Budget Savvy

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Coupons.  Flash sales.  Deep discount sales.  One day only specials.  And of course the holidays.

Nina and Scott were newlyweds.  They were also dearly fortunate to come from "old money" well-off families.  However, Nina and Scott wanted to experience finances the way any other new marriage started out with.  And so they passed on a gorgeous three-story town home as a wedding gift from her parents.  They passed on a multi-million dollar check as a wedding gift from his parents.  The only finances Nina and Scott requested were for the ceremony and reception...a lavish affair.  The dollar signs they turned down would have afforded couture for her, bespoke for him, and luxury furnishings for the home.

Nina and Scott wanted their marriage to start from scratch.

Coupons.  Flash sales.  Deep discount sales.  One day only specials.  And of course the holidays...and jewelry.

The only fine jewelry Nina owned was her engagement ring and wedding ring - white gold band for both and Tiffany diamonds for the engagement ring.

Fashion jewelry was Nina's passion.  Direct sales boutiques were her weak point.

She would melt at every jewel or accessory she wanted so much.  She technically had the money to spend away.  No.  She firmly believed in the financial mission she vowed to with her husband.

What is a girl to do though?!

How to be budget savvy with justified retail costs on direct sales online boutiques. 

One day, Nina was scrolling through her favorite boutique and noticed something different on the main page...a blowout sale for inventory permanently going out of stock.  And...her favorite necklace/bracelet/earrings/ring set was part of the blowout sale!

She screamed with joy in her mind.  The set was classified as statement pieces and individually broken down, each jewel was at a minimum $50 (generally far more for the necklace and bracelet, though).  The set as a package began at $200 or more.  Her heart melted every time she stared at the jewelry and the price tag.  She technically could have afforded it...until she saw the blowout sale price - $100 for the lot.  Broken down - each selection was $25. 

Her budget savvy instinct never went over $100 for anything - groceries, updated closet, and so much more. 

And so on this day, Nina's budget savvy nature stroke luck.  Bonus - free shipping and waived tax because of the minimum order.

When the package arrived the following week, she excitedly tried everything on.  She did hope her husband would approve.

"Wow.  You look gorgeous, Nina!  But the jewelry looks so expensive.  How were you able to afford it?" Scott asked skeptically.

Think budget savvy.  Think budget savvy.

"Blowout sale!  The total was $100."

"Awesome!  Relief, I'll say."

"Me too," Nina nervously laughed.

At the end of the day, budget savvy proved worthwhile.  She could love and enjoy once not possible.

Designer Style

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Catherine was an independent fashion designer with a strong entrepreneurial mindset.  She was best known - by her family and friends - for her handbags of all types, especially tote bags.

Catherine was always in design mode, sketching and hand crafting.  She never gave herself a break to find a way to actually sell her work.  Until one gorgeous, sunny, crisp Saturday...

She claimed a booth at a local arts and crafts fair.  The table was filled with her personally favorite creations.  The tent covering the booth was filled with other styles and excess inventory in the event a particular style sells out.

Comment after comment.  Interest after interest.  But nothing...yet.

"These handbags are amazing!  I'm guessing you designed them yourself?"

"Yep!  From sketch to handmade...all me," Catherine said with a beaming smile.

"Hmm."

Catherine hesitated for a moment.  Was this person going to pass as well?

"You know, a good friend of mine is a buyer at OFF - a retail boutique exclusive to New York.  We are in Evanston, though.  Anyway, she is always interested in considering new designers.  She would love your work.  Do you have a business card?"

"Um...Oh yes!  Here you go," Catherine was briefly embarrassed to know that her business cards were tucked away from visual sight.

"I see your name is Catherine.  Hello to you, then.  My name is Elle.  Do you mind if I make a purchase?  I would love to show my friend one of your designs."

"Absolutely!"

Elle bought a tote bag, tucked Catherine's business card in her wallet, thanked her, and left.

Catherine screamed with joy in her head.  OFF was a huge retail boutique exclusive to New York.  Designers around the country were eager to be a coveted feature.

One month later, Catherine felt blue.  Why was she not receiving a response?  And then...

Ring.  Ring.  Ring.  Her cell phone!

"Hello?"

"Hi Catherine.  This is Elle.  I am so sorry to keep you waiting this past month.  Fashion is always busy.  Listen, I spoke to the buying department at OFF and they love your designs.  They want to sell your handbags at a generous retail cost.  What are your thoughts?"

Catherine raised her jaw from the metaphorical floor and nervously said,

"Absolutely."

"Great!  I will arrange shipping to get the handbags to our warehouse.  From there, marketing will take over to get presentation in the Winter line.

"Congratulations, Catherine.  You are now a professional designer.  Welcome to OFF."

Fashion Duo

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Stella & Dot recently announced a partnership with the fashion designer, Rebecca Minkoff.

Shop Rebecca Minkoff's Collection Here!

Rebecca Minkoff is well known for affordable luxury fashion, from handbags to accessories to footwear to apparel.  

In 2005, Rebecca designed her first handbag - the "Morning After Bag" - which became an iconic staple and skyrocketed her success as a handbag designer.  

In 2009, Rebecca introduced her first ready-to-wear apparel collection.

In 2011, Rebecca was awarded the Breakthrough Designer Award from the Accessories Council.

Further details about Rebecca Minkoff can be found on her website.

My take away -

I find the Rebecca Minkoff style to be edgy, modern, and one of a kind.  Stella & Dot is very much the same way.  Recommendation is a definite yes.

The Boutique

EMMA

*

CHANTEL

Chantel was an independent fashion jewelry designer.  She once launched an online boutique to sell her creations, but only received two orders.  She kept the boutique open, but did not actively engage in promotion.  For now, Chantel designed jewelry for special occasions and rare custom orders.  However...

Everyday, Chantel had a routine that began with checking emails after breakfast and with morning coffee on hand.

On this particular day, Chantel received an email from someone she knew...as a retail customer. 

'Dear Chantel,

I recently came across your online boutique and love your jewelry designs.  They are one of a kind and definitely fashion forward. 

As a fellow entrepreneur, I understand the challenges in breaking into the fashion business and really getting your name out there.

Your work has phenomenal potential and truly deserves to be in brick and mortar retail.

With this said, I would like to offer a partnership and trademark your name into an official brand.  Your jewelry would be an ideal compliment to my clothing line.

Let me know what you think.

Sincerely,
Emma Johnson'

OMG raced through Chantel's mind.  Emma Johnson was one of the most famous couture apparel designers in the world.  How did she find my boutique, Chantel thought to herself.  In this moment, she did not want to know.  In this moment, her focus was on how to respond to thee Emma Johnson.  What would she say?  How could she keep a professional tone without appearing ecstatic?  She carefully typed out her response.

Emma & Chantel was the new brand name.  Chantel's boutique retail price was now double in brick and mortar boutiques.  She had employees to help create her designs and keep up with the placed orders.  Her work was now in seasonal look books alongside Emma's designs.  Chantel's designs were a highlight at fashion weeks and red carpet events.

Chantel's profound success would forever be credited to her modest online boutique.

Broadway Matinee

Anne was so excited for this day.  She had never been to a Broadway production, but was greatly intrigued by the reviews of the show performing in her hometown...rather, she had to come into the city for the show.

There was a sense of exceptional eagerness among the crowd waiting to enter the theater.  She was alone today because her boyfriend could not get out of work.  Although she was upset because he was the one that bought the tickets, she was thrilled to know that she had a private box seat.

And then the doors opened.  Formal Broadway etiquette -

Present the ticket and receive the stub.
Purchase a Playbill.
Ushers show audience members to their seats
Acceptable allowance to view the orchestra pit up close

And then the orchestra pit is filled with musicians tuning their instruments

Last to arrive audience members being shown to their seats

Everyone was dressed so formally.  Anne was in a lovely lace navy blue gown reserved for very special occasions...such as this one.  She could not understand why a Broadway audience dressed up, but suits and gowns were simply proper tradition and etiquette. 

And then the lights dimmed

Everyone clapped as the velvet red curtains opened to start the show.

The Broadway musical left Anne in a trance.  She was lost in happy awe by the talent on stage.  Singing, dialogue, costumes, scenery.  On exact cue.

And then the intermission

Many left their seats to go to the concession stand on the ground floor of the theater.  Anne was most comfortable where she was.

And then the dimming of the lights

Audience cue to return to their seats

The musical continued for one final hour.  Shouts of "Bravo!" and "Encore!" for the main actors and actresses to bow once more.

Anne was filled with electric excitement waiting to enter the theater and settling into her private box seat that had an ideal view of the entire stage and performers. 

She left with the magic of Broadway continuing to play in her mind.

Sunday Trend - Edition 4

On this edition of Sunday trend, Couture Tales is a tie for trending.  I will feature both.

Couture Tales trend -

London Style

As a brief recap, London Style is a general commentary on sample fashion styles in London with a hint of fiction.  London is linked to the fashion brand, Stella & Dot, in that the company has a branch office in the UK.

Read the full story by following the link above.

(Due affiliate disclosure was noted in the post)

New York Style

As a brief recap, New York style is a general commentary on sample fashion styles in New York Coty with a hint of fiction.  New York City is linked to the fashion brand, Stella & Dot, in that the company headquarters is in NYC.

Read the full story by following the link above.

(Due affiliate disclosure was noted in the post)

On this edition of Sunday Trend, there is no change in status on Pinterest with regards to trending posts.

Metropolitan Fan Favorite

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#STELLADOTSTYLE on the Street

Paris France - Stella & Dot Region

Paris Style is, by a close call, the metropolitan fan favorite.

Paris Style recap samples from the fashion capitol of the world -