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:

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!

Hail to blogging!

As I am getting ready to send this dress off, I just wanted to bow down and appreciate BLOGGING.  Not only has it been tremendous fun to get back into ‘journaling’, checking my map and seeing where the people ARE who come to visit my site, looking at the statistics and getting a kick out of the searches that direct them to MY blog – it is awesome!  Blogging also had it’s rewards financially.  Yes, financially.  And I do not even advertise on this blog.

So here is this dress that I. found on my site…. and IT IS GOING TO NORWAY tomorrow!  NO WAY – NORWAY!

I am tickled pink.  And I hope she loves it as much as I do (OF COURSE I own it as well…)   This dress is now officially sold out.  Can’t reorder it.  Basta.

The Heavens look favorably on me

I MUST be doing something right.  I am getting spared.  All around me these days, strange things are happening.  Two of my good friends lost their pet companions last month.  A girlfriend of mine got dumped and two people I know lost family members just this last week.  Amy packed up and moved.  It seems like the stars are aligning to bring about major shifts for mankind.  I was already getting a hunch of that when I wrote about CHANGES the other day.

So, here I had to cover my store for the last two days although I was supposed to be off.  Since I really enjoy hanging out here, I do not mind.  The only thing I did mind was that all the plans that I had got thrown out the window.  Such as visiting my good friend T. who just  had a baby and REALLY could use me right now.

I must have been a bit flustered last night when I left because I did not bring in the clothing rack that I usually have sitting outside.  I did not even notice.  What I did notice when I got here earlier today was this empty clothing rack outside of my shop.  Brief panic attack, followed by all my neighbors being utterly upset at WHO would be doing such a thing – stealing from a small store.

Well, as I said, somebody was looking our for me.  I thought I might as well check with the neighbors on the other side and see what they knew.  Lo and behold – the restaurant was so kind and took the clothes all in.  Pheww – this IS a good neighborhood after all!

Clothes are back. I am happy. Thanks to the Heavens – they DO look favorably on me these days.  And I am thankful!

Change is in the air

For a few nights in a row, I haven’t seen the moon.  Right now I do not know whether that is a good sign or not.  What I know for sure is that things are beginning to shift, moon or no moon.  As I am contemplating this post, there is a lady outside my shop having a VERY personal conversation on the phone and all I know is:  Her life is going to change – BIG TIME.  And it does not sound like the changes she is going through are happy ones.

Another customer of mine was talking about the changes last night.  She is very intuitive and was pretty clear about big atmospheric changes that will affect everybody who is in tune.  That would be me.

An unfortunate occurrence happened last night to one of out shops on the strip – WHILE we are having a good time.  Their cash box got lifted, we have no idea in what split moment, but it DID happen.  Not here, not now – that is too bad.  I know there are desperate people out there, but going BEHIND the counter in a small store to get the cash box and run with it – that is NOT FAIR.  We work hard for our money.  I sure hope that KARMA works its magic there.

And then, Poppy & Ivy is leaving.  Although I applaud her for making that decision and prioritizing her life, I am still VERY SAD that she will no longer be my neighbor.  40 blocks up the street might not seem far, but is is TOO FAR to chat.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all for changes.  I am the QUEEN OF CHANGES, just so you know.  I also support anybody who is making a change to better their life (like Amy).  Sometimes it is just hard to get my head around it.

Neighbor Frank

I think it is highly unlikely that Neighbor Frank is reading my blog – but if you do:  Thank you so much for letting me pick flowers from your front yard.

Frank seeded his strip next to the sidewalk with wildflowers last year.  He diligently watered them until they grew vigorously.  And then he offered for me to pick them for my shop.  This last winter we had this furious big freeze and lots of things died.  Not the wildflowers!  They came back more beautiful than last year.  I am so lucky to be able to pick them again.

Now, I do not know whether Frank is a father.  If he was a dad, I’d give him a pair of nice socks for Father’s Day.   He seems like the person who would enjoy a pair of fun socks under his slacks.

These are the incredible SmartWools. While they almost look like ordinary dress socks, they have a hidden fun side to them!  Check out the cuff and the sole!  The very best part about SmartWools is the fact that they wick moisture, you will never sweat in them even in hot summer days.  You can walk in them for hours without the danger of a blister! (this from a tourguide who walks all day long!)

These are cotton and plain fun on the outside.  just imagine crossing your legs and getting a peek at those under your boring blue or black pants.  I do not even want to go to the bermuda/shorts wearer who has NO style whatsoever wearing WHITE socks.  That is an abslute no-no.  A turn-off, guys.  Do these instead.

I might juts get Frank a pair, father or not.  He deserves it.

The curious case of the (unloved) SKFK shirt

When it first came to the store, I was away on my trip to Europe.  S. did not like it and later told me why – although one had sold right away.  She was actually thinking of even sending it back; that’s how much S. did not like the shirt.  The reason for sending it back would be the SKFK printing all over the pattern and the semi-unfinished neckline.

Then she sold another one, and I did, too – to the same woman who had bought the first one.  This customer needed another one because her mother had liked the shirt so much, she pulled it off her.  While I had no particular feeling one way or the other for the shirt, it began growing on me.  Especially after I got a request for a larger size and had to reorder.  And it sold well – that is also a good sign for my store.

When the re-order came in (I had re-ordered two ….just in case), I even began promoting it to my customers who were interested in it.

Here it is.  And I do like it even more the longer I look at it.

First off, it is made from Bamboo fabric.  So it is incredibly soft.  It has this sweet scooped neckline that looks flattering on anyone without being too revealing.  Its two front panels are crossed, which give it structure in the middle – accentuating a waist or pretending one where there is little.  And then the boob job.  For a smaller breasted woman, this shirt adds folds and fabric for a fuller line.  It really convinced me, though, when a larger breasted woman tried it on and I saw what it did for her.  The shirt emphasizes the assets, cups them perfectly and smooths the breast for an elegant curvy look.

Needless to say that they all bought the shirt.  I now have one left in extra small.  I might just as well go home with me.  I am convinced.

Yedomi

I know it is not Spring yet.  On the calendar not for a loooong time.  Unfortunately.  However, when the sun is out, even in February, people perk up.  Sit on the bench next to my store and chat.  Everyone is friendly and cheerful.  We NEED the sun!  And yes, my store is packed with spring dresses.  Such as the one that Naomi picked out the other day:

Not only does she look adorable in it (she did throw on a big coat to walk over here from Splurge) – but look at her:  She designed a piece of jewelry to match the dress perfectly!

The dress by Hazel is made of a lightweight silk/cotton mix, ends in three tiers and is fully lined.  The straps on the embroidered bodice are adjustable.  That particular day, Naomi wore it over a pair of jeans.  She pulls it off so nicely, I am proud for her as my walking, beautiful advertising.  Needless to say that I am a major SUCKER for her jewelry.