Santa Ynez Valley Guest Currrent Issue Articles

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Wooden Spoon

By Story and Photos by Elaine Revelle
thewoodenspoon@Juno.com

Cherise Osha is the energetic owner behind the counter at Forever Posh in Santa Ynez. Born in Seattle, Cherise came to California via Long Island, New York and ultimately settled in the Santa Ynez Valley. “We (dad Lavere Lund, mom Connie and sister Pam) had moved to the San Fernando Valley by the time I was in junior high school,” she said. Talking about college, she said that she had wanted to major in business, but after finding the courses filled, settled into psychology. “Everyone should take that,” she stressed with a smile.
After being graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cal State University at Northridge, Cherise entered the business world and by the early 90s was working as assistant to the project manager during the renovation of the Beverly Hills Hotel. “That was fun,” she noted. “We were busy and it was a long and exciting project.” Sounded like fun to me, for a while her office was housed in one of the fabled cottages that dot the hotel’s grounds. A Valley resident for the past 12 years, Cherise said that her parents had moved here first. “Ever since they moved, I wanted to move from Los Angeles too,” she explained. Well move here she did and nine years ago married Arthur Osha an electrical contractor introduced to Cherise by her father. Cherise describes her husband as “wonderful!” and adds, “I was fortunate to have met him.” Arthur is a 20-year resident of the Valley who, Cherise says, is an avid surfer and loves music. Fans of Jalama’s famous burgers, I realized that I had found a kindred spirit.
Looking more like a cottage than a boutique, Forever Posh sits in a landscaped courtyard.	After moving to the Valley, Cherise said that she worked at the Los Olivos Grand Hotel and then at Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn and Spa. “Then all of a sudden,” she explained, “it hit me that at age 41 I really needed to do something I had always thought about since moving here. So I opened up a boutique unique to the Valley…I love to shop so why not!” After realizing that although a lot more time is spent on the minutiae of business details than shopping, she can still say that she loves her shop. “I love my customers, most of whom are locals and regulars.” Then she added, “I feel very fortunate to have so many wonderful loyal customers!
I have been in business for over five years and will be celebrating my sixth year in November!” Sounds like a good track record in a tough business. When I asked Cherise what she liked to do in her spare time, she pointed to a jewelry tree on her counter. “In addition to playing my guitar, I enjoy making bracelets and necklaces,” she told me, “and I sell them here.” Simple and nicely made, Cherise’s jewelry reflects her taste and complements her selection of clothing and accessories that fill the shop. Cherise operates with a small staff. She introduced me to Tammy Downie and went on to say that she was losing her. “Tammy,” she said, “has been working here over four years but has announced that she will be moving in August. I will miss her!” she emphasized, “but I am very excited for her! She is a wonderful young lady who is very dear to my heart.” Marilyn Benarth will shortly replace Tammy. “We met,” Cherise explained, “while we both worked at Los Olivos Grand Hotel and we are very excited to have her coming on board at Forever Posh.”

Cherise added that her mom Connie helps out in the shop often. Describing her as “my beautiful mom,” Cherise proudly explained that “mom” won the title of Miss South Dakota and represented her home state in the 1955 Miss America Pageant…wow!
Another important member of Cherise’s staff is her two-year-old longhaired dachshund, Little Man.

Kaylei and Little Man
Frequent visitor, Kaylei, gets check out by Little Man.

Little Man has his own quarters in the shop’s courtyard. “I bring him to work,” she says, “He loves to help out, you know! All my customers love him!”
  Forever Posh is obviously a family affair. Cherise and Arthur bought the “Posh” property in 2000 and Cherise named the boutique after the beauty shop to reflect the long-time solid reputation it had earned.
  Still keeping it in the family, Cherise added that she relies on her city-dwelling younger sister Pam to alert her “whenever some new hot style or trend comes in.”
“She and her family, husband and young son, live in Los Angeles,” she added. “I can always count on her calls.”
  My visit with Cherise at Forever Posh was a treat and, of course, we eventually got around to food and a favorite recipe.
  “I have a family recipe favorite,” she said, “a yummy confection. It came from my grandmother (on her mother’s side) and she got it from my mom's high school economics teacher in 1952 South Dakota.”
  A traditional treat at all the Lund’s holiday gatherings, Cherise says that it’s easy to make. Sounds good to me and I plan to try it out soon.
  Thanks Cherise, for the visit and opportunity to get behind the scenes of one more Valley business.

BUTTERSCOTCH PEANUT CLUSTERS
2 cups butterscotch chips
1/2 cup chunk peanut butter
1 cup plain peanuts (optional)
4 to 5 cups cornflakes

Using a large saucepan, melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter, stirring to blend. When melted and smooth, quickly add peanuts (if using) and cornflakes. Drop by teaspoonsful onto a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper and refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes or until “set.” Makes three to four dozen.