City Chick Online

Vintage Dress: Saks Fifth Avenue Maurice Dress
Shoes: Unknown...I've had them so long that the name on the bottom is worn off and I can't remember where I bought them.
Jewelry: All from Samantha's Consignment

This was me on my way to work this morning...I'm wearing:

Top: Roberto Cavalli
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Lady Luxe
All Accessories from Samantha's Consignment

My work outfit for today (that's Zoe..my employee's dog...she always tries to get in my pictures lol)

Top: Oscar de la Renta
Skirt: Zara
Boots: Bakers
Bag: Dont have logo but got it from Marshalls
Jewelry: Samantha's Consignment

Ok let me start by saying that I've never bought a real fur item...ever! Yes, a little because I'm an animal lover but more so because the thought of having a dead animals fur on my body always freaked me out honestly lol. Well today I was in my store, Samantha's Consignment, in Glen Cove and I started looking for a winter coat and I decided to try this one on for the hell of it..and you know what? I fell in love. Please believe that this lousy Blackberry photo does it NO justice. It fits me like a glove and is so classic and sexy in a very understated way..I had to buy it..I just had to *sigh*

Yesterday was my store, Samantha's Consignment, 1 year Anniversary and I am so happy and grateful that I made it. The first year of any business is the toughest and this year was pretty tough for me. I had to fire an employee, sue someone, deal with crazy customers, etc. I had to be an accountant, a plumber, a cleaning crew, an employee, and a boss all in one. Honestly some days I was (and still am) mentally and physically exhausted. At times I questioned if this was the right thing I was doing. I had invested my entire life savings in my dream and feared that it wouldn't work out. I've worked in retail a long time ago, but nothing could prepare me for opening up my own store. Yeah, I knew it was going to be tough but I just didn't know how tough it was truly going to be (especially when you open up during a recession!).

But despite all the things I previous said, I absolutely LOVE it! My store is pretty damn awesome lol. I love the location (downtown Glen Cove), I love my customers who I know by name, I love my employee Kat who is like a mentor, friend and lifeline all rolled up in one (lord knows I couldn't do it without her). I simply love everything about it. Never once in the one year that I've been open have I ever said "damn, I have to go to work today!". NEVER! The freedom you get from owning your own business is priceless...you just can't buy it. If I have to open late, I do. If I want to close early, I do. If I don't want to work that day, I just tell Kat and she always covers me. I answer to no one (except my bill collectors hahaha). I adore the fact that my store is cute and quirky and that it has enable me to be a real stylist. I love helping women find the perfect outfit for a date night, for prom, or as a gift for a loved one. I love being surrounded by beautiful things on a daily basis..tons and tons of jewelry, clothings, antiques, bags..I love the fact that now, I almost shop exclusively at my store so that the money is coming right back to me (hey, that you can't beat!). I am truly happy and I know that this is what I was meant to do. If it's God's will, (please Jesus!!!!), I hope to be here for the next 25 years at least. Do I see myself opening up another store in the future? NO... but I do see myself having this one for a very long time and I hope that does come to fruition. :-)

So this is what I wore to my store yesterday...Look at Zoey in the back waiting to greet customers lol (Zoey is my employee's dog :-) These boots were delievered on Tuesday and at first I wasn't sure if I liked them or not but I desperately needed another pair of flat boots because my dog Suki chewed up my favorite pair smh. Anyways, I've been wearing them every day since because they are really comfy and I get a lot of compliments on them. Shoedazzel came through for me once again...luv them!!!!

Ann Taylor black lycraTop
Bebe grey jacket
7 For All Mankind jeans
Shoshanna boots by Shoedazzel
Headband and earrings from Rainbow Shop

Here are some of the latest ads from my boutique in Denovo magazine (www.denovomag.com)...

Fabulous! The photographer is Marc Whitaker (www.categorysix.net) and all the styling was done by me. All the items that the model is wearing are from my boutique... www.samanthasconsignment.com :-)

Last Saturday, Sepy 19th...I had another great shoot for Denovo with fab photographer Marc from Cat 6..We only used one model this time and the shoot went great!!! We managed to get in 8 looks and here are a few...These will be running in Next month's issue so you guys get the first look...

and here's another one from the last shoot that I just got today...

Hope you like!!!

www.denovomag.com
www.categorysix.net

On Sunday, August 15th I had my very first photoshoot for my boutique. The shoot took place at my store in Glen Cove and it went fabulously. The photographer was Marc from Category 6 (http://www.modelmayhem.com/category6 ) and I was the makeup artist (as well as the stylist and semi-assistant). Needless to say that I was totally beat by the end of the shoot but I was so excited with the results. Here they are: