I got to spend a few days with my husband and mom in Santa Fe after Christmas.  I love Santa Fe.  It’s a very spiritual and inspiring place to me.

 I have been going off and on over the last 10 years.  Every time, I come back with new ideas, dreams and appreciation for life.  I think I also came back a few pounds heavier.  Dustin and I both enjoy “splurging” and trying out different restaurants and cuisine while we vacation.  I’m still in a food coma after eating green chili, huevos rancheros, clams Lucifer and an amazing dinner of tappas which included leg of lamb, green chili pasta and mussels…..okay I’m going on a diet now. 

Oh yeah, I also had a bloody mary with bacon in it.  I could ramble on and on about the food and drinks I tried but I will save you and stop now.

We spent time going to consignment shops, checking out all of the amazing stores around the square spending time going through art galleries and just taking in all of the history and architecture that Santa Fe has to offer.  Every time I go I see something new and every time I leave I feel like we need more time to explore.   

The boutique will be offering more custom products to our customers in 2013 and you can be sure you will see some “Santa Fe” in some of the items!

Don't wait for the trends, set the trends!
xoxo The Rusty Rose

Mix and Match

We started an Instagram Contest last week called Fashion Fridays.  If you follow us on Instagram join in, it’s a great way to win $15!  Today I took a picture of my outfit and it got me thinking about how I always "mix and match".

I love to wear things from the boutique and try to most days but I also have a lot of pieces I incorporate into my wardrobe.  I have always loved to bargain shop and then at the same time have expensive taste so I mix it all together. 

Today is a perfect example of how my outfits usually turn out.  My Denim blouse I got from Goodwill back in College.  My skinnies jeans are from Wal-Mart for $15 and my boots are from the boutique.  Boots are by Liberty Black and retail for $245.  We have a few sizes left and let me tell you they are so comfortable!

I have my squash blossom bracelet on my mom gave from Santa Fe, it is my most treasured piece of jewelry, mixed in with some other silver bracelets. 

I love coming up with outfits on a budget but still using some of your valued items.  I tend to splurge on boots and jewelry, there investments to me that I know I’ll always keep and wear. 

You don’t have to have all the money in the world to put a great outfit together, just pair things together, be confident in the look you come up with and have FUN!

Don't wait for the trends, set the trends!  XOXO The Rusty Rose

A God Thing

A God Thing

Two years ago I was encouraged to be a vendor at Petticoats on the Prairie.  By doing that show I’ve met some amazing people and had tons of opportunities. 

A little over a month ago I was going over my calendar and realized I scheduled two shows on the same weekend.  I called up Ceciila (one of the event coordinators) to tell her I wasn’t going to be able to attend Petticoats this fall.  She informed me she was just about to call me.  Lara Blair a photographer out of Washington was coming to Texas and wanted to do a shoot in Marfa.  They needed a model with access to clothes and they wanted me to come.  I’m going to call myself a photo prop because I’m NOT a model.  None the less I said YES!

I met Lara and Cecilia in Lubbock and we drove to outside of Fort Stockton, where we stayed on a couple’s ranch.   We enjoyed a few glasses of wine, checked out all of the old homes on the property and took some pictures.   I even got to see my first real life javelina.  We headed out that morning to Marfa…..almost ran out of gas but made it. 

The town is unlike any place I’ve ever been to and I’ve been all over.  This tiny little ranch town was filled with art studios and inhabited by people from all over the country.  We ate lunch at a food truck where we met art enthusiast from New York and a photographer from Scotland.  We toured around a very eclectic trailer park, met some band from LA and even managed to take some pictures on a motorcycle with guys passing through.  The whole experience was wonderful!

But this is really what I got out of it.  It was a “God Thing” that I got to go on that little adventure.  Lara is this amazing woman and photographer who taught me so much in that short time and Cecila is a wonderfully accomplished Interior designer.  Both of them have been published and accomplished huge things with in their careers.  There knowledge and wisdom on business and life is amazing.

I’ve never felt more confident of Gods plans for me as I was driving home from our little trip.  These two ladies made me realize how many wonderful opportunities I’ve been given.  I’ve been blessed to meet tons of people from all over and to do more at my age than many people ever get to.  I was encouraged to keep growing The Rusty Rose, even on those tough days, to stay busy and travel and be involved.   While many girls are pursuing other paths, this is right where I’m supposed to be! 

That being said we have exciting things from The Rusty Rose heading you way soon!

Check out Lara Blair at her blog modernprairiegirl.com

Pinterest

So most everyone I know is Pinterest obsessed!  If you don’t have pinterest you aren’t wasting near as much time as the rest of us and if you haven’t heard of it, well I honestly feel bad for you.  It’s easy for me to stare at pins of recipes smothered in cheese, DIY projects, and of course FASHION! 

I really think pinterest has helped women become more confident in there fashion choices.  I have noticed a lot more girls coming in looking for a certain item they had pinned or wanting a exact look.  It’s also a great outlet to see what’s trending and in the upcoming fashion forecast.

 

Pinterest has even helped me dig clothes out of the back of my closet that I haven’t worn in a few years and revamp into a new look.  It also helps sell things for us.  We can have something in the store that somebody might not pay attention too but once seen on pinterest it’s gone in heartbeat.  From a business stand point its great and I love to see confident women and happy customers.

So happy pinning dolls and make sure and check out our board, The Rusty Rose!

Meet Caitlyn

For those of you who don’t get to shop in the boutique with us I wanted to take the time to introduce Caitlyn!  A Plainview native and Fighting Aggie, Caitlyn started working at The Rusty Rose last October.  She runs the store while I’m gone, keeps our website updated daily and basically handles everything in between.

I met Caitlyn’s mom on a Walk to Emmaus a few years ago.  When she heard that I was opening up a store she told me about Caitlyn.  She has been such a blessing to me personally and The Rusty Rose.  She has to be one of the kindest hearted people I’ve met.   She keeps me smiling and laughing and our customers love her!  I could carry on all day about all of the positive things this girl brings to the table so to sum it up "SHE ROCKS"!!!  Chances are when you place an order Caitlyn is the one helping you! 



Don't wait for the trends, set the trends!  XOXO The Rusty Rose

HOLA!

I think I’m finally caught up on sleep from this past weekend.  The Western Heritage Classic in Abilene was a great time once again.  We left last Wednesday after lunch.  Had a blow out on the trailer outside of Dickens, stopped at the Allsups in Aspermont and ran into one of Dustin’s friends and finally rolled into Abilene that evening. 

The show started at 8 Thursday morning.  I woke up early because I still had things I wanted to work on in my booth.  As I’m getting ready the news was reporting Abilene to be under a flash flood watch.  It didn’t flood but it did rain…all afternoon.  Wasn't ideal for the show but we need the rain and will take it any chance we get.  I took advantage of the rainy afternoon and planned a “date night”.  We went out to supper and then watched a movie….I over did it on the buttery popcorn but hey we only go to the movies about once a year.

It rained off and on the rest of the weekend and I got pretty good at hustling to get things under the fly and in my trailer.  All in all it was a success and people still came out to shop and check out all of the action. 

One of the highlights of the weekend was running into one of my best friends growing up. 

Court and I grew up together sense we were tiny, we were horseback constantly, floated the river in the summers, drove an old mail jeep with a missing door and bucket for a seat and for a while she had a little motorcycle we drove all over the place, all while we were in grade school…..We were WILD LITTLE INDIANS!  It made my heart happy to see her.

Saturday after the show we got to go cheer friends on at the rodeo and see all my girls!  Cassidy, Prarie and I took time to strike a pose! 

It was a busy few days and I loved every second of it.  Already planning for next year!

Hey there readers!  Well the madness of summer has officially hit!

This is what’s been going on sense the last blog.  I went to Waxahachie for the Petticoats on the Prairie spring show. 

It’ was a fast and furious trip and I convinced my husband to go with me to help set up and tear down.  I bribed him with Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, it’s one of our favorites and to no surprise there isn’t one in West Texas.  We foundered on Oysters on the half shell and Crawfish Etouffee! 

The POTP show is one of my favorites because of the unique vendors they bring in and the wonderful shopping experience.  I always come home with something fun for me too.   The next POTP will be this fall and I would highly recommend planning a trip….it’s worth it!

A couple weeks ago I helped host a small fashion show with our Chamber of Commerce and other boutiques in town.  These two beauties were my models, decked out in their Rusty Rose attire of course.

Plainview is a good sized town with wonderful shopping however we’re right in between Lubbock and Amarillo so at times it can be a challenge to keep people shopping locally.  It was a great way to showcase all of the local boutiques and highlight some of the summer trends!

Fast forward a couple days.  I traded in my dress and wedges for a straw hat and boots and went to a girls Ranch Rodeo in Clovis, New Mexico…our team got 3^rd and brought home some extra cash.  Whoop Whoop!

Beckah and I hit the road EARLY for the Snyder Trade Days this past weekend…..early as in it was still dark outside.  It was sooo hot and we literally thought we were melting but we survived! I got to see a lot of friends and catch up with people.   I may be partial but I thought Beckah looked adorable.

The countdown has begun for Abilene’s WESTERN HERITAGE CLASSIC next weekend.  We will be set up outside in the same spot as last year.  Stay tuned for my next blog post!

Well here I am with my first Rusty Rose blog.  I’ve always loved to read blogs and especially my friends but always thought “that is not for me, no one cares what I have to say or my opinions”.  In an attempt to stay cool, keep my store in the ever growing social media eye and to blab to anyone who wants to listen……The Rusty Rose blog has begun.  I hope to bring you fashion trends and tips, laughter, excitement from the road shows I do and share a little bit of my crazy life with you.  I must warn you I tend to get in a hurry, run out of time and always add too much to my plate.  So if I forget to spell check one day or use too many exclamation points due to my excitement……please bare with me.  That being said it’s a perfect time for me to start blogging.  Spring styles are coming into the store, I’m hitting the road with my “Little Red Rig” for shows and spring is my favorite time of the year….except for the dang wind in West Texas, I may never get use to it!

A few weeks ago I flew to Las Vegas for Magic Market.  It was my first time to attend this particular market and wowza was there a lot to see!  I felt like I came home with firmer legs after all of the walking.  Unfortunately my legs aren’t any firmer but I can dream.  On a serious note it was a huge success.  I found lots of new clothing lines, got to visit with some of my favorite reps AND ordered a whole bunch of shoes!  I’ve been obsessed with shoes sense I was a little tike!  I would like to welcome these bad boys to The Rusty Rose.  Short top boots will arrive for summer; tall top boots will hit the store Fall 2012!

I love the trends for this spring and summer, neon colors, color blocking, floral prints, lace, different prints…it’s all so edgy, bright and happy!   Now you don’t have to panic and think OMG the 80’s have returned, just take one of these colors or prints and incorporate into your wardrobe.  Pair a neon colored clutch with jeans and tee for a casual yet modern take or a color blocked dress with some nude pumps.  The main thing is to be confident and own the look you put together.

Don’t wait for the trends, SET THE TREND!