The amazing Montrose Christmas tree is just steps from our store REVELATION TOPS! Check out this one minute video and feel like you are in a Hallmark movie!
And look at the giant, festive tree!
So proud of my husband Dale who designs and organizes this event each year!
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This is the sight of the first ever KIDS & MOMS FASHION SHOW right in the heart of Montrose!
The vision for the show was born in our MSPA Marketing Committee by my friend and next door neighbor GiGi Garcia who owns the popular kids boutique IT TAKES A VILLAGE. As soon as she shared her idea I was quick to jump on it. I love fashion shows! And here we are today, our dream becoming a reality.
This adorable salon, BUBBLE CUTS, also in our block, did a phenomenal job of styling all the kids hair. Kids love it here! They can watch TV and be entertained while getting their new do. Owner Carlos, (right), even had donuts! O happy day!
We had some time before our stores opened and the show so we hit the Sunday Montrose Harvest Market. Here my sister Carole is wearing her new Revelation TOP with colorful lace and a flutter sleeve.
Check out these gourmet veggies sold right in front of our store! I've never seen cauliflower like that!
There was so much going on in town this day including a strolling mariachi trio, pet parade, and taste of Montrose!
It's fashion show time and the models are getting assembled in the tent.
I am loving being the emcee on a beautiful SoCal day in the town I love, with people I love, talking fashion, enjoying the kids, and making new friends. Thank you Lord!
Let the show begin! I hope video surfaces of this adorable actress, you can see her on the TV show "Transparent", who danced to the music up and down the runway. Everyone loved it! My sister took this pic and was struck by the little boy in the background. She sure got his attention! LOL!
Here is the beautiful and talented owner of VILLAGE BOUTIQUE & BOARDSHOP with her adorable daughter.
These girls are best friends and are often seen in town. I call them M&M. M (left) whose Mom owns IT TAKES A VILLAGE, has already been on magazine covers and in national commercials and M (Right) family owns MONTROSE CANDY CO., also in our block.
Courtney, a local high school principal, is modeling a fave outfit from REVELATION TOPS. The open shoulder tunic is light as a feather and made in the USA. The 4 way stretch capris have an amazing pull on fit and are adorned with crystal bows at the calves. Looks like she has a handful with son Armen! LOL!
The show must go on and there's always something going on behind the scenes. God Bless my husband Dale who is in charge of events & business manager for the Montrose Shopping Park. We had unexpected mic problems and he discovered a loose wire that was the culprit. It caused me to have to move away from the runway, hold the mic a certain way without moving, and all while he held the wire in place, on his knees, the entire show! But we did it!!! This guy deserves a medal!
The icing on the cake was being interviewed and filmed by our wonderful social media team CONCISE FOCUS. Husband and wife owners Valerie and Mitchell are extremely talented! You can see their work on our MSPA Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. I can't wait to see how they captured today's events!
Thanks for reading and special thanks for shopping the many one of a kind boutiques in Montrose!
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Yesterday we were invited by the City of Glendale to meet early in the morning and board a specially chartered tour bus. The plan being to meet with neighboring city officials, tour their shopping districts, and learn what they are doing that we could apply to Montrose.
The tour was led by Jennifer McLain, Principal Economic Development Officer (right) along with Jackie Bartlow, Economic Development Coordinator (left). We were joined by Montrose Shopping Park officials, key Montrose business owners (I'll introduce you to them in these pics), and the Executive Director of the Montrose Chamber.
The tour was well organized and we kept to our full agenda. Serving on the City of Glendale Branding Committee, it always makes me smile when I see the happy swirl logo used on City correspondence.
First stop upon arriving in Claremont: COFFEE!!! Meet Jeannie (left), owner of popular Spanish inspired restaurant CASA CORDOBA...Maureen (middle), owner of the oldest children's bookstore in the nation ONCE UPON A TIME...and Ken, owner of long time music store GRAYSON'S TUNE TOWN.
And thus the walking began. I have always wanted to go to Claremont but somehow, until today, never made it.
What a beautiful and quaint shopping and dining district in the heart of Cali. It's known, among many other things, for it's prominent colleges. Six of them I believe. We all loved this mural and would like to see some of this done in Montrose.
Now onto our first official meeting of the day.
We met with Brian Desatnik (right), Director of Community Development for the City of Claremont and had a very productive and interesting discussion. To my right is hubby Dale who serves as Business Administrator and Events Coordinator for the MSPA (Montrose Shopping Park Assn). Next to him, Steve Pierce our Communication Admin., Harvest Marketplace Manager, and Filming Liaison.
More walking, led by Brian, ensued. What beautiful weather we had!
The walking abruptly stopped the minute we saw PIES!!!
My friend Gigi (right) and I had the same idea! Gigi owns IT TAKES A VILLAGE KIDS and serves as V.P. of the MSPA Board. Note: I LIKE PIE we need you in Montrose!
We all admired the lush plantings throughout the Claremont shopping district.
Thank you Brian for sharing your valuable time with us. I enjoyed your manner and we all learned so much!
This shot was taken from the bus window on the way to Covina and epitomizes the Southern California Inland Empire. Palm trees, bougainvillea, blue skies, mountains, and the American flag.
Being a "foodie" I LOVE trying new places! Lunch was at gastropub BREAD AND YEAST in the heart of the Covina shopping district.
Among other things we enjoyed these Portobello Fries with bacon and shaved Parmesan. YUM!
We dined with Covina Asst. City Manager Angel Carrillo. Once again most informative.
In our after lunch tour we came across this sign. LOL!
Uh oh! As if the pies in Claremont weren't enough! Just had to buy pastries at PAN DULCE! Do you see that empty spot where the jelly rolls are? I've got it in the bag!
Now we are in Monrovia. Call out to KNOT TOO SHABBY: Come to Montrose!!! What a cute store! They sell chalk paint and teach you how to use it!
Glad we are walking off our lunch!
At least until we ran into this giant poster of Thor!
Hahahahahahahahaha! We do have fun!
Beautiful fountain vignette in Monrovia,
We like this colorful photo op too. Wondering if we might want one of Meatball the bear in Montroseland?
We ended the day at 38 DEGREES ALEHOUSE where Monrovia business owner and volunteer extraordinaire Pam Fitzpatrick graciously shared her work on behalf of the Monrovia shopping district. This woman deserves a medal!
Alas the "party bus" awaits to whisk us back to never never land. THANK YOU City of Glendale for a wonderful day on behalf of #montrose2020vision We learned much and enjoyed ourselves doing it. GREAT job Jennifer & Jackie!
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Last night the MSPA (Montrose Shopping Park Association) treated the business owners to a delicious dinner at the one and only CASA CORDOBA. We are blessed to have this very successful and authentic cuisine of Spain just steps from our store Revelation TOPS.
Always faithful and the first to arrive were Steve & Dale posing with owner Jeannie.
We were serenaded throughout the evening by live Spanish guitar.
Love the festive look of blue flowerpots = happy!
We started with delicious appetizers as they do in Spain...
and proceeded onto a variety of Casa's famous paellas.
It was so nice to mingle and be able to sit and talk with our fellow merchants and friends.
Happy times on the patio!
We all enjoyed Andre's enthusiasm as he shared a few words.
We love Montrose!...it's shops...cafes...small town atmosphere...and most of all people. What a blessing it is to be able to do what you love in "Mayberry".
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It's always fun when a major film shoot comes to town. This time I got to see the action up close as our store Revelation TOPS was buried in film equipment.
Right next door at AVIGNONE'S they were preparing to shoot the new CBS TV show BATTLE CREEK. Created by House's David Shore with Vince Gilligan, the show is about two cynical detectives, Josh Duhamel and Dean Winters, who team up to clean up their town. Let's see what's behind the closed curtain.
Here is what you'll see in episode two, "Syrupticious".
Avignone's has been the setting for quite a few famous actors and films... Adam Sandler, Courtney Cox, Donald Sutherland, and Hugh Laurie, just to name a few.
Here is how Montrose Bakery & Cafe, just a few doors up, was transformed.
I was treated to lunch with the crew and cast since it was was set up in front of our store. It was good too!
This is one of the things that makes shopping in the Montrose Shopping Park fun. You just never know who you are going to run into.
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Last night we were privledged to attend a private retirement dinner at Dreamworks Animation honoring Glendale Police Chief Ron DePompa. It was a celebration and thank you for 36 years of service in the city where he grew up as a person and in the ranks of the GPD.
This is Chief DePompa, a man who we respect.
It was nice to see many friends like Detective Matt Zakarian.
Dreamworks Animation is an awesome compound in the heart of Glendale. The dinner was held outdoors in the main courtyard surrounded by fountains and trees enrobed in lights.
I love Hassan Haghani, director of community development in Glendale. Such an extremely talented man.
We enjoyed spending some time with our friends from the Montrose Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce.
This is my photogenic friend Melinda Clarke, Executive Director for the MVC Chamber.
Master of Ceremonies David Ono, ABC Channel 7.
The Glendale Police Color Guard
I greatly admired the centerpiece at our table exquisitely designed by Cheryl Zakarian.
Glendale City Manager Scott Ochoa, Mayor Weaver, and City Council all shared their profound appreciation for the Chief.
As various officials spoke, the character of this man was confirmed as a man of integrity... humble, diligent, on time (always!), dependable, does the right thing even if it's not popular,and a "man of few words". Great praise indeed!
We enjoyed hearing from the Chief himself as he thanked his family, friends, and mentors.
Chief DePompa concluded by suprising his beautiful wife Carol and three daughters with flowers. ( LOVE Carol's shoes!!!)
A Porto's dessert and coffee bar in the midst of Dreamworks on a clear California December evening was such a treat!
The icing on the cake was when I was invited to take an arrangement home. Yippeee!!! Everytime I see this on my dining room table it reminds me of a very special evening and the wonderful people of the City of Glendale.
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