My scattered thoughts and somewhat fragile state!

I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since I blogged and updated this site {except for my profile picture....does that count?}. It has been a whirlwind of a year (well, more like 6 months) for me, both personally and professionally. My families growth spurt continues with my daughter"s wedding only weeks away! Emotions are running high and the excitement is building!

It has been quite the challenge balancing and juggling the wedding and the holiday season, post holiday season, end of year inventory, income tax prep, & the beginning year buying trip, I must say. The last wedding I planned was over 10 years ago. I was younger and I was not working{One of the best parties I ever had!}. I consider myself in a semi-fragile state right now!

Pepperberry's continues to experience significant growth and I am definitely having some growing pains! I spend so much time working on the behind the scenes kind of stuff and right now, I'm behind on my behind the scenes tasks! Technology is great, but when you fall behind, look out! In the last 6 months, facebook has made some changes {does it change daily or is it just me? Is anyone on fb anymore? Are my posts showing up on their live feed? }, my email blast provider has made some changes {new image insertion technique that I just can't get on to}, I bought a new laptop {which isn't compatible with my printer, so I have to change that as well and haven't had time to research and buy one}, and for some reason, posting blogs is a little trickier with my new laptop interface. I haven't had time to figure out why yet...instead, I just stopped blogging! My new laptop will let me publish the post when I'm done, so I have to save my post and then log on at home to publish. Then the spacing is always messed up, the pictures don't line up right, and I don't have a ton of time to make it presentable!

It has been eye opening to me to see how easy it is to fall behind when you are not working on this business all the time. I'm not sure about other retailers, but I find it very difficult to write interesting descriptions and worthwhile news when I'm really busy and voices in my head are screaming "hurry up, write something and don't use the words "great", "cute", "funky"...or all the other words you use ALL THE TIME!" The pressure!

I've been away from the shop more than ever, and you have remained loyal and supportive. I promise you that after March 10th, I will get back to the business of running my business and be more present and focused. l just got back from NYC market and am so happy with what I found there. I am still writing orders and the new merchandise will start rolling in hopefully in the next few weeks! Can't wait to show you....a little overwhelmed with the thought of having to TELL you!

I'll be in touch!

Make. It. MERRY.

Make (v): "To bring into existence by shaping, modifying, or putting together material".
Make (synonym): artisan; handcrafted; handmade.

Make: play on synonyms listed above that describe pepperberry's 2011 holiday story!

My inspiration came from these two reindeer that were peeking around the corner of a neighboring showroom where I was placing an order while at the NYC market last January. I think they even called my name. "Oooohhhhh, I'll beeeee righhhht with yooooou." I said aloud with a twinkle in my eye! I finished up my business and went over to meet my new friends. It was love at first sight and I wasn't leaving without them. The vision of holiday 2011 began just 30 days into the new year and it was a fabulous start!

Yards of colorful fabric roping make my friends festively unique! But do they look like Christmas? In western PA? Not so sure. In my head? Without a doubt!

It was at the Dallas market that my decision to shape holiday around these guys was cemented. I was pleasantly surprised to find lots more fabric roping. Lots. As in, how about oversize spools of it!

But what are they for? I don't know. They were just sitting around in the booth of a new vendor where I bought funky repurposed stools, and a chunky knit throw. They didn't sell Christmas items. The spools just turned into Christmas items by default. They match my reindeer!

There are 58 yards of rope on each spool. You can use it to wrap packages, or as a doorstop, or... with a sturdy post to restraint a small child.....JUST KIDDING! All of you are actually way more creative than I am and it's been fun to hear how you will be using it!

On a more traditional note, but in keeping with the colorful, artisanal elements I was building on, I give you this nativity set. Every year I look for nativity sets that are different from the ones you usually see but to no avail. Finally, my hunt was over.

Look at the vivid colors, painted by hand on this 9 piece tin set. We gave it a place of honor, front and center when you walk in the door.

As it should be.
Now don't be shocked but, for the first time in pepperberry's history, we put up a Christmas tree! Not your traditional tree, mind you. I was thrilled to find this winter white {my favorite color} yarn wrapped branchy kind of tree, perfect for showing off the red, blue, green, & silver mercury glass mini ornaments! Soooo beautiful they are! It's not a holiday without mercury glass, and adding these bright mini's was just the twist we needed to keep it fresh {and on theme!}.
{all photos courtesy of Susan W. Patton Photography}


Pepperberry's is not a "decorations" store. I just put in enough to set the tone, make a statement. The holiday story is the most challenging, as well as fun; and the process never ceases to amaze me. Every year the holiday collection comes together and takes on a life of it's own once I hone in on my inspiration. Watching it develop, evolve, and reveal itself to me is magical.
It's my pleasure to present it to you along with my wish for you to
Make it MERRY.

and so I blog....finally.

Happy October! We've tackled back to school, back to campus, and the new VB winter collection has been launched, celebrated, and autographed. Check, check, and CHECK! July, August and September were almost out of control busy. If there is a student in the tri-state area that isn't carrying a Vera Bradley {insert VB item of your choosing here} to school or college, I'd like to meet them...I think. We moved an insane amount of product out the door and it was wonderful!

The other side of the store has been going really well also. My goodness how busy you've kept me. {I did a 2 month backlog of bookwork the other day and finally had a chance to do 4 months worth of filing. Clearly, not the priority in the last several months!}

There are some new arrivals that I've been dying to tell you about, but haven't had the chance to before they SOLD OUT! I just got another shipment in and they're on their way out the door again, so it goes without saying, these LAZY SUSANS are HOT!

We have 5 or 6 designs, all inspired by European cheese labels. Truly works of art. They are a wonderful centerpiece for your kitchen table or island and they are going fast!

Let me take a min. to apologize for using "stock photos". I really haven't had time to take my own pics, edit, save...etc. Combine that with a new laptop and compatibility issues...you get the picture {excuse the pun}.

Another new line that I added in August....it sat unpacked and priced in the back room for weeks until I had a chance to put it out on the floor...is Vietri. I'm head over heals in love with it! It's a line of Italian handcrafted ceramic serveware that draws on art and fashion for inspiration and has been a trendsetter in the tabletop category for over 26 years. Such lovely pieces that exude a casually elegant lifestyle. Vietri, Irresistibly Italian.

Hopefully, I'll be sending out an email soon! Time is really flying by. Can you believe it's been one year already since our expansion? Did you know that this month marks the 5 year anniversary of pepperberry's? Seems like yesterday!

2 babies and a bride, our newest family members!

It's been a busy summer here at pepperberry's and at home for me. In particular, the last week in July was just hopping busy at home. My oldest stepdaughter gave birth to twins on July 28th in Bethlehem Pa, and my son got married on July 30th in Columbus, Oh. We knew a couple of weeks before the wedding that Lisa's Dr's. scheduled a c-section for the 28th, but I thought she would go sooner...not the week of the wedding! But she hung in there and delivered 2 healthy happy babies. Alaina weighed in at 4 lbs and Gabriel at 6 lbs 14 oz! We knew when she scheduled it that we would be en route to Columbus for wedding weekend preps, but through technology, we were able to see pics and talk to the new mommy numerous times throughout the weekend!

Laney & Gabe, 11 days old.

Now for the wedding! The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was lovely. The bride and groom as well as all their guests had a great time and I'm sorry it's over. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Mr. & Mrs. G. Adam Weingartner

It was very difficult to come back to work on Tues. Aug 1st. I have been so distracted and find myself sitting down to my computer to do some work and I invariably get sidetracked and end up looking at wedding pictures AGAIN! And now, after a quick trip to the other side of the state last weekend, I have baby pictures too!

I decided to post these couple pictures and write this blog in an effort to get back into blogging, emailing and the business of running my business! I need to send out an email, I need to change the profile pic on fb, I need to post something intelligent to fb, and I need to blog about the newest arrivals and upcoming events, I need to upload pictures...speaking of pictures....I just may go through babies and wedding one more time! Maybe it'll wear off soon.

fashionable farminista

I've been going through something recently...a stage? a transformation? a phase? I'm not quite sure what it is, and I can tell you that I honestly thought I was over it, but there's been an interesting turn of events that may just have thrown me right back into it! My family was ready to call the nice people with the white jackets to help me, but now I have some documentation to prove that I'm not crazy! So, what is it? What's been going on?

Well, back in early spring my husband and I decided to put my house on the market (we've since changed our minds for various reasons) and while we were looking at possible places to downsize to, I found the property pictured above. I LOVE this little place! Nine and 1/2 acres, a barn, a couple other outbuildings and a beautiful view.

I envisioned chickens, goats, rows of lavender, grape arbors and both a kitchen garden and a cutting garden. My realtor (yes, it went that far!) asked me if I realized it was an amish farm and I said: "you say amish farm, I say french estate". My husband pointed out that there is no electricity ....or indoor plumbing and it certainly did not qualify as "downsizing", none of which deterred me. To me, it was a blank slate. A space to create, and boy was I into it. My kids reminded me that I'm not a camping kind of girl and I do like my comfort, but I could not shake this. It represents a simpler way of life, open air, growing the food I eat. Putting on overalls, no makeup, a ponytail and a cute pair of boots. None of this has ever been "me". My family kept saying "YOU want THIS? I couldn't explain it, I just kept saying, "I know, I'm going through something...I don't know what it is, but I love it!

Well, as it turns out, I was on the plane headed for Dallas for my trip to market and pulled out a trade magazine. I was a little behind on my reading up on what's going on in the industry and decided to take advantage of the 3 hr flight to catch up. The very first article in the very first publication I opened was titled: "fashionable farminista"! It's a MOVEMENT! My husband was sitting 3 rows behind me so sharing my hysteria was a little tricky. It consisted of a wave of the magazine and an "I'm not crazy, it's a movement" announcement to all within earshot!

Here's what I read: "the popularity of raising chickens, having goats and keeping bees is on the rise, even among city dwellers, and today's flower arrangements are just as likely to come from your own garden as from the supermarket...". The article went on to say the recent recessionary times have caused a value shift from indulgent to pragmatic. It has tapped the roots of our once agrarian society. It has empowered the consumer to find beauty in an everyday object and appreciate the worn patina and antique richness. Farmers markets, going green, and organics give this trend it's modern twist and I am so there...

I'm sad to say though that my amish farm has since been sold to someone else. It is still vacant and I have told my realtor that if no one takes possession of it soon, I will be googling "squatter's rights" and moving in! Just kidding! Did I mention that this one had a fabulous barn that could be a perfect little warehouse for pepperberry's?! I could even upgrade my website to be an online store! This definitely has possibilities. I may have to settle for just the acknowledgement from my husband that if anyone could do it, it would be me...if I had a lot of money (oh yeah, that!).

sorrow

"A rustling of memory, this wing, this fragment. Fallen to earth or rising upward, fast moving as thought. Floating us to that light and timeless home of angels."

I often think about the number of people I have met since I opened 4+ years ago that I never knew, or probably never would have known had it not been for pepperberry's. There are some very special people that I consider favorites of mine for various reasons, least of all, the amount of money they have spent here. Susan Chase was not only one of those people, she was at the top of that list. Her smile lit up a room, her laughter was contagious, she showered me with kindness, encouragement, and support and I will treasure my memories of her.

My deepest sympathy goes out to her family and her friends who are all as lovely and classy as she was. You are all in my prayers.

Juggling Act

I'm not sure when this happened, or how, but I think I joined the circus as the premier juggling act and the pressure is ON to bring my A game. I'm SURE most women have felt this way at one time or another, or possibly, they always feel this way, but sometimes there are just more juggling pins than usual. I'm so there!

Hence, the lack of blogging and newsletter sending. May was a very busy month here {thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!} and things on my personal plate are piling up. It always gets a little tricky when my personal life kicks into high gear for one reason or another!

Here's what you can look forward to at pepperberry's in the coming months. I'm working on a 2 tiered event {as in, something for BOTH sides of the store} for the beginning of July {watch your email}; I'm sneaking in a buying trip later this month to Dallas to spruce things up a bit for immediate delivery, fall and holiday; I'm working on an even BIGGER event {as in, special guest big} for late sept. or early Oct., and I'm working on our big Holiday Reveal event for early Nov. It's all behind the scenes kind of stuff. Lots of phone calls, emails and order checking that needs to be done between customers, the day to day stuff...and my personal life.

The next 8 - 10 weeks will be very busy for me. My son is getting married the end of July and my oldest stepdaughter is having twins...around the end of July, beginning of August. There's been more than a tad of pre wedding and pre baby prep going on already requiring me to be away from the shop a little more than usual. Both events are out of town, so that will be my vacation also! I like to be busy and luckily, crunch time is my favorite time! I hope your summer is off to a great start and you are able to juggle all that summer brings as well!