We figured out last night that our combined man-hours total 130 in four days! Holy moly, that's a lot of Christmas!! Each night as we turn out the tree lights, vacuum the glitter and snow yet one more time, gather our giant soft pack lunch bag with enough sustenance for the day and night, put on our shoes that we have taken off the last few hours of the day, and prepare for the 2o minute ride home.We take a look around to see the progress, congratulate ourselves or laugh at something we should rethink for the next day, sigh at the chaotic stockroom and head for home. Another day behind us, another day ahead!
While it is exciting to see the goods that we planned and purchased last January, it is also quite daunting to create the stories, find homes for the important details that support the color stories, and continually clean up and shuffle inventory around. All in all, it's rewarding and creative.
So, here is a sneak peak at some of the vignettes we've created so far!
Check out these glitter clip-on birds we have on our flocked tree. So sweet! We also have some in soft aqua. The theme of the tree is shades of aqua, crystal, and silver. Loads of glitter highlights and a beautiful flocked full tree as the backdrop. It's magic.
These snowy birch branches with icy snow are absolutely wonderful. The giant sugar cones are in and starting to sell through quickly. I love the sugar pine cones for just about every area of the house-mantles, center hall tables, bookcases, windowsills, basket...and that's just naming a few. That's one of the giant sugar cones in the background, with a smaller iced snowy one in the foreground.
I realize some of my photos are a bit out of focus---a bit blurry. But then, that's the way I'm seeing the world this week as well! This tree is chocolate and olive/chartreuse. The assortment is divine with large and small ornaments to please the eye. There's my sugar cones again!
Another peak at the flocked blue/silver tree. So much glitter! So little time.
These great natural oak glass cabinets are perfect for displaying tabletop trees and collectible Santas. Just perfect!
Another vignette promotes vintage reproduction mercury glass. Can you see the hint of that fanciful wreath in graphite and silver?!
Our window display along side the flocked blue/silver tree. We hung assorted kugels and ornaments down into the window frame. This can be done in any window frame, but the deeper the window the more interesting! Color, size and placement are paramount. Until the first buyer demands one of our treasures,it's nearly a perfect window!
A personal favorite! The basketful of "snowballs" with glittering snow causes one to pause for an examination. You'll find them throughout the store. Cool!
I'm not sure which is more unique---the tall, skinny nature of these carolers and Santas, or the sophisticated color pallet-charcoal/taupe/cream. So calm. They're super tall and skinny...is that really what Santa should look like? Yes or no, I like them!
You'll find this extra large footed bowl (almost a punch bowl!) cradling an assortment of chocolate and lime ornaments. Shatterproof ornaments in many colors and size-fabulous invention! I also have the best assortment of tiny 1" glass ornaments in dozens of colors this year. Those sugar cones keep showing up!
Two tired girls. One young, one old...Well, tomorrow's another day.
Check out this stylish closet of a recent client I went to see! I love vintage books, and this vintage ledger was only made more fabulous by being used as a prominent accessory! Style, for sure.
Meet Connie, ever the example of a stylish office manager! We could always take a cue from her sense of style, and talk about efficient! Now that's what I call style! (And here she is being one-upped by that dang stylish puppy!
