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!!!

Shoe Show Day 2

What a fun day! I just love to see all the new and exciting trends for next year. Looks like there is going to be lots of gladiator styles - so get used to them. I was never a big fan but they are starting to grow on me. Lots of metallics and tons of bling! Even the conservative brands have bling. It always amazes me when you go to the show that you end up seeing the same types of trends with every vendor. Each brand had a gladiator - everyone had metallic colors. Lots of patent leather too. Spring 2010 is going to be good.

Krista & I are also VIB buyers (Very Important Buyers). We have no idea how we got that designation but we love it! You get to go into a special lounge where they give you swag, they have food and free internet acecss. It makes us feel so special.

My favorite shoe today had to be the shoe below from Sofft. Oh my - it was just so pretty. I want the light grey metallic color in my closet now! I have to have it. It was just so pretty on! I just can't wait to see what fun styles Dansko & Fly London will have. Should be a good day!

Shoe Show Day 1

Krista & I had so much fun today! We attended the National Shoe Retailers Conf. here in Vegas. We learned about hiring great people (we are in the process of hiring two new people - so very timely). And also how to best support those that currently work at the store. At the end of the day, we attended the New Balance cocktail party - oh so much fun!!! They had both an Elvis & Tina Turner impersonator. They were great! The food was fantastic. Highly entertaining! Tomorrow we start at 9am and have appointments on the hour every hour until 6pm. But don't worry - you get so jazzed after seeing all the new shoes! Can't wait!

Eco-Friendly Shoes - Now at 12th Street Shoes

We have added a new category of shoes to the shop - eco friendly shoes. So what does that mean...glad you asked - lets start at the bottom and work our way up.

Soles - the sole can be made from a couple of different materials - a renewable resource such as crepe rubber or cork, or they are made from recycled materials.

Footbed - the footbeds are made from cork and bamboo charcoal. Both are renewable resources.

Leather Upper - The beautiful colors you see are all created with vegetable dyes which are much better for Mother Nature.

Putting it Together - these shoes are put together with low VOC adhesives or they don't use adhesives and are hand stitched together.

Packaging - all the boxes are made from receycled fibers. The shoes bags are biodegradable.

The brands that we carry that fit this bill are Joesef Seibel "Spirit of Nature" collection, Groundhog, and El Naturalista.

They have their own special place in the store so it is easy for you to spot them. Who knew that fashion could be so environmentally friendly!

Shoe Show!

I can't believe that it is almost time to go again to the shoe show. We leave in a week. I have to be honest - I absolutely love going! I know that it is supposed to be work, but what girl would pass up an opportunity to shop all day and get to see what is going to be "hot" in 6 months. And for me, it is in one of my favorite cities...Vegas!

I am extra excited this year, Krista & I will be sending updates through Twitter (@12thstreetshoes), Facebook and our blog. It will feel like you are there. The shoe show is a whole little subculture. You go into booth or hotel suites and you get to check out what each manufacturer thinks will be hot next season. As a buyer, you help to steer what will be offered the next season. If buyers don't buy, the style is dropped (never made).

It is a lot of fun. Sure at the end of the day you are tired. You go to appointments on the hour, every hour from 8AM to 6PM. But your energy peps up when you get to see that magical, one-of-a-kind shoe that you have to buy for the store. I really can't wait!!!

If there are brands you would like us to carry, let us know - we love to look at new shoes! And don't forget to check back here for Shoe Show updates!