This Changes Everything

I just discovered this site today. Now I want to change everything.

The experts tell you simplicity doesn't work in retail.

They say it needs to be piled to the ceiling with large signage and bright colors to attract attention.

They can have it. Give me this.

Observations at 30,000 feet

While dining at Lidias with the staff, I asked the girls what three things they would have to have on a desert island: lip balm was the winner around the table hands down. The three things I had to have are also lip balm, an emery board and a Pilot G2-05 pen. I'm as bad as Bob Dole, I have to have my pen. On the recent flight to Atlanta I grabbed my notebook and wrote some dribble; observations, thoughts and lists of things to do. I ran across it today and thought I would share with you some of the worthless information that runs through my head.

• Why do people find it more important to read People Magazine than Vogue or something else with information they can actually use? (my fellow passenger)

• Reading Anna Wintour's editorial in Vogue I was pleasantly surprised as she noted Marc Jacob's frank acceptance speech at the recent CFDA awards. Evidently Marc said a lot more than just Thank You but was open about the hardships, addictions and ridicule he had endured along the way. Wintour stated that his success needs applauded because "a commitment to a singular point of view is never the easy path, but ultimately, the most rewarding". Reading this made me slam my magazine down and sigh. How true?!! Here I was on the way to market to once again, be confronted with who I am. Do I buy cheap? Do I buy big? Do I buy what they ask for or do I stick to my vision? Needless to say, her statement hit home.

• When I fly, I always want a window seat. I love to look out the plane at the large cumulus clouds and imagine when I die that God will let me bounce on top of them like big trampolines.


• I dream of winning the lottery and being able to go to every major antique show and buying the most incredible stuff for the store and charging exactly what I paid for it.

• I am on a quest to develop the perfect tea stain dye. (Don' t email me, I've already tried it)

• How many gift cards did you receive for Xmas? I got seven. Did you know businesses love selling them as only 60% are used? Money in the bank. Are we getting so lazy to gift buying we are taking this easy way out?

• Customers always ask, "Where do you find all this stuff?" My favorite place to shop are antique malls, shows and markets out of town. Lots of inventory, one stop. I am not a garage sale or estate sale shopper.

• I almost always buy for the store: tarnished silver serving pieces, ironstone with fractures and brown stains, plates and china with good florals (no gold), great old high heels and boots, industrial stools and benches, painted furniture, old photographs of sisters and brothers or women in hats, millinery flowers, old lampshades, old globes, chunky picture frames, velvet jewelry boxes, brown striped suitcases and dress forms.


• I always buy for myself: striped suspenders, blue transferware, tarnished rhinestone jewelry, brown ticking, old frosted bottles, French newspapers, scraps of fabric to someday reproduce and tooled leather bags.

My favorites:
• Movie this year: Little Miss Sunshine
• European Magazine: World of Interiors
• Fashion Designer/style icon/businessman: Ralph Lauren
• Vacation: Secluded log cabin by the lake with great fishing.


• I am a bad parent. I have a fluffy white Bichon that barks a lot and scares off men and children. What did I do to teach her that?

• I secretly want to be a country singer or a movie actress.

• I would love to design my own line of men's style clothing for women; pinstripe pants, tweed vests, homespun shirts; using lots of denim, utilitarian fabrics and hardware but with a dressed up feel. Think Carhart meets Jessica McClintock!

• I hope to retire with 6 dogs, 200 acres and no worries.

My Glamorous Life

I checked out of the Ritz Sunday and head to market for my final day of buying. I made another stop to the Midwest showroom and wrote up my Halloween and Christmas order for 2007. With all my fuss over Jennifer Murphy I forgot to mention the great designs by Charlotte Lyons as well. (see below) I think they both mix nicely together and will be such fun to display with during the Holidays.
These aprons left from JessieSteele.com.



















Some garden purchases were made- I actually found a company to deliver fresh, live plants to the store for our Spring Open House. Iron arbors and bentwood willow treehouses were also a couple of well needed large scale products I found.

While taking a break on the 15th floor, I saw a vision in pink across the escalators. Hello Kitty was standing there waving and twirling and taking pictures with fans. Occasionally a licensed character will show up at market to promote a company selling their images on cups, figurines and lunchboxes, etc. Last year I rode the elevator with Darth Vader and Princess Lela. I had to get my picture taken with her as Abby thinks she's a hoot. I may be wrong but I think she offered me a Hello Kitty breath mint once.





Building 3 was my final stop and although I was nearly tackled and handcuffed for having my camera out I did manage to document one of the main reasons to shop the third building: Goldbug Studio. With permission from master designer/artist/paper queen Ashley Carter, I got these two images. I find out she will also be mentioned in the March issue of Country Living as a participant in Earth Angel Toys. (Are we all tired of waiting for it yet???) I also found two new jewelry lines and added more to a third. Finally it's over for me, a quick dinner and little did I know, a long night ahead.



















I hear now and then that some of you think I am living the glamorous life; jetting off to market, dinner with Carol Bolton, shopping New York City, antiquing in Round Top- ah, the good life. Let me let you in on my own reality show. I'll try to make this short.

That night in Atlanta, in 68 degree weather, I waited 45 minutes while my airport shuttle was 15 minutes late. I check in, wait for my 9:40 p.m. flight, board and wait. An hour later we hear we are overweight (the story of my life) and they are taking all the luggage off to remove the luggage held over by the previous flight to lighten the load. Every 10 minutes the pilot kept us informed as to the progress. Finally at 11:00 we taxi down the runway and stop. We stop for 30 minutes! He announces an instrument panel is not working. We drive back to the gate where a mechanic is going to check us out. 20 minutes later the pilot announces we are going to change planes.

We get off and wait for a plane. The new plane they get for us is being cleaned and literally has the seats taken out. While the cleaning crew is frantically hurrying to replace them, all of us make a run for the bathrooms, vending machines and cell phones. We reboard at 1:00 a.m. EST. The man sitting next to me had restless leg syndrome and bobs his leg for the next 2 hours. AHHH. We land at 2:15 a.m. CST to a lovely 17 degree icy cold snowy night. I unzip my luggage and grab everything I have and layer it on. I wait another 20 minutes for the long term parking shuttle. I suddenly notice I am the only female as all the other ladies have sent their hubbies on ahead to de-ice the cars while they wait at the warm terminal. Sweet.

I drag my overstuffed tapestry luggage into the snow and see my Trooper sitting quietly covered in almost a quarter inch of ice. The overhead light comes on- good sign. The car starts- even better sign. My car isn't the fastest to heat up being 13 years old. The only ice scraper I have is a can of defrost with a scraper lid. I am spraying and scraping and tearing up and walking around the ice covered parking lot at 3:00 a.m., pitch black while a little truck with a snowblade zips by me, unnoticed to plow the lot.



My wipers are frozen solid, my defrost barely works and I suddenly think, 'Ah, the glamorous life my customers think I lead going off to market. If only I had a camera to document this.' Oh wait, I do!!! So here is evidence of my glamorous life. Despite it all, while frozen to the core, I saw this on my digital and laughed out loud. An hour later I am finally home to my almost warm bed. Another one down. Only 8 years more of this to go.

Identity Crisis

I left my camera in the hotel so I was bummed I didn't have great documentation of my Saturday at market. Lisa checked out of Atlanta and headed home to Dallas and I continued on to building 2. Back home in Kansas City, I hear it is 17 degrees, terrible business in the store and an ice storm underway. Great. It always puts me in a good mood to be spending thousands while store sales are down. Ah, the life. So if you are reading this- get into the store and make us a deal!! Our sale is over in another week. We marked our printed bedding down again to 50%.

Today was spent trying to find some staples for the shop. New fragrances, candles, picture frames, gift ideas, etc. Abby and I are nuts about those chocolate covered sunflower seeds and I found a good designer brand for Valentines Day and Easter gifts. Another showroom had really beautiful floral aprons, great for Mothers Day. I also have been on a hunt for beeswax candles with the natural honey scent. Sounds easy enough, but sometimes vendors jazz them up too much with bad labels or silly shapes.



Two showrooms really stood out today. Both used to be next to nothing two years ago and now they are a full blown company. It's great to see these guys grow. I am always crazy about the raw wood, galvanized metal, rusty iron, industrial thing. They both delivered. One had a cool black ottoman made out of old tires! Not a sloppy version but something perfectly manufactured. Another had great bar stools that look like they came from the local gas station and other items that had been inspired from the local general store.

Since I arrived I have been noticing trends, although this is not something that persuades my buying much as I try to find my own path. This trip three things: ethnic touches were taking center stage. Moroccan inspired merchandise with cutout motifs, batik patterns, hanging lanterns, exotic one color prints. Not too bohemian- a little cleaner than that, almost resort like. Another was raw wood: candlesticks, picture frames, stag heads- all carved and finished without any varnish. And finally, without any concern for being politically incorrect, I have to say this- the gay boys have got it goin' on! Showroom after showroom, isle after isle, restaurant after restaurant- they are here. From an exhibitors point of view these guys must be employed by the hundreds to decorate the showrooms. Especially for Christmas. The trees, the shelves, the furniture are piled high. Layer upon layer, drama to the ceiling. I am truly jealous of them. They think big, they see big, they design big- I could only dream of having that gene. I overheard one bragging of a client who sends him a plane ticket every year to come to her 17,000 square foot house to decorate 37 (that's right, 37) Christmas trees each winter! Others walk the isles in twos, commenting and oohing and ahhing over this and that. I think some bring their ladies who lunch clients along as they pick out items for the second home. And let's not forget the florists and wedding planners that are here. Anyway, they are a force to be delt with in the home furnishings industry. Maybe I'll hire one and fluff the store beyond my imagination!

Something interesting happened to me around 4:00. As I was in an average showroom, trying to pick out something... average, I don't know what, (it all blends together after awhile) I suddenly said to myself: I don't want my name on that. This phrase came to me again and again when I was trying to decide what to buy. Would I want my name on it? Now this may seem funny to you. If you are a shop owner you may always say this to yourself when you're at market. But I have never, not like this. I am usually thinking if an item will sell, what season it will work for, if it is the right price- a thousand things. But if Target called tomorrow and wanted me to design my own line and I went to market to develop it, would this be an item I would choose? Would I put this in the Curious Sofa catalog? Well this made a huge difference in my decisions. Unfortunately, it narrows items way down but also fine tunes. This epiphany came a bit late as now I am doubting everything I have bought so far! AHHH!!! Stop the insanity!

People often ask me if I will expand my business; franchise, open in other areas or cities and my answer has always been that I just want to get better at what I'm doing. To get smarter. Smarter at buying, pricing, selling, display- there is so much to get right. Just when I think I might have a handle on it, the industry changes. Internet sales, warehouse stores, shopping malls, catalogs, small boutique, blogging, text messaging, direct marketing, the economy, the president- how can anyone keep up?

So, the easiest way to think my way through (and you too, if you're in business) is to define my brand. Do I want my name on this? It may also be a great way to fine tune your life. Heavy thinking perhaps, but what could possibly make us stand out from the pack if we do not tune in to who we are? Country Living interviewed me for the magazine and asked me my three suggestions for being successful. Whether they quote me right is yet to be seen but my #1 answer was to be different. Be unique, tap into your brand. As women, I know we all compare ourselves to every other woman; looks, body style, personality. We try to be younger, prettier, be tough, act smart, act naive- whatever is our thing. It's hard work to find out who we are without all the outside forces. I for one, am going to give it a shot, especially with my business. Stay tuned.

Atlanta Market - Day 4

On Friday I shopped a full ten hours as market stayed open until 8 p.m. I began in building one, again, trying to finish up before heading off to another 18 floors in building two. The High Design temporary section opened at 9 a.m. and artists and vendors with a 'better than usual' focus, showcased their wares. White carpet lined the floors as buyers stopped and started their way up and down isles. I was stopped by this display of a large bolt of yarn mocking a hornet's nest.


This display from a San Francisco paper company stood out as does everything they do. We carry their line and each year they get better and broaden their inventory. This market the designer made some one of a kind jewelry that was so beautiful.


Another display that stood out was from a jewelry line that displayed their line on old industrial steps.


My first stop on Friday was to friend Cody Foster's booth. I had just had lunch with Cody two weeks ago and he barely mentioned how fabulous his new line would be. How humble is that? This good 'ol boy from Nebraska stopped the show in my opinion because he has replaced and fine tuned his line and it is getting better and better. He may single handedly renew our opinion of antique reproductions. I have saved the better pictures for the store (sorry) but here is some of his Xmas samplings. His new garden stuff will be in the store shortly. Raw woods, grey metals, chandeliers, faux bois, rusty metals... ah, I was in heaven!






AND, once again, another reminder as to why market is not always fun:

Ho Ho Hum

Somewhere around 4:00 I said, "That's it". I simply could not see another sparkling sprig, upside down Xmas tree or bad granny angel. I have ordered and studied and planned and squinted my eyes at bad ornaments and tiny 10 point price tags until I was looking cross-eyed. At this show I was determined to find great looking (affordable) fake trees. That was my #1 quest. Thousands of dollars of ordering later- I still have not. What gives with that? How on earth can I charge my customer $500 for a tree? So the search continues.

I made it into the Midwest showroom where I saw first hand the work of Jennifer Murphy. Wow- they have done a dynamic job with this line. Every little stitch is there. I am so excited about it I am devoting an entire area to her designs next November. And from all things glittery and fantastic, the woman who started it all (and now every showroom is copying her) Wendy Addison. This year she has added giant glittery chandeliers, eiffel towers and wired easels. Flocking is also big for the holidays and Midwest has done some great things with it for Halloween and Christmas.










Don't forget, there is also a LOT of not so fabulous merchandise to see at hundreds of other showrooms. My job at market isn't as glamorous as you might think, as these pictures will explain. (The names have been changed to protect the innocent).






























At 4:00 I had had enough of Xmas so I headed down to the 9th floor to see some vendor friends who I know would have something to ease my eyes. They did not disappoint.

Coming soon at the Sofa you will see these incredible giant burlap market bags. Right off the streets of Paris, fully lined, huge and great for flea marketing. Gilded lamps that can add just the right amount of Marie Antoinette to your home. Painted iron tables, rusty scissors (yes, I said rusty scissors) and bistro wine glasses and coasters.












Some vendors are making garden items even more rusty and chippy and antique looking which of course I love. The paint is literally hanging off and I am thrilled about that as it doesn't look spray painted-fake. Tomorrow I am off to see more garden merchandise and the latest, inevitably fabulous designs from Cody Foster. Check back!

Puttin' on the Ritz

Well now I've gone and done it. Lisa Ryan and I are rooming together again at the Atlanta Gift Show. Eight months ago we managed to get an affordable reservation at the Ritz Carlton near the market. I have been in luxury heaven since I arrived. The attention this hotel pays to detail continues to amaze me daily; all the employees greet you in the hall, the elevator, at the front door; the bed is fluffy and white with thick sheets, down comforters and feather pillows; big bars of Bvlgari soap and fresh flowers are in the bathroom, endless bottles of water, fully stocked fridge, chocolates on your bed at night. How can I ever stay in a Motel 6 again? It's downhill from here. I have never stayed in a hotel that was better than my own home! This was a well deserved surprise if I do say so.


While Christmas '06 is fresh on my mind I am off and running to buy it all over again for '07. It's that time again and I am trekking the isles of the Spring Market. I have been here 36 hours and have only finished two of the 36 floors I have to cover. Oh well, I learned long ago I cannot possibly see it all. But that is for me to worry about, not you.


Each time I come to these markets I wonder what can I possibly find that is new and exciting. What hasn't already been done? But that is only partly my job- the rest of it belongs to the companies I buy from. I forget it is also their job to find and create the goods. What I have been excited about is the craftsmanship I am seeing coming out of varied showrooms this season. My favorite vendors are getting better and better. Better artists are licensing their work and I for one couldn't be happier. Although these items may be manufactured, that is good news for all of us as it keeps the prices down. This year Jennifer Murphy is licensing with Midwest of Cannon Falls and her designs will make their way into the shop this year. Dee Foust and Bruce Elsass with Bethany Lowe Designs continue to amaze me as well.


I will have to say the Bethany Lowe showroom is something to behold. She scours the antique shops and displays her line according to season and color. The black casket with rouched silk lining showcases her Halloween- where on earth did she find that thing.





An old tarnished childs refrigerator is transformed into a shadow box for silvery Xmas figurines. Giant sleds, window panes, screens and doors separate the areas. Take away all the great merchandise and you still have an exciting place to visit. Not something you can say about most of the displays here.





I am getting a late start this morning so off I go for more inspiration and great products to bring you this year!