ah shucks.  this little diddy of a line  called Dainty June is overrunneth with cute.  i just think it’s the epitome of adorable.  the names of the items alone are precious enough!  then you add a retro cool cuteness that i haven’t seen since grade school in the 70’s.  love it.

the vontrap jacket is a modern take on the Sound of Music and i think it inspires a little yodeling down hills, don’t you?

i’m really loving the dervish skirt and the rolf top.  elegant and sophisticated with a dash of girlish flair.  the whole outfit comes in a heathered red too. 

The whole line is super!  Friends Jennifer, Jennifer & Erica launched the line earlier this year with much aplomb.  their Fall/Holiday collection is only their 2nd – but it sure looks like something much more established.  it certainly has it’s own unique look  and stands out like the cool new girl at school on store racks (i know – i saw the spring collection at a local store and went ga-ga!).

if you’re a boutique interested in the line – contact sales@daintyjune.com (not very saturated yet – would be a nice new line for your clients)

if you’re just a gal who loves fresh, adorable clothes – check out their stores page….growing steadily, i imagine!

i thought it would be fun to write about actual boutiques!  and in light of the screwball economy – thought i’d chat about a lovely discount boutique in San Francisco called My Roommates Closet.

the concept is simple – it’s billed as a “boutique outlet” – with new merchandise at 50% of the original retail prices.  it’s like one giant sales rack.  boutiques that need to make room for new goodies can consign their overstock with MRC and at the end of each month they’ll receive a check for all items sold (at 50% of the MRC sale price). 

as a shopper – it’s a wonderful way to find those items that are just a wee bit out of your price range for at least 50% off.  the sizes are a little choppy – since these are just those few items that didn’t sell through at their original home.  but it’s a way to discover wonderful bargains and consider yourself lucky if you locate an item you had longed for at your favorite store!

as a boutique owner – this is a great way to move merchandise and bring in some cash.  perhaps you chose wrong for your clientele – sometimes an item simply needs a new home with a new set of shoppers to sell quickly.

finally – the shops are gorgeously appointed.  not your typical grungy second hand store.  you’ll feel you’re in another high-end boutique but with much lower price-tags.

if you’re a boutique owner looking for a place to deliver your unsold merchandise, contact the gals (Cate & Suzanne) at MRC to see if they can help you.  they currently work with over 35 botuiques in San Francisco, New York, and LA.

i know it’s only October – but it’s not too early to start thinking about holiday soirees.  the holidays can sneak up on us pretty quickly – but with a little prior planning – yours will make a big splash and be stress-free.

and YES – i think boutiques should absolutely host parties for the holidays.  whether a trunk show with local designers, an after-hours private sale for your top clients, or a weekend hoopla with specials, drinks and goodies – it’s all up to you and your style.

made by Le Cupcake - tres chic!

but if you do host a gathering and want to serve treats – i always think mini cupcakes are a wonderful idea.  they feel special and look divine on a little tiered stand.  they really can elevate the snack table from ho-hum to yum-YUM!

and your cupcakes should look as lovely as your shop.  perhaps some cute little papers from Bake it Pretty?  the papers are very couture and sassy.  and love the sprinkles- especially the crystal sugars (so pretty).

and then you could top a few of them off with custom created cupcake toppers from bug & boo!  looks like this gal can whip up a whole variety of cute toppers to bring polish and sass to your cupcake display.

finally – serve them on a tiered stand  (they’ll take up less space, leave less mess and look nicer).  you can make your own if you’re crafty – or buy a simple one from Target (i like this one because you could also use it to display special jewels, accessories and the like!).

now – to find a really great recipe!

It’s that time of the month again!  Our resident Merchandising Maverick, Carlo Casareo has some tips on working with flowers – faux flowers.  your immediate reaction may be “ick!  fake flowers!  gross!”.  naturally, we all adore fresh flowers – but for window displays – the poor things may wilt too quickly under all those hot lights.  so let’s see how we can whip up magic even if the flowers are not real.

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ARTIFICIAL BEAUTY
Special events, special holidays, and special celebrations – they all call for special displays to entice and excite the shopper. Artificial Flowers and such are like old, familiar friends; they announce and explain themselves.  Real or not, flowers have been a great display symbol that many visual display persons often use to make the shopper aware that some special “day” is on the calendar and that “day” is rapidly approaching. Unlike the real deal, many imitation flowers (plants and/or fruits) will make people do a double take and ask “are those real?” 

 Although faux flowers can be pricey, one thing for sure is that these true-to-life flowers will never dry up and shrivel and plants will stay green throughout the years.

What to look for: 
Petals and leaves should appear and feel waxy, velvety, or filmy – like their counterparts in nature. The best stems feature vinyl-coated wire and natural details (i.e. thorns). Opt for plants and branches with leaves or twigs of various lengths set at different angles. They should contain wire so you can easily bend and shape them. Avoid super-shiny versions – the best ones have a matte finish.  Inspect leaves for shading and don’t forget to check the weight and texture when buying fruit imposters, it should feel “real” (to the touch at least).

How to care:
Because these beautiful imitations can be used over and over again, the best way to clean them is simply by using feather duster or a hair dryer set on cold. Keep them covered and stored in a safe area if not in use. A “How to” guide book on floral arrangements can come in handy, if you’re up for a creative challenge.  

Where to get:
Please be advised that it is wise to wait for these flowers to go on sale before purchasing. Also, know what you want and need for particular events in your calendar – it’s best to shop around to get the flowers at the price you want. Be resourceful! Check for fallen branches or twigs in your backyard (pinecones are easy to find) or call some local flower shops for branches they may no longer need and can be donated. Below is a list of places to check:

        -          Silkflowers.com

-          Michael’s Store / Michaels.com

-          Pier 1 imports

-          Qualitysilks.com

-          Crate and Barrel

-          Bloomingdales (kitchen dept)

-          Pottery Barn

Say bye-bye to watering your plants. Give yourself a break and stick to the fakes.

are you ready for a little ooh lala?  how ’bout a little vava voom?

you are in for  treat when you check out the gorgeous concoctions from miss ruby sue.  they are genius, elaborate, sumptuous.  they take your boring jeans and tank from zero to AMAZING in 30 seconds.

from awesome hair doodads to make-a-statement necklaces – this woman has some serious creativity coursing through her wares.

i’d order these in a nano-heartbeat if i still had my store.  they have some serious WOW factor.  plus – you can custom order most anything in any color to suit the style of your store and the tastes of your clients.  minimum order is only $200.  mention you heard about  m.r.s from the the Proprietress and you’ll score a free pair of rosie tosies (majorly adorable shoe clips).

wholesale pricesare 40% of retail as listed on her site.   enjoy working with miss ruby sue and email her direct to place your order or ask any questions:  missrubysue (at) gmail (dot) com.

voila!  perfect treats for the upcoming holidays.