Saturday, January 28, 2012

Atlanta Buying Trip


It has been a whirlwind of craziness.
I've been trying to keep up with all of you and read up on what you've been doing.  I just haven't had the time to write.  Daughter and I made the Atlanta trip.  The photo above does no justice to how many floors and more floors and buildings our little feet traveled pulling that blessed little wheelie cart all over the place.  Deals were made and things were purchased.  I switched shoes 2 hours after I got in there, if that tells you anything!  This place was not for the weak - do not try to wear the little cute shoes!


I must tell you that photography was not "really" allowed inside, but I did ask before I snapped away.  There were a lot of things we wanted photos of just so we wouldn't forget these businesses.  The Bling, WOW~~ - We stayed way too long on the jewelry floor.  There was one point where we thought we had lost our wallets!  I had the look of a wild bangee woman on my face.  We torn that wheelie apart, our bags ..everything came out and down only to find them tucked right where they were supposed to be. Meg did make a purchase of a necklace called the "Queen".  Oh yes, lots of glitz and bling; sort-of a shabby chic piece, but boy does it get attention.  She looked adorable in it.  I know - I know, there are no pictures of us.  I don't know how that happened.  I could shoot myself for not getting some of her to chronicle her journey and this adventure she is getting ready to embark on.  Darn!   


Had to check out the outdoor stuff for hubby.  I wanted it all.  Of all places, someone recognized us as the "hammock people" from North Carolina (small world, isn't it).


We were so exhausted each evening that we really just collapsed.  Of course, we had to look at catalogs, calculate, price, discuss, and get the plan for the next day.  We were so lucky with really mild temperatures outside.  This little gal above had the neatest little hankie shoppe.  Just adorably displayed and girlie-girl.


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Fairy Gardens - Gonna be a good thing, I think.  Got alot of attention


We hooked up with some other North Carolina businesses we met while traveling MARTA.  They showed some short-cuts getting from point A to B which were so helpful. 
It would be so hard to be a buyer for a huge specialty gift store.  I don't know how those folks do it.  You have to really know your customer and what your market is.  We even had to ponder long and hard on several occasions, and had to walk away sadly on many products. 

Owls were a hit in everything!

Loved bike baskets!

LED little lights a huge favorite.

 
Now that we're back, things are full speed ahead.  Family business has taken a different twist and husband has been very busy getting that going.  I think tonight was our first meal together in over a week and it was a late dinner.  It's been mostly just touching base during the day by cell phone and to bed exhausted at night.  Daughter #1 now knows what she needs to do to get the boutique ready.  She and I can hardly sleep from the excitment of this adventure.  The ideas and thoughts that come to you in the middle of the night - why then, I don't know.  Do you ever get up and jot down those thoughts?

Anyway, great trip.  All is well with the rest of the surroundings.  Wet weather here.  The horses are tearing up the pasture.  Don't EVER buy a gray horse.  I'll post a picture of Ace soon - absolutely pitiful looking fella ... so muddy and dirty.   The Jack Russels goal is to get the squirrel.  I am their biggest fan.  I yell from the sidelines - "Get the nasty ...bleep"!!

Gotta scoot  - Later, Debi

15 comments:

  1. It is so nice to hear this good report of your trip..I can feel your excitment coming through your words! I'm sure you have much more to share with us later...get some rest! xo

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  2. What a fun trip, and to be able to share it with your daughter, double the fun! I'm positive you both got your 10,000 in! Owls seem to be the "in" item in our area too. I would love to own a wicker bike basket,lovely vintage look and feel. Now those bracelets... love, love, love, them! Who could pass up fairy garden accessories, not me. Thanks for taking us along. Greetings from Maine, Julie.

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  3. Fun, fun, fun. I would be dangerous at a show like that. I want everything!

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  4. What a fabulous show! And I ditched "cute" shoes for long amounts of walking at these things, too...no one should be looking at your feet with all that fabulous jewelry, anyway! Happy Week...Tanya

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  5. Oh, I can only imagine all of the treasures you have seen! What fun!

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  6. You are starting a boutique? That's great news. Will it be incorporated into the store you already have or is this completely separate at another location. I think many girls/ladies secretly with they could open up a boutique, so this must be a dream come true for you. Very exciting!!

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  7. I have been there and yes...miles and miles of eye candy!!!! I miss living outside of Atlanta and going to the BIG city :)
    Cannot wait to follow you on this adventure!
    And the gray horse thing? I laughed out loud! When I managed a farm in Alpharetta, Georgia, we bred for gray With rain and all that red Georgia clay..ugh! Notice our brood has not a one!
    xo, misha

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  8. Sounds like a successful road trip.

    My whoa-man grew up most of her life, right here, while I've only been around the area for around 9 years. When we go out, we run into so many people I know and never any she knows. Funny.

    I'm embarking on a small venture with custom address labels. The other night I couldn't sleep at all. The mind just will not shut up. I'd lay down only to toss and turn the whole night. Up. Down. Roll over. Get up. (

    Glad to hear you're safe and sound at home. Take a break. HA!

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  9. It looks like you all are our kind of people, the trip had to be a blast! I love the pictures of the farm and we have some things in common for sure. Thanks for stopping in and saying hello, this is new for us and all of the well wishes sure go a long way. We look forward to following you as well.

    ~Bobby & Eric~

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  10. Oh my gosh - talk about overload! These pictures are fabulous - I cannot even imagine being in such a place - I would not be able to choose! I can totally see how you would be exhausted at the end of the day!

    Thanks for sharing these photos - this is as close as I will probably ever get to one of these buying markets!

    Vicki-
    ps I am new to your blog and am your newest follower~

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  11. Heavens!!! That first photo made me weak in the knees.... I can't imagine trying to see all of that and remember what you liked!

    You said "different twist" for the family business? Now you know that you can't go out of the hammock business because I'm ordering one from you next summer for the new house!!!


    Re the gray horse.... I've got one with white legs now!!!! What was I thinking? My dirt colored Palomino was the absolute best at hiding everything. You couldn't even see anything.... dust, dirt, mud. The only downside was that it nearly took a magnifying glass to find bot eggs. :)

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  12. i love your photos. how exciting to go on such a trip with your daughter. the shop photos are fabulous! and how cool that you were recognized all the way in Atlanta.

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  13. It sounds like a great adventure and even better day. Your photos are great and almost as good as being there. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  14. Oh it's even more wonderful seeing this on a real screen:) I'm loving the fairy garden. i have a line I've been buying but this one looks a bit different. You don't by any chance remember the name? Finally got hubby to make me up some wooden boxes to sell and to make a few mini gardens in.
    Maybe we can meet up in the Summer when I go to Atlanta,

    Happy Super Bowl day.
    x
    Carole

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