ShopStixAndStones.com

2010-01-20T07:31:00.000-08:00

Has anyone heard of Lemondrop.com? It's part of AOL and has great fashion, entertainment and beauty news (and a lot of other cool stuff too). I had never heard of it, but they emailed me a few weeks ago to do a "bargain bin" deal featuring Shopstixandstones.com so I investigated and discovered a fun place to browse online when I'm bored! Check out the deal... and use discount code LEMONDROP at checkout through 1/25 to receive 20% off your purchase!

http://www.lemondrop.com/2010/01/19/bargain-bin-20-percent-off-at-shopstixandstones-com/

On a more serious note, the tragedy in Haiti is awful and continues to grow. I've donated to Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross, but no matter what I do I still feel it's not enough. A friend of mine named Mica is Haitian and has gone above and beyond in her efforts to help Haiti; I went to drop off a few items at her house the other day and she has set up a collection warehouse in her garage. It's FILLED with bottled water, blankets, canned foods and more. She also came up with the idea to make Haiti Relief t-shirts (which are going to be really cute)! I am excited to help Mica sell these t-shirts as all the proceeds will benefit Haiti. Check out Mica's Haiti Earthquake Relief blog here:

http://haitiearthquakerelief.blogspot.com/2010/01/tshirts-are-designed.html

2010-01-14T06:25:00.000-08:00

I'm always getting different fashion emails and newsletters that I might have signed up for at some point in my life; I get so many that I usually end up deleting most of them from my inbox without even looking at them either because I'm too strapped for time or I know I probably won't be thrilled with whatever so-and-so thinks is going on in the fashion world (because unfortunately there are not enough fashion gurus in this world)! Two email newsletters that I read every day (and can't get enough of) are Who What Wear and The Zoe Report (LOVE Rachel Zoe). Today I came across a TZR newsletter in my inbox that somehow went unread and unnoticed since November! I can't believe I didn't open it before today, but I'm sooo glad I finally opened it because I discovered something that usually is not included in fashion blogs or newsletters: The American Fashion Cookbook. Since when did fashion and cooking become one?! I, for one, am not quite sure... but I think I like it. Not that I'm much of a chef, but I definitely have fun when I get to whip something up every now and then. And honestly, nothing sounds more appealing to me in the kitchen than stealing recipes from the likes of Diane Von Furstenberg and Zac Posen. J

http://www.barneys.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BNY-Site/default/Link-Product?pid=00505003972403

2009-10-22T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well... I'm doing a little better with keeping in touch. My last post was 2 weeks ago, so they're getting closer together slowly but surely! Let's aim for no more than a week this time. ; )

This week has been one of the CRAZIEST I've ever had in terms of being busy. I was supposed to go to L.A. last Friday and had to postpone my trip. I was sooo upset at first, but everything piled up at once and I learned something valuable that's been told to me over and over for as long as I can remember: Everything happens for a reason!

I spent the week working on a new promotional postcard/flyer to pass out and leave at different places. I also took new pics for the fall/winter homepage flash animation. The best part about the week was last night's fashion show at Liv. The creator of Gold Saturn, David, who has become a good friend of mine, had a fashion show featuring his new collection. The sequined shorts and leggings for the show were provided by "yours truly" and I have to say, they went really well with David's Parisian-themed tees, tanks and tank dresses. Click link to see pics: http://www.nbcmiami.com/around-town/events/Fashions-From-Saturn-65454847.html

You'd think I would have a second to breathe in between, but nooo. Now I'm getting myself ready for an interview on Monday. I'll be on NBC live talking about fall's greatest fashions under $200 (for you and your dog lol) and I'm so excited that I get to take my lovable, cuddly baby girl Shiloh! This will be her tv debut and she is going to look FIERCE in a new pyramid studded collar and leash from Auburn Leathercrafters. Tune in Monday morning (Oct. 26th) to the South Florida Today Show on NBC at 11 a.m. to hear me talk about Dolce Vita shoes, Elizabeth Cole jewelry Linea Pelle wallets and more!

http://shopstixandstones.com

2009-10-08T10:38:00.001-07:00

Wow... I've neglected my little blog for FOUR WHOLE MONTHS!! I feel like such a bad blogger. :( Although I can't promise not to do it again, I will try my hardest to keep you guys updated every week!

The past few months have been a blur for me: I hired a new web designer, I hired someone also to optimize my site and I am seeing lots of great changes very fast! Stix and Stones had its first Daily Candy experience in August and we had an amazing number of hits in one week.... 8,000! I was literally blown away. We had a little taste of local press at the beginning of this week, Stix and Stones was featured on NBC Miami's shopping column! Follow the link to check out the article: http://www.nbcmiami.com/around-town/fashion/Boutique-Caters-To-Ladies-and-Their-Furry-BFFs--61780257.html

I flew to NY a few weeks ago for Coterie and saw some amazing pieces for spring 2010! I saw some great stuff from lines I already carry: Matt Bernson sandals, Foley + Corinna bags, Citrine by the Stones jewelry, Dolce Vita shoes, etc. and I'm excited to be getting some new lines: Ash shoes, Local Celebrity tees and loungewear, Give and Take Tees, Botkier bags and shoes, Nine Days Denim and MUCH MORE!! I had such a fun time in NY, but my trip was way too short! I'm excited though, because I'm headed to D+A in Los Angeles (my fave place in the whole wide world) next weekend and I'll have a little time for work and for play!

Gotta run, I have a meeting with David from Gold Saturn in about an hour and I'm sooo looking forward to previewing his new collection! Can't wait to have his tees and dresses at http://shopstixandstones.com!

Before you go check out pics: Daily Candy article and some pieces I ordered for spring!!

2009-06-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

I am in the midst of hiring a new website builder/ web designer/ search engine optimizer... 3 in 1 seems like a pretty farfetched wish, but I'll keep looking I guess. I am excited ton start work with a possible new web-woman (what I like to call it) named Aymee. She seems really nice and I feel like a woman will have the perfect touch to make Shop Stix and Stones everything I want and more. I'm ready for a major re-vamping of the site and I'm going for a really girly, Anthropologie-style look!

So excited to welcome a few new lines also. In the next few weeks I will FINALLY be receiving pieces from Dolce Vita, Linea Pelle and Foley & Corinna. I can't wait! The price points for Dolce Vita are so great right now, I'll be getting sandals and closed flats for under $100 and heels for under $200.

I'm also about to get my first order of Capri Blue room sprays, fragrance diffusers and glass-jar candles. For those of you who don't know, Capri Blue is an awesome line of candles made of food-grade soy wax. The wicks are zinc wicks and 100% environmentally safe. I've been buying these candles for years and I'm so happy to welcome them to Shop Stix and Stones!

Well, I'm off to prepare for tomorrow's event at Grass. Hopefully it will be a big success! Keep posted next week, I'll be part of Shop Miami on Thursday at the Moore Building!

2009-06-09T20:36:00.001-07:00

I go through periods where I forget to blog and I haven't written in weeks... and it's DEFINITELY NOT that I have nothing to write about, so I apologize. I'm just soooo tired, but here goes:

My 22nd birthday was 2 weeks ago and I had the best bday ever. I celebrated all week long. I started off with a family brunch on Monday, then Wednesday (the real day) went shopping with Mom, dinner with family and out for drinks with my besties! I discovered this new place called Crazy Pianos and it was a blast! Two guys battle it out on the piano, they sing and play the drums and I have to say their performances were a little better than mediocre, but we had an awesome time. I've never had more fun singing Piano Man, Outfield and Santeria.

If that's not enough, I continued the celebration Friday night. Went to Michy's (Michelle Bernstein's restaurant) with my boyfriend Mario and his family, the food was AMAZZZING! One of my best friend's, Jamaloan, works there in the kitchen and I've been dying to go. The restaurant was everything I expected and more.

I spent Saturday and Sunday in the Keys with Mario, most of my friends and my brother Derek. Of course there were "extreme thunderstorm warnings" on Saturday. I must mention that it's sunny down there 99% of the time, so this rainstorm of course scheduled itself for 1 of the 2 days of my mini vacay!

Either way we had a great time and the perfect weather on Sunday made up for Saturday's monsoon. I went parasailing for the 1st time and LOVED it!! We rented jet-skis and drank pina coladas and just layed out all day.... What a good week. :)

Back to the real world, though.. Work and school and more work. Saturday I'm doing an event at Grass I'm excited about. $5 admission, great shopping, free drinks and the best part, free food! Hopefully it's a success. We'll see....

♥ -A

Celebrate!

2009-05-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

I had such a great time at Shecky's! The 2 days were exhausting, but so much fun! My display came out really pretty and I made a lot of new customers. :) Now, on to the next event I'm doing... the Backlot Bazaar at Cheap N Chic! This Friday and Saturday from 12-6 we're doing a sale in the back of the store. Ingrid and Mario are putting clothes for $10-$20 and I am putting some merchandise at 4-%-60% off! It should be a lot of fun and we'll be able to clear out old merchandise and make way for great new summer stuff! Some new lines I'll be getting soon are Linea Pelle, Foley and Corinna, Argila, Coclico, Dogeared, Catherine Page Jewelry, Raina belts and MORE, can't wait!

Lately, I've been spending a lot of time on Facebook and Twitter! Follow ShopStixandStones.com:

http://twitter.com/StixandStonesAl

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ShopStixandStonescom/68761090668?sid=e628b05216910c6e648b4a65e236bc94&ref=search

Lazy summer (yeah right!)

2009-04-27T10:56:00.001-07:00

I went to the beach yesterday and... fell asleep! It was so relaxing, I haven't had a day like that in forever. I have to add I got a pretty good tan too. :)

No more relaxing moments for me, though- atleast not for the rest of the week/weekend! I have 2 events coming up this week and I am sooo busy doing last minute preparations for both! On Wednesday, I am participating in a "yappy hour" at the Grovenor House dog park in the Grove. That should be fun; I'm taking all my dog stuff and I'm raffling off a really cute leash!

Thursday and Friday I have a HUGE event, Shecky's Girl's Night Out, at the Moore Building in Downtown. I went to the event they had in November at the beach and it was lots of fun. There were free drinks, a goody bag with great stuff worth $100 and awesome sales! This time I am going to be a vendor there and I'm looking forward to having as successful of an event as I attended in the fall (fingers crossed). I am going to be selling my newer merchandise with 15% off and older stuff up 60% off!

That's the easy part, though. The tough days will be now-Thurs! I am working on the display so I have been running all around town taking care of last minute details. I want my booth to be simple, but still colorful and eye-catching. I have my display sign to pick up tomorrow and I still need a few last minute touches to decorate my table. The biggest thing: I still don't know how I will accept credit cards there! AAHH!!

I'm sure (I hope lol) I'll figure everything out by then. Wish me luck!

Summer is (almost) here!

2009-04-09T09:02:00.001-07:00

What a crazy month and a half I've had and I have sooo much to share! I've been sick THREE times (believe it), participated in a charity event for Stand Up for Kids, was a vendor at PetNet Poolside, and I had the Fall 2009 Show in L.A. ♥

The show was amazing. I saw so many great pieces

for fall season... These are a few new lines I'll be getting for fall: Foley and Corinna handbags, Linea Pelle handbags and studded leather wrap bracelets, Mike and Chris shoes, Modern Vintage boots and Catherine Page Jewelry (amazing story behind this designer: she uses vintage Chanel baubles, beads and chains in all her jewelry-INCREDIBLE)!

Besides the show, my trip was soo much fun! Did a lot of window shopping (LOL) and ate so much good food! Note to all of you:

the Griddle, Toast, Pace are a few MUST go-to restaurants. We went to a dog park in the mountains, I was missing my babies of course. They would have LOVED to run around up there!

Speaking of dogs, I was a vendor at PetNet Poolside. What a great

event (Shiloh loved it too, she is seriously a social butterfly LOL)! The Humane Society of Greater Miami put the event together and it was at Cabana One in the Grove. Lots of people donated money and came with their dogs to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of fun in the sun by the pool and doggie shopping for collars and clothes.

On March 27th I volunteered at Art is Life, a Stand Up for Kids charity event at Chi Alma art gallery in downtown. The event was wonderful: there was live art, free cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a d.j., a band and pieces created by homeless kids that live at the Miami Bridge Shelter. I donated Alex & Ani bangles and a Julez Bryant necklace for the silent auction and between all the great donated items (airplane tickets, massages, signed Miami Heat basketball, etc.) we raised over $4000 in one night!

The event was touching and heartwarming, especially when a little boy donated $1 and then I found out that he lives at the Bridge. I wanted to cry and this experience just made me realize that no matter what, you can always give SOMETHING (even just $1) to help an important cause.

-A

"Love is in the air"...

2009-02-12T09:33:00.000-08:00

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, most of us are stressing about what to get our significant other! I have always thought of V-day as an unnecessary holiday; if you love someone, why should you wait for ONE special day to show it? Love is an emotion that should be expressed every day of the year (including V-day)! But, this year, I got caught up, just like everyone else, in the stress of shopping for my boyfriend. I've done all the "cutesy" stuff before: Once I baked a giant cookie shaped like a heart (well, more like slightly resembling a heart, really), I've made picture collages more than once, and a few years back I decorated his house with balloons and streamers. I've pulled all the stops before- so yesterday, out of ideas, I walked the mall aimlessly hoping something would just come to me... I was so wrong! I found nothing (but I did find something today). So this why I am writing right now:

Hoefully my gift guide will make it easier so you don't have to go through V-day anxiety every again! No matter who you love on Valentine's day: whether it be your boyfriend, husband, best friends, mom (or your dog), there is a great, from-the-heart gift for everyone!

For all the dog-loving women, show your devotion to Fido and wear your heart... around your neck with a "Must Love Dogs" necklace from Alisa Michelle. For your significant other: an "enjoy it together" gift usually works best; think couple's massage, dinner for two, or my personal favorite- vacation! Single girls can play Secret Santa with a twist and call it Secret Cupid (or something to that effect, LOL). Surprise your girlfriends with matching wrap bracelets (friendship bracelets) from Citrine or fun undies from Honeydew.

I hope everyone has a fabulous AND glamorous V-day! ♥ ♥

Crazy busy...

2009-02-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Between last week and this week I have had waaay too much going on! I have been so busy! My friend Stacey had a party at her store Scarlett in South Miami, I was there with my merchandise selling along with Ashley (Poodlies headbands) and another girl selling jewelry. The party went really well!

On Sunday was the Grand Opening Party of Dr. Jarrett's Wellness Center (http://drwjarrett.com). It was a huge event and I was lucky to be a vendor there! There were free smoothies, italian ice and food from different restaurants, AND there was a huge raffle with tons of prizes. I won a 1-hour massage, woohoo!! :0)

This week I received new wrap bracelets and headbands from Citrine by the Stones, undies from Honeydew Intimates and handbags from Beautiful People. Beautiful People is this new bag line that is amazing; the designer is based out of Miami and the prices are so reasonable. I am so excited about carrying the line!

On Saturday I will be doing an accessories party at Midway Cafe in Islamorada. I am bringing all my merchandise for a night of shopping, champagne and cupcakes with my Keys girls! Best of all, we'll all be heading to the Full Moon Party at Morada Bay after. I always have so much fun at the Full Moon, I can't wait!

New year, new (or old) look!

2009-01-15T10:12:00.001-08:00

In 2009, a lot of old trends are being re-invented!

Fringe is back, and so are feathers (bigger and better than ever)! I just picked up a new line called Poodlies, a line of feather headbands handmade by a local designer, Ashley. They are sooo cute and have a 1950's vintage feel; I think they are super glamorous!

Not only are feather headbands back in style, but so are hippie headbands! In a few weeks, I will be getting the cutest 70's style headbands from Citrine by the Stones. I can't wait to wear one!

Peace signs and skulls are also hotter than ever! Everywhere I turn, I see someone wearing one or the other if it's on a necklace, a scarf, or a t-shirt. I just got the cutest skull and peace scarves in AND mini charm necklaces with peace signs (so new they aren't even on the site yet)!

I finally got my new collars from Hollywood Collars, they are beautiful! I am never dissapointed when I place an order with them. Now all my dogs have matching collars. Above is a new pic of Sake and Shelby (you can't see Sake's face, but you can see her collar)!

I will be posting more pics of the dogs soon, and of new merchandise! Can't wait for all the new stuff I'll be getting in the next few weeks!

Ringing in the New Year with...

2008-12-31T09:22:00.000-08:00

One more dog!

So, this is the newest addition to our family: Sake (yes, like the drink). If you read my last blog, then you obviously know I lost the battle! Two weeks ago, I was trying so hard to get this dog adopted out to a nice family, but my boyfriend would have none of that. He fell in love with her at first sight and finally, I fell in love too. She is the sweetest thing ever, and she LOVES to lick my face! Ahhh!! Sake gets along great with Shiloh, Smokey and Shelby and she is quickly learning commands (sit, stay, etc.). We are still working on fattening her up, she has about 5 pounds to gain. I recently placed an order with Hollywood Collars and I am counting down the days until I have a beautiful new thick studded collar to put on my new family member. I can't wait! :0)

I have a lot of fun to look forward to with four dogs in 2009! I also have a lot of great trends to look forward to: watercolor florals, tropical prints, exotic skin bags, sequins, and TONS of nautical red, white and blue! January 2009 will be a month full of change, not only in the White House, but on the runways too!

I wish everyone a very happy, healthy and fashionable 2009!

Love,

Allison

Pretty dog looking for a place to live!

2008-12-15T12:25:00.001-08:00

So... Today my boyfriend Mario finds an American Bulldog on the street (we already have ONE) and now he thinks he is going to keep her! Trust me, my love for animals tells me yes, but there is no time or space for ANOTHER DOG. She is beautiful, all white with tan/fawn spots and she is sooo sweet! She gets along with our 3 dogs already! My heart melts as I imagine how cute she would look decked out in a new studded collar and leash, or maybe even a doggie tee, but NO WAY JOSE. I have posted bulletins on MySpace and Facebook and I even contacted Paws 4 You, maybe someone can take her off our hands! I will feel great about myself if we can find her a loving home, as long as it's not MY home, or Mario's, but he seems to think she belongs to him (or he belongs to her LOL) already!! I guess we'll see what happens....

2008-12-04T00:28:00.000-08:00

After many sleepless nights (and many more to come), ShopStixAndStones.com is finally up! Visit us and check out all the great designer pieces we carry! Also, in 2 weeks we'll have amazing new items from: Double Happiness, Maren and Ruby, Cynthia Vincent, Hollywood Collars, Ruff Ruff and Meow, Citrine by the Stones, Elizabeth Cole, Julez Bryant AND MORE! Great gifts for your friends (and obviously for you, cause YOU deserve it too) just in time for the holidays!

Check us out ASAP at ShopStixAndStones.com!!

2 more days!!

2008-11-26T19:05:00.001-08:00

Two more days and hopefully the site will be up! Ahhhh! So much work and I'm ready to see the results. Have a happy Thanksgiving and check out ShopStixandStones.com on Friday November 28th! :0)

ShopStixandStones.com

2008-11-23T21:43:00.000-08:00

Well... this is my first time blogging and it's still so NEW to me! My name is Allison and I want to share my business with all the fashion savvy women who love to shop online. For those of you out there who love designer accessories, but also love your pets, ShopStixandStones.com is the shopping site for you! I wanted to create a place where women can shop for fabulous pieces for themselves and their dogs in the same place, and here it is (almost)! ShopStixandStones.com has great handbags, shoes, and jewelry, along with awesome stuff for your puppies: studded collars, funky t-shirts, sophisticated sweaters, etc.! The site will be ready for shopping on Black Friday (November 28th) and you will find so many AWESOME holiday gifts for your friends (and of course for you too)! I am excited to have lines like: Elizabeth Cole, Citrine by the Stones and Cynthia Vincent, etc. All items on the site are quality items: Lambskin leather bags, stackable rings, and fringe galore! Check it out on November 28th! :0)