I’m in the middle of putting together my first LAMA newsletter! Fun! If you haven’t already, don’t forget to join the mailing list before next week. I’ll be sending out a special surprise to everyone on the list. You won’t want to miss out! 

This past weekend I stumbled on a sad site. Cody’s Books (a great independent book store in Berkeley) has closed it’s doors after 52 years in business! 

Since moving to Oakland, Cody’s has been a frequent weekend stop for me when I was itching for a new design magazine or wanting to take in the smell of new books at a sweet little neighborhood bookstore. Apparently they have been in trouble for some time and after an attempt to save the store by moving it from a high rent district to a lower rent area, Cody’s has had to call it quits.

Seeing this happen to a business like Cody’s really made me stop and think about the importance of supporting local independent businesses. Cody’s always gave me something larger book stores can’t compete with; the feeling that I’m a valued customer and my support is appreciated. I’m going to miss that.

Luckily my boyfriend and I were able to purchase a few last books before their doors were shut for good. I suppose the moral of the story is a plea to everyone to support their local businesses and the little guy trying to make a dream happen. The best we can do for each other in hard times is support one another. Ciao Cody’s! You will be missed!  

Generally I dread Mondays but today is an extra special Monday for me. I’m super excited to announce that my new blog is up and running! The old blog didn’t allow me to receive comments (which made me sad because I really love hearing from all of my new LAMA shop fans). The new and improved blog is just all around easier to use which will enable me to post a lot more frequently which I’m thrilled about. I’ve been reading several blogs for years now, all stemming from my love for Design Sponge (still my all time favorite blog). Blogs have always been a huge source of inspiration for me and have really helped me grow while I was a student, once I was a designer and now that I’m a shop owner. The progression into becoming a blogger myself just felt like the natural next step. 

Stay tuned for some great interviews with LAMA designers and artists featuring some awesome pictures of their studios, homes and workspaces where they make their magic happen, coverage of some of my favorite shops and hot spots here in Oakland, the East Bay and beyond, tips and tales on the trials and tribulations of an independent shop owner, the latest and greatest LAMA news and much more. 

I’ll leave you all with a picture of my business partner and greatest shop doggie ever. Miles has been my other half for the past 4 years but has been extra special in my first month in business. I love being able to look to my left and see him sitting in his tent while I work at my computer. 

LAMA has received lots of love from some amazing bloggers! As a result, we’ve had a lot of international interest. I wouldn’t want to deprive anyone who wants to have a bit of LAMA in their life so we’ll be taking international orders on a per order basis! If you are outside of the US and Canada and would like place an order, shoot us an email letting us know which item(s) you are interested in and we’ll get you a shipping quote quick as lightning! Happy shopping!

Would you like to enter to win a FREE mamina bunny doll? If this sounds like something you would love to have for the bargain price of… FREE, please go to this page and follow the simple instructions provided in order to throw your name into the mix. Who knows, you might just be the big winner. Good luck!