have you heard the buzz on C. Wonder?

apparently, it’s a very colorful new store opening in NYC.  and they did  fun promo at Fashion Week.  they passed out invites to their grand opening party that complimented the invitee with “we love your look!”.  Then they posted on facebook if that if you bring in the card, you’ll get a free gift!!

first you love em – then you love em some more!   i wish i could go to the party in NYC….

anyway – this is a great little grass roots inspiration.  how will you compliment your customers??

xox

one of my favorite projects for the shop was my cash wrap.  it was sort of an “L” shape – but with a curve at the corner instead of a hard edge.  the long part of the L included 4 drawers for jewelry display and the short part was where my computer sat for sales.  but the surface was spectacular. with a teeny, tiny lip around the edge  – we had about a 1/4″ inch of depth.   we  then mixed a self-leveling resin compound with green dye and gold glitter and poured.   a beautiful glossy surface emerged.  the next day – we did the same thing – adding one more layer.   you wouldn’t believe how the glitter sparkled!  it looked like it went on for miles.

anyway  – i’ve been researching fixture options for my new store – and was reminded of how much i love the sparkle when i saw a similar cash wrap surface at a new shop in Portland, House of Lolo.  i wish i had some photos to share – but i don’t.   here’s some glitter resin tables and floors from a company in the UK.

i’d love to hear more creative ideas for cash wraps! send suggestions my way.

i’ll be hosting my a Stella & Dot party at my house soon – what about you?

a friend of mine from my Stella & Dot days has graciously offered a $75 gift certificate for the entire Stella & Dot line. all you need to do is leave a comment letting us know your favorite item from the new fall collection.  an extra entry if you like Patricia’s Stella & Dot Facebook page.  what the heck – and another if you like my new Troolie Facebook page (comment here to let us know once you liked us). really, what is there not to like?  winner to be chosen at random and announced here and on our FB pages on August 22th.  you have until August 21st to comment and like us.  GOOD LUCK!

i’ve chosen my favorite item from the fall collection – the Isadora Bib Necklace - and have included it in my Fall Color Story.  the palette i’m loving for fall is grey as a strong neutral + warm pops of lipstick red and mustard yellow.  grey is my new favorite neutral – and i really do love it with every color.  the red and mustard just scream “FALL!” to me.   plaid is another fall favorite pattern of mine.

i love the elegance of this ensemble – very Mad Men (this is classic style, not a trend) – sexy, classy and cool.  The Stella & Dot Isadora Bib necklace brings the whole thing up a notch – but i also think it would look perfect with a simple sweater (or t-shirt) and jeans.  grey pearls with just a hint of sparkle?  what’s not to love.

Dress: $84.99  Mod Cloth
Shoes:  $265 Zappos
Necklace:  $128 Stella & Dot
Tights: $18 Hue
Clutch: $132 Inge Christopher
Hat:  $14.99 Target

Please feel free to post the contest on Twitter or FB and send to your friends!

**Thank you**

it all makes sense though, right?  stationery is all about letting people know how you feel, it’s about communicating with one another, it’s about cordiality and etiquette.   it’s about expression and delighting others through sentiment, humor, or design (perhaps all three).  so the fact that the people in this industry are so expressive and willing to share does not surprise me – though it does delight me!

so many designers have been so friendly and warm.  the ladies who approve attendees at the NSS and the SFIGF (seriously – you wouldn’t need as many credentials to get into the white house) understanding that it’s impossible for a store that has not yet opened to have the proper credentials – and getting me a badge anyway.  and a couple of retailers who have been magnificent in advising on everything from store size to opening buys to what wedding albums are must haves.  i want to specifically thank Lisa from Serendipity in San Francisco and Julie from Sweet Paper in La Jolla. check out their shops if you live nearby  – i’m sure they are as personable and lovely as their owners.