BOO!

I don't usually post things with my kids, but it's Halloween, so come on!  I mean I have three Halloween parades to attend today, and for the first time in years, (to Peter and Yuko's excitement) the team at preloved DID NOT have to create one of my kids Halloween costumes!  I don't think Yuko will ever forgive me for stopping production one year, so that she could make the most amazing  Bob the Builder costume.  This year my guys, all wanted to be quite easy to produce costumes. A black cat,  Jason from Friday the 13th, and a Vampire covered in blood carry a gun!(yes that is my four year old!)  Man ,how do they go from an easy going Bob the Builder to Jason???

My black cat, and her Vampire with his gun, of course...don't all vampire's carry guns?

And Jason

Bob the Builder, a preloved original, from the 2006 holiday collection

thanks Yuko!

Where are they now?

Peter and I once played this game while having dinner in Las Vegas - name all the retail mangers of preloved  in order of when they worked. Now as you can imagine, with multiple stores and almost  18 years of retail, that would be quite a few names! I  always find that Megahan, Kyle, Corrine, Jess and Suzy Crocker, period very confusing, could be the fact I was having my second child, shooting a T.V show and opening a store in Vancouver all at the same time, or it could be the fact I drank way to much wine that night at the Wynn buffet! Anyways, there is one retail manager I will never forget, and that is Stina.  I am not sure how Stina arrived on our team ( ok I have a bad memory, I think you loose brain cells with each child), but most likely a Shelley hire.  Stina was the manager of our pop up shop on the Danforth. She was so much fun to work with, had the work ethic of a work horse  and was the first person I met, who could take wicked photo's on their IPhone, pre Instagram! (thanks for that Steens).  I came across this video and had to share it. Besides the fact that it made me laugh so hard, it reminded me of how much I enjoyed working with Stina! For the record my favourite  (yes the Canadian spelling)  is  "scrape the windsheld'!!
 Well done Stina!

what would Ali do?

the beautiful work of Ali Oesch

Home again home again.  Just got back from a week in the windy city.  We were at STYLEMAX, the latest addition to our trade show circuit.  So, that was pretty much the last stop on the crazy ride of selling spring/summer 2013. I must say that makes my husband quite happy ( to say the least!).  We first got word of the this great trade show in Chicago, from a client of ours Ali Oesch.  Ali is a fantastic jewelry designer, based out of South Bend Indiana., and sells over 100 of our Miss Ellie sweaters a year, in a store that doesn't have a dressing room!!  Not to mention the sales of her own jewelry (which is super cute).  Ali is one of the most inspiring people i have met in years.  I love the way she looks at life, and her energy is contagious.  She would give you the shirt off of her back, then sell you a pair of earrings to match.  In these tough economic times, it is so refreshing to meet someone who truly loves their job!  Ali has gotten the entire team here at preloved super motivated.  Whenever we come to cross roads, and are not sure what to do, we just ask each other, 'what would Ali do'.  Thanks Ali, for reminding me, to love what I do!!

Back to our Roots

It officially launched on October 4th 2012, over 14 months of planning, 50 production samples,  and 6000 vintage sweaters later, Roots by preloved, hit Roots stores across Canada. I can not tell you how proud and excited the entire preloved team is about this collaboration, not to mention the fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger bought one of the men's hoodies, right out of the box. Rumor has it, he said  "I"LL BE BACK"  for more Roots by preloved.  

roots by preloved tunic

roots by preloved miss ellie

the  mittens



A day trip

It started at 5:40 am, which really is not that rare for me.  Usually I am out for a run at the time, but this morning, I jumped into the car and headed for buffalo.  Caught an 11:00 am flight to Philadelphia, and made it on time for my 1:30 meeting with the buyers from Anthropologie.   This is my fourth trip to the Navel Yard, which is what they call the corporate headquarters of Urban Outfitters. (parent company to Anthropologie).  I am telling you, I think this is one of the most inspiring places I have ever been.  When I grow up, this is what I want my office to be like.  It is located in the historical Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.  The company operates out 6 different buildings, and occupies over 280’000 square feet of the navy yard.   The cafeteria building is unbelievable.  It is located right on the water, and I am telling you, it is tall enough that you can park a cruise liner right inside.  Not to mention the incredible food! But that is another story.  Just saying the chicken chili might be worth the flight to Philly.  I had meetings with two different buying teams from Anthropologie, ( the sweater team, and knit tops) and a very inspiring  visit to building 15, the offices of BHLDN, which is the wedding brand of Anthropologie.  Headed back to the airport, caught my flight to Buffalo, located my car,( which was probably the most difficult part of my day! NOTE TO SELF: write down which floor you park on!)  I arrived home safely before midnight, slipped into bed, and dreamed all night, on how the future head office of preloved should look.  Funny, I didn't think at all about the Fallon Top ( the style that anthropologie wants), that needs to somehow, be made out of vintage golf tee’s,  recycled leather and lace, and be ready for delivery by end of NOVEMBER, till I woke up! AHHH!

just a comfy cozy place to get creative 

yes that is a gym upstairs

on my way to grab some chicken chili

pillow talk

We had visit the other day from Leah Miller and the team at E!  Leah has old rock tee’s that she want to make into pillows! Who better to do that then the team at preloved!  Leah was great to work with ..full of energy , so polite and she bought a Terri Cardigan…at full price, might I add….i tried to give her a discount, but she refused.  Thanks for helping us make our daily goal  Leah!!

seeing red

Finally coming up for air!  The Roots by preloved order has shipped, the Anthropologie order has shipped, and the order for the Bay just left!  Wow fall  2012 has been insane. I think we rescued over 80’000 sweaters.  None of which are red.  Apparently Anthropologie doesn't  like red!...so we still have about  3000 red sweaters to use up…hopefully red will be trending by Fall 2013, or we are gonna have to do something for the heart and stoke fund!! The office is quite quiet today.  Peter is off to the chiropractor.. sore legs  Ashley and Yuko took the day off.. sore backs….  Lexie is here though, that’s just because she is off tomorrow.  I think a week in the manufactures, shipping boxes, (yes fashion is that glamorous), has done this team in.   I think everyone is ready for a long weekend….happy thanksgiving!  Tuesday is our first Spring 2013 fit meeting..no rest for the wicked!