the dressing room

I’ve been really lucky to meet some incredible women and business owners since I opened my shop and I always like to pass on a great new shop/concept if I can.

Today it’s all about Emerald City Gowns a new bridal consignment shop located in Berkeley and opened by Emilie Hofmann a wonderful woman I had the pleasure of meeting last summer.  Inspired by her best friend’s struggle to find a bridal consignment shop locally she decided that she needed to open one for other brides in the Bay Area looking for the same option.  She has a beautiful selection and it’s a fabulous option for those brides who don’t want to spend a fortune on a wedding dress.

By appointment only Emerald City Gowns in located in North Berkeley, near the Fourth Street  Shopping District:

1475 San Pablo Ave.  Berkeley, CA 94702

Ok everyone…need your help!

It’s that time of year for the Best of Oakland nominations and DRESS needs your votes!  You’ll have to create an account (I know, I know…!) but you’re able to nominate all YOUR favorite businesses in the Food, Drink, Goods and Services (that’s us), Lifestyle, Kids and Pets categories.   Here’s your chance to tell everyone about all your great finds in Oakland like DRESS!

So please, please, please vote for us  online at OaklandMagazine.com by March 2, 2012.  Our category is Goods and Services – Best Women’s Boutique.

And don’t forget to tell your friends!!!

Thanks!

JG

If you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price.  ~Author Unknown

So I’ve been kinda negligent this month keeping up the DRESS blog and I apologize.  I just let life get in the way and now with  one day left in the year and me in a reflective mood (Jeezy this year flew by! I didn’t train for the 1/2 marathon like I hoped… but I did run a 10k.  What’s next?)  I figured I need to end it with an interesting idea and here it is (inspired by one of my best friends):  Write a letter to yourself.

There’s a website called FutureMe.org that allows you to write yourself a letter and it will send it to you in the future.

“FutureMe.org is based on the principle that memories are less accurate than e-mails. And we strive for accuracy. See, usually, it’s the future that will reflect back on the present. We here at FutureMe think it’s fun to flip that all around. So send your future self some words of inspiration. Or maybe give ‘em swift kick in the pants. Or just share some thoughts on where you’ll or what you’ll be up to in a year, three years…more? And then we’ll do some time travel magic and deliver the letter to you. FutureYou, that is.”

What better way to capture your hopes, dreams, resolutions, life lessons?  What better way to remind yourself of all you’ve learned? How far you’ve come?

I really like this idea and i’m gonna do it.

I hope y’all do it with me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!

-JG

Sorry everyone… Been a hectic month!  So with that said…  Your final “Quote of the Week”

“Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

  – Alfred Lord Tennyson, from “In Memoriam” 

We hope your holidays were wonderful and
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

From the staff at Dress: Luxury Attire on Loan

Ladies?  Can we talk?

As you know I’m in the business of women.

And I am PLEADING with you…  BEGGING!   Can we have 1 day…. JUST 1.  Where we put aside our issues with our bodies?

Seriously. Just. 1.

Put aside the criticism.

Put aside the comparisons.

Put aside aaaaalllll the “constructive” criticism(s) we’ve received over the years from our parents, our friends, the store clerk, the media, our husbands, partners and so on and so forth…

And just love yourself.

Fat, thin. Tall, short. Busty, flat.  Who cares?!  We all have stuff we’re not fond of, so what!?!  I’ve (almost) dressed a 1000 women these past 2 years.  I’ve seen it all and not one person is so “flawed” that it takes away from the beauty of the woman.

Not.

1.

Trust me on this.

So let’s make today (hell the next couple of days, months, years…)  GODDESS DAY.  Look in the mirror and instead of focusing on the flaws focus on the good stuff.  And you can’t see anything good then REMEMBER all the things your body can do: Bear children.  Hike mountains.  Ran marathons.  Bake a bazillion cupcakes on 24hr notice.

I’m officially declaring today GODDESS DAY.  One day of no put downs. No self-deprecating comments.  No “I wish…” statements.

You are you. Made uniquely. There is no one like you and you are here for a purpose.  Focus on that.

Pass it on.

Happy Goodess Day!!!!!

- JG

Love, love, LOVE Ozetta Handmade Knits!!!

Infinity Scarves (a large knitted/crocheted circle that you can loop around your neck several times) are all the rage right now and Hailey at Ozetta Handmade  makes some of the coolest, oversized, chunky ones.  If you’re looking for a chic and warm gift (she also makes cowls, gloves, hats, bags…) you should definitley check out her shop on Etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ozetta?ref=seller_info or her blog ozettamade.blogspot.com.

To everyone who’s supported DRESS through your patronage, your visits, your comments, your laughter… THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!  Today makes it 2 years since we opened our doors and without you we couldn’t have made it.

Year 3′s going to be even better!!!!

Thank you for supporting the store, the concept and small biz.

JG – Your Dress Jiminy Cricket