i know, i know.  it’s barely spring and we’re already speaking Fall in the Fashion world!  a little crazy, i know….but i couldn’t resist showcasing the gorgeousness that is Myolee.  everyone loves a great sweater - but Myolee truly takes it to the next level.  the colors!  the details!  the fine fabrics!  and did i mention the details?  they are my favorite aspect of this collection.

it’s a bit retro, kinda whimsical, mostly sophisticated line of beautiful knits from designer Winnie Lee in London.  i always loved to find interesting and truly creative lines that weren’t so easily found in every boutique.  perhaps you will be one of the lucky ones to snatch up this stylish line in your city!

here are some sneak peeks at their Fall/Winter 2010 collection…

loving that the bestselling Issy Sweater will be making another appearance:

the Nadine sweater looks to be perfection with a pair of dark, skinny jeans and mustard patent heels:

oh Valentine!  look are your pretty back!  lacy and very sexy to boot!)

and finally - Siobhan, your backless wonder with lace tie makes quite an exit….

Retailers:  contact Myolee now to place your orders!  order deadline is March 31.  Minimum is 10 peices - which means you can sample a few styles.  w/s prices range from $42 - $112 USD.  which i think is pretty amazing for the fashion-forward quality of the collection (none of the above photos are more than $60!)

Shoppers:  you can buy Myolee right now at the lovely online boutique, Stars and Infinite Darkness.  Special bonus - there’s a pretty awesome sale going on right now!

i can’t even remember where i first heard of Supportland- but i just got an email that announced they are launching here in Portland in April!  woo hoo.

What is Supportland?  well - it’s a reward card that works across a multitude of local businesses.  it’s all high-tech and i-phone ready.  you can earn points when you shop/eat at participating businesses - and then you can redeem them at any participating business as well!  it’s like a multi-functioning license to splurge.

(do you get the name now?  SupPORTLAND? SUPPORTland?  clever).

If you live here and own a business and want to know more - they are offering several presentations about how it works and how you can get involved on the ground level:
1.  March 8th, 6:30pm at Zoomtopia (810 SE Belmont)
2.  March 9th, 7:00pm at Laughing Plant (4110 SE Woodstock Blvd)
3.  March 10th, 9:30pm at Zoomtopia (810 SE Belmont)
(if you can’t make an event - contact the Supportland folks)

anyhoo - i wanted to let local portland businesses and shoppers know about this wonderful idea and hopefully those of you in other cities will brainstorm how to make it work in your town.

if you are not familiar with CRAVE - check them out.  a wonderful company with presence in a variety of cities, they promote and support local entrepreneuresses with books, blogs, events and more.

i had the amazing opportunity of speaking at the first Portland Crave Business Chat this past Sunday and it was a great little refresher on ideas for making your boutique the Ultimate Place to Shop.

The merchandise - naturally it has to be fabulous, priced right (whatever that means to your clientele) and distinct.  However, what can really set your business apart from the crowd is your customer service.

My first point was to be the Hostess of Your Shop.  these ideas are admittedly simple - but the practice often goes un-preached:
 - greet every client who walks in the door as an invited guest
 - engage that client with a non-threatening conversation opener (compliments are always great)
 - aim to get a read on the client and their comfort level with your assistance (do they seem to want to browse without bother or could they use more interaction from you)
 - provide some small comfort items for tag-along shoppers:  “man chair” is essential, a toy box for littles makes it easier for moms to shop
 - give the dressing rooms the lux treatment - make sure clients have what they need to be comfortable & make buying decisions (mirrors, heels, small chair/stool/table to put their personal items), adequate hooks, etc.

The 2nd point we discussed was Customer Loyalty.  the notion is simple:  reward people for shopping at your store and they’ll come back again and again:
 - frequent buyer programs (make it easy to earn the reward)
 - VIP shopping experiences - after hours, special discounts, sneak previews all go a long way in making your clients feel special.

Lastly, we spoke about Communication Tools (Cecilia Doan - a social media maven provided her expertise).
 - remember to use the appropriate “voice” for your brand (with Facebook, Twitter, Email, Blogs, etc)
 - create meaningful promotions - maybe try something other than a standard x% sale.  we talked about how some of the limited time/limited edition shopping sites are doing amazing.  why not try your own limited sale (for example:  50% off this particular necklace  - Tuesday from 12:00 - 2:00 only.  first come, first serve).  a great way to move an item, no doubt!

the discussion was rich and rewarding - and i personally loved the chance to interact with business owners (and it made me miss ooma a little too)!  a special shout out to Tez, the owner of Parallel Boutique for hosting the event.

If CRAVE is in your town - talk to the ladies in charge and get involved!  it’s a wonderful way to make connections and promote your business.

and speaking of speakers - if anyone has a topic they’d like to Guest Blog about on The Proprietress - please contact me!

hello retailers:  i just got the word on a new exchange program from Miss Oopsthat i thought i’d pass along!

if you manage a clothing, accessory, lingerie or gift shop - you might find some of the Miss Oops products as a fun add-on sale.  the name alone is fun and sassy and the packaging has a retro cool vibe.
their product line has expanded tremendously since i first carried their Rescue Sponge (a great way to remove make up and deodorant - a must for dressing room mishaps!).

from hair products to creams, to boob-related items and personal tidiness - there are many to choose from.  and it’s easy to try something out because with their exchange program, you can swap out products that aren’t moving and try something else (all you need is a minimum order of $250).

Contact Ginger@missoops.com for details or to place your order.

ok - i have to share my experience at a local boutique that i thought was very cool.  Mink, a lovely store in Portland, sent an email out last week to their customer list inviting them to be a part of a special VIP shopping day. 

The gist of the promo is this:
 - store CLOSED to all but the VIP attendees
 - MUST RSVP with chosen time slots
 - had clients sign up on the 1/2 hour to manage crowds, dressing rooms, lines
 - had a “door gal” who only allowed those on the list to be admitted
 - once in - all clients could enter a drawing to win $50 gift certies on the hour
 - this day is the only opportunity to score a VIP Card - which will be good for special discounts and shopping privileges throughout the year.
 - 30% off item of your choice + 20% off all other items in the store

basically - it was a really great way to make everyone feel like they were in on a very special deal - and the ability to get a 30% discount on new spring merch + premium denim + jewelry - pretty awesome.

this is the first time i experienced such a promotion - and it looked to be a great success.  what you essentially have is all your best customers shopping on one day - sounds like a recipe for an outstanding sales day! 

anyone else try this tactic?  please share your great ideas!!

yummy!  i love that when i wrote Rubinia i found that we had known each other from the ooma days!  and what a delightful re-discovery she is.  with simple, modern and elegant designs in an array of vivid colored stones - her jewels are exactly what we all need to fell pretty in the dreary months of winter (and the rest of the year too!).

here’s a sampling of some of my personal favorites - and you’ll be impressed by the beauty and quality of her stones.   the mix of subtle pale topaz and sapphire stones with the gold metal looks so amazing - and refreshingly different.  how pretty with a creamy sweater and jeans.  $78

another winning color combo!  warm chocolate brown, bright ruby and a dreamy chalcedony.  love the stones swinging from a mini gold chain - a fun pop of color with a simple outfit.   $75

finally - the branches.  with the promise of spring and the elegance of a single faceted topaz - these are both dressy and casual enough for everyday wear.  $65

And these are just earring samples!  She also creates loveliness to grace your neck and fingers.

shoppers:  shop your heart away at her newly launched online store.

buyers:  she has a wholesale site  just for you.  10 piece minimum order - and you can customize most items with your choice of stones.  brilliant for merchandising with your apparel collections.

I know, i know.  it’s a total cliche  - but i just had to add dashes of pink and red to my February mix!  i was one of those people who used to own a “valentine shirt” back in the day.  it was pretty hideous (red silk blouse dotted with black hearts) but i wore it proudly every February 14th (only for 2 years, mind you - and then i came to my good fashion senses!).  nowadays, i love to add pops of pink and/or red to my attire that day - just for kicks.

so in celebration of love (which i celebrate year round, by the way) - a big cheers to our February Palette - exemplified by a sexy little number for a hot date or nite out with the gals.

 

here’s the low down on all the goodies, if you’re so inclined to buy them for yourself:
 - Veronica M dress (on sale! only $58)
 - Piperlime sexy gold sandals ($49)
 - Stella & Dot garden party chandelier earrings ($54)
 - Emma Gordon“georgia” clutch ($65)
 - Tarabelle’s sweet flower headband ($16)
 - Hanky Pankysexy (and comfy) lacy unders ($27)

i’m pretty sure i’ll be cooking a dinner at home for my two most favorite boys in the world - but for all you ladies gearing up to going out and looking amazing - Enjoy Valentine’s Day!

i am totally fascinated and impressed by all the bib necklace creations out there.  abundant flowers, doo-dads and sparkles.  many made with vintage fabrics and the like.  what i like best about these Etsy finds is that they’re literally one -of-a-kind!  each is hand made with love by their creator and each promises to bring your simple outfit to the next level of amazing.

there are hundreds of this style of necklace on Etsy - but i chose a few of my favorites that are also $40 or less = making them an easy-to-afford purchase.

first up: a classy navy blue and charcoal felt necklace.  colors don’t float your boat?  Shop Tipsy can create one in the colors of your choosing!  How’s that for customization at $12??  brilliant.

second:  lovely fabric yo-yo’s in a pretty blend of soft yellows, greys and creams.  the yo-yo’s are nice and flat if you don’t like the bulk of 3-D flowers.  this one is flanked by two bright yellow beads and is just so cute at only $22.  check out all the goodies at other lovely things.

lastly:  a truly fun concoction of vintage fabrics, earrings and buttons re-purposed in a large, fun and inspiring necklace.  looks like a vacation when added to a simple tank top and jeans. there are other themed color combos to choose from at Just Liv’s shop.

Enjoy!!

you may have seen the cuteness that is  kate quinn organics at a sweet local baby store.  but did you know they also have a lovely women’s line?  and maternity?  and a new layette line called Plum Bunny?

let the amazing organic onslaught begin!

with so many simple, modern and colorful “basics” to choose from - this line fits in nicely with most apparel stores.  whether you sell women’s (or maternity) and want to add a few baby basics for gifts  - or - if you just want to add some quality cotton looks from an independent designer - this is a great line to add to your store (and wardrobe!).  the prices and terms are very reasonable.

here’s a little sample from each line to whet your appetite.

kate quinn organics main line(for baby/toddler).  i think this little striped  jumpsuit is tres cute.  good for boys and girls too (available March).

Maternity Line - a nice simple t-shirt with a fashionable puffed sleeve - in clover & plum (available March)

Women’s Line - love the simple lines of the bell sleeved tunic (available now)

 

Plum Bunny - this is a new line launching this July.  only the sweetest and softest organic cotton for the tiniest people we love!  inspired by european lines - the colors are softer and all items are made of pointelle and sweater knit.   the double sweater blanket cape is lovely.

check out the website to see more of the line. there are so many wonderful items!  for baby they create clothes, bibs, blankies, crib sheets and more!

buyers:  kate quinn organics offers a generous wholesale program designed with you in mind.  after your intitial order - no minimums! plus - they can create custom gift sets especially for your store.  call 888-952-4206 to get started!

shoppers:  you can buy directly from their website!  big sale going on through the weekend (ends January 31)!  25% off ALL kate quinn organics line purchases!  use code NEWBABY2010 to receive your discount at check out.

first of all - i really enjoy typing “2010″ and i also like saying it.  twenty-ten.  much snappier than “two-thousand and nine”.  and speaking of snappy - one of my most favorite trends of 2009 that i hope continues the journey through 2010 and beyond is the ladylike sex-appeal of the Mad Men style. 

i”ve always been a sucker for retro.  and i adore thinking about a time when women wore dresses most of the time.   so feminine, so pretty, so refined.  the body looks amazing in little sheaths and pencil skirts.  not only do they harken to the feminine mystique - they are also quite powerful.

i love this Milly sheath from one of my fave portland boutiques, Mabel & Zora.

the full skirts worn by the ‘nice girls’ of the era are also a lot of fun - especially when scaled down for modern times.  belts that enhance the waist are a simple, elegant way to create shape.

loving the bright sassiness of the Lady Belle dress from my fave retro maven, Trina Turk.   perfect for an outdoor spring wedding.

and then of course, there is the skinny cropped pants - a perinneal spring favorite for me.  always chic and carefree with a pair of flats and sexy, sexy with heels and a jaunty scarf around the neck.

love this cute pair from Nanette Lepore  (her fit is dreamy and you gotta love that the modern styles come with ample stretch!).

the thing about these styles is they aren’t really trendy - they’re classics.  you’ll never have buyers remorse and they rarely end up at the consignment shop - preferring to hang in your closet for the long haul.

i’m thankful for the show Mad Men not only for entertaining me - but for bringing this style back to the forefront of fashion.

call me old fashioned - but there it is!  i love this style.