BBJ's Reader"s Choice Awards WInner

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Portland Shoe Show Wrap-up

Still feeling a little tired from the drive home yesterday but we had a great show! We picked up some new lines, Fidji, PG Lite, Gabor and Victoria handbags. We also are going to bring back Simple shoes which we haven't had in the store in awhile.

The pace of the Portland show was much different than Vegas. We got a lot done in a very short time and we weren't side-tracked by casinos and shows : ) We were able to revisit Spring orders and change them up. Can't wait to show you the new Indigo line-up.

I was pretty lucky at the show, I won the $50 raffle and Hush Puppies gave me a free pair of shoes. Lucky for me - I was Cinderella and fit into them so they came home with me.

We also added a couple of shoes to our Fall collection - check out this beauty from Hispanitas. WOW! She is just gorgeous!

We are also bringing in PG Lite Happy shoes. Their slogan is "This is what happy looks like" They are so much fun - tons of patterns and colors. Yeah! I have wanted this brand for awhile so I just can't wait to finally get them in the store.

Portland Shoe Show Day 1

Had a very fun day at the Portland Shoe Show today. We picked up a few new lines, Simple, Fidji, PG Lite and a new handbag line - Victoria. Victoria is 100% made in the USA. Beautiful leather. Can't wait to get them in the store. It is going to be fun to have the Simple shoes back in the store. It has been awhile since we have carried them. They are back to having their cute little tennis shoes. Yeah!

We also have added Fidji for Fall. We have had so many customer requests that we had to add them. Here is a sample of what is to come:The pictures never do the shoes justice. They are so beautiful! Each of us ordered pairs for ourselves from the in-stock sheets. We just couldn't help ourselves.

We had a wonderful dinner out tonight as well. Portland is a great city. The whole crew came. Good times, good times!

Fall Shoe Trends

It is that time again - we have to put away our sandals and pull out our boots. So, are you wondering what will be in for Fall 2009??? You are going to love it! This season is all about being a girl! Lots of very feminine styles - gone are the unisex and manly looks. Vintage is still in - take a look at these Sofft & Born boots - very retro.

The colors this season are jewel tones - lots of eggplant, crimson, and emerald. Very rich! Grey is huge too! Suede is still hot! Lots of grommets - metal details. Patent leather is very big! The best part is that it isn't just black - chocolate brown patent - purple patent - oh so nice!

There were so many great shoes & boots to choose from this year. We had to be conservative with our buys because of the economy so if you don't see exactly what you are looking for - make sure you ask because more than likely we can special order it for you!

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!!!