Fall Fashion Guide 2010

It’s a good thing that a picture is in fact worth a thousand words, because this season’s fashion favorites come to you from across the Atlantic Ocean. Here’s the back story: for Bonnie’s (owner and fearless leader of Finders Keepers Consignment Stores) 29th wedding anniversary, she and hubby Parke hopped the big blue pond and spent two weeks touring Italy. She came back inspired – and with about ten pounds worth of Italian Vogue Magazines for me to devour. I definitely can’t read or speak Italian, but fashion, my fabulous friends, is universal. Analyzing each image without the guidance of expert commentary was both daunting and liberating. And “liberated” is an essential word not only in European fashion but also in this season’s style on this side of the pond. Smart, strong, structured, and sexy, this fall's fashion is a head-on collision of Madonna and Marie Antoinette. While their many differences could span the Atlantic, both controversial, capable icons could totally rock a corset. Leather and lace, texture and tulle, details and drama, welcome to Fall 2010.

Legs: From the ‘that’s-right-I-did’ mini shorts and dresses to fishnet tights to boots, boots, and more boots, fall’s fashion themes pull out all the stops to accentuate, decorate, and celebrate your legs. For those of you who gulped at the end of that sentence, remember that those legs of yours work hard, so they should play hard too. Experiment this season and see where an inch or two of liberation leads you. (Hey, there were a few pictures in the Italian magazines where models ONLY wore shoes, so take a deep breath and a baby-step out of your box.)

Purple: That rich, satisfying color is back this season. From jewelry to shoes to dresses, purple made its mark on fall fashion runways. Italians seemed to like purple so much that it was one of the few English words in the entire magazine. In fact, one issue had an entire section devoted to purple, which was curiously titled: “Purple Haze Lyric.”

Mini: Fall’s teacher’s pet is quite a sassy student: mini-length leather shorts go the distance – from work to weekend wear and everything in between. Not so sure that leather shorts will play well with others in your closet? A button-down blouse and a chic blazer add structure and style, and I’d bet they’re pieces you’re already comfortable wearing.

Boots: Stilettos have taken a back seat to boots this season. And in perfect harmony to the mini-length of shorts and skirts, over-the-knee boots are fall’s most coveted footwear. But booties would not go quietly, and are still making noise on this season’s scene. If boots just aren’t your thing, opt for clogs or wedges.

Texture: You know when you feel it – when what you’re wearing says something about your insides that words just won’t do justice. And this season’s fabrics and details make you want to reach out and touch them: fur, feathers, fringe, lace, netting, leather, darts, tiers, tulle, beads, silk, and sequins, to name a few. The textures of fall pay tribute to the fact that fashion at its core is truly a work of art.

Wild: Wildlife is often a major player in a designer’s inspiration, and this season was no exception. Zebra and leopard lead the way in the jungle’s takeover of fall patterns. From insect-inspired pendants and broaches to full-length feathered gowns, nature gives a nod to fashion pieces of all sizes.

Neutral: A focus on neutrals is spring’s gift to this season’s style. The structure and hues of last summer’s safari trek forward into fall. Cream, gray, ivory, chocolate, khaki, cinnamon, and more delicious colors make for a smooth, sleek look and are easy to accent with splashes of jewel tones or metallics.

Bejeweled: Big, bold, beautiful necklaces step into the spotlight as the must-have accessory of the season. And you better scoop up a couple of them, because a single strand simply won’t do. Mixing and layering statement necklaces take last fall’s trend a step further this year. And this season’s neutral stage is a perfect back-drop to show off your bejeweled neckline.

Summer Clearance Bag Sale - 2010

We spend a couple of hours setting up bag sale: roping off the parking lot, blocking off the driveway to thru-traffic, rolling out racks (and racks) of clothing, lining up shoes, hauling out armfuls of handbags, and mentally preparing ourselves for the best kind of madness and mahem there is: the first five minutes of Bag Sale. And last Saturday was no exception. The line started before dawn, and by the time 9am arrived over one hundred people stretched across the store front and down Lake Street.

And then Bonnie, owner of Finders Keepers and our Fearless Leader, introduced Haji, a refugee from Sierra Leone, who works at our Furnishings location. Haji and other refugees are the reason - the real reason - that we hold this semi-annual event. Shoppers can stuff bags full of clearance merchandise for only $10 a bag and 100% of the proceeds from our Bag Sales go directly to Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA.) Last Saturday's Bag Sale raised $1638 for this very worthy, very necessary cause. I couldn't help but wonder what he thought about the event. But just the idea of it made me burst into big, pregnant-lady tears and I didn't want to be a blubbery, teary mess when I asked him because I have never seen him cry. In fact he smiles. A lot.

I've posted pictures below. Be sure to check out our youtube page for video clips of interviews and the total madness of Bag Sale! And take a peek at Finders Keepers Furnishings blog to see pictures from RRISA's Artists Market, which showcased products from beaders, weavers, and painters!




Forget gilded streets - how about shoe-lined sidewalks?

Bag Sale Enthusiasts waited for hours for the 9am start

So neat and tidy... not for long!

Three stylish shoppers await the start

What a fun way to start your Saturday!

The line just kept on going...

and going...

Jessica armed and ready to collect money!
Shoppers could stuff as many bags as they wanted for just $10 a bag!

I think Bag Sale had been underway for about... 90 seconds...

They came. They saw. They shopped. And they supported a great cause!

Way to multi-task! Get in some shopping and some strength training!

There are clothes down there?

Time elapsed: less than 5 minutes and the rack is almost clear!

Hi Haji! One day I'm going to ask you what you think about all this!

Meet Tessa and Leanne - representatives from RRISA.
Check out their website at: http://www.rrisa.org/

It's been a really (really) good day!

It has been QUITE a day! For starters, I finally finalized the new website (the web address to the test site is: http://www.finderskeepersconsignment.vpweb.com/ in case you want to check it out before it goes live.) And fantastic news just keeps coming in!

The Atlanta Journal Constitution's Blogger Rena Cash picked up the email we sent out about our bagsale and posted this on her blog:

Finders Keepers semi-annual bagsale

As the weather cools, it’s a great time to think about summer clothes. Seriously. Finders Keepers is holding its semi-annual bagsale on Saturday from 9 a.m.-11 am. in front of the store. During this time period, stuff as many summer clothes and accessories from Finders Keepers Fashions and Finders Keepers Boutique into the bags they provide and pay only $10. Only cash will be accepted and all proceeds will be donated to Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services in Atlanta. Additionally, everything in the store will be 20 percent off.

And then we opened the much anticipated Best-of-Atlanta 2010 Issue of Creative Loafing and saw that... YES! Finders Keepers Consignment Stores won best consignment stores in Atlanta! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who voted. We are so grateful for your support. We love what we do, and winning these titles make us feel like you love what we do too!

Risky Business

For some, it's the ultimate winter-wardrobe must-have, but for others it's not so simple: fur and the controversies about production of fur apparel run far and wide. But consignment fur offers a happy-medium to those seeing red - or green: By offering previously-owned fur coats, no new animals are harmed, and you can get a lot more for your money. It's a win-win in a risky business. Fur that has already been purchased serves the needs of consumers seeking fur products without doing further detriment to our fuzzy friends. And without a resale option, where would unwanted furs end up?

At Finders Keepers Fashions: Mink and fox fur coat size M-L
Appraisal: $4000; Our Price: $1191

SURPRISE - Jessica's Surprise Wedding Shower!

We had a manager's meeting last night, which was also going to serve as a surprise wedding shower for Finders Keepers Fashions' manager: Jessica. Our fearless leader is getting married next month. And while she didn't want a lot of fuss made over her big day, we couldn't let her get married without a single shower! Here are a few pictures from the fun event:

I think she wanted me to stop taking pictures so she could actually cut the cake...

A beautiful cake decorated to match Jessi's wedding invitations! The cake was done by our favorite bakery: Sweet -n- Sinful in Avondale Estates!

It took Jessi until after the shower was over to realize that the cake had been designed to match her invitations! Wedding planning is stressful!

A shower is not complete without an inside joke - or, in this case, a bottle of detergent.

Dana and her daughters were a surprise arrival for Jessi. Dana will be officiating the ceremony!

Jessi read every card! Etiquette points for the bride to be!

Such a classic Jessi-face, I just had to include it!

Dana with her wonderful daughter

Take a Vacation From the Mall - Summer Clearance Starts TOMORROW!

Two is Better Than One! And this applies in TWO ways:
1) Summer Clearance starts at BOTH of our clothing stores - Finders Keepers Boutique AND Finders Keepers Fashions - TOMORROW! As soon as those doors open, all of our summer merchandise will be marked 50% OFF the original price!

2) When prices have been cut in half, you get to buy twice as much.... right? (Well, that's what I'm going to tell my husband when he eyeballs the stuffed shopping bags I'm sure I'll bring home tomorrow...)
We've got really *really* cute summer inventory still hanging on our racks. And it's so easy to use your summer wardrobe in the fall months. A sundress with a cute blazer and boots is a simple, chic way to make your closet go the distance. Not sure how to pull it together? Our store associates will be happy to help!

Take a gander at a few of our summer goodies:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Feel the Breeze...

... of our really super awesome new fan! Our store has a lot of great qualities: amazing prices, a huge selection, new inventory every single day.... but our air conditioning has its work cut out for it. It a nutshell: even if it's cranked down to 60 degrees, it can still get pretty toasty in there. So we're trying a new tactic: the addition of a really, really enormous fan. And a little shout-out here to our very favorite electrician: Bray Electrical Services, who installed the closest thing I've ever seen to a space ship turbine.... if space ships have turbines...