Making a list and checking it twice!

Because I work in retail, my Christmas shopping starts a bit early. But, you moms out there know it can’t start too early: my kids change their Christmas lists as often as they change clothes. I try to have most of my purchases complete by mid-November – once Thanksgiving hits, my schedule is a whirlwind as customer activity peaks at the store.

Last week, as I searched out the toys on my list, I noticed something unique at the big-box retailers that I’ve also noticed this year at The Schaefer House. The items that were sold out were not the same as they’ve been in past years. There were plenty of Wii game consoles (at least on the day I was there) and there were loads of ipods locked in the shelves. The aisles were well-supplied with high-end, high-tech items.

But there was not a ZhuZhu pet, normally priced at $9.99, to be found. Nor were there any “habitat” items for the popular hamsters. And the other toys on this year’s “Hard to Find” list are amazingly familiar to those of my childhood: a Barbie, a race car and a Nerf Toy (Barbie Fashionista, the Air Hog Zero Gravity and Nerf N Strike).

So, what’s it about these toy trends that I’m also seeing at the store: Customers are buying more this year but they’re returning to some fundamental strategies: Great deals and traditional values. Couple this with the fact that most retailers didn’t order as deep on items as they might have in the past, and we’re seeing sellouts everywhere!

One of my unwavering principles when I opened the Schaefer House was to seek out the most amazing in home décor at the best prices. The girls and I work like crazy at market to make sure we bring home only great deals for you. One of my favorite things to see in the store (and I see it often) is to see the gleeful, unbelieving surprise on a new customer’s face when she locates the price on one of our items.

And this year, customers are snatching up these items like crazy. I’ve sold out of some of our greenery picks (but I’m trying to reorder!) and I’m guessing that we’ll be sold out of our whispy pine garland by next week. At $26.50 for a six-foot strand, the garland is one of those things that’s almost too good to be true. There are dozens of ways to use it –from the traditional staircase and mantle to a chandelier embellishment.

At the Jr. League of Kansas City Holiday Mart, customers couldn’t get enough of these flat metal trees. The trees come in several sizes and range in 11.50-19.00. At one point, the girls couldn’t get them off the truck fast enough. We did save a few for the store but they are flying out the door here, too.

While my daughters and their daughters will probably always play with a Barbie, this year’s Barbie can twist and strike a runway pose that my 1975 Barbie never dreamed of. It’s the same with our customers who are looking for updated “workhorses” when it comes to home décor items they can use year-round. And they want to invest in pieces that won’t go out of style next year.

We can’t keep our new candles with timers in stock! Candles will always be part of adding warmth and drama to the homescape, but these new candles remove the stress of a real flame and the requirement to turn them on and off. Once you turn the candles on, they stay on for 8 hours, then turn off for 16 hours. They can also be operated with a manual switch, but the timer ensures they’ll turn off and preserve battery life, even if you forget! We still have the red candles in 3 sizes (3×4, 3×6 and 3×8) but I’m not sure how long they’ll last!

My little Charlie loves to play with race cars of all kinds including the tried and true Hot Wheels cars. But this year he has his heart set on mixing in a new Air Hog Zero Gravity car. If there is one under the Christmas tree, you can bet he’ll work it into the traffic with all of the other “lo-tech” cars we have.

Similarly, we’ve had lots of customers buy lanterns this year – to work into existing tablescapes, centerpieces and mantle decorations. As you might imagine, I have a fair amount of accessories in my home. But this is one I’ve added to the mix. I’ve included a picture of how I’m using them at home right now. And the lanterns can stay up all year – I’ll change them for Christmas by including seasonal filler and a trio of the timer candles. The range of styles is as broad as our customer base including different finishes, shapes and sizes. I’m sure we have one that’s perfect for your home.

This lantern is perfect for some of may taller Christmas decorations too.

The part I love most about this year’s “hot” toy trends, is that they are a perfect match for what The Schaefer House has always about. Our repeat customers consistently tell us that we have the perfect combination of old and new, must-have items at can’t-beat prices. Stop by and let us help transform your home without breaking the bank.

And, if you see Zhu Zhu pet, please get it for me! I promise I’m good for it.

See you at the store,
Susie

Holiday Mart Here We Come!

It’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of year again. The store is filled to the brim with Christmas trimmings, customers are buzzing about the upcoming Holiday season, and my husband and I are once again driving to Kansas City in a 24 foot yellow box truck loaded with goodies for Holiday Mart! Yes I know it sounds romantic!

Holiday Mart is the annual four-day shopping event put on by the Junior League of Kansas City held at the Overland Park Convention Center. The event boasts vendors from all over the U.S. and unique merchandise that appeals to a broad audience. V.I.P. shopping on Thursday morning is one of my favorite times at Holiday Mart. It always proves to be exciting and fun, with items selling out quickly during that time slot so be sure to come by our booth first so you don’t miss a thing! Friday evening is another special event with “Giirls Night Out” shopping going on from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Visit www.jlkc.org for more information.

This event has now become a bit of a tradition for The Schaefer House. We load trucks of merchandise every October and make the drive to Kansas City to introduce shoppers to “The Schaefer House Shopping Experience”. Even some of our local shoppers make the drive up to the Holiday Mart to see what it’s all about, making a point to stop in and say hello while they are there. Customers have come to know that each year we bring a few surprises that are “Holiday Mart Only Items” and this year is no exception, you won’t be disapppointed!

Well tomorrow’s a big day-we will be preparing the booth for all of you Holiday Mart shoppers, so be sure to pop in and say hello, we’re in Booth #700. Just for fun we’ll be posting mobile feeds to our Facebook Fan Page during the show (if I can get my nieces to help me figure out how to do that!) so check it out!

Happy Shopping!
Susie

Always a Classic

It’s hard to believe, but October is upon us and fall is in full swing!  For me, September and October always bring many opportunities for entertaining  and spending time with family and friends.  This weekend is no exception.  My family is gathering together to join my Mom, Rosie, as she celebrates her 75th birthday!  (She is a classic and has truly earned this big shindig!)

We don’t ever do anything small, and entertaining is something that comes second nature to the Schaefer’s.  My Mom has taught us about hospitality, and we sure like to cook for a crowd and savor the company.  From barbecues to dinner parties, there are always endless opportunities to use some of my favorite serving accessories to really make a great presentation.  I love using decorative table linens, accent bowls and unique utensils to add interest and personality to a tablescape.  The secret is investing in a few timeless pieces that are multi functional and will quickly become your favorites that you pull out first-every time you have guests.

Aluminum serveware is one medium that is always a classic in any table setting.  I always point out to our brides who are registering that these are pieces that work in any situation, casual to formal.  There are so many styles of bowls, platters, and accessory pieces that everyone is sure to find one gem they can’t live without and use all the time.  A classic ice bucket and large ice scoop are something everyone can use-from Sunday brunch to cocktail hour-I actually have two of each!  I use a large wide style to accommodate bottled wine and a shorter version for ice.  I usually pair them up on a large silver tray with cocktail napkins and a corkscrew for a simple bar setup.  The scoops are available in various sizes and lend themselves to the obvious task as an ice server, but the smaller is commonly put to work dishing out nuts or snack mix at the bar.

This wide ice bucket works great for 2 bottles of wine!

A simple salad or pasta bowl with a unique or sleek shape offer double duty as a great serving dish or as a centerpiece filled with decorative spheres or fruit.  Add a set of salad servers and you have a great wedding gift for any couple.  Small individual bowls in multiples are also great staples to have in your stash of serving pieces.  I’ve found that they are great for nuts, dips or sauces which can be served with a mini ladle-style spoon that is just perfect for the job.

These small bowls are great staples!

Be sure to stop in and find a few pieces of aluminumware for your own collection.  They always seem to bring charm and personality to your buffet, table or bar and finish things off, just like the bow on a package.  We also have a great new product in the store that is perfect for polishing your new aluminum serveware and many other metals.  One of our loyal customers told us about it and how great it worked-so we had to check it out.  She made a believer out of  me and now we carry it in the store! (It would make a great stocking stuffer too.)

This bowl has a hammered finish on the outside and the salad set makes it a great wedding gift!

I’m off to start preparing my share of the appetizers for “Rosie’s Birthday Bash”, and you can bet I’ll be using my “alumninumware classics” on the buffet.  I’ll try to take some photos and post them on our Facebook Fan Page after the party! 

Happy Birthday Mom!

-susie

Autumn Spice & Everything Nice!

The beautiful fall weather has created a buzz around the store and enthusiasm is high among our customers as we head into autumn and the holiday season. We are all in the mood to “nest” and change things around or spice things up in our homes. With unique artwork and wall decor, striking new furniture pieces in rich finishes and colorful bedding, customers are sure to find some inspiration when the stroll through the store.

 

Dobry Duvet and Dawson Euro Shams add some spice!

To inspire you a little more, we’ve even sweetened the deal! During the month of September we’re offering 15% off beds and bedding. This marks the return of our semi-annual “Sweet Dreams” bedding event that was a huge success back in March.

Classic Ruffle in Ivory, I love it!

I’m even taking this opportunity to cozy up my bedroom with some new additions. A great set of Classic Ruffle or Lyall sheets from Pine Cone Hill add that crisp feel of fine cotton that I love on cool autumn nights. This past spring I fell in love with the Classic Ruffle duvet in ivory for our master bedroom and have been singing its praises to customers ever since. It creates the look and feel of fine hotel linens at a mere fraction of the cost. It is also machine washable which is a must for me with three small kiddos running around our house!

Da Bomb Duvet, Persimmon & Chocolate Herringbone Matelasse and Lyall Sheets

 

Several of our lines, including Pine Cone Hill, have a wide selection of quilts, duvets, matelasses and accessories. That makes it easy to mix in existing pieces that you want to keep or find something new to spice things up. Creating layers on the bed is a beautiful technique that affords customers the opportunity to transition their bedding throughout the year. By adding an accent layer between the duvet and the top of the bed treatment you can add a pop of color or pattern. Introducing shams and pillows in a variety of patterns can unify a color scheme and create a focal point. Those layers can then be rearranged to offer a completely new look anytime you’re ready for a change.

 

The store is bursting with new merchandise and filled with fall color so take some time to stop in. Our experienced staff is ready help you create a custom look that is all your own.

See you at the store!

Susie

P.S. Don’t forget our Fall Open House Sept. 4th and 5th

Consider improving…not moving

Roosevelt Double Arch Bookcase

As I was watching HGTV the other night, I heard the announcer tout that people are not moving, they’re improving.  I couldn’t agree more after visiting with our customers and watching our sales in bedding and furniture spike these past several months.  People are surrounding themselves with comfortable furnishings that add value to their home. 

This past week we just received another 40’ container of beautiful antique reproduction furniture that has been wowing our customers by its look and price.  These pieces have been so well received by our customers looking for a classic look that can be placed in several different places in their home.

Homestead Armoire

The classic Homestead Armoire is a great example of a piece with endless possibilities.  The size and style are perfect in a bedroom for additional clothing storage, but it also can be modified to act as a small entertainment center in a cozy living room with limited space.  It boasts several shelves and a closet rod that can be adjusted or removed to accommodate hanging clothes and a drawer at the bottom for hats, gloves or DVD’s.

 

If you’re looking for a timeless piece of furniture to add character to your home without breaking the bank-this is the perfect time to come in.  Narrow buffets are very popular and we have a variety of different styles and finishes to choose from.  They offer extra serving space in a dining room, a great platform for a flatscreen or a striking focal point for an entry. 

One of our many narrow buffets in distressed black

Be sure to visit the store and let us help you get more bang for your buck and improve your surroundings at the same time!

We have a winner!!!

 

Congratulations to our first Shopping Spree Saturday winner, Nicole Fanning!

Stop by the store to claim your bag of goodies and start shopping with your $25 Schaefer House Gift Certificate. We’re already looking forward to next Saturday’s drawing for a $50 gift certificate.

Don’t despair if you didn’t win this week because your name will stay in the box for next week’s contest! Remember every time you come in to visit this month, you can register to win. The more you shop the more chances you have to win-so shop often. 

The store is buzzing with activity today and our customers love all the new merchandise.  Come check it out and celebrate our birthday with us!

See you soon, Susie

Shopping Spree Saturdays

August is here and that means it’s time to celebrate! It’s our birthday but you get the present!

It’s hard for me to believe, but it was 12 years ago when we first opened the doors to The Schaefer House. Since that first year, so much has changed, but so much has remained constant. Customer loyalty is such an important factor to a business’s success and I know we couldn’t have made it this far without all of you, our repeat customers! That’s why I thought I would take this opportunity to say thanks to all of you by creating Shopping Spree Saturdays!

Here’s how it works. Anytime during the month of August, stop by the store to shop and register for Shopping Spree Saturdays. We will draw one name on Saturday mornings in August (Aug.8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th) and award that lucky shopper a gift bag of goodies including a Schaefer House gift certificate. The value of the shopping spree grows each week, so if you don’t win the first week your name will remain in the drawing for the next Shopping Spree Saturday. Each time you visit us you can enter again. The more you shop the more chances to win! (See store for rules and details)

Aug. 8th $25 Gift Certificate

 Aug. 15th $50 Gift Certificate

Aug. 22nd $75 Gift Certificate

Aug. 29th $100 Gift Certificate

 

Stop in, shop, and register and help us celebrate our birthday with Shopping Spree Saturdays!

Thanks for making each day so memorable, Susie

P.S. Fall and Halloween merchandise is flying out the door so come check it out!

“Spritz the bowl before you go, and no one else will ever know.”

I know you must be thinking…”Susie has lost her marbles this time!”  Well our first shipment of Poo-Pourri has arrived, and I really haven’t, this product has flown off the shelves today and I’ve found that everyone loves this stuff!

You may not have heard of it, but once you try it-you will make it a priority to have it in every bathroom in your home.  There is even a handy travel size.  With Poo~Pourri in your pocket, never again will your visit to the bathroom embarrass or offend. Whether you are traveling cross-country by plane, sharing a bathroom with coworkers or visiting your fiancé’s family for the first time – your business in the bathroom will be your secret.

As there literature says, “Spritz the bowl before you go, and no one else will ever know.”

The spray includes a blend of oils such as Bergamot, Lemongrass and Grapefruit which creates a protective film on the surface of the water; effectively eliminating any odor before it even begins! Seriously, it will leave the room smelling better after your visit than when you entered.

The stylish bottle design makes Poo~Pourri a tasteful addition to any bathroom décor – at home or in the office. And, it’s ecologically friendly deodorizing ingredients will not harm your plumbing or septic systems.  It’s available in several sizes including easy to carry travel testers which we nearly sold out of on the first day they arrived. It’s crazy but true!

A friend of mine who sells Poo-Pourri said it best, “There’s not an easy way to say it, except that it really works!”

Come by and check it out!

Passionate About Aspen Bay

I just spent several days in Atlanta at the Home Furnishings Market and couldn’t wait to get there and dig around for some new finds to bring back for all of you!  I made it a point to go into showrooms that I hadn’t visited in a while and to leave no stone unturned.

 

This trip was very reminiscent of my very first trip to market with my sister, Carla, and an old friend of mine.  We sifted through so many different lines trying to make careful selections for the perfect product mix.  I had a particular line of candles in mind for the store and was so disappointed when the company told me that I couldn’t carry their candles because another shop nearby already had them.  Devastated, I started looking at all the other companies out there and stumbled upon Aspen Bay, a small family owned company out of Mississippi.  I visited with one of the owners of the company, Lowell, who was truly passionate about his product and educated me on what made his hand-poured candle line better than anyone else’s.  After taking the plunge and investing a hefty portion of my budget into this line I graciously accepted a small votive candle as a token of his appreciation and went on my way.  That evening at my sister’s apartment we anxiously lit the small candle and immediately were amazed at the sweet fragrance of Pomegranate that filled the entire apartment within minutes.  In my first year in business, candles were the best selling category and got me off to a solid start in my business. To this day Pomegranate is one of my favorite fragrances from Aspen Bay (in addition to Vanilla Coffee) and we have carried their “20 hour” votives for 12 years and they still have a faithful following among our customers.

 

So as I wandered through a showroom this past weekend I turned a corner to see a beautiful line of candles poured in jars topped with a vintage style etched silver lid. 

I looked up and quickly recognized that it was Aspen Bay.  The Aspen Bay Reserve collection is a top-notch line, simple in its palette, but sophisticated in style.  The new collection of fragrances made it difficult to narrow the choices for the store but I think you’ll love what we’ve selected for you!  They have also added diffusers, generous in scent and long-lasting, for those of you who love your Aspen Bay fragrance but prefer a flameless option.  Each item is packaged beautifully in a decorative box, perfect for the gift-giving occasion.  I told a customer today that I have no problem telling people that this is the best diffuser they can buy and a candle they will burn every chance they get. 

It’s that good.

See you at the store! -Susie

Faithful Finds

A week ago I made a trip back to Atchison, Kansas to visit my college alma mater, Benedictine College, for Alumni Weekend.  My sister, Pam, was the recipient of an award recognizing her many contributions to the college as well as her professional accomplishments.  The Schaefer family was there to share in the excitement.  We’re so proud of you Pam!!!

Needless to say, while I was there I saw so many familiar faces from the past who had come back to celebrate the weekend’s festivities.  During conversations, friends would comment on the necklace I was wearing and how much they liked it.  I found myself giving out our store information so they could order something for themselves.  In fact some of my best press came from Julie (Branch) Keithline and Jane (Branch) Kohler, friends from Jefferson City, who were celebrating their 20^th class reunion from Benedictine.  They both were wearing their own Schaefer House creations including a Faith charm with a quote from the Rule of St. Benedict and a Cross charm with a scripture verse on the back.  So I had someone snap a photo of all of us sporting our “faithful finds” jewelry! 

Pam, Jane, Susie and Julie sporting their Faithful Finds!

 

 I was wearing a collage cross that Jane kept admiring.  It has various religious images on both sides, including several Madonna and Child prints and is finished out with decorative beadwork.  It’s one of my favorites and one that we shared with my two sisters as Godmother gifts from our kids.

Faith-based gifts, whether it is a cross pendant, plaque with a favorite scripture verse , or a print of the Last Supper for your home, are rising in popularity among our customers.  There is not a day that goes by that we don’t have a customer looking for something that is personal, unique and something they would enjoy everyday.

One line in particular, always captures our customers attention because it is so unique and personal.  An artist from Kansas City designs beautiful prayer boxes with colorful papers and patterns and each has a  scripture verse just perfect for confirmations, first communions or even that special encouragement gift for a friend. 

Prayer boxes come in a variety of colors and different scripture verses adorn each one.

She also made oversized wall initials, embellished with decorative papers and a significant verses custom designed for each of my employees as Christmas gifts.  I’ve attached a photo of a her works of art for you to see!  We spoke today about a special project she’s working on for our upcoming Christmas season in the store, and I know you will love it!

These are the script style initials. We also carry a block style that is slightly larger in scale that is extremely popular for weddings and anniversaries.

We look forward to helping you design you’re own faithful find!

See you soon, Susie