Fifi The Flirt

Fifi's really cool mom is one of my favorite people and when she found out that she was pregnant with a girl, she started hinting (and there were a lot of hints) that Little Ruby-ees would be perfect for her little bundle of joy.

Of course Jill's little Fifi would be a Little Ruby-ee...some day, there was no question about it. It was only a matter of time before Fifi would be the right size for her first Ruby's Whim jewelry.

Fifi just celebrated her first birthday, so what kind of friend would I be if I didn't present Fifi with her first Little Flirt bracelets?

Because Fifi is such a character, very much like her mom, the newest Little Flirt bracelet is called "Fifi". It's a charming cultured freshwater pearl bracelet with a single Swarovski crystal and sterling silver artist heart charm, all on stretchy illusion cord (because those little cuties just don't stop growing).

After all, I can't think of an accessory that goes with cake, gift wrap and water toys better than the Little Flirt - Fifi. It's a very versatile design that is both playful and precious.

Fifi is super cool, so she wears three Little Flirts stacked, all at once. She is one sharp dresser and her keen eye for accessories is truly inspiring.

The Little Flirt inspired by Miss Fifi will be available soon. If you must have one or three before they are available at Ruby's Whim, drop us an email via the web site and we'll whip them up for you.

We adore Miss Fifi and were thrilled to celebrate her first birthday Ruby's Whim style.

Flying High on H2

It's official, the staff of Ruby's Whim has been awarded the use of a GM Fuel Cell vehicle until June. Michael has been working diligently at making a contribution to GM's Project Driveway forum and he really enjoys the new people and the impact that he can make in the development of the new technology and infrastructure expansion efforts.

It's been a labor of love for him/us. It seemed like the perfect group for Michael because it fuels his passion for automobiles, technology and environmental awareness. We've been participating in different events with the car and several clients have been treated to test drives.

I've been approached by several people in parking lots who want to know what the car is and if they can buy one. In fact, this afternoon, a man waved me down in a shopping center parking lot in Yorba Linda and exclaimed that the car was pretty amazing. He also said that he saw me driving on the 55 freeway yesterday. Of course, it couldn't possibly have been me. I was working. I think he saw Michael or another Project Driveway participant who lives nearby. It's pretty hard not to notice the fantastic paint and graphics on the EFCV/Equinox vehicles.

Michael and I will be so sad to have to part with the EFCV. It's pretty amazing. Until then, we will be demonstrating the car, scheduling ride & drive events and other fun outings until we have to give it back.

Oh and before I forget, I will be remiss in my feature/performance feedback if I fail to report that so far, the only thing that puzzles me is that my poor little iPod only lasted for 45 minutes in the AUX input. Yoohoo, product development, we have an important feature to address....can't be driving around without tunes! Yes folks, it really is an important feature, right up there with cup holders!

Damsel gives Ruby's Whim the Nod

Great news, Damsel Magazine's Editor has announced that she will feature Ruby's Whim's Bonne Chance necklaces as her Featured Pick for May!

We're really excited about this endorsement and invite you to check out Damsel Magazine's May issue.

Thanks Natasha!

A Fond Farewell

We have reached the end of an era...Hannah Bean will be closing its doors. Nicole and Christina have decided to pursue other opportunities and Ruby's Whim wishes them a bright and prosperous future.

We enjoyed First Fridays and a wonderful boutique to showcase many of our designs. While we will miss our visits to Hannah Bean, Ruby fans can visit us and purchase our designs 24/7 at our online boutique .

Ruby Goes Green....er

At Ruby's Whim, we do our best to recycle and reuse items as much as possible. Recycling and reducing wasteful consumption has been our goal at work and at home over the last few years. A natural extension of these efforts combined with Michael's passion for new technology and cars brought him to the discovery of GM's Project Driveway.

I can't begin to explain all of the details about this project in a brief blog, but there is a lot of information about the program, the technology and the future of alternative fuels and energy sources online. Michael and a small group of friends have become avid participants in Project Driveway and the associated discussion groups.

Recently, I had a chance to accompany Michael and a few of our good buddies to Santa Monica for a day with one of GM's Fuel Cell Vehicles. I must confess that I passed on the first opportunity to go on a Ride and Drive in one of the hydrogen-powered Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles. When the second opportunity availed itself, I decided that I needed to check out the phenomena that had Michael so rapt.

So, I went, I drove and WOWWEE! I was impressed and excited that hydrogen could fuel such an electric experience (yep, the pun was intended and will likely haunt me for years to come). However, the fun didn't stop there. Michael, Mike, Lou, Keoki and I motored around Santa Monica and Venice all afternoon. We drove, we rode, we chatted and shared the car/technology with interested onlookers...which brings me to the one of the most interesting of the interested onlookers... Tree Man (aka, Lionel Powell)! OK, so we accosted him as he was making his way home from Westminster Elementary School with his niece and nephew. We passed him as we were heading down the street and flipped a quick "U"-ey to get a second look...okay, gawk in disbelief and amazement as we howled with laughter, at this 8-foot tall, patchouli emitting tree escorting two small children home from school on a lovely Friday afternoon.

After we flagged down Tree Man and parked the EFCV, we had a chance to visit and snap some pix with our new friends...and GM EFCV promotional materials, of course. Tree Man is a pretty cool guy, out on a limb to be sure, but pretty cool nonetheless. I have often wondered how his niece and nephew explain the tree escort from school to their classmates...I suppose almost everything is possible in Venice!

Overall, it was an illuminating experience driving the EFCV. I can only describe the car as being far more impressive in every aspect, than I could have imagined from all of the conversations about it with Michael. If you ever get the chance to drive an EFCV, I recommend it enthusiastically.

Fast Forward From First Friday to Monday Morning

First Friday and our first trunk show for 2009 were a great success. Although it rained, quite heavily at times, a lot of people were out and stopped by Hannah Bean.

The evening's festivities included a trunk show featuring Jenny Han and Tart fashions. Ruby's Whim jewelry was featured with the fashions and I must say, our Bonne Chance 500 Peso vintage poker chip necklace looked amazing with Jenny Han's Lace Inset Long Sleeve Dress in Winter White . In fact, all of the fashions and Ruby's Whim jewelry really complimented each other. The new spring fashions featured lush fabrics and an array of rich shades of pink, gray, navy, green, purple and yellow. A veritable feast for the eyes.

After the show, we left a few new exclusive Ruby's Whim for Hannah Bean designs. They are also limited edition, so once they are gone, it is likely that they will not be reproduced. If you stop by Hannah Bean, you can check out our new earrings: Dori, Astrid, Justice, Pilar and Chill. There is also a new bracelet, Chance, made of blue Chalcedony, Swarovski crystals and a sterling silver artist charm. (I must confess, there is one more Chance bracelet, and it's mine. I had to have one.)

It's Definitely TGIFF!

Thank Goodness It's First Friday! And what a week it has been...a little Spring, a little Winter and a whole bunch of other exciting stuff tossed in for good measure.

Tomorrow, February 6th, is First Friday and we will be celebrating with a trunk show at Hannah Bean from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. I heard a rumor that cupcakes and champagne will be served to celebrate the occasion.

We will showcase some of our jewelry and unveil a few new jewelry designs that were created exclusively for Hannah Bean by Ruby's Whim. Remember, the exclusive designs will not be available on the Ruby's Whim website, so you will need to stop by Hannah Bean to see the exclusives. If you time it right, you may even be able to catch a glimpse of Ruby herself. She is in Southern California for a brief sojourn, but one never knows if or where she will turn up. She is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, that woman.

In any event, the evening promises to be festive.

P.S. Happy, Happy Birthday Fifi Mama!!!