Auld Lang Syne

Since Auld Lang Syne has Scottish origins, it only seems appropriate that we hear it with bagpipes.  Enjoy and Happy New Yearrrrrrrrrr!

Oakville

There's an indie film called "Oakville" filming both inside and in front of oo la la! today.  Isn't that fun?!?!?

According to the director Lisbon Okafor (pictured above with some of the cast and crew), they just started filming about six days ago and will be filming for six months in and around Oakland.  He says it's about an idyllic Oakland, "not the Oakland you see on Gangland."  As I sit here and type, the entire crew is in the front of the store setting up a "store scene" with one of the cast.  The Costumer/Director's Assistant even purchased a "wedding ring" for one of the main characters.  After they leave, I'm going to stand in front of the mirror and practice my acceptance speech for Best Store Background in an Independent Film.  "I'd like to thank my husband, my mother, and of course, God."  Hehehehehe.

(Uber) Cute Shoes

Pictured above:  Apepazza's Tormalina in Black

Earlier this year, I was at MAGIC and had completed 3 days of wholesale shopping for the store when I was on my way out of the Las Vegas Convention Center and happened upon these shoes (see above).  They are absolutely perfect.  An Italian shoe by Apepazza, the suede upper and leather sole make for a luxurious flat.  The rich suede design is pickstitched and pleated for touchable texture, while the bold (yet classic) ornament at the toe features sparkling rhinestones.  Great for slacks, leggings and/or skirts, I am in love, love, love.  They should arrive in the store by 12/24 or 12/28 at the latest.  I did see them on Zappos for $116; and they will be less than that at oo la la! - naturally.

In the coming year, I plan to carry 6-8 different styles of shoes at the store that will be flats or have a modest heel height of 2 inches and below.  High heel shoes are always easy to find, but uber cute flats/low heels are not.  So I have officially named the shoe section of oo la la! "Two Below" - a testament to the heel height, a testament to the fact that we all have 2 feet...below, and (obviously) a testament to how cold it can get.  (Thought you'd like that. LOL)

See ya soon!

Holiday Sale at oo la la!

Holiday Sale

December 15 - December 24

Feel-A-Vision Anyone?

Sometimes a picture is a dead-on ringer for a garment and sometimes the picture is just so-so.  Does this photo look like this jacket has that sueded look? Because it does. I think the above photo is a poor poor representation in comparison to what it looks like in person.  In contrast, some of my other photos are Dead On.  I wish Feel-A-Vision existed already (because you know one day when we're long gone from this earth, something like that will probably exist, right?).  You know what I mean; where you can actually feel a garment through the computer screen or through the television set so you can get a genuine sense of the quality of piece, the weight of the piece, etc.  Does that sound insane?

Anyway, if this Hot Little Number doesn't sell out before you get a chance to see it next week (by the 16th, I'm thinking), check it out...and you'll see what I mean.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

It's is fa-reezing in the Bay Area!  I talked to my mom last night and she said it's cold and rainy in Los Angeles as well (!).  They're even reporting "epic 40-50 foot waves" in Hawaii!  Brrrrrr, said the Shop Girl as she sits at the computer typing wearing fingerless gloves, a knit cap, and two layers of cozy under her robe.  I guess it is December after all, but this is California and I will admit that I am somewhat spoiled.  So when, it's cold, I'm fussy.  Spoiled or not though, I've learned how to layer since I moved here from LA 10 years ago and I've got some (cute) stuff at the store for the cold, whether it is for you or for a holiday gift.  So if you need a cozy (and cute) scarf, leather or fleece (cute) gloves, a (cute) umbrella, or anything else that will keep you from turning into a (cute) popsicle this season, come on by.  I've got the heater on.

Oakland Bloggers on a Layover

I love the name:  The Layover.  Such a cute name for such a cute place.  Plus, I love to travel, so it's right up my alley.  It's also right around the corner from the store at 1517 Franklin, where there used to be this seedy kinda dive bar called Pat's that I always crossed the street to avoid walking in front of.  (Is that mean?)

I was invited to The Layover for The Blogoaksphere Party (a blogalicious networking event for Oakland bloggers) by a Mystery Person(ette) named V smoothe, who is spearheading the Blogoaksphere Food Drive and who I later met (love her), along with bartendress and co-owner* RaeAnn, Councilmember at Large Rebecca Kaplan (that's us in the picture above that really isn't blurry; it's just that your eyes are bad), her Chief of Staff Andre Jones, Oakland Advocate and Lakeshore's Pamela Drake, and Abel Habtegeorgis of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.  I pulled my friend Kevin Skipper along, a downtown Oakland real estate dude that has a new blog coming out called Mr. Oakland Speaks, ordered a $2 club soda, chit chatted, and took in the fun new vibe at this new local lounge (with a new art gallery next door opening tonight!) that is less than 50 (okay, 100) steps away from my front door.  Ooo chee wah wah!  When you're in the need of a layover, you should definitely check it out.

*Other co-owners of The Layover are Tim, Christi & Zack.

These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

And that's just what they'll do.

Wonna these days these boots are gonna walk all over you...

Are you ready boots?