(Looking) hot wheels

Going to the mall can be a major pain in the ass. The bane of my existence are the long lines at the dressing room. And when you finally get in there with your big pile of clothes, the terrible lighting highlights every bit of cottage cheese; you stand there in your underwear feeling defeated by a crappy light bulb. It's all very Bridget Jones. 

Kamie Archinal is saving women from wanting to punch dressing-room mirrors with her mobile boutique It's a Luv Thing. She had a brick-and-mortar shop of the same name in Encinitas for seven years, but the challenge of maintaining hours and keeping it stocked with cool merchandise was tough for the single mom. So, she bought a 1971 Volkswagen bus and turned it into a mobile boutique she can take wherever, whenever. 

Archinal take her VW just about anywhere—home parties, brunches and street festivals. It's like your mom's old Tupperware parties, only with adorable clothes. Though she sticks to the North County area, she's willing to drive south, free of charge, for a pop-up shop. That means you can try on clothes in the comfort of your own home.

To keep her little shop on wheels stocked with cute duds, Archinal goes on weekly trips to L.A. to hunt down on-trend, reasonably priced pieces. As a former buyer for Nordstrom, she has a good eye. Among the lines she carries are Wildfox, Gypsy 05 and The Hip Tee.

"I like buying things that feel good and are yummy on your body," Archinal says. "Trendy tops you want to wear every day is my specialty. When I show up, people know they can get something they'll love for $30 to $40." 

It's a Luv Thing will be parked at the grand opening of Free Byrd on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. and at the Leucadia Farmers Market on Sept. 23. Or call up Archinal, invite over some pals, and have her park outside your place.