Gah! Four posts into this whole blogging thing and I've already got to be apologizing for neglecting my blogging duties. So let's get it out of the way now, I'm so sorry for being a bad blogger. I will admit to occasionally letting my time management skills slip and I am surely guilty of that this month. Will it make it any better if I tell you it is because of all the fabulous new stuff we have in? Because it really is fabulous. The store looks better than ever and I am thrilled with all the new things we have.
Since I last checked in early in May we've been getting our spring trade show orders with as many as 4 deliveries coming in each day. It doesn't seem like many as I write it, but as a small boutique (1380 square feet) with 1 or 2 people on the floor each day, it is in fact quite a lot to deal with. So where to start, where to start . . .
Three new styles of robes which include: nonotho Russian linen in 3 colours, ivory, natural and flax. Silk and cashmere in teal and taupe, this is one of the softest fabrics I've ever felt and the cut of the robe is extremely flattering. My favourite are the fabulous Thai silk robes, we've got 4 colour combinations each in two different patterns. The prints are very contemporary, bubbles, butterflies, jasmine and wallpaper and the colours are vibrant but still very sophisticated. It has always been a struggle to find really great robes, so I am very pleased with the current line up. The silks in particular were really a great find. To top it off, they not only look and feel wonderful, but all of the new robes are light weight so they will travel really well on your summer holiday. Also in the lounge wear department (not that Oleander is big enough to have departments) we are really pleased to have cotton pyjamas by L.A.'s BedHead. I've got their classic pj in chocolate and pink polka dots, mint with chocolate floral and teal blue also with the chocolate exotic floral. I think that BedHead pj's have been seen on both "Friends" and in Oprah's magazine. I'm really coveting the polka dots ones.
As for the bedding we are doing a wonderful linen collection called Umbria in lilac and cream, the duvet cover is a lilac linen jacquard with hemstitch details, the sheets in solid ivory linen. The linen is made in Italy and then it's cut and sewn in Vancouver. This fabric comes in three textures; jacquard, crepe and solid each available in twelve colours. Very easy to mix and match to get the perfect bed. I was initially a little hesitant to show linen on the floor, as there seems to be a great deal of misconceptions about how difficult it is to care for, and that it is really only good for summer, but I'm glad that I brought it in as it is stunning to look at and gives me a chance to offer an alternative to cotton. As for the issues about care, we are taking time to let people know that it is machine washable and can be tumble dried or air only. As for the wrinkle factor, it is important to keep in mind that linen should look slightly rumpled, it should be a casual looking fabric, soft and relaxed looking. If you need it to look pristine you do have to iron it but it feels just as nice rumpled as smooth. The other thing to keep in mind is that linen does age better than cotton, so as it wears it gets softer, smoother and will develop a bit more luster. Like wine, cheese and people with a little more care when young it gets better with age.
We are also now showing Lin de Vosge, a 80% linen 20% cotton blend fabric made in France and cut and sewn in Montreal. The styling of this collection is a little more contemporary than the Umbria, while keeping a very classic and clean look. It is available in four construction styles and five colours. The cotton in this blend helps to alleviate the appearance of wrinkles in this collection and helps to keep the cost down a bit. Lin de Vosge does have all the benefits of linen being cool to the touch in warmer weather and warm to the touch in cooler temperatures. It is also a little better than pure cotton at dealing with moisture wicking away perspiration to help moderate sleeping temperatures.
I'm afraid that I've run out of time before I've run out of new arrivals to introduce. So I'll leave you with a promise to be a better blogger and get back to you with the rest of the new goodies in the next couple of days.
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