inspiration pt 1

past work from the vegan dish

i love the simplicity of a good bunting.  especially vegan ones :) 

vegfest post wrap up and shop news

vegfest:
we feel really fortunate that we were invited to vegfest 2.0 and got to spread the word about our shop moving.  people, who generally were n00bs or just learning about the veg scene, were excited to learn about us and we were excited to not have to go into the why of the move etc etc.  {booooring!}  we passed out over 200 flyers and people were so gracious and kind to us we know that some of them will take the time to visit our new location.  EVERYONE is stoked on the actual coordinates, as are well.  and everyone is doing a great job at tempering my neurosis about this huge undertaking.  our customers and friends make this worth while {even if i second guess myself daily!}.

i had a camera FAIL and was pretty busy even to take phone pics but here is one of shawn talking up alex from FARM, our caddy-corner booth friend :) visit their site and friend them on facebook.  good organization with good people behind it.

my only annoyance was some booths packed up early, like THREE HOURS EARLY.  now, i will give the out-of-town food vendors a pass, it was very busy.  however, the in-town folks who just either didn't care to plan or were unable to plan for the crowds (especially those who were here at the last one and know how busy it got) would not be getting another invite from me if i were the organizers.  it's just bad festival form all around.  really, no excuses would be good enough, but hey, that's just me!  :)

shop news:
our indiegogo is still up for 11 more days!  it's been slow going but i have a feeling it's going to surpass the goal ;p  pass along the word, let people know they can help us get this new shop up and going.  every little bit helps, especially while we are not open and in complete and total limbo...
 
i wish i could post actual construction pix, but they are doing lead abatement (it's an ooooold building) so it's papered up.  there has been work on the outside with painting and they are redoing the awning.  some flower boxes are up, and also they are doing the signs so they all match which i am totally excited about.  i will most certainly post more pictures as i can.  i have to do the before-n-afters!  i do have a map, though.  

1910 p. st sacramento ca 95811.

 what's new for the shop?  well i am expanding on my vegan friend honor's vintage corner.  it sold so well the last month we were open on k st!  she has lot's of vintage xmas and lots more kids items i cannot wait to see it up i the shop.  

also, we will be consigning more lines:  to start vegan treewool's late summer and fall lines.  i got to see her booth at vegfest and it looks so cute merchandised i cannot wait to get my hands on it.  also, local anaapple infants and toddler line.  onesies, tee's, hats and hoodies for girls and boys with the cutest eco-felt appliques.  saw her at the festival and she said she is working hard on getting us a full line for our opening.  i have the space and people are constantly asking for more vegan kids stuff.  so here you go!  i can't wait until we open!

ps we will be the only place to buy both of these lines.  how cool is that?  i think very :)

so the upshot is i am in limbo, scared, nervous, overwhelmed and anxiety-ridden.  what else is new?  such is the life of a shop owner in today's economy!  and you know what, i wouldn't have it any other way.

this helps, as do my friends and family who support this crazy life.  love you!

a couple of days change everything...

nfb has moved!  well, we are in the middle of a move!  we are signing the lease to our new retail location tomorrow and will have lots of updates on the opening date as they develop!  

in the meantime if you are local please visit us at the 2nd installment of sacramento's first and only vegfest!

last year was highly successful and we are hoping for another amazing event.  we will have a mini-shop there with all your favorites including grateful grahams, soycurls, sheese, teese and dandies marshmallows, mom's vegan kitchen pancake and french toast mixes and much more.  also available will be cookbooks and tee shirts!  come see what's going on, and hope to see you there, sacramento!
 

indiegogo is a GO GO!

this is what i like to call vegan fundraising redux!  the kinder, gentler campaign...where we break down our goals into more realistic bite-sized pieces.  indiegogo is a fundraising platform where small projects of most kinds can be created and even if you don't meet your goal amount you still get to keep the money!  snap.  i wish i would have known about them before the kickstarter but hey, live and learn. 

here's mine! 

so if you have a spare moment, check out this lil' thang here where we basically have the financing for our move etc but would just love a little bit more so we can advertise properly, get our website to a place it needs to be and make sure that our customers near and far know we have moved to a totally upgraded situation that is a WIN-WIN for everyone.  also we want to offer some coffee and bagels/pastry too while we work hard to bring the nacho bar to reality too.  

help us keep midtown vegan!

what's new?

mamafabun's vintage handiwork adorns our walls

vintage aprons, baby clothes, swimsuits and more...

i am happy to have some pretty new lines in the shop!

hemp bags, wallets, dog collars and leashes by stephen doyle

old favorites that are our best sellers

this is our last month on kst.  details on where to find us in an upcoming post! we are doing a website upgrade as well, to reflect our growth...all exciting and scary stuff...please stay tuned!

in the meantime, you should know that we have a new vintage section by mamafabun including clothes for women, children and housewares.  i am talking pyrex and other vintage you need for your kitchen as well as around the house.  we welcome honor with her keen vegan eye and love of vintage.  check in often to see what is new with her stock!

also, we will be carrying treewool vegan knitware in the new location! you won't believe the quality and style packed into these handmade treasures made by kristen, another rocking vegan friend from SF.  i am pretty sure we will be the only place locally you can get this line since it's brand spanking new, and i couldn't be more pleased.

for the vegan shorties in our lives we are also going to be carrying anaaple also a local sacramento veggie.  her shop doesn't have enough vegan themed stuff for my taste lol, so she will be making some designs just for us!  toddler tees and hoodies, infant onesies and bibs will be available at the new shop location!  we know we are the only place to get her stuff locally, especially anywhere near midtown and we are happy to have her.  

photo from anaapple's etsy shop!  cute!!!

 thanks for reading and we hope to see you in the shop soon.

times, they are a changin'...

ok.  so i have all but abandoned this blog until now and that's going to change.  blogs are good.  they make me happy, they are not a chore.  i haven't really had a good excuse for not updating with all the goings on so i won't try to make one up here {other than my computer died and i am lucky to be able to share shawn's for stuff like this.} let's just say that i have been having *technical difficulties*.  that's the nice way of saying i suck.

it's almost july and a lot has transpired at the shop since early spring.  mostly growing pains and learning experiences.  i scrunch my fist and shake it daily at the rut capitalism has put us in, everything takes so much money and there is A LOT to coordinate to keep things running semi-smoothly.  we have come to the conclusion that in order to stay alive in this town we need a ground level location with walk-up traffic and a whole lot of visibility.  we have learned that the people who support us may or may not be the people who try out downstairs, or the people who support downstairs may or may not be the people who support us.  it's a shame, my business plan really relied a bit too heavily on cafe customers, but it turns out perhaps a good chunk of those folks are not interested in a vegan lifestyle so much as they are to try out a vegan restaurant.  

we do have our support system in place though.  and it's a wide net of friends, loyal customers, and just good vegan folks who know that it's all cyclical and support is crucial.

SO.  our lease is up in sept, and we are scouting new locations to get some of that visibility we lack at the moment.  we are starting a kickstarter campaign to help us get a nacheez delux nacho bar and bulk up our grocery section (it's the best sellers--we heart our food, us vegan folk!). details to follow on that and how YOU can help!  it's been a tough spring but we are not quitters and we love what we do! 

this saturday my good friend beth has organized a bake sale fundraiser for us to help us over this hump!  it's being held inside phonoselect, across the street from the shop, saturday june 25th from noon to 4ish.  there are a ton of bakers, and a delicious array of vegan treats to be had.  won't you come and sample some goodies and help out your local little vegan shop?  we take cash and cards!

 

anime for animals

we are throwing together a mellow evening on april 2nd for showing the beautiful anime 'nausicaa: valley of the wind' to benefit japan earthquake rescue and support, a coalition of three animal rescues helping save and give much needed care to the many animal victims of the quake and tsunami!   the movie (starts at 7pm) is awesome and it's a family friendly event.  if you are local in sacramento and are looking for a way to help support our friends in need in japan while enjoying a rad movie--look no further.  it's $5 per family/$2 individual suggested donation.  it doesn't get cheaper than that for good entertainment, folks.

that same day there is a vegan bake sale benefit being held at freestyle clothing company at 11am too!  hit up both for double good vibes and vegan solidarity.  


and for your viewing pleasure, here are some updated shop pix.  because i fucking love my job and shop every single person who supports us.  EVERY SINGLE PERSON.  <3

 

*they say the neon lights are bright*

today, as part of my yelp ad campaign, we filmed for a 90 sec spot on my business page.  i really did not want to be on camera, but they nice guy made me feel so at ease i gave it a whirl.  i hope it turns out good and i don't sound or look like an idiot!  {am not comfortable in front of a video camera}

so we have that going on which i will totally link to everywhere for you to snicker at, or for you to go "WOW WHAT A COOL SHOP".  either way, i hope you get to see it soon.  

the days have been sunnier, breezier, and generally less depressing and it's helping for we have had some challenges on our block with a dickhead neighbor who harasses me and my children any chance he gets.  he is a petty criminal with multiple felonies and apparently is ticked he is going to jail so he has decided to target me for his derision. i filed for a restraining order so we can move without being harangued, and in peace.  it's totally out of control, but i understand now that the universe is helping me understand there is something better out there for us for our home.  we have a line on a great house on the good side of stockton blvd LOL and it's a total upgrade in all ways.  plus it's closer to my favorite thrift store and right by a library.  {#winwin} more on that when there is definite news to report.  it will suffice to say i look forward to better days in our new neighborhood.

oh u-haul...you are always there when we need you.

yay for chili! 

in NFB news, we had a chili cook-off with about 70 people coming by and 11 chili's entered!  it was a tough call but we had a tie and 4 winners of great prizes, and a whole lot of fun judging.  it was such a success, we have decided to move it down to the back patio and make it a mac-n-cheeze cook-off.  one last casserole dish to wind down winter.  then tamales... :)  it was really that much fun.  thanks to all who came out.  {no pictures other than blurry camera phone ones.  camera batteries took a dump and i have vowed not to ever let that happen again, but it gets so busy i may just have to have someone else take pictures of the next event.  i get crazy being all over the place, it's almost too much!}

hope your week turns out to be a fine one, and no crazy neighbors harass you when you get your kids out of the car on the daily like me!  on to bigger and better things, right?  RIGHT.
 

*believe that children are our future*

just a time out to remember why i love doing what i do SO much.  teaching my girls common sense/critical thinking, justice, compassion...it's just one of the perks i am fortunate to get with this business.  it's a good by-product of being vegan {the main benefit goes to the animals life/health and right to live their own lives}:  getting to pass it on to a couple of smart cookies like my girls.

 

have a great weekend! give a kid a high five today and if they are open to it, discuss why we don't eat animals.  you may of not been born vegan but there is a more than a chance a whole lot of people will be soon and that's radical.

*advertising is tricky business*

advertising.  self promotion.  brand recognition.  it's all one in the same, but a graphic designer i am not and it helps when people who do this all day are on the case!  as with it is with submerge magazine's ad folks.  i got special permission to reprint this...aw i am special! {i enjoy seeing never felt better's name in lights, respectively.}

i blew it up a bit so know it's not blurry in the magazine.  SOY CURLS...believe it or not is one of our best sellers.  people love their soy curls.  {present company included, i presume.}

anyway submerge is cool to run ads in, and has gotten me quite a few customers!  they, and by they i mean josselin--she's rad btw, are going to feature a different product for me every ad so for the money they are worth their weight in gold :)  

the next venture is to utilize yelp to my advantage.  more on that to come!

*post book signing wrap-up*

it was a blast!  i am SO happy at the turnout {i am one of those worrywarts who are sure no one is coming even if they pinkie swore they were}!  i was worried that it would be a bust for melisser coming all they way here to sackatomatoes, but indeed she sold out of her stack of books and i had one of the very best tuesdays i have had since the store started back in sept!  viva la sacramento vegan girl!

 i am the one throwing vegan gang signs, if you couldn't gather that already.  {hey i was a bit drunk by the end of the evening, and this is what happens k!}

my thanks and undying appreciation go to miss melisser elliott, and her crew for making this a great event.  now on to the next thing!  {my wheels are turning...you have NO idea!}

*january 4 book signing!*

January 4th, 7-9pm at never felt better {vegan shop}please join me as i host the lovely melisser ellitott to celebrate her new book 'the vegan girl's guide to life'.  you can RSVP on the FB page or contact me for more details!  it's not to be missed, sacramento!  thanks for your support :) 

*raison d'etre*

*words can't express my love for these two little women, so i won't even try.   

*november's bounty*

i hate thanksgiving.  but boy do i love to eat the traditional {death free, natch} meal.  more recently in these adult years i have enjoyed cooking it, too.  even though my not-even-remotely-vegetarian mom led by example, i still had to find my way to veganize all those delicious and memory provoking recipes paving the way for our own family traditional vegan meal.  it's a total win when your kids look forward to your dishes and know what is in store, and also have some fundamental critical thinking skills to appreciate our choices.  is doing what's right really that hard of a choice after all?  

in the car on the ride to school this morning my youngest, lucy who is on the autism spectrum, newly 6 years old and in kindergarten says that when she grows up she is going to go tell all the farmers to care for their animals and not use them.  like the sheep, she says, that must be SO COLD when they are shaved for their wool.  she goes on to talk about winter time and how the animals must not suffer and she actually says "because it's our duty to take care of the animals ALL the time, not to use them for their meat or hair".  me and my oldest daughter just looked at each other in amazement and started cracking up when lucy then goes on to talk about kicking ronald mcdonald in the nuts  :) she probably will, too.

as i bid adieu to another november all i can say is it kicked october in the nuts!  let's see what december has in mind for us...

cherry agar agar fruit jelly with mango, bananas and dandies marshmallows

roasted brussel sprouts, green beans and carrots

vintage chicken centerpiece

it took a while but i ate the whole thing! 

that is the way

 

*anti-black friday for life!*

even though i would love for you to come shop today, it is 'buy nothing day' and i understand that you may want to steer clear of the big box stores on this most busy retail day.  you can always support your local, vegan, indie business...like ours and feel good about your purchase power.  i am not running crazy sales but i do have a sale bin of cute tees and misc. for you to paw through.  i have some great stuff that would make for easy holiday gift-giving to the vegan or veg in your life.  so if you are local stop by and check us out!  

our ad in submerge magazine running through the new year! 

 

*the animals THANK YOU*

the animals thank you this year for not exploiting and murdering them.  be a voice for the voiceless and go vegan.  give the gift of life this winter holiday season: it's easier than ever to live vegan.  this is my holiday wish for you and your loved ones.

happy tofurkey day!  hope yours is spent with people you love and vegan food you relish.

{what's new in pictures.}