Lollyphilosophising...........

There's been travel to new places, cultivating new friendships, enjoying amazing experiences...what a summer!! 2012...... grandbabies new and to be......and life goes on and on and on. That's what it's all about no? Well....the on and on and on part maybe is a little iffy nowadays, so........enjoy it, cherish each moment, learn new things always, stay current and D..O..N..'T stop......ever. That's just me...I'm not preaching. Honest!

Lacy hangs in there, as do I. We're so simpatico it's beyond anything I can comprehend. What you ask? Simpatico with A DOG??
Not me..I won't get attached..I'm too busy. I'm too involved with my children, my work, my life......I'm, I'm, I'm............in LOVE with this soft, warm, energetic little being...

That WAS me, 14 years ago, when Lacy first came into our lives. She was the dog of my youngest daughter, Emily. A bribe to smooth over the fact that at age 12 we snatched her away from her friends and all she knew in California, because once again, we got the urge to be back in good old NY, where the sun wasn't a constant and valley-girl speak was replaced by Nu Yawk-ese. Guilty as charged! So, it was theater camp, new clothes, and a puppy. It all worked......at the time.

Then she grew up.....moved on, but I refused to let the warm puppy, then 6 years old, go off to college with her. Bad enough she was spawning the empty nest phase of our lives, but the dog too??? That I hadn't counted on.

Lacy wobbles, increasingly. I pick her up at times because I just feel like she's so very tired she can't be bothered moving. I hold her close to my heart to feel hers fluttering in little pup tempo, secure in knowing it’s working properly. Although I find myself talking to people about how they deal with the loss of a pet, the idea still remains abstract to me, since I'm unable to wrap my mind around such a thing just yet. But it’s probably just the subconscious me trying to prepare the conscious me for the inevitable. And that's all I can say.
I'll let her rest now.  No more fittings, no more appearences at charity events modeling Lollypups Petwear.  We're both going to put the business on hold for a bit.  Me to work and actually make some money, and Lacy to just sleep.....sweet girl.

Down to our last dollar.....

I knew having a business was going to be a challenge.  Designing the collection, fitting patterns, choosing fabrics, yarns and colors and setting up the website and business strategy was a breeze.  Maintaining it by myself however was another matter altogether.  The the sweaters were unique and well received but the price point was too high at first, so I lowered it in order to compete and still make a profit.  I created special incentives during pet events which worked out well too.  However, my lifestyle has slowly shifted off task, and new demands have slipped in.  For the first time in the five years since working at Liz Claiborne, there is a demand for my textile design services and I find myself gladly making a living once again.   I always said I'd give the business five years. It's been three years of struggle (mostly monetary) and I also have to admit, my sales person skills are very poor, clearly not a good trait for an entrepreneur. 
I had a friend living in NY who was happy to rep the line, but she moved to California and was basically the only one I felt comfortable with and trusted.    Another bad trait I found out about myself.  Control freak.

I'm fearful of getting into debt at this stage of our lives, so borrowing money is not an option.  My seed money was a good kick off but I had hoped that sales would replenish it along the way. It barely covered the development costs,  and advertising, a huge expense, did not work at all.  I placed ads in Doggie Aficionado magazine, sent out over 250 postcards to pet boutiques and spas all over the country.  I followed the advice of other business owners and even set up a "store" on etsy and Artsy Dog.
No sales what so ever from those resources.   I was more successful with the hands-on sales than the
on-line ones though I did get some.  It makes sense though, since the quality of the yarns and the richness of the colors can be more appreciated when seen and felt in person.

So I've been back to freelancing as a textile designer and am happy with that, as I always was.  Working steadily (a good thing) has kept me from doing any more for the business than updating the website, donating sweaters to shelter events, and participating in one or two of them, for the price of a table. Mainly to keep the brand alive.  Though I haven't designed during the summer, I still sketch ideas in my overstuffed swatch book and keep abreast of what people are buying for their pets in the way of apparel as well as attend trade and fabric shows to stay on top of current fashion trends.   This part of it all is something I truly enjoy.   Too bad it's now become more of a hobby than a business. 

But all is not glum and morose.  For one thing, Lacy is still around and happy not to have to be the
spokes mongrel any more.  I was blessed with another beautiful grandson this month, we did some traveling over the summer and my creative juices are still flowing rapidly so when the time is right, there will be more Lollypups petwear to create. I can't complain really, I can just re-evaluate my strategy, figure out what I've done wrong, make it right and keep on trucking.
Along with the disappointments, comes contentment and serenity.  Not that bad a place to be really.
Peace.

A weekend all about the horses.....

138th running of the Kentucky Derby was a bucket list adventure for Jeff and I last month.  The drive to Kentucky sucked, 13 hours with a few pit stops along the way.  But once we made it to the hotel, had our cocktails and a bad meal at Cracker Barrel, we looked forward to embarking on a tour of the Kentucky thoroughbred horse farms the next morning thanks to Jeff's long lost cousin Bruce Berenson.  At his stately pillared home, very Kentucky-esque, I must add, we were greeted by his two beautiful short haired collies, who were rambunctuous and excited, behaving like a couple of 5 year old children responding to the arrival of a favorite aunt and uncle.  I never met them before so being the sap for dogs that I am, I let them jump all over me with delight. My bruised and battered arm will be visible in some of the pix.

We visited the farm that was boarding Bruce's two mares and their foals and to my disappointment, the babies didn't frolic in the green pastures like I had hoped to see (a la Disney family movies).  With their gangling and spindly legs (standing only four inches shorter than their full grown mother's) they ate grass for the entire time we were there and that's just what they were supposed to be doing at age six weeks.  The meadows lush and green, the horses were breathtaking, and I loved how curious they were at the sight of these odd strangers in hats, grinning and cooing at them. 

The derby proved to be an experience for sure.  Hats, yes, lots of them, some crazy, some silly some beautiful.  But what I was impressed with were the SHOES.  Spike heels, and lots of them. It so surprised me at first, until I realized that most women wearing them where carrying flip flops.   (or their husbands/boyfriends were) It was all about image and looking fabulous at Churchill Downs, and of course drinking mint juleps so the day was filled with excitement, camaraderie, friendliness and smiles though chivalry was definitely dead due to the lack of seating in the lower level 'free' area. 

We had been too late to order seats in the grandstands when we decided on coming to the races,  so had to be content just standing with the rest of the throngs and finding whatever little corner of something to sit on now and then.  Seats were prized possessions and filled with bags, jackets, hats and newspapers with explicit information that "my friends just went to a) place a bet b) go to the bathroom or c) to get drinks".  This was acceptable of course, if the "friends" came back within a reasonable amount of time and took possession of their coveted seats but it got to a point where, feet throbbing, I simply pushed aside the barricade and sat down, saying "I'll leave when  they come back".  So I was able to rest for an ample amount of time and sip my mint julep like a lady while Jeff placed a few bets of his own.

Our horse didn't win, there were 60,000 people attending, and the temperature was a record breaking and humid 90 degrees so we were happy to say we did it once (and won't do it again)

Out of hiding.......

........not that I have the luxury of ever really "hiding". It's just that there came a point during the end of March, when everything was so overwhelming that I found myself quaking and thinking, "stop the world, I want to get off". Total renovations on two bathrooms, leaky chimney repairs, interior paint job and workmen entering, stomping, banging, sloshing and sanding for three weeks, was the main cause for the perpetual distraction and dust obsession that was overwhelming me. I feel that I accomplished NOTHING during that time, no matter how hard I tried, and being the chronic overachiever that I am, this is tantamount to slicing off sections of my cerebral cortex and gouging out my eyes.

           Yes, I had a fabulous birthday. Jeff took me to see "War Horse" , a play I so adored I'm compelled to go again. Drinks afterwards with our friend David Landsbury, who played Hauptmann Fredrick Mueller and was beyond unrivaled. Then the fiddler extraordinaire Eileen Ivers in concert the following day. All I could say was "holy crap" on both occasions(nice JoAnn, how dignified!!) But what an awesome weekend of mind poetry it was.
           So, I holed up in the studio with Ms. Lacy, closing the door behind me, to keep out the dust and noise , and became lost in the black hole of cyberspace, various computer repairs, CAD programs and youtube posts, (both necessary and ridiculous.......such as, watching the antics of dogs gone viral.) Why? Because I think a cute attack was eminent. Smiling dogs make a day grand!...... Snap out of it for god’s sake! I don't need to be ENTERTAINED I need to WORK.    Now, looking back at that nonproductive month, I can say that Lacy and I did NEED the melt down a tad. Here I am at the end of April, and new ideas have flourished like the new foliage unfolding itself outside my studio window. Lacy seems rejuvenated too and ready to stand through the upcoming fittings.
           What’s on the drawing board?....... . Question: How hard is it to find a simple black and white cotton printed one eighth inch stripe? Answer: VERY. So, for now, here’s a solid khaki cotton twill harness with cream/black mattress ticking peplum and button loop detail. Matching leash has a ticking stripe bag holder attached. So freakin’ cute that Ms. Lacy will have one in her chifforobe for sure. (flowers may or may not stay)
            There is a step-in harness in the works, (seems like forever but hey, these things take time and a lot of thought) for the beloved senior dogs to whom I am particularly partial (for obvious reasons). Here’s the thing: Ms. Lacy stumbles now and then, arthritic knees, weakened joints due to her advanced age, not a lot, but now and then.
            There should be a harness that’s summer friendly.... open, cool..... and chic for ALL senior dogs, large and small…….broad chested and tapered………slipping on with ease.  So that’s what I’m in the process of constructing.  Pictures to follow. 
             This time of “hiding” has actually been more of a “regrouping”…. A think tank of one if you will…and happily, something good has been accomplished through my self-imposed solitary confinement.    Anyway, Lacy thinks so.

The bathrooms are great, the house smells new...a rebirth for all.

 Peace and pats... and happy Spring!

 

REST-minster after effects..

On Saturday, Lacy slept the entire day! All the fancy prancing, butt sniffing and red carpet posing at the Pre-Westminster Fashion show and gala in New York's Hotel Pennsylvania last week was exhausting for the poor diva. She was actually relieved to spend the last hour of the event, zipped in and snoozing comfortably in her carry-on crate, flanked by the two ever present german shephards eight times her size, who chose to hang out at our side of the vendor table. Could have been the treats I kept passing over to them, I imagine. They were such sweeties, like a couple of big old bears so I couldn’t resist. They pretty much left Lacy alone, except to lap up her water bowl in a nano second each time I filled it.

It was a great night. Lots of color and glitz, masks and costumes, some beautiful and some just plain silly, on both people and pups. I always feel bad for the dogs who CLEARLY don't want to be dressed in exaggerated attire, but for the most part, it was fun for one and all with many of the pooches loving the adoration bestowed on them by passers by and puparazzi alike. Sales went well although even with the offer of wholesale pricing for the sweaters, only a few were bought up. The harnesses were a hit and some sizes even sold out, because I only brought along a limited supply. It’s so hard to tell how much to bring to these events, given the space limitations of each vendor table. But no complaints here, the whole purpose being exposure for Lollypups, and just having fun. Met lots of nice people, both vendors and customers alike, but my biggest take away from the whole night was that people were there to “be seen” and not to buy, so I consider myself lucky we did as well as we did.

Back home, Erika re-educated me on how to set up my Facebook page (again) and I think I’m getting the hang of it, though there are still things that puzzle me about the whole process. Frustrating, yes but I’ll get there.

Meanwhile, it was back to the drawing board (literally) and I’m feverishly sketching new embellishment details to scan in and use in my library. I’m so thankful (pat on the back to you JoAnn) that I was patient enough to learn how to use Illustrator and Photoshop as a designing tool, along with  performing all the other tasks necessary for a start up business. Though difficult at times, being a corporation of one has it’s plus side if one has the right tools and attitude of fun and discovery.  That I have.  My fiddle playing does suffer though, from lack of practice time. Can’t have it all I guess……… nah. I will.

Peace and pats.

The Pre_Westminster Fashion Show and Gala is upon us

So today is Wednesday and almost all preparations for the gala are complete....harness vests have been added to the collection, free gift with purchase tucked into valentine bags, tasty table treats for pet and parent alike, masquerade theme set up for the table (all of my 3 feet worth of space!).   I've done it before and I'll do it again so no worries there. I added feathers to my School of Visual Arts mask and either will use it to decorate the table or wear it for photo ops. Not sure yet.

Glad Erika will be helping me again this year!   

       My model for the fashion show is a too, too cute little bit of maltese adorableness,  named ZZ, with a face like a younger version of The Divine Ms. Lacy. Ilene, her mom, wants to get her into modeling and by the looks of her, I can’t see how she’d fail!  If Jeff  got the go-ahead to film ’Moose on the Loose’, I would certainly cast her in the female lead, as Moose’s love interest. Hmmmmm……haven’t thought of that project in a while! Time to resurrect it perhaps now that dog lovers have taken over the world!!

           Ms. Lacy however is not up to snuff these days. Seems one of her "hot spots" has grown to the size of a garbanzo bean and bright red,  due to her constant licking. It's just at chest level on her upper right front leg so the ease with which she slurps on it has initiated the need for me to keep coming up with creative ways to to keep it covered.  I’ve sprayed it with ‘chew guard’ (doesn’t work), wrapped it in surgical gauze and tape (which slips down to her paw resembling a mini legwarmer after 15 minutes), don her in tee shirts with sleeves (freckled with dried blood within the hour). I’m thinking of fetching (no pun intended) her ‘cone of shame’ out of shear exasperation but feel too sorry for the old girl to put her through that. Gladly, it’s not dangerous according to her vet, and doesn’t hurt her.  It’s just something that’s common to the breed . She’s actually had several of these cysts removed twice before. She was younger then but now, I shudder at the thought of putting her under anesthesia for fear she won’t wake up.  Emily suggests that I go ahead with it,  but insist on  local anesthetic, since it's just one that needs to be removed. I may do that.  But for now, I keep a close watch over it, keep it clean, spray it with antiseptic and put a pillow over my head at night to avoid the cringe-worthy sound of her consistant licking.

           Brother-in-law Gary will be visiting from Florida on Thursday so a family dinner with spouse, daughters and their husbands, (precious) only grandson and cousins is in my future (the day after the gala to be exact). I suggested cold cuts and potato salad and got a unanimous ’whaaaaaatttt???’ from said kids and spouse. Maybe I’ll just cater it.
And life goes on………"for the little heartbeat at my feet". (to paraphrase Edith Wharton) And here’s a bit of trivia, did you know she was one of the first founders of the ASPCA? I didn’t either. Peace.

My little germ factory is at it again.........

Just when I think it's safe to smother my grand baby in kisses, his runny nose catches me off guard again and wham, I'm back out of commission.  All the handwashing in the world won't stop baby germs, that's a fact.   Doctor said "stop making out with the baby and you'll stop getting sick" and I should have listened last month after a bronchial infection knocked me on my butt, but I truly learned my lesson after this knock down, drag out bout with a24 hour stomach virus that hit me right at the beginning of my tapas dinner party! Bed rest for an entire day which I really couldn't afford, so I am listening to him now (grudgingly I might add) and managed to stay away from the love of my life for at least a day.

Continuing getting ready for the Pre-Westminster Fashion Fashion Show and Gala 2012 this year,

http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com with new Spring 2012 harness vests in the works. So chic and functional, made right here in the USA and priced right! The sweaters will be offered at wholesale prices to attendees at the event for that night only and I’ve been FB-ing and Tweeting constantly to get the word out. There is a Venetian Masquarade theme but I feel costuming the Divine Ms. Lacy at this stage of her 15 years is undignified and slightly humiliating so, sporting one of the newest harness styles will be as dressed as she’ll get. I, on the other hand, may just wear the “Satan’s Little Helper” devil mask from Jeff's film of the same name and scare the bejesus out of one and all…..just kidding ofcourse. I do have the mask I made for the School of Visual Arts 40th anniversary gala. Add a few feathers and viola! Venetian Masquarade revisited. We’ll see if I even decide to use it.  Maybe as a prop.

I loved doing the masks used in The Actor's Shakespeare Company’s production of  "Two Gentlemen of Verona" back in 2004 I believe,  but don't see myself going through that kind of time consuming creativity for this event.  Time is better spent perfecting the Spring '12 collection and generating some interest (read sales).  I attended Texworld at the Javitts Center again on Tuesday and came away with color and fabric direction for 2013 and a great solution for the new paisley harness embellishment from Mako Inc. I always find something wonderful and inspirational from them. Now to place my order so it's delivered in time for the gala.  So far I have 3 new spring styles to introduce.  The new fringed plaids will have to wait for the Winter collection though....
And away I go, germ free and back on track! 

Holidays fun.....and .....over........

I'm no Ebenezer Scrooge.....not by any stretch...I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME......however, I find that as I get older, my tolerance level has waned .........to.......nonexistent.  I don't know why, I just find so many things about celebrating the holidays have become fodder for situation comedy-like situations,  or reality shows (both of which I've never taken a liking to). 
I found refuge at the shelter though. 50 plus dogs were rescued from a shelter down South and transferred to Elmsford over the holiday and I went to pay a visit.  They were in various stages of confusion which was sad, but several volunteers were soothing, talking and making them feel welcome.
There was Button, pure white, wiry haired and skittish.  A few milk bones and scratches behind the ears, and he was ready to go.  I took him out and we played in the yard, he's great with tennis balls......as long as you have several on hand as he grew bored with each one,  and he wanted to RUN, when we started to take a walk.  That was OK, I was glad to oblige but, my running days are over and the senior me had to slow down (reluctantly) after a short period of time.  Ah youth..........He would gallop like a stallion set free, tongue flapping and wearing what looked like a big grin.  It made me so happy to feel that same breeze on my face that he was feeling on his.  No more fear, no more uncertainty .......but then he'd stop short......bow his head down in a cringe, lower his tail and look back over his shoulder at me with sad eyes.  It broke my heart.  Who scared you Button, who would dare to hurt you?  Never again now that you're here. We will see to that.   Now he needs to relearn how to trust.


I'm happy to report, Dale, the beautiful great dane mix,  was adopted in December,  though I had no doubt he would be.
Sheeba, still my first priority, has slowed down a lot.  Kind of behaving like Lacy does now.......
two steps forward......stop.....look up as if to say, that's enough.....treat , two more steps forward.  I guess old dogs follow the same age related pattern (don't we all?)  Sweet girl.

Stayed with friends in the city for New Year's weekend like we did last year.  Great food, wine and champagne flowing, Central Park fireworks and midnight runners slapping five to shouts of Happy New Year and horns blowing. Lots of merriment and celebration.  Good for the soul, for sure. Then movie marathon, junk food, bloody mary's and an 80 pound black lab pretending she's a lap dog, sleeping on top of me.  Silly Tilly.  While Lacy was all out of sorts the whole time there, doing nothing but sleeping, body pressed against the arm rest of the leather couch. 
Now it's back to work.  The pre-Westminster Gala will take place on February 10 and I've once again decided to participate.  I did ok last year, and broke even so even if I do the same this year, I think it's important that I keep the brand in the public eye.  I have some new harnesses (as per my previous post delighting over the newly discovered fabric resource right across the Tappan Zee bridge) and intend to sell the sweaters at wholesale prices for the night.  It feels good to be able to concentrate on the business again. It feels good to be healthy again after two back to back bouts with major bronchial infections since our return from Italy.  It feels good that 2011 and the joy that year brought to our little family unit is still reverberating.  Jeff was a bit more mellow and less curmudgeonly this year, during our festivities, due mostly to it being Logan's first Christmas.  Children always make celebration happier.
So........2012.......here we are.......doing what we do, living and loving, working and playing, making a difference.... what's in store?  Can't wait to see........   Happy New Year!!