Ladies who lunch, making a day of it

I have recently come to the conclusion that well off people not only have too much money, but also time on their hands. Having worked retail for many, many years, I've experienced the ladies who lunch syndrome all too often.

Take the lady that needs a small gift for her niece's birthday. She calls her friend to make a day of it. We can meet up for coffee at Starbucks, then get our nails done. Time for a long, leisurely lunch. A few glasses of wine will put a hazy, buzzed spin on the rest of the day. On the way to Coach after lunch they swing by a cute boutique that recently opened in the mall to try on a few dresses.

The sales person runs around to pull sizes and styles for the ladies who lunch, all for the fun of it. They have no intention of purchasing a thing. They just are pre-shopping for the future. (They will make a day of it when they need to get that new dress for a wedding this summer, and actually need to buy one.) The ladies laugh, snap photos of each other for future reference. One even posts a picture to Facebook asking her friends if they like the dress. She really is saying to her friends, "Look at me and the great afternoon I'm having, shopping with a wine buzz!"

They check the time on their phones and decide they should really get to Coach to get the gift, because they need to get home soon to receive their children from school. They leave the dressing room a mess. Not one thing is on a hanger as it was presented to them. Instead, there is a heap of fabric on the bench and floor of the fitting room. The smiling sales person from earlier, is now scowling and swoops everything up to put back.

The ladies reach the Coach store and are welcomed warmly by the sales person. They check out bags for themselves, trying them on and looking at themselves in the mirror. The sales person shows them matching wallets, and shows them how a scarf tied to the handle of the bag can create a fun look for spring. Again, the ladies realize the time, and decided to focus on the task at hand, the gift for the niece.

The sales person shows them some cute key chains, and wristlets. The ladies are having a hard time deciding. Do they go with a cute key chain with flowers, or the hot pink wristlet with Coach's signature fabric? It takes almost 20 minutes until they decide to go with the key chain. The sales person wraps it up, and puts a bow of lime green, satin ribbon on the box. The ladies are now planning next week's outing, and seem to not even see or hear the sales person thank them for coming in and to have a nice afternoon. The ladies race out of the store, one forgetting her Prada sunglasses on the counter. The sales person runs after them into the mall to return them. Not a "Thank you", but a "Oh, my. I thought I forget something."

On the way to the mall exit the ladies pop in Pottery Barn to look at dinnerware and glassware. One is hosting a party next month, so they will need to make a day of it when she needs to update her table scape to impress her guests.

I guess part of me is kind of jealous and envious of the ladies who lunch. I would love to have the time and money to get a mani-pedi weekly, hundred dollar lunches, and shop the afternoon away. But alas, I do not. Instead, I get to help the ladies who lunch. With a smile of course!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's that time of year, again. The Holidays. They pretty much happen around the same time, every year. So why are so many people surprised that Thanksgiving is already here? Do people have calendars? I am sure they own smart phones. Create a reminder, buy turkey, send cards, put up decorations. What a great tool to keep yourself organized.

Five minutes of planning saves forty-five minutes of work. Channel your inner Martha Stewart. Slow it down. Enjoy it. I recall when I was a kid my Dad saying "Merry f*cking Christmas, Ho, Ho, Ho" as he struggled to untangle the lights, or be stuck in traffic to get into the mall. I have often turned to singing sarcastic Christmas Carols to maintain my sanity. "It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!"

25 years of retail will burn anyone out on the holidays. Months of that dreadful music. Hours spent planning, implementing and mainting floor sets and inventory. And the crazy people. How did I ruin your Thanksgiving lady? You choose to wait a week before to get a table and chairs, and now it's on back order. What were you up to in September or October? You probably do your grocery shopping on the Wednesday night before Turkey Day?

I am going to try my best to get in the spirit this year. I will not let the crazed and stressed people get to me. I have put up some lights and garland on my balcony already. I have my cards purchased, and I might even fill them out on Thanksgiving. I may even put on some holiday tunes! I am thankful where I work now we do not play any Christmas Music, or put any decorations up. That way, I can actually enjoy it at home. I feel bad for those who have to endure it still. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.....

What do you do to keep yourself sane during the Holidays? Any tips and tricks?

This time of year drives me bonkers

Have you noticed time seems to be going by faster? There is an energy and buzz in the atmosphere around you and your family & friends. We just celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving is about two weeks away. Every year these holidays occur the same time, and yet, all of a sudden, people are starting to freak out. People, plan accordingly. Do not dis Martha Stewart for creating Christmas decorations and menu planning in September. The lady knows to think ahead. 5 minutes of planning saves 45 minutes of work.

I really do not do much for the holidays, but I have started to think about what to prepare for our vegetarian Thanksgiving meal. Gifts are usually gift cards. Easy. Decorating? You will not find a tree, light or bulb in my home. Perhaps this year I will fill a nice glass bowl with some ornaments. One of these evenings Craig and I will sit down and write out our holiday cards.

New York during the holidays is pure and utter madness. The crowds of tourists. I avoid 30 Rock. It's a tree people. They are all over. Yeah, I get this is a big one, but come on. Navigating 5th Ave. is like a game of Frogger. SoHo has become Mall of America, East Coast version pretty much. Hustle and bustle=stress and frustration. Bah Hum Bug!

Having worked in retail for 22+ years, I have had holiday burnout for about the same amount of time. The fact is we will all be bombarded with the music, the commercials, and decorations for the next 10 weeks, so when I am home I prefer calm. My mantra is what you see on the photo above.

How do you get ready for the holidays? What do you enjoy the most, and what drives you bonkers? Do you start your shopping early, or wait until the last minute?

Uniqlo Madness

This afternoon I braved the crowds to shop at the Uniqlo World Flagship Store on fifth avenue. There was a line to get in, but it went fast. The store is huge. 89,000 square feet huge, on several levels. There is a lot of glass and mirrors so it is easy to get disoriented. Men's and women's often are on the same floors. It's sort of the Ikea of clothing. Simple, and affordable. I purchased two 100% cashmere sweaters and socks, which were 4 for $12.90! I can not even imagine how much money this place brings in daily. The line to check out went fast, and the cashiers were very friendly. I appreciate the handing everything with both hands Japanese cultural way. If I return I think I will go first thing when they open to avoid the madness. I'm just happy I don't work in clothing retail anymore. Folding all of those sweaters. Oh vey!

A hint of fall in the air...

August is winding down. Long stretches of hot, and humid weather are becoming far and few between. Soon the leaves with start to complete their yearly transformation. I look forward to crisp mornings. Wearing layers, and coats. The hint of a fire burning somewhere in the near distance. (Yes, there are people who still have wood burning fireplaces in NYC!) So, to get in the mood, I am doing some browsing on the interwebs for some fall fashion pieces.

The Bryant Shoe from ToBoot New York was love at first site. It's the perfect shoe  for jeans, cords, and days you need an extra bit of traction. I tend to find a shoe that inspires me, and build a look from it. It's a good thing I am not a lady, I would have a shoe for every outfit!

Frye recently opened a shop on Spring Street in SoHo. I have yet to stop in, but they do appear to have some very nice boots!

I have been on the look out for a great tote bag. Jack Spade, Coach, Prada, Louis Vuitton. So many choices. As the weather gets colder, I tend to need to carry more stuff. I often have to lug my shoes because I am sporting a rain or snow boot to commute. I'll know when I see the right one! Also, spending a bit of money on good quality pieces, and timeless design, means longevity. 

As the day light grows shorter, I know fall is on it's way. For now, I can simply day dream.

Remembering Back to School

Back to school season is in full swing. Having worked at the Gap for 12+ years I have had my share of planning, prepping, implementing, and selling for the mad rush to get ready for school. Sometimes I miss that excitement. I do not miss folding jeans, and cleaning up fitting rooms. Yes, I have had to deal with pee, used tampons, and people having sex in the dressing rooms. The joys of retail.

The above photos is my elementary school in Neenah. I went there from kindergarten thru 6th grade. I fondly remember Mrs V. She was a nose picker and had bullet boobs. Singing with Mr. Raboin, and Mrs. Fischer. Getting an art scholar ship to the Bergstrom  Museum with Dan Wheeler and Greg Radtke.

I then moved on to Shattuck Junior High. This is the same place my parents went to high school. Those were some awkward years. Drama Club, gym class, and French Classes with Madame Teetz. The Disney Spectacular where I was the MC. " Ladies and gentlemen, moms and dads, children of all ages, welcome to the wonderful world of Disney". The we broke out into Zip-a-dee-do-dah! And dances!

Onto Neenah High School. That damn rocket/missile was put in front of the school when I was there. There was controversy because it is actually a missile. I always thought we should have a tampon as our mascot because of Kimberly Clark being headquartered in Neenah. "Neenah, we will tamp on you!" Go tampons! Overall, I have pretty good memories of high school. I made some very  close, dear friends who got me through some difficult times. I will always remember Gretchen Jensen insisting I get her home fast, after school, because she had "pokey poops"! Doing coat check for Key Club at the basketball games. Drama with Mr. Rod Johnston. Choir with Mr. Vine. Sleeping in study hall.

Senior year was the best, because everyone started to realize they were about to go off onto college or into the real world, and their cliques really no longer were valid. I already had enough credits to graduate, so I took a lot off varied classes to fill my time. Speed Reading, Speech, Art, Drama, and many study hall periods.

Finally, onto the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. I lived at home and commuted to save money. I had to pay for myself. My parents did help out a bit with books and gas money. I worked at the Gap, and went dancing  a lot in Green Bay at The Option, and Sunday nights at Club Brooklyn in downtown Appleton. I studied here for two years, and focused mainly on my required classes and anthropology. Sometimes, I regret not finishing, but then I think about where I am today, and the fact I have no student loan debt, and I am OK with it.

Back to School shopping was a blast for me. Grandma Le Gault would give each us $100 for clothing and supplies. Back then that didn't go too far. We didn't have Old Navy, Gap Kids, etc. We had Kohls, Jc Penny, Maurices, County Seat, and Sears. Clothing prices seem much cheaper now then back then. The smell of new shoes, and a new Janus back-pack filled with new spiral notebooks and pencils. A fresh start. New opportunities. This is part of the reason I love fall.

What memories of back to school will you never forget? If you have kids now, do you dread this time of year, or look forward to it? Remember Trapper Keepers? Mine was red!

Chopping for the right cutting board.

I am in the market for a small cutting board. One that serves the purpose of cutting a lime wedge for a gin and tonic. I hate lugging out our larger ones. I dare not cut on the quartz counter tops. I know they are durable, but I just can't. I am a fan of Epicurean Cutting Boards. They are dishwasher safe, lightweight, and easy to store. They are green and made in America. Duluth Minnesota to be exact. The 8x6 would be perfect for those small, quick jobs. The black is sexy, right? What do you use for your cutting and chopping needs? Plastic, or wood? Simple, or colorful? Happy slicing and dicing!