ahh…i have such fond memories of my LBO (life before oscar).  there would be several invitations to swanky parties and my biggest concern was: what will i wear???  i’d experience the joy of shopping for the perfect dress (followed and/or preceded by the amazing shoes and the fabulous jewels). 

those shopping needs are merely on hold…as i’m sure there will be a time when the holiday party won’t involve plates of cookies and a gaggle of adorable toddlers (which is it’s own brand of fun, don’t get me wrong!).

the thing that makes me sorta sad is that i can’t justify the purchase of a dress from the new Hollywood Collection from Melanie Renee.  oh so yummy!  the silks, the colors!  the feeling that you’ve walked onto the set of Mad Men.  my goodness, this is good!

check out thesexy (but elegant) Estelle dress (retails for only $160! how ’bout that?)

(the model even bears a vague resemblance to Betty Draper, no?)

and the Tilly blouse is your own personal variety show:  belt it, wear it loose, tuck it into a hot new pencil skirt.  and of course, wear it year round because it’s a fabulous white shirt (that retails for a friendly $85).

Seriously, there is a lot to love in this tiny collection from Tanya and Melanie.  And i am so happy that this line is from San Luis Obispo  – where i went to college and had the most fun.  Contact the gals today to get your last minute holiday orders in!  let’s support our indie gals making their dreams come true (and giving us such glam style).

the name conjures up something cool, yet fun:  Feisty Elle.  and the product delivers.  vibrant designs, rich colors and unusual materials make this jewelry line from San Francisco stand out in your jewel case.

the felt line caught my attention – as i’ve never seen anything like it.  the designs are laser cut with modern precision – but in delicate, organic forms.  i think this line would appeal to a broad range of clients – and the prices are lovingly affordable (w/s ranges from $12.5 0 – $18).  not only does Leslie work with felt in amazing new ways – but she also does some cool designs in bamboo too.

not sure about trying a new line?  i know the economy is a toughie – but from a consumer POV – i’m personally always on the look out for something interesting and new.  so try them out!  and guess what – the designer, Leslie Yang,  is graciously waiving her opening order minimum(a reasonable $150) for those who mention “the Proprietress” when placing their order.

with hunger-inducing names like Bistro, Picnic, Alfresco and Trattoria - Lunch a la Mode bags are the answer to the chic, busy woman’s prayers.  Beautiful, sophisticated, functional bags hide a sustainable little secret:  a lunch compartment!

Lunch a la Mode by Amber Pollard provides a simple, yet unmet need for the businesswoman who wants to bring her own lunch without the style-devoid brown bag. 

The bags are classy and timeless in style – a woman could carry hers year round for decades.  but what’s really neat about them is that they include an insulated bag for your lunch that includes an ice pack & beverage holder.

Each of the 4 styles for Fall come in three color choices.  Prices range from $135 – $230 wholesale.  Minimum purchase of 2 bags/per color/style, total $750.  Amber is offering FREE shipping with your first order – OR – a FREE Picnic hobo with minimum purchase of $1500 (thanks for your generous offer, Amber!).  just mention the Proprietress when placing your order.

i love pictures.  and i love picture frames.  but i have an odd aversion to nails.  i think it must have been from an old landlord who disallowed me to hammer a nail into the wall.  thankfully – there are products that get around that and still allow us the whimsy of our photo collections on display.  I happen to think the Butch & Howard Stickr collections are pretty rad (yes, i said “rad”).

i love these!!  i think they are so much fun and would have so many applications.  you could display a  customer of the month (with something they bought in your store, natch).  you could display ideas for how to style various items in your shop.  you could showcase your weekly favorites.  you could put up pictures of your family!  or you could use them to display a local artist who makes teensy art.   or for the more practical gal, how about using them for prices or name tags for designers?

use them over and over – move them around, that’s what they do.

but wait!  that’s not all!  you could sell them too.  i’d think they’d sell pretty darn well in many different stores – especially if you were using them as a chic example.

great for modern stores with an eclectic flair.  i also love the kids styles (in fact – i need these for Oscar!  what a great way to teach him the names and faces of his extended family).

Stickr packets wholesale for $9.95 – $12.45.  contact Butch & Howard for more info.  perfect for back to school and holiday gifts!

i’m a petite woman.  unless pants are intended to be cropped,  i’ll need to get them hemmed.  and what a pain!  i still have pants i bought last Fall that have not yet been hemmed.  i also have some jeans sitting on a chair…awaiting a hem. 

and of course i have all these wonderful jeans and pants that are hemmed for my pre-baby heels-wearing days.  i can hardly be expected to chase a toddler around wearing 3″ patent pumps.  so it’s flip-flop city, ladies.  which means i can’t wear a subset of my wardrobe except on “special occasions”.

this is why i was visibly excited to get an email from Bristols 6 regarding their new product, Hem Tape.  you can hem jeans in a flash!  go from heels to flats.  change from cropped to long.  and wear your new jeans tonite (even if you don’t have a chance to hem them yet).  Brilliant!  and the packaging is very cool.

opening order is 36 units (comes with a display) – which would be $188.  they retail for $12.  you can either sell them as a easy add-on to anyone who purchases denim – OR – do a give away (free Hem Tape with any purchase of jeans priced $100 or more ) which would be less than doing a % off and your customers would be snappy & happy.

as soon as shorts weather subsides – i’ll be getting myself some Hem Tape (it will be like getting 4 new pairs of pants for free!).

Contact Bristol 6 to place an order.