The not-so-secret obsessions of a store owner

My customers, friends and employees often wonder where I get my inspiration for what to into buy for the store, what to wear, and how to style all the pretty girls that come to us! Well my darlings, lots of research and time spent behind my silly silver laptop (that I'm sure you've caught me on more than once huddled up near the fireplace in the store!).

I'm a busy little bee reading every fashion blog I can get my hands on, checking out all the online mags and researching the online lookbooks for upcoming seasons from the lines I carry, and hope to carry! Another terrible part of my job involves a lot of online 'shopping' on a whole bunch of trendy cool websites. Tragic, really, that I have to spend my days doing something so terrible, eh?

My laptop is nearly as important to me as my never-more-than-2'-away from me black(crack)berry. They're my life lines to the big, bold fashion world that I love and live in :)

Here's a snap shot that's usual for me on my laptop!

facebook, email, blog spot, twitter, my fave blogs, an article for KV Style, simply accounting, and of course, music to rock out to!

Oh here's another fun little fact:
my desktop pic- my dream car, just to keep my sights high! (an audi s6 in blue just in case you're wondering what i'd love for christmas!!!)
and my blackberry background- my sweet pup covered in xmas lights!
What can't you live without?

Happy holidays my lovely followers!
Hope your holiday shopping is going seamlessly!
(if all else fails, follow my cardinal christmas shopping rule: 1 gift for me, 2 for others...)

This is my winter song to you! Song of the... month! (baddd blogger!)

One of my all time favorite winter songs!
Hope you're finding a little peace for yourself this time of the year :)

SJ Outstanding Business Acheivement Awards

This is the video that played at the Outstanding Business Achievement Awards on November 24, 2010. Little old me won the award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year. So nice to be recognized for doing something I love!

Thanks very much to the Board of Trade for such a great honor and experience!
We had a blast at the event and will remember it forever! :)

A funny little story...

So the store's name, as you can imagine, has some controversy around it.

Anyone who speaks the french language typically has something to say about the spelling of 'prest'...

Yesterday, Joy and I had a fun little experience for the first time ever.

An elderly gentleman, decked out in nice slacks, a newsboy cap and fancy orthopedic shoes walked into the store, bee-lined straight for me, yelling "THERE MUST BE A FRASER IN HERE". You got that right sir, my last name is Fraser. The Fraser family name (which dates back a few hundred years) has a motto, and it's 'je suis prest'... which means I am ready. Prest is the ancient spelling of the modern day, pret. So in the midst of showing him the explanation on my business card, and him telling the whole history of Frasers in his family, in walks another older man. Two men of any age in this store at the same time is a rare occurrence. This place is drenched in estrogen.

He seeks Joy out, and proceeds to yell (why do old men yell?! *make note: must tell future husband not to yell when he surpasses 80*) "YOU SPELLED PRET WRONG!" in a very thick Acadian accent. Poor Joy, she didn't know what hit her. After politely informing him why in the world we spelled pret wrong, and never meant to offend him personally.... the men met each other.

Well. They duked it out in the store for a bit, then proceed to fight it out outside of the store for a half an hour (still yelling, mind you).

Who would of thought my little store would a) attract men over 80 (whoo hoo!) and b) cause a debate of epic proportions of a Scot vs. an Acadian.

*sigh*... and that my darling fashion friends, is the trials and tribulations of a store owner!

Summer to Fall with Kensie

Like most women, we love to get every ounce of wear out of our favorite items!

We love pieces that can be worn multi-season. Something that works right now, in the warmer weather, and also into the fall/winter. We're huge on it! And when I do my buying for the store, it's something that I'm constantly looking for.

Our summer's short! So when we invest in a good piece, we want to be able to bring it into a few seasons, not just one!

Here's a great example of a late summer dress.... dressed for late Summer, Fall and Winter! Check it out:

Kensie Dress $89
BB Dakota Blazer $73
Noa Noa Necklace $16

Ever tried a dress worn as a shirt?
Kensie Dress $89
BB Dakota Skirt $65
Jack Jacket $79
Black Scarf $19

Kensie Dress $89
Long Sleeve Kensie Dress $59
Jack Jacket $85
Jack Sweater $70

Song of the week!

Feather headbands are back!

Free People

I'm so excited to tell you that Free People is becoming a permanent staple at the boutique! We love the brand, and apparently so do you!

New styles arriving soon. Follow us on facebook and twitter- you'll be the first to know when we get the following piece! ;)

Kiera Fraser likes

Je Suis Prest Boutique

Create your Like Badge

Song of the week!

rockin' the crop?

Personally, I like the idea of a crop top. It's a cool new way to show off a little skin with out bearing it all! I think there's a few good ones out there... there's also a few bad...

Seems like crop tops have hit the runways, the celebs and the streets... all again! (not a good look for whitney port, ouch.)

Tomorrow we receive a new shipment of Alternative Apparel, and with it comes the Molly Crop, which I am excited to rock with a pair of boyfriend jeans, or a cute pair of jean shorts. What's your opinion? Will you be rockin' the crop?

Summer lovin'

Kensie Dress

Lucy Love Dress

Kensie Dress

BB Dakota Dress

Check out our fun NEW summer dresses!

A few reasons why I LOVE being a store owner

Hopefully my wonderful customers know that I love my job, but after a year (and a month!) of store owning, I've learned a few things about why my job may be the best one out there...

1. Going into this, I had NO idea how much work it would be! But it quickly taught me that hard work, perseverance, and sheer determination is the key to success and it has never felt so rewarding.
2. Our customers are the best, most loyal, most wonderful, most surprising people we've ever met! They teach us something new everyday.
   
3. I get to shop... all the time!, for beautiful, unique, amazing clothing and accessories. For myself, for the store... all the time! What's a better dream than that? :)
4. The rewarding and overwhelming feeling of helping a woman find an outfit that she looks and feels fabulous in. There's nothing quite like it.
5. Having the support, smiles and push from other local retailers. Saint John is a GREAT community to be an entrepreneur!
6. I could not do this everyday without the endless support from my family, my friends, my employees and of course, my customers!
   
7. Everyday brings a new challenge, a new laugh, a new reason to smile, a new lesson learned and a chance to meet new, amazing people.

"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."- Napoleon Hill

Yours Truly,
Kiera

socks and sandals... no really, its cool.

So I've been perusing fashion blogs, magazines and runway collections and noticed another common theme that i just can't wrap my head around.. socks and sandals?

i feel like this is some spin off of the birkenstocks with those warm wooly red/grey/white sock combination thats plaguing the youth of saint john right now. don't get that fad, but leave it to rebellious teenagers to find ways to wear our sandals thru the winter ;) 'Whad ya motha tell ya?!'

i did a little investigation into the sock/sandal phenomena and here's what trusty urban dictionary has to say about this subject:

Socks and Sandals:

A footwear combination worn only by the fashion-challenged. If it's hot enough for sandals, it's too hot to wear socks. If it's cold enough to wear socks, it's too cold for sandals.

well put, urban dictionary.

here's the first thing that comes to mind when i think of socks and sandals:

yuck. gives me the willies just lookin at them!

right- so anyways, leave it to the evolving fashion industry to turn 'fashionably challenged' as seen above, into 'fashionably awesome'. some bloggers are looking stylishly cute in their socks and summery wedgy/chunky heels. I like the look, don't get me wrong. It's cool, and casual. And another way to break out those summer sandals well before you should.

Burberrys version in their Spring 2010 show:

Lou Lou's version in their March 2010 issue:

So orginally- before doing my research- this is what i had written about the trend hitting my personal wardrobe:

"I feel like this is one fad that i would certainly be stared down by in saint john by even the chic-est of chic."

However... after much research, i'm tempted to try this.

If you plan on it, here's a few details i've found that help pull the outfit together:

• wear a neutral colour, blending is the key here ladies...
• make sure your shoes aren't too fancy, or too detailed
• grab some thinner socks, not too bulky- no sweat socks.
• keep it casual, *not* cool for an cocktail party. more of a day look!

You should avoid looking like this-

Holly Madison at some awards show. gag me.

and more like this-

Rhianna and Leighton Meester. Tres Chic.

Will YOU be wearing socks and heels this spring?

!iT's finally here!

Our new line of AMAZING jeans have finally arrived!

They're !iT jeans- based out of L.A., they have an amazing fit for REAL girls, with real dimensions! They're unlike anything I've seen.... and i'll admit, i've fallen hard for them! They don't compare to anything i've tried before- they are DEFIANTLY worth a try.

Ranging from $95-$130, you've gotta get your hands on a pair!

Over the next few weeks, i'll update you with the amazing styles we have in store!

First and foremost are my fave jeans of the moment, and will be close to me all summer- are the ELLIES!

They're a boyfriend jean, but a crop, and a comfortable option to capris... I love them. With heels, flats, for comfort and style. (for more info on how to style the Ellie, check my earlier blog on boyfriend jeans!)

check out the whole line here!

spotted: our picks in the magazines!

Here's a recent update of items that were spotted in the magazines, and conveniently located at your uptown boutique!


Three of our most popular dresses!


And our silky, sexy shift dress!

SHORTS!

So you may think i'm a little off my rocker with this one... but i've always been a true believer in pulling every buck outta your clothes! No sense in buying something you can only wear for one short weekend of the year. Us maritime-ers know that it rarely gets warm enough to pull off a shorts, tank top, sandal combo.... so lets make use of our sassy summer wardrobes starting this Spring!

I don't know about the rest of you readers out there, but i'm addicted to fashion blogs. Especially ones from all over the world. When i'm stuck in a rut, can't find anything to wear, tear my closet apart in search of that perfect outfit and still can't find it.... I plop myself on the couch and search lookbook.nu, chictopica and a few fave blogs for some inspiration. One thing they all have in common is that shorts are running rampant. And have been all year.

The key to shorts is pairing them with TIGHTS ladies! mix and match, day or night, cute or sexy, boots or heels... whatever you gotta do to feel comfortable! This is another great way to extend that boot usage! I plan on wearing my lighter boots in the summer, with fun dresses and shorts!

Here's a look I love! So classic and chic! Easy to do too!Check out this blogger here!

and this is me!wearing all things current in store!
Noa Noa Black Jacket, Noa Noa printed tank, IT Jeans Cuffed Shorts, Tights and Boots!

What are your thoughts ladies? Let me know!

it's time!

...for some new, inspired, exciting, dramatic, intense, enjoyable, fashionable, interesting blog posts! whoo hoo! It's about time, eh?

now, it is my goal to make sure i update this regularly... because as busy as this crazy store makes me, i can, and will, always find time to make sure my customers get updates on important things! like new lines, insight into the fashionable future, and the latest trends. because without my fabulous customers, and great following, and amazing supporters, i wouldn't be having as much fun as i am!

so enough babble... on with the fashion!!