Where Did the Summer Go?

Wow, I find myself heading out to find the prettiest mums for the front of the store and I think I got lucky.  While wondering through Sam's Club on s Saturday (G was minding the store) I found the most gorgeous yellow mums to plant in our planters out front of the studio/gallery/boutique./hat shop. We also have some great willow that we retrieved from our willow at home.  We decided we would just put it out in front and put a for sale sign on the branches....Who knows? Someone may see the beauty of those gorgeous twists and turns of the willow branches and decide they should make a purchase.

Now to hats. It has been a whirlwind of a summer...from a TV interview in Lincoln,NE to providing hats for models for the fundraising event for the Fashion Institute Guild event and finding just the right clothes and accessories to match the fur felt safari hat and the aubergene velour hat that were featured there. It was quite fun putting it all together.  I must say the models from Develop Model Management look fabulous in my hats.  Thanks to all the hard working members of the guild who put this fabulous fund raising event on to assist designers with some of their needs, like educational opportunities, etc.  I was one of the recipients this last year and eternally grateful for their help.

The big news is that our hats have been selected to be in a Louisville,KY store prior to the Kentucky Derby.  A visit there earlier was delightful and I was so happy that they loved my hats.  This will be the only place in Louisville where my hats can be purchased. The high end store is called Rodes for Him, for Her.  If in the area, check them out.  They carry fine merchandise.

Finally, the finishing touches are being added to the blue hat that was pictured in the Omaha World Herald article about our Derby hats, back in April. You may not recognize it. When it's 100% finished I will post pictures...for now, you will have to wait.

Oops, guess that isn't finally. Yours truly signed up for a cowboy hat making class in Elko, NV to be held in conjunction with the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, held yearly in Elko.  Having met Meg Glaser, Artistic Director of Programs for the Western Folklife Center, at The Trailing of the Sheep Festival, held yearly in Hailey and Ketchum, Id. and seen her involvement in preserving the stories of the West, I am sure it will be a fabulous event.  Here's hoping the snow will be light and the wind calm during that time. Not sure who will get the hat, Glenn or me....Seems like a long way off.  I have plenty of time to think about it.

If you are thinking of going to the Kentucky Derby next May, now would be the perfect time to come in so we can plan for that perfect hat, just for you.  Appointments are necessary for measuring, etc. Hope to see you soon.

Margie

Wow, Kentucky Derby is Over

Glenn and I had the opportunity to attend the Kentucky Derby 140th Running for the Roses last week. More importantly for me was the opportunity to participate in the Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest wearing one of my latest creations( hat that is). No diamond watch came home with me:(

My hat was ready, i was ready and the long line began. I was about #7 in line to walk the pink carpet but by the time I got to the beginning of the line I was #51 to strut ( did I really say that? LOL!) the pink carpet.

So you can see how anxious all the ladies were to get to the front of the line and push to get those prized numbers identifying them. There were enough numbers for all if us. 200 to be exact. It was fun taking pics of all the hats. Miss America introduced all if us without a break! There were three judges and I introduced myself to all of them. Lots of photographers were taking pics and a couple stopped me for a snapshot... Haven't seen it on the front page of any newspaper though  lol!

The closest we got to the real action was getting to see the jockeys come down the stairs before they jumped on their horses and the closet I saw of any celebs was Josh Elliott.

All in all, great time, great weather and great experience.