Items We Are Totally Digging

New Twists on Classics

The Gals went on their monthly buying trip today. The main focus of the day--watches and bags.

Our new obsession--wrap watches. A great twist on an old classic!

Another great look, a fringe watch.

Such great detail...



Last great find of the day, a mod canary lap top case. Complete with shoulder strap.

By far, the highlight of the day...Jenny's amazing parking skills...

Kudos on fitting "the tank" into the last remaining parking spot--which just happened to be designated for compart cars only!



No words. So impressive.





Mystery Jets - Dreaming of Another World

Newest Addition to the Playlist

Who doesn't love dreaming of another world?



"Batty for You"

Haloween just happens to be the Gals favorite holiday. After some major brainstorming sessions, we came up with our theme for 2011...zombie apoloclypse came in as a closer runner up, followed by graveyard nation.

We needed something witty with just enough spookiness. Viola--batty for you!

We always enjoy putting together a new display--one that has to deal with a fanciful holiday, and especially one that takes a great deal of planning; surveying the merchandise purchased, getting a grasp on how it will work in the space, doing some crafting, and creating a floorset that can be followed.

Enjoy Two Gal's Batty for You Halloween display...

Curb Your Inner Creativity



Source: indie-handmade.blogspot.com via Meris on Pinterest





Creative: cre-a-tive. Adjective.

     1. To make or bring into existence something new.

     2. To produce through imaginative skill.

     3. To produce or bring about by a course of action or behavior.

While perusing The 99% the other day, I came across a fantastic article about developing your creative practices. To begin, if you do not read The 99%--start now! Their website's catch line will have you at hello, "It's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen."

I am all about making things happen--if there was a cult about making ideas happen, I would totally be a card carrying follower.

Being creative is something that was instilled in me at an early age--having the freedom to rearrange my room, reading fairy tales and books that took you to distant and exotic locations, being exposed to the arts and theater, etc. And I truly find that, in my current life (and the retail universe), being clever and innovative is second nature and almost mandatory.

Check out this stimulating article about the direct correlation between relaxation and creativity--chucked full of insight from Brian Eno:

Developing Your Creativity: Tips from Brian Eno



Source: creativebits.org via Monica on Pinterest

As for the Two Gals, we both find that the major prolific moments and thoughts come at night. We both religiously keep a notebook on our bedside tables and jot down everything and anything that may come to us.

The majority of my best ideas have come from this notebook...

When do you find you are the most creative? What spurs your creativity? How do you curb your inner creativity?

Retail U: Collegiate 101

The weather is getting cooler, you can go to Target in the middle of the afternoon and not be bombarded by people...it can only mean one thing, college football season!

Check out these items to make a winning touchdown while tailgating....

Who doesn't love a good marching band? Music to any ex-cheerleader's ears, which both Gals are! But I know of only one university's band that can play in the subfreezing temperatures that an outdoor hockey game can offer, and look like they are having one heck of a time...

Hail!

DIY Banner Tutorial

Banners and pennants--the hottest distinctive form of advertising of anything with a special significance at the current moment.

These latest fads are great tools to communicate specials, events, sales, etc. in your retail setting. Two Gal's has several mantras, one of which is: if you are given little space, use every single ounce of it! Instead of thinking horizontally, turn that thought 90 degrees and bring your customer's eye level up.

Five words...effective usage of retail space.

You can find these banners/pennants on etsy starting off at $10 and going up to a whopping $50. If you have some spare time and a creative side you can create exact replicas--for practically next to nothing.

Two Gals proudly gives you...

How To Make A Banner (For Way Less Than Someone on Etsy Will Charge You):

First things first...items that you will need:

Step 1: Download or use your favorite font from Microsoft Word. For the large banner, I used PrinterProjects.com. Print off letters.

Step 2: Using exacto knife and old magazine (no need for a cutting board with a mag), start cutting out your script.

Step 2.5: Make sure you are having an absolutely fabulous time!!

Here is what the letters will look like once you have cut them out...

(No worries if you did not pass "cutting on the line" in kindergarten...this is exactly why someone invented  Sharpies!)

Step 3: Take some form of a round object and use a pencil to trace scrapbooking paper. A bowl works perfectly--and can be customized to the size of banner you want.

(Scrapbooking paper offers a pleasantly flaired out background--and you can usually get it on sale at your local craft store. I paid no more than $.15 per sheet for the project!)



Step 4: Using pinking sheers, cut out circular shapes.

(Two Gals Terrific Tip: When cutting out a mass amount of circles--use a paper clip to secure scrapbooking parchment along the top. This allows you to chop more at a time while maintaining consistent circles. I recommend no more than 4 sheets at a time.)

Step 5: Center letters onto paper and glue.

Step 6: Let your labor of love dry overnight.

Step 7: After the drying process has concluded; use one of the most ingenious products ever produced, a Sharpie marker, and go over any imperfections.

I also take this time to black out the PrinterProjects.com label from the bottom of the letters. Kudos to you Printer Projects, but your trademark is not the most eye appealing things on the face of the earth.

Step 8: Hit up your local craft store's $1 ribbon bin. Make small slit, about an inch in from edge of paper, and string ribbon through. Tie in a knot and make into a bow.

Front

Back

Step 9: Continue to make chain and hang in desired location!

And you're done! 

This project yielded 1 extra large banner and 2 smaller banners...

All for, drum roll please...$10.15

If you have a bit more coin to drop you can purchase pre-cut letters and create another fabulous pennant:

Maximize the look and customer appeal of your merchandise. Showcase your product or special and bring in the most dollars with any limited space!

Have you made your own banner? If so, please share--we want to see your creativity!!

Austin Renfroe - Kiss the Girl

This Week's Newest Addition to the Two Gal's Playlist

Everyone loves a catchy tune...especially one that they may have history with. It's always important think of your audience when choosing songs. Depending on your store's overall ambiance, you have to question: is that consecutive conservative shopper really going to dig you blasting some Rhianna - Cheers (Drink to That)?

Yes, you most likely would--but would that song give you the 20% increase in consumer engagement?

Occasionally, rocking out to some classic Disney songs may be just the key you need to captivate your market. Indeed...I did just use rocking out and classic Disney in the same sentence.

Meet Austin Renfroe and his lovely acoustic take on Disney's The Little Mermaid- Kiss the Girl.

A perfect and pleasing melody for your hipster, middle-of-the-roader, or even your kiddo patrons! To quote the song, "It's a shame, too bad....you're gonna miss the girl." Don't miss the shopper on this lyrical ballad!

Trending Item: La Vie en Rose

To begin...some apropos music...



Previously, the thought of wearing flowers as accessories would classify you into the "Hippie Chick or Flower Child" genre.

Times have changed and sporting flowers is a new fanciful way of giving your daily wardrobe a touch of flair.

Vintage Sterling Silver Rose Ring

Fabric Flower Barrette with rhinestones from Natural Life.

Leather flower barrette from Bamboo Trading Company.

Natural Life's fabric and nylon flower bracelet.

Cloth and fabric flower head band from Natural Life.

But Two Gal's favorite perennial poison are handmade flower earrings from Cupcakes and Cartwheels, a sweet and whimsical collection from Two's Company.

These dainty earrings add a dash of spunk with the colorful fabric used for the petals and the small glass beads for the stigma.

Other fashionistas have been on the cutting edge of this look...

The ever fabulous Sexy Kay's handmade flower pin, adding pizazz to her purse.

Sprezzatura Nation showing off a double flower barrette, also handmade.

People say not to wear white after Labor Day--I say trim your attire with blossoms annually! Even in the coolest of climates, this look is hot!

Phrenology Heads

From 1828 to 2011...making a comeback...

Greek for the word of knowledge. The basis of phrenology is that the form of the head or cranium represents the brain and thus reflects a person's character.

.

Modern day Phrenology Head within the shop.

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." - Joe Paterno

UPDATE...

From Sprezzatura Nation: Phrenology Head in her home...

UrbanOutfitters offers a Phrenology Head jewelry stand. Phrenology Head combined with a jewelry stand?? Yes please!!

An Enjoyable Shopping Experience = The Right Tunes

Think about the last time you were out and about doing a bit of retail therapy. Did you happen to notice the music that was playing in the background while you dropped some coinage?

Fun Fact: Research shows a link between environmental factors and emotional behaviors while shopping. 20% of store consumers have stated that music has encouraged them to spend more time in a store.

We always find it of the utmost importance to continually (weekly and sometimes daily) update our playlists that grace the ears of our shoppers.

This week's newly added tune is an upbeat, feel good, make you want to spend time perusing our merchandise.

The Kooks - Junk of the Heart (Happy)



So to all the consumers out there...what's one of your favorite melodies to shop to?

My Dead Neighbor's Teak Wood Squares

In the world of retail, I have found that you should never brush off any atypical ideas. Lucky for us, we do not have "corporate" sending floor sets or plan-o-grams--we get to combine all creative juices in a cauldron, stir, and create innovative and ingenious displays.

I will not lie, there are some occasions where I question our creative intent. Especially when I received a late night phone call from Jenny that started off with, "I'm bringing in my dead neighbor's 1970's teak wood squares for the front window."

I believe that I may reaction was, "I'm sorry, you are doing what? Teak wood and Trunkis?" Trunkis are one of the hottest kid novelty items on the market. Inventive, fun, eye catching, and vividly colorful. And, we are potentially going to be mixing them in with some elongated and rectangular teak squares that could be straight off the set of the Brady Bunch?

The day starts off my dismantling previous window display...

Looking at some reference guides Melissa and Doug supplied....

And then I ask the question I've been, no pun intended, dying to know: "How exactly did you acquire these vintage and archaic pieces?"

Two words...estate sale. For those of us who have the freedom to design store layouts as you please, estate sales are one of the best outlets to snag some awesome display fixtures and props--and at extraordinary prices! Can we say gross return on profit?

We then stirred the cauldron--mixing not only our shabby chic tables, the vibrant ride on suitcases, and the 1970's teak wood squares.

And the result....

An eye-catching front window that incorporates vintage pieces with brand new merchandise! An eclectic yet cool and spirited display!

Check out how this display was created...

To quote Willy Wonka, "Invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple."

As it turns out...teak wood squares were our 2% butterscotch ripple!