Boats n Hoes

Cavotuesday:

I thought about taking a sailing class after I saw this photo...then I thought about San Diego. (I believe this photo was taken near by). I lived in SD for almost 5 years but I never spent that much time near the ocean. Yes I took a ton of surfing classes, I mean "college one unit electives"…but in the bigger picture of all things San Diego, I was not a beach bum. I guess we all have our phases in life, I won't deny that I never had a "bum" phase but it definitely wasn't spent near the ocean. A friend of mine asked me to go surfing yesterday, I said "sorry dude, but I gotta work, maybe next time" but lately I have been thinking about this thing called LIFE, I have to start living more and working less or at least figure out a better combination of the two. Which reminds me that I will research the sailing classes, sounds like fun, sounds like NEW, and NEW is all good!!!

Eyes on the horizon boys…LOCAL TEE and ADAMS SNAPBACK. Represent!!! Keep it Cavotu boys.

Wes Wee

I need to come up with a contest, gotta get creative here…

So the one thing that I wasn't able to pull the trigger on before I released the latest Cavotu collection was the "LOOKBOOK" concept. All the cool brands have this locked in before they release anything, they hype up the release with pretty pictures of pretty people wearing NEW, new everything…speaking of NEW, there is new snapback color way coming soon, maybe I will hype it up with some pretty photos…maybe.

Some fans have been sharing their recent pics, rad to see folks representing on the daily, I say Cavotu all day everyday but you say?? Wait what is really going on in this photo???

HUGE

Pretty stoked on this one…

I had a HUGE interview yesterday with a popular local magazine. The article is still in the early stages so I will keep it hush hush for now but the issue will be coming out this April so I am grateful and appreciative of the press, I mean press is press, media hype is real son!

Things are going great here at Camp Cavotu, not sure why I keep using this "camp" reference, I never went to camp as a kid and I have really only been officially camping once and once was fucking enough. Regardless I like the way the alliteration rolls off my tongue. Yes, I like words and yes I like colors…

Still got some fresh threads in the webstore, have a looksy baby.

Keep jamming folks…

Ok ok

I rode my skateboard down by the marina the other day, it was a mellow cruise, mostly inspired by the sunshine, Vitamin D is a good thing but in moderation I suppose (skin cancer is real). I have been going through some new/old adjustments aka changes (no one likes changes)…I had a pretty solid weekly routine of being a parent, working, Cavotu, weight lifting, typical baby mama drama etc but I shook it up a bit…I have been struggling to get things back on track. 

I just read one of those silly FB posts titled "50 Things Every Man Should Realize" and for some odd reason I got sucked in. Here are a few I liked the most…

10. A strong work ethic is a good substitute for being smart.
I guess it all depends on who judges your level of smartness, I am not a doctor or a lawyer but I do have a college degree. For years I have been belittled by people in my circle as the "non smart" type yet, sounds like I need a new circle (I know!). For years I have slaved away at jobs that I don't love, working like a dog to make ends meet, saving up cash in order to invest in my brand as I try to not complain about my steady work schedule. I am a worker bee, I always have been. Yes I have a strong work ethic and yes I am fucking SMART. 


12. Don’t let your friends drift away, because they will if you let them.
As we get older this is pretty common thread, paths go different ways, with new jobs, schools, cities, families, the crew that we once had dwindles. Sure I let some good friends go and others for more obvious reasons. I have never been the type to run with the wolf pack but a solid support system is definitely appreciated when shit hits the fan. The lame part of this is that at 33 years young it is not easy to make new friends, not quality ones at least. 

14. If you’re not happy, stop what you’re doing and do something else. Right now.
This one is super powerful, I get it, I get it. I am happy when I am blogging so I will continue rambling on...


19. Don’t be an asshole. Seriously. Just don’t.
I tried being an asshole but it didn't even work. I realized that being assertive and standing up for myself was a much better approach. The reality is that I am still a nice guy who does the right thing but I have a tendency to forgive those who ruined me waaaay to easily.


29. Quality trumps quantity every time.
I have been a HUGE fan of quality in many areas of life, from the tee shirt on my back to the food in my fridge, to even friendships. Quality is key.


35. You can’t change the past. Let it go.
I have been a rearview mirror type of dude since day one. I know that I can't change the past but the letting go part is still a struggle.


45. Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve. A real man can control his emotions.
Now this is definitely a manly one. Full testosterone in #45. The funny thing is that one of the first ever Cavotu zip up hoodies that I had designed, it was actually a sample that never went into production but it had an embroidered heart on the inside left forearm. Love was part of why this brand got off the ground and unfortunately I was raised by a bunch of women, so when it comes to being emotional I am totally fucked in this area, I am not trying to fool anyone here.

New Sleepyface!

The East Coast cats strike again releasing some brand new tracks yesterday on Valentine's Day, folks be showing LOVE. Click here to download and stream the goodness.

Cavotuesday LOVE

cavotuesday

Hey,

So its an new year but I am already back to my old tricks aka habits or what not. I don't have so called bad habits but being a full time dad consumes me. Balance is the real challenge.

We as humans have the power to change our ways, we can choose whatever the hell we want to do, most of us choose to continue doing the same damn thing, status quo or whatever is most comfortable, I don't want to call this laziness because it really is not, its just a way of life. I am not lazy.

I rarely feel as if things are comfortable so therefore I keep going, can't stop don't stop. I charge heavy, which doesn't mean I am loaded off drugs and or booze but at one point in my life the term "charge heavy" was used in that way. My version of charge heavy now is burning the candle at both ends, doing as much as possible until I completely crash. I know it is not a healthy way to operate. I know sleep is important but I really need to feel productive and for some odd reason that is how I roll.

As a small time dude in this fashion game, I have the freedom to create my calendar, run my own schedule and set my own deadlines, I have been thinking a lot about the Spring 2014 release, the collection is not completed yet but like I said it doesn't have to be. Changes are in the works, inspiration keeps me focused.

Full circle feelings are in my head, I don't care for full circle life but life has a way of happening, for the better or for the worst.

It's Cavotuesday, go out and get yours...

Family First

The new Sleepyface album The Aquaholic is now available for download. Click here to experience the magic.

Twenty Fourteen

Happy New Year.

Raise your glasses, let's have a toast to a clean slate and a fresh start. The future is flawless. 

I am not one for resolutions but I am feeling rather optimistic about this coming year. Storms don't last forever and the waves have been treating me well lately so let the good times roll.

Monday

Cavotu: Local independent clothing company

Public: Why you? Why why why?

As a small brand in the apparel business, we face many many obstacles such as limited funds, limited connections, limited staff, limited blah blah. The list of "limited' is damn near endless. One of our biggest challenges is proving to the public why they should take chance on US. Why Cavotu? 

Yes, I agree it is just a silly name (Cav-Oh-What?) that most people pronounce wrong (Not Cavuto!) and have no idea why they represent (stoked on YOU!) other than the fact that they like ME or know me somehow/someway..."well it's Joey's thing so yeah." But unfortunately I am not a celebrity, I am not the coolest adult on the block (shit I almost typed "kid" instead of adult, lies...) or maybe I am (NO). I do not have the right connections to get my product into the right persons hand (or do I?) and BAM instant success. So what's the point right?

The point is that I design/produce high quality products in limited numbers. Every article of clothing that I release has gone through multiple stages of tender loving care. The entire process is far from rushed, down to the very last detail. Anyone can put their name on a tee shirt and sell it for $30, blows my mind that people pay $30 for a $2 AAA shirt with thick plastisol ink but the reality is that they do…not pointing any fingers but you know who you are, it is not about quality, it is about HYPE. The Hype is real son!

If funds are limited then I should just mass produce a crappy product? No way. Cavotu is a reflection of ME. I am honest, true and loyal. I am real, not crappy (maybe a negative nancy) but still a quality character. Keep in mind we offer a high quality product at pretty low price point. I know what it is worth and I am not here to sell myself short. I am not in this business to make money (unfortunately dollar signs are not the end all answer).

I am doing this CAVOTU life because I enjoy it. As an artist/designer I really enjoy seeing people wearing my product. I also like the fact that they have no idea about the back story that goes along with that particular snapback or tee shirt, nor does it matter to them. I am a natural story teller and I can't help but remember every detail, the good and the bad, the journey is important. And to all the doubters, the negative feedback, the people who don't support or believe in any of this, I am the fucking elephant not forgetting a damn thing.

Rolling out these boxes, processing the weekend orders from yesterday, grateful indeed, Christmas is right around the corner. When I say "support your local independent clothing company" I fucking mean it from the most sincere and genuine part of my heart. Thank you. Big hugs and all that good shit.

The Aquaholic

Hey hey hey,

I am stoked (apparently "stoked" is one of those words that only people in California use, hmmm)...ok I am excited to announce that Cavotu Family artist SLEEPYFACE will be releasing their much anticipated album The Aquaholic on Christmas Day. I have been fortunate to hear this record in its entirety and it is freaking rad. Mind blown! New Jersey's finest SF has been down with Cavotu since day one. My brothers…my sisters…much love to the East Coast. I am looking forward to the upcoming tour. Listen and love.

CYBERMONDAY

Starting Monday (12/02/13) at 12am PST everything in our entire ONLINE STORE will be 20% OFF. 

This is a one day only sale. 

Enter discount code: CYBERMONDAY in the shopping cart before you checkout. 

Charge Heavy

Hey hey hey,

Our first week of sales in the NEW ONLINE STORE have been amazing!!!! Thank you to all the friends, family, lurkers, and strangers who picked up some fresh Cavotu tees, hats, socks etc. Much love. Much respect. Much appreciation. Yes, this whole Cavotu idea is "my thing" but it is really cool when people jump on for the ride and truly represent this lifestyle on the daily…its like Cavotu all day everyday.

Let's keep the ball rolling…

Stoked to announce that there will be an official BLACK FRIDAY drop on 11-29-13. A small collection of NEW NEW will be released to finalize our 2013 season. I have never reprinted any previous designs (and I never will) but this drop will include a remastered version of a popular favorite from back in the day. Stay posted. Stay stoked!

The New New

#Cavotuesday

I started using the word "Cavotuesday" in 2006. It served two purposes back then: 

1. Tuesday was the only day I had off from my regular job. I would devote the entire day to working on all things Cavotu whether it was visiting screen printers, setting up wholesale accounts, picking up samples, web design, sketching etc. Sure I could stay up super late every night after work and burn the candle at both ends but that was never very productive. As much as I used to say "I will sleep when I am dead" the reality is that it eventually catches up with you and then you crash.

2. The name is not Cavuto or Cavoto. It is Cavotu (pronounced CAV-OH-TU) and easier if you can remember the clever Cavotuesday combo then you can't go wrong.

So this particular Cavotuesday happens to be a special one since the official ONLINE STORE is now LIVE. I apologize ahead of time incase some bugs occur. I am probably forgetting something, please feel free to yell at me later.

Accomplishing goals is pretty cool however I am still struggling with that "being an asshole" goal, no one said this was going to be easy.

Why

Hey,

I was thinking of doing a video blog but then I thought not today buddy…

So for years and years (est.2005 feels like ages ago) I have been plugging along with my idea, my thing, my boutique brand aka my passion project (great alliteration) but I really haven't had any huge success. The only one I blame is…myself. My list of reasons is a mile long, of course I lack ____ and I can't help but dabble in so many other things (working/parenting) that I don't justify why Cavotu should be more than a backseat passenger. first. Maybe I lack the selfish gene (is that a bad thing?) or maybe it is just fear/afraid of failure. At age 33, I have grown to embrace the life of the apathetic, on paper it sounds wonderful but reality is that it sucks. I care too much, I think too much yet I do too little (I do a lot) but I could always do more, (ugh more) I guess we all could…

This past six months, I decided to bump Cavotu up on my list of priorities. Why? Why now? Well why the fuck not. It has never made sense. Period. I am not going to lie and say that I was destined to be the next fashion guru in the apparel game. I enjoy art. I enjoy fashion. I still have an eye for style. I am tired of my own excuses. The time is now because I say so. The risk/the gamble (I miss gambling) is super gnarly but far better than the feeling of regret. 

As of today, I am still on schedule for a 11/12/13 release date. As I stare at the current mountain of boxes stuffed with "new" off in the distance, I just realized that I have not grabbed my own personal stash yet, as much as I am dying to wear a new fucking tee shirt, I hesitate, I wait patiently…as do you.

Steady the course…storms don't last forever.