Hello everyone,
Well, it’s been a rather different and fragmented week for me – I feel as
though I’ve hardly been in the shop!
After our long weekend away I wasn’t back until Tuesday, then on Wednesday I was saying goodbye to my lovely friend Mike, so I’ve been playing catch-up ever since.
But despite it being a short week for me, there’s still plenty to tell you!
Another successful Vinny adventure!
Our weekend started with a trip to Christchurch to drop Ian’s motorbike off for its service, and naturally I decided that if we were going all that way, we might as well turn it into a little holiday!
So off we went in Vinny to a tiny village called Ibsley, near Ringwood.
When we first arrived, we had to drive VERY slowly because there were cows, pigs and sheep wandering freely around the village!
Apparently they’re allowed to roam like this for one month of the year, which we found absolutely fascinating – although it did make driving through the village slightly more interesting! 😂
Our campsite was lovely and had an interesting bit of history too. Some of the hard standings were apparently originally bases for toilet blocks and quarters from the days when the site formed part of the RAF Ibsley Second World War airfield.
And then came the moment we’d been waiting for…
THE AWNING!
We put it up in no time!
We were feeling extremely pleased with ourselves. Admittedly, it was a little bit wonky… 😂
But we now know exactly what we need to do differently next time, so I’m calling that a success.
We spent our time relaxing under the trees, listening to the wildlife and walking in the New Forest amongst the horses.
Another lovely weekend with Vinny – and I’m already looking forward to the next one.
Back to reality…
Wednesday was, of course, a very different sort of day as I attended Mike’s funeral.
It was a lovely service and very fitting for a very special man.
Then it was back to the shop and, having only been there for a couple of days, I had SO much to catch up on that I’m afraid the windows didn’t get their makeover this week!
They’re top of my list for next week.
But I HAVE made some more changes inside.
The Summer sale has officially disappeared!
I’ve now packed away all the remaining Summer sale pieces and integrated the Winter sale stock amongst our full-price clothing.
That has freed up another rail and I’ve decided to use it for something I don’t think we’ve been making nearly enough of…
SHORTER-LEG TROUSERS!
We stock some fabulous Robell trousers in shorter lengths, but I realised they weren’t necessarily obvious when they were mixed in amongst everything else.
So now they have their own dedicated rail.
If you’re one of those ladies who is fed up with buying trousers and immediately having to shorten them, please come and investigate!
The whole shop is looking so much clearer now.
I’ve been grouping the clothes into colour blocks too, which makes it much easier to see how different pieces work together and hopefully helps you imagine complete outfits rather than simply individual garments.
It’s exactly what I’ve been trying to achieve with this reset.
And apparently last week’s email worked!
I’ve seen lots of familiar faces this week – including some customers I haven’t seen for a while.
Perhaps my little plea last Sunday actually did the trick! 😂
You’ve been coming in to see the new layout and, thankfully, the reaction has been really positive.
The handbag top-up has arrived too…
And they’re selling AGAIN.
I’m already contemplating another order!
I also need to place a Robell top-up order and I have a list running, so if there’s a particular style, colour, size or leg length you’ve been looking for, please let me know as soon as possible and I’ll see what I can do.
Something NEW is coming too…
I’ve also ordered some lovely Dante jewellery.
I’ve deliberately chosen individual pieces that will work with our clothing and help finish off an outfit.
This is all part of the new way I’m thinking about the shop – not simply buying lots of separate things, but choosing pieces that actually work together.
Clothes, handbags, footwear, scarves and now jewellery…
Hopefully we’re making it easier for you to put the whole look together.
I do meet some characters…
One particularly chatty lady came in from Portsmouth this week.
She wasn’t expecting to find anything because she needed a larger size and, while most of our ranges stop at an 18, we do occasionally have something larger or a particularly generous size 18.
As luck would have it, I was just about to pack away a Summer sale dress…
I pulled it out for her.
She LOVED it!
Then she spotted a cardigan and bought that too.
She was absolutely over the moon.
And during all of this I also heard most of her life story…
Let’s just say there were certain details I won’t be repeating in this email! 😂😂
Honestly, the people I meet!
A very encouraging Lunar encounter…
I also met two ladies – one from Petersfield and her friend from St Albans – and I immediately noticed their shoes.
They were both wearing Lunar leather shoes.
Now, you’ll remember that Lunar is the new footwear brand I’ve ordered for next Spring, so naturally my ears pricked up!
They absolutely RAVED about them.
They told me how comfortable they are, that they own them in several colours and want MORE.
They took my card and were very interested to hear that we’ll be stocking them.
Apparently they wear theirs throughout the year, so we’ll see how we get on when mine arrive in the Spring.
But I must admit, hearing such glowing reviews from two completely
independent customers made me feel rather pleased with my choice!
“I knew you’d have what I was looking for.”
I think that might be my favourite customer comment of the week.
A lady came in looking for a gift and knew exactly what she wanted – one of our beautiful hand-painted silk scarves.
She chose one and said to me:
“I knew you’d have what I was looking for.”
I loved that.
Because really, that’s exactly what I want Karen George to be.
A little independent boutique where you can find something different, where we’ll help you if you’d like us to, and where hopefully there’s occasionally that little something you haven’t found anywhere else.
And finally… a new chapter for our Lyn ❤️
Many of you will know Lyn.
In fact, some of you have known her for almost as long as you’ve known me because she has been with Karen George right from the very beginning.
Well, Lyn is preparing for a rather exciting new chapter in her life.
Her lovely two-bedroom terraced home in Bosham, with its south-facing garden, will be going onto the market shortly as she prepares for her next adventure.
And although I’m going to be very sad to lose her eventually, I’m also genuinely delighted for her.
I’ve told her she needs to grab life by the horns and go for it.
She’s off to enjoy life with her partner…
Who is ALSO called Ian.
Honestly. 🙄😂
Apparently one Ian in my life wasn’t enough.
After the last few weeks and saying goodbye to Mike, perhaps I’m even more conscious than usual that when an opportunity for happiness comes along, we should take it.
So I’m incredibly excited for Lyn and everything that lies ahead for her.
And meanwhile, back at Karen George, we’ll continue with our own little new chapter too.
Next week: WINDOWS!
The shop is looking clearer, the new collections are selling, handbags are flying out, jewellery is on its way and another Robell order is being prepared.
So if you haven’t been in to see the changes yet…
Come and have a look.
And if last week’s email DID prompt some of you to visit…
Perhaps I should keep asking! 😂
Until next week, take care of each other, enjoy life when you can and, above all…
Be kind.
Karen xx
Open Monday–Saturday | 10am–4pm
