Note to Self...

Every season, in preparing for it to begin and for trunks to ship, we inevitably learn a few things. Keep in mind that, on the whole, we are a fairly new line of clothing. I only mention this to emphasize the fact that we are still very much learning. I've been compiling a few notes for myself this season, and they include (but are certainly not limited to) the following...humor me here, folks...

1. Keep an extra key handy at all times. By handy, I mean one with your car keys, one in the main building, one in the warehouse, one in the bushes, one in your pocket, one under a rock, two with your production manager and one in your purse. Not a bad idea to attach at least one to a piece of 2x4, like those keys to gas station bathrooms on the way to the beach. Not that I have ever used one of those, but...

2. When the nice lady at the gas company assures you they only have the gas off for maintenance for a few hours, a day at the most (and therefore, you have no heat), do not believe her. Remember, she is sitting in a toasty 65 degree office...she has no idea what it feels like to try to squeeze the trigger on a tag gun in a 30 degree warehouse, nor does she believe you when you explain that hundreds of mothers will hunt you down with pitchforks if you "just go home until the heat comes back on. These shipments can't wait a few more days?? I mean, who buys Spring clothes now?!"

3. DO NOT plan to ship trunks on any sort of holiday. First of all, working on a holiday stinks. Secondly, there is no camaraderie amongst those working on a holiday. The guy at the office supply store and the woman at the shipping company aren't going to relate to you and/or share a moment as a fellow non-holidayer. As a matter of fact, you are why they are at work, the reason they are not enjoying the day off, so not only are you not a friend...you are the enemy. No, he does not know where the packing tape can be found, and she has no idea when the trucks run today. Which, in turn, reminds you that it stinks to work on a holiday...and so on and so forth.

4. Hello??!! Little thing called the Inauguration happens on January 20. Remember to review your calendar, and more importantly, your American History, before you schedule your shows. Maybe ask your kindergartner to assist you if you need help....Dummy.

5. That pesky little troll that loves to steal a few pieces each season (the pieces that were cut, put into production, tagged during inventory and placed in the warehouse) will decide to come earlier each time you are preparing for shows. It will inevitably steal more and more pieces each season, just to keep you on your toes. He likes to eat hang tags, scissors, receipts, socks, and keys too...beware.

6. Sleep is not possible this time of the year. Quit fighting it and just accept it. Use this time to catch up on your reading, your soap operas, your re-runs of ER, Law & Order, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Unsolved Mysteries, Cheaters, etc. Of course, lack of sleep is totally unrelated to forgotten keys and Inaugurations.

7. No one cares that you forgot your key. No one cares that you aren't sleeping. No one cares that the warehouse heat was conveniently turned off during freezing temperatures. Nor should they. They want to see pictures of bathing suits, Easter dresses and Jon Jons. GET THE PICTURES UP!

8. When it all seems like some sort of cosmic joke, and you just know that at any minute, the guy from Candid Camera or Ashton Kutcher himself is going to come around the corner and tell you that you were Punk'd, one of the Reps/Customers/Hostesses (we have the best ones EVER!!) will call, email or comment on the blog that she loves everything and cannot wait to see the rest.

And then, you'll know it was all worth it!