Just thought to include this photo of an interior shot of Ashman's Antiques. Truly a treasure trove of fab clothes and accessories!
Tootle loo,
Rose the Shopper
Monday 18 August 2008
Not all vintage flatters!
Hello everyone!
When Sue and I went trawling through the wonderful vintage clothes at Welshpool, it just occured to me to add a note about vintage. Namely, that just becaue it's vintage doesn't mean it's going to be right for you. The dress in the photo illustrates this perfectly. Nice style, fits, but the colour drains my face something wicked. Better to keep on looking for just the right thing, rather than make do with the almost right thing!
Also, bear in mind that vintage clothes have been around a long time, and may need a bit of delicate wear. I love my vintage winter coatfrom the 1940s, but after 60 years or more, the lining is wearing out! Can you imagine?
When Sue and I went trawling through the wonderful vintage clothes at Welshpool, it just occured to me to add a note about vintage. Namely, that just becaue it's vintage doesn't mean it's going to be right for you. The dress in the photo illustrates this perfectly. Nice style, fits, but the colour drains my face something wicked. Better to keep on looking for just the right thing, rather than make do with the almost right thing!
Also, bear in mind that vintage clothes have been around a long time, and may need a bit of delicate wear. I love my vintage winter coatfrom the 1940s, but after 60 years or more, the lining is wearing out! Can you imagine?
As flattering as porridge!
Til next time,
Tootle-loo,
Rose the Shopper
Thursday 14 August 2008
CAMBRIDGE TRIP
Finally managed to get my photo of the coach trip to Cambridge onto the blog. Will wonders never cease?!
It was such a great day! Thirty three people signed up to come, and on the day there were 30 of us. We went to check out the artist's open studios, which were in progress that weekend in July. Hard to believe it's been a month ago.
The weather kept threatening to rain, but in the end, it stayed fine all day. I especially liked the craft market in the centre of Cambridge (severly tempted by a hand tooled green leather belt) and some of the artists studios. The textile work of Gina Gherardi was especially inspiring.
Tootle loo,
Rose the Shopper
Friday 8 August 2008
GREAT VIRGIN VIE PARTY
Gosh, a whole week has gone by since my last entry. How did that happen? One minute it's Monday, the next Friday afternoon. Or is it just me?
My Virgin Vie cosmetics and make-up party last night went GREAT! It was such a lot of fun, thanks to Peter at Allegra Style Hairdressing Salon. There were just a few guests after work, and we all had a glass or two of something pink and sparkling, and everyone ordered loads of goodies from the Virgin Vie catalogues I brought.
I brought samples of several of the products, and everyone seemed to enjoy the spritzing and lotions, and trying on the jewellery. Came away with a very healthy order and a party booking for later this month.
When I first started selling Virgin Vie, I felt quite shy and awkward talking to people about the products and trying to get people to pay attention while I did a make-up demonstration. I decided last night to just "go with the flow" and let whatever happened happen. As a result, I was a lot more relaxed and able to deal with people on a one to one basis, which I feel more comfortable with, rather than being "on show, hawking my wares" like a market stall trader. I guess it just proves the adage, be yourself.
My thanks to Peter for being such a sweetheart and having the party in his salon. He'll receive nearly £50 worth of free goodies for his part playing the host. That's the best bit of the job, being able to give people such nice presents.
Til next time, tootle-loo,
Rose the Shopper
My Virgin Vie cosmetics and make-up party last night went GREAT! It was such a lot of fun, thanks to Peter at Allegra Style Hairdressing Salon. There were just a few guests after work, and we all had a glass or two of something pink and sparkling, and everyone ordered loads of goodies from the Virgin Vie catalogues I brought.
I brought samples of several of the products, and everyone seemed to enjoy the spritzing and lotions, and trying on the jewellery. Came away with a very healthy order and a party booking for later this month.
When I first started selling Virgin Vie, I felt quite shy and awkward talking to people about the products and trying to get people to pay attention while I did a make-up demonstration. I decided last night to just "go with the flow" and let whatever happened happen. As a result, I was a lot more relaxed and able to deal with people on a one to one basis, which I feel more comfortable with, rather than being "on show, hawking my wares" like a market stall trader. I guess it just proves the adage, be yourself.
My thanks to Peter for being such a sweetheart and having the party in his salon. He'll receive nearly £50 worth of free goodies for his part playing the host. That's the best bit of the job, being able to give people such nice presents.
Til next time, tootle-loo,
Rose the Shopper
Saturday 2 August 2008
On the vintage trail!
Went out to Welshpool today for the annual sale of vintage clothes from Ashman Antiques. Some of the pieces were interesting, some good, and some complete old tat. That's the thing with vintage, sometimes what wouldn't make it past the front doors of a charity shop is paraded out as being really special and unique and vintage, when really the items are just sad. Or sadly past it!
My shopping client and I looked at a vintage taffeta ball gown from the 1940s, which was lovely, but considering it had a 6 inch rip at the waist, we hardly thought it justified the price tag of £125.
Still, there were some hot bargains, and was happy to get a man's frock coat for the princey sum of £5.
I think vintage is strictly for people with imagination and stamina. Folks who enjoy a good rummage, and a good story about the origins of the pieces. I did consider that some of the stories might have had an element of fiction in them, but still vintage pieces DO come with history. It's just not often known what the story is.
Anyway, a marvellous day, and if the photos have turned out OK, will post those in the next few days.
Tootle-loo,
Rose the Shopper
Went out to Welshpool today for the annual sale of vintage clothes from Ashman Antiques. Some of the pieces were interesting, some good, and some complete old tat. That's the thing with vintage, sometimes what wouldn't make it past the front doors of a charity shop is paraded out as being really special and unique and vintage, when really the items are just sad. Or sadly past it!
My shopping client and I looked at a vintage taffeta ball gown from the 1940s, which was lovely, but considering it had a 6 inch rip at the waist, we hardly thought it justified the price tag of £125.
Still, there were some hot bargains, and was happy to get a man's frock coat for the princey sum of £5.
I think vintage is strictly for people with imagination and stamina. Folks who enjoy a good rummage, and a good story about the origins of the pieces. I did consider that some of the stories might have had an element of fiction in them, but still vintage pieces DO come with history. It's just not often known what the story is.
Anyway, a marvellous day, and if the photos have turned out OK, will post those in the next few days.
Tootle-loo,
Rose the Shopper
Friday 25 July 2008
THE STORY SO FAR....
Sorry, one and all, for the delay in continuing the blog. I have been trying to figure out how to add photos, and hopefully I will have some to add to this posting.
July has been a good month for networking, and building new contacts. Went to the Shropshire Chamber Breakfast meeting, as well as NWS (Networking with Style.)
Shopping for my latest clientHave had a successful Virgin Vie party (great free presents for the hostess, to the value of £53.50, just for having some friends around. How great is that?!)
Have discovered that the Virgin Vie lip blush (£10.50) is well worth the money, as the lipstick stays on and on and on..... Good for me, as I hate losing my lipstick 5 minutes after I've put it on!
Sold 5 tubes of it at the party.
Will be shopping for a client next week, so looking forward to finding out all about what she needs. Hopefully it will be the start of lasting relationship.
Cheers,
Rose the Shopper Girl
Saturday 5 July 2008
CHECKING OUT THE FASHION SCHOOL
Went to have a look at Shrewsbury College's Fashion programme's end of year exhibition. Loved the work (especially the sketchbooks!) Very inspiring. I would love to enrol on the programme, but it is 2 years full time, which would make it very difficult to do anything else (such as earn money.)
I enjoyed the video of the Fashion show that was running, seeing the clothes on moving models. Of course, all the students on the course are really young. That doesn't especially bother me, and the sewing part of the course is also no problem for me. Even the full time hours I could accept, but I do wonder if it would lead anywhere. Or would it be just an enjoyable game for me? Is the prospect of having fun for two years such a bad thing?
In the meantime, nearly finished the Cosmetic Make-Up course at Radbrook College. One more assessment, and then the portfolio to get together. It seems weird to think of not going out there every Tuesday night.
Also will be holding a Virgin Vie party on Thursday night, so I hope my make-up skills will come to the fore.
Tootle-loo,
Rose the Shopper
Went to have a look at Shrewsbury College's Fashion programme's end of year exhibition. Loved the work (especially the sketchbooks!) Very inspiring. I would love to enrol on the programme, but it is 2 years full time, which would make it very difficult to do anything else (such as earn money.)
I enjoyed the video of the Fashion show that was running, seeing the clothes on moving models. Of course, all the students on the course are really young. That doesn't especially bother me, and the sewing part of the course is also no problem for me. Even the full time hours I could accept, but I do wonder if it would lead anywhere. Or would it be just an enjoyable game for me? Is the prospect of having fun for two years such a bad thing?
In the meantime, nearly finished the Cosmetic Make-Up course at Radbrook College. One more assessment, and then the portfolio to get together. It seems weird to think of not going out there every Tuesday night.
Also will be holding a Virgin Vie party on Thursday night, so I hope my make-up skills will come to the fore.
Tootle-loo,
Rose the Shopper
Wednesday 25 June 2008
SHE'S GLAM, GLAM, GLAM!
Did my make-up assessment at college last night on my friend Penny, and she's looked so glam! Well, after an eyelash perm, eyelash and brow tint, eyebrow shaping and a pair of false eyelashes, I guess it was to be expected. She was so patient and kind to let me "do her over."
I thought the false eyelashes would look fake, but they were surprisingly natural. I think it's the type of service that women might enjoy having. I think I'll check out some hairdressing salons and see if they would be interested in hiring me to do it for their clients, as it occured to me that it would have been much more useful for Penny if she had been going out that night.
Tootle-loo,
Rose
Did my make-up assessment at college last night on my friend Penny, and she's looked so glam! Well, after an eyelash perm, eyelash and brow tint, eyebrow shaping and a pair of false eyelashes, I guess it was to be expected. She was so patient and kind to let me "do her over."
I thought the false eyelashes would look fake, but they were surprisingly natural. I think it's the type of service that women might enjoy having. I think I'll check out some hairdressing salons and see if they would be interested in hiring me to do it for their clients, as it occured to me that it would have been much more useful for Penny if she had been going out that night.
Tootle-loo,
Rose
Tuesday 24 June 2008
TIME TO PROMOTE SHOPPING FOR ART IN CAMBRIDGE
I do love organising coach trips to various places for interesting events. This time we are going to Cambridge for the Artist's Open Studios event in July. I finally wrote the press release on it that I had been meaning to do for a few weeks. The trip has already passed the break even point, so it will definately run, but it would be good to get some more passengers.
I guess one of the reasons I like the trips so much (in addition to being able to go and see some neat things of interest to myself) is that I get such nice feedback from my passengers. Even the folks that can't come on the trip often phone to express their regret, which is a very nice thing for them to do. I do try to make the flyers and contacts to people as personable as possible, because I like the passengers to know me and know I care about them having a good time.
The coach trip leaves Shrewsbury on Saturday, July 12 at 8:30 am, departing from the car park opposite the Shrewsbury Abbey. Cost is £20 per person return. If interested, email me on shoppergirl5@tiscali.co.uk or leave a comment.
Many thanks, too, to Helen, one of my repeat customers, who is going to try to talk her husband into going. On our last trip to Liverpool, she was on her own, as her daughter had to cancel coming, so my husband acted as tour guide and showed her all around Liverpool. She loved having her very own Scouse guide!
Tootle-loo,
Rose
I do love organising coach trips to various places for interesting events. This time we are going to Cambridge for the Artist's Open Studios event in July. I finally wrote the press release on it that I had been meaning to do for a few weeks. The trip has already passed the break even point, so it will definately run, but it would be good to get some more passengers.
I guess one of the reasons I like the trips so much (in addition to being able to go and see some neat things of interest to myself) is that I get such nice feedback from my passengers. Even the folks that can't come on the trip often phone to express their regret, which is a very nice thing for them to do. I do try to make the flyers and contacts to people as personable as possible, because I like the passengers to know me and know I care about them having a good time.
The coach trip leaves Shrewsbury on Saturday, July 12 at 8:30 am, departing from the car park opposite the Shrewsbury Abbey. Cost is £20 per person return. If interested, email me on shoppergirl5@tiscali.co.uk or leave a comment.
Many thanks, too, to Helen, one of my repeat customers, who is going to try to talk her husband into going. On our last trip to Liverpool, she was on her own, as her daughter had to cancel coming, so my husband acted as tour guide and showed her all around Liverpool. She loved having her very own Scouse guide!
Tootle-loo,
Rose
Monday 23 June 2008
SHOPPING FOR VINTAGE
Another part of my business is vintage. I've organised a vintage clothing fair in Shrewsbury last year, which went very well. I also organise shopping trips to vintage fairs in other cities, and so far we have been to Manchester, Liverpool (to St. George's Hall) and Bath. Every trip people come back loaded with goodies from by-gone eras. I was especially pleased with my pink 1950s swing coat that I got in Liverpool on the last trip. Photo to follow when I can figure out how to get the photos onto the blog.
My friend Sue and I will head out to Welshpool in August to look for a 1940s ball gown for her. We're going to Ashman's Antiques, where my husband bought a pair of white wool trousers for a 1920s look, to go with his striped blazer and straw boater. Very dashing (if I do say so myself!)
The link to Ashman's is ashmansvintage.com if you would like to have a look at their website. It looks like a treasure trove of goodies, and from experience I can certainly say it is! Not the cheapest place in the world, but a really vast selection of clothes that you wouldn't normally be able to find.
The trip is for Sue's dress, but you never know what I might find for myself. I do have a good selection of vintage outfits for various "dress up" events, but I'm always open to something new.
This is my vintage 1940s outfit for a 40s day at Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury. The good looking chap next to me is my husband.
Tootle-loo,
Rose
Friday 20 June 2008
SHOPPING FOR EYELASHES
I don't suppose it's the type of thing most people shop for, but I need to buy a pair of strip eyelashes for one of my assessments at college. I am finishing up my course in Cosmetic Make-Up at Radbrook college and have volunteers booked for most of the final sessions.
As a friend asked, "what are strip lashes?" They're false eyelashes on a strip that you apply to the whole of the eyelid to create a dramatic look. I've already done the individual lashes, which was another requirement for the assessments. The individual ones look actually quite natural, more so that I thought they would. Fortunately, they also stayed on quite well. (And this was only my second go at using them!)
I'm grateful to my friend Penny who is game enough to let me perm and dye her eyelashes, tint her eyebrows and then apply false eyelashes. She'lll probably have eyelashes like butterfly wings by the time she leaves.
Tootle-loo,
Rose
I don't suppose it's the type of thing most people shop for, but I need to buy a pair of strip eyelashes for one of my assessments at college. I am finishing up my course in Cosmetic Make-Up at Radbrook college and have volunteers booked for most of the final sessions.
As a friend asked, "what are strip lashes?" They're false eyelashes on a strip that you apply to the whole of the eyelid to create a dramatic look. I've already done the individual lashes, which was another requirement for the assessments. The individual ones look actually quite natural, more so that I thought they would. Fortunately, they also stayed on quite well. (And this was only my second go at using them!)
I'm grateful to my friend Penny who is game enough to let me perm and dye her eyelashes, tint her eyebrows and then apply false eyelashes. She'lll probably have eyelashes like butterfly wings by the time she leaves.
Tootle-loo,
Rose
Wednesday 18 June 2008
Many thanks to Claire for responding to my blog. Makes me feel not so alone in the world!
Still having teething problems with getting things going. Mainly because I don't understand things, and when I don't understand, I imm ediately want to throw my toys out of the pram. And I do mean, immediately.
Have to do my CIL information for tomorrow. CIL stands for Course Information Leaflet for the course on Looking Good, Looking Great, which is an adult education course that I am going to be teaching at The Gateway Education and Arts Centre in Shrewsbury in October. I've had it on my "to do" list for too long. Does anyone else push things back and push things back until you just HAVE TO do them? I think it's possibly one of my worst traits. Certainly not good for business.
Does anybody have any opinions on shopping, and programs like 10 Years Younger that they would like to share?
Tootle-loo,
Rose
Still having teething problems with getting things going. Mainly because I don't understand things, and when I don't understand, I imm ediately want to throw my toys out of the pram. And I do mean, immediately.
Have to do my CIL information for tomorrow. CIL stands for Course Information Leaflet for the course on Looking Good, Looking Great, which is an adult education course that I am going to be teaching at The Gateway Education and Arts Centre in Shrewsbury in October. I've had it on my "to do" list for too long. Does anyone else push things back and push things back until you just HAVE TO do them? I think it's possibly one of my worst traits. Certainly not good for business.
Does anybody have any opinions on shopping, and programs like 10 Years Younger that they would like to share?
Tootle-loo,
Rose
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to my first blogspot. I'm being ably assisted by my friend Julie, who knows everything technical! She's getting lunch for payment. Hope it's a good trade!
I'm setting up my business "Shopper Girl" to go shopping for those who hate to shop, or if you love to shop, I'll come along to advise, carry bags, find bargains and generally make myself useful.
I am going to be featured in the July issue of Shropshire Magazine, so you can see me in action. Doing the photo shoot was really fun (I felt like a movie star, being photographed in the Square in Shrewsbury) with my friend Anita. Anita was there to be my "client" but she really is a client, in that she's been on one of my shopping trips and has also bought Virgin Vie cosmetics from me.
I am running a shopping trip to Cambridge, leaving from the car park opposite the Shrewsbury Abbey, on Saturday, July 12. Cost is £20 per person, and you are free to do whatever you like in Cambridge, although the "attraction" in Cambridge is the Artists Open Studios. If you're not familiar with the concept of artist's open studios, what happens is that practising artists open their studios (or living rooms) and allow the general public to trot through looking at their art. You can even buy some if you like.
Anyway, being new to this blogging lark, I just thought I would ask if any women would be interested in having me shop for them? What are your major problems with shopping and what could I do to help you solve them? I would appreciate any comments.
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