Other Items I Couldn't Resist...

As I was shopping for items to use in my Channel 6/News on 6 segment, I was finding so many wonderful things, that I just couldn't decide what to use! Who knows, I may change my mind by the the time we do the segment tomorrow! But, either way, I had to share these pieces with you.

First, tribal print is ultra popular this season. The picture above is actually a one-shoulder top, which you will find just as frequently as the tribal print this season. I know, the picture does not do the top justice at all, but, wanted to highlight it! It is super adorable when you try it on! The black bead necklace is super cute with it too!

The pastels are coming on strong this spring in a variety of styles and sihouettes. This purple shirt with tone-on-tone floral embroidery is pure innocence! Lucite jewelry is hotter than ever this season and with it's clear tone can be worn with a variety of items.

Espadrilles are a must-have when it comes to the spring and summer months. It's a perfect shoe to make something a little more dressy, but, still be comfortable too. This hot pink color is to die for!! Beautiful color to compliment navy, khaki, and browns.

Seriously - there are so many amazing items out there for spring right now and so many great boutiques in the Tulsa area - I was having a horrible time trying to narrow down my selection. Too much fun stuff!

Purple Shirt - $60.00 - Little Black Dress/Cherry Street

Lucite Bead Necklace - $45.00 - Little Black Dress/Cherry Street

Hot Pink Espadrilles - $175.00 - Moxie Shoes - moxieshoestulsa.com/Flirt (Utica Square)

Tribal Print One Shoulder Top - $48.00 - Chrome/Cherry Street

Black Bead Necklace - $45.00 - Little Black Dress/Cherry Street

"Spring" into fashion....Channel 6 Segment

Check out these FUN fashions that will take you through spring and right into summer! Shown on Channel 6/News on 6, here, in Tulsa, OK. All items from fabulous local boutiques in the area! Thank you to my awesome models, Nicole and Emily, for making the clothes look fantastic!

Emily Outfit - Chrome - Cherry Street

Taupe Ruffle Short Romper $54.00

Chunky Turquoise/Brown Necklace/Earrings $36.00

Brown Cuff w/Gold Accents $38.00

Brown/Gold Ring $28.00

Nicole Outfit - Bella Dames- 61st/Lewis

Turquoise Floral Embellished Dress $99.00

Coral/Turquoise Multi-Strand Necklace $22.00

Coral/Turquoise Earrings $15.00

Coral Bracelet $12.00

Spring Fashion Accessories

Little Black Dress - Cherry Street

Lucite Bauble Necklace $45.00

Black Bead Necklace $45.00

Dolly & Angel Pink Purse $85.00

Pastel Butterfly Scarves $30.00 Each

Yellow and Pink Tank Tops $25.00 Each

Chrome - Cherry Street

Twisted Buckle $120.00

Button Ring Circa 1950 $124.00

Moxie Shoes - www.moxieshoestulsa.com or Flirt/Utica Square

BCBG Zipper Rosette Heels $275.00

Priceless Gifts!

Nothing means more to me than gifts from the heart! They are the best gifts that money can buy! It's the type of gift that may cost $5 or $500 or, maybe, no cost at all. It's the heartfelt sentiment that makes them priceless!

I am reminded of this as we just celebrated Mother's Day yesterday, as well as my birthday a month ago. The gifts you see in the pics were given to me by my absolutely adorable stepson, Nicholas! (You only see a side view of him, but, I KNOW, you will agree with me when I say...ADORABLE!)

The cherry coin purse was my Mother's Day gift and my blue dress, with blue bracelet, and knot necklace were for my birthday. The cherry coin purse is, obviously, something I probably wouldn't have purchased for myself...but, the fact that it came from Nicholas, that he picked it out all by himself, and was so proud to give it to me, that now, I can't wait to use it! It will be THE perfect coin purse for me to use...for just $4.99! But, priceless, when every time I see it, as I dig through my purse, I will be reminded of who gave it to me and when.

The blue dress, blue bracelet and knot necklace were my birthday presents. He was so excited to go to the store with Dad and pick something out all by himself. And, he did! He picked the blue dress, because blue is his favorite color, the bracelet, because it's blue, and the knot necklace, because it reminded him of a snake. Did I mention that he LOVES being outside with bugs and animals? He is ALL boy! Again, all 3 items, I think was a total of $30-$40. But, priceless, when it comes to who gave it to me and when.

Nicholas was so excited about his purchases that he was telling everyone that came over about what he bought me, wanted me to show it to them, try it on, etc. He was so cute! THAT, again, makes all of these gifts PRICELESS! It puts a smile on my face whenever I look at these items! I'm reminded of his smiling face, gleaming with pride when he gave each of these gifts to me. Nothing could make me happier than gifts from the heart! Gifts that I will cherish ALWAYS!

He is waiting patiently for the weather to warm up, so I can wear my blue dress and blue bracelet. He asks me on a regular basis if I'm going to wear the blue dress...so, let's hope the warm weather is here to stay...soon!

My hubby thinks I'm rubbing off on him and that I've taken Nicholas with me on too many shopping trips. He was amazed at how Nicholas would pick things out and say that he liked that, didn't like that, liked this dress, didn't like that dress, etc., etc. - and the thought he would put into the items that he picked! I'm thinking he's a natural at shopping....that's a GREAT trait...my hubby...he isn't so sure!

But, my hubby and I are in agreement when it comes to gifts from the heart! It doesn't matter what the actual item is...it's the meaning behind it that makes it worth so much more...it's priceless!

What "priceless" gifts did you receive this Mother's Day?

Another Designer Goes Target...

Another designer goes Target...I'm beginning to think that will be the new "slang phrase" in the fashion world..."Going Target"! I mean, wow, more and more big name designers are hitting the mass merchants.

Zac Posen is not the first one to do this. There have been many designers that have gone this route following in the foosteps of the pioneer, Isaac Mizrahi.

This particular line by Zac Posen is extremely trendy and very fun! The dress in the pic, for example, is two dresses in one. The ruffled skirt can come off of the dress and then it becomes more of a straight skirt option. How great is that! Designer fashion at affordable prices with an added bonus! Two dresses in one!

What does the world say? Or, better yet, what do, you, fashionistas have to say to the big name designers hitting the mass merchants? My guess is the answer will come out split. I'm actually split on this particular subject.

The majority of me LOVES the fact that big name designers are bringing their fashions to a more practical level. Why not let the masses of the world have access to the same designer fashions as the societal elite? As well as, who wouldn't love that option with the economy these days. But, the other part of me, the smaller porton, feels like it's taking away the mystique and mystery of a big name designer label. It takes away from the underlying mystery of WHY so many people covet various designers and how they set goals and dreams for owning certainly pieces of their favorite designer. They have to work for it, because of the high end price tag with the big name designers, the true fashionistas will do what it takes to get their hands on those coveted pieces. Now, by being in the mass markets, are you taking some of that away?

I really do love that more designers are offering high fashion items at more affordable prices. It's a fun way to follow the trends without emptying your pocketbook.

What do you think? Are you "for" or "against" big name designers hitting the mass merchant stream?

Who Are You? Say It With A Monogram...

Monograms! They are everywhere and I dont' think they ever go out of style! You see them on bathrobes, towels, sweaters, t-shirts, and even bedding! Remember the days of Laverne and Shirley, she didn't go ANYWHERE without displaying the HUGE "L" on the upper corner of her chest.

I am LOVING this option of monograms. I found these through Little Black Dress (http://www.littleblackdressok.com/). They are divine! Celebrities have been spotted wearing the monogram cluster and the key, the key is huge! If you have not noticed, the key pendant is all over right now. Tiffany is offering them, which means EVERYONE is offering them. So, this is a clever combination of both - the key and the monogram.

Great pieces that make a statement, are individualistic, and just plain perfect to pair with simple tanks, tees, and flowy chiffons for the spring/summer!

So, don't delay....find your monogram necklace today!

100 Years Of Customer Service...

Last week, Miss Jackson's, here, in Tulsa, OK, celebrated their 100th anniversary! 100 years in business! Think about that....that is a LONG time! How many businesses do you know, specifically, a specialty retail store, that has been in business for 100 years? THAT is very impressive!

The original "Miss Jackson" was Nelle Shields Jackson. She was the founder of the specialty retail store that still exists today in Utica Square. According to the Tulsa World article, last Thursday, it simply states that "she wanted to make people's lives more beautiful and enjoyable". What a simple concept!

Nelle took that concept and then took it one step further by offering EXCEPTIONAL customer service. I mean, EXCEPTIONAL! It wasn't just walking into the store and having someone say "May I help you?" It was more than that! It was about creating a culture that it was the "norm" to be treated like royalty, by having a personal shopping assistant within the store. The same person that you would work with EVERY TIME you came into the store. The person that knew your styles and tastes. The person that would call you the minute a garment came in that screamed your name. The person that knew you would LOVE IT before you even saw it! They would, also, take your coat, provide you a place to sit, and offer you something to drink.

Because of the excellent customer service and their pride in offering higher end designer names that aren't offered anywhere else in town, is what has kept them in business for this long. It became a tradition for generations of families to shop at Miss Jackson's. Great-Grandma shops there, Grandma shops there, Mother shops there...you see where I'm going with this! It has continued to live through the cycles of the economy, because of those families. The families that made Miss Jackson's a tradition.

Think about this for a minute, how many stores do you go into today and the store personnel know your name? Or they know your mother's name or grandmother's name? How many even ask you if you need help these days? How many offer you a chair and something to drink while they show you what they have available in the store? What happened to the days of good customer service? Scratch that....what happened to the days of EXCEPTIONAL customer service?

With the economy these days, businesses, specifically retail businesses, come and go on a very regular basis. So, what's the trick to Miss Jackson's? Why, as a specialty retail store, have they been able to stand the test of time?

My belief is this...they cater to their customer. They cater to their clients. It's not about competing with other stores, about the latest and greatest technique and trick, it's about staying true to their customers. They know what works for their customer and they stick with it!

Seems like a very simple concept....but, do you think that is what retail businesses are doing these days? I'd be curious to your thoughts.....

But, I do need to say "HAPPY 100th ANNIVERSARY, MISS JACKSON'S!" You have achieved a feat that most specialty retail stores will never do!

Fashion Worthy Causes...

I LOVE fashion! But, I REALLY LOVE fashion when it is for a good cause! Here are some great events that are coming up that you don't want to miss! Mark your calendars and get your tickets, you don't want to miss out on these awesome events!

Make it a Girlfriend event and support a good cause!

Support Autism Socially
Fashion Show 2010

http://www.sasocially.com/

Thursday, April 8, 2010

6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Taste of Grace Sunday Brunch/Fashion Show/Silent Auction

Sunday, April 25, 2010

12:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Tulsa Historical Society

http://www.gracehospicefoundation.org/

Redbuds and Runways

Saturday, May 8, 2010

7:00-10:00 p.m.

The Ivey (formerly known as Jewel)

www.upwithtrees.org