Risky Business

For some, it's the ultimate winter-wardrobe must-have, but for others it's not so simple: fur and the controversies about production of fur apparel run far and wide. But consignment fur offers a happy-medium to those seeing red - or green: By offering previously-owned fur coats, no new animals are harmed, and you can get a lot more for your money. It's a win-win in a risky business. Fur that has already been purchased serves the needs of consumers seeking fur products without doing further detriment to our fuzzy friends. And without a resale option, where would unwanted furs end up?

At Finders Keepers Fashions: Mink and fox fur coat size M-L
Appraisal: $4000; Our Price: $1191

The Heart of an Artist

We women wear many faces: the face we keep on for an eight hour day at work, the face that smiles when our kids or significant others come home and ask us what's for dinner, the face we pose in a social setting when we don't really know anyone there... it's safe to say that we keep ourselves in check... a lot. But what we wear can set us free and speak for us when saying exactly what we think might not be the most productive course of action. Our style lets us spend a little time each day with that artist that lives in each of us, oft neglected but always ready to rise to the occasion.

Total Regular Retail Price: $1735
Total Price at Finders Keepers Boutique: $739

Boutique Girl: Julia (styled and photographed by Carrie)

On Julia:

Dress: Atos Lombardini $229

Cardigan: Tracy Porter $39

Boots: Stuart Weitzman: $219

Beaded Belt: Donna Karen (NWT - retail $500) $219

Sequined Hat: $33

It's A Burberry Patch!

Now that I only work in the Boutique a few days a month, I always feel like I'm walking into a brand new store. And yesterday was no exception. Only I didn't have time to take a closer gander at the new merchandise covering almost every possible, hangable square inch of our little shop because even MORE consignment arrivals were pouring through the door!

One consignor brought in her 25 potential pieces and, with a wave of her hand, said: whatever you don't want just donate to charity. Well, there wasn't a single piece we were willing to part with! Several pieces of Burberry were among the oh-so-fun drop off, and I've posted some pictures below for you!

p.s. there were 2 signature Burberry scarves, but one of them sold before I could even take a picture!

The scarf that already sold was the same signature plaid, and was made of merino wool. But this Burberry cape is still available as per this post!

An adorable, red plaid Burberry scarf used as a decorative belt for this classic Burberry skirt!

My personal favorite: (if only I could fit into it) this quilted Burberry vest

SURPRISE - Jessica's Surprise Wedding Shower!

We had a manager's meeting last night, which was also going to serve as a surprise wedding shower for Finders Keepers Fashions' manager: Jessica. Our fearless leader is getting married next month. And while she didn't want a lot of fuss made over her big day, we couldn't let her get married without a single shower! Here are a few pictures from the fun event:

I think she wanted me to stop taking pictures so she could actually cut the cake...

A beautiful cake decorated to match Jessi's wedding invitations! The cake was done by our favorite bakery: Sweet -n- Sinful in Avondale Estates!

It took Jessi until after the shower was over to realize that the cake had been designed to match her invitations! Wedding planning is stressful!

A shower is not complete without an inside joke - or, in this case, a bottle of detergent.

Dana and her daughters were a surprise arrival for Jessi. Dana will be officiating the ceremony!

Jessi read every card! Etiquette points for the bride to be!

Such a classic Jessi-face, I just had to include it!

Dana with her wonderful daughter

Congrats to Betsy on 20 years with Finders Keepers!

Furniture and decor comes and goes - but one face remains ever present at Finders Keepers Furnishings: Betsy Johns, the manager of one of the best furniture consignment shops in Atlanta. This month marks her 20th anniversary with the Finders Keepers company. It's no secret that Betsy works HARD - but I learned the story of her history with Finders Keepers yesterday during a surprise - congratulations we threw for her during a managers meeting last night.

20 years ago, Betsy worked full time for Atlanta Dental - and not just full time, but 60 hours a week. Bonnie, the owner of Finders Keepers, had recently purchased the little, 600 square foot space from its original owner, and was quickly becoming busier than one person could handle. Betsy began working on Saturdays in the little store to help with the rush of incoming merchandise and new customers. So that's how she started: tacking on eight more hours to her 60 hour work week.

A few years later, the store hosted a couple of "late night" shopping days a week. Betsy would work at Atlanta Dental during the day, and then drive to the store to help them close from 6pm - 8pm. And she maintained her Saturdays with the store, of course.

Six years ago, Betsy left her Corporate America job with Atlanta Dental and came on full-time for Finders Keepers. Her eye for staging quickly created a buzz in the consignment world. The fantastic furnishings and decor come to life through her artful combinations. Our furniture store has even drawn the interest of TV and movie set producers who are filming in Atlanta.

So Betsy, here's to 20 years! We couldn't have done it without you.

Surprise!

She's taking a trip to Nashville to celebrate! (She'll jump at any chance to put on her cowgirl boots)

We're Hosting a Book Signing for Barb Tobias!

We're so excited to be a stop on Barb Tobias's southern leg of her new book tour! She'll be hanging out with us in our store on September 11th from 9:30am - 11am to sign books as well as speaking during her time with us.

Barb Tobias, America’s “Thrift Talk” Diva, is an admitted thrift-aholic…
a veteran radio and TV personality who has crisscrossed the nation in

her search for fabulously frugal finds.

Barb is a professional speaker and inspiring coach who renovates lives, homes and wardrobes by sticking her curious little nose into other people’s
“thrifty business.” After a lifetime of transforming trash into treasure, this savvy mistress of thrift shares her secrets to finding deals, repurposing
before tossing, reconstructing the tattered and renewing things others view as passé in her recent release…Tossed & Found. Her “tell all” book is not only a journey of personal transformation, but teaches a newly frugal nation how to purchase, purge and profit from thrift.
 
Thrifty Living…
Barb Tobias has spent a lifetime transforming trash into treasure. She is
a master at creating stunning interiors, dressing clients like supermodels
and turning the forgotten into the unforgettable—for a fraction of the cost.
· Decorating the DivaWay

· The Frugal Fashionista

Business…
An astute businesswoman, Barb Tobias has walked the competitive walk
in both the entrepreneurial and corporate worlds. After successfully
running three businesses, she was wooed by the corporate world and
embarked on a seven-year stint as the trainer, coach andmanager of a
top-notch sales teamfor web-basedmarketing systems. She teaches how
to dream big, break through self-limiting beliefs and blast away
procrastination.
· Thrifty Business…Big Business on a Budget

· The Entrepreneur…Unleashed

Motivation and Lifestyle…
Barb has scaled some formidable peaks, visited her share of murky valleys
and, out of necessity, become the Diva of Reinvention. Her experiences
are the tools that now support those who want to build remarkable,
fulfilling lives.
· So YouMissed the Boat…Buy Another Ticket
· After theMotivationWears Off…What Then?
 
 

Learn More at www.thrifttalkdiva.com

These are a few of our favorite things...

My project this week is to collect 5 images combined from the three stores for an online brochure on http://www.wheretraveler.com/ for Finders Keepers stores. That meant going through the incredibly large archives of pictures to find five that could command on their own, and played well with the others. And it also meant getting sucked into the years of pictures like a scrapbook. It's so fun to reminisce about the development of the store, its culture, its inventory, its staff, its customers, and its consignors. It's practically a living, breathing thing: a house to its own heartbeat. So here are a few of our favorite inventory pictures. Enjoy!