Regardless of whether you own a luggage & leather goods store, clothing, shoe, gift or any other type of store, there are common issues that all retailers share pertaining to security, technology, human resources, visual merchandising, marketing, product sourcing, the list goes on.

We wish to start a dialogue that allows retailers to help each other out in a non-threatening way that doesn’t require you to reveal confidential information.

If you’ve got burning subjects you want to ask about or share – step up and start this lively conversation along.

Tammy Mang

Publisher

These feather weight wallets are lean, mean and green.  Made of Tyvek material and folded to create its own brute strength – the concept is a stroke of genius.  I should also mention they are waterproof, tear resistant and can double as a notepad.  The harder the wear, the cooler the wallet appears!  And when all is said and done, you can toss it into the recycle bin (even though, that won’t happen for a few years!).

Why I love them? Besides their ridiculously awesome styles and knack for being the coolest conversation starter with a trendy young man – I can order them online!  (But yes, they are also available at nifty little boutiques throughout Canada, the US and pretty much everywhere.  Click here to find a store nearest you).

I might as well cancel my Kijiji ad!  I’ll take five: two for both of my Star Trek enthusiast brothers, jet-setting mother, poker-obsessed father and one for my crowd-fearing self.

As Dynomighty creator Terrence Kelleman would say: be mighty!

By: Sarina Adamo

A good house guest, knocks first! (Image courtesy of: PopArtMachine.com)

If you’re planning on getting out of your city to stay with family or friends this holiday please bear in mind this season is stressful! Here is a checklist on how to solidify your seasonal invitation send out:

1. DO show up with a gift for the host.  I recommend a nice bottle of wine, complete with a wine holder decorated for the season.  (Click here to see what I’m referring to).  Or if you’re coming in from out of town, bring an item that you can only find in your city.

2.  DO make it a habit to make your own bed, do your own laundry, wash your own dishes (and maybe everyone elses).  No one likes a slobby Sue!

3.  DO show your appreciation for your host by cooking a meal, fixing something that may be broken or straightening up their house.  Be sure, however, that what you do abide by the unwritten rules of the house.

4. DO try to make plans with other friends or family in town.  This will give your host and their housemates some time to breathe and accomplish some of their own errands.

5.  DON’T overstay your welcome.  Specify the duration of your visit to your host multiple times before your visit.  Print out your scheduled flight or bus itinerary and unless the weather changes your plans – stick to it!

6.  DON’T expect your host to entertain you for the entire duration of your visit.  Bring books to read.  Or extra spending cash to take day trips into the city.  In those circumstances, don’t expect them to drive you anywhere either.

7.  DON’T confuse this as a vacation!  Granted, you are taking a trip which  is different from your regular routine but don’t expect to be pampered.  Just because you host is providing your housing accomodations, doesn’t mean that entertainment, maid and culinary services are included.

8.  DO take note of the unwritten house rules (i.e. what time everyone wakes up and goes to bed, how long they take in the shower, whether or not they prefer the toilet seat up or down, etc).  Follow them!  If you’re unsure, ask before you do it.

9. DO be on your best behaviour! A minor argument can get you kicked out.

10. DO send a thank you note upon your return home.  My suggestion: develop and frame a picture you had taken with your hosts during your visit.  Send it to them within a month of your return with a thank you card!

Enjoy your visit!

By: Sarina Adamo

You can't get cuter than Moosey Wine-oosky.

You better not pout, you better not whine!  You better not show up without a bottle of wine.

Sorry for destroying a classic, however, I am writing to remind you that while the holiday season is casually sneaking up on everyone, gift giving can be one of the best parts of this festive feat!

I demand that all of you be a perfect house guest by bringing a nice bottle of wine to a party in one of Pronto Innovation’s cute Christmas wine caddies! Available in a Santa Claus, moose or snowman form, this presenter is the perfect gift for a host!

Their products can be found at Sears, Indigo Books and Music, Costco, London Drugs, Famili Prix and most North American duty free stores.

Stay tuned for Wednesday as I break down how to be a perfect house guest!

Bottoms Up!

By: Sarina Adamo

However, my current obsession with all things grey has led my to Google nothing but makeup tricks for the perfect smokey eye.  I have never tried wearing an insurmountable amount of makeup on my face – I’m touchy.  Usually, most eyesahdows end up on my cheeks, lips and ears.

So I’m vying to break the habit and attempt to smoke out my eyes, without any help from flames.  After endless YouTube scouring I found Aimee also known as “Glintzy” who rules by way of cosmetics. She breaks down the steps so easily that even I perfected the look! Watch:

For more great tutorials by Aimee/”Glintzy” subscribe to her Channel or follow her Blog

Stay Smokey Sweeties!

By: Sarina Adamo

The only thing that can get me through is that I look good in grey.  As determined earlier, I am a “silver” person therefore, greys are my “thing”.  Thankfully nothing says November like greys, charcoals and all slabs of slates in between!

Feel free to add on the warmth and wool with chunky knits in grey!  After all, it is versatile with most colours and it’s not as drab as black!

Try a look like this:

Look supplied by Calvin Klein (www.calvinkleininc.com)

Keep warm and carry on!

By: Sarina Adamo

1.  Glow in the Dark Glitter – for the Ke$ha loving kooks. Available at Canadian Tire ($1.99 CAD)

2.  Flourescent Glow in the Dark Makeup by Fluo Night – because no makeup application should be lost in the dark!  While it appears invisible in the light, you’ll have your friends fooled under the black light! Available at Sephora ($31 for 0.10oz)

3. Neon Rager Shades – perfect for a disco themed costume or just wearing your sunglasses at night.  Available at Toys R’ Us ($9.99 CAD)

4.  Thigh High Boots – although these may be pricey, they are perfect for a sultry costume or a night on the town!  Available from Steve Madden ($129.95 CAD)

5. Circle Contact Lenses – these can really help to make your eyes pop!  They are fantastic for creating an anime look!  Available from LensCircle.com ($34.95, online with free shipping) Or, you can recreate Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance anime look, directed here by Michelle Phan! (She also has many more great makeup tutorials for Halloween costumes)

Have a Happy Halloween!

By: Sarina Adamo

Despite my small boy like hands, I love to dress them up for a night on the town!  When heading out with my girlfriends to a club I rock more plastic than pearls but figuring out what to wear when is not much of a battle.

Feel free to sport something cute and trendy at a club like these lips! (Available at GoJane.com):

It’s date night, so show a fun side to you with something like this (by: House of Harlow 1960):

This particular ring you can don at a wedding, it’s classy yet cute (Available at Topshop):

Or, feel free to bring on the bling just like Ke$ha!:

Image from Seventeen Magazine

So long as you have fingers, rings will never go out of style! Start dressing up your fingers today!

By: Sarina Adamo

Granted, she looks a little scary, but she totally has the right idea! (Topshop Unique Fashion Show Image)

I did it, I pulled out the wool cardigan this morning.  And despite my winter-is-coming blues I was thanking heavens for my successful layering technique.

Here is what you can do to keep your style hot and fresh while the weather is cold and dismal:

1.  The KILL method a.k.a. The Keep it Layered Lady technique!  Start with a basic tank (my personal faves are Victoria Secret’s PINK tanks, they’re the perfect cut and come in many colours, all year round).  Throw a cashmere, wool or velvet cardigan on top.  You can then pile a slouchy boyfriend blazer on top if your cardigan is tight enough!  (Rolling up the sleeves help to show a little skin and keep things casual).  Then, when heading out, wrap a thick infinity scarf on for good measure. And, I’ll deny this if you ask me but, I wear tights under most of my jeans and trousers!

2. Scarves are your friends!  Everyone has jumped on board to the growing scarf trend this season.  You can wear one with layers or a simple tee and still look yummy.  So keep your tonsils warm by wrapping them up!

3. Hats happen to the best of us!  If you need some help with when or how to wear a hat (properly) click here!

4. Give your hands a hand, cover them up!  I love bold colours for gloves (as they are the smallest part of my body and I like to show them off), so be sure to pick up a pair of cashmere or wool (lined) gloves to keep those puppies warm!  Also, just because you’re covering them up often, does not mean you should stop moisturizing – Glysomed comes in travel size tubes.

5. Last but not least, your feet!  Don’t ever sacrifice your safety in this weather!  Thankfully this fall season, combat boots now come lined with flannel. As for winter, invest in a good pair of water/weatherproof boots and carry your office-suitable boots in a bag.  And if you think it’s embarrassing, think about the social suicide you’d be committing if you took a flip on a patch of ice in your thigh high leather boots, just saying.

Bundle up babes!

By: Sarina Adamo

Lady Gaga would be proud!

I confess, I did something horrible today.  I pulled out my gloves for the first time this season.

It’s a horrendous thought for us Canadians, knowing that there isn’t an end to this dismal weather in near sight.  But I have something that just may make you blush: Red leather gloves.

Think MJ’s Thriller, but on your hands! I took a gander on Axessimo‘s collection and they are all about red leather this season! And I’m all about standing out and staying warm – thankfully these are lined with cashmere. And with such reasonable prices, they are too good to pass up!

Grab your pair off their website today and be at the forefront of the Red Revolution!

Have fun painting the town red!

By: Sarina Adamo