JCLA's Barkin' Blog

I just got rear ended.  I didn’t get mad. His hands were shaking. We were all shaking. He said he didn’t expect the slick road…(um hasn’t it been raining for days?!) But at least everyone is ok, including Mr. T.  Anyway, it’s been a hectic, frustrating day and now my back hurts.  Sigh.

So you can imagine how much I cheered up when I stepped in from the rain and laid eyes on this review:

Style expert Jeannie Mai

“I’m obsessed with fashion because it’s the best thing we have to set ourselves apart- personal style. Within seconds, the way you look tells people who you are. JCLA Boutique gives pet lovers a way to not only celebrate their love for animals, but also does it in the most unique, sassy way I’ve ever seen. From the gorgeous, quality lining to the perfect little paw feet, this bag purrs me-wow!”
Jeannie Mai
Host of How Do I Look on the Style Network – Saturdays 8/7c
Correspondent on NBC’s Extra TV – Nightly 7/6c www.IHeartJeannieMai.com

Contact Jeannie Mai on LinkedIn Facebook Yelp Twitter

Yep, I know.  Amazing!  Just another reason that I heart Jeannie Mai.  A fashion expert with amazing energy and a big heart.  I’m proud to share a first name with her. ;P

I’m also proud to announce that we are now in Siany.  It’s only one of the hottest accessory boutiques in LA.  We are in both of their stores: The Calabasas Commons & Westlake Village Plaza.  This boutique makes me wanna shop ’til I drop!

To all of those who said I couldn’t do what I am soooooo doing….Thank you! And to the rest of you…my warmest holday hugs.

Jeanne, Mr. Truffle, Doodle, & Tweety

Say ,”Te Quiero Chihuahua!” to this 8 year old fashionista and her 12 lb. deer chihuahua, Charlie! 

After seeing Mr. Truffle snuggled up in his tote, this aspiring dancer begged her mom to get Charlie an early Christmas gift.

He loves it!  2 year old Charlie has looooong legs and a penchant for grilled chicken breast! (It was my lunch, but I was happy to share with both the ballerina and the dog!)

Have you ever walked in through the “out” door? Eaten dinner for breakfast? Fertilized your roses with banana peels… or used a Bounce dryer sheet to get the static cling out of your hair?  YOU are my people!

I don’t like being told that there is only ONE way to do anything. I thrive on using my imagination, my own judgement, and discovering new things.  When I designed our Rescue Me totes I intended for them to be versatile, multi -use totes.

It’s super fun to carry your small dog in our totes, and they really love it. But I keep hearing the lamentations from people who don’t own small dogs that love to ride in bags (AKA: those people). So many animal lovers mistakenly say, “I LOVE that bag, but my dog is too big to fit in one.”

Come on people. Its a bag. A sweet couture bag that pays homage to the pets we love and gives back to them.  You can use it as a tote bag, a diaper bag, a grocery bag, even a barf bag (the linings ARE washable!)- just don’t send in a picture. ;P

I would not force my cats to ride in my Flirty Feline tote, but I carry all of my stuff in one. (Though I’d LOVE to see someone who has an unusually cooperative cat riding inside of one!) 🙂

Anyway, I hope that you use our totes to express your love and appreciation for fine details and animals. Nothing else is required.  I promise!

If you are one of those people don’t feel bad.  We’ve become conditioned to let clever marketing dictate how we use a product.  There is such a thing as a fish fork, wine glasses, water glasses, driving gloves, hiking boots, tennis shoes….I understand how you could get confused.  I’m just here to tell you that as far as JCLA is concerned there are no rules. Do what you like. Life if what you make it, and so are my totes.

Te Quiero Chihuahua in pink, sin chihuahua. (without a chihuahua inside)

I leave you with this photo of Te Quiero Chihuahua at the happiest place on earth, where the only dogs allowed are Goofy and Pluto.  Pictured: A hot mom of 3 on vacation from her twins.  Inside her Rescue Me tote:

1. 1 leather jacket
2. 1 sweater
3. Her son’s sweatshirt
4. Mints
5. Disinfecting wipes
6. 1 large wallet
7. 1 wristlet
8. 1 smart phone
9. 1 map
10. 2 bottled waters
11. 2 candy apples
12. 3 souvenier gifts
13. &…A partridge in a pear tree! (Ok, I think I’m getting carried away by my holiday spirit.)

Now, if you’re still reading this…and you have not signed up for our once a month newsletter…you should sign up NOW because we’re about to unleash a FAT discount code and with all the money you’ll save…maybe you could buy yourself a small rescue pup to put inside your tote! LOL. Actually I highly recommend it.

And with that, I leave you the way I found you…thoroughly confused.

Enjoy!

Jeanne

Chester Chilling After bath & combing

Happy Tuesday!  It’s a busy JCLA news -day (ha ha I rhymed).

 This photo was just posted on our Facebook Page from one of our favorite customers, whose name also happens to be Jeanne.  Chester is one happy rescue dog in our “I Love New Yorkie” tote!  He’s a decidedly spoiled pooch, owning a tote in almost every color!

Please send in pics of your furry friend or not so furry human…. enjoying the tote.  It makes us SMILE!

And guess what else is making me smile right now? Our second JCLA Rescue Me tote review! This one is from Pupstyle in NY!

More often than not, horse owners are also dog owners. So we are happy to announce our presence in the Calabasas Saddlery! Check us out at 23998 Craftsman Road, Calabasas CA 91302. 

What? You don’t live in Calabasas? What about Norway? Yes we are going to be in Norway soon! We’re already covered in Sweden, and Scotland.  And remember, you can wipe out your holiday shopping in a flash by buying online with us. You get free shipping and the hottest, most unique holiday gift of 2010!

Thanks for stopping by.

With gratitude,

Jeanne, Mr. Truflle, Doodle, & Tweety

Casual Couture for a Cause

I hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday! I have so much to be thankful for.

How many of you went holiday shopping on black Friday and came home with a bunch of gifts for yourself? 🙂  Three weeks ago,I went to the Best Friends LA Super Adoption to find out about donating, and returned home with a three month old chihuahua mix puppy, Mr. Truffle. 

Rescuing my first puppy

His previous owner threw him in the pound for eating chocolate, assuming he would die.  His chocolate and caramel colored coat, paired with his affinity for chocolate..inspired his namesake.

Mr. T. has grown to be more extroverted, confident, and self sufficient.  I, on the other hand, have become more and more dependent on his love. I bring him with me whenever I can.  He sleeps inside his Te Quiero Chihuahua tote during my auditions and doesn’t make a peep.

When he pops his head out of the bag, we can hardly get down the block without attracting a crowd. He greets everyone with kisses, wet willies, and wags.  At Bam Bam’s Holistic Pet Center (while the owner was purchasing some Rescue Me totes) Mr. T. took a leash in his mouth and walked the owner’s “big” chihuahua around the store.

Mr. T sleeps like a person

After a long day of auditions and bag business, Mr. T and I take a walk and end up at Aroma Cafe on Sunset. We enjoy a nice dinner with auntie Maya while rush hour passes us by.  Aroma is one of the few restaurants that has comfy seating, heat lamps, delicious food…and allows dogs!

Mr. T even snuggles inside his tote when we’re at home. It makes me so happy to know that I have created something that makes him feel safe and warm.  Some people say they hate small “yippy” dogs. Mr. T has not barked yet.   I guess I haven’t given him anything to bark about…or maybe he’s too young.  Bi-weekly baths take care of that infamous dog smell. Thanks to Mr. T’s patience, he smells like a raspberry dream.

While I have always loved animals, I grew up surrounded by irresponsible dog owners.  As a litle girl I was chased on a daily basis by several big, black, barking neighborhood dogs. They would ambush me while I was playing in my yard or walking to school. My neighbor’s dog took my kitten, Stanley, in his mouth and beat him against the house ’til he was dead.  Not a pretty scene for a girl in second grade to witness.

It has taken me many years to get over my fear of dogs. I can’t believe how much love and joy I’ve missed out on because of a few bad apples.  The truth is, there are no bad dogs, just negligent owners. 

Mr Truffle chillin' in his new outfit from Grandma

In 3 short weeks Mr. T. has been potty trained, hit the Las Vegas strip, and even booked a modeling job for, “Hot Guys & Baby Animals.” He agreed to donate his mug to their 2012 calendar as it benefits the SPCA.

In case you missed it, we received an amazing review from Doggies & Stuff.  JCLA bags are a hit! We are receiving orders and great feedback from all over the US and all over the world!  Thank you so much for your support. Please enjoy this coupon code at checkout: paws4cause. You’ll receive a nice $63 discount off your purchase.

Smiles,

Jeanne, Mr Truffle, and of course…Doodle, & Tweety (The unimpressed cats)

Doggie Style Rescue Me tote unveiling

I am over the moon as I count 8 days before launch. Seeing smiles on the faces of people who, “love, love, love” the Rescue Me totes, seeing pets snuggling inside the bags, and listening to store owners marvel over the fact that someone (moi!) has finally come up with removable linings…makes my heart sing!

When I was a little girl we’d make a regular pilgrimage to SF Chinatown.  On a mission to get strawberry cake from Ping Yuen Bakery, we’d always cut through the same antique store.  Guarding the entrance was a giant Buddha statue with a huge, well polished belly. My mom advised me to reach up and rub his belly for prosperity. A sweet memory, even though no one used Purell in those days.

Wherever I go, My Rescue Me tote (like Buddha) seems to attract strangers. People ask if they can touch my feet…my purse feet. They rub and caress the golden paws, and smile, and smile, and smile!

Did you know that companies hire people to write their blog and Tweet on their behalf?  They want to give their business a genuine, human touch by hiring a writer to impersonate the CEO. They miss out on all the fun of interacting with their customers and fans.

JCLA stands for: Jeanne Chinn Los Angeles.  My company and I stand for authenticity, heart, and attention to detail.  So you will always be hearing directly from me.  It may not be every day. It may not be brilliant. It may even come to you in the form of fragmented sentences and a dangling participle.  But it will be me, taking the time to connect with you.

I encourage your comments, opinions, and requests.  You, and your pets, are the reason JCLA was founded. Thank you to all of you who have already ordered your totes, ‘Liked” me on Facebook, followed me on Twitter, and taken it upon yourselves to become my evangelists!  It seems I’m now reaping the rewards of all my childhood belly rubbing.

Let’s put our heads and paws together to make a difference.

With gratitude,

Jeanne

President of JCLA, Inc.