Another Surf Shop in OC

Jack’s Surfboards, founded in 1957, is one of the granddaddies of the surf industry, and it continues to get praise as one of the most high-profile specialty retailers in surf. In 2006, the Huntington Beach, California based retail chain won the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association 2006 Image award for “Best Retailer.” Jack’s recently debuted its sixth store, located at the Oak Creek Village Center at 5581 Alton Parkway in Irvine, Calif.

Not the best time to be opening new retail locations. Hope it makes it!

www.jackssurfboards.com

Erica Dee Goes Online

Erica Dee, a 7-year-old shop that brought contemporary fashion and boutique retail to the Corona Del Mar section of Newport Beach, California, will close in January. Owner Erica Dee Thomas said she was paying more than $20,000 in rent each month for more than 5,000 square feet in the exclusive area. “We have the wealthiest clientele in the world,” Thomas said about Corona Del Mar. “But the 2008 economy has affected them, too.”

Thomas made the decision to close her contemporary store Erica Dee and Erica Dee Kids after her landlord balked at renegotiating her rent. However, once the doors of Erica Dee’s physical stores close, she will open an e-commerce store at www.ericadee.com. She said the move will free her from paying heavy rent and some labor costs. She said she might open another physical store after the economy improves.

Sad to see another great boutique close along PCH in South Orange County. Note the photo on their website (also above) shot along PCH at Crystal Cove State Park between Laguna Beach and CDM.

How To Dress - Cabo

Upcoming trip to Cabo San Lucas and you just don't know what to wear? Visit Intermix's online store and they will make packing easy. The online boutique, which is just as hip as their stores across the country, recommends the best caftan's, bikinis and even hotels for your jaunt to warmer weather. To shop click here.

Cabo and Palmilla Resort details click here.

What We Want Now

Tory Burch Perah Tee
A cute soft cotton jersey tee, perfect with shorts or jeans this spring. Part of the Tory Burch Resort Collection, it comes in Watermelon and White. A perfect top for that bohemian look. To see more details, click here.

Louis Vuitton Beachwear

Need a Winter escape? Let Louis Vuitton inspire you. Always an arbiter of luxury, their beachwear collection is chock full of lavish swimsuits and accessories. The landscapes and color trickery make for a cool campaign. Shot in Rio — oh, Rio — the models lounge around in LV style. Must be nice . . .

To get a look at the collection click here.

Celebs on Vaca

Pop start and stand out artist of 2008, Katy Perry hits the sands of Mexico this holiday. To see more click here.

Straight to DVD...Surfer, Dude

"Love and waves, that's what we need in these dark days."

Would you believe that actor Matthew McConaughey stared in a movie that went straight to DVD? McConaughey's new movie, Surfer, Dude, is bypassing movie theaters and being released direct to DVD tomorrow and is available for $20.99 on Amazon.

How is it possible that McConaughey just starred in a movie about a pot-smoking wave rider and no one knew about it? Two weeks ago, Dude showed in an Austin theater to a dismal $6,000 before expanding to 69 screens, including a bunch of seaside locales. Its total gross at press time: $36,497.

What happened? Seems Dude was little more than a $6 million passion project for the actor, and even the promise of his shirtless surfing couldn't entice studios to release it -- especially since we all see the same thing on Internet blogs every day. So he turned to Anchor Bay, a direct-to-DVD company that gave it a limited theatrical run with no TV ads to support it. That was probably a good idea: Dude's Metacritic score is a depressing 16 out of 100, which proves that no amount of pecs appeal could have saved this wipeout.

Buy it now on Amazon.com. Woody Harrelson also stars in the film.