Blue and Bee

Surprise visit from Oprah at Blue Bee!

2009-12-25T15:30:00.000-08:00

Blue Bee had a surprise visit from Oprah! She came in to buy some Christmas gifts! It seems she is spending this Christmas with family and friends at her Santa Barbara home. She bought a few Splendid and Ella Moss outfits for her niece, a RRL shirt by Ralph Lauren, and
my most favorite Tsovet watch (perhaps for Stedman)!

Oprah is absolutely amazing! She is soooooooooo very sweet. She took photos with each and every person that asked while shopping and walking from Blue Bee to Blue Bee Men. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

2009-09-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

Back to the Future with Nice Collective and Doc Brown
Posted by Marty Bebout, Blue Bee Visionary and Time Traveller

What is this doing here at Blue Bee Men?

Is Nice Collective just about the clothes?

Where are we?

What's going on?

Where'd everybody go?

We're all at Blue Bee Men finding the cool from Nice Collective!

Be Here Now!

By the way, Doc Brown (aka Christopher Lloyd) is a loyal shopper at Blue Bee Men in his hometown of Santa Barbara.

Steve Martin Visits Blue Bee! by John Doucette, Blue Bee Owner

2009-09-04T15:30:00.001-07:00

Steve Martin came into Blue Bee Men today and found some great things from Paul Smith, shoes, shirt and sweater. And another Blue Bee Men favorite designer, John Varvatos.

From Blue Bee Men, Steve strolled up State Street in Santa Barbara and entered our Blue Bee store on the corner. This is where he met Daisy, the owner’s dog! Daisy and Steve bonded instantly. Steve sat in a chair at Blue Bee and Daisy was so comfortable with him, she sat right next to him (following his command, as he politely asked her to sit). Within seconds, Daisy laid right down for a nap by his feet. They were obviously very comfortable with each other.

2009-08-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

Rock Rock Rock Rock Rock & Roll High Shoes...
Posted by Marty Bebout

Excitement ensued. Rock & Roll High Shoes!

Be on the lookout - coming soon to http://www.bluebee.com/!

2009-08-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

CAULFIELD PREPARATORY LAUNCHES AT BLUE BEE MEN IN SANTA BARBARA

______________________________________________________________________

(the creation of the shop area and more information about it)

How did this happen? Who is Caulfield Preparatory? Where are we going? Why Blue Bee Men?

What the...? When can we get some of this line?

Like all great things, the creation of the CP shop area...

was born from passion and inspiration
& fueled by spirit and coffee.

As the economy is not so great right now, we use things we already have and we create things organically.

Jana had a vision and we all were stoked to make something great happen.

We had these mirrors and other interesting things around the Blue Bee stores from different projects over the years and many trips the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena. John and I have learned to be taskmasters - electricians, carpenters, painters, plumbers, cabinetmakers, and more. On a daily basis, we climb ladders, move fixtures, hang things, and more. If you do it yourself, it gets done the way you like it, it's more satisfying and costs a lot less! DIY baby!

Jana does it with baby Fiat hanging from her neck. So rad!

With 5 people passionate people on the job, it came together nicely.

Don't forget - it's all about these fine clothes from Caulfield Preparatory.

It was chill to workwith Jenn and Jana away from the TR showroom.
We have a lot in common. We work hard and love it and we also like coffee.

We took a moment to reflect - just a moment - we're going to sell clothes now.

Here is the finished product. Not bad, huh?

Click here to shop for Caulfield Preparatory at Blue Bee Men!

Many thanks to Vincent Flumiani (CP designer and visionary, very cool), Cristi Silva (Blue Bee sherpa of radness, thatsorad blogger, and photographer) and Blue Bee Men staff - Jocelyn, Mike, and Daniel. You guys ROCK!

2009-08-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

We LOVE Good Food!
Posted by Marty Bebout

At the Blue Bee Back to School Block Party, we had some really good food, including but not limited to:

Empanadas and Mango Bruschetta from Museum Cafe' - check this place out just go throught the Santa Barbara Museum of Art gift shop and you'll find this very special secret spot where they have a super burger and some great vegan choices, as well! This is a favorite of many Blue Bee staffers!

Our new neighbors, Jeannine's Bakery, located on Figueroa right behind Blue Bee served assorted pastries and cookies and coffee at Blue Beetle. Jeannine's is an institution in Santa Barbara and now we've got one right downtown. Rock on!

Okay, who doesn't love Los Arroyos? How lucky is Blue Bee to have these guys as partners? They served chips and guacamole, chimichangas (OMG!) and tacquitos at Blue Bee Jeans. We've been eating at Los Arroyos for 9 years.

THATSORAD!!!

Thanks to our sponsors - Museum Cafe, Jeannine's, Los Arroyos

2009-08-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

Blue Beetle Gets a Facelift
Posted by Marty Bebout

First we formulated a strategy and drew up the plans.

Then gathered the necessary supplies.

...and started disassembling the store.

It seemed like we could not possibly finish...

We painted orange for NSF,

violet for Ksubi,

...black for Rogan, and more.

We tore the place apart.

Check back to discover how it turned out...

2009-08-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Don't Stop Believing...
Posted by Marty Bebout

During our remodel of the Blue Beetle store in Santa Barbara, we created a cool window. We found a hybrid motorcycle (part Harley, part Yamaha, part who knows what?) from the nice folks at
Moto Loco. Thanks for the loan, guys!

Here’s what we have to say to the recession!

We keep on movin’ on and making our stores better and better. The staff and management at Blue Beetle take amazing pride in our store and are making it better than ever! We just had a record day yesterday!

Thanks to Emily, Jonathon, Eric, Jonny, Mike, Jocelyn, Daniel and Mike R. for making our men’s stores so incredible!

We have all new fall merchandise from Fred Perry, Converse John Varvatos, Creative Recreation, Seavees, Diesel, Rogan, Jean Shop, NSF, Splendid Mills, Band of Outsiders, Warriors of Radness, Lead Derby, Chaser LA, AG, 1921, 7 for all Mankind, Joe’s Jeans, Paul Smith, Billionaire Boys Club / Ice Cream, Nice Collective, Caulfield Preparatory, Steven Alan, Simon Miller, James Perse, Baxter, Molton Brown, The Great China Wall, Ralph Lauren Black Label, RRL, John Varvatos, Me & Ro, Ksubi, Malin and Goetz and more!

We just had a great event this weekend - and all of the Blue Bee stores look and feel amazing ! Come check ‘em out, visit our website, http://www.bluebee.com/, show your support, and help us kick the recession’s ass! Don't stop believing...

Hair by Walter at Walter Claudio. Thanks!
Shirt by Band of Outsiders. Jeans by Ksubi. Shoes by Converse. Photos and Inspiration by Cristi.

2009-08-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

s e a V e e s at Blue Beetle
Posted by Marty Bebout

Derek Galkin, one of the visionaries of the Seavees comeback (Steven Tiller is the other), came to visit Blue Beetle. The Seavees Pantone series come in the original Pantone colors from 1963, when Pantone first made their color matching system.

Since he is a Santa Barbara native, it was important to have the shoes properly displayed in his favorite store. We're honored, of course, as Seavees are our favorite shoes. Our customers agree.

John painted this wall in a vintage Pantone color that makes people smile.

Even with all of the amazing colors available, we all decided to start with white shoes like Derek's. Then we will layer in the colors...

2009-08-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

An Ode to Aude
Posted by Marty Bebout

John and I went to a secret spot in Hancock Park in Los Angeles to view several very exclusive brands of luxury tees, woven tops and accessories. Being the hardest working buyers in the business, we search high and low - and travel to random spots - in order to bring special things to Blue Bee customers.

Audrey is tweaking the display of Frank & Eileen, preparing for resort market. Frank & Eileen is currently SOLD OUT at Blue Bee but keep checking - we'll get more soon!

Patrick is 12 and a half and is Audrey's biggest fan. I think Audrey is Patrick's biggest fan. We are huge fans of both!

The holiday/resort/pre-spring color pallet for Aude is ridiculously cool with shades of purples, grays and blues. Aude is one of Blue Bee's biggest new hits, with the luxurious fabrics and awesome silhouettes.

2009-08-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

Good Friends Good Waves Good Times
Posted by Marty Bebout

March 14, 2009

Wow, what a great day - Here I am at Hollister Ranch with Joie Rucker from Rich and Rich & Skinny, Bethany Mayer and Rogan Gregory from Rogan. We stayed at a really cool place and surfed at our own private break! This was definitley one of the best days of my life!

Rogan and Bethany flew out to meet our staff and give a product knowledge seminar on the brand. After the meeting, we met up with Joie at Blue Beetle and ate breakfast at Esau's in Santa Barbara and then drove up the meet John Cameron at his and his brother's intensely cool compound at Hollister Ranch. I'd tell you more about it but I agreed to a verbal non-disclosure agreement. :)

Blue and Bee Meeting with Paige at the Showroom in LAPosted by Marty Bebout

2009-08-08T20:05:00.001-07:00

We met with Paige at her Los Angeles Showroom during LA market. Paige designed the line so it’s interesting to hear her feedback on the styles – also she is the best model to show them off!

John and I have been buddies with Paige since we first checked out her cute derriere four years ago when she launched her line. She has celebrated several of her birthdays at Blue Bee Jeans in Santa Barbara. It is kind of a tradition. Paige Premium Denim is a definite favorite in Santa Barbara and at Blue Bee.

Kaci Wilson, the representative for Paige and former denim buyer at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, is a well-known and well-respected denim expert.

Paige gives girls what they want – a cute butt and a sexy figure.

See the Paige Premium Denim carefully selected by the Blue Bee buyers and Kaci Wilson at bluebee.com!

Blue Bee LOVES Paige!