Merry Christmas!

Christmas Craziness!!

Santa came early this year, funny how he was wearing a brown UPS uniform, but who is going to argue semantics when you are getting loads of great stuff??!?!?

I just finished unpacking a huge shipment of Young Fabulous & Broke. I LOVE this delivery! This season really needs color, and this brings it. Oranges, greens & blues look amazing. I love their tanks & tank dresses that you can layer with long sleeves and boots.

Just wait until the Christmas craziness calms down & I'll post pics.

Are You Done Shopping?

Officially less than 10 days to Christmas! I am so excited this year, for some reason, the weather is just right and the cheer is at a fever pitch.


Coming in this week, for those of you who haven't finished your shopping, as well as those of you who are addicted to amazing clothes (like me!)


Monday 12/17/07:
Indulgems: AMAZING little baubles
MK2K: Some cute dresses, just in case you don't have your New Year's outfit yet
Uluru: More of the best cashmere sweaters you have ever seen

Tuesday 12/18/07:
Corey Lynn Calter: This kicks off the beginning of the Resort Wear Season!!
Frankie B: More super cute denim & a great black satin blazer and pant set that is beyond sexy.

Be a Hostess with the Mostess

New for the holidays!
If you happen to live in the area, you HAVE to book one of our holiday shopping parties...we will do all the dirty work & you get to have all the fun.

Enjoy some champagne & nibbles, have the shop to yourself & all your girlfriends. Hang out, chat, browse & socialize.

Everyone gets an entry into a drawing for a gift certificate

If you book in the month of December, you and all your gals get 10% off!

Be a hostess & you can get an even bigger discount based on what your guests spend!

Guy Gift Ideas

I have a lot of customers that struggle with buying gifts for guys. I know how it is, men are tough. There are only so many ties & wallets you can buy for a guy.
Don't stress, I have your answer:

The Guy Friend:
Seriously, what guy couldn't use a flask?

The Boyfriend/Husband:

What says "honey we need a romantic getaway" better than a travel case?

The Brother, Nephew, Cousin, Co-Worker:
Photo albums can be 'girlie', but one with a vintage camera on the cover is definately super 'manly'.


The Boss Man:
Like photo albums, candles can be 'girlie'. But not this one. Give it to the boss. He'll put it on his desk & never take it home because it looks good & smells good. He'll be constantly reminded of you & your thoughtful gift. Maybe you'll even get a raise!Dad:
This leather valet is the perfect catch-all for coins, wallet, cell phone & all that extra stuff that he empties out of his pockets at the end of the day.

Real Clothes on Real People

Mon Petit Oiseau Lecture Dress. We love pockets, especially with cute little buttons! This dress is fleece so it is all warm & fuzzy inside.
Corey Lynn Calter Suzi Roll Neck Trapeze Mini Dress. If you saw this dress in my previous post, you can tell this definitely looks a lot more white than silver in person. This is definitely what we call a 'cheater' dress. You can eat all night & let it all hang out & still look fabulous!
Eskell Miss Kate Dress. I think this is my favorite Eskell dress of the season. Obviously it would look even better with a black bra, but who is ever really prepared when trying on clothes?
Uluru Colette Sweater Dress. I think this is my favorite. Made of 100% Grade A cashmere this dress is so snuggly soft, how can you not love it?

So Cute!!

A lady came in with her 8month old chihuahua puppy named "chi-chi"
How adorable is that little dog in our dog beds?
I wanted to keep her.

Mom Gifts

Sometimes I have a hard time shopping for my mom. She has everything she needs, and when she wants something, she goes and gets it. So what do I get for her?
I have had these candles by Archipelago for a while now. I think they are pretty, they are really popular with my customers and they smell great. I realized today that my mom keeps going over to the display & picking them up, smelling them, looking at the different designs & putting them back. Hello!?!? She obviously wants one & hasn't decided to get one, or decided on a scent. So this something that I can get mom for Christmas. Something she doesn't have, I know she wants, and hasn't bought for herself. Yay!
And - even better, that pretty jewel on the top - it's a removable brooch! So it is a 2 in 1.
love it!

In Coming this Week

So far, it is a pretty slow week, as far as merchandise is concerned. We are pretty much stocked up for the holidaze, but a few fun things are coming in so.... here you go:

12/5/07 - Prairie Underground is set to arrive!!! (These girls are a 151 favorite with a SERIOUS cult following!) I am wearing my Prairie Hoodie right now :)

12/6/07 - Cody Foster - the last of our Christmas decorations are coming in.

12/7/07- Kikkerland - this one I am excited for. Great little cufflinks at an affordable price. The best guy gift. They are so hard to buy for, and these are just great & fun.

12/10/07 - Olga Kapustina!! Her holiday collection. Some great dresses. You'll see them soon!!

World AIDS Day - Trying to do our Part

Slideshow!

So you want to see where I spend my days?

Our Designers are Getting Press

Okay- time to give props where props are due.
I love my designers that I carry & I'm proud of them when they are acknowledged in the media. A lot of times we get inundated with the same mall shops & brands, it is nice to see some are breaking through that barrier.

Jimeale
One of my favorite girls, Jimeale has this great travel bag line. For years my cosmetic bag consisted of the one I got as a gift with purchase back in 1999 when I bought a Clinique lipstick. Long story short, it is disgusting. So, thank you Jimeale for giving every girl an answer to that age old question "where do I find a decent, cute & actually functional cosmetic bag?"

It turns out Isla Fisher & Sacha Baron Cohen agree:
We have that baby bag too! Click on the picture to get the bag.

D A C E
Sometimes those Canadian girls just aren't getting that same kind of love & attention down here in the good 'ole USA. But, one girl of note is a talented designer named Dace. Her clothes are so fashionable, but edgy and cute. Just different.

Seems Miss (I'm a good girl now) Lohan agrees:

Click the link to see some DACE pieces on our website. There isn't a lot, but we'll be updating more soon.

Lewis Cho You all know how much I love these girls. Based in NY, they are really making a name for themselves. Their pieces make every girl look great.
This piece is from Lucky Magazine:

Same thing, that pic will take you to our Lewis Cho page. There isn't much there, because it flies out the door so fast. Call us if you need more!

Daily Candy
I know I don't even need to say anything about Daily Candy. (Love!)
Here are some links to our designers that they have noticed:

Black Label SF
Dolley
Park Vogel
More Dace!
Chulo Pony

Reviews?

I Google'd the shop the other day, and I didn't realize how many people are talking about me.(ok, not ME, me, but the shop, me. and yeah, not THAT many people, but more than 2) I guess I kinda forget that things happen outside this little bubble I spend my days in.

And really, I do realize that by opening this shop, I have officially put myself 'out there' in the world. It is expected for people to talk, share opinions & such, I understand. I have to realize that I can't take it personally, but this posting is a little on the ridiculous side. "If you ignore the potpourri store like decor and the ugly metal clothing hangers, there's quite a few jems at this store."
Ok, let's break it down. It is "gems" not "jems" (unless we are talking about she who is truly, truly, outrageous, and in that case, there is only 1 of her & she is in my office where you shouldn't be) Secondly, ugly metal clothing hangers?!? What, dear, do you suppose I use? The highly nonfunctional wood hangers that NOTHING stays on? You would be spending more time picking the clothes off the floor (assuming you are a considerate shopper) than you would spend actually shopping! Thirdly, I don't understand what potpourri store like decor even means. My store looks like a potpourri store? Do those even exist? (I guess they do, because I am one, apparently) She does have a point about Eskell, their clothing is AMAZING! Too bad she doesn't have the Fall collection up, it was even better than Spring.

I am, however, enjoying the reviews on Yelp! Because I am here 24/7 I remember who my reviewers are, what they bought, etc. It is kinda fun to have a conversation with someone in the shop & then have them review it on-line. You can read all the nice words here.

I foundthis one too, I didn't even know Yahoo had a review site, but someone out there had some really nice things to say.

I'm having fun, it is kinda like an Easter Egg hunt.

I started posting reviews on Yelp, it is fun. But I have a hard time giving bad reviews. My New Year's Resolution will be to review other small businesses like me, help spread the word. There is more out there than cookie cutter, mall shopping. Break out of the mold!

New Arrivals this Week

Since it is Thursday and we have had a lot of good stuff come in this week, I am going to backtrack a little bit, while I have time.
A quick summary of what we have received this week:

1. Lewis Cho - One of my favorite designers.
Sleeveless Boatneck Dress in Deep Purple - probably one of the most beautiful dresses we have received in a long time. A great draping jersey that hits right at, or just below the knee.
V-Ruched Top in Wheat - like all of Lewis Cho designs, this top is amazingly flattering. A loose knit piqued wool, short sleeve, turtleneck top with 4 buttons up the back of the neck & a triangle inset at the chest.
Wrap Top in Black - that same loose knit piqued wool, elbow length sleeves, wraps with a tie at the side.
Yoke Dress in Amethyst - the prettiest silk burnout with tiny triangles and a silk lining. 3/4 length sleeves, loose fitting & a tie at the waist. Amazing!
Dolman in Cream - that same silk burnout in a cream color with a triangle print. bunched and tied at the shoulders & tied at the waist. Wear with a bright colored cami underneath & black slacks. (We recommend our Porcelynne camis!)

2.Park Vogel - Great Basics & fun Fashion pieces
Ribbon Tie Cardigan - 100% cashmere, grey cardigan that ties in the front. The collar drapes around to the front for a gorgeous & unique look.
Cropped Cardi - a black, short cashmere cardigan with black embroidery & beading. Short, just below the bust.
Henley Dress - Also cashmere (can you tell I'm addicted?) Ivory with 3/4 sleeves 3 buttons at the placket & hits at about the knee. So super cute with black tights & a black cami underneath & boots.
Embroidered Top - a gorgeous grey tencel top with black embroidery on the chest. With a squareneck. Super cute!!

3. Corey Lynn Calter - You know everything she does is CUTE!!


Suzi Roll Neck Trapeze Mini Dress - I think that says everything, but to make it even better, it has pockets! This body is a classic CLC design, but the print takes it one step beyond. Ivory with silver outlined circles all over. It is so perfect for the office holiday party.

4. Jessica Elliot - Cutest Accessories


Key to Happiness Keychain - Antique brass key w/"To Happiness" stamped on it. The PERFECT gift for anyone! Friend, coworker, sister, cousin, mom, anyone!

Fortune Cookie Necklace - Sterling silver and on a ball chain. So adorable, I got one for myself too!


Fortune Necklaces - she makes the cutest little silver fortune necklaces, with a little pearl drop at the end. I layer the "You will step on the soil of many countries" fortune with the fortune cookie. So cute!

Mini Charms - and when I say mini, I mean mini. These little charms are so adorable, you can't resist. Mini key, mini star, mini wishbone or mini ladybug. They are so cute to layer with other necklaces as just the cutest little flirt layer. I LOVE these!!

They Like Me!

I decided a little later in life (after 3 years of conventional college) that maybe 'real life' wasn't quite for me & I started over at FIDM.
I know most people think of Lauren from the MTV "reality" show The Hills when they think of FIDM, which can be a good thing, or a bad thing, depending on who you are. But, for me, it was great. I actually LEARNED things that I was interested in. I actually did well in school.

Anyway, it really isn't all that interesting, but my point is, they wrote a little article about me & the store. I thought it was nice & I thought I would share.

That's all.

If you have time, you can read about it here:


FIDM Article

The Pledge

Everyone keeps asking to be updated when we get new items and I figured that this was the best way. Now, I have no excuses. So, for all my fashionistas out there - those of you who need to be "in the know", those of you who have to know the new items before they even hit the floor - here you go.

I make this pledge to you:

1. Once a week (I will try on Monday morning, but I can't promise that one) I will tell you, my loyal listeners, who we expect to be receiving shipments from, and on what days.
2. I will let you know when new shipments arrive & are unpacked & what new & amazing fashions actually came in.
3. I will, from time to time, give you yummy little discounts, specials & promotions. (& gossip)
4. I will post images of items on real bodies as often as possible.

Do we need anything else? Let me know if I left something out.