New arrivals

I am on holiday starting today -as I sit typing this post-- How apropos my husband would say! A shop keeper that never stops. I can't help myself. but I promised myself - My holiday starts after this post! I so need a holiday.
Where will I go on my holiday?
Home!
I will be spending a week working on projects around the house--to some I know it doesn't sound like much of a holiday--but it suits me jut fine for the present time. I have stuff I want to do around the house that never seems to get done--I'm so looking forward to this.

If you stop by the shop this week my dear mother, Michele, will be reigning the throne at Tiara Day. Stop by and say Hi--she is such a wonderful gal--a girl couldn't ask for a better mother!
Before I "leave" for holiday I wanted to makes sure I posted pics of fabulous finds that we just unloaded in the store. I recently have been on some awesome buying trips.

Bethesda Magazine

Check out the May/June issue of Bethesda Magazine ! Tiara Day is featured in the Women in Business profile section. I have already gotten lots of calls from ladies who said they didn't know about Tiara Day Boutique.
I know-- we are a little off the beaten path--but thankfully in this past year and 1/2 word has spread like wildfire about the shop and I have quite a loyal customer following. But almost every week we have more and more newbies discovering us. Yippee!!! There is always room for more girlfriends--and I have the shop stocked with furniture and fresh spring decor, clothing and accessories. Last weekend things were flying out the door--making room for more really swanky finds.

Well, back to Bethesda magazine---This is one of my favorite issues--the Restaurant guide! Two of my favorite restaurants in the area are Addies in Rockville and Black Market Bistro in Garrett Park-- owned by Tiara Day customers and friends Barbara & Jeff Black. Delicious!!! I highly recommend both of these. Tell them Tiara Day sent you---I have been known on many an occasion to wear my tiara out to dinner at Addies.

Also, my friend and talented local jewelry designer, Susan Hood, has one of her vintage inspired french charm necklaces --made exclusively for Tiara Day --- pictured on page 54 of Bethesda Magazine in the Mother's Day gift guide.--Way to go Susan!!!!!

Advocacy

I have been involved in the Victim's Rights field for over 10 years. Fashion, furnishing and philanthropy are my passions. The mission for my shop is to not only sell pretty old things & funky new designs by new and upcoming designers but to provide an inspiring and empowering environment for my fellow girlfriends.

I hope to accomplish this through raising awareness of issues that affect all of us--specifically domestic violence and sexual assault. This is an issue that affects each and everyone of us whether directly or indirectly. We all have grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, girlfriends (not to forget the boys in our lives) that have or will have been touched by domestic violence or sexual assault in some way. These are hidden crimes that affect people from all walks of life. You don't know how many women I have gotten to know over the past year in my shop who have opened up and shared their own stories of abuse. It is so prevalent.

I feel this is how I can give back to the community and give a voice to victims. I am not trying to preach to anyone --just raise awareness--because knowledge is the ultimate power!

April 13th-19th is National Crime Victim's Awareness Week.

In my shop I will be selling purple domestic violence bracelets for $3.00 each with 100% of the proceeds going to http://www.g-s-j.org/rttv.htm.

Here are some other ways to get involved:

1) donate bath and body goods and gently worn clothing to local domestic violence shelters

2) shop owners--you can donate damaged or out of season inventory to local shelters --we have all over bought or bought a dud now and then for the store --and it's a tax right off--Yippee!!!

3) volunteer with a local non-profit or volunteer as a court companion to victims seeking protective/restraining orders

Good places to find information on how to get involved

http://www.ncadv.org/

http://www.rainn.org/

http://www.tahirih.org/

in Maryland:

www.mnadv.org/

http://www.mcasa.org/

http://www.g-s-j.org/rttv.htm

Speak up for all the girlfriends out in the world who have lost their voices!

a shop is born

The big day! Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting!

I have been in my current storefront location since September 2006!
It's hard to believe that it has been a year and a half.
Being a a shop owner and designer is a ton of work.
And I love every minute of it.
I eat, sleep, & dream about it.
This is my passion, my whole being.
I will share a glimpse of my shop with you through pictures taken over the last year.

That is my shop! Thanks for looking.
And a big THANKS to all my "girlfriends" (and of course, the boy shoppers too) for making my first year and a half such a fabulous success!!!

Addicted

My friend Joyce and I have a problem. We are addicts. We are addicted to milk chocolate Cadbury mini eggs. They only come out during the Easter season and therefore it is our excuse to stock up on bags and gorge because we only get them once a year, right?

We decided today after breaking into our last 19 oz. bag (oh, yes, the big 19oz bag) that we have a problem. As we were letting the crisp little shells melt away to reveal the creamiest milk chocolate in our mouths-we questioned, "would we eat as many as we do if they were available all year"? We aren't quite sure--although we thought we probably would-- But since they aren't --we had better buy a few more bags since Easter will be over this weekend.

Have a Happy Easter!!

just in

I'm so excited about these new charm necklaces made especially for Tiara Day by local Maryland jewelry designer, Susan Hood. She is so talented--well you can see for yourself.
Each necklace is unique and reasonably priced at just $39.00
What a wonderful and unique gift for a friend or --yourself. I firmly believe in giving myself gifts. I always pick just the right thing!