After a worldwide search and many applicants: We have found our warehouse kitty.
We needed someone who could sleep during the day in a fast-paced sometimes CRAZY environment and then patrol at night.
Most of all we needed someone with a good sense of humor and a fly by the seat of your pants attitude.
(And some thought they could get the job on looks alone)

His name is El Tigre

He plays with his food, he knocks over his water bowl, he knocked out our screen door to chase a neighbors cat. He has no grace like most cats, he is more like a dog. He is super noisy and is always complaining. Especially if I don't feed him on time.

One day he showed up on our back porch. I knocked on all the neighbors doors, put up flyers and even put an ad in the paper. Of course no one claimed him.
I wasn't sure what to do so I took him to the vet to make sure he was in good health and get him Neutered (Even though it didn't look like he had gone a day without food). Could be because he was chasing away my little feral cat and eating his food. That really bothered me so after I got a clean bill of health I brought him into the garage and kept him away from the gang. I figured he is a CUTE cat, I will be able to find him a home. The first week in the garage was a challenge. He was very aggressive and would attack my feet . When I would go to pet him he would come at me like Edward Scissors Hands. Not to mention he started spraying. I was torn because all the rescue places in my area are full and they wouldn't take him in. Especially if they new he had behavioral issues. If I called animal control they would put him down in 3 days. From his behavior I figured he had been abused by someone but I saw a spark in him and felt he deserved a chance. I started spending a hour with him everyday. Brushing him and playing with him to get out his aggression. It is hysterical to watch him play since he is not coordinated and throws all his weight into every pounce. After a few months of TLC he mellowed out and is now a big sweetheart.
We decided to introduce him to the gang. It was clear he wanted to be boss. However, he was quickly put into place by Mrs. Strudels who is queen bee and wasn't willing to give up her crown. He figured out his place in the household and most days he can be found sleeping belly up .

We pretty much let her be and after a few days she started to come out and explore. Every-time one of our cats would walk past her she would try and press herself against them. They didn't really care for that and would give her a little paw whack. If I would walk past her she would run and hide.

She went from hiding behind boxes to laying out in the open in the morning sun.
It drove me crazy that every time I tried to make contact with her, she would run away.
She always had to stay at a distance. She started putting on some weight and the other cats started getting used to her strange ways.

She soon discovered what a pillow was and I would find her all cozy and happy.
I still couldn't touch her. I was a little hesitant since a friend said she was feeding a wild cat for 3 years and she decided to pet him one day and the cat attacked her arm.

It has been 3 months and I was able to touch her for the first time today. She wasn't to happy about it but she got wrapped up in playing with a little shoe string that she didn't notice at first. She immediately ran away but it's a start.

She somehow wiggled her way into our life. And when I say wiggled I mean wiggled. She now demands to be petted. If I walk past her she falls to the ground and starts wiggling around wanting to be petted. She gets brushed every morning. She doesn't ever Meow but goes around chirping and squeaking like a bird. I do believe she is the sweetest kitty in the world.
Stay tuned for my next blog. Meet Mr. Fluffy Pants . The worst cat in the world.
(Free to good home)
he he

Having been to New York a few months back for a trade show, I saw I heart NY
plastered on everything. I got Inspired to make up a few reusable grocery bags and give them away on Earthday to get people in our city excited about using reusable grocery bags. I constantly get asked "where is Yucaipa". So I thought it would be fun to put the I heart Yucaipa on a bag. I had a few neighbors and a local 6 th grade class stationed at 3 local grocery stores in Yucaipa. We gave away thousands of bags in just a few hours.

It is official. Polka dots are in for 2008. Mr. Found is never wrong on his fashion forecast.

My nieces stay with us every year and I have to come up with things to do that will totally wear them out. Last time they stayed it was a constant "what are we going to do next? " I planned on taking them to a land fill to show them how wasteful everyone is but I changed my mind after one of my nieces proclaimed we were treehuggers. My nieces are 9 and 11 years old, so I know they must have gotten that from an adult family member. We decided to take them to Joshua Tree. No trees just rocks. We hiked for about 2 hours and then swung over to Desert Hot Springs to relax at the spa. I had never been to the spa in Desert Hot Springs but it was the only one that allowed kids and at 6 bucks a pop how could I pass it up. It was a hoot. It is the hang out for all these old time hollywood folk. We sat in the Sauna with a man who said he was Bob Hopes' brother.
The place looked like it had not been remodeled. EVER. And it was a little funky but well worth 6 bucks. I told my husband, Franz, we have to make this a weekly event. Climb around Joshua Tree and then hit the day spas.

I did manage to get a little bit of work out of them.
Maybe they should stay with us more often.

Aside from handbag design I love plants. especially succulents. LOVE THEM

This Plant was given to us by a friend . She had just rooted it and it was a tiny little thing
and it didn't do much for 2 months. Then all of a sudden it started growing like a weed.
I thought it was funny at first, to see Found, our silliest cat, decided it was a good place to nap.

The next day he thought he would nap in the same spot . Instead of wrapping his body around the plant like he did before
this time he just laid right on top of it.

I love this website:

youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com

I just love my customers. The mother and daughter team actually bought all the bags they are holding!
The daughter used to buy from my craft booth when I sold at UCLA. Now the UCLA bookstore sells bungalow360.
This is at a craft fair in Venice Beach, CA. I love meeting my customers. A 10 year old girl was so cute and
tried to negotiate a discount. 10 years old, where did she learn that?

Damien Rice is one of my favorite singer/songwriters.  He is touring now and I was so bummed to find out that I wouldn’t be able to see him play in L.A due to the fact that I would be at a week long craft fair on the San Diego State Campus. So, when Wednesday rolled around and a tour bus arrived and parked right in front of my booth, I got  a little excited.  I was sure a rock star was lurking behind those tinted windows. Since I wouldn’t be able to see Damien Rice I figured I might as well get a little rock star action regardless of who it is. I can pretty much appreciate all kinds of music and once traveled with a band in Europe. I was their T-shirt maker so I figured I was with the band. Even though I am  sure they considered me a groupie. Nevertheless, traveling through Europe with a rock band isn’t a bad way to go. Well, my theory of rock stars on the bus was  shot down immediately by my neighbor who said  that the tour bus was  some dancers. BUMMER.  So, I went about my business of selling my bags. Then at 4:00 another tour bus arrives directly in front of my booth. Guys are  running around with walkie talkies. I see a few guys  carrying guitars. Then I  get word that it is a Reggae band. That makes sense. Reggae / San Diego.  So, once again I go about my business. 
The next day I am back at my booth.  The Tour buses are gone. I am shooting the breeze with some students, I ask what reggae band played last night. She said it wasn’t a reggae band it was  DAMIEN RICE (this is the part where you crank Alanis Morissettee “ Isn’t It Ironic”)  What are the odds of his tour bus pulling up in front of my booth and then on top of that me not knowing it was him. Damn, I  need to start paying more attention to things. Especially when a tour bus is involved. Not only did I miss what I am sure was an amazing concert but I missed the opportunity to meet Damien Rice. Check out his youtube performance. You will see why I am such a fan.

 Earth Happy

At bungalow360 we are Earth Happy. We use solar panels, drive hybrid cars, recycle, reuse and we are kind to animals.   I guess you could call us green, eco friendly, but we like the sound of  "Earth Happy". It is actually really simple. We make choices daily with a conscience about what will make the Earth happy. We are very concerned about Global Warming. I just spoke to a student who is studying the effects of Global Warming. I asked her, "So is it really happening?" She said "Yes, it looks pretty bleak. We are doing a lot to stop it from happening so soon." They write congress and look to city’s  like Portland Oregon as role models. I am a common sense person and I don’t understand why people don't want to become more energy efficient and cut down on greenhouse emissions regardless of global warming. For us, we save a lot of money by being Earth Happy and we live a healthier life. Really now, who is it going to hurt if the air becomes cleaner and the water fresher. Why the debate?  Well folks it comes down to politics. The people who speak out  against it make it a political issue when in fact it is a moral issue. I believe every single person can make a difference. What can you do to make the Earth Happy?

I spy something cute.