Colorful Summer Accessory Story

Colorful Summer Accessory Story

Summertime and the living is easy.  Bathed in brilliant sunlight; the days get longer, nights get hotter, hemlines rise, and you find more time to enjoy the tides.  Here's to outdoor grilling, sand between your toes, and your skin all a-glow.  Here is to Miami and it's beautiful people on South Beach; here is to the Jersey Shore with spray gel and spray tans. Here is to Malibu with it's gnarly waves, here is to the islands where Red Stripe is a must and tropical music plays.

I love summer.  Even though I am in the swamp we call the nations capitol, I still look forward to hot (humid) fun in the summertime.  This weeks flash sale is an ode to bright tropical colors, from celosia orange to radiant orchid; and pastels from placid blue to hemlock.

Without further ado:

Courtney Earrings

The beachy toned Courtney earrings combine vintage appeal with modern, edgy style. Sky blue rhinestones and clear CZ's cascade towards gold flat chains, finished off with bold spikes. Not your typical tassel pair, Courtney adds all sorts of interest to day and evening ensembles.   Click here http://bit.ly/1uR9Alf to view

Kelly Earrings

This statement chandelier pair is perfect for summer. Beachy, oceanic tones form Kelly's color palette. Prong set in gold, Kelly's circular stones in navy and teal are joined by sparkling topaz CZ's. Pair the lovely Kelly with a simple gold necklace.  Click here http://bit.ly/1ikIRxH to get your pair 

Ramona Earrings

Brimming with romantic vintage detail, the two drop Ramona earrings bring not-to-miss wow factor. Antiqued silver combines with cobalt and aqua CZ's for ornately dramatic effect in Ramona's swirling floral design. Pair with layered antiqued chains to continue the retro vibe.  Click here http://bit.ly/1uRaY7D to view.

Stacia Earrings

Go bold with the Stacia coral earrings. Add a bit of punch and more than a pop of color with this lush statement pair. A border of sparkling CZ's adds extra shine to Stacia's vivid coral, green, blue and orange palette.  Click here http://bit.ly/Tj6wCE to view.

Elizabeth Necklace

Sometimes the most unexpected color palettes create the biggest splash in statement jewelry. Elizabeth is bursting with marquis cut stones in magenta, tan, and green. Additional floral patterns of blue and grey CZ's add further shine to the lovely Elizabeth.  Click here http://bit.ly/1nVvqmL to view.

Nathalie Necklace

The Nathalie necklace marries statement design with simplicity of a lush, lipstick red color palette. This stunner's coral toned floral geometric design complements its gold chain beautifully. Warm and vibrant, Nathalie is the perfect pop of color for day and evening looks.  Click here http://bit.ly/1qrq2sB to get this stunning statement piece.

Cali Necklace

I'm loving the beachy aqua and gold tones of the multi-chain Cali necklace. You'll wow them in Cali's
eleven layers of limitless style. Against contrasting antique gold, a multitude of vivid berry sized beads are strung together throughout Cali.  Click here http://bit.ly/1pfWDV5

Giovanna Necklace

With CZ's and marquis cut, oval and circular stones in lavender and navy, Giovanna fans out like a tranquil water lily. Hematite adds a pop of substance to Giovanna's subdued yet glamorous design. You can't help but make an entrance in this on-trend head-turner.  Click here http://bit.ly/TsDWyO

Elena Necklace

Wow them in the peacock fan of Elena's turquoise. This stunner combines a trio of tones and lustre as CZ's, antiqued brass, and turquoise join together for optimum interest. You'll make an entrance wearing Elena.  Click here http://bit.ly/1jLtk4y

Coraline Ring

Hot coral is a trend that shows no signs of fading, and it's in full glory in the Coraline stretch fit ring. Vibrant light topaz and siam CZ's form the petals of vivid floral design. You won't be missed wearing this splendid piece. Click here http://bit.ly/1sCcpea to get yours!

Emmaline Ring

Impossible to resist, this beautiful gold, turquoise, coral and vintage rose crystal ring is going to become one of your most often worn pieces. A mesmerizing vintage rose crystal is surrounded by coral, turquoise and opal stones. Wear this ring with everything from office casual to glamorous party attire.  Click here http://bit.ly/1v2BX04 to view.

As always, Happy Shopping!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. SO please get to clicking :) ** 

PS You can connect with me on:

Instagram: @IHEARTRetailTherapy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IHEARTRetailTherapy

Twitter: @HEARTRetail

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Fruits of my Labor Via Kitsy Lane

Fruits of my Labor Via Kitsy Lane

Even though, I am a total retail addict (not that you didn't know that from the title of my blog) the split in my personality is spending money.  Seriously, it is a strange situation to deal with.  The emotional side of me screams, "gimme, gimme, GIMME! American Express be damned!", while the more logical side of me calculates all the cost benefits and upcoming bills I will have to pay.

Since the more rational side of me prevails, I have made a pact with myself to only spend on baubles and new fits when I make extra money.  Meaning, I recently had a few sales from my Kitsy Lane boutique (thank you lovelies! Send me pics of you in your new baubles!), I paid all my bills, AND got an awesome offer for being a Kitsy Lane Boutique owner, now it's time to buy myself a jewelry piece and a chai latte!  Hooray for me!

So this is what I bought, the Shelley Necklace!

Isn't she lovely?!  She's cute and reminds me of the beach...where I would rather be right about now.  

• If you want to get Shelley for yourself, click here https://iheartretailtherapy.kitsylane.com.
• To view all of the other awesome pieces I have hand picked with you and your style in mind, click here https://iheartretailtherapy.kitsylane.com.  
• To start your own boutique and offer your fabulous finds to your friends, click here https://iheartretailtherapy.kitsylane.com/offer

As Always, Happy Shopping (and Selling!)

**Links in this post contain links to my boutique, where I will earn compensation when you purchase your new jewelry pieces**

PS You can connect with me on:

Instagram: @IHEARTRetailTherapy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IHEARTRetailTherapy

Twitter: @HEARTRetail

Pinterest: RetailTherapy1

Google+: +I HEART Retail Therapy 

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Cate & Chloe Review Part Deaux

Cate & Chloe Review Part Deaux

Happy Monday Shoppers!  If you caught my first Cate & Chloe review (you can read it here), you already know I am totally gaga for Cate & Chloe's jewelry pieces.  Just incase you missed my original Cate & Chloe review (and are too lazy to click on the link) here is more about them from their website:

"The visionaries of Cate & Chloe began the company with one simple clear concept in mind: to create stylish yet affordable jewelry women could wear every day. In the fast paced world we all live in it is often times hard to find time or money to have that perfect jewelry piece or accessory for that special occasion or just simply to wear confidently around town. Most importantly the visionaries wanted to ensure that every piece is hand selected to ensure it meets the standards of the C&C vision for stylish design.

Inspired by their favorite designers, the creators of Cate & Chloe wanted simple, versatile, elegant pieces that would complete every woman’s personal collection. After experiencing life in the working world, they found there was little time to let their inner fashion guru shine! They wanted to create an easy place for young professionals to find classic, timeless accessories that would add a little glamour to an everyday look. Since the inception of Cate & Chloe, the visionaries have continued to strive for the highest level of quality, innovation, and timeless designs to ensure its avid followers are able to flaunt C&C pieces from the Red Carpet to the office!"

I promise you, this isn't just a fluff statement.  I went totally gaga over Cate & Chloe's Layla Beauty Pendent Necklace (and so did my friends, family, husband, frienemies and that annoying, yet sweet lady at the supermarket).  With the second piece I was shipped as part of the VIP membership *details to come* I did not know how they could compete with Layla Beauty Pendent Necklace. When I received the second Cate & Chloe package, of course, I tore through the adorable packaging with reckless abandon like a child on Christmas morning.  However, in the back of mind I was thinking, nothing could ever top my absolute adoration of the Layla Beauty Pendent Necklace. Nothing!  Then I opened the jewelry box.

These little beauties are what awaited me.  I stared at the sparkling earrings and thought to myself...I am going to rock these to the blogger event at Plush!  All those insanely beautiful and fashionable bloggers are going to envy my bright, brilliant, glowing, shining, shimmering Olivia Dignity Stud Earrings! (And Layla Beauty Pendent Necklace) Take that perfect bloggers with million of followers!  I will have my moment!

You're not ready for my moment to shine :)

All jokes aside, besides the exquisite beauty of the pieces, the other wonderful thing (especially for your wallets and budgets) is that the Layla Beauty Pendent Necklace is $115 and the gorgeous Olivia Dignity Studs are $125, BUT with the Cate & Chloe VIP Membership, you would get both (and other envy invoking pieces every month) for only $39.99!!!!  I don't know if you read that correctly.  With the Cate & Chloe VIP Membership you will receive two high quality, stylish, gorgeous pieces with a retail value of about $200 every month for $39.99.

Here is how the membership works:

After you sign up here are all your amazing benefits:

To be the envy of your school reunion, PTA group, fashionable bloggers group, or merely receive your beautiful jewelry pieces each month visit www.cateandchloe.com to get started!  As an added bonus, get 20% off of your sign up with coupon code : IHeartRetailTherapy20 !!  **This discount applies to the $39.99 subscription only (because their other prepaid option plans are seriously discounted too!) ** If you would just like to shop for a few pieces, you can do that too! Visit www.cateandchloe.com to view all of their collections!

As Always, Happy Shopping!

PS You can connect with me on:

Instagram: @IHEARTRetailTherapy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IHEARTRetailTherapy

Twitter: @HEARTRetail

Pinterest: RetailTherapy1

Google+: +I HEART Retail Therapy 

**This post contains affiliate links which I will receive a small commission for when items are purchased.  So get to clicking.**

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Cate & Chloe VIP Membership

Cate & Chloe VIP Membership

In case you were not aware, being a fashion/beauty/mommy/crazy woman in the woods blogger is awesome.  You are allowed to be creative, build these cyber communities that sometimes develop into real life relationships, sometimes get paid and you get to try amazing products.  Yes, the amazing products...and I loooooove stuff. (Hence the title of my blog)

Mind you, I absolutely adore most of the products I am sent... ADORE THEM! (In other words, please keep 'em coming) but I must admit, I seriously was awestruck when I received Cate & Chloe's (www.cateandchloe.com) VIP Jewelry Box.  For me to be so gaga over the jewelry piece is phenomenal in itself because, I am like Elizabeth Taylor when it comes to baubles!  I strongly believe that "big girls need big diamonds"...and rubies, sapphires, gold, platinum, silver, jade, garnets, onyx, garnets, sterling silver, gold plate...basically any shiny, ornate thing for your body (smile). I have champagne taste...with beer money (but that's another story entirely).  Fortunately, Cate & Chloe fits my taste and my budget!

Cate & Chloe is an online jewelry boutique that offers stylish (yet affordable) designer earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings.  C&C is known for high quality accessories and has been featured on Good Morning America, ABC, The Price is Right, CBS, and the Daily Buzz.  Needless to say, I was ecstatic to review their VIP membership, and the necklace I received far exceeded my expectations.

The first thing I noticed was the Cate & Chloe package comes beautifully wrapped.  The package has adorable ribbons with coordinating tissue paper, along with a hand written envelope, and cards that describe the VIP membership and information about your particular piece.  I spent so much time just looking at the packaging and contents because it was so pretty!  It really added to the excitement of receiving new jewelry!

The piece I received was the Layla Beauty Pendent Necklace.  And isn't it a beauty?  I sent the hubby and my BFF (the Makeup Misfit read her post here: http://www.iheartretailtherapy.com/2014/01/adventures-of-makeup-misfit.html) a picture of the pendent and the both had the exact same reaction..."DAMN"!  (In a good way)  Of course, my poet friend followed up her expletive by waxing poetic on the beauty and elegance of the pendent, the hubby, on the other hand,  is not quite as articulate.  He was very impressed, nonetheless.

The piece is absolutely stunning.  When I was asked to review Cate & Chloe's VIP membership, I knew I would love the piece, I mean, I love jewelry...but I was blown away by the style and the quality of the piece.  The quality is impeccable!  (It has survived my one year old daughters surprisingly strong snatch and grabs, as well as her chewing!)  The Layla pendent retails for $115, however,  with the VIP membership for $39.99 I will be shipped two(!) quality pieces (one every 15 days) like the Layla Beauty Pendent.  If that isn't an amazing deal, I don't know what is.

Becoming a Cate & Chloe VIP Member:

As a Cate & Chloe VIP, you receive $200 worth of jewelry for $39.99!  Plus free shipping!  Getting started is easy:

After you sign up here are all your amazing benefits:

For this amazing offer and beautiful accessories visit www.cateandchloe.com to get started!  As an added bonus, get 20% off of your sign up with coupon code : IHeartRetailTherapy20 !!  **This discount applies to the $39.99 subscription only (because their other prepaid option plans are seriously discounted too!) ** Visit www.cateandchloe.com and become a VIP member today!

As always, Happy Shopping!

PS You can connect with me on:

Instagram: @IHEARTRetailTherapy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IHEARTRetailTherapy

Twitter: @HEARTRetail

Pinterest: RetailTherapy1

Google+: +I HEART Retail Therapy 

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The Shocking Truth about Being a Kitsy Lane Boutique Owner

The Shocking Truth about Being a Kitsy Lane Boutique Owner

After receiving several questions from Boutique Owners who signed up under me, I decided to do an honest review of Kitsy Lane and include my own personal experiences.  

Before I give my review and explain my experience with Kitsy Lane, I should tell you a little something about myself.  I am lazy.  I was never one of those who would be successful at selling Avon or Mary Kay.  I just didn't like the idea of having to push my products on friends and family (i.e individuals).  To be successful at these MLM's you really have to be ready at a moments notice to sell your products and hopefully sign up other motivated individuals under you to do the same.  I just was never that person, which is rather odd being that my professional background is federal enterprise sales.  I was rather good at business to business sales...but business to customer?  Not so much.

So when these Multi Level Marketing companies come across my radar, my first thought is "eh, I know I will not put forth the effort, so why pay to be apart of something I will not be successful at?" (Furthermore, I despise canned cheesy "motivational" calls with a passion).

When I came across Kitsy Lane, of course I was a bit skeptical.  However, it was free, so what did I really have to lose?  Yet, I still did my research and tried to find as many reviews as possible.  Most of the reviews I read ranged from too good to be true to downright horrible.  Being an affiliate marketer and following recent tactics and strategies employed by political parties (disinformation, trolls, etc),  I can sniff BS reviews from a mile away.  If a review is too good, 9 times out of 10 the person is being paid or will be paid to advertise.  If it is too negative, that person most likely had a negative experience and is unable and unwilling to give a fair and balanced perspective. *Life Lesson*

With that said, I still signed up.  I like jewelry, I like the concept of having an online boutique with no start up cost and did I mention it is free?  I signed up and eagerly participated in the training calls and seminars they offered.  I picked my pieces, customized my boutique and  I eagerly connected all my social media platforms.  

I am not going to lie to you dear readers, some of the negative reviews are totally true.  Some of the most popular complaints:

"The prices are very high"

"I think they need to bring down the prices."

Unfortunately I do somewhat agree with this sentiment.  Some of the items, I feel are overpriced.  I personally wouldn't pay that much for them.  For instance:

This Riri Collar is totally adorable.  I love it!  However, $128?  I don't think so!  While I wouldn't pay $128 for this,  I actually have gotten two orders for this necklace.  So, obviously some people would.  Furthermore, the pieces offered by Kitsy Lane range from around $20 to $200, so there is a little something to fit in anyones price point.

"I have been at this for about a year I have not gotten any sales" 

"I was with kitsy lane for nine months. I had 49 customers and 37 store owners sign up under me. No one was buying and no sales were being made, not by me nor by those under me."

"I've "owned" a kitsy lane boutique for almost a year and have not sold a darn thing-even by doing all the marketing techniques and using the help that they provide."

This I totally relate to. While I did get a lot of people to sign up as customers and boutique owners by letting Kitsy self automate...it really didn't translate into orders. I will say Kitsy really did a good job with the social media push (automatically) and it did bring quite a few sign ups.  Just not sales.

However, I did not give up.  I started to put forth minimal effort.  I advertised on job sites for "work at home" opportunities and advertised on Instagram and Pinterest...when I got around to it.  Again, more sign ups and limited sales.


Recently, I have gotten motivated to really put in the effort necessary to build my business.  The good news is with Kitsy's automated advertising, 1/3 of my job was taken care of.  However, the rest was up to me.  I bought (and rocked) some jewelry (by the way you do earn commissions on the pieces you buy...just an FYI) anytime I received a compliment I told them all about my boutique.  If they seemed interested in starting their own, I sent them my invitation link.  I advertise on Instagram constantly.  I blog about my flash sales.  Next month I am purchasing a business starter kit from Kitsy complete with jewelry pieces, displays and marketing material, so I can host my own trunk shows and jewelry parties.  Lastly, I sent a marketing email to my family and friends (mind you I said, a marketing email...meaning one) and that one action really helped my business grow.  My mom (of course) sent it to everyone in her contacts and a few other wonderful relatives and friends did the same.

Since then, my business has really grown.  Can I retire on my own private island paradise?  Not quite, but I am receiving orders consistently, with about 10-14 hours a week worth of work.  Not too shabby!  

SO my review in a nutshell, as far as MLM's goes this is my favorite because you do not have to invest anything to get started (unless you want to).  Furthermore, I love a lot of the pieces (not all of 'em) and am pleased with the quality.

In a nutshell, Pros:

1) It's absolutely free.  Not free but pay shipping and handling...no totally absolutely free to set up your site, pick out jewelry, and start selling.  
2) Kitsy Lane offers a lot of selling support.  They offer webinars, newsletters and offer unique suggestions to really push your jewelry.
3) Once you connect your boutique to your social media platforms, Kitsy Lane automatically posts sales, specials and coupons for your clientele.  No thinking required

Cons:

1) Some of the jewelry items in my opinion are overpriced.  However, Kitsy Lane has pieces in all different price ranges to fit in everyone's budget.
2) Even with Kitsy Lanes fabulous webinars, sales material and automated social media marketing, to really see those commission checks flow, you have to put in some work.  Serious work!

All in all I am pleased with Kitsy Lane, and if I had to do it all over again, I would.  
If you want your own boutique click here https://iheartretailtherapy.kitsylane.com/offer/TvWsgfL 

To check out I HEART Retails Jewelry Boutique click here http://www.iheartretailtherapy.kitsylane.com  

To see how Kitsy Lane is doing as a company click here

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/innoeco/2013/01/social_commerce_startup_kitsy.html 

As always, Happy Shopping (and Happy Selling!)

P.S You can connect with me on:

Instagram: @IHEARTRetailTherapy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IHEARTRetailTherapy

Twitter: @HEARTRetail

Pinterest: RetailTherapy1

Google+: +I HEART Retail Therapy 

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