So, my email is down and has been for about 48 hours.  I apologize to any one who is trying to reach me, or submit an online order.  With any luck the reconfiguration of my server panel (i have no idea what that means) will be complete within 2 hours and email will be up and running again in two hours.  I have no idea if any of the emails from the last two days will appear or not.  So keep your fingers crossed for me!

That’s right, Ms. Malena Martinez was on the small screen this morning for the first time.  Thanks to my friend,  the multi-talented Leigh Ann Barnes, (who has an unbelievable handbag line), I did a quick segment on the 10SPOT!.  The Philly morning show on NBC has two hosts, Lori Wilson and Bill Henley.  My segment was about how to recession proof your wardrobe by mixing and matching items you already have in your wardrobe. Here are some key tips!

1. Clip on earrings, worn as a pin, pendant, or hairclip
2. Layer a vintage clear crystal necklace from your grandmother with pearls,
and attach a brooch to it.
3. Brooches are back in style, wear them differently! On your flats, purses, scarves,
or jeans by the pocket.
4.  Experiment with the menswear trend and borrow cuff links, ties,
and vests from your man friend.
5. Embellishing items you already own will make them seem new,
try a scarf as a shirt or belt.

 Vintage fashions can be made timeless when mixed with modern pieces and
keeping an eye on current trends.  What you wear is part of your identity,
so don't forget to look within before determining what to put on.


I have to admit, it was very stressful for me!  So far the reviews,
(although from my mom and husband to be)
have been positive! So it was nice to hear I made an instant mini tv host.

Just a quickie here to let you all know I will be closing at 5pm on NYE, instead of at 7pm.  Have a fun, safe, and fashionable evening!

More of the figural type, than the literal.  I think I consumed more sugar and carbs in the last three days than in the last 3 months combined.  There was dark chocolate pretzel bark, tiramisu, sweet potato pie, cookies, apple cake, brownies, egg nog cheesecake, Bailey’s, martinis, OMG I should stop listing these things cause it is going to make me sick!

Hopefully your holiday season was filled with as much family, friends, and laughs as mine was.  I want to thank each of you for making this year at the boutique possible, interesting, and fun!  To me, my customers are like my co-workers (since I don’t have any!).  Thank you to everyone who got a little stocking stuffer or a gift card at the shop, or any shop in West Chester, every little bit helps keep all the brick and mortars open and our town unique.

So, it seams when your day is slow, and dreary something totally crazy can happen!  Like today, when I was bored out of my mind doing paperwork and Issac Mizrahi strolls in.   In the words of my mother, when I called her after to let her know what happen, “Holy  S**T!”  “Is this a joke?” No Mom, it is not a joke! He bought a few dresses, and some vintage items by Charles Jourdan.  His assistant was super nice as well.  The local buzz is that he was in town for QVC related stuff.

So, one of my most adorable customers came in a few months ago looking or accessories for her wedding day.  She described her dress as elegant and flowing, very 1930s like.  She lucked out and found a handmade 1950s shrug and screw back glass pearl drop earrings.  After the wedding she wanted to forward me a link to the photos so I could see how well the things from my shop went with her dress and not only did they coordinate perfectly, but the photos were great.  Since I was on the hunt for a wedding photographer I checked out the rest of Michael’s site and blog.  I love how candid his shots are and how they reflect the personality of the families.  I was prepared to cringe when I clicked to see how much his services cost…and I was so pleasantly surprised!  He is so reasonable!  I guess you could say I felt it was my duty to pass his info along to all the other soon to be brides out there that may not have a $500,000 budget like all those ladies on Platinum Bride!

Being in the press is fun because it means more people hear about the shop, and I don’t have to put out tons of cash to do so!  I am very lucky this month to have a few items featured in the Shopping and Style section of Philadelphia Magazine!  Originally I was asked to send the stylist one or two pieces with fur as the accent, and not a piece made entirely of fur.  I kept my fingers crossed and sent them like 20 items to borrow for the shoot!  I guess those gals liked what they saw and put 4 of my vintage goodies in print!  I just checked and they are on the front page of the Philly Magazine website too.  Some of the items are still available, but alas, that lovely 1960s sequined jacket with mink cuffs is long gone.  The article illustrates how the trend of fur can be worn easily in 4 different styles; Hip, Trendy, Sophisticated, and Professional.  The items from my shop are in the Hip and Sophisticated catogories.

Have you heard of this project?  Well, I have to admit I hadn’t either until venerable (he’s going to hate I called him that) business owner, Dave Fairman told me about it.  it was brought up at the latest Marketing meeting for the West Chester retailers, the ones I always miss cause they are at like 8am…Any way, if you visit the350project.net or just click those words here, you will learn more.  In a nutshell, it is an initiative to encourage people to spend even little amounts of money at local brick and mortar stores.  One of their statistics is that “if half of the employed US population spends $50 a month in a privately owned business there purchases would generate more than $42.6 BILLION in revenue”  To learn how this could positively effect your world, and not just the store owners visit the website.  It is very inspiring to see how the butterfly effect works!  So, please keep us little guys in mind when wrtting those up coming wish lists for the holiday season.

Leopard print items are all over th runway and will always continue to be in style.  Sustainable, and recycled fur is the way to go if you ask me.  It is very difficult to find vintage fur, especially exotics, in great condition.  The newest addition to the collection in the store is this mint condition late 1950’s Jaguar frame bag trimmed in black leather and gold tone hardware.  The inside is perfect brown leather with multiple pockets.  Because of the endangered species act I cannot sell it online, or ship the item.  But, oooh what a wonder it is, even in a photo. 

Admit it, seeing celebrities, regardless of their occupation does have its thrill.  Yesterday Juliette Lewis came into my little boutique with another cool gal and bought a few things.  She was very nice, and apparently in town to play at The Note with her band Juliette and the Licks.  She even offered to put me on the list under her name to get in for free.  Unfortuneatly, I wasn’t able to get there because I got stuck trying on wedding dresses at the Priscilla of Boston’s sample sale.  I did find one, the second one I tried on actually.  I am super excited about it, and of course going to make alterations so I can make it my own.