My First "Handbag"

As I was cleaning out my closet the other day, I came across the only "handbag" that I possessed when I bought the store six years ago. My "handbag" was actually an Eddie Bauer canvas wallet that I clipped to my belt loop. How is that for a fashion goddess - not only did I only carry a wallet but yes, I did loop it on my belt loop. Oh My!!! So tacky!

I have come a long way in the last six years. I can't tell you how many handbags I own. My favorite is a Seahawk metal purse that I bought from a vendor at a trade show. He said he didn't sell his samples, but when I told him the story of how in my wedding vows, I made my husband promise to take me to the Super Bowl if the Seahawks ever went, he agreed to sell it to me. This picture doesn't do it justice, but the purse has rhinstones all over it too. I get stopped at every Seahawk game we go to. This purse cost me $150 in cash - luckily, I had won that amount on a slot machine (I was in Vegas) and I handed all of it over for this bag. I love it!!!

I now love handbags! When Kelli & I went to the accessories market a few years ago, one of the showrooms was giving away free handbags to the first hundred people that came through. Poor Kelli, I made her get up at 6AM so we could get one of them. When I told her why we were getting up so early, she thought I was joking, but I just had to have it!

My closet is now full of bags in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Here are just a few of them. It is just like Christmas when a vendor pops into the store to show us bags. Big question, do I use them all??? Oh, I try! I think a handbag is such a fun way to spruce up an outfit. Which is why I have so many or at least that is what I tell myself!

Publish Post

Closet Limitations for my Shoes

So yesterday, I was asked to be in a commercial promoting Fairhaven. We filmed it today. I was filmed coming off the train at the Fairhaven station and then going into the Chrysalis Hotel. I asked what I was supposed to wear and was told this - wear a skirt - no black, no red, no white, no tiny patterns, no bright colors and no plaid. So I spent an hour and a half in my closet debating what to wear.

As I went through every stitch of clothing that I owned, I realized that just about everything in my closet fit the list of "what not to wear". All my skirts are black or black with tiny patterns. Most of my tops are white or black. It made me realize that I need to revamp my closet!!! Of course, I was feeling "fat" too, so that made it even worse.

I ended up in a skirt that I haven't worn in a million years, for good reason. Good news, I did have on fabulous shoes! I went with my old stand by - the chocolate brown Cordani sandals, the Patty. I believe I have a picture of them way down below in the blog. I have decided that my closet overhaul needs to center around my shoes. There were so many shoes in my closet that I wanted to wear today but I had nothing to match them. It is so sad that such beautiful shoes just sit on a shelf. Maybe I should rent them out, so they get to go play every now and then!

I do wish someone would come into my closet, look through all my shoes and then tell me exactly what outfit would go with each pair of shoes. I truly love shoes, but I don't always do them justice. I would just love to look fashionably sassy every time I went out the door! Either that or please, next time you see me, just look at my feet : )

Shoe Show Day 2

Krista & I had a great second day. It started off with a wonderful breakfast in the VIB lounge. Off to see some amazing shoes by Romika and Dansko. Some people we met from a shoe store back east gave us a ticket to go to the Executive Club for lunch. It was a private dining room with a chef that made pasta right in front of you - it was pretty sweet!

We found a new line called Spring Step. Oh, they were great! We liked the Picante collection. Fun colors and unique styles. Just awesome! There are some pics below. We have to have them for the shop. We also loved what we saw from Dansko! Yeah!!! They finally stepped it up. Their Spring is just fabulous. It is going to be tough to choose.










We ended the day with champagne & treats in The Box. A special little area for new designers. We really like Chocolat Blu. Great brand. We will be bringing them in for the first time this Fall and I have high hopes for those shoes.

Tomorrow it is all about the Venetian. We just found out that the boys from Detny are not at the show and I am so disappointed. Was looking forward to that pick me up in the morning. If you have never seen them - look them up! (Shane & Shawn) They are worth a look!!!