Ninna Lu

Ninna Lu Milestone: Ten Years In The Making

 

a mother earth trinity wreath

   

Available at Wolf Home Decor

815 Sutter Street Folsom CA

 

   I guess the pandemic has changed my long-time dream of one day owning a brick and mortar shop a bit. Since 2011, the year Ninna Lu began. It started as a personal mission to provide a bold pocket-friendly solution for fashionistas which was to provide designer goods at a unbelievable affordable price. Walking the streets of the Los Angeles Fashion District back then was so fashionably inspiring for me. I loved fashion. Then started offering vintage wares, then handmade fabric goods, the blog also came to fruition. The traveling boutique then started in the year of 2013. Online selling platforms were my friends. Now these days there are so many to choose from, it's insane, everyone is selling clothing. After a unfortunate tragic event that year in 2017 happened, with Trinity, Ninna Lu evolved to an art make and take experience, even making these Trinity dreamcatchers and named it n i n n a l u i n s p i r e d. 

  I can't believe I've reached this milestone of ten years with Ninna Lu. March 2021 to be exact will be Ninna Lu's tenth year in the making. Life makes you tumble at times, other higher priorities needed to be handled, family obligations, a full-time job, but my side hustle was always there. Ninna Lu always served as a creative outlet for me. One day thinking that I would be a stay at home mother, needing a way to make an income while at home. I got it ready within those early years just in case. After Trinity's passing in 2017, I was surprised to find a reason to continue. Now looking forward to the LA Textile 2021 Virtual Show next week, I so look forward to learning about the upcoming trend for the season, remember, fashion tends to think ahead, so this is for 2022. My love for working with textiles continues. I can't wait to create an ombre wreath with a colorful array of tulle and healing stones.

 

A Femme Luxe Collaboration:

Shop this black knitted loungewear set

Femme Luxe Co UK

 

    Ninna Lu gives me so many side projects that I love the work. It keeps evolving to something new or enhancing an existing side hustle. Here is Ninna Lu's Bio Link. Now introducing crystal healing aspects to the creation of every Trinity wreath or dreamcatcher.

 

  Working from home after my full-time teleworking job allows me to be able to enjoy working my ten year side hustle. It allows me to be home with the pups too, which my husband loves. We'd hate to leave them at home for long hours!

 

A Femme Luxe Collaboration:

Shop this oversized graphic couture lip tee and cargo loungewear pants

Femme Luxe Co UK

 

 

A Femme Luxe Collaboration:

Shop this loungewear wine track suit

Femme Luxe Co UK

 

Happy ten years to my side hustle baby!!!

Thank you so much for reading.

~ marissa

Our Quarantine Life

   

   I never thought that when I started my blog in the year of 2011 as an online keepsake of my memories, that in the year of 2020 would be the year we make a quarantine life an also memorable life. But we will make the most of it, the best way we know how, just like everyone else. I am truly ever so grateful for our overall health and are luckily still able to somewhat maintain our everyday life even during the economic impacts of this pandemic.  

 

White Leopard Print 'Femme La Mode' Slogan Print T-Shirt

   The last several days was especially uncertain, as I was waiting while self-isolating to find out the test results, as I had a minor cough that lingered then became too frequent that it became a concern. To make a story short, thankfully, no virus was detected. Once that was known, it was time to make simple things in life extraordinary again. As ordinary as arranging flowers in a vase for instance, to add color and vibrancy to my home, really makes a huge difference in elevating my mood. 

 

 

Black 'La Femme' Slogan Print T-Shirt

 

    I can look forward to a family walk around the neighborhood with the pups as it's a great diversion from quarantine life. I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to be without this moment with my dogs, never take anything for granted. For the 4th of July, I made too much seafood boil, maybe a part of me wished I was cooking for a family gathering of some sort. It was a first attempt and it came out delicious. Aside from the low country boil seasoning, I added my own concoction of seasonings as well. Cooking has really turned into one of my most favorite things to do during our time while at quarantine.

 

 

 

   

 

 

    Even while lounging at home, I still make it a point to feel polished and presentable. It doesn't matter if you're just working from home, cooking, watering the plants, rearranging the home decor or furniture, organizing your closets, you name it, my life is only as good as my mindset. 

 

Rose Short Sleeve Boxy Loungewear Set

 

 

   I even picked up another hobby during this quarantine, and decided to study crystal healing as it goes alongside with my healing stone wreaths. Speaking of healing, with so much need for emotional healing, I wanted to bring a water element into my home and just recently purchased this seashell wooden garland as an added home decor piece. It just so happens while spending time with my pups, I had it around my neck below. 

 

Grey Loungewear Tracksuit

 

 

Thank you so much for reading.

~ marissa

 

 

Stay safe and well everyone.

Gift of Love

Coming back from a family adventure filled weekend has me contemplating about the gift of love. Of course when I speak of these gifts it's obviously far from the materialistic tones and superficial likes. It's very close to home, they're comfortably soft and loves unconditionally. I feel nothing but tremendous love for these furry peeps. Above is a lovely pic of our Maddie. Maddie is our little piebald miniature dachshund who supervises you wherever you are and whatever you do around the house, and guess what her nickname is? Yeah, it's "Supervisor". She can be on the passive side as she lets other dogs around her be alpha. At ten pounds, don't get her wrong, she runs as fast as a rabbit, her bark is her spark. She can be fierce when she needs to.

Pawley, our black and red miniature dachshund is just like a person. Literally. He feels and shows his emotions like he wears his heart on his dog collar. Such the people person, he will lick you to simply say hello. No judgement on his part whatsoever. Be careful though as he does get a little possessive with his toys. A lover of tummy rubs, Pawley affectionately uses his nose to get you to pet him at all times, and will sit on your lap when family and friends visit.

 

These two are my hearts and my gifts of love.

Follow them on Instagram at #madpawlove.

 

 

 

The years of loyalty, utmost respect, and endless love. 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for reading!

~ marissa

 

A Make & Take Experience | Sacramento SPCA Spring Craft Pawty

   

    A special private Make & Take event was held in partnership with the Sacramento SPCA at their Spring Craft Pawty on May 23, 2019 to help animals in need. Eight pet related designs to choose from, exclusively curated by Kristi, Special Events Manager of the Sacramento SPCA, guests were able to also choose from a plain wooden surface or a bright white 11 x 16 wood surface to paint their masterpiece with four to five different chalk paint colors. Supplies to create your art were also provided. The craft pawty consisted of a tour of the Sacramento SPCA facility and kitten play session with snacks and beverages too for the guests.

 

 

 

 

The most popular design that evening was the pitbull art design. 

Pictured above is our furry guest, Oliver, a real pitbull, Kristi's furry baby. Six guests took turns to paint their pitbull wooden masterpiece, frame included, not pictured is Kristi.

 

You have to love the little chihuahua design!

 

 

Lovers of cats were also there that evening!

 

 

Some chose to not frame their art and chose to go rustic with their piece.

 

If you'd like to collaborate or partner for a make & take private event, please kindly send an email to Marissa at [email protected].

Otherwise find us at your nearby local community marketplace below!

 

The River City Marketplace at Fremont Park, Sacramento ~ March 28, May 2, & October 10, 2020

The River City Marketplace at Drake's Barn, West Sacramento ~ December 19, 2020

 

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM 

for the latest info on which art designs we carry.

@makeandtake_byninnalu

 

Thank you so much for reading!

~ marissa

No Bake Peanut Butter Dog Treats with Carrots and Coconut Oil

   The apples of my eye, Pawley and Maddie have been quite finicky with their provided diet as of late. Which I'm coming into terms that I need to change their diet to a raw diet for at least a week to give them a break from their Royal Canin brand dachshund breed dog food which don't get me wrong is great for them as it contains chondontrin and glucosamine for good joint and hip health. While organic chicken and sweet potatoes are in the slow cooker for this evening's doggie dinner, I'm looking through Pinterest dog treat recipes online and stumbled upon a no bake recipe with pumpkin puree as an ingredient. Below is my homemade modified version.

Remember, these are treats and just like candy for children, you must give these on rare occasions to prevent doggy dental problems, as Cynthia Maro explains.

Ingredients:

Baby carrots - One 16 oz. bag is plenty, but you will only need half a bag to make 1 cup of puree' carrots.

3 Cups of oats

1/4 cup of peanut butter

1/4 cup of milk - I personally used sugar free toasted coconut and almond milk (almond milk in moderation for pets are safe, I checked)

2 tbsp. of coconut oil 

 

Preparing the puree' carrots:

Boil baby carrots for about 15-20 minutes. Drain almost all the water, leaving a small amount, pour into a blender, food processor or a mini-chopper. I personally used my Tupperware Power Chef System to dice and almost puree' my baby carrots to a mini dachshund digestable size. Add two tablespoons of coconut oil. I've read the many benefits of coconut oil is for dogs, as it acts as a natural toothpaste for your pets. I'm saving this diagram below for future reference on this blog post.

 

In a medium size bowl, add the puree' carrots and coconut oil mixture along with the peanut butter, milk, and oats. Use a small melon scooper to place these bite treats on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour to make it firm. 

 

 

I wasn't planning on posting this recipe if it wasn't a true hit with Pawley and Maddie. They love it. It's made from raw ingredients and adding the coconut oil will not only bring them good oral health but it's quite economical too!

Thanks so much for reading!

~ marissa