Christmas Trees

I came across this story on the internet.

The Legend of the First Christmas Tree

The night of the Saviour's birth, all the living creatures, both flora and fauna, came to Bethlehem with gifts. The olive tree brought its fruit and the palm its dates. But the little fir tree had no gift and was so tired it couldn't resist when the big trees pushed it into the background and hid it from view. But then a nearby angel took pity and commanded a cluster of stars to come and rest on its delicate boughs. When the Baby Jesus beheld this lovely lighted tree, He smiled and blessed it, declaring henceforth that fir trees should always be filled with lights at Christmastime to please little children.

A Series of Unfortunate Events - Poor Kim

You Gotta Love Preschool.

Kim and I teach middle 3's preschool in Allen, Texas at our Baptist church.  Let's just say, that some days are more "interesting" than others.  And, if I leave Kim alone for more than 5 minutes, something is bound to happen.

This morning, I left during Chapel to get some work done.  It probably wasn't but a few minutes before I left, that one of our little guys HAD to go potty.  Never mind that we'd both asked him before we left the room, but you know how it goes.

Kim and another teacher, in a similar predicament, head toward the bathrooms.  The women't bathroom (our first choice), has been freshly mopped, and I have yet to meet a toddler who doesn't immediately crash to the ground when his/her feet meet mopped tile.  So, they move onto the Family bathroom - one toilet.  Okay, that's great for ONE kid crossing their legs . . . so Kim moves onto the Men's bathroom, stands just inside while the little one relieves himself . . . and the pastor comes trotting through the door, looks dumbfounded, and leaves.  Evidently, HE thought the Family restroom was a good second choice - nope.  Returns to the Men's room and states - "There is ANOTHER girl in the other bathroom," and leaves.

During lunch, we realize one of the kids doesn't have a lunch.  Kim takes off in an effort to find food, and shows up 15 minutes later after being sent 3 different directions, finally securing a barbeque sandwich for said child from the senior luncheon.  Helps me secure the sides of my fold up box (okay, so I can sew a $500 christening gown - no problem, but I can't figure out this cardboard box - tab A goes into tab B. Great.)

I come back from lunch, later, and Kim is holding a pair of drenched blue jeans belonging to one of the kids - you've got it - didn't "quite make it."  Visualize her holding them an arms length away, wearing plastic gloves. hanging over the door looking for me.  You've got it.

Now, don't get me wrong - Kim and I really enjoy our jobs - no mistake.  We LOVE these kids.  But, there are definitely days when we go crawling home to enjoy a well deserved nap.

Redeemed Unique Art

At my last holiday bazaar, I met a vendor who, I believe, just started out this last year.  She offers a unique selection of art - created from vintage pieces, etc., and recreated into new art.  Noel Giger is a wonderful, genuine Christian woman, who lives in the metroplex and attends local shows.  Keep an eye out for her work!

I have her blogspot listed under my favorites - be sure to stop in regularly.  She shares interesting information on the origins of some Christmas traditions, and on simple Christmas projects to use in your home!

Ready for Cyber Monday?

Now that Black Friday is past (and yes, I DID stop by more stores than I had said I would - LOL), the next big business day will be for online businesses.  Cyber Monday - everyone is pooped out from running to all of the department stores to catch those unbelieveable bargains . . . and ready to finish up from the comfort of their homes.

Trust me - there are plently of good deals online, as well.  Which is great for those of us who have yucky weather rolling in this week.  Some websites even offer low shipping rates to help out shoppers this season.  And, the more you can purchase and have shipped reasonably . . . the better your savings!

Cindy

Black Friday Anyone?

Here it comes!  The busiest shopping day of the year . . . but, you won't see me out a 3am this year - yawn.  I really don't even care to be awake when the sun is coming up - LOL.  I have more of a tendancy to stay up late, watch movies such as Pride and Prejudice, The Day After Tomorrow, Men and Black, etc and sew.  Or, take the ocassional break to play Bejeweled on Facebook - LOL.

No, this year I will make only two trips on Black Friday - one to JoAnn's to pick up an organizational rack, and the other to a local quilt fabric store that offers 40% of one cut of fabric that day.  (We all have our weaknesses - right?)

Unfortunately, this change in shopping habits means that my babies are older and are either very specific about what they want, or ask for the very personal gift of money.  LOL.

Have fun while you shop - and be sure to eat something chocolate for me while you're out!

Cindy

Christmas Already?

I just can't believe it! I just a little over a week, the shopping rush begins!

I don't know about you, but it really crept up on me this year.

Fortunately, the older kids want to pick their own things after Christmas with gift cards or cash, so the only one we really shop for is the youngest of our brood.

Cindy

Auburn Rose Children's Boutique - Now Offering Local Trunk Shows!

I'm happy to announce that Auburn Rose Children's Boutique will begin offering Trunk Shows in the local area (McKinney/Allen/Plano/Frisco) for 2010!

We will bring in samples of new styles and accessories. Some may be purchased on-site - additional sizes may be ordered. And, yes, we will offer hostess incentives!

Email soon to get your date and time!

customerservice@auburnrose.com

Upcoming Bazaars for Fall 2009!

I'm happy to announce that I will be offering items at bazaars in the DFW area this fall! I will actually be represented at the District-Wide Bazaar for McKinney ISD at Evans Middle School on Eldorado Parkway on November 7th from 9-5, since I will be at the Snowflake Bazaar at Plano West High School in Plano on the 7th and 8th. In McKinney, the booth will feature mainly embellished jean jackets and jeans, pettiskirts and some accessories. I will have some of the same at the Snowflake Bazaar, along with booties, shoes, tights, baby layette, etc., from the website. And yes, we do accept orders!

In December we will be at the Holiday Bazaar at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church on State HIghway 121, Allen, Texas on the 9th and 10th, from 9-2, and from 6-9pm on the evening of the 9th.

November 7th, 9-5

District Holiday Bazaar

Evans Middle School

Eldorado Pkwy.

McKinney, Texas

November 7th & 8th

Sat. 9-5, Sun. 12-4

Snowflake Bazaar

Plano West High School

Plano, Texas

December 9th and 10th

Both days 9-2, Dec. 9th 6-8pm

Holiday Bazaar

Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church

State Hwy. 121

Allen, Texas

See you there!

Advertising, Anyone?

This is probably one of the biggest expenses of owning any online or brick and mortar store. However, there are a few ways you can advertise inexpensively.

While some website owners have great luck with pay per click, I reaped very little in using this form of advertising - no matter how big of a budget I set. Affiliate programs can be very lucrative, as long as you are are careful of the types of ads you allow on your website. And while SEO companies promise a lot, there is only so much they can do for you - and it can be VERY costly.

Here are some thoughts on inexpensive ways to advertise within your own community:

Send flyers to the local schools. Check with the administration first - sometimes they will send home advertisements with the students if you include a discount coupon. I know that the schools around me will place flyers on the table in the teacher's lounge. Do this around the holiday season!

Offer to help the schools out with a fund raiser!

Contact the Chamber of Commerce. They allow guest speakers on different subjects - make yourself know to the community.

Offering items for newborns? Contact some of the local OB/GYN offices. Some send sample products, etc., home with their new mothers. Add something small and inexpensive that advertises your products!

Having your website optimized is actually one of the best things you can do - make sure that all of the elements of your site are set up correctly - check out the WAHM websites offering these services. I am a huge proponent of hiring others working from their homes - they have the same skills as some of the larger companies offering the same services - for a much more reasonable fee, since they have less overhead. Check references and look at their client's websites to see how well things are "working".

Starting an Online Children's Boutique

Preparing to open an online children's boutique? Want to jump in with both feet?

STOP!

Learn from my experiences over the last two years.

I, too, LOVE baby and children's clothing. I love buying it, designing it, sewing it . . . and jumped in with both feet. Unfortunately, I did not do a great deal of research before buying merchandise and opening my online store. PLEASE - before you start - before you fill out that Sales and Use Permit application, buy merchandise, etc. - research, research, research! You will soon find out that what you THOUGHT everyone was looking for was a figment of your imagination - trust me on this one.

Especially in a challenging economy, people's needs change. What was popular this time last year is old news. Talk to anyone you can find related to your field - reps, merchants (okay, so they won't ALL want to talk to you - after all you are the competition), wholesalers - get a good feel of what is actually selling - not what you think is cute. One of the hardest lessons I've learned is that not everyone likes what I like. Some people had bad taste and will ALWAYS have bad taste. Even though they think I'm the one with bad taste - LOL.

Check into dropshipping - it will save you from having to carry as much inventory - which will save you at tax time. Coming from Cindy, who had you-wouldn't-believe-how-much inventory at the end of the first year.

When buying wholesale, don't be afraid to buy only limited amounts. Just make sure you can reorder when and if you should run out of a style. You never know what is going to be the hot item in your store.

And, make sure you have a wide range of items. Don't just carry the high dollar items - carry lower dollar accessories and coordinates to fill out your store.

That's it for now. I will be back with more information! Hang in there! I still love owning an online boutique!