Difference Between a Store you Enjoy and a Store you Shop

There are many things I've learned about retail over the last 12 years, but the most important is designing a store that is easy to shop, appealing to ones senses and relaxed.

I have a few stores that I love to browse because I appreciate the beauty of the design, but I find myself getting frustrated because I can never find anything to buy.  Take this design layout below:

I'm sorry, I know many expensive boutiques in LA look like this, but to me it's saying "You are all one size and you will purchase what we tell you to, if we decide you are good enough to shop here".  Think about the scene in Pretty Woman when she walks into the snooty store and they won't help her because she doesn't have the "look".

On the other hand, this store nails it:

It's inviting, beautiful and says "We don't take ourselves so seriously, have fun, we're here to help"

A store should have a clear "pathway" that leads you through it.  It should also be well organized.  When I want a candle, I don't want to have to look through the entire store to find a scent I like.  I want them all to be in a general location.

Anthropology has mastered this art as has The Scented Garden.  Below is a perfect example of a well balanced, inviting display at both of those stores:

So, the next time you are shopping and feel a bit frustrated, it's not you, it's the store that is causing it.  And the next time you walk into a beautiful, well designed inviting store, be sure to tell the owner or manager what a good job they've done!

Home for the Holiday's

Does the thought of setting a formal table leave you in a panic? Here is a simple diagram that I still find myself referring to when setting my table.

Now, how to layer the table for color.  I try to pick a color theme and go from there. For example, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to look in your backyard for some ideas.  Think leaves, berries, branches or look in the grocery store for gourds, pumpkins, apples, oranges.  But that's not to say an all black and white or pink and green table can't be as festive.

You can mix and match your china, or go with one pattern.  If you do decide to mix and match, I wouldn't worry so much about colors as I would texture/weight.  If you are going with a heavy Italian pottery then don't bring in a fine thin porcelain china , stick with heavier dinnerware. The table below is a great example of mix & match.

Flowers, if you use them, should either be very high or very low.  You don't want your guest ending the evening with a stiff neck.  Candles should be unscented (this is the ONLY time I use unscented candles).  And if you are burning candles in other parts of the home make sure their scent is food friendly (think pumpkin, pine, orange, cinnamon, grapefruit), avoid any floral scents. That beautiful tuberose candle is going to clash big time with the scent of a roasting turkey.

I love linens, as anyone who has been in my store knows, but only if they are ironed! A crisp ironed tablecloth can make or break that beautiful setting. So, enjoy your Thanksgiving, try not to stress too much and remember, your guest have no idea how anything was suppose to look or turn out, so even if things don't go as planned, a true hostess knows how to fake it.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to My Front Door

I'm not a huge believer in Feng Shui, but I don't want to press my luck either.  When I visit my clients homes to assist with their decorating needs I do find myself summing up their homes within the first few seconds, mostly by the look of their front entrance.  Much like, when I was in the dating pool, a man's smile, but that's another story for another time....

So, it is not surprising to find that their are strict rules in Feng Shui regarding the color of a homes front door, depending on which direction it faces.  Here are some examples of great front doors and the color's Feng Shui suggest:

North facing door: 

Feng Shui door color: blue, black, white Material: wooden

North East facing door: 
Feng Shui door color: orange, purple, yellow, terra cotta

East facing door: 
Feng Shui door color: green, blue, turquoise Material: wooden

South East facing door: 
Feng Shui door color: green, turquoise, blue Material: wooden

South facing door: 
Feng Shui door color: red, pink, purple Material: wooden

South West facing door: 
Feng Shui door color: pink, peach, apricot, orange, yellow

West facing door: 
Feng Shui door color: yellow, white, gold, magenta, silver

North West facing door: 
Feng Shui door color: magenta, gold, silver, white, yellow

Hope you have found the correct color for your front door and are experiencing good Chi!

Beautiful Candles From France

Leave it to the French to make the most beautiful candles I've ever seen.

For more than 30 years, the name Point a la Ligne has been synonymous with extraordinary quality,creativity,and design--earning a worldwide reputation as the "Rolls Royce" of candles. Situated in Bordeaux, France, the Point a la Ligne candle-making shop first opened its doors in 1968 and has been handcrafting exquisitely beautiful wax shapes ever since.

Artisans create sketches and then carve the molds. When the perfect shape has been achieved, highest-quality paraffin wax is poured. After the wax has hardened, the candles are hand-painted with intricate details. All candles burn clean, dripless and smokeless.

We sold out of the first shipment in 2 days but, not to worry, another huge shipment will be in soon. Meanwhile, I'm off to the Dallas Gift Show, so look for more new lines in the store shortly.

Is Your Bedroom Decor Ruining Your Sex Life?

One of the services that I offer my customers is interior design consultation. Working with the customers own belongings I can transform most rooms into a clean, inviting living space with the tools of new paint, new accessories and a good eye for balance.

Occasionally, I will sense stress in a relationship while working with couples. I normally will ask to see the master bedroom. Sure enough, it's a mess. Normally, it's too "girly" for an adult bedroom but sometimes it looks more like the storage/junk room then the master bedroom.

Think about the times you are away in hotel rooms. There is just something sexy about being together in a nice hotel room. Sure, you're away from the everyday stresses, but I think good sex in hotels has more to do with the decor!

Coco Chanel once said "just before you leave the house, take one piece of jewelry off", basically, less is more. The same holds true for your bedroom. I like to see a nicely dressed bed, 2 end tables with matching lamps, one nice piece of furniture for storage and a chair or two...that's it. Artwork should be simple and relaxing. Window dressings should have clean lines and matching.

If you are unsure where to start, a great website is www.houzz.com. I've included some pictures of my personal favorites, but you can always contact me for individual consultations.

contemporary bedroom design by 4.bp.blogspot.com

contemporary bedroom design by los angeles interior designer Debbie L Talianko

bedroom design

Spring 2010 Opening

Thought I'd give you a sneak peek at what is coming in for the spring season.


Ahava is coming back (how could it not, it's our best selling bath & body line) and NEST candles is also returning with a new scent Blue Garden and it's lovely. Hopefully new patterns will arrive soon from France on our French Linens. Pre de Provence has 2 new soaps Gardenia and Lime. Big Buddha's spring collection is fabulous and I'll be looking for 2 new handbag lines in Dallas, later this month.

Also new will be a furniture line and all pieces will be available with custom fabrics and finishes. Very exciting!

Hope everyone has survived this past winter. We've had over 80" of snow in Maryland...a new record. Come on Spring!

Change in Plans

Change in plans! We are going to reopen the store today, January 16th for a one day only sale. 50% off entire store with 30% of all sales going to BRESMA http://www.thatschurch.com. These 2 young women from Pittsburgh are running an orphanage in Haiti. They are trying to get them out of Haiti and back to the States, where most of the 150 children have already began adoption process. If you can't come to the store you can still donate:

You can make a tax deductible donation to the Bresma Orphanage by making your check payable to "Keystone Church of Hazelwood" and mailing it to the church at:

161 Hazelwood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15207-1566

Please put "BRESMA orphanage" on the memo line.

Best Of The Eastern Shore

I almost forgot! We are up again for "Best Unique Gifts" and "Best Customer Service" in What's Up Magazines 2010 Eastern Shore. Please vote for us!
http://www.whatsupmag.com/best-of-es-2010.aspx

Endings and Beginnings

Can you believe it's the end of our 10th season already? Wow. I hope you all enjoyed, or at least survived, the holiday season and are off to an optimistic new year.

I say optimistic because the good thing about having gone through a rough time is you know it will get better. I'm feeling great about 2010. I know, things could get worse, but I don't have that feeling. I think 2010 is going to be the year that small businesses will take their rightful place in the country as the true backbone of our nation. God knows big businesses haven't done so well.

I also think that shoppers will see much better customer service. You've always enjoyed it at our store, we pride ourselves on that, but maybe now big business will see that you can not treat customers the way they have and still run a profitable business. Sometimes the only way to get things changed is to halt everything and start over. So, I'm looking at 2010 as a start over year that will lead to a great decade!

After I return from NY, I'll be posting some of the new lines that The Scented Garden will be bringing in for spring. As always, I welcome your opinion and suggestions so keep them coming.

The Leather Chair

I've never been a fan of leather furniture, but five years ago I found this great small chocolate brown leather chair that was priced too good to refuse. So I bought it, not really knowing what I was going to do with it. Worse case scenario I'd use it at the store in my front window display.

Well, not only has it never left the house, I have decided that every home needs one small leather chair.

This chair has been in my entry hall, family room, master bedroom and living room and it looks equally as well in all of them.

In the entry hall I placed it against the wall, next to a small piano, added a great rug and lamp...wow, instant warmth plus guest have a place to sit while taking their shoes off (which is a must).

In the bedroom I tucked into a corner, added a floor lamp, small table, a throw and some great prints on the wall behind it and again...was like it was made for the space.

It worked beautifully with soft blues, perfect with mossy greens and even added a pop to all cream/beige room. Whether your style is contemporary, country, coastal cottage, traditional or zen inspired, this chair works. So the next time you have an empty space, think about using a small leather chair (or better yet, two), you'll wonder how you ever lived without it and if you already own one try move it into another room and see how easily it transforms any space.

Summer's Best Sellers

I haven't posted anything lately, but that's a good thing. It means we have been so busy in the store that I don't have a minute left for anything else! What a summer, and what a nice surprise.

The melamine dinnerware is flying out of the store. I'm placing reorders just about every 2 weeks. The new patterns have been received with great reviews. In addition, our famous acrylic coated French linens look beautiful with the melamine patterns. Both, have been very popular items.

Ahava bath and body has also been a huge seller, and with good reason. The natural minerals from the Dead Sea used in the line are proving to be very healing for our skin. When I introduced the line into the store it was with a limited selection, but we now carry almost the entire line.

STAXX was introduced over a year ago, when the jewelry line first debuted in Dallas. Since then, the response has been overwhelming! Once you start building your rings, the possibilities are endless and with new pieces being added to the collection on a regular basis, there is always something new and exciting.

NEST candles....what can I say that I haven't already said. Laura Slatkin's line is a proven seller and my favorite candle line, which says a lot because of burned almost every candle thats ever been on the market. In just a short period, NEST has become my number one selling candle in the store. The holiday scent will be arriving in September, so be sure to get your order in now so you don't miss out. Even though I've placed a huge order for the holiday line, I am anticipating an even larger need from my customers.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and look forward to seeing you in the store at some point. I will post more after attending the shows for the fall/winter merchandise. As always, if there is a product that you love, feel free to drop us a line telling us about it. Our customers always have the best ideas!

Outdoor Living

We've been eating a lot of steamed blue crabs here, which means it's officially summer! I love to entertain outdoors and I've stocked the store with many great outdoor living items.

Our blue crab enamel tableware is perfect. Not only is it dishwasher and oven safe but you won't have to worry about breakage or chipping. Add the matching linen napkins and aprons and your on your way to having one great crab feast.

Another great seller is our outdoor rugs. We now have two rug companies that we are working with, both great products with very different looks. Our natural material outdoor rugs give a more casual feel, while our Polypropylene rugs offer a more "true" carpet feel. No matter which line you prefer both can be left outside, totally uncovered, and only need a hose to clean or refresh them.

And what better way to dress your outdoor table then with our acrylic coated French cotton indoor/outdoor tablecloths? We even eat crabs on ours then just hose it off! Did I mention we can have umbrella holes put in them too?

Both the tablecloths and the rugs come in a multitude of sizes. If we don't have the size you need we will custom order it for you, at no additional cost. So grab the mosquito spray, add some candles and enjoy the summer outside!

New Arrivals

I love spring. I love that the trees are green again, the flowers are blooming, my electric bill is lower and tourist are back on the streets of St. Michaels. But most of all, I love that all our new merchandise is arriving daily and the store looks fresh and new again!

Lollia is one of those new lines. It is a beautifully packaged bath and body line perfect for gift giving or enjoying yourself. With scents like Breathe, Relax, Inspire, Believe, Imagine and Wish how could you not need one of these? My favorite is the bubble bath, but the candles are wonderful too.

I think what drew me to this line in the first place were the names of each collection. As I was placing the order these thoughts came to mind: Take a deep breath, learn to relax, inspire to be your best, believe in the future, imagine a world of peace where wishes do come true. Need I say more?

Belle Fleur Has Arrived

Over the last 9 years the Scented Garden has evolved into an eclectic mix of gifts, home accessories, personal accessories and bath & body, but the one thing that has remained constant is our love of candles.

Belle Fleur is the newest addition to our candle line. Developed by Meredith Waga-Perez, owner of Belle Fleur, one of Manhattans most sought after floral and event design firms. My favorite scent is white orchid tea. Just the description of this candle is relaxing:

WHITE ORCHID TEA
Orchid, Peony & Asian Bergamot wrapped in Green Tea Leaves
Inspired by spiritual Zen gardens of the Far East, this rare and exotic fragrance invites tranquility and serenity. Enhanced with the delicate essence of bergamot and finished with the soothing aroma of tea, its lightness and purity will reinforce the balance between body and soul.

Other scents include Mayan Tuberose, Orange Blossom Pomegranate and Jasmine Verbena.

No matter which one you try, I promise you will not be disappointed as each candle releases just the right amount of scent to linger through your home without being overpowering. Even unlit, you will catch a scent of the candle as you walk by it.

They say the more things change the more they remain the same. I know that my love for perfectly scented candles will always be the basis for which The Scented Garden was born out of.

Spring!

Here on the east coast, March has lived up to it's reputation of "in like a lion, out like a lamb". We had 12" of snow and 70 degree weather, all within 5 days! Crazy.

I don't care what the weather does, I've moved right into spring with or without mother natures blessing. Our front window is decorated in pale blue and soft greens, our new lines are arriving daily and the spring handbags, both Melie Bianco and Big Buddha have almost sold out, and they haven't even been in the store for a full 2 weeks! I hope this trend continues because nothing makes my day better then reordering merchandise.

Tea Forte's arrival of cocktail teas has arrived, and I've now reordered on them two times. These are so much fun. Instead of adding hot water to the tea infuser, simply add your favorite alcoholic beverage. With a recipe card included in each box, tea time takes on a new meaning.

Belle Fleur is a new candle line that I just ordered. Meredith Perez is the owner of Belle Fleur Florist in NYC and she has developed a beautiful candle line. Just the box is pretty enough to give as a gift! She sent me a sample candle, jasmine verbena, and I have burned it every night. It reminds me a bit of the old Slatkin bamboo and jasmine, which was always one of my best selling scents. Thank you, Meredith, for introducing me to your line!

The Scented Garden is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, through March and then we go back to 7 days a week.

What's Up "Best Of" Voting

Can you believe it's been a year since we where voted Best Luxury Gift Store, Eastern Shore? I sure can't. I know that some people shrug such awards off, but for The Scented Garden, we were honored and would be thrilled to win 2 years in a row. We work hard on providing the best unique gifts and the best customer service. So, if you wouldn't mind voting again this year, we'd appreciate it.

Just go to http://www.whatsupmag.com/calendar/hosted-events/best-of/09-01-30/Best_of_Annapolis_Eastern_Shore_2009_Ballot_-_Voting_open.aspx

and click on Eastern Shore Link. I'm not sure why, but Best Luxury Gifts is not a category this year, perhaps because once the best wins, there is no longer a competition (OK, being modest is not one of my best qualities).

But providing "Best Customer Service" and "Best Unique Gifts" is!

2009 Trends

As I prepare to attend the Dallas Gift Show this week I will be focusing on how this current economy will impact retail trends. This is the hard part about retail. I know my capabilities and strengths when it comes to decorating, visual merchandising and customer service, but none of these qualities will do me any good if I don't focus on how the economy will effect what and how people buy and to do this I must anticipate how people will be living their lives.

My guess (and really, isn't that all any of us can do at this time?) is that people will be staying home more and entertaining at home more too. Therefore, I believe there will be a huge market in home goods, not necessarily big ticket items, but updating with home accessories that work with their existing large pieces. I also think outdoor living will see an increase, due to the fact that people will not be dining out in large groups, but staying in and having more casual get together.

The two buzz words that I keep hearing are "simplify" and getting back to the "basics" in life. The success of our bath and body lines have shown that people are learning to relax and enjoy the simple things in life such as taking a long bath or experiencing a French soap in the shower, even though grocery store soaps will accomplish the same, well, as far as getting you clean, not so much for moisturizing. Splurging on the little things that will make a big impact. Even the hot new colors are calming, simple and basic. Look for shades of pink, from pale blush to coral for both clothing and home. Beige, from metallic champagne to soft taupe will also be in the line up.

The point is, we don't stop living and we don't stop indulging in our wants and needs, we just cut back or simplify them to accommodate the changing ways of our world. I'm looking forward to this buying trip more then normally because I'm excited to see if the manufactures feel the same as I do and hopefully, that they will provide us, the retail sector, with lot's of new and fresh merchandise that will fulfill our customers needs. I'll be sure to report back and let you know as well and give you a sneak peak at the lines I've purchased for the upcoming season.

In the meantime, the new Tea Forte Collection will be arriving soon and, get this, it's all about tea infused cocktails! Goodbye afternoon tea, hello cosmopolitans, moijos and martinis!

Farewell, 2008

Some people are afraid of endings and new beginnings. Not me. I welcome them. Perhaps this comes from having moved all over the country for so many years. I either had to learn to welcome change or I would be faced with year after year of misery. I hate being miserable, it's so draining, so I learned to embrace change.

For me, the new year represents new beginnings, a chance to look back at what didn't work and make it right. A clean slate. It's exciting, it's refreshing, it's the universes way of cleansing. Ok, that may sound a bit zen like, but think about it? If you can be honest with yourself the start of a new year can be very therapeutic, and the world, especially now, could use some therapy.

We did a lot of things right at The Scented Garden this past year. The way I bought last January paved the road for success. While I never jeopardize the quality of our products, I did keep the price points at a more reasonable dollar amount, focusing on many items at $40 and under. In addition, our blog was started, our monthly newsletter was born, we were able to donate almost $4,000 to local charities, we bought "green" and our bath and body lines are now all natural and we were voted Best Luxury Gifts on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Not bad, considering the retail industry had one of it's worse years in decades.

Mostly, we are successful because of our loyal customers. When I attend the gift shows I'm always aware of my customers needs. It is not uncommon for me to see a line and think "Karen will love this" or "this is the type of gift that Linda is always looking for". So to my customers a big Thank You! The Scented Garden is only as successful as you make us.

2009 will usher in many new changes and hopefully they will all be for the good. A new President and administration will be met with some of the most difficult times our nation has ever seen. Our economy has taken on much stress, mostly due to fear and panic and but also due to greed. If you've ever noticed the pigs I have on the cash register and wondered why, it is to remind me that "pig's get fat and hogs get slaughtered". There is over 4 trillion dollars just sitting on the sidelines. People are afraid to spend, and I understand that, but WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE OUR ECONOMY. We are not helpless. We, everyday people, hold the power to make the changes that we need most. If you go into 2009 with no other goal, please, remember we have the power. Main street will always hold more power then wall street, we simply have to utilize this power.

So with open arms and a blank slate, I welcome 2009!!

Pink Christmas Tree - Breast Cancer Awareness and Wedding Cake!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Black Friday was very successful for us. We had a large turnout in St. Michaels and since I had no expectations on what to expect this year, it was a huge surprise and relief that our customers are still supporting their local retailors....thank you!

We are now preparing for Midnight Madness, Saturday December 6th. If you've never attended, you don't know what you're missing. All the stores stay open until midnight and serve food/drinks and have specials all evening. The town looks like a Norman Rockwell painting, with every storefront decked out in lights and decorations. Don't forget to stop by and see our pink Christmas tree in the store, with a portion of all proceeds benefiting breast cancer awareness.

We had our annual holiday party and, as usual, it was a fabulous night. My new in-laws surprised us with a beautiful wedding cake served with a case of very nice champagne.

And since I have a home full of guest, I'll make this short and write more next week, but for those of you who need special orders or items delivered for Christmas, Friday is our cut off date, so don't delay!

Change

I don't know about you, but I'm going through withdrawal from the election. It's a love/hate thing. All those commercials and debates bombarding us for months, suddenly coming to an end, but the one thing that both sides kept talking about is change, how it was needed and how it was good for us. I agree on both counts. So, I decided to make some changes to my home.

I wanted to buy new furniture for my family/sun room, but with the "recession" now totally underway and the retail season quickly coming to an end, I decided to make do with furniture and things I already own. First, I emptied out the entire room. Then, I brought in only my favorite pieces, some came from my living room (sofa), some from the bedroom (artwork) some from the office (large chair and half) and slowly the room started to come together. I thought if I could just have one entire room that looked put together it would be a start, instead of several rooms that were half done.

To my surprise, the larger L shaped sofa that was in the family room looks even better in the living room. So, I started working on the living room. Next thing you know, the artwork that I had in the hallway, looks great in the living room above the sofa. It was amazing how it all came together and the only item I had to purchase new was one jute rug, which I just happen to sell in the store.

Change can be scary, but in this case it motivated me to think outside the box. Sometimes when we live day after day looking at the same thing over and over we no longer see what possibilities are available to us. So, before you rush out and buy new furniture for a room, try taking everything out and slowly putting the room back together with items from other rooms. If it doesn't work, you can always put it back, that's the nice thing about change, it's always a work in progress.

NEST - Holiday Candle

I've been talking about this candle for months. It is, quite simply, the most beautiful winter/holiday scent I've ever burned...and I've burned many candles in my life. If you were a fan of the Slatkin & Co holiday candle from the past, then you will love this scent because it is the creation of Laura Slatkin. When I walked into Laura's home in New York and smelled this candle burning I knew immediately that I had to order double what I normally would.

"The aroma of a sparkling holiday season is created by blending pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber will fill your home". Nest burns clean, long and true to scent right down to the bottom. I know this because I burn one every night in my home. In fact, it is the only candle my husband request.

The Scented Garden stocks all 4 sizes available.

single votive for $12.00, 8.1 oz $32.00, 3 wick $68.00 and the gift set of 6 votives $32.00. Call today to order for both your home and your gift giving, but don't delay because this was a limited pour, meaning once they are gone, I will not be able to get more in this year.

Thanksgiving Table Decor

Wasn't I just writing about Easter?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love to cook (check out my sisters blog, where I am a guest writer, http://www.homecooksonline.com/) , I love to eat, I love to celebrate where gifts are not involved (yes, even a retail gift shop owner gets overwhelmed with gift giving) and I love setting a beautiful table.

One of the nice things about Thanksgiving is you can find most, if not all, of your table decorations in your own backyard or local farm stand. Think colorful leaves (perfect for name cards), magnolia branches spread down the center of the table mixed with bittersweet, berries, pumpkins, gourds, corn. I even have geraniums that will still be in bloom. I like to mix real and fake too. A large wooden bread bowl filled with oranges, apples, nuts and some decorative fall ornaments will make a beautiful display. Add some candles and you're done!

Don't forget about linens. If you never use real linens, this is one day you want to. I love the new fall colors on my French jacquard linens. One even has pumpkins on it. Our cut off date is approaching fast for guaranteed delivery though.

And lastly, bring out every bit of crystal and dinnerware that you have stuffed in those cabinets. Don't worry if it all matches or not, by the time you finish with the centerpiece, linens, candles and lots of wine, all your guest will notice is how festive your table looks. Enjoy, and remember, no matter how bad you think your life is, there is always someone who is much worse off, so be thankful!

New Merchandise New Husband!

Well....a lot has been going on since I wrote last. We are receiving all of our new merchandise, daily. From the much anticipated Nest Holiday Candle by Laura Slatkin to gifts from Tea Forte and I GOT MARRIED!!

Most of you know him, Alan Poore. He has been my soul mate and partner for the last 9 years and now he is my husband! We flew to the Bahama's and we were married on the beach. Very romantic.

Ok, back to the store. For those of you interested in new linens for your holiday table, the cut off dates for special orders is 11/05/08 for Thanksgiving and 12/05/08 for Christmas. Of course, you can place your orders now and we won't have to rush about!

Don't forget about PSA Essentials custom stamps. The Christmas cut off for guaranteed delivery is 12/10/08.

October 24-26th is Fall into St. Michaels. Always a great weekend filled with much fun, especially for the kids. Hope to see you all here.

And lastly, this years Christmas Tree theme in the store is PINK! With a portion of all holiday ornaments sales going to breast cancer awareness. I'll post pictures of our pink tree as soon as we get it up.

Handbags

I love fall! Not only the weather, especially on the east coast when the leaves start to change, there's a nip in the air and you can sleep with the windows open, but also because my colors are fall colors.

Chocolate brown, moss green, mustard and eggplant. And this year, those just happen to be the hot colors for handbags.

We just received two large shipments from Big Buddha and Melie Bianco, my favorite lines. It's so refreshing to see color in the fall line up. In NY for fashion week they were showing all of those colors with a different degree of shading. From plum to purple, cream to mustard yellow, taupe to chocolate and hunter green to army green......and now you can find the hottest shades in handbags at The Scented Garden.