Spring 2010 Ads

Here are the newest ads we're running locally. Amy looks darling in the Root ad, but I am especially excited about these new photos we used for The Roadrunner. A photographer from Philadelphia was sent here a couple of months ago for a Hill Country story in Sherman's Travel...whatever that is. The shop was also featured in the article, and those shots were amazing, too. I sure do have a great appreciation for professional photography. Maybe someday, I'll pick up a trick or two of that trade.

Another exciting press-related tidbit is that the shop and B&B, along with a list of other local favorites, made Design*Sponge today, for a City Shopping Guide. Design Sponge has long been one of my favorite design blogs, and as you can see, holds a top spot on my blog roll. : )

The List

ShopAcrossTexas.com posted its TOP 45, and guess who made the list...Root! The site scoured the state, from big cities to small towns, and covered all types of retail, including gift, home, and apparel stores. Ballots were emailed to 45,000 homes and the list was officially revealed on ShopAcrossTexas.com in August. Wait! There's more...5 of the 45 are located in Fredericksburg (Red, Homestead, Beulah's, Something Different II, and your's truly) and our perfect little town won the prestigious award for Best Shopping in a Small Town! With the help and encouragement of ShopAcrossTexas, we entered a float in the Gillespie County Fair Parade. We gathered merchandise from all five shops and piled it high on Sean's vintage pickup for a Sanford & Son Goes Cruisin' Main theme. Nothing fell off, the goods all made it back to their respective storefronts, and we, hard-working, hardly-rewarded retailers pulled off a little shameless self-promotion.

Other highlights from the parade included mini ponies, a bright turquoise tractor, the cheerleaders (especially Alli), this precious pooch, the Sit-And Be Fit Ladies, a 3-day old DiCuffa snuggled in a sling and his visibly sleep deprived big brothers, and Willa doing the Roll-It-Up to the blaring music.

Building the Biz

Be sure to check out Root's new website, designed by my uber-talented friend, Seana. http://www.rootfashion.com/. And here's the new ad she whipped up for Tribeza magazine. This is my very first glossy - it's a big step! Gorgeous model + natural setting + professional photography = pretty good, eh? Room 3 of The Roadrunner Inn shows off it's new look in the ad as well. Oh, and the cutest part of all: Willa co-models alongside Camden for the Beulah's ad.

Excuses, Excuses

Well you must think I have fallen off the face of the earth. Nope. Just busy. I'm keeping my priorities in line, and the blog is still at the bottom of that list. I have missed Sprouting Daisies, and the peace of mind I gain from a good, long-winded cyberspace vent. But I miss a lot of other things, too - like naps, television, and lounging by the pool, and eating a home-cooked meal. I haven't been able to squeeze any of those indulgences into the measly 24-hour day in quite a while. May was a doozie of a month for me. As I have explained, business has been tough, and I have been actively (make that hyperactively) trying to keep it intact.

In May, I hosted 2 promotional events, within 10 days of each other. The first was STYLE YOUR SOLE, which celebrated TOMS shoes and the ONE FOR ONE mission the company was built on. (For every pair purchased, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need.) We invited customers to attend, buy a pair of TOMS and decorate them with paints and other art supplies we provided. We also involved the community by asking a group of retailers, designers, and art galleries throughout town, to decorate a pair to be auctioned for charity. It was different from anything I've ever done at the shop before. The best part about it was finding a creative and fun way to be charitable, and reaching out and collaborating with other local businesses. We have sold a ton of TOMS since STYLE YOUR SOLE. These events always create a buzz, which leads to a residual boost in sales and a very pleasant surprise for me.

The second event was the Summer Soiree and Fashion Show, which we hosted alongside Beulah's. This took a lot of coordinating, since it was a party, and a sale, as well as a fashion show, it involved two different stores, with two separate sets of models, as well as trunk shows from 6 guest designers. As always, with these events, I was stressed to the max, making list after list, losing sleep, and fearing that I was going to forget something - like chairs for the guests or an imperative detail in the invitation...like the date. But once the big day arrived, and the music started, and the chairs filled up, it was such a blast! It's always so rewarding to watch as these events unfold and all of the individual elements and little details fall into place. The fashion show was amazing, if I do say so myself. For many reasons, but perhaps mostly because Willa was one of the models. Sean and I both swelled up with pride and tears as she bashfully took the runway as the littlest of the models. You can see it for yourself on the photographer's website, PortraitsByJenn.com. (Click on "clients" and enter "fashion show" as the password.)

The party lasted until 10pm at Root, but continued into the wee hours of morning as my single obligatory glass of wine with my non-local guests turned into something much more. We celebrated Rebekah's quarter-of-a-century birthday over dinner and talked motherhood and babies over a pricey glass of wine at Lincoln Street. Then, weakened by the relentless pleading of one of the girls, the rest of us took a deep breath, tossed our standards out the window, and made one last stop for one more cocktail of Crown and Dr. Pepper at Red Barron's Bar. I sat quietly at the table, soaked up the ambiance, and watched my friends fend off toothless drunks and lesbian advances. My profoundly entertaining and fearless friend, Lori, danced with a slew of strangers and accused the rest of us of being too uptight. She does have me pegged. It was a very late night, but definitely something I needed - friends, laughter, and a smoke-filled beer joint to renew my appreciation for married life, motherhood, and what some might call a monotonous routine.

A couple of days later, Willa and I, rather spontaneously, headed to the coast to spend a few days with my friend, Tara, and her two girls. It was a perfect opportunity for me to spend some quality time with all of them, and with my own little girl. We were very low-key and lazy, mostly hanging out at the house or on the beach. One night we got a babysitter and Tara took me to a tiny, delicious restaurant for sangria, fish tacos and chocolate cake. On the third evening, we packed up, dressed Willa for bed, and hit the road for home. Oh, but disaster did strike before we made it out of town. Willa had caught a vicious bug and vomited all over the place. We had to return to Tara's house for a second bath and a hosing of the carseat. Eventually, we got back on the road, determined to get home, and it was a miserable 6 hour drive with lots of tears, sickness, and stops for fresh air. My poor baby.

The next day, I caught it. And the day after that, Sean was laid up as well. What a miserable household. Willa got over it quickly, Sean's was a fast and furious case, and mine morphed into a cold and had ahold of me for more than a week!

Once I was feeling better, I dove right back into work, making up for lost time, and catching up on a whole lot of back burner issues: tackling my 2008 income taxes, expanding my advertising, completing my Fall orders, planning Willa's half birthday, revamping the website, filing and cleaning my office. I have been extremely productive and it has relieved a tremendous weight off of my shoulders. I actually feel as though I could go away on vacation...and relax and enjoy myself! Guess I better hurry up and book something!

P.S. Lots of pictures are in the pipes...stay tuned.

Here I Go Again With My Feelings...

So this is what they meant when the economists warned that things would get worse before they'd get better. My little shop is holding strong, but it's taking everything I've got, like working overtime, carefully pouring over orders to ensure that I have made the best buys, spending most of my time on the sales floor, and keeping my payroll to a minimum by doing as much as I can myself. I go to work with a smile on my face because through it all, I thoroughly enjoy what I do, but times are tough. My sales this year have been relatively good, considering the retail closures that abound, but I am still struggling to recoup from my fourth quarter overshoot. Every penny counts, as does every potential customer that walks through the door, and that pressure is draining my usual upbeat spirits. The worst part is that I worry night and day that I am cheating Willa and that annoying maternal guilt has resurfaced. I wonder if this guilt is normal, common among all mothers. My closest friends who are mothers describe having the same feelings, but maybe we're just all same-feathered birds that have naturally flocked together. As I discussed a new scheduling arrangement with Billie Jean today, I reminded myself for the umpteenth time, just how fortunate I have been to have had so much time with Willa, more than most working moms could ever dream of having. And I hope that once that perk gets replaced with the necessity of work, I will only be grateful for having had the experience and the pleasure. It's probably silly, but I often think about the way her experiences are shaping her. I hope that in exposing Willa to my work, I am somehow, in a very early sense, instilling in her a strong work ethic, nurturing a drive for success and an appreciation for business and the value of a dollar. Even though she can't comprehend it yet, I hope that she will eventually, fully grasp and seek out the dream of doing what she loves every day and appreciate the sweet fruit of her own labor. I expect that her outgoing nature will keep blossoming and she will enjoy meeting new people throughout her life, like she is already doing in her retail experience, alongside her mom. So for right now, I am going to keep up the hard work and try to put a lid on this guilt. I'm going to try to lighten up and stop trying to have it all and do it all, to the point at which it's just not realistic, or enjoyable. Wouldn't it be great if I could channel all of that energy into shear appreciation for life and start taking it day by day? I'm going to work on that.

Let me share one more thought before I call it a night. Blogging is fantastic. I mean, where else can a person vent and whine to their heart's content, without ever having to worry about annoying their audience, because if they are truly annoyed, they'll quit reading it. Comments from readers are a fun surprise and often provide well-meaning encouragement and advice. And if ever a spoilsport drops a negative line, the blogger always gets the last word, with the power of the delete key. Putting yourself out there, emotionally, to the world, via the Worldwide Web, is liberating and satisfying. And then, of course, there is the benefit of journaling and documenting life's daily occurrences, which mundane as they may be, are still our own histories in the making. I like to think that this blog will be an entertaining read as I grow older and wiser and can look back and laugh. And for my children, this blog will serve as a collection of family memories more detailed, personal, and real than any baby book or fill-in-the-blank journal could ever be. So that's what this is all about, dear readers. Love this blog or leave it. I'll never know the difference. Blogging's a beautiful, therapeutic thing. And I highly recommend it!

Good (art)Work

My super-talented graphic designer and dear friend, Seana, has recently launched a blog and an Etsy shop to showcase and sell her beautiful art. Please click over to check them out and keep her in mind if you have a wall in need of a little color or whimsy. These are original illustrations that have been hand-drawn then digitally colored and printed on archival paper. Each print is numbered and signed, and carefully packaged and shipped with the utmost care and attention to detail. Trust me on this, I just got my order in the mail, and it was such a treat opening it! At just $12 to $15 a piece, they are a small investment that will make a big impact. Her Duke and Duchess and Feather Series are currently available for sale at Root, but there are many more in her shop and in the works.

Here's what the Heep's will soon be framing and displaying:

To Seana: I am so proud of you for following your dreams. You truly have a gift and it's so nice to see you putting it to a use that must be so fulfilling and rewarding. I admire you for having the drive and the courage to pursue this while keeping up your day job and raising your darling daughter.

One Day Without Shoes

Just in case you didn't see it on the Root blog...We're offering 10% off of anything and everything to anyone taking part in the One Day Without Shoes event. All you have to do is come in, this Thursday, April 16th, without your shoes! It's a no-brainer!

Baby-less

I just have a few minutes to post while I sit in the airport terminal awaiting my flight to LA. Sean and Willa just dropped me off a little while ago, and I'll be meeting Melissa at LAX in a few hours. It is very early in the morning, and I had little sleep last night. But I can't let that slow me down - I have a nonstop weekend ahead, filled with market appointments, shopping and dining at my favorite spots, possibly a couple hours of spa pampering, and maybe even some celebrity sightings. We'll have to see what the limited time and budgeted funds will allow.

As much as I have dreaded this first trip away from Willa, I'm not all that emotional about it this morning. This past week has worn me out so much that I think I'm too tired to even process it. Billie Jean was out all week, and town was swarming with Spring Breakers. So I was basically on my own (with Willa) until my after school help came in each day. Business has been very good at the shop and the B&B has been booked solid. It hasn't been easy trying to hold everything down while preparing for this trip and spending extra quality time with my girl. It has been true exercise in multi-tasking and delegating.

Yesterday, I asked Caitlan, who happens to be on the Work Program at FHS, to take an Emergency Work Day and help me at the shop all day. I had a hair appointment first thing in the morning and finally got my embarrassing roots taken care of. (I'm just barely a blond nowadays, thanks to full-fledged adulthood and pregnancy hormones.) Then I ran an errand I've been trying to get to for the past three weeks, and stocked up on my face products. (Sean's bar of Dove soap was starting to take a toll on my skin.) When I got to the store, I put Willa down for her morning nap, threw on my imaginary maid uniform, and headed upstairs to scrub the tubs and toilets before the new B&B guests arrived. Thankfully, Billie Jean got back into town just in time to come to my rescue and entertain Willa for a while after her nap. I used that time to get some new merchandise out on the floor, finalize my market schedule, and prepare my budget. Sean came a little later and picked up Willa so I could stay late and make sure everything was in order in my office, the bills were paid, the deposits were made, the emails were answered, etc. Sean and Willa met me at my mom's for dinner (thanks, Mom!), then we went home, put Willa to bed, and I started packing. I had to run back up to the shop at 10 pm for some extra outfits because I realized at the last minute that I hate all of my clothes. It is crucial to feel good about your fashion choices when attending the LA Fashion Market. FYI.

Okay, my flight is boarding...Gotta run! I'll try to be in touch!

Bracelet Bandita

Back in my Element

I've been at work, full-time, for almost 3 weeks now. The transition has gone rather smoothly, actually, much to my surprise. Willa naps well, and behaves well at the shop. Most importantly, she and I are both enjoying our retail surroundings and each other. The shop is fully equipped with baby gear, including a crib, diapering area, play area laden with toys, endless fresh faces passing through, (even some of the baby variety), and of course Billie Jean, who does double-duty as nanny-slash-shopgirl with perfection and ease. If I'm busy with a customer or a project that requires my full attention, Billie Jean quietly takes over with Willa, playing, teaching, snacking, changing, visiting the neighbors, taking in the sun and watching the cars go by from the front porch.

Another thing that has been good for me is having Willa's crib in my office. She sleeps for a large part of the work day, which keeps me out of there and on the sales floor - where I am most valuable. My motivation is at a high and I am feeling inspired about the upcoming market and spring selling season. My head is full of ideas for updating our shamefully outdated website, and I've even created a Root blog to post new arrivals and shop news. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I'm on top of it, from the big things (properly budgeting my inventory) to the small things (promptly returning phone calls or better yet - taking them.) I am thoroughly enjoying being back in the game and realize just how much I've missed it...the merchandising and display, the everyday flow of inventory and cash that comes in and goes right back out, and especially the interaction with customers. I had almost forgotten how crazy I am about my job. Whether I am relishing in an accomplishment, or strategizing in an economic downturn, I am always happily in my element. My physical presence at the shop has nudged me into a routine that is more balanced. I've annoyed us all with my whining about my quest for balance between work and motherhood. And I actually found the answer where I never thought to look. Working more, and smarter (not harder) has alleviated the burden of guilt, stress, and worry that I have been carrying around with me. I am sleeping better, thinking more clearly, and feeling more like myself. When it comes to Willa, I am more focused and relaxed. Those feelings of maternal inadequacy have finally begun to subside. Willa must have noticed, because she seems more comfortable too. So things are very good, with the exception of the number of posts I've been turning out lately. A wise woman told me earlier, "you're always going to slack at something." Best it be blogging, I suppose.

The Great Inventory Debacle

I started the week off with gusto that would make you all proud. The dreaded annual inventory was complete. January was behind us. I was ready to take on February and my new(ish) job requirements. I had spring in my step and optimism (as promised) in my heart. Then Jordan posed a question, "Did-you-shut-down-the-computer-yesterday?" Her face was mostly buried in her shirt, as if to shield herself from my reply. I put off the inevitable bad news by returning with another question, but it only bought us about 3 extra seconds of ignorant bliss. "Was-I-not-supposed-to?" Apparently, I was NOT. And I was the only one who was unaware of this. Either those girls give me too much credit, or I don't always listen. The inventory we had painstakingly counted over the previous week was long lost. We should have cried, but instead, we laughed...And we started over. It only took us two days the second time. I wish I could say that it's twice as accurate, but I don't think that's really the case. It will have to do until that time rolls around again, mid-year.

On a positive note, Willa was a complete angel all week. I think she has finally acclimated to the work environment. Her naps came easily and regularly, and were uncharacteristically long. She played well in her new space, and was just an all-around delight. I take full credit for getting her into this routine. No Babywise cry-it-out nonsense necessary. And it only took me 13 months. Maybe I should write a book.

So despite how it sounds, the week wasn't all work and no play. We had our share of fun. And here's the proof...

My Birthday Non-Party!

Sean has kidnapped my baby and fled the county (of Gillespie). I have had almost an entire day at home by myself and I haven't done a thing productive! We still don't have any plans to celebrate my birthday tonight, and I couldn't be happier about it. Oooh, how I love a low-key evening, void of pressure and expectation! I would love to go to a movie (Slumdog Millionaire) and eat popcorn for dinner. Sean sure is lucky to have such a cheap date.

I've had kind of a rough week, between a seemingly endless manual inventory at Root, which revealed more upsetting evidence of the recession's toll, multiple nights of interrupted sleep, as Willa's stubborn 6th tooth finally surfaced and broke through, and of course the shocking demise of Domino (my favorite magazine and most coveted subscription.) Top that off with the big Birthday No. 32, and I am one big party-pooper.

I'm just kidding. This lazy day is exactly what I've been needing. I'm happy to catch up on some blogging, and good ol' E! TV. A few of my lovely friends brought over a gift certificate for a massage and a pedi, which I will be putting to use immediately. It's actually been a really good day! And even better now, since Sean just pulled up with my baby!

P.S. I just opened the door to greet Sean and Willa, who looked at me with her bright eyes and said, "Dada!" She's a little mixed up with her Mama's and Dada's, but for some reason, I find that to be completely irresistible!

Still There?

Okay, I've been a very, very bad blogger. Period. No ifs, ands or buts about it. I've tried to put my thoughts into a post several times, but the truth is, I have been way too stressed to make any sense. Trust me, and be glad that I've spared you my incoherent ramblings and taken this little vacation from Sprouting Daisies. I'm back now, and that's all that matters, right? I'm still stressed, but who isn't these days? My worries are no bigger than anybody else's, but they are relative.

I have been swamped with work, between the loose ends of 2008, and Jordan's departure. (I know, it's not a departure, it just feels like one.) The Roadrunner is surprisingly going strong and there is even some talk about a couple of V.I.P.'s coming to check it out and (cross your fingers) give us some free press. That has naturally sent me into a panic. My other business, however, is suffering from this fledgling economy, and I can't even make a dent in my stack of past due bills. Supposedly, one quarter of American retail establishments are expected to close in 2009, and according to my Yahoo homepage, clothing is among the first luxury consumers plan to cut. Rest assured, concerned friends, Root has a very good chance of survival. But I am aware of what is going on in the world and realistic of all the possibilities. (Anybody know what a pair of alpacas is going for these days?) I am trying to keep my overhead costs to a minimum by taking advantage of my own dirt cheap (free) labor and being there as much I can, but that isn't as easy as I had naively hoped. Willa is only entertained for about 10 minutes in her brand new fully-stocked play enclosure, and wants to be up front where she can eat raw lima beans out of the jewelry display and make me completely paranoid that she might slink out of the front door and onto U.S. Highway 290. (Just in case anybody is wondering what the big deal is and why I haven't taken Willa to a sitter, well, stay tuned...I'll explain it in a future post, entitled The Scars of My Infertility, and you'll wish you had never asked.) I'm aware that I am a tad addicted to Willa's company, but I honestly just want what is best for her. And what is best for her right now is to be with ME! So what am I to do? (Don't answer that.) To make matters worse, in just two short months, I will be leaving Willa behind for the first time, as I travel to L.A. for several days of market. And there's one more thing... I am still breastfeeding, and this upcoming trip will also bring the dreaded, yet inevitable end to that!

It's certainly not anything that I can't handle. In fact, I feel better already. This venting has cleared my head and I feel like blogging again. You'll be hearing from me soon, with optimism...and new pictures of Willa!

New Year:New Game Plan

Yesterday, Jordan told me that she has decided to take a step back from her managerial role at Root and into a situation that will better suit her life with the new baby, Cash. We still have to iron out the details, but she plans to set up an office at home and continue to do bookkeeping for Root and The Roadrunner, while taking on more of the same for the Bakery. She'll hone in on her expertise in finance and bookkeeping, and streamline her workload, which will promote more efficiency and productivity, increased income, and decreased stress.

Of course I am disappointed, but I completely know where she is coming from. Not only do I appreciate her tremendously as an employee, I love her dearly as a friend and want what is best for her and her family. But still, it came as a surprise and well, feels like I've gotten dumped. We both laughed through giant tears as she assured me, "it's not you, it's just me." I couldn't help but to let my emotions get the best of me and failed miserably at keeping it together.

Jordan is a huge asset to the store, and I have come to rely on her for more than either of us realized...until now. Having her there enabled me to take a much needed break and adjust to motherhood. After 7 years of doing it all myself, it was easy to hand over the reins to someone so trustworthy and competent. And even now that I'm back in the picture, having Jordan managing has allowed me to enjoy the business I've built from a completely different perspective. She gave me peace of mind that was priceless. And it was comforting to have her around to share in the trials and triumphs (of both retail and motherhood.) But over the last few weeks since she's been back from maternity leave, she has given me strength as my confidant, another working mother, determined to have both, struggling to wear two heavy hats on a single, sleep-deprived head.

There was one busy day a month or so ago, when Jordan and I worked together...with both Willa and Cash...and no other help. I won't get into the details of it, but it was challenging. Tears were shed, and not just by the babies. By closing time, I was bedraggled from the hectic day of juggling, but also filled with fresh enthusiasm and grit, a sense of post-adolescent girl-power. I felt so proud to be a devoted mother and businesswoman, and satisfied with my unwillingness to choose between the two.

Now, I know Jordan is going to read this, and I hope she takes it as it is intended, as an enormous compliment. I respect her decision and completely understand and relate.

I have to keep reminding myself, though, that she isn't quitting. She'll still be around, just less often. And she will keep on doing an amazing job, insuring that the accounts are in balance and the bills are paid, and plenty more. I'll be back in charge at the shop, with my nose to the familiar grindstone. Willa will be with me, 'cause I won't have it any other way. And it will all be just fine because it has to be.

The Bug Bites!

{Warning...If talk of baby vomit makes you queasy, skip this post.}

As much as I try to keep her out of germ's way, with my trusty Clorox wipes and hearty German breast milk, Willa has gone and gotten sick...again. Only this time, its the stomach bug. Dreadful. The poor baby was uncharacteristically clingy and a tad extra fussy a couple of days ago, and I just assumed it was because she was tired. She was especially whiny at dinner and refused three different meals before I gave up and moved on, to her bath and bedtime ritual. I was rocking her to sleep when disaster struck. Without any warning, she threw up all over the both of us, more than I ever could have imagined. And as soon as it was over, she was talking and pointing and directing Sean to her toys. Little trooper. I wasn't sure if it was something she had eaten or the real deal, until the next day when it happened again. This time, I was at work, standing with her in my arms right outside my office. Again, it was all over us and our cute outfits. I stood there, frozen, holding Willa close, and pondered the meaning of unconditional love. In that moment, soaked in baby vomit, I felt completely maternal. Sick as it sounds, it was kind of neat. Conveniently, Willa and I were able to find some alternative cute outfits just steps away at Root and Beulah's. And Billie Jean, our go-to-girl at the shop swooped in to help with the mess. I really owe her one...really.

So, Willa's been laying low, sleeping a lot, downing fluids and bland foods, and I think she's pretty much over the hump. Oddly, in the midst of all the sickness, she picked up the sign for "milk," and, brace yourselves, she took her first brave steps. I'm the only one who witnessed it, but I'm positive that it was not my imagination, because it happened more than once that evening. She took a couple of single steps first. Then she took two steps! That was last night, and she has shown no interest in stepping today. Oh well.

I took these pictures today at lunch. Willa was having a tummy-friendly feast of applesauce and dry toast. And she thinks phones are the most fun toys ever invented. So she kept pretending that her toast was a phone, putting it up to her ear and inflecting her voice to sound like "hello?" Enjoy!

Fall 2008 Print Ads

My good friend, Seana, just finished up a couple of new ads for the B&B and shop. I think they turned out really well. It helps that I happen to know a beautiful blonde, and that she graciously agreed to model for me once again. Thanks, Helen! The dress she wears is from a new Scandinavian clothing line I recently picked up, called Odd Molly. The collection is so pretty and detailed. And I just love the folksy, handmade look.