Monday, March 28, 2011

Milo's Makeover Monday

Bonjourno! It's a beautiful California Spring morning and all I have to say is that it's about stinking time. Now that mother nature has gotten with the program I figured it's time I begin my new weekly segment. Every Monday I'm going to introduce you all to something related to look and style in the bike world. This segment is inspired by our fashionably challenged staff at B & L. Just because we live and work in an industry overwhelmed with spandex and Lycra doesn't mean we can't look good doing it. As many of you may know, I'm quite the fashionista. Have you seen my lion cut? They don't call me ferociously fabulous for nothing. For our first installment I'd like to introduce everyone to my new find today!

This morning, Emelia, clumsy and fashion challenged fool that she is, left this thing on the counter that looked like it belonged back in the shop. As it turns out, what appeared to be a bunch of bike tires at first glance is actually a super sweet bag that was MADE out of bike tires. It was so cool that I made her get online that moment and research where this nifty thing came from [ya know, one of these days I'm going to make you do your own research and I take offense at being called fashionably challenged!] Hush Human! This if for your own good!

The bag is made by an incredible company called Totally Tubular Design. The company was started by one of our own UCD Grads, Lauren Junker (formerly Lauren Robertson). According to their website, "Started in 2006 by Lauren Junker, Totally Tubular Design is dedicated to using as much trash as possible to create the coolest products possible. For a girl who hates seeing things go to waste, the perfect project for Lauren was to combine artistic skills with a STRONG desire to help the environment. By enlisting the help of local bike shops Lauren was able to create a line of products that are 100% reused."



All of their products are made from recycled inner and outer bike tubes and lined with car upholstery. From the bike shop to the catwalk, Totally Tubular Design is eco-friendly out the wazoo and is locally recycled and made just over a hill in Santa Cruz, Ca.
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 What's not to love? Now, I just have to figure out how to get my paws on one without the boss lady finding out.[MILO!!!]
Uh, oh! Gotta go right MEOW!
Milo Out!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Kitty Lion trumps Elephant any day

It's tough being King of the Urban Jungle, but someone has to take charge of this pride. My word is usually everyone's command, but lately competition has been rising up in the land of  B & L. A colossal, blue creature is roaming the back rooms of B & L and the staff quakes with fear of the unknown. She sits on bicycles, waiting to be repaired and dares the staff to cross her path.

Upon further investigation, we have deduced that the creature is an elephant of the hephalump family. We have yet to name her, but here she stays. So, I'm writing today to beg your assistance . . . what should we do with this strange creature? She's bike friendly, and I've tamed her over the course of the last few months.
 Now, the question is . . . what do we do with her? Any ideas?

Friday, March 18, 2011

Ladies Night and Sales of Self-Defense


Top of the Mornin’ to Ya!
Ladies Night was a wild success and I received more belly-rubs than any lion, I mean cat, knows what to do with. I just wanted to get on here between nap number seven and eight to say a big thank you to everybody at B & L and Susan Ashdown for all their hard work. Over $500 was raised for the Nor Cal Aids ride and Judith Givens walked away with a brand new Cidi 3 commuter bicycle.  Another big thank you everyone who stopped by for the festivities. I had an absolute blast and loved celebrating Saint Patty’s day with all the lovely ladies and daring gentlemen who joined us yesterday evening.I'm still full and a bit tipsy from the cheese, crackers, chocolate and wine tasting. If you had half as much fun as me we can count this as a job well done. Unfortunately, not everyone was as happy as me when all was ended.

Despite threats, no kilt-clad, wig-wearing, or falsetto speaking men showed up to brave the swell seas of estrogen. My legal council has informed me that due to riotous swarms of disgruntled men, who felt snubbed by the gender specific event, it would be wise to extend our special sales for the rest of the weekend. In the spirit of good will and general merriment, I say YES! 

SALE SALE SALE!!

So, this fabulous feline would like to invite one and all of all shapes, sizes, and plumbing back to B & L and B & L Too for more specials.

Take a break from the rain and come check out our sweet deals. Our sales staff is lonesome and we never want anyone to feel left out!

P.S. Gentlemen, your time will come too I promise.

Friday, March 11, 2011

I am Milo. Hear me ROAR!

It's a stressful job as the official shop cat and marketing director for B & L and B & L Too...  I have to help customer's find the perfect bike, defend the premises from those slobbering creatures humans affectionately call dogs, although, in my opinion, there is nothing affectionate about those weirdos, and I have to help bring in the customer's over at B & L Too with my cuteness. We just received a ton of new spring items that the girls don't know a thing about. [HEY! That's not true at all]  Girls, Please. So, it's no wonder why I need 15 power naps a day. Yet, despite its difficulties this job has its perks every now and then.

I was in need of a bit of respite, and I want to look my absolute best for Ladies Night next week, so I spent most of yesterday at the salon with the lovely ladies at The Craft of Fo' Paws. I told the girls that I would like my Spring Lion cut and boy did they deliver. The service was just divine and I've been busy strutting my stuff all day. Why? Because I'm FABULOUS!

Yes Ladies, that's right. I'm Milo the Kitty Lion and I'm here to melt your hearts with my ferocious cuteness.
Get ready: March 17th from 6-9pm at B & L and B & L Too. Saint Patty's day has nothing on me.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Spring is coming!

Meow! I can't believe it's already March. The sun is out, and that means there are people feasting on sandwiches down the street at Zia's from whom I might receive a sampling of turkey or prosciutto. Oh the happiness of spring! As the weather gets nicer, more and more  people are getting out on their bikes, and nothing could make me happier. Well, I might be a bit happier if Emelia were sharing more of her snacks with me, but she does do most of the typing [gee thanks Milo]. The dexterity of my paws is just not what it used to be, unless treats are involved, then I have the reflexes of a jungle jaguar.

With spring on the way, there are so many wonderful things coming our way. The Davis Bike Club's annual March Madness is already underway. Go check out their website to find out how every mile ridden this month can go towards getting helmets on more kids' heads.

Now, all that is all well and good, but my absolute favorite thing going on in March is
LADIE'S NIGHT on March 17th from 6-9pm. 
  
There are going to be snacks, wine, chocolate, bicycles, bicycle accessories,  clothing fittings and education, local businesses catering to women-specific needs, raffles, door prizes and the list goes on and on and on and on. It's a night all about the ladies.If you bring your bike we'll even give it a quick tune up along with a tube and tire clinic. We're raffling off all kinds of free stuff, including a KHS bicycle! I had to wrestle an incredibly cute Chrome cycle cap from Emelia the other day [still bitter about that]. Quiet you! [sorry *hmph*]. The deal is that all of the raffle proceeds will go to benefit Susan Ashdown, a super rad, local gal and the Nor Cal Aids Ride. [why didn't you say it was going to a good cause? Now, I just feel silly about the whole cap fiasco].

So come hang out with us Thursday, March 17th. I'll be prowling around with my new lion cut by then I hope. Oh, and remember it's St. Patty's day and instead of pinching you if you don't wear green I'll simply demand a treat or belly rub.

Happy Riding!

-Milo

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Fujilicious Pepperoni

Hey Everybody!
Milo here. I'm moving kind of slow today because last night there was a meeting with Ron Lauber, the rep from Fuji, Breezer, SE, and the staff. Now, meetings for me usually only mean that there are more people in a smaller space who can pet me, but someone brilliant, and ridiculously good-looking I'm sure, decided to order Pizza! While everybody was Oooing and Ahhhing at the new bikes and stories I was busy cleaning off plates of pepperoni, barbecue chicken, and pizza crust. At one point Beth caught me licking up her leftover barbecue sauce and I thought my grazing days were over. Luckily, she got caught up telling stories about Joe Breeze's bicycles and Gary Fisher's eccentric wardrobe. I wonder if the girls at B&L Too will make me a jacket out of grandma's old drapes. And I'd really like to talk to this Joe Breeze guy. . . Anyhow, I'm so full today I could really use some belly rubs.
Mi. . . *buuurrp* Excuse me.
Milo Out.