Lauren Tolford + Almond = Sweet Swimsuits

Our friend and neighbor Lauren Tolford just did a really cool collaboration with the guys and gals at Almond. Lauren is making all these suits herself.  I'm always blown away at the talent in Leucadia, let alone on our block. So stoked for you Lauren! Congratulations.

New Blog in Town - @ Sea by Lauren Tolford

Our very own Lauren Tolford has a new blog. We feature her all the time and it will be great to have a place to see all her latest work. Go check it out. www.createatsea.blogspot.com

"This blog will chronicle a new journey in my life. I am going back to my roots. "Dream. Create. Surf."

Growing up I was told that being an artist wasn't the best choice for a wealthy life, so I decided to use my artistic talent to gain a degree in Fashion from FIDM. Now that I have that expensive little piece of paper, not much has happened. I am tired of trying to gain a corporate job in an industry full of unauthentic people. I am going back to what comes natural: creating. I will be posting my work inspired by love, life, and adventures on land and @SEA."

Calling all Dog Lovers... We Need Help

My friend and TLP regular Loren Tolford needs our help. Please see below...

I am trying to find a foster home or possible adopter for my father's dogs. My father recently became ill, and is in the hospital. He lost his job, and his house, and does not have a lot of money. His dogs are his best friends and all he has left. They are currently in boarding. Unfortunately there is no one available in the family to take his pups. I own 2 rescue Pitbulls, and rent, so I can not have more animals. We love them so much and are willing to help out with their care. Such as:  walks and food.
These DOGS ARE AMAZING and we want them to be adopted together eventually, to someone who knows all about the upkeep and temperament of a Bloodhound.
Info about the dogs:
Beauregard, is a beautiful Bloodhound, and Diva, is a Shepherd mix.  Beau is SO goofy, and always ready for an adventure:)
Diva looks to be mixed with a lab and has short hair. She is such a love bug, and is great off leash, listens very well. Ages around 4 and 5. We REALLY want them to go to a   home together. They are both very intelligent, sweet, amazing, and goofy. They are both good around cats, other dogs, and older kids ( they jump when excited) It is important that there be a secure back yard because Beau's nose makes him want to explore at times:)
They are very social and have been going to the Escondido Dog park almost everyday for the last year. Beauregard loves water and swimming pools also!


These dogs are part of our family and need to continue to be treated as family members in their new home.  Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! THANK YOU!!
Email (laurentolford@yahoo.com) is best but feel free to call Lauren at (760) 212-7873 

Lauren Tolford

My friend Lauren at work.  Check out Surf Du' Jour for more on her.

Erik "The Ninja" Baldwin

Poached this shot from Erik's site. Classic. Kee-ya!

Check out more shots here ...

Photo by Lauren Tolford

Lauren's Tees

Lauren has been at it again. Armed with some scissors, fabric and an army of sewing machines she has been creating some really cool tees for women, guys and kids. Made of scrap fabric these tees are hand made and really cool. If you want one for yourself or your kid's first day at school contact her here for pricing and available sizes.

Sweet New Keel Tee by Lauren

Lauren, dropped off this amazing tee yesterday! She made this out of her garage! They are so cool. It is made out of scrap fabric form her days at fashion school. Cool and recycled.  I've been wearing it for 2 days now. Thank you, Lauren!!!!

A Few From Today

Erik was out this morning doing his thing. 

Here he is again doing a Whirly Bird. That's a no footed, no handed, backflip to no landing. It's even better in person.

Grandview or Hawaiian shore break?

Here are the first shots in from the day. When a swell comes all productivity comes to a halt. Not a job anywhere has a full staff. As soon as Surfline puts up the forecast a flurry of phone calls go into bosses taking sick days. Some reports came in that there were a few hundred people from Beacons to Grandview this morning.  I believe it. There were at least 100 at my spot. Enjoy.

Photos by Lauren Tolford

Lauren At Work

Our neighborhood is pretty unique. It seems that just about everyone is self employed.  We all work out of our home office a.k.a. garage. It's a pretty cool place to live. The fun thing about it is that when the garage is open you get to drop in, hang out and get inspired by what everyone is doing. Erik and Lauren's place is sort of ground zero for inspiration. Erik is usually working on something cool. He is the most uniquely gifted guy I know. He can seriously do anything. Lauren is the quite artist who works late and is mellow as she paints away. Here are a few shots that I took off of Erik's computer that show Lauren in her "Office". It just reminded me of a typical day here. Enjoy.

Lauren Has Been Busy

My neighbor Lauren has been busy again.  I get to see all her work in progress when I stop by the studio.  She always has something going on there that inspires me. The one that caught my eye the other day was the wave painting. I really dug that.  She has also been doing some Jewelry that is really cool. Enjoy.

Photos by Erik Baldwin and Lauren

Erik's New Love a 5'10" Twin Keel by Kipp Denslow

Erik waxed her up all pretty and stuck his stickers on her.

Yep, he made it.

1 of 2

2 of 2

Pulled it.

Kipp dropped off this board last week for Erik to test ride.  It was the 5'10" chocolate, lime green and white twin keel he made and brought to the AB3 Fish Fry.  Erik rides a lot of boards but instantly took to her.  So much so that Kipp will never get this board back. It has earned a spot in his permanent collection.

For a week I kept hearing stories of Erik killing it on this board. Lauren was cool enough to take some shots to show us. 

Kipp waited a week and then called to see how he liked it. He was sort of quiet when he called and was worried that the test went bad because he hadn't heard from Erik. Turns out that Erik was too busy riding this thing. Rumor has it that he brought the board in to his room like a little grom.  With that said I offered some business advise to Kipp.  Raise the price.

Photos by Lauren Tolford and Erik Baldwin

A Picture of a Picture

Erik gave me this photo on a drive of a bunch of images he had. It stood out and I thought it was cool.  This shot came from taking a picture of his computer screen with this image on it. The original image was taken by Erik's girlfriend and local artist Lauren. I had seen the original and had always liked it but this one came out extra cool. Enjoy.

Nice Sequence Of Erik

These shots were sent in by Erik. I thought they were really cool. I love the second shot. I like how the first wave's spray hides Erik as he pumps down the line. The photo's were taken by Lauren, one of the coolest girlfriends I know. Erik is lucky to have a girl who not only surfs but can shoot as well.

Flower Keel by Lauren Tolford

While at our neighborhood New Years party Lauren Tolford handed in this great Flower Keel Fin. Her style is really great.  Thanks Lauren!

Please keep submitting your fins.  If we get enough we are kicking around the idea of holding an art show to show off the works in living color.

Shots From Today

Here are few from today. Thank god there are waves. Everyone I ran into lately was getting a bit cranky.  

The first shot of Erik is classic. This is what happens when you keep him out of the water for two whole days. He is so amped that he explodes.  Erik was actually pulling triple duty today.  He ran down the beach with a longboard, shortboard as well as shooting pictures of his friends. 

The second shot is of Erik expressing his mellower side. Erik is the type of guy who you can trade your board with, and the first wave he is surfing it better then you. 

Third and forth shots are of me playing with the new inside sandbar. It has been getting extremely fun on the inside.  I didn't actually make this but I was so excited to have a shot of me covered up I had to put it up so my mom and dad could see.  If you know local and Souls flip flop rep Grandview Dean you know what he would say as you paddled out.  He would look you dead in the face and say that it was a good wave and if you were a better surfer you would have made that. No kidding, just to the point. A classic Dean-ism. I know Dean. I know.

Last shot is of local Bob Holden walking out. I just really liked the shot.  You have to love Bob. On his first wave he takes off deep and hoots like crazy. Then he realizes we are in the water and yells at the top of his lungs...  "Hi Neighbor!" Always a good time with him in the water. We didn't get a shot but he did get the wave of the day-- a set wave that he took off deep on and road to the sand.  Way to go, Bob.

A special acknowledgment for Lauren, Erik's better half who gets the girlfriend of the year award. She came down to shoot Erik on a high tide only to have to do the cobble hobble for 300 yards. She then shot all of us.  You get points for that Lauren.

Photos 1, 2, 5 by Lauren Tolford

Photos 3,4 by Erik Baldwin