http://fashiongalfireman.blogspot.com/2012/05/local-love.html

Take some time to look it over, turns out Vanessa is a very talented photographer too!

It’s going to be a great night…bring down your
friends and family.

Just in time for Summer we’re bringing back
the Aussie BBQ on the patio too!
Will is busy in the kitchen
prepping all the steaks, chicken, prawns, and sausages, with a couple of fresh
salads and our famous Mac and Cheese for the kids.
$12 for adults, $5 for
kids 10 and under.  While the food lasts!

Live Music by Justin
Dzuban and complimentary Sangria too!

Hope to see you
tonight.
Think Globally, Shop and Eat Locally!

Lori
Ford

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, May 13th!  We’ve got the perfect gifts for mom…

Mugs $14, Jonathan Adler needlepoint “MOM” paperweight $46.

Pretty cotton printed tunics, $42.

The perfect picnic basket for 2…$94 and a blanket to
sit on $35.

To keep her warm on the picnic, cotton tassle scarves
$52.

And just for fun, Katie Diamond rings starting at
$115.

In other news…Next week is First Thursdays!  We’re bringing back
the BBQ, Live Music and Free Sangria for the summer months, hope you can join us
May 3rd from 5-8pm.

Think Globally, Shop and Eat Locally!

Lori
Ford

It’s time for another edition of What’s New In Hermosa… 

I’m always thrilled to see new businesses opening up down here, and today I’ve got some great new
ones to tell you about.

Abigaile

Occupying the former Union Cattle space, this place is serving up some really fantastic food in a
completely revamped atmosphere.

On a recent evening we enjoyed a beautiful sunset, some great small plates, and my favorite “Mary
Zen” cocktail.  Pictured below are the roasted medjool dates and kale salad, and burrata with roasted mushroom duxelle.

I have been dreaming of that burrata dish ever since, I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have a
spot like this to pop into after work. If you need even more reason to get to Abigaile here it is…next Tuesday the 3^rd Abigaile is hosting an Open House.  From 5:30-8:30 you can meet their new chef and brewmaster, and enjoy complimentary tastings of their amazing food and house-made craft beer.  Yes, that’s right, it’s free! 

www.abigailerestaurant.com/

The Plank Space

Located in the 200 Pier building (directly west of us) The Plank Space is a new women’s shop specializing in yoga, pilates and active inspired loungewear.  The space is darling, the girls are sweet and most importantly the product is incredible!  These are some beautiful workout/run around town clothes, watch out Lulu
Lemon…

My 4 favorite pieces pictured here…

www.theplankspace.com

Curious…

OK, technically not new but recently Expanded!

My dear friend Bryce took the leap and secured the space next door to his darling shop to bring you more of what you love about Curious…A really great selection of furniture, gifts, irreverent cards and that super cool Pop Phone!

Check out these vintage lamps!  My favorite part of the new space is his workshop in the back.  You can watch him back there making/refinishing all this great stuff, brilliant.

www.curiousworkshop.com

DermStore

Just opened at 1316 Hermosa Ave this is the flagship location of the DermStore, you know that little website dermstore.com that sells all kinds of the best beauty products out there.  But it’s not just a pretty store with great products, it’s also a hair salon and spa specializing in some really good looking facials.

Just for our Gum Tree fans they’re offering 20% off of treatments booked before 4/30
and a free gift!  Give them the code GT20OFF when you call to book.

We’ve got lots of great new stuff arriving daily at Gum Tree too.

You might want to pop in for one of these fun new bracelets from Tai before you leave on that
Spring Break trip!

Hope you enjoyed our little tour of Hermosa’s newest, see you down here soon.

Think Globally, Shop and Eat Locally!

Lori Ford

We’re just back from a wonderful vacation filled with family, adventure, fun and even some relaxation.  Here’s a little overview of the trip and a handy guide for Sydney in case you’re headed there soon.

After three flights and 24 hours we arrived in Whyalla, South Australia!  This is home base for the fabulous Ford family and we had 5 days of really fun family time.  Here we are trying to have a family portrait done, hopefully the photographer got one shot where we’re all looking at her? 

After Whyalla we hit Sydney.  I have to say that Sydney could be one of my favorite cities I’ve ever been to, I could live here easily.  It’s a beautiful mix of city and beach culture, amazing food and even better shopping.  I returned with a big stack of Australian home magazines, they are so well done. 

We stayed in the Woollahra neighborhood at The Hughenden Boutique Hotel on Queen Street.

This was the perfect home base for us, the neighborhood was amazing.  Tons of shops and cafes in walking distance and very easy access to public busses that took us everywhere we wanted to go.  And their restaurant was fantastic!

While in Sydney I attended a gift show called Life in Style.  I’ve always wanted to carry more Aussie product in the shop and this was an exploration into that.

It was a beautiful show, very well curated.  I wish I could have ordered more, but with the Aussie dollar almost even with the US dollar, and the exhorbinant cost of shipping and customs I was a bit limited.   Never fear though, there will be some amazing pieces in soon!

One of my favorite Aussie artists is Samantha Robinson.  Her ceramics are so beautiful, every piece hand made.  Look for these to arrive at Gum Tree in time for Spring…

The window of her shop in beautiful Double Bay,  and a wall full of her signature teacups…We’ll be carrying these, plus her vases, some incredible votive holders called Illuminators and her famous Watermelon bowls.

http://samantharobinson.com.au/

Do not miss the Double Bay neighborhood for shopping.   They also had a wonderful little Farmer’s Market on Friday mornings with a petting zoo, pony rides and a bounce house.  It was a highlight for Lily for sure.

Back to the Woollahra/Paddington neighborhood…

Shopping and Dining—

Donna Hay is the Aussie version of Martha Stewart and her magazines Delicious and Donna Hay are incredible resources.  Here’s a peak inside her new General Store.

We’ll be carrying a selection of her new cookbooks soon.

Along Queen Street there are some beautiful little shops…

Body by Dainy Sawatsky , I bought my new favorite dress here.

http://www.body.com.au/look-book

Terrace Outdoor Living

Best outdoor furniture, dinnerware, hanging planters, umbrellas.  It was very inspiring.

Seed, This is a darling shop for both women and kids.  Their kids clothes are to die for and I snapped up some adorable shorts for myself.  It’s a small chain so you can find them throughout Sydney.

A couple of our favorite eateries…

Bill’s Woollahra….Bill Grainger is a fab Aussie chef and the food was delicious, open for breakfast and lunch only.

Spicer Street Cafe…. this was Will’s favorite, so simple with perfect coffee.

In fact we had perfect coffee everywhere we went.  It was uncanny, those Aussies really know their coffee and not a Starbucks in sight.

Big Mamma”s… a wonderful Italian restaurant we accidentally wandered into for dinner one night.  Probably the best authentic Italian food I’ve had since living in Florence in 1996.

On Oxford street in Paddington…

A couple of iconic Aussie brands have shops here, this used to be a great shopping neighborhood but is now a little dated.  Having said that, it’s still worth it to check out these spots…

Country Road carries clothing and homewares, I wish I could have brought back the salad bowls and glassware and rugs, simple and clean and cool.

Dinosaur Designs carries resin jewelry and housewares.  They have a shop in New York and I always loved to window shop there too.

Paddington Market…Saturdays from 10-4…you’ll find lots of cute inexpensive clothing and a smattering of real gems.  I bought a pillowcover  made out of a vintage tea towel for baby Will’s room, and a gorgeous leather clutch handmade in Sydney, fingers crossed we’ll have these in the shop soon.   The little food market toward the back is so so good.  Juices and pressed sandwiches, thai food and a cute hipster girl playing the yukelele while you sip your perfect flat white.

Love Supreme…this is a pizza place with some of the yummiest Pizza I’ve ever had, perfect thin crust, great wine and fun atmosphere too.

Westfield Bondi Junction…this is one of the best shopping malls I have ever been in.  It was raining so that was my excuse for being in a shopping mall while on vacation!

If you’re in this mall don’t miss Kikki K.  I love this paper store, i’ve never seen anything quite like it and I wish we had one here in LA.  Check out www.kikki-k.com.  

 Family Fun—

Do not miss the Taronga Zoo!  Take the ferry from Circular Quay and make sure you go early as you could easily stay there all day.

 You catch the aerial tram up to the top of the hill and then work your way back down to the water.  And the views of Sydney Harbor cannot be beat!

Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens…We walked through here in the late afternoon and just at dusk the fruit bats come out in full force.  Lily is still talking about the fruit bats, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

Bondi Beach…fun to hit this iconic spot. 

I’m sure there are more mellow beaches to go to, but when in Rome…  The kids loved it.  The water was warm and the people watching was great!

Now I know this is not the insiders guide to Sydney..but with 2 kiddos and only 5 days it’s a quick guide to work from and we had a blast…

And now onto Fiji…A quick 3.5 hour flight from Sydney we loved Fiji!  Thank you to everyone at Treasure Island for making our vacation absolute perfection.  I don’t think we’ll take a family vacation without a Kids Club again until they’re teenagers!   We had 6 days on this perfect tiny island and could have easily stayed for 6 more.

http://www.treasureisland-fiji.com/

And that’s it for now.  Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Think Globally, Shop and Eat Locally!

Lori

It’s almost Valentine’s Day!

We’ve got lots and lots of great stuff in for anyone on your Valentine’s list…

For the girl who has everything…

We’re proud to say we’re now carrying the FEED line. 

With the purchase of the FEED love bag you’ll be donating 25 school meals through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in countries with high rates of HIV/AIDS, $57.

The FEED Guatemala Pouch will provide 5 school meals, and has the added benefit of being handmade in Guatemala by Nest, a nonprofit organization that empowers female artists around the world, $35.

Gorgeous new cotton tasseled scarves have just arrived, $55.

Back by popular demand, Tokyo Milk!

Travel candles $14, Cosmetic pouches $16 and their amazing scents $32 each.

A little something fun…

Measuring cups $7, Love on Toast $5.75 and Love Listography $16.95.

For the kids, we’ve got adorable valentine’s cards for their class. 

32 cards, plus 2 teacher cards all for $6.50 a box!

For the sports fan in your life…

We love the line Tokens and Icons…

Cuff links made from original stadium seats or game used hockey pucks…Bottle openers made from game used Baseball bats!

We also have beautiful letterpress Valentine’s Cards…my favorite…

As always we have a great selection of beautiful jewelry. 

Make it easy on your sweetie and come make a Wish List!

Hope to see you all soon,

Think Globally, Shop and Eat Locally!

Lori Ford

It’s our favorite event of the year…

This Thursday and Sunday…

Santa Claus is coming to Gum Tree! 

Come on down to get a gorgeous picture of your loved ones with Santa.  

EVERY PENNY RAISED GOES TO THE HERMOSA BEACH EDUCATION FOUNDATION so you can feel good about it too!

This Thursday evening is also First Thursdays and the Hermosa Beach Tree Lighting at the foot of the pier.  Festivities start at 6pm, singing kids, carolers, Ukelele performances, and more.

The Hermosa Beach Young Professionals mixer will be at Sangria and entry is a new, unwrapped toy for the Beach Cities Toy Drive!

Shops will be open till 9pm so you can get some things crossed off your list.

Make a night of it downtown Hermosa!

Hope to see you all there.

Think Globally, Shop and Eat Locally!

Lori Ford

I’ll be working off all that stuffing in the shop on Friday…come join me and kick off your holiday shopping!  Bring me your list and I’ll do my best to help you find the perfect gifts.

18 boxes arrived yesterday, yay!  some highlights…

New bottle openers, a great hostess gift!

Sparkly sequin clutches for all your upcoming holiday parties, $44!

And, gorgeous new cookbooks to help with your holiday entertaining!

This Saturday, November 26th is the 2^nd Annual Small Business Saturday sponsored by American Express.  They’re asking millions of people to Shop Small at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy.  Register your Amex at www.smallbusinesssaturday.com and then shop small and get a $25 credit on your next statement.  When we all shop small, it will be huge!

At Gum Tree we’ll be serving complimentary hot spiced cider all day while you shop.  We have so many wonderful new things in… Great stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, gifts for your best friends, the office gift exchange, your mother in law who has everything, and many more.. 

If you’re still wondering where to get your tree look no further!  Do the super green thing and rent your live tree from www.livingchristmas.com.

They deliver and pick up, brilliant!  Enjoy the scent and look of a beautiful real tree without the guilt.  We have one of their beauties on the front patio at Gum Tree, make sure to stop in and make your wish on it.

Think Globally, Shop and Eat Locally!

Lori Ford

We’re so excited to invite you all down to the

2^nd Annual Downtown Hermosa Beach Holiday Sidewalk Festival!

This Saturday, November 19^th from 12-8pm.

At Gum Tree, we’ll be serving complimentary hot coco for the kids. 

And in the shop and café take 10% off everything all day! 

We’re delighted to announce that our Gum Tree Jute bags are back in a pretty new color.  From now till Christmas Eve spend $100 in the shop and get a sustainable, reusable, chic Gum Tree jute bag.

I hope you can make it down during this holiday season to shop Hermosa.  Some amazing new stores have just popped up…here are my 4 new favorites!

Wicked+

Run by the fabulous Cooley brothers, Wicked+ started as a full-service communications, interactive marketing and design firm with offices at 145 Pier Ave.

When the brothers moved in and realized how many curious people passed by every day, they decided to open up a shop, stocked with their favorite things.  This includes the super cool line of Linus bikes and some of the best bike accessories I have ever seen.  Check out the leather wine bottle carrier on the picture above!

These two have an incredible eye for design, and are now stocking great gifts for the guys in your life.

http://shop.wicked.is/

Deep Pocket Jean Company

Speaking of guy gifts, this new shop directly next door to us at 200 Pier Avenue is amazing.  They not only have their own label of jeans made downtown LA, beautiful well priced shirts and all manner of man gadgets…

But your guy can have a hot towel shave or a haircut in one of their vintage barber chairs, or pick up a cigar and smoke it on their private outdoor patio.

Brilliant!  Look for the owner, David.  He’s the designer of the aforementioned Jeans, and all around very cool guy.  Thanks David for bringing some style to the men of the South Bay!

www.deeppocketjeancompany.com

Tarsan

OK, there must be something in the water down here…another great one for the guys!  Tarsan is a brand new paddle board shop at 936 Hermosa Ave.  I swear everyone I know has been out paddling but me.  I will for sure get to it this summer, and when I do I’ll be renting my gear from Tarsan!  They give lessons too.

www.tarsanstandup.com

Uncorked

Finally, a beautiful little wine shop downtown Hermosa!  They have a great selection and knowledgeable staff, host wine tastings and private parties, and serve cheese and charcuterie plates by a little place called Gum TreeJ

Oh, and if you’re missing the darling girls from Oliovera, which I know you all are, never fear, they have a selection of their products for sale here!

Uncorked is in the great corner spot at 302 Pier Avenue.

www.uncorkedhermosa.com

Hope to see you all down here soon. 

Remember to shop Hermosa for the Holidays…

Think Globally, Shop and Eat Locally!

Lori Ford

We’ve got some beautiful new things in to help you get your place ready for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

The Laguiole carving set is essential for the turkey.

Don’t forget the hostess gift if you’ll be a guest.

These gorgeous herringbone throws would cozy up the living room.

And a pretty soap or candle in the bathroom goes a long way.

Enjoy this beautiful Fall day.

Think Globally, Shop and Eat Locally!