clarabellanyc.com

A long time PC gal, I made the decision to switch over to a mac for the purposes of the shop. I’ll keep my trusty Toshiba laptop for my home computer, but nothing could top the sleek appearance of an iMac for a new little shop!

My iMac was purchased a few weeks ago and has been sitting patiently in my office, waiting for some attention. It’s taken me a while to pull it out as things have been rather nuts over here lately. Well, today, I could wait no more. My brand spanking new iMac is now sitting happily atop my kitchen table. It’s hooked into my wireless network and will soon become home to all things Clarabella. Look how happy she is:

okay, so the yellow glow is actually a reflection from the lamp behind me, but still…

I’m working on installing all of the necessary programs, updating itunes, configuring preferences and once all of that is settled, it’s time for Quickbooks. I have a feeling that will take a minute to master, but I think it will also help me expedite this order process that has been taking me so long!

Anyway, as a dedicated PC user who never thought she’d switch to Mac, I can honestly say that this might be love at first sight;).

Eighteen pairs of shoes showing up at your door on a dreary Tuesday afternoon!

That’s right! My very first order for the shop came in today. Tashkent by Cheyenne is a Brooklyn based shoe company by local shoe genius Cheyenne Morris. See the ‘links’ section to check out her website and stay tuned for my new “Designer” section on this site. I’ll be profiling all of the designers for the shop to introduce all of you to the essence of Clarabella. Tashkent by Cheyenne will be the first addition to the new section!

For now, meet the Flo (black and fava) and the Flo-M (strawberry):

If I told you that I haven’t left my apartment all day, would you believe me? For most people, not leaving the apartment usually means a decadently lazy day. I’ve been there before, I know. Today was not one of those days. I started at 9:30am. First I fixed the wireless, which has been on the fritz for a week. I am now able to work back in the office again rather than sitting on the couch with the computer in my lap. This type of change is a very good one! After that, I settled into my chair for a day of ordering.

I started the initial ordering process last week. I have a binder with all the wholesale catalogs, correspondences, and other info separated out for each designer. It’s divided into Categories (Jewelry, Bags/Wallets/Belts, and Shoes). Last week, I sat and went through every section, deciding who to represent and what items to bring in from each line. I made a notes on proposed orders and then left it alone for a few days so that I could think about it all for a moment. This morning I went back and I started at the beginning. In most cases, my initial orders stayed the same, but a few changed. I re-confirmed every item and double checked pricing. Then I found a Purchase Order template and customized it for Clarabella. After all of that, the filling out of the orders began. Each order was filled out, printed, signed and dated, scanned and then saved as a PDF. Each order was sent with a personal note to the designer or showroom via email requesting more information, delivery times and additional info on the designer for eventual posting on this site. I’ve already gotten a few responses which is somewhat exhilirating.

I feel like it shouldn’t have taken me as long as it did, but alas, it’s 1am and here I am. I’ve just finished 15 orders. I have 6 more to place tomorrow - 2 shoe designers, 1 bag designer, and 3 jewelry designers. By the end of this week, I will have logged the biggest shopping week of my life;). At any rate, I made some amazing progress today. It’s almost big enough to make me forget that I only took two real breaks from sitting at this desk in 16 hours. Once for a 1/2 hour to talk to my dad and once for an hour and a 1/2 to watch riveting TV and to eat. I did bop around the kitchen a few times to make lunch and dinner, but that’s it! Tomorrow will need to be an active day. A run is definitely in my future! And I vow to leave my apartment at least 3 times. Ha.

But for now, I know I should go to sleep, but instead I’ll have a small glass of red wine to celebrate the continuation of Clarabella.

Now Listening: Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself

On my way from brunch to get my nails done yesterday (decadent, I know, but it’s been so dang long!!) Jen and I happened upon a little antique shop on 10th St. in the East Village. In that little shop, I found these fabulous little items.

I’m told they are from the 1920s and are anitque shoe stands. You should expect to see at least one of them in the store window! (please note - shoes are not included - they’re mine!)

Now Listening: Bloc Party

A new playlist should be up at itunes imix. The tunes I listened to while I was working out all of my orders - all of which will be placed today, tomorrow and Tuesday. The playlist only registers 15 songs at itunes. The full track list is here:

All Will Be Well - Gabe Dixon

Trouble - Ray Lamontagne

Song for You - Alexi Murdoch

1963 - Rachael Yamagata

Believe - Bernard Fanning

In My Own Eyes - Brandi Carlile

Opportunity - Pete Murray

Breakdown - Jack Johnson

Multiply - Jamie Lidell

Sixteen Military Wives - Decemberists

She Moves in Her Own Ways - The Kooks

I Me You I’m Your - Jim Noir

Lover Take Me - Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians

Song No. 6 - Ane Brun (w/ Ron Sexsmith)

Free Until They Cut Me Down - Iron and Wine

Three More Days - Ray Lamontagne

Wayfaring Stranger - Ollabelle

Universe & U - KT Tunstall

Half Acre - Hem

Two of Us - The Beatles

I Me Mine - The Beatles

I’m still not entirely sure about the new blog ‘theme’, but it’s getting there. With a little more tweaking, I could be in business! For this one, I used the template for “Greenflower” by Sadish Bala. The original theme has a big beautiful flower in the center, but I thought for my use it would be more appropriate to have some personal touches. The images you see here are all things associated with clarabella. I created the collage in publisher and saved as a jpeg. Time to learn photoshop? I think so. Thoughts? Better or worse than the original?

Well, I’ve been searching for a new theme that really suits me all day, but I can’t seem to find one that I love. I’ve done all I can for the moment, and we’re settled here with the blue-ish hue. It’s more than likely that the look will change again, so keep checking back for the new and improved Clarabellnyc.com!

Something is wrong with the site - very obvious I know!

It was fine yesterday and it’s been crazy since this morning. My backgrounds are gone as are all the categories and I haven’t been able to fix it quite yet.

I’m off to the Coterie (fashion showcase at the Javits) now so it’ll have to stay skewed until this evening. With any luck, it wil just pop back to normal, but it doesn’t, I may have to give the site a facelift. I’m not normally supportive of such drastic measures (ha) but in this case, it may be necessary.

For the moment, my apologies for the overwhelming amounts of pink!

Today is the last day of the Designers and Agents show which means I’m getting myself geared up! This means I’ll actually have to stray from my uniform of late, the popular jeans and t-shirt getup. Time to look my best and go out and meet some more designers! I wasn’t sure this morning if I’d go or not. I have all the designers that I can handle for opening and am currently working on my orders, but there is always that question… what if? What if I don’t go and I miss an amazing opporutnity? Better to just go, check things out and continue on with my orders tonight. If you’re curious and want to learn more about Designers and Agents, check out http://www.designersandagents.com. I’ll give you a full report when I get back. Wish me luck!!

Now Listening: Kings of Convenience “Versus” (the remixes)

I’m sure you’ve noticed that I often have a “Now Listening” comment at the end of my posts. In this billyburg apartment of mine, it’s a rare moment when there isn’t music piping over my sad little speakers. Unlike most corporate environments, the music industry encourages its employees to play music as often and as loud as desired. When I first started, I didn’t have my own office, but I did have my own stereo. I’m a creature of habit and my exit from the industry didn’t affect my love for singing along to the tunes while working away. I’ll check out new artists, old artists that are new to me, artists that I’ve been listening to for 20 (and sometimes longer) years, you name it. Since I’ve got that going on all the time, I figure I might as well share, right? I’m going to do my best to keep you all in the loop on what I’m listening to. Tonight’s playlist is listed below and I’ve also created an “iMix” at the itunes store. From the main page, click on ‘music’. Once directed to the music page, scroll down to the ‘more in music section’ and click on ‘iMix’. Once on the iMix page, search for ‘lady’s mix’ filtering by iMix title and you’ll be able to find me. I’ll find a link for you that makes that search process easier, I promise! I’ll be doing this more regularly leading up to my opening. Once the shop is opened, I’ll post daily playlists as often as I can. It’s my way of keeping you all updated and also of supporting the artists I love. Please let me know you if you have any recommendations, too. I love those!

Happy Listening!

“You Can Bring Me Flowers” - Ray Lamontagne

“You Don’t Make It Easy Babe” - Josh Ritter

“Follow” - Brandi Carlile

“Be Here Now” - Mason Jennings

“The Heart of Life” - John Mayer

“Satellite” - Aimee Mann

“All That I’m Good For” - Hem

“Pendulum” - Sarah Harmer

“The Matador” - David Berkeley

“Falling Awake” - Gary Jules

“Sleeping With The Lights On” - Teitur

“Six O’Clock News” - Kathleen Edwards

“Dark Side” - Polly Paulusma

“Slow Moves” - Jose Gonzalez

“Fever Dream” - Iron and Wine

“Warm Love” - Van Morrison

“Not Going Anywhere” - Keren Ann

“Your Battlefield” - Susie Suh

“Red Dust” - Calexico / Iron and Wine