Friday, October 8, 2010

Flashback Friday - WTF Ferragamo?

Those of you around my age, girls especially, will probably remember jelly shoes.

For me it was 5th grade. I had them in a number of colors. Hot pink, electric yellow, sparkly blue, and I think basic black. They made my feet sweat and were great for twisting an ankle. They cost practically nothing, though, so my mom and dad indulged my passion for having a pair to match every fluorescent outfit I owned.

So today, while doing some online loafer shopping, I stumbled upon these.

Go ahead... click. I'll wait here.

Shocking, eh?

Act now and get 20% off the original retail of $140.00. For jelly shoes.

I don't care if they do have a Ferragamo thingie on the front of the shoe. THEY'RE JELLY SHOES.

What the heck is Ferragamo even thinking? Who's bright idea was it to make JELLY SHOES and brand them with a high end Italian designer name? A name that brings to mind soft, supple leather and fine craftmanship! I'm appauled, I tell you. 25 years ago you could find these same shoes (sans Ferragamo label) piled together in a giant bin, left and right shoes tied together with elastic bands, for $2.00 at your local Dollar General Store.

Now they're high fashion. Give me a break.

Friday, September 3, 2010

And there goes my sanity...

I've done it. I've lost my mind. I'm selling stuff for 99 cents. Well, I mean, I hope some of those things get some bids and sell for more... but you can bet your bottom dollar that many of them will actually sell for just 99 cents.

I haven't done this in YEARS. The last time I did it, I was horrified at how many amazing things I shipped out for practically nothing. Hence the years that have passed since I've even considered doing it again.

But I'm starting fresh and I'm clearing out. So 99 cent auctions, here I come!

And I do have some favorites that are up on the 99 cent shopping block.



I love linen knit sweaters and this linen/rayon knit one from Chico's does not disappoint. It has rolled hems and a scoop neck and I know it's new owner is going to be thrilled with it. Its a generous size 3 from Chico's, which equates to about a traditional XL.

And speaking of Chico's...



What is up with this one? I've had this adorable little jacket in the store for quite some time and I just can't understand why it wasn't snatched up MONTHS ago. In fact, I've even mentioned it here on the blog, before. It's a Chico's size 0, about a traditional size Small and it's brand new with tags! So you tiny little ladies, get out there and snag this one before it's gone!



This little green top from Arden B is up for 99 cents and I truly think it's adorable. For the girl who likes to be noticed, this top is just perfect! It could be paired with jeans for a more casual look or with a flirty little skirt for a more dressy occasion. How cute is that?



Now, this super glittery cat suit from Moda International is definitely one for a bold personality! It has great costume potential - disco diva, anyone? You can zip it up as much (or as little) as you'd like. Pair it with some Go Go Boots and lookout Loretta!!!

These 99 cent auctions end on the evening of Wednesday, September 8th, so be sure to check them out. I can't promise I'll ever be crazy enough to do this again!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Born a decade too late to rock these shoes...

Back in 1982 I was only 5 years old. My mother was still dressing me funny and I certainly wasn't allowed to watch Fast Times At Ridgemont High when it came out.

But over the course of the next fifteen years or so, I would gain an appreciation for the 80s. The movies, the fashion, the music.

That may be why I have a particular affinity for these Classic Vans Checkerboard Slip Ons.

Because back in the 80s, there wasn't much cooler than Jeff Spicoli and his Vans.



So when my brother in law had his Totally Awesome 80s Birthday party last year, I made sure that Hubs (who bears a small resemblance to Sean Penn anyhow) had Spicoli's shoes to wear to the party.

Unfortunately, I was a little last minute on the purchasing of them so I could only find them in a size 11. Hubs usually wears a 12 so he had to cram his feet into them for the duration of the night. They never were worn again, but it was worth it.



Hubs and his brother's 80s shoes

So since he won't be wearing them again, I'm selling them. Still have the box they came in. Official Classic Vans Checkerboard Slip Ons. For you, from me, with love.

xoxo
Beth
aka Jayde

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Featured Listings

I have never wished I was a Chico's size 3 more than I do today. If I were, this absolutely gorgeous tunic would be hanging in my closet and you, my wonderful customers, would never see it.



Can you believe the gorgeousness? Made from soft crushed velvet it's a luxurious chocolate brown color and has delicate beading at the neckline. And not only is it exquisitely beautiful, but it's brand new with tags. It's honestly rare that I get my hands on something so fabulous and find it with the tags still attached.

Now, all you old Seinfeld lovers out there, you might remember that Elaine worked for J Peterman, writing those eloquent descriptions that their catalog is famous for. So I was thrilled to find this gorgeous caftan and be able to locate the exact description from their catalog, too! You'll have to check out the listing to read it, but believe it me it's awesome. Just like the caftan, itself! And the best part is that this baby is One Size Fits All so it will fit anyone from a size Small to a 3X (no really, it really will fit a 3X)!



Recently I broke down and added the Best Offer feature to ALL of my listings so be sure to go check out my store and don't be shy! I'm always adding new stuff to the store so there is always something for everyone. :)

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Featured Listings

Sometimes when I'm searching for inventory I come across something that makes my heart jump into my throat. This Armani Collezioni jacket was one of those things.



It's a deep dark gray color and OMGosh that fit! It makes me wonder what kind of life it's had before and what kind of life it will continue to have. The woman who wears a jacket like this has just got to be special, right?

And speaking of fabulous jackets, this navy blue summer jacket from Barney's New York surely deserves a mention.



I just love jackets like this one. Perfect over a dress or even a more casual ensemble, this jacket is just one of those pieces that makes a woman look put together.

It's so exciting to be able to find these amazing pieces and offer them to the world!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Featured Listings

Of course, I love everything I have listed. I mean, I've hand selected every one of them. However, there are always a few things I find that stick in my head, and I'd like to feature them for you!

The first is this little jacket from Chico's. I've actually had it in the store for a while, which is surprising since it's really just so cute!



It's a cotton blend with enough spandex in there to really give it a nice comfortable movement and I can't even begin to say how versatile it is. I mean, you could throw this on anywhere, over anything, at any time. Not only is it awesome, it's brand new with tags in a Chico's size 0.

The next listing I want to point out is newer to the store. I just listed it last night and I don't imagine it will be around for long.

It's this lightweight linen jacket from Eileen Fisher.



Not only is it a great size (2X), but it's in excellent condition and such a perfect shade of almost snow white. I can't think of a more perfect summer jacket. If this is your first piece of Eileen Fisher, it's surely not to be your last. The sleeves can be rolled up, left down, it can be worn closed or open. It's really a GREAT piece and what a great time of year to have it in!

The final listing I want to feature today is more for the funky customer. :) One of my favorite designers, Betsey Johnson, has made this awesome little dress and I'm thrilled to have it in my store.



How freaking cute is that? Black chiffon silk accented with HOT PINK lace appliqués and a HOT PINK lace bust. This dress says fun fun fun to me! I just love it when I find such awesome Betsey stuff to put in the store.

That's it for featured listings today. I've got SO much awesome stuff in the store, though, so be sure to go check it out!

Here's to another 10 years!

2010 has so far been a surprising year for my eBay business. I, truly, didn't even expect to be running it by now and had planned on moving on to different ventures. When 2009 started, I made a plan to sell off all of my inventory and close up shop by the end of the year.

But here it is, nearly halfway through 2010 and I'm still plugging along with eBay. :)

And I'm glad to be doing it. Instead of closing up shop this year, I've decided to pump inventory back into my store and keep doing what I've loved doing for the past 10 years.

It's hard to believe I've been selling clothing on eBay for over a decade now. I can remember so clearly making the decision to really sell full time with eBay. Before I made the decision, I had been selling a few things here and there, but it was in 2000 when I found myself laid off from what I had hoped would be the job that would start me out in a great career in Marketing, a new mom to a baby boy, and getting no phone calls back from any of the interviews I had gone on, that I knew I had to take matters into my own hands.

Back then eBay was a different place. I worked more closely with my customers, sending personalized emails to all of them. The site was auctions ONLY and I would sit at my computer as a batch of auctions were ending watching the bids go up and up as they closed. It was exhilerating!

And selling on eBay these days, though different, can still be so much fun. Sometimes I feel like eBay has forgotten about the smaller sellers, like me, who put so much time and effort into each individual listing. The one man (or woman) operations who search high and low for the best inventory, lovingly photograph each item, check them over for flaws, measure accurately, describe as best they can, package with care, and ship in a timely manner. Sometimes it seems like eBay would rather we fell off the site so they could focus on their big dollar sellers who list thousands of the same item and ship from a giant warehouse in another state.

But the buyers still want us around and that makes all the difference in the world. Our buyers like knowing they're purchasing from a real person, who really cares about their product and their customer. I'm proud to keep going into this next decade to serve those wonderful buyers. And who knows? Maybe I'll still be doing it until 2020. :)

XOX,
Beth
aka Jayde