WE ARE MORE THAN A SHOP WE ARE A COMMUNITY
Wardrobe Consult Now Available
Wardrobe Consult
$100/hr
Feeling like your closet is full but nothing really works? Not sure what to keep, what to tailor, or what you actually want to wear? This is a session that is all about making your closet work for you without buying anything new. We’ll dive into your style goals, look at the pieces you already own, and figure out new outfit ideas that feel right. You’ll also get clarity on your style preferences and what (if anything) you might want to shop for next.
+ You will receive an intake form upon booking confirmation as well as appointment times and dates availability
+ This appointment will take place at your home
This is a 2 hour session.
Sessions are typically 2 hours, and if we exceed 2 hours, additional time is billed at the end of the session. $100/hr.
Fall is a wonderful time for fashion
Fall is a wonderful time for fashion. Layering pieces, jackets, cardigans, sweaters and statement jackets. Fall fabrics we love are lush like cashmere, wool and weighted silk. Depending on where you live layering is the key for warmth and comfort. We encourage you to explore mixing vibrant colors with darker key fall and winter hues to bring a pop of color to your outfit. It is possible to mix your spring/summer wardrobe with winter/fall by pulling out a t shirt and layering it with a cardigan or sweater. Layering a spring/summer strap dress with a turtleneck or long sleeve underneath. There are many ways to incorporate spring/summer items into fall/winter. Styling and layering is key.
26 years of knowledge in the buy, sell and trade world and what to do with it.....resources
People often ask how and where I source my clothing, shoes and accessories. . After 20 years in business and being a buyer for more than 26 years I am ready to share what I have learned. I am working on a more in depth source guide that will be shared upon completion. This will include the ins and outs of the buy, sell and trade world. Plus more information and resource guides on everything i've learned in the last 20 plus years in this business. As I complete each section of information I will release it on my Shopify website in digital form. This has become a bigger project than I had anticipated and I am here for it, its just going to take more time than I had initially thought. The end result is going to amazing and I am so excited to share it with you. sign up on our subscribers list to be the first to receive updates and releases.
For now I am offering a basic outline of sourcing for buy, sell and trade here...
- Thrift Stores. Local and within a 100 mile radius of where you live. Google maps can help you find them by typing in "thrift store" map the places and start from the ones farthest aways and work your way closer to home. This can start as a day trip or a weekend of fun. Look for discount colors, coupons and student/teacher/military ID days.
- Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Estate Sales. There are many different websites online that specifically list these types of sales. One great one for estate sales is estatesales.net from here you can put in your zip code and look for estate sales near you.
- Facebook Marketplace is a great resource for local connections that can sometimes lead to big lots of clothing. Its a place to be friendly and open where you can ask a lot of leading questions that can end up being a treasure trove.
- Flea Markets, Markets. The price points at these places are great resources if you are shopping for yourself and if you are a reseller, depending on your optimal price point. Not all markets are created equal, some are a dud, some you have to dig, some have everything on hangers ( usually more expensive )
- Depop, Etsy, Poshmark, Ebay etc. These selling platforms vary in price points and are good for buying for yourself and can be good for resellers depending on what you are looking for and what you are willing to pay. Be sure to set aside some serious time for scrolling.
- Rag Houses. These are large facilities set up for bulk buying, perfect for a business /resell. You have to have a business license and there are minimums. These places will require you to go in with a plan and plenty of time to dig. Not all rag houses are created equal. They used to be an industry secret but are getting more and more well known.
- Buying from the public/friends/grandmas friends/neighbors. Depending if you are a online store, brick and mortar, market seller or are just buying for yourself be open to the possibility of buying from anyone. It is standard to buy in bulk or at a percentage rate of what you will be selling the item for ( generally for store buyers ) or offer a bulk price for large lots or single prices for smaller buys.
MORE TO COME......
Summer in the Bay Area ?
As a small business owner in the East Bay of Californias Berkley Area we are very in tune with our weather patterns. For those of you who don't know our summer starts in September, although we have warm but mild days in the months of July and August it stays relatively temperate. This makes it difficult to keep a relevant inventory as it pertains to current weather conditions. So as always we keep out mid weight vintage Pendleton jackets and summer shorts and tank tops. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.
We are well into October and We are loving the turn of Season
I can't believe how quickly this year has been going by, its almost 2025!!! As we approach the high holiday season we are getting ready supply our customers in store and online with vintage and our curated collection. Holiday gift brands have been ordered and are starting to come in. Jewelry, Candles, Baggue, Le Bon Shoppe, Sunglasses, Scarves, Chunks Brand and more..... Please think of small businesses this holiday season. We appreciate your support and are forever grateful for your patronage. lots of xo sarah + vienna and nick
Nick at Hey Pretty Hair Studio is booking for cut and color. www.heyprettyhairstudio.com
Sizing And Fittings
BUDGET CUT | AFFORDABILITY | 2024| ACCESS
It's August 2024 and I think we can all agree that inflation is effecting us all. Regardless of where you live you are seeing the cost of groceries, gas, clothing, haircuts and just about everything go up. Inflation went from 0.8% in 2014 to 6.5% in 2024 according to "usinflationcalculator.com" What does this mean for spending? Small Businesses and Affordability? They are all linked and work like a circular system. Lets first talk about spending. Our spending habits are directly linked to access and affordability. As prices have increased spending is down at small business, specialty businesses and for services deemed "not necessary" or to expensive. But spending and revenue increase is up with billion dollar corporations such as amazon, shein and Temu.
When it comes to establishing prices its important to understand how are they determined? There is a huge difference between small businesses and large corporations and setting prices. We are talking about huge sums of money and power vs small and local mostly family|independently owned businesses. This is why you see small businesses opening and closing more frequently especially since the pandemic and post pandemic. There is not a big pool of money or bail out for smaller independtly owned businesses. Large corporations can get costs of good much cheaper by purchasing | creating items for pennies on the dollar. If you are a small maker, artists or service worker your cost of goods are much higher. Small businesses can't compete. And the loss is small and local. I'm not sure if small businesses can or will recover, especially with more people shopping online and with more convenience. The pandemic trained everyone how to shop online and I'm sorry to say I don't think shoppin in stores is coming back to where it once was. Ask any small/local business owner. We can't offer rock bottom prices to compete, we can't do same day delivery, we are already stretched so thin with social media, marketing and all the other jobs that small business owners must do daily to just keep the doors open.
Spending: This brings into play companies like Shein and Temu, who have horrible worker practices, products and environmental impacts, yet are making TEMU - 6 billion dollars yearly SHEIN $32.5 billion in 2023. How are we reconciling affordability for environmental, societal, personal beliefs when spending with companies that directly oppose our personal beliefs. Whats the ultimate cost of affordability?
On the flip side of this I am noticing trends with buying expensive designer, big ticket items and vintage moving into a territory of unafforability. Vintage stores were once "vintage" now they must carry designer, new brands, candles and diversify stock to catch more customers who might not be a vintage shopper. This goes for Pretty Penny too. We started incorporating our "curated collection" 10 years ago because we wanted to expand our customer base. In 2024 the landscape has changed even more to a place I don't quite understand in what the general public are looking for ? price points? quality ? sustainability ? design ? small designer? affordable ? accessible ? Or just to be entertained ?
Affordability. Accessibility. Budget.
Nick and I have been thinking long and hard on how we can keep the doors open to our businesses and make enough to just survive, because at this point the financial future of living in the Bay Area, being small business owners and just living is the hardest its ever been. We look at cheaper places all over the country weekly fantasizing about living somewhere more affordable. This means pulling our kid out of school, dismantling the businesses AGAIN and moving, all which is disruptive mentally and physically. We've also tried the grass is greener when we moved out of the Bay Area once before and it didn't work out and we came back. The Bay Area is our home I just wish it was a more affordable place to live and have a small business. So what do we do ? How do we want to show up for our community and our businesses.
Moving forward we will continue to provide you with high quality service and products in a comfortable environment for accessible price points.
We will use our space to house community members and small business giving others opportunities with pop ups and collaborations.
Nick has thoughtfully put together his budget cut and I have thoughtfully priced items in the shop both in store and online, we want everyone to be able to have access to quality items and services.
I hope to see you in store and online and if you aren't able please share with your family and friends, we would love to keep serving you as long as we can.
We are loving this spring weather
