wild Poppy Vintage.  (Don't worry, you will all be meeting Taylor in her spotlight on The Mister/Miss blog later this week!)

It is not required, but RSVP's would be much appreciated. (mistermissandtheroyalpup@gmail.com)

See you all on Sunday!

A + B + R

Meet Josh Christensen

Josh is the center of the hospitality solar system in my book.  Addie and I are constantly pulled by his gravity and end up having dinner at his restaurant, Sidecar, at least once a week. 

Each time we are there we laugh at how half of the guests know Josh by name and the other half clearly are watching him wishing to be brave and interesting enough to capture his attention, little do they know Josh’s golden heart welcomes so many friendships.  On our first visit to Sidecar, we tried a few different cocktails, ate the most delicious tater tots on the planet, and talked to Josh for hours.  We left with not only a glowing food coma but also a giddy Josh intoxication.  No joke, we both walked out the door and said, "Dang, he's so cool."  

His hospitality is infectious.  People come back again and again for his amazing drinks, but I truly believe it is Josh’s personality and gift for making everyone feel welcome that makes Sidecar the best restaurant in San Luis Obispo.  

photo by Jenny Olson Photography

photo by Jenny Olson Photography

Josh’s beautiful wife Lauren makes handcrafted wedding accessories and men’s neckties, and she sells them here.  Their children are so adorable that after Josh showed us one picture we quickly found Lauren’s instagram and "ooh"’d and "aw"’d over pictures of Penelope and Cassius for an entire hour.  I mean just look at those cheeks.

Wednesdays, for Josh, involve doing paperwork while tattooing himself (to me this just confirms, yes, Josh is sometimes a total jackass bartender not just Cocktail Superman).  Sundays, he says, he tries to keep all about his family.  Anyone working in the service industry can attest to how rare a quality this truly is.  

photo by Jenny Olson Photography 

So here’s the low down on the cocktails at Sidecar.  Each drink is handcrafted using the finest spirits to create unique flavors.  The cocktail menu is organized by liquor: Gin, Vodka, Whiskey, Etc.  Addie’s favorite is the classic French 75 modified.  Whiskey lovers should try the Reservation At Dorsia: bourbon/lillet rouge/maraschino liqueur/lime juice/absinthe/up.

You won’t find any big name brand liquors, no Jameson shots, no chilled panty droppers.  You can’t order a vodka red bull, bro.  Sidecar’s bar is stocked with some of the newest and most interesting liquors like my personal favorite Hochstadter’s Slow and Low Rock & Rye, a straight rye whiskey sweetened with rock candy and citrus peels.  Josh hand picks each liquor; he has carefully curated his bar, every bottle serves a unique purpose.  Though he has admitted some he has bought because they are just too delicious to not have around.

Josh’s new favorite drink to make is called the Holy Triumbrant, which uses ounces not dashes of angostura bitters.  Years of bartending and managing and traveling and, well, drinking has helped Josh become the Lebron James of cocktail making.  In fact, I often imagine him clapping his hands with white powder, getting all of us in the bar crowd pumped up, before he begins his mixology.  In reality, Josh has his sleeves rolled and his top button buttoned wearing a bowtie handmade by his wife, he lip sings along to the music, he measures, peels, shakes, and strains.  Each shake is an act of precision like an engine piston.  Each drink a work of art.  It’s obvious I’m a little jealous of his skills.  We are so glad to have become friends with such an artist and such an unbelievably genuine man.  I am beyond pleased to share him with you all.  Cruise over to Sidecar for a drink, and don’t forget to order tater tots too!

Now for the big news…. drum roll please, Royal.  

Josh has graciously agreed to teach a bartending workshop for us lowly cocktail peasants!  And what’s even better is you’re all invited! (those over 21, of course).  The workshop will cover a few different classic cocktails and perhaps a few wild Josh creations as well.  You will learn how to stock your home bar, mix fantastic drinks, and even make your own simple syrup and sweet & sour.  Date and time and workshop fee will be announced very soon.  Please email us at mistermissandtheroyalpup@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

Sincerely,

The Mister and The Miss

photo by Jenny Olson Photography

Loving A Florist, Part II

           It's wedding season again, and Addison is on the road.  I love hearing her stories about New York City with Eddie Ross and weddings in Palm Springs with Enjoy Events.   We are both excited for the next phase for Twigss, Addison's flower studio.  Here’s the thing though, we completely forgot how much long distance sucks.  Our relationship began while Addison lived in the bay area, and I lived here (Royal was in Paso Robles being a puppy still).  We fell in love with 200 miles in between.  Each night I dreamed the impossible dream of having her with me the rest of my life.  Each day I woke to a big empty bed.  Soon we were together, and now, a year later, we are re-living the long distance nightmare.

            It was a Tuesday when I almost lost my mind; I had just gotten home from work to find a fresh pile of poop on the rug from Royal.  The strange February heat wave turned our apartment into a sauna and had those little logs of kibble and bits seeping their aroma into the very walls.  My back hurt from running around all morning, hell all month, listening to people complain about how they thought their omelets came with toast and not just potatoes (pause for a short rant real quick…if you ever go to a restaurant, even for breakfast, even if you go every day, please for the love of God just read the menu…thank you) the last thing I wanted to do was clean up Royal’s poop then take him to the park to run around and get filthy so I could later have to give him a bath while he wriggled around like a wire haired monkey.  

          With Addison out of town I had spent the week eating whatever food was left in the house, and of course on this disaster of a Tuesday the only scraps left were spicy mustard, cilantro, gummy bears, and saltines.  For some reason I lost all desire/ability to grocery shop.  No joke.  I considered eating the gummy bears but decided to just have a whiskey.

           Part of me was angry with Addison for leaving me with Royal to deal with all the time, to clean up steaming poop from the carpet, walk him, bathe him, and feed him.  I was mad that there was no food left.  I was mad that I had to keep working at this freaking restaurant surrounded by oatmeal eating geriatrics that complain about the price of the special inflating from $2 to $3.50 over the last 20 years.  I wanted a break.  I wanted to be appreciated.  I wanted her to tell me how awesome I was for doing all these things for her.  

            Addison returned that evening from San Francisco.  She spent the last few days barely sleeping, building arrangements, flying across the country, and dealing with terrifying bridezillas to be.  I could picture her making the “I’m trying so hard to be patient but you’re being insane” face to people but acting with grace as she always manages to do even in those wild situations.  When she walked through the door I was defeated and frustrated; I hoped she could pull me out of this funk.  Her gorgeous yet exhausted face beneath her hat told me everything I needed to know.  She needed all those same things I did.  She needed to be told to sit down and relax.  She needed to get her bags.  She needed to be told she looked beautiful not tired.  She needed me to cook dinner or run her a bath.  She needed to be appreciated. 

           We both needed a glass of wine.  

Photo by The Mister

         I held her for a moment.  I took the bag out of her hand, and I almost laughed at how selfishly I was thinking before.  How could I not understand that this was just as difficult for her.  Learning to love someone when they are gone is almost impossible.  You get frustrated at them over anything really.  Your lover becomes your scapegoat; it’s completely unfair.  Instead of Royal being my companion I viewed it as more work, instead of thinking of my long hours at work as a way to save for a trip to Europe I saw it as a necessity to pay bills, and instead of finding ways to show Addie I love her while she was away I focused on how she needed to appreciate me.  Backwards.  

          In order to feel in love with her I was waiting to feel loved by her.  That totally doesn’t work.

          My brother once told me, “you don’t start to love someone or even stay in love with someone just because you’re meant to be.  Love is work.  You have to act out of love all the time.  In order to feel in love you have to act in love.  Go on dates, write letters, leave presents, wash the dishes, make breakfast.”  (clean up steaming dog poop, too!)

          He is so right.  You choose love.  You feel loved when you act in love.  It’s almost as though you are rewiring your feelings.  Your emotions will respond to your actions.  If Addison brought me special coffee from wherever she was traveling, I’m sure it would make her feel more in love with me, right? (eh em!  Addie!  Read that sentence twice my love). 

         Telling her I love her, writing it down, only goes so far.  It’s Tuesday, time to act on it, even if she is gone again.

Twigss Floral Studio (bouquet by Addison Searles)

Nashville (Dracula under the willow tree)

Danielle Capito Photography

Meet Jaymie Shearer

         Jaymie Shearer is a gatherer.  She possesses an amazing talent for bringing people together; she's a community builder.  Lately she has been organizing events to meet new folks in San Luis Obispo and share in an adventure with them. 

          Here’s a photo from her SLO meet up last month.

           Whenever I see photos of her adventures in my head I picture the little girl from the movie Up, the one with the aviation hat and goggles.  I’m not kidding, get her to take you on a hike and you’ll see that little explorer sprinting up the hillside with her head back to smell the ocean breeze.  You’ll see her smile at the waves as if she’d seen an old friend.  You’ll understand what it means to get lost in nature.

       This coming Easter will mark Jaymie’s second annual Zion National Park trip. Those attending have nothing in common other than seeing Jaymie’s Instagram invitation post and agreeing to go along.  They will camp together, share meals, photograph one another, and enjoy the most majestic sunrise you can imagine.  If the trip is anything like last year's then every one of those adventure seekers will return with incredible photos, a belly full of good food, and a whole bunch of new friends.

             I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who actively pursues adventure as much as Jaymie does.  It’s unbelievable.  If a friend asks Jaymie if she wants to drive up the coast for the day she will hop right in the car and take off; no bags packed, no plans made, no worries on her mind.  I asked Jaymie to share some of her secret getaway spots.  She’s the encyclopedia for California central coast adventures. 

            Here’s a map she drew revealing her favorites hikes and drives around SLO.

Nitt Witt Ridge is a funky little place in Cambria ripe for exploring.

Turri Road is a picturesque drive through fields of sweet peas and hills of grazing cattle.

Top O the World gives hikers a spectacular view of all of Morro Bay, Montana de Oro, and Los Osos.

Oso Flaco Lake is that glorious bridge over a glassy lake, its that warm sand beneath your feet, its that silent walk with a dear friend, its the one you don't want to miss.

           Jaymie has this auroa of exhilaration; I’ve experienced it time and time again.  When I’m sitting in Sally Loo’s Café working on my writing and Jaymie stops at the table to say hello and see what I’m up to, I tell her in a don’t bother me I’m working/my work isn’t going well tone, “I’m writing a story” or “writing a music review.”  But by the time Jaymie has left the table I’m proud of my work again, I’m excited to continue. 

            This article is my thank you to Jaymie.  This is my way of giving back, of saying “Jaymie, in the same way you encouraged and believed in me I want to say I believe in you!”  Jaymie is an incredible photographer, and with every photo she takes she seems to get better and better.  Check out jaymieshearer.com to see what I mean.  She has been amazing the thousands of people who follower her on Instagram with her photos taken simply with her Iphone; I cannot wait to see what she does with a full sized camera in hand.  The way Jaymie’s eyes work is different from the rest of us and honestly different from most other photographers I know.  She sees the symmetry in a room; she feels a part of the movement of the light. 

            She has filmed and edited a small film for Horsepower, one for Sally Loo’s, and now has finally taken the first steps on the path we knew she was made for, taking photos in order to share what community means.  We are all excited to see her new projects, her new photos, and see the way she will change our perspective on the meaning of community.

            I'm proud to share her photos, her smile, and her spark with you all.  I'm proud to be her friend.

Sincerely, 

The Mister

Better Homes and Gardens

       Today the lovely ladies of Twigss Floral Studio, Addison and her mother, Melissa, are being featured in the newest issue of Better Homes and Gardens!  Pick up a copy and find out their tips on hosting a garden party.  And you better grab a copy soon because I plan to show my support for Addison by buying all of them and throwing a thousand garden parties!

Sincerely and Ridiculously, 

The Mister

Self-restraint

Royal has been practicing his self-restraint.  However, he wants everyone to know that they are more then welcome to send him treats still.  Without our consent, he has agreed to trade the marble cheese board in the MMRP shop for treats.

IT'S V-DAY HOMIES.

So it's that time of the month, we tell those we love how much we truly do, like really really really love them. We rush around trying to make the day as special as it can be and many say, "there shouldn't be just one day of the year we tell those we love how much we appreciate them!" Now I'm on the fence about that one because I am a florist after all and Vday is my big money maker...so all you opinionated people keep that one to yourselves!

In my line of work I am surrounded by love, its constant whether it's real, faked, fading or tough. At the end of the day it's love. We throw the word around a lot, I LOVE this coffee, I LOVE these jeans, I LOVE this band, I LOVE my dog. But what is real love? If you're religious now is the perfect time to start reciting 1st Corinthians. Some might say love is compromise or it's giving 50% and receiving 50% back. Some of you might not believe in love, but let's be honest if you are reading this you totally do, this whole entire blog is about love. 

Well let me tell you about what I think love is. A year ago, I'm not sure what the exact date is. I showed up to my dear friend Lauren's house. I had big sunglasses on, a Firestone Grill tri-tip sando in hand and about 10 minutes to devour it before I needed to leave for a styled shoot. As I walked up to the house my stomach dropped and my hands got all clammy. There he was just sitting in the sun reading a book in a tight white T-shirt just like James Dean. But like a Jewish James Dean, with curly hair...is that inappropriate for me to say? Oh well. Like I said 10 minutes, clammy, tri-tip. Not the cutest look I had going on. But my wish came true we hit it off in 10 minutes and I spent the evening getting to know this Jewish James Dean. We stayed up till 6 in the morning talking and laughing. When the sun shone through the curtains it was time for him to leave for work. I'll never forget the look on his face when he walked out the front door. It was so torn, so sad, confused and happy all at the same time. I think he thought there was a good chance he'd never see me again. BUT boy was he wrong. 3 grueling months of long distance was enough for us. Unfortunately for our family and friends Bradley and I are "all or nothing" kind of people, so with 3 months of dating under our belts, did I mention 3 months of long distance dating? We moved into our tiny studio, we bought a rug, new towels and I bought a bird with out asking! We began to build a life together. A month later I text him and said,  "I FOUND OUR DOG!" He was like, "Our dog? I didn't know we were looking for a dog..." Two days later we had Royal. A ball of energy like you've never experienced unless you yourself have owned a non-neutrued terrier. 

I know I'm not an easy person to love, he isn't easy to love sometimes either. Our life is far from perfect, most peoples are. But In my mind I have everything I need. I have never met a more gifted man. He encourages me in ways I never thought anyone would and just when I think I've figured him out he surprises me. He treats everyone he meets with so much love and respect, I honestly don't think there is a mean bone in his body. With every trip to the grocery store to buy stupid things, with every drink he makes me, with every letter he leaves me, with every breath he breathes I know I'm the luckiest girl in the world. As I sit in our tiny studio, in the same spot we met and fell in love over a year ago I know, there is nothing else I could ever want. Royal sleeps on the floor next to me makes weird moaning noises because he is so content with his current state of being. He reminds me that loving isn't diamonds rings, fancy dinners or romantic trips. Love is being content, love is something we live everyday not just one day out of the year. Love is believing, encouraging, laughing and crying. Love is moaning with contentment on the floor...weird? Totally. 

So this Valentine's Day make a pact with your loved one to love EVERY day of the year. Through all the things life brings, make a resolution with yourself to remember how their tears taste when they're sad, remember how they look on their birthday, when they laugh at your stupid jokes, remember how it feels to be loved. 

From our family to yours, Happy Valentines Day Lovers!

xox

A + B + R 

Meet The Manueles

           Jen and Brandon Manuele have a beautiful family, a spunktastic little girl, Frances, and two happy pitbulls, Sally Loo and Hank.  They own a café in San Luis Obispo called Sally Loo’s; it’s a bright shop with a leather couch and an old fireplace.  Jen and Brandon opened the café years ago and began with only a few customers each day.  One person could run the register, be the barista, and cook in the kitchen all at once.  But their small shop has grown and now there are slews of cooks and baristas to assuage the masses who come each day.  The Manuele’s love coffee, they love hosting and cooking, but most of all they love people. 

            See, loving people is hard, because well people are insane.  Most of the time I hate people.  Work in a restaurant for longer than 2 days and you’ll hate people too.  I’m kidding…kind of.  But the Manuele’s seem to be impervious to the maddening stupidity of the common public.  I’m sure they get frustrated and angry at times, but they don’t let it show.  They do this amazing thing by simply running a great café.  Last week, I watched Jen glide around the shop with baby Frances in one arm asking guests if she can bring anything else out for them.  She cleared dirty plates and greeted her friends at their tables, then introduced herself to the girl who had come to café every day that week.  The faces of those she talked with lit up; they tickled Frances’ toes and thanked or even hugged Jen.  It’s difficult to explain how exactly Jen and Brandon bring out the best in people, but they do.  

          I have watched friends and acquaintances begin working at Sally’s simply in need of a job, and each one of them left after a time to pursue their passions.  Sally Loo’s Café isn’t the place where the lazy kids get stuck or the lost come to hide; it’s a launching pad for great people to find themselves.  It’s been a dream come true for some and exactly what the doctor ordered for others.  It’s a home to us all.  The homemade granola and delicious croissants do not hold wisdom, and the coffee is good but I’m fairly certain it didn’t change anyone’s life.  Jen and Brandon on the other hand, well, to put it nerdily, they find the Superman inside the Clark Kent’s.  Now, I’m not saying I’m Superman, I’m more of like Robin, Batman’s useless sidekick, but I worked at Sally Loo’s a few years back.  I remember my time there and the incredible ways in which Jen and Brandon pushed me to be something more than I was.

           I’m not sure if the Manuele’s only hire those in need of direction, but I’ve watched barista after barista walk out that green café door on a new path.  It may sound strange, it may seem like I’m writing some fairy tale version of a coffee shop where the baristas transform into musicians and nurses and painters and profession chefs overnight, but I can assure you this fairy tale is real.  The Manuele’s shape people; they take a few young people at a time and help them become the best version of themselves. 

            Watching little Frances laugh and squawk like she does when she’s happy, sad, intrigued, angry, or pooping her diaper I smile thinking of how incredibly lucky that beautiful girl is.  I’m sure I speak for the masses of Manuele fans when I say there have never been more deserving parents.  They are kind beyond compare and so very equipped to raise a wonderful child.  They have already helped raise so many of us that belong to the Loo Crew.  The Manueles have changed this community for the better, and I’m so glad to know them.

Cheers,

The Mister

Photos by: Jaymie Shearer (check in next week for her spotlight post!)

Valentine's Day.

Hi All! 

Just a reminder Valentine's Day is only a week away! 

Okay so for all you Danville/Bay Area locals, we will of course not be downtown in our studio because we moved { see Big Changes post }. But we are still taking larger special orders and they need to be placed by Monday. They will be delivered a few days early because we are taking the Twigss show on the road this Vday. Twigss will be set up in front of Sally Loo's Cafe in San Luis Obispo this year. We had such a wonderful time last year we decided to do it again!

So for you SLO locals here are the details:

We will be set up from 8:00 am till 5:30 pm with $40.00 Hand Wrapped Bouquets & $10.00 Posies. So come visit us, grab a cup of coffee and blooms for your loved one. We'd be so happy to see you! 

Sally Loo's Cafe:

1804 Osos St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 // 8:00 am-5:30 pm

A Royal Reminder

Royal here, just wanted to let everyone know that the cutting board and herb sheers in the shop can be used for many different things.  For example, say you wanted to cut up some cookies for me with the herb sheers so I could eat them in little pieces off of the cutting board, that is totally viable option.  It doesn't even have to be cookies either.  I could eat cheese or carrots or crumbs.  Anyway, I figured it was my duty to keep you all informed.

Sincerely,

R

Meet Kyle Naylor

Meet Kyle Naylor

Since Kyle was 7 years old he has loved to draw.  Nature inspired him.  He watched foxes scuttle near the woodpile his grandfather stacked and stags sifting through the morning mist.  Now the sketches of his favorite animals hang all over downtown San Luis Obispo in hair salons, paper stores, and cafés. 

A few weeks ago I found him with headphones on in the midst of a bustling coffee shop sketching a beautiful floral wreath for Addison’s new website.   Kyle designed the site; he drew vines and flowers and handwritten text.  I sat with him a moment at the coffee shop, watching him work and waiting for my latte.  His lines were crisp; there was a movement to the work.  His hands flowed and his eyes were steady.  Friends came by our table and interrupted him, but each time they came he dropped his pen and stood up to give a hug and proper greeting. 

Kyle is an artist, but not the kind you find in movies, not the kind you meet in a fancy studio.  Kyle doesn’t use his art to make statements about the world.  He isn’t moody, or reclusive and he doesn’t smell. He is dedicated to working with his hands.  Daily sketches are something he holds to religiously.  He is soft and kind.  And most of all, he is a fierce friend.

The thing is Kyle’s too humble to just flat out say he’s the most awesomest ever, but come on we will say it.  And you might too after you check out his art! 

There are wonderful prints of Kyle’s work as well as cards at Kyle’s print shop, called Deer Print Co. 

In our little shop on Mister, Miss, and The Royal Pup you’ll find a few of our Kyle Naylor favorites.  All proceeds go to the artist of course. 

Sincerely,

A + B + R