Carlsbadistan

We know why The Forum Carlsbad has free horse-drawn carriage rides and it doesn’t bother us at all because we can visit a mall without buying anything and we often do. That said the Always and Forever Carriage Company will be offering free holiday carriage rides every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas at The Forum Carlsbad.

And, yes, the ride is through a crowded shopping mall, but it’s still fun and most importantly it’s free. While you’re there stop in and see the most real Santa Claus we’ve seen. Real beard, real old, real Santa Claus. He’s sitting next to the Christmas tree by Lululemon (11 AM to 4 PM Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas).

Each time we roll in to Mulloys Fine Jewelry at 2978 State Street in the Village of Carlsbadistan, we are surprised. Surprised by the friendly staff, by the depth of high quality merchandise, and by the fact that we don’t do it more often as it is well within walking distance. This month, there is even more of a reason to be surprised as Mulloys celebrates “Honor Our Military” month.

“During these times of uncertainty in the economy, I’ll do whatever it takes to help my fellow Americans serving our country save money and still get the respect, dignity and customer service they deserve,” said the founder of Mulloys Fine Jewelry. “I want to continue to be a part of all of our service members lives and in doing so, I ask if you’ve had a terrific experience at MulloysJewelry.com then please spread the word and take advantage of our Friends and Family referral program specially directed to those Military servicemen and women.”

Obviously, these deals won’t do a whole lot for us, but for those in the Armed Forces it could make a huge difference. Follow the jump for even more special offers. . . Continue reading ‘October Is Military Month At Mulloys’

The girls from Lululemon at The Forum in Carlsbad are getting ready for the Rock N Roll Marathon and they want a little help. Here’s what they said on Twitter:

Think this is hot? Join our cheer squad for the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon on May 31.

Send them a direct message on Twitter for more info.

[Link: Lululemon Carlsbad]

A while ago we mentioned the ridiculous lengths to which Westfield (the Australia-based owners Carlsbadistan’s Plaza Camino Real) would go to stop the construction of a competitor’s mall in Oceanside.

Now, they’ve gone even farther. Westfield is suing the City of Oceanside (22-pages long) claiming that the City Council did not properly review the environmental impacts of developer Thomas Enterprises‘ planned Pavillion mall on Highway 76, according to a story in the North County Times.

[Westfield] says its tenants, patrons and employees could be affected if the Pavilion alters air quality, noise or traffic. . . . The lawsuit claims that Oceanside made numerous errors in its analysis of the project, such as underestimating its possibly harmful effects on traffic, air quality, noise, water quality and air traffic. The city also should have required the developer to build a multimillion-dollar extension of Pala Road, from Foussat Road to Los Arbolitos Boulevard, the lawsuit states.

Isn’t it nice that Westfield is so interested in the environmental health of their shoppers and not at all interested in upgrading their own mall to attract quality retailers?

[Link: North County Times]

The manager of the Victoria Secret store in Carlsbadistan’s Plaza Camino Real doesn’t seem to care about the rules as long as she gets her job done. Police were called when she refused to leave the business at 2:46 AM on December 20, 2008 claiming she had “some paperwork to do.”

According to the Carlsbad police log: A mall worker reported that “she is not allowed to work past midnight without a work order, which she did not have.”

She eventually left. Can someone give this dedicated employee a raise? Or at least a holiday bonus.

Epic Guitars founder Kevin Kinnear believes handmade guitars are as much art as they are instrument; maybe more. That’s why his new store on State Street in the Village feels more like an art gallery than a retail business. The guitars are presented in the three room store like paintings in a gallery. Each guitar is given its own breathing space while couches and comfortable chairs line the walls. None look better in the space than the all Koa R. Taylor Style 2 with Cocobolo binding.

As a result of the carefully thinned back, sides and top, and the light scalloped bracing, it takes very little energy to make the entire guitar body come alive. The sound is signature R. Taylor, offering superb note definition over the entire fingerboard, exquisite sustain, and chords that bloom as a finely balanced palette of expression.

At $6,280 the R. Taylor Style 2 may be the kind of present people buy for themselves, but there is no doubt that the guitarist on any Christmas list would be blown away to find something like this under the tree.

Epic Guitars, 2656 State Street (760) 730-0022

Previous Carlsbadistan Days of Christmas Gifts:
1. Organic Play Dough From Rock’n Sprouts
2. Foaming Bath From Chandler’s Boutique
3. Carrera Safari From Sunglass Lounge
4. The Signature Club from The Wine Spot
5. Cufflinks & Earrings From Mulloys Fine Jewelry
6. Harry Barker Tennis Balls and Teafco Collar From Dog Mania
7. Skidless Yoga Towel From Bodacious Living
8. Black & Decker Cordless Drill From DeNault’s
9. Mud Pie Ceramic Coin Banks From Ella Grace
10: New Village Arts Theatre Four Pass

Judging from the current economic free fall, it’s not a bad time to teach your kids the value of a dollar. Start them off right with a new Mud Pie Coin Bank ($36) from Ella Grace in the Shops at The Village Faire. Available in these cool Airplane and Car designs, the ceramic banks are also offered in a crocodile or the classic pig style. Even the littlest of kids can appreciate a little money under the tree when it comes in such a sweet package.

Ella Grace, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive Suite 105, (760) 720-1414.

Previous Carlsbadistan Days of Christmas Gifts:
1. Organic Play Dough From Rock’n Sprouts
2. Foaming Bath From Chandler’s Boutique
3. Carrera Safari From Sunglass Lounge
4. The Signature Club from The Wine Spot
5. Cufflinks & Earrings From Mulloys Fine Jewelry
6. Harry Barker Tennis Balls and Teafco Collar From Dog Mania
7. Skidless Yoga Towel From Bodacious Living
8. Black & Decker Cordless Drill From DeNault’s

DeNault’s True Value Hardware in the Albertsons Center on Carlsbad Village Drive has never let us down. And we’ve asked for all kinds of crazy stuff: Zip Ties? Machete? Christmas ornament hooks? Lawn scissors? Urethane coated cable? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

In fact, once when we asked for an old-school biscuit cutter (a question that drew blank stares at Sur La Table) we were directed to the isle number and shelf by a kind woman who knows her hardware.

That’s why rather than fighting the Christmas rush at the big-box-cluster stores we suggest a trip to Denault’s where this Black & Decker 12V Cordless Drill With Hand Tools, Accessories and Storage Bag ($59.99) will setup even the most incompetent handy man/woman with pretty much everything needed to fix (or destroy) anything around the house. The kit including the drill, and the following: a 12 oz. hammer, tape measure, stud finder, lineman pliers, tape measure, five screw-bits, and 10 drill bits and more. It all comes in a black nylon storage bag.

This gift will have you saying, “Merry Christmas honey, now get to work.”

DeNault´s TrueValue Hardware, 975 Carlsbad Village Dr. (760) 434-1711

Previous Carlsbadistan Days of Christmas Gifts:
1. Organic Play Dough From Rock’n Sprouts
2. Foaming Bath From Chandler’s Boutique
3. Carrera Safari From Sunglass Lounge
4. The Signature Club from The Wine Spot
5. Cufflinks & Earrings From Mulloys Fine Jewelry
6. Harry Barker Tennis Balls and Teafco Collar From Dog Mania
7. Skidless Yoga Towel From Bodacious Living

Any good Yoga student knows that while having a mat is important, bringing a towel along to mop up your sweat is essential. This Yogitoes Skidless Yoga Towel ($60) from Bodacious Living is the perfect gift for the Yoga affectionado. Available in a wide range of colors, the mat-sized towel has one sided coated with 100% silicone nubs to prevent slippage mid pose. Not to mention, the super-absorbant towel is the best way to put a hygienic layer between you and those non-washable loaner mats that smell like old jock straps.

Bodacious Living Anusara Yoga & Boutique, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 205 (760) 720-YOGA

Previous Carlsbadistan Days of Christmas Gifts:
1. Organic Play Dough From Rock’n Sprouts
2. Foaming Bath From Chandler’s Boutique
3. Carrera Safari From Sunglass Lounge
4. The Signature Club from The Wine Spot
5. Cufflinks & Earrings From Mulloys Fine Jewelry
6. Harry Barker Tennis Balls and Teafco Collar From Dog Mania

One walk down the seawall and it’s easy to tell that the dogs in Carlsbadistan are pretty much treated as equals by their owners. For this reason, we’re suggesting a few things for the dog’s stocking this holiday season. A new super-tech, Teafco Fydo Action Dog Collar ($20) or set of Harry Barker Vintage Tennis Balls ($9.99) from DogMania in the Shops at The Village Faire are a great way to make that canine in your life drool with glee. Plus, if dropping a ton of money on your pet is your thing there are more than a few surefire ways to spend it at DogMania.

Dog Mania, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 107 (7600 729-7177

Previous Carlsbadistan Days of Christmas Gifts:
1. Organic Play Dough From Rock’n Sprouts
2. Foaming Bath From Chandler’s Boutique
3. Carrera Safari From Sunglass Lounge
4. The Signature Club from The Wine Spot
5. Cufflinks & Earrings From Mulloys Fine Jewelry