Dancer in the Aisles

April 18, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

So, while I am on the subject of unusual sightings … In this business, we see a lot of “Stuff.” And one of the things that always comes to mind when I go around the trade shows is, “Who buys this all this stuff?” There is a lot, that I personally never see at retail. (I’m sure that it is just because I am not shopping in the right stores!”) On the other hand, there is a lot of merchandise out there that I do recognize when I go shopping. (It sometimes drives my friends crazy!)

But seeing things at retail is one thing; seeing it being carried, used or displayed by the end-consumer is another. That’s when you know the product or line is a success. Such is the case with Vera Bradley. I see Vera Bradley totes, handbags and luggage being carried by women of all ages all over the place.

...Read More

April 16, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

As I mentioned in a previous blog posting, you see a lot on a daily basis in New York — whether it is a film shoot of some sort, a “community of homeless” sleeping on the sidewalk under the ever-present scaffolding all over the place, or heavily armed police and military personnel. Therefore, we tend to take things in stride; so in a city where the unusual is usual, and it takes a lot for us to stop and take notice or smile at something.

Recently, I have several such experiences. Is it spring making us come out of our shells?

One personal traffic-stopping experience occurred one morning on my way to work. For some reason, I varied my route to the office; I wanted a change of scenery and a break with routine on a fresh spring day. Half a block from my office I came ac...Read More

March 25, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

We receive a lot a press releases via email everyday, much of it relevant and important to producing the editorials for the magazine, the web site and the e-newsletters. But today takes a prize for some pretty weird releases of no relevance to gift retailers or the gifts and decorative accessories industry that we write for. These press releases come from "pr flaks" who either don't do their homework and tailor their "sends" or who just don't care and who, like direct marketers, do mass mailings in hopes of getting a certain percentage of response or in this case coverage. (I wrote on this subject once before in "Love/Hate Relationships"). So since they sent them, I thought that I would share, because as my friend Nancy always says, "Sharing is Caring."&n...Read More

March 14, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

I am excited! Are you excited? Monday night begins the new season of “Dancing With the Stars.” I admit it, I am addicted to the show. It is the only thing that I have programmed my VCR to tape, just in case I get delayed at the office and may get home late. I try not to miss it.
 
I think that it is such fun to see how these celebrities start out as rank beginners and improve (or not) as the weeks go on. And I like to cheer on my favorite pros (some of whom I know from sharing the floor with them and their students at dance competitions) as well as my favorite celebs. It is such pure and simple, good old-fashioned live entertainment; anything can happen, and sometimes does as we have seen — fainting spells, costume malfunctions, missed steps, surprise kisses and falls. There are no “do overs.”

I also try not to miss the sh...Read More

March 7, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

I correspond via email with a lot of people on a daily basis, as do we all it seems these days. It's the nature of doing business in this techno-age. As part of my email sign-off, I draw attention to this blog by asking, "Have you read my latest blog?" and provide a link. This introduces my little piece of cyberspace to industry colleagues, as well as friends, who may not have previously been aware of it. (It also can cause me grief when I don't post frequently enough and loyal readers complain that they would like to read my latest blog but I haven't posted anything new! But I digress... ) 

Anyway, I have been in touch with Katie Vincent of donovandesigns, a stationery vendor, who, upon seeing the link, came to our Web site and read my postings. She even drilled back to what I have written...Read More