I embrace adventures.  I embrace new challenges.  I can’t wait to move things around.

So when I was pondering my goals for this year, I looked at what I had to work with.  Four years of SOFIA, learning the ropes of a retail business from scratch.  Buying and paying for inventory.  Merchandising the store, fine-tuning what my customers might like – and, unfortunately, still missing the mark sometimes.  Bookkeeping, taxes, payroll.  Marketing the store, advertising services, setting up sale events, networking.  Photographing outfits, maintaining a website, emailing and keeping up with a blog.  Wheew – did I know what I was getting myself into?

No.

But I love it.  My store is my sanctuary.  I can count on its calming effects even during the most busy times.

Couple that with a more than strange economy and nobody would blame you for bailing out.  But I still love it.  And my store continues to do well – DESPITE the odds.  I was even able to grow the business, hire an employee.

So what’s up with the adventures and the new challenges?

I AM TAKING SOME TIME OFF.

I AM SO EXCITED!

BTW:  Poster idea by Emily of Songbird Design.  Check out her website. She is AWESOME!

… and ringing in 2010 with a bang!

When composing this post earlier today, in my thoughts, I had the perfect words to mint.  But then, of course, I did not write any of it down and so the ‘perfect’ post escaped me.

So will this year; it will escape in a few hours.

This is how this year ended here in Portland:

Under a thick blanket.  Which of course, once again, caused havoc in this town because NOBODY was prepared for this.  I love those small, benign catastrophes.

I am closing out a wondrous, remarkable year, both personally and business-wise.   I was able to go through so many great experiences and am looking forward to the next chapters of this book.
SOFIA was holding up her own, thanks to the loyal patrons of my little shop.  I bow down to every one of you who chose my store over the big boxes.  Thank you for the many good conversations we had, for the opportunity to get to know so many of you better!

Wishing you a happy, prosperous,  healthy 2010, and

PEACE!

It’s been totally socked in here this morning in Portland, Oregon.  And cold.  brrr.

However, this is the perfect feel for me  JUST before Christmas.  Somber. Quiet.

The world has been covered with a soft blanket.

People are still out, shopping for Christmas gifts.

Business has been very good, the sock wall has taken a BIG hit.  I kept consolidating the remaining socks and tights and it still looks good up there!

A lot more people used cash this season.  A sign that we are a little more conscientious about  our finances.  I am entirely grateful for my loyal customers – once again – you make my day!  Thanks!  Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays!  Enjoy your loved ones near and far!

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While I still am not playing Christmas tunes at the shop, I have moved up a little and am listening to the Jazz Music Network and their guitar and smooth voices  station.  Almost like Christmas songs.  And after I will have put up my tree at the house and get into the spirit a tad bit more – I will play the Christmas songs.  Especially the ones that are about snow – because we don’t have any and it would be so nice!!!!

I was also playing with accessories for the holidays and here is what I have come up with:

This dress is a dark petrol velvet by Hazel and it is very festive all by itself.  I have jazzed it up with a beaded scarf by Zazou.  The scarf has a little vintage look (20ies) to it.

This scarf is also by Zazou.  It has silver threads encased in sheer black fabric.  Stunning.

The kimono shawl by Zazou.  Burnt orange silk with a Japanese inspired motif all over.

Another floating thread scarf.  The picture does not do the intense green threads any justice.

All of theses scarves will look VERY festive on any outfit.  Now or for your New Year’s party.

I would say that by now, almost EVERY store I go into has some sort of Christmas tunes tweeting from their stereos.  And while that still does not do anything for me and I pity the store clerks who had to listen to this music for the last four weeks, I must admit that I DO feel kind of festive these days.  I have seen beautifully decorated trees in my friends houses, we had had an arctic cold front come through, I baked cookies, held a Holiday market and bought some gifts.  There is a (good) chocolate Advent Calendar in my house and I am having fun creating an online one for my friends.

So, it is about time to think about the party dresses.

My first installment shall be about some outfits that would look good at any party.

This dress is by Kersh, is knee-length, looks just darling – and will work even after the holidays when put over a pair of jeans.

A delicate velvet shift dress by Anni Kuan, covered by a red cardigan by Armand&Alba.

Folklore stitch blouse by Hazel combined with Anni Kuan’s black ‘fuzz’ skirt.  Great also separately.

A classic, vintage inspired, body-hugging dress, also by Kersh.  Length below the knee.

This top is by Hazel, has a wide scoop neck and will go with slacks or a long skirt.

To commemorate the spirit, I am wearing a green/red plaid skirt today, red sweater and tights and green boots!

Arrgh!  Last minute announcement – because I did not get to this earlier.

These days are filled with a steady stream of customers, an influx of alterations and me organizing the Winterfest.  On top of that, updating the website, taking pictures, posting them and keeping up with the rest of my store life.  No, I’m not complaining – this is a good time, a fast time, filled with exciting happenings and parties!

So here we go:

Okay, I have to admit, I am not playing ANY Christmas tunes at the shop.  Not yet.  It has to be at least around the 20th of December for me to do that.  I go insane listening to those jingles all the time.  I also have not decorated my house yet. (my store, yes – people have to be feeling the ‘vibe’).  My Christmas tree goes up a few days before Christmas – and then stays through the beginning of January at least…

Same goes for WINTER clothing.  I am not ready yet.  Instead, I wear layers upon layers of cotton and light wool.  I don’t know – I want the transition from summer to winter to be a lot longer.  Yet, time flies.  Where does it go?

Out here, is has been very cold, though, for the last few days and will continue to be so.  I saw the first frost this morning coating the rooftops.  I will probably have to get into those thick sweaters and wool tights here pretty soon.

So for today, one last post about layering and fall colors BEFORE I embark on the Holiday spirit and festive wear.

All of the cardigans are by A2 – a company that uses recycled, mill-end yarns.  Except for the mustard-colored long cardi and the navy thick tunic; these are by Press, Canada.

As for me, I keep on wearing this silk/cashmere scarf.  It keeps my neck incredibly warm and smothered.

And my fall colored tights.  For now.  Everything to go with the scarf.

Yesterday, I lit the first candle on the Advent wreath.  And baked some Christmas cookies – which I have NEVER done this early in the Christmas season.  Tonight, on my walk with the dog, I saw THREE Christmas trees lit in front windows.  Everything seems to be earlier this year.

For most of us Europeans, Advent is a time of reflection, marked by lighting a candle on the four Sundays that precede Christmas.  I honor and respect all celebrations that occur during December, whether religious or not, as I feel this last month is a time for reflection on the year that has been and a preparation for the year that will come.

As shop owners, December is also our busiest time of the year.  We try to anticipate what our customers and shoppers might like; what they want for themselves, their families and dear friends.  We definitively get a lot more traffic in our shops and try to make them feel welcome by providing a warm and inviting atmosphere.

I invite you to come over.

Find your Holiday dress.

Find a gift.

Stay and chat for a while.

As I am trying to keep my customers and friends abreast on what is happening at the store, I feel like I should be able to include pictures to go along with my entry.  And when I don’t have pictures, I get the feeling I am cheating my readers.  This would be a day like this one:  I am at home, I do not even know what has arrived at the shop AND I don’t have my camera on me and its chip on which I store A LOT of pictures. (and yes, it is debatable whether that is a good idea in inself).

HOWEVER – I was out shopping today and it felt like a WARZONE.  Due to the fact that we are having Thanksgiving in this country in TWO days.  To me, Thanksgiving is the quintessential American Holiday.  E V E R Y B O D Y  in the US is celebrating Thanksgiving, across religious boundaries and other beliefs.  We cook a turkey or some other scrumptious meal, get to a communal table by car, train or plane and indulge in food, wine and good conversation.  Well, mostly.  There are people who will be lonely and others who are in a place in their lives where they cannot or will not be celebrating this holiday.  They still count and I wish them well.

Thanksgiving somehow marks the beginning of the final race towards the end of the year.  People today were wishing others ‘Happy Holidays’, fully aware that they might not see the other person until NEXT year.  Because we will be busy, no matter what we do.  Welcoming family and guests, saying goodbye to them only to prepare for the next big fest – Christmas.  Back when I was still teaching, you pretty much could forget the next few weeks as kids and their parents had so much other stuff on their minds than school.

But I want to take a moment, pause and breathe before this final stretch.  I want to savor these last days of the year  – and the long nights.  I want to enjoy the company that comes to my house and that I will see at various parties.

It has been a good year so far, and I want to take the busy holiday season in stride.  I am grateful for my customers who keep coming to my store even if the economy is described as doom and gloom.  I am grateful for my friends and family that I share happy times with and who I esteem for their support, laughter, conversations and continued love.

As for the  store – I will be decorating it after Thanksgiving.  I will have candles and an advent wreath and am looking forward to all the pretty holiday dresses and glittery scarves.  December will be good.  Breathe.

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.