did you ever get those little advent calendars when you were a kid?  i just LOVED them!  each day i was so excited to open the little door and see the surprise inside (generally, chocolate).  I also loved singing the Twelve Days of Christmas.  we’ve probably all sung it in some sort of pageant, choir or whatever.  in any event  – the point is to create a countdown to excitement.  to the big finale! 

“On the first save of Christmas, my favorite store gave to me…..20% off pearl jew-el-ry!”

i used to love doing little countdown coupons at ooma.  it’s a great way to reward your best customers – while creating a fun little game.  for example, you could have a color coupons:  each day leading to Xmas (or holiday of your choice) – you could provide a coupon with 20% off Red (yellow, gold, pink, black, etc).  Or you could do coupons that are by designer, or style – whatever works for you (and helps you MOVE merchandise!).  i know small boutiques have a tough time competing with the big retailers with their never-ending sales – so try to have a little fun with it.

**need help creating some awesome coupons for your clientele?  email me:  i’d love to help you conceptualize + create!**

and of course, thank your clients for shopping local.  statistics show that money spent in local boutiques stays in the community  – rather than up to corporate headquarters (or another country, more likely) somewhere.  check out the 3/50 Project for posters you can use to promote this concept.

in these tough economic times – i think it’s a wonderful idea to band together with your neighbors and host a simple event that gets people circulating throughout the stores. 

in Portland (where i live) - there are a plethora of events that encourage shoppers to visit groups of stores within a vicinity or neighborhood and shop local.  some ideas i particularly like include

 - fashion by flashlight – stores stay open late periodically and provide lite snacks/drinks and specials

 - East meets West Passport  – for Black Friday – a group of stores on the east and west sides of a section of town created a passport that provides discounts at each store. if you visit all stores – you’re eligible to save at any of the participating stores for the remainder of the year.  and naturally, there’s a shindig!

 - The Big Reveal – i love this concept!  this was an event from last year – but it was all about revealing the holiday windows the day after Thanksgiving (please – let’s let this holiday shine!!)

 - Pop-up Shops – there are so many empty store fronts downtown from big-box retailers taking a hike.  so the landlords donated (yes – you read that correctly!) the space to groups of small, local designers for the holidays!  what a great way to add life and spirit to empty buildings – while supporting local talent.  thanks to the folks at Portland Fashion Synergy for spearheading this project!

And then of course there are lots of Tree Lighting Celebrations, Holiday Parades/Festivals, Art Walks, Craft/Designer Fairs and Sales! i’m pledging to shop local this year- it’s sooooooo important that we support small business to keep the creative and entrepreneurial spirit alive!

What amazing ideas and celebrations are you doing or attending this year?

as my closet slowly fills with one Veronica M dress after another – i ask myself:  where was this line when i owned ooma??  it would have fit in so perfectly!!   i guess i feel the need to pass on the goodness that is easy to wear, looks great on the body, and comes in a lots of pretty patterns (my secret recipe for style success).

from the foxy (and foxier!!) to everyday ease – the line just works.   i’m ga-ga over the one-shoulder dress (retail $94).  it’s so subtly sexy – and forever appropriate.  since many people don’t wear them – it’s fun to stand out in the crowd.  i’d wear it out for cocktails (keep the jewelry simple – just earrings and a cool cuff bracelet – or cocktail ring.  no necklace.  i repeat:  no necklaces with one-shoulder dresses!).

a good wrap dress should be in every one’s closet.  it’s great for work – a date – or drinks – it’s comfortable and flattering.  i especially love the palette of this dress (retail $96).  i’d accessorize with a multi-strand gold necklace.

but when you’re ready to pull out all the stops – either at your company’s holiday party – or a chic winter wedding – this is the dress ($120 retail).  you don’t have to worry about freezing or tugging on an annoying strapless bodice.  just walk in and let your legs do the talkin’.   haven’t we all dreamed of wearing a slit-to-there dress (like they do on the red carpet)?  it makes quite a statement.  and i think it would be amazing with these earrings (only $39!!).

now – if only i were 8 inches taller…..(sigh).

here’s the deal:

buyers:  contact the company direct.

shoppers:  shop online or find a store near you (and i’m sure you’d love any store that carried this line!!)

oh! did i mention how great the fabrics work with pregnant bellies (gotta love the stretch!).  yep – a new baby is on my horizon!!

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 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!