Shop At Moxie

oh desa, we LOVE her so...

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times.   My life got infinitely better the day I met Desa Henn.  I consider it one of my life's greatest gifts to have the good fortune to work with her and to get to call her my friend.  Obviously Patty feels the same as I caught her laying a big ol smooch on sweet and sassy Desa this afternoon.  There is not one person that I know of who doesn't have the same love affair going on for Desa.  She is 100% worthy of all the love and adulation in the world.  If you've visited the second floor of moxie on a Tuesday or Friday then you most likely know exactly what I'm talking about. Not only does she work harder than any 20 year old I've met, (and we all know Desa is a young 39 and holding) but she cares SO MUCH about the shop, us her co-workers and every person who walks in the front door.  There isn't much I wouldn't do for her.  I don't think I've told her what to do in the 6 years she's worked with me because from day one she worked harder than I ever would dream of asking her to. We plead with her to work less actually but she'll have none of it.  And if you know Desa then you know you can't tell her a thing!  And that is just one of her many qualities I love!   I love a girl with some sass!!  

Today was an awesome day at the shop because it began with Courtney, Lisa and I getting to witness  Patty giving Desa a painting she had done (just because she wanted to) of Desa's beloved mother Rista.  Desa has told me many times that her mother was an angel on earth so to see her overwhelmingly positive reaction to Patty's gift brought a tear to our eyes.  Life at moxie is a roller coaster .... one minute we're crying and the next minute we're dancing and today we did all of that and more.  

Patty is uber talented and equally beloved by all of us.  I often think that she has no idea how gifted she really is.  Not just in her artistry but in her warm and gracious nature.  I know this post is a love fest .... but hey, everyone deserves to know how much impact they make on your life and how incomplete your life would be without them.  So there. 

the animals speak

.... Just another day on the moxie chain gang ....all work and no play.  No laughing, no lunch, no dancing and definitely no joking around.  You must be uber serious with a serious distaste for frivolity to work here.  Just sayin. 

Meet Miss Stephenie

Our newest moxie gal extraordinaire.  Yes, I know what you're thinking.  How do some girls get all the luck.  Tall, gorgeous and skinny too.  But in her defense.... she is super hard working and absolutely sweet as can be.  So we forgive her for winning the gene pool lottery.  I'm still bitter that I got German Washer Woman genes...but hey, you get what you get!

Patty and I were feeling like we wanted to play photographer and stylist today so we asked Stephenie to be our muse and let us dress her up for a little in house photo shoot.  She was a willing accomplice and I have to admit I haven't had so much fun in a long time.  We were laughing so much it's a wonder any shots turned out at all.

Sometimes just putting energy around something makes it sell.  We took this photo at noon today and by 4 it had sold.  Wrap dresses are so flattering.  I'm always on the lookout for them. 

If you can rock a jumpsuit like Steph....then you should!  

This is a boho chic look from the 80s.  A skirt and a slouchy blouse....but no need to wear them together.  

We think the top is awesome with jeans and boots.

Big thanks to Stephenie for modeling some of moxie's vintage clothing selections.  Patty and I have already booked her for another round of fun photo-ing in October.  Check back for round two!  

Look What Bob Made For Me

My vintage shoe buying had spiraled out of control in recent months.  I think in the month of September alone I bought one hundred pairs of them.  So cute and so much fun.  How could I leave them behind.  Problem was....how to display so many at one time in a space efficient manor.  I took my problem to Bob and voila....this is what he made for me.  And believe it or not it was made in about an hour with parts he found in the back room.  He made me a shoe wall.  Now that's a gift that keeps on giving.  Thanks Bob!

Pat the Window Dresser

Well November is here and that means we've been busy little elves at MMHG and Moxie.  The team and I have spent the last two weeks decking out the shops with Holiday spirit.  Part of that decking out includes dressing the windows.  Kind of a big job.  Each window takes about a day to do.  

The windows at Megan Morrison are quite challenging because they are like tiny rooms.  You have to start at the front of them and gradually work your way out.  It gets tight and very hot inside of those windows.  Not the best feeling for a girl (me) with claustrophobia.  Thank goodness I had my talented right hand woman Pat to partner up with.  

She is limber and spritely.  She does not seem to get overwhelmed with the close quarters inside of the windows.  She will willingly crawl under a table or reach over precariously perched objects in order to achieve window perfection.  No task too big or too small for Pat.  She spent about a half an hour underneath a table in the East window while we created a little village of happy holiday figures on the floor.  She crouched under the table (not easy to do for an extended period) while I got to point and direct from the outside of the window.  I'm sure I looked a bit weirder than I normally do as I stood outside my shop waving my arms, pointing and shouting "to the left, no the other left, no now go back, too far, come forward, stop, stop....perfect!"  Then pat would hit her head on the table and we would both start laughing.  It probably looked like I was all alone and having quite a party with myself.  But it was a party for two.  I am so grateful to have so many fun, talented people on my team.

Here is Pat in action.  I didn't get a shot of her under the front table....darn it!

 

 

Here is the other window we did at MMHG

 

The shop from the out looking in.  I love how all shops look at night with the interior lights beckoning you in.  Something romantic about it to me.  If it was softly snowing it would make me even more intrigued.

 

A big thanks to Pat and to Maureen who helped me do the moxie windows.  I couldn't have done it without them.  Well maybe I could have but it wouldn't have been as good or nearly as fun. 

Birthday Love for Courtney

Yesterday was my dear sister Courtney's birthday and anyone who knows her well knows that she deserves to be spoiled....especially on her birthday.  She is truly one of the hardest working, most loyal, kind-hearted souls I know.  

So it came as no surprise to me that many of her friends and co-workers stopped in yesterday with a bevy of gifts and well wishes.  I didn't have my camera handy to capture all the moments but here is Courtney showing off the delicious cupcakes and gorgeously wrapped box she received from Desa (one of our beloved friends who also happens to be on team moxie).  Those are real roses on the box.  It was even more pretty in person.  Inside was a wonderful red scarf that Courtney admired at MMHG.  I had the privilege of smuggling it secretly out of the store and into Desa's hands weeks ago so she could give it to Courtney for her birthday.  I love secrets like that!

Courtney also received flowers, chocolates (lots of them), Pat's delicious homemade red sauce, cards and more.  She deserved it all!!  

Lindsey & Pat at the Art Fair

The Elwood House Art Fair is fast approaching.  It will be Sunday July 1st from 9-4 on the gorgeous grounds of the Elwood House.  509 North First St...Dekalb Illinois for those of you who might be unfamiliar with it. 

Two of the best reasons to visit this art fair are Lindsey and Pat.  They are my friends, and I get to work with them too!

They are much too shy to invite you all to come see them and their gorgeous works of art, so I have decided to do it for them.  You know how artists are....all bashful and humble.

Pat is a truly magnificent painter.  I own quite a few of her paintings and I am so happy to have them.  She is so gifted and I think she has no idea how talented she really is.  Here are two of her paintings that hang in my house. 

This painting hangs in my dining room.  I love the rich colors.  I am not even a rooster lover but had to have this one because it just spoke to me.

   This is a sweet fairy painting that Pat painted years ago.  It hangs in our girly guest bedroom. 

This is a sign that Pat painted for Lindsey to use at her shows.  Pat has made several signs for me over the years.  They all hang in our first store Megan Morrison Home & Garden.  Almost everyday someone mentions that they love her signs and where can they get one. 

Lindsey creates the most beautiful and functional totes, messenger bags, diaper bags, and handmade cards.  She has a great eye for color and pattern mixing. 

Her bags feature great trims and attention to detail.  We love them so much that almost all of us carry one.  I've seen lots of our customers carry them as well. 

Lindsey will have an assortment of her bags and great handmade cards at the show.  Her assortment changes all the time. 

This photo was taken in her booth last year at the Art Fair.

I hope that my sneek peak of the Pat and Lindsey artistic talents has got you in the mood to go shopping.  You will just love their art in person.  These photos just don't begin to do it justice. 

   What a cute use of a typewriter to display cards in.  Good thinking Lindsey!!

I am a lucky girl to have such creative friends.

Bob Loves Desa

Desa went on vacation for two weeks to visit family out in California.  She arrived back to work this morning.  This is the ginormous cheesecake that Bob made for her welcome back present.   This follows the triple layer chocolate cake with whipped cream he made two months ago for her birthday.

Can I just say.....married to him 17 years this October and no cakes of any kind made for me....not even a twinkie.

I know where I rate.

I'd even take a drawing of a smiley face.

Desa, you deserve it.  You really are the best.

Welcome back.

Meet Maureen

I love working with Maureen for many reasons.  She is so calm, cool, and collected.  I need to be more like her.  She has great will-power and is very talented. 

What she can do with a dress form and a pile of vintage clothing and accessories is amazing.  She can layer on things that at first glance would not look like they all go together and when she is done it looks funky, and amazing.  I love to see her creations.  She is just a genius with her fashion merchandising.  We are so lucky to have Maureen on our team.  She could be doing anything.

I asked Maureen to describe herself, and here is what she said.

Maureen on Maureen:

My heaven on earth is sitting in the sun with my Husband, along a mountain stream in Colorado, sipping frozen margaritas with salt. I love dark chocolate and purses. They are my biggest temptations. You can never have too many kinds or colors. I'm one of the few Lost t.v. show addicts who still knows the characters and what's happening with them. Speaking of t.v. we think ours is possessed-it turns it self off and back on unpredictably. When things get hectic in the store I often wonder where's Bob? Where did he go? What is he up to? 

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Let Me Introduce Lindsey

Lindsey makes me laugh.  My sister Courtney always says that whenever Lindsey and I are working together it is obnoxious how loud we start laughing.  The kind of laughing where you start bobbing up and down while crossing your legs. 

Years ago I worked with a lady named Kathy.  I was a young waitress back then.  I will never forget Kathy because one day she told me that she hated movie comedies because she didn't like to laugh.  And being Kathy, she didn't laugh after she made that sad statement.  That comment has stayed with me for 20 years. 

Laughing has gotten me thru some pretty tough days.  I'd be lost without my sense of humor.  Some people don't get my sense of humor, but then again, they probably never will. 

Lindsey has been my partner in crime this last year.  She helped me to create the new website (shopatmoxie) and to create this blog.  She is much younger and more savvy about these things than I am.  She is super creative and gorgeous and doesn't even know she is.  Here is how Lindsey describes herself.

Lindsey on Lindsey

I am a game show junkie who had a thing for Richard Dawson in a former life. I have a passion for pretty papers and fabrics. I believe that cute shoes and good music can get you thru whatever life throws at you. I am a true Libra…a people pleaser who can't make a decision. I own two cotton candy makers and still keep my make-up in a caboodles. I take my Gin and Tonics with two limes and hate to miss Wheel of Fortune…no, I'm not 65. I made a purse out of "Bob's Pants".