Finding My Story: The Spark Behind Roxy Carlisle

One night, over a glass of California wine (a moody little Pinot Noir) and a soundtrack of ’80s hits, an idea struck me. Like a bolt of lightning? Maybe. More like a neon flash.

What if my heroine didn’t just love the ’80s—what if she lived it? I mean, totally lived it, forty years after the best decade ever. She still had big hair, blue eyeshadow, and nails that screamed louder than an Eddie Van Halen guitar solo.

And just like that, Roxy showed up. She was a neon-lit vision in shoulder pads and sass, dragging me happily into her world.

First there’s her retro boutique called Big Hair, packed with everything ‘80s. Stroll through the aisles and you’ll find vintage clothes, classic vinyl, and a stash of beloved toys. Funshine Care Bear? You know it! She’s sitting next to a Speak & Spell, a Rubix Cube, and a stack of Tiger Beat Magazines.

But it’s not just about the gear. Roxy’s life is filled with found family: Her quirky best friend, Susan with her frizzy red hair and bookish charm; Jess, the tattooed queen of perms who owns the Pink Lounge; and Joe and Phil, who run the wildest sock shop in LA.

Writing Roxy wasn’t just about creating a character—it pulled me out of a creative fog. She reminded me what it felt like to grow up in Los Angeles in the ’80s. It was the best—big music, bold fashion, and this incredible sense of optimism. Movies had happy endings, women were breaking barriers, and kids like me believed we could be anything.

Sure, the world wasn’t perfect, but it felt like hope was winning.

And if you had a Star Wars figure in your pocket and a bike to ride? Life was pretty good.

So here’s to Roxy—proof that big dreams (like big hair) never really go out of style.