We've been swooning over Gotye for a few months now.
Perhaps it's his lovely brown locks? Is it because his real name is Wally? Or the fact that NPR digs his new record as much as we do?
As we pulled out of the parking garage after our 8th and final day of Market, (we have finally decompressed from the shopping madness enough to talk about it--a post to come later about our time at the Mart) this song came on XMU. And as exhausted as we were, we belted out the lyrics as loud as we could while cruising down the interstate. Classic "Gal Moment!"
Gotye ft. Kimbra - Somebody I Used to Know
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Happy Birthday Gal!
Coffee while watching the sun rise.
Every year on January 1st, Jenny proclaims that it is the "Month of Jenny." Today marks the day of birth of our dear Gal!
As cheese-tastic as it sounds, but we always talk about how the universe put the two of us in each others lives. And honestly, I believe it!
"Ladies and gentlemen, please note the nearest exit."
She always enjoys to have a good time. No matter how "normal" or "not normal" in the least, it may be.
She has endless compassion. Whether you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to listen to you--for the good and the bad, Jenny is your gal.
Happy Birthday to my hetero-life-mate, "Puppet," best colleague forever, and my dearest friend ever!
"Many people will walk in and out of your life,
but true friends will leave footprints in your heart."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
P.S. I promise this will be the LAST year that I schedule a special sale on your birthday causing us to wake at the crack of dawn and bust our butts all day.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Weekend Reading Material
It has arrived! The AmericasMart January Show book. I'm fairly certain there is a more savvy and industry technical term for this piece of literature...
About 3 years ago we just started referring to it as "The Bible." This is the ultimate guide and doctrine to a retail buyer. To further confirm our adoration towards this handbook, a mini celebration is held every year when it is delivered.
So...what is inside this book these Gals cannot stop raving about, you ask?
Page after page of montages of new merchandise that will be featured at the January Market, fantastic articles, and calendars letting you know what time free drinks will be served each day. It's pretty much a guidebook as to how you will live for 8 days.
And as you can tell by the width of this thing, it's pretty extensive. 608 pages, this year, to be exact.
With that being said, starting Tuesday we will be shopping for 8 days!
Madge's OCD kicked in--as you can tell I am rather organized this year. We are clearing inventory and very excited to bring in LOTS of new merchandise. We conducted a customer service survey in November and received some fantastic feedback from our customers on what they would like to see. We narrowed the suggestions and are focusing on a few key areas.
One of which...jewelry. (God help my overflowing jewelry boxes and random plates housing my extensive accessory collection...)
I created a section in my notebook showcasing photos of merchandise from some of our favorite companies and magazines of designs and styles that we want to carry. A wee bit of inspiration when you have been surveying products for hours each day!
Some of the items and trends you will see are going to popular:
Longer length necklaces layered with a different designed shorter necklaces.
Statement cuffs and bangles of all different sizes, again layered.
So very fond of these looks!
Our recommendation on how not to be overloaded while perusing this massive read: post its, a pencil, a pen, a Cherry Coke, and a chilled playlist.
Started about 2 years ago...we were on the forefront of that bandwagon.
Like jumped in feet first...
Cue Portlandia..."In Portland, you can put a bird on something and just call it art."
You can find birds on any sort of merchandise anywhere now. I may even venture to say it's getting a bit out of hand.
The Gals are still very guilty...
Birds on stationary.
Birds on a change purse.
Birds on a journal.
Bird car magnet.
Ceramic bird.
Bird magnets.
Birds on note cards.
Bird car air freshener.
Birds on a 2012 planner.
Birds on a wallet.
Birds on a t-shirt.
If you liked it then you should have put a bird on it?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
To Buy or Not To Buy
Headband Addition
When buying merchandise for the store, The Gals go back and forth. Should we? Is this a trend we will miss out on? Could this be a total waste of money?
Met with our ever favorite Two's Company rep on Tuesday--we LOVE ourselves some Two's merchandise!! From household items, kiddo toys, to jewelry and scarves--they offer really cute/unique products.
Here's an example an item we debated about.
New to head wear...
An collection of adventurous and daring headbands in several colors and styles.
