Laina Turner-Molaski

Posts Tagged ‘Chiczofrenic’

We are in the process of putting Stilettos & Scoundrels in audio form and have been doing research on audible vs. iTunes vs. all the other mediums out there when someone mentioned cassette tapes. That maybe we could be totally retro and record the book on cassette. 8 track was even mentioned but I think that’s going a little far. Besides I still have a boom box somewhere and would have no idea how to go about getting a 8 track player.

Why do I have a boom box (sorry but I love the phrase) because I have to have something to play my old Poison, Ratt, Kiss, and Cinderella tapes. Not to mention Cinderfella by Dana Dane which incidentally is over 25 years old. Check it out here – Cinderfella.

What are your thoughts on cassettes?

We started out the morning at La Jolla beach. Beautiful walk on the coast dipping our feet in the water and looking at hot surfer dudes. However, when we went to walk back to our car we both realized we had been so excited to walk on the beach that we forget to remember what street we parked the car on. I even have an iPhone app for that and I forgot to use it. It took longer to walk up and down the streets looking for the car than the time it took to walk to the beach. But…we found it. Finally. That’s all that matters.

Today was our last book signing, outside the SHRM conference, at Buffalo Exchange -  San Diego (5th and University). Another great day (although the Jamba Juice beforehand helped) and again we met some awesome people. I was also excited because I got to wear my Goodwill, made out of curtains skirt.

Our main goal this trip was to get west coast exposure. We knew we would with the organized book signings but we also took stock to use for “street promotions.” To walk around downtown San Diego and pass out books to folks. Just a meet and greet. We started it tonight to get some practice and it was a blast. A few people looked like we were trying to hand them poop in a bag but most folks were excited. It’s sad that people are apprehensive when you try to give them something free. But I do understand that “free” is often not really “free” so I get it.

We ended the night with a great meal of yummy Greek food at Athens marketplace and are starting to feel like real San Diegoans

Friday started off with us actually being able to eat before 9pm at night. We had a great breakfast at a place called Café 222. I had peanut butter and banana stuffed French toast. It was sooooo good!!

We then worked all afternoon until time to go to a boutique called Pure Boutique. This shop is focused on bringing in local designers and artisans. The jewelry was amazing and they had a cute line of Angry Girl logo’d merchandise that was adorable.

Afterward we went to Old Town for some margarita’s and Mexican food. This area has a lot of Mexican culture and the atmosphere was lively.

Each place we go to eat we have been taking a few books and passing them out to other customers. Hoping it will generate some excitement and exposure. This has been one of the best parts of our trip. People have gotten excited and tonight they were lined up for me to sign their books. In each free book we give away we place a card asking them to go to my blog and post their review. Hopefully we can create many new friends this way!

Laina

Thursday’s trip to LA started off wonderful. Even the drive up from San Diego that took 4 hours (to go about 120 miles) was nice and relaxing. Of course it didn’t hurt to be able to enjoy the sunshine.
We got to our first stop, Buffalo Exchange, on Melrose Ave, no we didn’t see Amanda Woodward, Billy Campbell, or Dr. Peter Burns, and had a blast. Buffalo Exchange is a resale shop with anything from jeans and T’s to really cool vintage and designer stuff. The store was packed and we had fun going back to our retail roots and interacting with the customers. I did get a surprise when I got yelled at by someone I guess I didn’t say “hi” too. She I think felt I was discriminating by not saying anything to her although I greeted the lady she walked in with. Some people you just can’t make happy.

As the day was winding down a guy walked in with an obviously fake, and not a great fake at that, moustache and beard. Walking around the store on a mission he eventually came over to us and asked if we wanted to be in a short because he was the “most interesting man in the world” We looked at him like he was a homicidal manic until the girls that worked at Buffalo Exchange said it was ok, this happened all the time. As we followed this guy to where they were filming he told us that Desperate Housewives actress who plays Karen McCluskey (real name Kathy Joosten) was in the short as well. While we didn’t have to say anything, we did a great job of sitting there for 2.5 seconds looking fabulous. Soon we will be on You Tube and surely to be discovered as the next greatest thing since Julie Roberts (ha ha even I’m not that delusional).
While it in some ways has been a bit stressful these last couple days, I have also been overwhelmed with how nice everyone has been.
All in all, another great day!!

Laina

Our adventures in San Diego started off with a long flight and a never-ending stand in the line for the rental car. Amy was lucky enough to see a guy attempt to spit tobacco in a bottle that had a cap on it but it was all good when Johnny, a rental car place employee, told me I looked 26 and upgraded us to a 2011 Mustang Convertible. There was no way after that the day could end bad. So even though by the time we got our car, and drove to our first stop, we only had minutes to spare it was worth it.
It did take us about 15 minutes to figure out how to close the convertible top which is a bit excessive for 2 college grads but we prevailed. After a successful book signing we checked into our hotel and took off for Little Italy where we had a great meal and glass of Pinot Grigio.
Tomorrow off to LA!!!!!

Elizabeth Leffler-Agia, owner of Cecilia Boutique in San Diego, has worked hard to create a stylish collection of name brand designers such as Sanctuary, as well as local clothing and jewelry designers. Originally from the mid-west, Elizabeth started as a stylist for a photographer and went on to be a personal stylist saying “I enjoy the personal connection I have with people.” Gaining inspiration from her grandmother, Cecilia (for whom the boutique is named after) and who was an avid artist, Elizabeth wanted to create an environment for women that was as comfortable as they would be in their own closet and in my opinion she has succeeded.
See some snapshots of the great merchandise below.
Laina

I arrived in California with no job, no car, and no money, but, like millions of other girls, a dream.
Victoria Principal

Everything is just better in California – the wine, the food, fruits and vegetables, the comforts of living. Even the instrumentalists are generous and curious. Everything is wonderful.
Beth Anderson

I for one am looking forward to experiencing it, as is Amy. I have had requests to bring back Robert Pattinson and Pink if I somehow run into them and can convince them to come back with me to humid, rainy Indiana. Might be far-fetched but you never know.

This will be a fun adventure and we will keep you updated with posts, pictures, and video (if we can figure out the camera) during our trip.

Peace-

Laina

In one week we leave for California! Whoo-hoo! LA and San Diego will never be the same after we get there. 5 book signings in 4 days and then a 3-day SHRM Conference where my academic alter-ego will be presenting for Capella University.

Our schedule is as follows:

Wed: 2-4 pm PST Cecilia Boutique
928 Fort Stockton Drive
Suite 115
San Diego, CA 92103
619.692.3802
http://ceciliaboutiquesd.com/

Thurs: 12-4pm PST Buffalo Exchange
131 N La Brea Ave
LA, CA 90036
323-938-8604
http://www.buffaloexchange.com/
$5 off coupon if you buy a book and refreshments will be served.

5-7pm PST EM & Co.
7940 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323)782-8155
http://www.emandco.com/home.html

Fri: 4-8pm PST Pure Boutique
451 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92103-3115
619.294.pure (7873)
http://pureclothingboutique.com/index.htm
15% your in store purchase if you buy a book!

Sat: 4-6pm PST Buffalo Exchange
Hillcrest
3862 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 298-4411
http://www.buffaloexchange.com/
$5 off coupon for the store if you buy a book!

I apologize that I have been slacking on posting but with all the preparation time has just got away from me. The main focus for the Cali book tour is Stilettos & Scoundrels but my new book But It’s My Business will be out next week launching at the SHRM conference which is VERY exciting. Order your copy now at the SHRM conference price of $7.00!!

Store

Stilettos & Scoundrels $5.00 But It’s My Business $7.00

What an interesting week I had this week. I started the week of with losing a material thing and ended the week losing a person – I think, maybe, probably, I’m not 100% sure but it seems like it (although I hope not). Ironically enough losing the person made all the material loss so incredibly unimportant which really made me realize how little material things really mean.
A mentor, Rich Whiteside, once told me that education was important because you could lose everything but no one could ever take your education away and you could use it to start over. That’s true and I repeat that phrase on a weekly basis to people. However, people are necessary as well to enable you to rebuild whether with things or more importantly emotionally and mentally.
I’ve been working on a book this week about women being true to their authentic selves and how we can achieve anything and just need to be strong – you get the drift. But it is so much easier to talk about it than it is to actually do it when you’re in the middle of it. In any case, I do believe that all difficulty can teach us something even if we don’t want to admit it initially. Maybe it’s how we act, or react. Maybe it’s the level of importance we might put on someone’s feelings and our reaction to those feelings. Maybe it’s not giving up when that might be the easier path but not what you want. Nothing good is typically easy and if it’s worth it you can’t roll over you have to fight for it. Pride isn’t going to keep you warm at night or make you laugh.
Even if figuring out what went wrong doesn’t allow you to solve anything you can at last know what NOT to do the next time. Or as Penny says you will “rinse & repeat.”

Have a great holiday weekend!!!!

Laina

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
Aristotle

How many of us can say we really know ourselves? Honestly, and embracing all who we are? It can be hard to embrace your true self. People are messy and we all make mistakes and who the hell wants to admit making mistakes. I know if I ever made any I wouldn’t want to admit it (kidding). I know there is a saying that youth is often wasted on the young and the older I get the more I agree. By the time I really know myself I might be dead. HA!

In all seriousness it is a process to get to know oneself. I think that at many points in my life I have felt I knew myself but I then soon realized I didn’t. I’m sure that is true of most of us. Life is such a process and hard work.

Laina