Love is a Luxury

I was sitting in my Chinese history class recently, and we were discussing the beginning stages of Chinese Communism. Here’s a brief history lesson… Just bare with me.

In early 1950’s China, agriculture was really important. In the early stages, the farmers or peasants were able to subsidize their income with a handicraft: woodwork, specialty cooking, weaving, etc. This was generally a craft that an individual enjoyed and had skill in.

Eventually, China moved to a collective coop system and most of the income subsidizing, including handicraft, was outlawed.

This got me thinking. My friends and others in my generation so frequently talk of “doing what we love” and getting out of the 9 to 5 rat race. The truth is, 9 to 5 ain’t nothin’. Sun up to sunset out of necessity is real burden. Forget the newest iPhone or flat screen TV, that was work to eat and have a roof overhead. So, if you can do what you love and still eat, you’re doin’ good. Being able to do what you love is a luxury.

So, if you are going to pursue your dream, do it with all the drive, skill and dedication that you can muster. Don’t do your handicraft a disservice. Do it with reverence and respect for the people that aren’t afforded the luxury. If it takes 4, 5 or 100 takes, DO IT RIGHT. The freedom to seek a craft that you love is a luxury. Be thankful if you are allowed to pursue your dreams and still eat 3 or even 2 meals a day. This makes the creation of a quality product more important than anything. Everything else is just public masturbation.

by Jehn Grits

Protect what you love to do

One common phrase you may have heard of is, "If you love something, set it free."

Well, I think the opposite makes more sense. If you really love something, setting it free is what you don't want to do. In other words, if you really love it, hold on tight and don't let go! If you love something, you should protect it.

Everyday, we have to make choices that ensure that the things we love to do continue to thrive. When you find a way of life that works for you, make sure you do whatever it takes to maintain it.

In the book, How To Be Creative, Hugh Macleod said it best, "Question how much freedom your path affords you. Be utterly ruthless about it. It's your freedom that will get you to where you want to go."

Texas Brands: Loyal KNG

Loyal KNG blessed me with some new gear. One thing I can always say about them is that they have some dope designs. Everyone is not able to pull off witty illustrations with such ease. They have been making some moves since meeting the crew at this past Kixpo. I know one thing for sure, their grind can light a fire under anybody who needs motivation.

What I love about Loyal KNG, is that all their shirts include custom packaging and goodies such as buttons and stickers!! My personal favorite is the Heathcliff sticker. So, What is their not to love about a brand that manages to satisfy my inner kid? If you would like the same check them out here.

Gritty Dreams

Coming soon will be our next release of our next collaboration both the NY & HOU editions of the Gritty Dreams t-shirt will be released. All the colorways are based on the Houston sport teams such as the Rockets, Oilers, and the Astros. Since I am not sure which one to pick. I figured, Why not let you vote for what you like. You can vote by emailing me your choice at levi@weargrits.com or by leaving a comment on my status via Facebook.

OVEN FRESH DREAMS X GRITS

Here is a sneak peak of a collaboration next release with Oven Fresh Dreams. Carlos and I have been down with each other since day one. As we became good friends naturally we wanted to worked with other but time didn't permit it. So when we each had some free time we got together over some drinks and cupcakes and one thing lead to another then WOO-LAH! The Gritty Dreams projects was here. So stay tuned for more details next week we are going to be "Servin tha Goodstuff!"

Start your morning with some Fresh Kaufee

Before I start, We have a great deal on our site use discount code "Remixgrits" and save 20% off at our online store.

Anyway, after a long night of work, I need a morning pick-me-up. Some Kaufee with my bowl of Grits is a good start for any morning. Our good friends, Joonbug X Remix Label, are running a raffle for some cool gear. Joonbug's artwork is dope and he is all around cool dude. He is definitely on my short list of cool Texas brands on the come up. Check it out Here.

Chef's Surprise: Fortune Teller

Got a burning question you’ve just got to know the answer to; like, Will I marry Lark Vorhees (Saved by the Bell)? Use a Fortune Teller! I loved these back in the day. It was like 5th grade; We would be passing these joints around class, with the line "Don't let Mrs. Robinson catch you with it, or she'll take it up and you'll have to make a whole new one . . ."

The origami fortune teller had many names, from chattabox to scrunchie, chancer, and even cootie catcher. So, naturally, I had to bring the joint back. Available for exclusive (Right Click to Download) Download Here. Feel Free to share! Enjoy!!

Do you remember Alf?

Do you remember Alf? I used to love this show ... and still do. The only way I could describe it is that the show was like "close encounters of the furred kind." It gave us some of the best toys and products of the 80's. Maybe the show's sole existence was to to give fuel for the space program. Giving hope to kids everywhere that aliens do exist.

The story was pretty typical, Alien crash lands into human's garage. Human, named Gordon, falls in love with the lovable ALF (Short for Alien Life Form) that takes him in to protect him from the Alien Task Force (AKA Bad Guys). Shortly after, all the antics start with a middle class family trying to keep him secret from friends, family and nosey neighbors.

Even though, for the most part, the stories were so-so, America once again fell in love with its furry alien friend. How could we pass up ALF? Who wouldn't love the 3 foot tall alien with an elongated snout and moles that could make Aaron Neville jealous?

All hail ALF!!

Press

Huge thanks to Loyal KNG who featured us along with fellow friends Remix Label and 3Kings on their online magazine! Check it out here. Also we have some new product on the horizon, Stay Tuned.

The Resistance

Every week, I get on my laptop to update this blog. Without fail, right before I sit down, I get the urge to do something else instead.

The "resistance" rears its ugly head every time we do work to improve our lives. Every hour, every second, we are presented with an opportunity to change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our lives. This second, we can turn the tables on "Resistance."

See every time I complete a new blog post, I silently congratulate myself for beating today's "resistance." So, when the to do list gets long and things are flying a mile a minute, I am reminded of the commercial below. The baker makes sure the work gets done. He is the professional. The professional loves it so much he dedicates his life to it. He commits full-time. However, the amateur doesn't love the game enough to do the work. If he did, he would not pursue it as a sideline. Be the professional. Show up and make sure the work gets done.

Visual Inspiration

Do you Remember Pogs?

I was going thru some old stuff at my parents' house and discovered a couple of pogs. Do you Remember Pogs? It was the game of choice for us in the Mid 90's. The entire history of pogs, or at least the span of time in which they rocked my world, lasted for about twelve months. And everybody was playing with them. Hell almost every company was making pogs.

Even the caring evangelical Christian bookstores immediately began stocking God-pogs as a tool for winning souls for Christ. (Not at all as a way to make a quick buck.) I’m pretty sure they replaced their Bible section with a pog section, which was okay by me. I remember the seven-pog set that detailed the seven days of God’s creation of the universe.

For those who don't remember the game, it was comprised of milk caps that kids collected, all sorts of designs, some of my friends had hundreds. You would stack them up face-down with yours and other kids, then you'd take turns hitting the stack with "slammers" - thicker, hard disks, same size as pogs. whatever pogs fell face up when you slammed the stack, you got to keep.

Anyway, after the U.S.'s year-long obsession with cardboard disc, every kid gladly disposed of their pogs to make room for the next fad, Furby.

Talkin' Greasy

A sign of things to come....

Time for an adventure

A year ago, I decided to do a lot of things different in my life. I decided that I didn't want to live the 9-5 anymore. (Even though I am still working a 9-5.) There is no more living project to project or job to job only living from adventure to adventure. If you can’t treat life like an adventure, it’s not worth doing. So, what’s your next adventure? I haven’t figured mine out yet, but I do know one thing, be on the lookout for new serving of Grits.

Seven Reasons You Might Fail to Become the Best in the World.

Keep it Movin

Why is it so hard to pursue our dreams, and get started on the creative challenges that mean so much to us? To be honest, I don't know if I've found the answer. What has worked for me, so far, is to keep it moving. Don't stop. Once you start, keep going. You should paint everyday, write everyday, create everyday.  Find whatever you want to do and make it a habit. 

Do you Remember Lite Brite?

Do you Remember Lite Brite? I loved this when I was kid. Maybe, it was the burgoeoning artist in me. But, it was so cool because Lite Brite allowed kids to create magical, glowing images by inserting plastic pegs into a black sheet of paper affixed to a screen. It's infamous jingle, "Lite-Brite, Lite-Brite, turn on the magical shining light" dominated Saturday morning cartoons and will still get stuck in your head, twenty years later.

Texas Brands: Fur Face Boy

I love t-shirts and I love brands that rep Texas. So, I got a package from Ha (Owner/Creative Director) of Fur Face Boy and one thing is obvious, they put great detail into making a shirt; from the packaging to the tags and beyond. The brand is basically a brand for that kid that’s still in all of us. So, be on the lookout. And, if you've never heard of it, get on it now before you end up being the last.

Labor of Love

Happy Labor Day from Grits!! As you can see, we're still cooking! So, while it is a day to take time off from "work," how about we take time to do something we love today? Just a thought.

Texas Independents

One thing that has always kind of bothered me is seeing people, here in Texas, wearing brands that represented L.A. or New York.

I mean, there is nothing wrong with those brands representing where there from, but when it comes to Grits I wanted to proudly show that we're based in Texas. The love I have for Houston/Texas/Southern culture has influenced every part of Grits. And part of our aim is to represent our culture to the fullest through dope designs.

So, for the last couple of months, I've noticed that there are quite a lot of new brands that are on the come-up. For example, Fur Face Boy, Fresh Kaufee, Stackwell, Simply Complicated, Loyal KNG, 3Kings, 3rd ID, Remix Label and many many more.

So, be on the lookout in the near future. I have a strong feeling there is a movement growing.

No Grits No Glory

Oven Fresh: Junkfood Junkie

Here's a sneak peak at our upcoming collaboration with Oven Fresh Dreams. Carlos and I both love food. So, It’s only appropriate for our collab to make references to OD'ing on food.

And, since today is actually his birthday, (Happy Birthday Carlos!!) lets celebrate with some FREE wallpaper. Download Here.