The Greek Theme, take 2

Looking over my blog statistics, the Greek Theme gets by far the most views.  I find that highly interesting.  For various reasons.

Anything Greek was apparently THE hit this summer.  I had featured a few dresses on the topic and also Michelle Obama who promoted Greek in her fashion.

It seems that everything Greek slowly but surely made its way into our neck of the woods.  About a couple of years ago, Trader Joe’s started to carry Greek yogurt.  At first only the type that had fruit puree mixed in, which is not really what Greek yogurt is all about.  Now they have the plain kind, in three fat levels (and I only like the full fat one!).  Most of the nature stores carry Greek yogurt now.  Portland has a huge Greek festival in the fall and it attracts more and more people every year.

A lot of my friends have happy memories about Greece and they talk about wanting to go back. (so do I…)

So maybe all of this signifies a trend that finally made it into the fashion world.  The designers caught on and presented Greek inspired lines this Spring and Summer.  It seems to be a faint memory by now – I have nothing but one Greek inspired dress left over.  Looking around my store, I can’t find ‘the Greek theme’ in my winter clothes.  Which is not to say that Greek won’t stick around.

For now, though, I’ll shift my focus to Germany.  Christmas Season is coming up and I have the most awesome large Advent calendars.  With PRETTY – not cutesy – pictures behind every little door.  No chocolates either, although – again- Trader Joe’s has those.

You get open the first door on December 1.

Friday, the 13th.

I must admit that I probably am somewhat of a obsessive compulsive person.  I would not admit that to anybody today, but when I got up in the morning, I was FULLY AWARE that this is Friday, the 13th.  And only to myself I would confess that I was a bit anxious about it.

I don’t say ‘Happy Birthday’ to someone BEFORE it is their birthday.

When I find a penny, I spit on it three times and toss it over my left shoulder.

I do not walk under ladders.

When I hear a ringing in my left ear, somebody thinks favorably fe me.  Ringing in the right ear – not so good.

The more ‘8s’ in a phone number or address, the better – for that matter, any number combination that makes 8s is good.

A black cat crossing my path freaks me out  (I have not found a remedy for that one yet)

And I believe in Karma: spread good – receive good.

 

My mother was born on a Friday 13, she is alive, well and 81 years old.

So go figure – I am doing well today.  My evening will be just fine – I trust it.

Get your pants on!

When I post about the shop, I realize it is more about socks (of course!), tops, skirts and dresses and hardly EVER about pants.

I like pants, although I admit that I am so much more of a skirt fan.  I wear skirts in all lengths ALL YEAR ROUND.  Nothing makes me feel more like a woman than a skirt.  In the summer, I prefer flowing fabrics in skirts that come to just around my knee – I like how the fabric moves around my skin.  During the colder months, I wear my skirts SHORT and with tights, mostly colorful, striped or patterned.

But I do like pants, especially since they invented spandex.  I wonder how we ever survived in those rigid un-giving and un-forgiving pant legs.  I  also like that they moved the waists down, which is not to say that I like those pants that barely come up to your hip bones and leave much to be covered when you bend down.  No exception, especially when a woman has a few pounds too many.  So I consider mid-rise  – 7 1/2 inches to 9inches – ideal, the waistband comes to just below the belly button.  That way I feel covered, yet can eat as much as like without needing to pop the button.

Now, here are a few that I have in the store right now:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From left to right and top to bottom:  Christopher Blue Lloyd trouser jeans, Christopher Blue Ric corduroy in China Gold, Kersh Marlena, Mavi Dawn trouser, Christopher Blue Ric black jean, Christopher Blue Ric cotton trouser, Mavi Zoe, Anni Kuan wool trouser, SkunkFunk Dina cropped

Okay, of the pants shown here, I own FIVE.  Not bad for a skirt girl, huh?

 

catch of the moment

After a day of super heavy duty rain,

I looked outside

and found the most amazing light

in the sky.

Happy Weekend!

and then there are days like this one….

Sometimes, I believe I jinx my own existence.  I usually trust my instincts and my gut feelings.  And I so like to believe those instincts that it is an utter disappointment when things turn out just THE OPPOSITE or completely different to say the least.

This morning I was all chipper and positive and so convinced that I would know EXACTLY how this day shall turn out.  I am not even saying that this is a BAD day, it is just so surprising that – so far – it is nothing like I expected.  First off, it did not rain, which actually contributed to me being so positive….  Then it is a Wednesday, and the last Wednesdays just knocked me off my feet – I was so busy.  Well, let’s just say that THIS PARTICULAR Wednesday will NOT be counted among them.  Next, I had planned all these things for today, somehow wanting to repeat my yesterday which was super productive.  On that note – I have managed to cut off two pairs of jeans ALL DAY.  And I have about ten more sitting here waiting to be hemmed.  Productive?  Ah, not so.  Sidetracked, doing all kinds of useless stuff, oh yes!  Furthermore, I was convinced I would hear from two important people, the first one did not call and the other one did not show up.  I was so sure I would hear from them!

Well, I can only say two things – my gut feelings are wrong sometimes and a day like this one just proves it.  And – the day is not over yet!

Gotta love free advertising!

One of the perks of being in business for a while is that people notice you.  Your business is still in the phone book, the website still works, email gets answered and customers talk about you.  Word gets around.  This is especially important to a small business owner  (LIKE ME) with not a whole lot of money to spend on advertising.

So it was much to my pleasant surprise when I got an email from the fashion show organizer at the Portland Women Show.  She wanted me to show 12 outfits at two (TWO!) shows.  At first, I was so baffled that I did not even answer her.  Me, my little SOFIA?  Then I thought – HECK – FREE advertising, go for it!

I actually had a lot of fun looking at all the models and fitting them with my clothes.  Most of them are 5ft 10″ at least – when do you get a chance to show off beautiful clothing on REAL models?  Their hair and make-up professionally done?

So off to the show went twelve outfits – AND I DO NOT EVEN HAVE TO BE THERE!

The Portland Women Show runs from today until November 1 at the Convention Center.  The fashion shows are at 1PM, both Saturday and Sunday.  And while I do admit that the hunks at the Firefighter’s show might be a bigger attraction, do check out what SOFIA has to present – some of which is here:

Morning Walk: Fall Beauty

These days, I cannot get over how beautiful this part of the world is.

Usually, we do not get many fall colors for such a long time.

I want to dive in and bathe myself in these beautiful colors.

And because I decidedly have the most glorious sock and tight collection – here are some of my fall choices:  Croenert cotton tights, Smartwool knee highs, and Falke textured hosiery.

Rapti shawls from Nepal.  Just in.  Fair trade, women made. Cashmere/silk blends.  Scrumptious!

Confession: Smartwool addiction

Finally I got around to photographing the TWOs I was talking about in this earlier post.  I’ll post those pictures below but first need to explain about the sock addiction that I have.

The true addiction to Smartwool:  Longer that a year ago, I was hiking through a snow field up at Mt. St. Helens with my friends G. and N.  My boots, socks and feet were SOAKED.  Unprepared a hiker as I am, I had no SPARE pair of socks with me, however, N. did.  She offered me a pair of Smartwool Saturns that I put on and into my wet boots.  About 90 minutes downhill, my feet were not only DRY but also WARM.  Do this to a notorious cold-footy like me, and I was convinced.

I got myself my first Smartwool pair at a local shoe store and have been addicted ever since.

They keep your feet even tempered, even in hot summer days.

They wick moisture away and keep warmth in.

They make the best bed socks – EVER

A lot of them have cushioned bottoms – you feel like walking on air.

You will never have blister in a Smartwool sock.

I sell them.

Enough advertising?

And while all of the socks above are for women, I also have some good styles for guys.  Do not feel left out!

I have this thing for color…

When I came in this morning, I found two boxes on the floor and a variety of new stuff on hangers that came in yesterday.  I am finally caught up entering all of it into the computer AND finding room for the new socks.  Best thing was, of one variety, I already sold three pair.  Seems to be a winner right there.  Of course, I had no time to photograph it all yet – that will have to wait until tomorrow (at least).

I got so inspired, however, that I rearranged all my display racks and changed the colors around.  Being among all these beautiful clothes all day long, I want them to be soothing to my eyes.  That’s why I group colors together – to please my eye (and your’s).

Below are two pictures from the green-black-white section and the mustard-cream-brown section (through the window)

Happy Wednesday!

Morning Walk: Two Angels

Everything happened in TWOs today.

My dog ate two slices of lemon pound cake that I had saved for this afternoon. (Bad dog!)

Found these two angels on my walk.

(there are lots more of TWOs on that bus, I just realized….)

Had two dear ones bring me first lunch and then a coffee cake!

Had two guys with dogs stop in, both saying their dogs want to see me. (grin)  They are cute – the dogs, I mean.

Which all gives me a chance to show off these cool SmartWool socks that – incidentally – also came in TWO’s:

This is just to get you interested.  There are lots more!  Pictures to follow!

And now I’m off to Happy Hour, again with two ladies. Hm.