We had the great fortune of visiting Istanbul, Turkey recently.. It was a dream come true and I could write about it for a week and still not express how totally vibrant, ancient, cultured and divine that place is. Instead I just picked a few fav pattern rich shots and will share this link here where there's lots more pictures. I gotta get back to work getting ready for the busy holiday season! Thanks for stopping by! xo Jamila
Riding the rabbit on the way home from Solstice
These guys saved my brothers life. True heroes.
Lovely courtyard Mary statue in front of the 19th Century Catholic church that we did the yoga training in
Well its been a summer to remember. INTENSE is a good word. First it was the epic Summer Solstice experience in June ... which isn't exactly on topic for this blog but lets just say it was the most radically loving magical real experience this year. Then in July my brother Rio had to jump from a burning building so we spent our east coast family vacation visiting him in the ICU for 2 weeks in Asheville. He is in the process of a full recovery, but damn if it wasn't harrowing and heart wrenching. and heart expanding and heart healing.. he is amazing.. my family is so special and so strong. I'm beyond grateful. Then in August we went to this Level 2 Kundalini Yoga training in Northern CA - in what they call "Gold Country" , in a sweet old mining town called Grass Valley. The most adorable , beautiful , peaceful and delicious place... EVER! ( Briar Patch Co-op deli sandwich makers! Holla!) When we were in Asheville we were like dang lets move here, but then in Grass Valley we were like DANG LETS MOVE HERE! And the yoga course was beyond words intense and transformational. I would have to write you a poem or an opera to describe it to you and quite frankly I don't have the time because I am too busy preparing to go island hopping in Greece next week!!! What!? Yeah. Don't hate. Lucky stars - I am counting and thanking each one. And so in between it all I am managing to put out a fabutastic new collection and we are building a NEW 11:11 WEBSITE! YES! Its only been 7 years since I made the last one which is like 70 in computer years. Big changes in 2011, growing , exploring, adventuring, healing and living in COURAGE and FAITH that if I keep following my truth with this business and in life that I'll stay in that sweet flow of abundance... Wishing that for you too. Thanks for shopping 11:11 and for stopping by this lil blog!
View from my yoga mat!
My teachers in the golden chain of energy that stretches beyond time.
ok so I was in New York last month for the NY International Gift Fair
I only planned on staying 3 days
but I due to "Snowpocalypse 2011" I was delayed repeatedly and stayed 5 nights! I complained about this but really it was pretty fun.
I walked from the A-C-E train stop at 34th St. to Javitts every day. On my way there I passed by the K Mart and I got to thinking about how when I first started 11:11 enterprises I would ride my beach cruiser red Schwinn bike to this K Mart from Brooklyn to get laminate and materials to make the wallets and such. When Urban Outfitters became my first big account in 2005, I was doing it this way-- can you believe that?! So I was walking and thinking about how now I am passing by the K Mart as I go to sell my 11:11 enterprises line at the NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR! I mean.. I know its 6 years later and all, and thank GOD I have some success to show for all this time gone by right! But it was just an interesting moment for me of reflection, that I wanted to share with you. Progress happens. Stay true to your dreams. Keep on keepin on. You'll get... somewhere... eventually!
I used to ride my bike in the snow too. But not this much snow.
My last night in town, after I took an amazing class at Golden Bridge NYC, I was so high. I wandered around Chinatown and Little Italy taking pictures and pondering the details of city life and constant change...
I was looking for a grocery store that would still be open. I wanted vegetables! and cheese!
but all I found was more signs and more lights.
It was a good walk home.
So glad to be back home in LA. Its just so nice here all the time, whenever I go anywhere else I realize how soft and spoiled I am ( and I don't care) . The weather here is AWESOME ALL THE TIME. New York on the other hand.... I won't even go into it...
The show was a success however-- something I am so grateful for because it easily could have stormed all weekend like it did 2 years ago when I did the Brooklyn Renegade. I was so traumatized from that experience that I vowed to never do another outdoor show but ... I'm a gambling broad so what can I say. I think you have to have some of the thrill seeking, risk taking kind of guts to be a entrepreneur these days.. now more than ever.
This is the exact corner in Brookyn ( Bedford + N7th) that I started 11:11 enterprises. I think its poetic that now its filled with flowers!!
I used to live on this street, back when the residents were still fighting the proposed construction of the huge building on the left there.
I took my husband to all my old spots-- this is at the end of Grand St - I used to ride my bike here all the time...
this is so CLASSIC . love it
We met so many rad people at the show-- this lady came by with this amazing wolf head she made and let Patrick try it on..
So I know these pictures make the trip seem like a real cake walk in the park.. without complaining too much I'll just say it was one of those trips where you are counting the days till you go home. I am so so so glad to be back in the City of Angels. I am getting totally juiced and creative now for the new 11:11 collection I am working on as well as a handful of really exciting projects and launches. Stay tuned and thanks soo much for reading!!
** MORE NYC PICTURES and commentary HERE**]]>
Texas people are just so darn NICE, and Austin is just plain cool. These facts made for a good Renegade show. On Sunday I got mad ill (as in sick) but my BFF Jenny Little came up from San Antonio to visit me ( and brought her rad friend Joanna too.) so that made me too happy to care that I felt like a train wreck. More and more I am seeing that the experience of life is just a state of mind....
It's challenging to make a pretty booth when you are traveling around to do these shows... especially when you are trying not to pay Fed Ex all your profits. I am so glad this awesome lady Cheryl contacted me from BuildASign.com about making us a custom vinyl banner a few weeks ago. They are an Austin based print company and so she brought me the sign the morning of the show ! ..and thank goodness- it MADE my booth .... 
So many adorable kids and good folks all weekend- but these girls get the cute prize-- they made these head pieces just for the show, and wore them all around. Check out the girl in the middle- her's says "Ovals are ovaly" SO CUTE THESE 3!
Rounding out the fun, was the free photobooth- can you stand it!?! So fun.
Thanks Austin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'Till next time- Here's some fake gang signs and a peace out (in my rented clown car!)
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