Country Living?

Jenn, my beautiful talented partner in this blogging world emailed me this morning, "Any posts for this week?" I had been on a much needed four full days off, and was committed to getting my house, yard, garage, and self in working order. "Uh, no I don't." Dang, I have been thinking non-stop about work, but only in the year-end, inventory, bill-paying way...not in a creative or filled-up way.

While running errands, I stopped in Barnes & Noble for a magazine/book fix. This is a story of how my 'ah' turned into 'ugh'.

...And this is where my rant starts. If you ask Kathy, Kim or Jenni about my rants, they will roll their eyes like I am craaazy! They usually stop me before I get this far, but Kathy is away being a baby nurse, Kim is also enjoying days off, and Jenni is with her boys.

Anyways, I pick up the first magazine I purchased, Country Living, which is odd, because I haven’t bought this mag in maybe a year. I sit down to relax and read, and OK, here it comes...out of the first 38 pages, 23 of those are ads, and 11 of them are medically related! I look at the cover to make sure it wasn't a health related issue...nope it's not. This is messing with my relaxing, inspiring afternoon. Throughout the remainder of the issue, there are 12 more medically related ads for a whopping 23!

So as I am looking to be inspired but I am now stressed out about: lung function, COPD, joint damage, depression, heart palpitations, the flu, arthriitis, osteoarthritis, heartburn, cholesterol, etc. There is also info on a metabolism boosting powder for my 'bikini plan' (dang, I hadn't started to even think about my 'bikini plan!'). There is also vaginal cream (we wont even go there), and finally on page 129 of 134 pages, there is a correction tucked back there to straighten out a 'wrong impression' that Boniva may have given in regards to postmenopausal osteoporosis!! I realize that magazines must sell ad space, but this is decorating/recipe magazine. Come on, guys.

Ok, that felt good.

Kathy, Kim and Jenni, I want you to know that this was the edited version. You were fortunate to not hear the full rant.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Bag: Kim

After oo-ing and awe-ing over this bag for weeks, we knew it was no ordinary purse. And in a stroke of inspiration, we found its purpose (rather, its purse-pose): to accompany us in our daily lives. It's a hand-stitched, black and tan leather bag, with a simple design and easy function...it complements any outfit, day or night, and is hearty enough to go just about anywhere. For this year, we are passing it around through the Ruby crew, and documenting what adventures ensue. It is our version of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. So, without further adieu, we bring you The Sisterhood of the Traveling Bag!

Sometimes we are asked where we go to find things to fill Ruby Rose with weekly. Most of the time, our search for fun finds leads us North or South, away from the Central Coast, and into the BIG cities. But occasionally we can be seen traipsing about the Central Coast hunting and gathering.

Sometimes we take the truck.

And sometimes a car.

Whatever our mode of transportation, we usually manage to fill it.
All work and no play makes life dull, so a short trip to visit family in Las Vegas was in order.

Purse trying the Wheel of Fortune slots.

I call this the Where's Waldo Purse picture. It blends in so well with the train.

At the Boulder City train museum.

Back in California, a quick trip. To Avila pier, to buy fresh fish.

xo,
Kim

Hidden Treasure...

We're so happy to introduce one of our new blog contributors, our friend and employee Kim! Kim knows what's up. She'll be here from time to time sharing the latest and greatest finds in our little charming town, San Luis Obispo. Trust me, this is a column that you don't want to miss out on! -S.

"Something we understand at Ruby Rose is that we are indeed hidden. We're hard to find, off the beaten path, yet full of one-of-a-kind “treasures” which just might be the perfect piece that you’ve been looking for.

Have you ever heard your little inner voice saying, “I want to tell all my friends about this place, but I kind of want to keep it to myself too.”? I’ve been guilty of that, but part of the joy of finding something special, is sharing it with those we love, knowing they will enjoy it too.

So in an effort to keep myself in check, and not keep the good stuff to myself, I dropped by Stewart & Clark Fine Foods to pick up some goodies to share with everyone at Ruby Rose last Friday. Tracy Fleming, the Owner/Chef, was happily at the front counter, writing up the daily specials on her chalk board. I was delighted to find a new batch of her melt in your mouth Chocolate Truffle Cookies and an assortment of her yummy handmade marshmallows. Knowing that they sell out, I had to think fast...which was hard to do, as I was caught off guard by the sight of cinnamon rolls fresh out the oven. Drat the summer diet! Truffle cookies and the Toasted Coconut Marshmallows, there, I decided. But wait, I was taking a gamble picking the coconut, because I heard a small tweet from a little bird which told me that Stephanie only likes chocolate. So, just to be safe I picked up a bag of the chocolate chip marshmallows...OK, so I picked up two bags.

Since I am a coffee snob, and I hadn’t had my morning cup yet, I ordered a double shot espresso. I can declare that Tracy has barista skills. She might not be trained, but she can pull a smooth shot. I LOVE good fresh baked goodies and a great cup of coffee.

A little hard to find the first time, Stewart and Clark is located at the end of Fiero Lane behind the Fed EX (at the back of the building). It’s worth searching for!" -K.

Stewart & Clark Fine Foods
The Fiero Café
709 Fiero Lane Suite #35
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Monday-Friday 7:30-4:00
(805) 541-2300
http://www.stewartandclark.com/

10th Annual Cowgirl Christmas

Support local + small businesses this Saturday November 30th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Trinity Hall (6565 Edna Road) for the 10th Annual Cowgirl Christmas! Hey, why not do some wine tasting while you are at it? Clairborne & Churchill, Sextant, Piedra Creek are all within a half-mile radius! Drink local + shop local! The following vendors and crafters will be there:

Accent by Design ~ Jim Churchill
All Around Rope Design ~ Rick Klein
All in for Alison ~ Sabrina Garibay
Aloette Skin Care ~ Kristen Jones
Ammo Wear ~ The Bartletts
Andrea's Jams & Jellies ~ Andrea Manderscheid
Arbonne ~ Julie Powell
Author Jenna Elizabeth Johnson ~ Jenna Johnson
Barn Star Soaps ~ Meghan Sheen
Be-Do-Ni Arts ~ Loretta Nez
Bitterwater Road ~ Julie Kuhnle & Jani Kasfeldt
BombShell Betty Shop ~ Jodi Douglass
Boot Purse Barn ~ Chris West
Buckaroo Chunk Wood Grills ~ Tom King
Buckin' Cow & Wanna Buck ~ Cindy Soberano
California Cashew Brittle ~ Amy Hinden
Carissa Country Store ~ Emily Palmer
Catchers of the Sun ~ Cynthia Youngern
Celebrate Every Day Photography ~ Missy Schwartz
Central Coast Cowgirls Drill Team ~ Faith Cortez & Yolanda Goldammer
City Girl Country Charm ~ Lacey Chrissakis
Chicsak ~ Sally Buchanan
Cowgirls Country Outpost ~ Ally Krueger
Creative Clutter ~ Sandra Hopkins
Crimson Heart Studios ~ Cindy Dubbers
Crossed by Gypsy Soule ~ Janel Flook
Cattle Coozies ~ Sara Schultz
Cherry Tape ~ Sherry Logan
Cookie Lee ~ Jennifer & Amy
Coop & Barrel ~ Jennifer Rodriguez
Corbett Canyon Crafts ~ Mallory Furtado
Country Treasure Box ~ Kim Poletti
Coyote Ridge ~ Diana Saulsbury
D & N Designs ~ Nate & Destini Bisio
Elfin & Isla ~ Lara Levy
Flores Family Blankets ~ Ashley Flores
Garden Street Art ~ Jamie Tyler
Gemstone Gypsy ~ Glenna Valenzuela
Glitter Farm ~ Jenny Karp
Guts N Grit ~ Randi Kampen
Gypsy Cowgirl ~ Jennifer Carey
Head Trip ~ Glory Vanhorn
Heart House Creations ~ Russ Harrah
Hernandez Bit & Spur ~ Joe Hernandez
Horse N Beyond ~ Pam Bobson
It Works ~ Melissa Mann
Jewelnanza ~ Kimber Bogue Black
Jewel Kade ~ Melissa McConaghey Thomas
Julietta's Natural ~ Julie Grimes
K. Donlon Designs ~ Kerry & Dave Bowen
KC Crafters ~ Christi Millsap
KL Kustom Kreations ~ Krystie Hinkle
La Bella Olives & Gourmet Foods ~ The Sackmanns
Lia Sophia ~ Leslie Gottesman
Life After Love Boutique ~ Hogla Garcia
Little Outlaw Creations ~ Michelle Alexander
Little's Bowtique ~ Lillianne Delapaz
Love, Chrystal ~ Chrystal McNeil
Lyn & Lee ~ Cassandra Erpenbach
Mason and Lace ~ Lacy Lewis
Mikes Trains & Hobbies ~ Mike Marple
Minabazar ~ Jamil Rana
Nana Bandanas Leatherworks ~ Sally Donaldson
Native Herbs & Honey ~ Violet Cavanaugh
Norwex ~ Vanessa Pronge
Old Finds New Shine ~ Lisa Vincent
Ontiveros Wine Barrel ~ Donna & John
Origami Owl ~ Michelle Alexander
Painted Trails Farm ~ Carol Mallory
Pamela's ~ Pamela Amrine
The Pampered Chef ~ Cathy Solkshinitz
The Crafty Hubby ~ Chris Rogalla
Partylite Gifts, Inc ~ Kasondra Zamora
Photography by Jimmy de ~ Jim deBrauwere
Plexus Worldwide & Heart 4 Health Massage ~ Katrina Pobst
Polly Jane's ~ Polly Fitzgerald
Pozo Fence Post Art ~ Janice McBride
Pure Necessities ~ Taryn Warrrecker
Recycled Denims ~ Heidi Clark
Rita's Rainbows ~ Cassy Goehner & Mary Holliday
Roost ~ Susan Ammirota
Rustic Treasures ~ Sarah Nowlen
S. May Creations ~ Sarah May
Scentsy ~ Corey Triplett
Sea Horse Sea Glass ~ Nancy Hair
Sew Chicks ~ Nicole Saenz
Star West Designs ~ Heather Alspach
Swissjust North America ~ Nicole Miller
Tastefully Simple ~ Rhonda Collins
The Craftsman Way ~ Michael Cheer
31 bags ~ Amy Weber
Trento's Treasures ~ Kim Garrett
Tupperware ~ Wendy Knapp
Tuscan Road Designs ~ Holly Louen
Two Sisters and a Horse ~ Cathy Watson
Unique Boutique ~ Ashley & Becky
Vaqueros & Vino ~ Rindy Andrews
Vintage Bliss ~ Amy Hendricks
Western Sunset Trading Post ~ Susi Griffiths

Hidden Treasure: Bella Pops, by Kim

Summer has officially arrived and it is oh, so, good. So excited to share another hidden treasure around these parts with you...and at the perfect time nonetheless. Summer? Popsicles? Perfect! Take it away Kim!

(image via vintage fine art prints)

The other day when I was in Staples, I forget what I went in to get….not uncommon for me lately. Fortunately I ran into Chris Anderson, and she showed me her really cute flyer she was having made up for her new company Bella Pops. This made me so happy; I didn’t mind forgetting why I was there.

The thought of popsicles reminds me of when I was a little girl. My friend Barbara lived 3 blocks up from me on Sunset Drive, in the summer her brothers sold popsicles out of the garage. It was a long walk, uphill the entire way. But it was well worth it, because in their freezer they had a multitude of flavored popsicles to choose from.

The Bella Pops that Chris makes are more sophisticated then the popsicles of my childhood; her pops are true healthful frozen gourmet treats. Made from fresh fruit, pure cane sugar, natural flavorings & fresh herbs. No artificial anything! Such a great idea! Of course I had to invite myself over to try a few. When it comes to food, I am not shy.

On the menu for our tasting were 3 of the many flavors to choose from.

• Strawberry/Basil: I loved the addition of the cinnamon basil; maybe because it made it seem just a little more of a grown-up treat.
• Meyer Lemon: Perfect balance of sweet & tart, and a touch of lemon zest for added flavor, I could eat about 6 of these…no kidding. I didn’t, but would have if there was nobody around to watch me.
• Chocolate /Orange: Decadent for sure, No cream, but the texture is smooth and the rich dark chocolate flavor was offset perfectly with the orange, it’s flecked with zest of orange too. Far too rich to eat more then 1

I was not able to choose a favorite, but it was between the Meyer Lemon and the Chocolate Orange, both were too good to say one was better then the other. I am also anxiously waiting the fresh watermelon pop that is in the works too!

Popsicles make me smile. Memories of sitting on the curbside in front of Barbara’s house, on a hot summer day, enjoying a popsicle and giggling as we watched the older neighborhood girls come by and flirt with the brothers.

Bella Pops are available at the Pismo Pier Farmers Market Wed 3-6pm

For your special event, wedding or party. Call and make a tasting appointment.

Delivery and non-electric freezer containers are available.

Bella Pops

Handcrafted Frozen Pops

(805) 781-0827

What's in store? (The Weekly NINE)

We're switching things up a little bit. I've picked three of my favorite things in the shop to feature this week and have asked Kim and Jennifer to also pick three things they love. Here at Ruby Rose we are a big fan of differing tastes and styles and we always love seeing what our customers and employees are drawn to. Wishing you a good week! -S.

Stephanie's Picks:

Who doesnt get lost in a globe? Where we've been, where we're going...where is that place in the news? History lessons........

I love this very old, fragile frame, combined with the beautiful drawing. It feels like tradition and history. (bottom left)

This matador and his expression (above right)...love his clothes and stance. There's a lot of story in a little package.

Kim's Picks:

This set of chairs--I like that they look beautiful yet awkward to sit in, but in actuality they are very comfortable.

Sometimes you find yourself liking something...just because someone else loves it so much, it makes you happy too (Stephanie loves this little roadrunner).

How can you not be obsessed with buttons? They are miniature pieces of art work that you can wear on your sleeve.

Jennifer's Picks:

Rugs AND Blankets (and more). How can you deny the beauty of this color and texture? I'm also in love with the muted color textiles as well...

Macramé! You have to see these pieces in person...beautifully knotted texture, amazing beads (and even bells), and pleasing patterns--so much love put into these "handmades". Amazing to touch and ridiculously easy on the eyes.

images by Jennifer Young of I ART U

Archer + Jane

Our Ruby Crew and store manager, Kim, has been working double time lately. Her daughter decided to try her own hand at vintage and incorporate her latest loves, her children, Archer and Jane. Kim has been back and forth between home and her family in Nevada, while scouring children's clothes that make you want to squeal from the sheer cuteness overload. All the hard work has paid off, and Archer + Jane opened last week in Henderson, Nevada!

A hip little spot for handpicked and vintage children's clothing, toys, accessories, and maternity items. We're excited to be the first (if not the only) clothing boutique in Henderson specializing in curated contemporary and classic children's and maternity items. We invite you to stop in and fall in love.

Take a look around, and if you ever find yourself in Vegas, take a short detour over to the shop. Also, be sure and follow them on Instagram: ArcherandJane. We wish you much success!

MEET KURT!

With moving into more days and a bigger space, we needed to bulk up our staff a bit. Lucky for us and as always, the perfect person fell right out of the sky and at the register. Meet the newest addition to our Ruby Crew, Kurt Haacker! Native to San Luis Obispo, we like to think we discovered a hidden gem, both on stage and off. A recent theatre grad from PCPA & current intern, we have seen a few of Kurt's performances and plan to see many more (watch out Broadway!) as he launches into his career. In the meantime, he keeps us and our customers entertained around the shop, working as our one and only salesMAN.

Kurt is the man of the shop. He does whatever Stephanie or Kim tell him to, whether it's grabbing lunch, moving heavy items, or reaching things out-of-reach. When he’s not, find him onstage acting. With his sweetly gregarious personality & matched talent, we know he’s headed for the stars!

He more than proved his keep during the renovation of our space, Kurt stripped, swept and kept us smiling more than we could have asked for. We know you will love him, his acting, and what he brings to Ruby Rose, welcome Kurt!
Stop by the store Wednesdays, Fridays or Sundays to have the pleasure of meeting Kurt.

Collections: Pigs, Clocks & Hankies

This week, Kim shares her collections with us! (Looks like we are not the only ones who love to collect, either! We are drooling over Design Sponge's Great Collections and Ways to Display Them!)

Collections are really a reflection of your personality.

Having said that, I think I must have multiple personalities, as I like to collect lots of different things.

 

I collect Pig Cutting boards, because I love all things pork.

 
Clocks, because they remind me of certain places and times.



My Grandmother collected handkerchiefs, so I am collecting them, too. I am partial to the ones with scalloped edges. 
I also collect silver candlesticks, glass pitchers, antique keys, cookie cutters, silver spoons, vintage etched glassware, crochet tablecloths, embroidered pillowcases, buttons, bird pictures and donkeys.

Oh, and my latest collection is old dice. I found the green celluloid at a flea market and I’ve already added some red celluloid that I purchased at a garage sale.

If you shop at Ruby Rose, you may have gotten to take advantage of one of my many collection purges. In order to keep things under control, I occasionally sort through my stashes and part with some of the bounty. That is part of what makes collecting fun for me, is knowing when it's time to let it go . So when I find something I never knew existed, but love instantly, I know it can go home with me. 

Donkeys and Lemons: By Kim

I’ve been suffering with writers block…well not suffering to the degree of a bad sunburn or sprained ankle...I was told I just need a bit of inspiration. So to make it easier on myself and ease back into my blog posts, I have decided to write about the 2 things I’m passionate about right now. The sweet faces of donkeys and lemons.

I fell in love with a donkey when I visited Tanzania, there is an abundance of donkeys over there, and when this little donkey looked at me with his huge lovely eyes, I felt like he could see straight into my heart & soul. So when I found a small watercolor of a sweet little donkey a few weeks ago, it was like finding a long lost friend, and now it sits humbly on my desk, with those big eyes gazing at me, I am smitten.

(images hedweb and flickr)

Now lemons I have been blessed to have around me my entire life in one form or another. One of my friends in grade school loved lemons so much she would cut it into wedges, and suck on them. I like mine a bit sweeter (lemonade, lemon drop candies, lemon bars, lemon meringue pie, coconut lemon crème cake, lemon sorbet...).

One of my favorite lemon desserts can be found at Le Ciel Crepe Café, and is named The Avila Bay on their menu. The thin crepe is filled with a light airy lemon cream topped with lemon zest, and a nice scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side.

I’m also a hug fan of their Chicken Ranch Salad--fresh spring mix, chicken breast, bacon, tomato, and cheddar cheese served with Heather's homemade ranch dressing, which has a bit of dill in it, Yum!

They also make wonderful homemade soups daily. I have tried them all, except for the African Banana. I am told it is delicious; I am not a fan of the banana...but I did see a lot of bananas in Tanzania too. I have just linked the donkey and lemon together via Tanzania.

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LE Ceil Crepe Café

3211 Broad St. #121
Crossroads Center
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

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I think I’ll give you my recipe for Lavender Lemonade. See below.

(image via Sunday Suppers)

Lavender Lemonade

2 Cups Cane Sugar

2 Cups Water

Zest from 2 lemons

8 Fresh stems of lavender (1Tbs. dried lavender)

2 Cups Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice (8-12 lemons depending on how juicy they are)

2 additional cups Water & Ice

In saucepan heat sugar and water together stirring until sugar dissolves and water comes to a boil. When sugar mixture turns clear remove from heat a

Let syrup cool to room temperature. When syrup is cool, add lemon juice and 2 cups additional cups of water.

Serve over ice; add a sprig of lavender and a slice of lemon.

Enjoy!

-K.