Spring Fling Savvy SOL Shopping Tips!

2013 Spring Fling Sale

March 6th - March 16h

- including Sunday, March 10th from 10-6pm - 

SOL’s Spring Fling Sale is just days away! The weather is warming up, the snow is melting and we're stocking our bra closet with TONS of new collections -- And some tried-and-true favorites.

SOL's first sale of the year has been extended to 11 days. Yes, 11. What so fabulous about the Spring Fling Sale? EVERYTHING is 15% off. Everything. That's right, everything is on sale!  During our Spring Fling Sale, your entire purchase is 15% off. And you could save on current, just-arrived gorgeous new merchandise, too.  

This is YOUR sale.  It's 15% OFF everything YOU want.

Daisy bras: 15% off. Every style. Every color – Bananas, right?

Aubade: 15% off. It’s so new the girls are unpacking it as I type! 

 Oh, and don't forget about Aubade Swim! 15% off! 

 Cozy-chic Eberjey sleepwear: 15% off.

 Even Accessories : 15% off!

I could literally go on for pages.

Never been to a SOL Spring Fling Sale? Fear not! I chatted with a few of our "professional" SOL sale shoppers and asked them for some tips and tricks when it comes to shopping the big sale. 

So here they are: SOL Sale Secrets from our Savvy SOL Shoppers ...

Irene: Did you know you can place a phone order during the sale and still get your 15% off? I travel a lot for work and found this out last year. I just spent a few minutes on the phone with Krista, she packaged up everything I wanted and by the time I got home on the weekend, it was on my front porch. Like magic, I tell you. Give them a call: 1-800-466-1356.

Jenny: I always plan ahead! I cruise the website first, then go to the store a couple of days before the sale, and then I make a list! I also make a separate list for my hubby –

that way, I know I'll get exactly what I want for my birthday and he'll save15%.
Angela:  Take a friend. My BFF recommends things that I wouldn't choose for myself, but turn out to be my favorites!

Loretta: They always say this on their website, but it's true. I never pay for parking when I go to SOL! Besides having "the girls" taken care of, my car is too. Run in for a token, and you're set without worrying about parking tickets!

Chloe: Go more than once! I always see things the second time that I can't believe I missed on my first visit.

Mary Kate: Get on the waiting list! The wait is never super long but getting on the list for a fitter as soon as you get to SOL is a definite time saver. Even if I think I'm just going to pick up some PJs, I sign up just in case I find a little fancy fancy from Lise Charmel!

And don't forget: keep an eye on our Facebook page for contests, info, and more during the sale!

xoxo,

Cindy

Day Four: Sexy Chic in Paris

You may be saying to yourself, "How could a trend in lingerie be sexy chic?" Isn't that an underlying theme for everything designed in the panty world? Au contraire mon frère! There has been all kinds of interpretation of this provocative styling. There are lines that are dedicated to sweet, fun, basic, romantic, classic, or trendy. The good news is, every designer put a version of the sexy chic in their line. The idea is to seduce the eye without being vulgar.

Menswear has also been a big push because stats say 62% of guys undies are bought by women.

Menswear has also been a big push because stats say 62% of guys undies are bought by women.

This fun interpretation with hand cuffs was genius on Aubade's part. The ad campaign Aubade uses in French is called lessens in love. This ad says "Double Check His Attachment". Flo, the male model in the ads was there to sign autographs as well as to show off the new line. Do you think Jeanie and I are having any fun?

Life at Sol just isn't complete without tights. So ... guess what lovely things Le Bourget did with the trend?

The last 2 little numbers are from a new company we found on the last day of the fair. Both are special in their own ways. The first is Revanche del la Femme, a new collection of bustiers from Germany. The other is my special love: Silk. It is a line out of Lebanon called Lala Rose. I am shown here in the Hollywood sexy chic gown and robe, but she does lots of looks in both long and short styles.

Enjoy all the glam! Ladies, let's make our lives just a bit more sexy just for ourselves!

 

XO,

Cindy

An American in Paris: SOL Girl Amanda's first time in the City of Lights

SOL's newest buyer Amanda talks about her trip to Paris with SOL:

Check back soon for Jeanie and my take on this year's trip to Salon International de la Lingerie in Paris! 

xoxo,
Cindy

Jeanie and I take a bite out of the Big Apple!

Sunday night, my sister Jeanie and I attended the Best of Intima awards at the rooftop garden at 230 5th Avenue. The view alone was fabulous beyond words. The party? Even better! 

Jeanie and I gathered with our industry on a lovely rooftop in steamy, sultry midtown. 16 Companies joined together to jury an awards ceremony that recognizes specialty stores for the following 4 categories: Personal Touch, Best Reference Store, European Flair, and Concept Store.

We sat with Danielle Zamudio at the Natori table and enjoyed sharing a lovely meal and conversation. We had the pleasure of meeting Ken Natori, Mrs. Natori’s son, and celebrating some fun milestones of his son, Cruz. 

Danielle, myself, and Jeanie

During his Belgium trip with Van de Velde in January, SOL Man Bruce made the acquaintance of a mother and daughter owned store in Newfoundland.  He was so excited to talk business with both of them and to share in their energy and excitement. Their shop Le Boudoir just celebrated their 2^nd anniversary and they won for Best of Intima’s Choice, a well deserved honor!

Congrats to Le Boudoir!

We shared a quick word with our friends from Bits of Lace in Charleston, NC. We’ve known Zee (next to me) for many years and  were delighted to be introduced to Nicole, their store manager.

Jeanie, myself, Zee, and Nichole

It was a joy to see our industry join together to celebrate one another and each other’s successes. The goody bag was a super bonus – it’s always a treat to be showered in gifts, especially when one of them is a gorgeous new set from Lise Charmel!

Today, we're off to CurveNY with Amanda and Jocelyn from SOL's buying department. Keep an eye on our blog and our Facebook page. Jeanie and I will be snapping pics to post of whatever beautiful, creative, or unique, person, place, or thing we come across that strikes our fancy!

xoxo,
Cindy and Jeanie

More from Paris - Guest post from Jocelyn

Today's post is from Jocelyn, the amazing Buyer at SOL. She's been with us on several Paris trips and she not only makes it more fun to be here, she's a whiz at spotting trends so I love to have her around. She's a trooper, too - she's been battling the flu but still managed to smile and take in everything the show and the city has to offer. Enjoy!

xoxo, Cindy

It is wonderful to be back in Paris!

As soon as I get to Paris, I like to make time for a walk. It is the best way to jump right in and get inspired by this magical city. You get to feel the cobblestone under your feet, see the amazing architecture and smell the aromas coming from the bistros. It also helps keep the jet-lag at bay! My walk led me to Galleries Lafayette where they are having their annual sale (Coincidence? I think not!) I headed straight to the third floor to their huge lingerie department and scooped up two bra and panty sets from Antinea, one of my favorites.

The next morning we are off to Salon International de laLingerie. Each time I arrive at SIL, I am struck by how vast it is. Panties as far as the eye can see! There are brands from all over the world represented at this show. It is so inspiring to see what is new and to imagine how it will fit back in to SOL and be just the right thing for each of you. One of the big trends this year for autumn is patterns – from florals to stripes to polka dots and beyond. (You all are good! We've been asking our Facebook followers what they prefer and patterns have been the overall winner!) Another trend that is everywhere is retro lingerie styling – think 1950s, in a good way. And for color, it is rich jewel-tones as well as subtle nudes.

Our vendor appointments this year were really special because we got to meet some of the people responsible for the designs. At LiseCharmel, we met one of their new designers who showed us several new styles.

I love meeting my lingerie colleagues from around the world.

At Van de Velde, we had the pleasure of meeting the brand managers for both Prima Donna and Marie Jo. They were very interested in hearing what our customers love about the brands, and they wanted to know what could make these brands even better (is that possible?!) We also got to meet two of the designers at Aubade. It was so great to meet the people behind that perfectly fitting bra, that dazzling color combination, and that just right little bow.

Bruce and I exploring my favorite city.

I am inspired. I am ready to come back to SOL and bring a little bit of Paris back to share with you!
-Jocelyn

Savvy Shoppers Share SOL Sale Secrets (say that 3 times fast!)

I woke up to a Denver covered in a blanket of snow and could only think of one thing. 

Yippee! 

That means its almost time for my favorite sale of the year...The Customer Appreciation Sale!  It's the time of the year when we get to say Thank You, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Arigato...well, you get the idea!  You know we love what we do, and you're all the reason we get to do it - so this is our way of showing it.

Now - some exciting news. Last year, we planned the sale to be a week (like we normally do) and then due to so many customer requests we ended up extending the sale to much fanfare. So this year, we decided to extend it in the first place. The new and improved Customer Appreciation Sale is now officially Ten. Days. Of. Awesome! Mark your calendars, girls.

2012 Customer Appreciation Sale

November 2nd - November 12th

- including Sunday, 11/6 - 

So, what's the big deal? Two words. Every. Thing. That's right, everything is on sale!  During the Customer Appreciation Sale, your entire purchase is 20% off. And it's on current, just-arrived gorgeous new merchandise.  

This is YOUR sale.  It's 20% OFF everything YOU want.

Our favorite Daisy bras. 20% off.  (even the new Ruby Red Daisy!)

Fabulous Andres Sarda 20% OFF

Gorgeous Aubade 20% OFF

 

Cozy Natori Sleepwear - 20%

 

Versatile and adorable Paris Tights 20% off!

See where I'm going with this?

Never been to a SOL Customer Appreciation Sale? Want some advice from the pros?  We thought you might. That's why we called a few of our veteran SOL Sistas and asked them their strategies and favorite parts of the big sale. 

So here it is, SOL Sale Secrets from our Savvy SOL Shoppers...

Sarah: Go more than once! I always see things the second time that I can't believe I missed on my first visit. 

Anne:  Take a friend. My BFF recommends things that I wouldn't choose for myself, but turn out to be my favorites!

Kelsey: Maybe I'm a little OCD, but I always plan ahead! I cruise the website first, then go to the store a couple of days before the sale, and then I make a list! I also make a separate list for my husband - that way, I know I'll get exactly what I want for Christmas and he'll save 20%.

Marika: They always say this on their website, but it's true. I never pay for parking when I go to SOL! Besides having "the girls" taken care of, my car is too. Run in for a token, and you're set without worrying about parking tickets!

Jenn: Did you know you can place a phone order during the sale and still get your 20% off? I travel a lot for work and found this out last year. I just spent a few minutes on the phone with Anna, she packaged up everything I wanted and by the time I got home on the weekend, it was on my front porch. Like magic, I tell you.

My favorite Savvy SOL Sale Secrets?  Our VIP Lounge!  We have our favorite masseuse stop by on Saturdays to give customers (and us!) a little shoulder rub down. Who doesn't love that while they are shopping?  And don't forget, keep an eye on our Facebook page for info during the sale!

xoxo,

Cindy

Inspiration on every corner...

Incredible day! We started with Lise Charmel. Nicolas and George are always gracious hosts, New York or Paris! We were reminded of just how gorgeous Spring Lise Charmel looks but, the fun of Summer is just minutes away. Pictures of the collections weren’t allowed, but suffice it to say, the laces, as always, are magnificent! We were able to photograph an exhibit in their booth: 2 of the seamstresses who construct samples were at the show demonstrating their craft – sewing together the 42-58 pieces that make up a Lise Charmel bra. Galloons of lace and the inspiration for the collections are shown as well.

What is a galloon you ask? It is the width of lace before a pattern is cut from it to become a part of a bra.

 We zipped off to Le Bourget to bring a quintessential slice of Paris back to Denver. Great News All! More Paris tights on the way and incredibly sexy stockings for Valentine’s Day and beyond!

For instance – Ooh La La!!!

Our perennially favorite stop – spending time with Van de Velde, our Belgian friends that bring the Daisy to our doorstep – oh and all the other incredible items from Marie Jo, Prima Donna, L’Aventure and Twist. Innovations and supreme colors and laces abound! Sneak peek for FW2011 –

but don’t despair, the Daisy in royal blue will grace SOL’s doorstep soon enough! Thank you to Dirk and Inge for a fantastic afternoon and providing Ananda with great opportunities for an inside understanding of Van de Velde’s design world.

There are still many of the Van de Velde family actively involved in the business, including Prima Donna brand manager Elsbeth Van de Velde. Family businesses rule! – We are reminded of just how much fun they can be when we get to spend 3 days working together – the sisters in Paris ahhhh.

A busy, congested ride on the Metro delivered us to a sublime dinner at La Societe in St Germain des Pres with Inge Van Hecke, US country manager for Van de Velde. Lovely conversation, exquisite cuisine (fois gras, oysters, escargot, steak tartarte and perfect wine and coffee!) and off to bed we go but not without some Django Reinhardt on Itunes – if you are in the mood for a Paris moment:

Step One
Download Nuages (by Django Reinhardt)
Step Two
Pour a glass of red wine
Step Three
Snuggle up in some divine SOL silk and a Cashmere Robe (we unintentionally happened to bring matching silk gowns . . . and robes too) and you’ll channel a bit of our moment – don’t forget your slippers :)

 

Sleep tight!