no time...

Maybe it's the lack of time, or that I'm just not a natural blogger, but I haven't put much effort into this blog for months now. I'm thinking about how to re-group and start over but I hope to be back with an update soon! In the meantime, check out my etsy shop maxineintrousers.etsy.com.

cheers,

Alana

Happy Thanksgiving - prelude to the holidays

As Thanksgiving approaches, preparation for the holiday season looms. Luckily, this year, I get to spend the holiday with one of my best friends - Alyssa. I'm thankful for the relaxation that awaits instead of the stress of travel and family get togethers (sorry guys! I still love you). We've planned a nice little break with food, wine, movies, spa treatments, Christmas tree shopping, and whatever we damned well please.

Alternately, my thoughts turn to everything I have to get done in the upcoming days and weeks. As usual, I'm far behind on all of the things I've intended to get done like training for a 5K that's now 3 weeks away. Creating a to do list would be helpful, but I've even put that off. Right now, as I sit in my living room going through old inventory, I can't help but think of the new inventory and how it needs to be ready by December 6 for Bazaar Bizarre. That seemed so far away, especially with 2 birthdays and Thanksgiving next week and the shortened work week (that includes an increased workload!). Looking at the complete disarray, it's time to buckle down and get organized... so here's the 1st draft of my to do list (a work in progress)

1 - update etsy page with clearance items

2 - update blog/twitter/facebook with etsy holiday sale info

3 - check inventory and update

4 - design new tags

5 - think about promo items (this is probably the part that will give me the most trouble!)

6 - buy ribbon for new labels

7 - stamp, iron, cut, sew in new labels

8 - keep making new stuff (eventually get it posted on etsy)

9 - prep thanksgiving dinner (this can wait til Wednesday)

10 - Clean apt! (no big spring cleaning, but a dust, polish, vacuum would be nice).

11 - and clean out refrigerator

12 - Hope random craft elements (findings, headbands, etc.) make it here by the end of the week so new pieces will be ready for Bazaar Bizarre!

I'm sure there is something I'm forgetting, and this list will grow (and shrink!), but it's a start. Wish me luck! No matter what your holiday plans, I hope you have a fabulous time and enjoy the company of whomever you're with!

cheers and Happy Thanksgiving!

Alana

Spring has sprung!

I finally got featured in the Etsy Gift Guides:
http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/nostalgic-whimsy/99

For those of you not familiar with Etsy, it's a great site with tons of original arts, crafts, clothes, vintage stuff that you can buy, sell, or peruse. It's also the place where I made my first sale (to Courtney Love of all people)!

This is great timing since it coincides with the release of my tiny Etsy/BUST magazine co-op ad (you can check it out online at www.bust.com) - in the upcoming April/May issue.

Last but not least... save the date for the Boston Burlesque Expo, April 10-12 at the Hyatt, Memorial Drive, Cambridge. Advance tix for the Vintage Fashion Fair, where I'll be setting up shop for the weekend, are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. The expo features Burlesque acts, burlesque instructional classes, costume displays, the Fashion Fair, Friday night pool party, and more (all separate charges). Check it out: http://www.burlesque-expo.com/ Hope to see you there!

BUST

My favorite magazine, BUST, has paired up with my favorite crafts/arts site, Etsy, for advertising - my tiny square of an ad comes out in the next issue (more info to come). If you haven't read BUST yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. It's packed full of articles, information, music reviews, interviews, pictures, recipes, how-to's - you name it (even the "one-handed read - check it out at the end of the issue)! While obviously geared toward (and run by) women, men can enjoy it too.

BUST describes itself:
"With an attitude that is fierce, funny, and proud to be female, BUST provides an uncensored view on the female experience. BUST tells the truth about women's lives and presents a female perspective on pop culture. BUSTing stereotypes about women since 1993."

BUST is available at Borders Books, Barnes & Noble, Universal News, and Hudson News, but the best and cheapest way to get BUST is to subscribe online.

Check out the latest issue online here.