happy holidays!!!!

i hope you all have a very happy holiday, and a festive new year! make some resolutions you can stick to, and take advantage of the poor economy by getting back to what the holidays are all about...spending quality time with friends and family. we will be doing just that while we are closed from dec 24-jan 11.! 

all the best...see you in 2009!

hooray for Haba...

Haba toys are in the shop! Right now we have the rainbow stacker, rainbow pegs, plexiglass multi-colored blocks, marble sets, and smaller marble tins, and pacifier clips. There is more to come, though my hopes for receiving it before the holidays are dwindling by the day.

also... Fire Sale 2nd chance!! this week they are having the fire sale in Crestline at 120 Camellia dr. just off Euclid. 

Happy Holidays to all my great customers! enjoy the time with your families and friends, we will be closed December 24-January 11, for an extended vaca to do the same with ours!!!

iron bowl...

i am wondering if there is any other city in america where businesses shut down for football games?? and even though business will be dead today due to all the hubbub, i think i might rather be at the shop than at home with all the screaming and emotional highs and lows of the game...especially since we(my husband) are auburn fans, and our team is likely to get beat.

holiday decorating....

so today i feel like tooting my own horn for a moment....

when we re-opened on tuesday i was faced the daunting task of dressing my forms (mannequins) with no clothing left in the shop. what to do??? well, i'm proud to say that i had a moment of inspiration and headed to hobby lobby where i purchased 2 balls of holiday-ish looking yarn and red wired star garland for $10. i then proceeded to wrap the forms in both and i think they look really festive!! I wish i could figure out holiday decorations for my home that i like as much....i generally can't stand decorating for the holidays and am having an especially hard time right now because i don't have a suitable spot for a tree. (yes, i hear the sound of those of you who've been to my house gasping with disbelief, but it is true!) please don't equate my disdain for holiday decorating with disdain for the holidays in general! on the contrary, i truly enjoy the spirit of the holidays and the extra time with my family and friends. 

anyway...come by and check out the windows and let me know what you think of my yarn/sparkle garland decorated forms!!

we're back.....

after 2 weeks of cleaning up the mess from the fire (both literally and figuritivley), red wagon has re-opened! the store may look a little sparse, but we have a great selection of books, baby legs, automoblox, little twig, and more.

note: we will be closed wednesday and thursday for thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

update...

there has been lots if activity around here even though our doors are closed temporarily! i sincerely hope to have the insurance issues settled very soon so that we can re-open the day after thanksgiving at the very latest. please know that when we re-open there will be plenty of holiday gifts to choose from and even some new lines like Haba toys, Bilibo an others! please check with us soon!

FIRE!!!!!!

thankfully our space didn't go up in smoke, and our hearts go out to the new owners and all the employees of Out Takes restaurant that was destroyed by fire tuesday night. we hope they are able to rebuild quickly!! 

as for red wagon...the smoke left an unfortunate layer of soot over the entire shop which must now be dealt with. SO SORRY we have had to close for a few days to do inventory and address insurance issues. we are hoping to get the space cleaned up early next week and re-open shortly after. please come back and see us for your holiday gift shopping! 

automoblox...

these super cool cars are a fantastic way to introduce your kids to great modern design! they are cars that come apart (but not into a thousand miniscule pieces) and offer tons of building fun. They are available in a large size for $40, and a mini version for $12. You can also get a 3 pack of the minis for $30. The parts are interchangeable, so when they've collected a few, kids can begin to make their own designs using the various parts. a fun gift or stocking stuffer for boys and girls ages 3 and up!!

Claesens and Deglingos are here....

Claesens for girls has arrived!! pajamas, nightgowns, undies, camisoles, and lounge wear are all here in the shop! the prints range this season from classic pink and white check to more exciting black eyelet pj pants with pink details and coordinating stripe top! you'll also find pink and grey hearts, and a colorful retro print paired with navy, and black sweatpants and matching hoodie with animal print lining....very cool!

also new are more of your favorite Deglingos characters in the form of baby lovies, dicovery toys, and rattles!! great holiday gifts for the babies or expectant parents in your family!!

also a reminder about the Homewood Holiday Open House tomorrow night from 5-8!! come by for champagne and get a jump on your holiday shopping.

homewood holiday open house...

it's that time of year again!! come enjoy a night of fun and festivities in homewood thursday november 6th. participating merchants will be open until 8pm, and most will be offering food and drinks to help kick off the holiday shopping season. there will be jazz at the curve, and the trolley will be running between downtown homewood and edgewood, so you won't need to fight over parking places!

here at red wagon, we will have bellinis and cookies, so please come in and enjoy! i know you have babies and kids to buy for this christmas, and we have just the right gift....books, Baby Legs, hair accessories, organic Little Twig bath products, onesies, rompers, backpacks, and more! 

see you next thursday!

happy birthday sale!!!!

red wagon is turning 2!!! in celebration of our passage into the terrific twos, and as a way of saying a huge THANK YOU to all of our super customers, we are going to be offering 20% off all merchandise for one day only! next thursday, october 30, come in and shop for great deals on items that may not be on sale again until late january. we'll also have balloons and treats  for the kids. 

see you next thursday!

time to shop, save & share...

it's time for holiday shopping bargains! From October 24th (friday)-November 2(sunday), you can use the junior league "shop, save & share card" to get 20% off merchandise at several of your favorite retail shops...including red wagon! you can purchase your card here for $40, which all goes to the junior league to benefit various community projects. 

but...before you go on a crazy shopping binge, please take a moment to think of local small businesses! while many of the chain shops we all love are accepting the card, i urge you to shop local! especially now, while the economy is shaky, wouldn't you rather your dollars stayed in YOUR community?! great shops in Homewood, Mountain Brook, Cahaba Heights, and Vestavia are all participating...no need to fight the crowds at the summit!

so get your card and go for it!

holiday gift giving...

i know it still feels like summer, and the pumpkins have just been purchased for Halloween, but i feel like i have to get my holiday message out early! it's sooo tempting to run out and stock up on all kinds of christmas wrap the minute it hits the shops...but please don't! take a minute and think about how you can cut back on your waste this year, by using some creative and REUSEABLE wrapping options. in some cases you'll even save money doing this, or at least feel better knowing your money didn't get spent on meaningless paper that went straight to a landfill 3 weeks after you bought it. i encourage you to find alternatives this year....tins, fabric, newspaper, handmade paper, jars, boxes and ribbon...there are so many ways to create a memorable gift! even if what you're wrapping is small in size or monetary value, make it special and beautiful and feel good doing it by not contributing to the bags of paper waste we create each holiday season! happy wrapping!!

fall sale...

it's time for the fall sale!!!

beginning next wednesday October 15 through saturday October 18, fall merchandise from your favorite lines will be on sale. Oeuf, Chase 'n Sky, Rooster, Kit and Lili and Lola et Moi for girls; and Neige, Oeuf and Little Traveler for boys will all be 15%off. Additionally, the current "sale rack" will drop to 30%off.

while you're here check out the new arrivals from Catimini and Oilily! 

and don't miss the new arrivals from Putumayo kids music...Sesame Street Playground featuring your child's favorite sesame street songs in english and languages from around the world! also enjoy the new New Orleans Playground, and Sing Along with Putumayo! i promise you will enjoy these cds as much as your children.

see you soon!

room seven...

room seven has arrived in the shop! this fall they have modified their traditionally bright, vivid color scheme and have combined red with subtly muted shades of beige, slate and pink for a collection that reads vintage but fresh. skirts with fun frills that spin and twirl, dresses that look adorable for school and sundays alike, and frilly wide leg pants are all reliable favorites. Throw in angora blend wrap sweaters and easy cotton tees for a precious fall look. 

also, a quick thank you to all who made the Oilily trunk show a great success! much appreciated! 

babypalooza!!

we at red wagon are gearing up for Babypalooza! an extravaganza of baby related goods and services at Brookwood Mall on Saturday September 13th from 10-4. we will have a table upstairs in the area between the food court and Belk's. please come see us!! we'll have a drawing for a $50 gift certificate and some goodies to give away. it will be a packed house i'm sure, but if you're kids are like mine, they'll love perusing the booths for freebies despite the crowds! 

check out www.babypaloozatour.com for all the details.

and a reminder...Oilily trunk show this Saturday the 6th from 10-5! 

new arrivals...

Oilily has arrived, and i think you'll be as excited about it as i am! Fantastic prints on skirts and dresses, adorable tees with superb details, embroidered warm ups, and precious tights to finish each outfit. I only have one of each size in most styles, so shop early for the best selection. however....if you miss out on your favorite item in your size, we will be having an Oilily trunk show saturday september 6 from 10-5 and you can order it then.

hope to see you soon!

market report...

hello again! i won't apologize for my abscence, just say that much has been happening...two trips and a robbery being the main events!
the first trip...to new york for market...was super! so many great new finds for spring, and a few that will ship before the holidays, to tell you about.
coming in '08...
from White Rabbit in the U.K, gorgeous handmade ceramic night lights that look as though they could be little forest fairy dwellings. In the shape of mushrooms, and small english cottages, they are a true delight! also, dish sets in classic white with a pink or blue bunny, or something a little more mod with race cars or butterflies.
from Petit Collage, limited edition collages made from found/vintage/recycled materials on wood. all of the designs are original, and the colors are amazing! also available are the same designs in the form of a matted print.
coming next spring '09...
more of all your favorites of course...catimini, kit and lili, oilily, room 7, lola et moi, claesens, okkies, and appaman. and some new lines... gaga chic, and eberjey swimwear to name two.

don't forget we have new merchandise for fall arriving steadily now, with oilily and room 7 expected around sept 1. come in and shop now for the best selection of sizes!

fall has arrived...

...at least it has inside the shop!

that's right, new fall merchandise from Oeuf, Bluebird and Appaman is here and totally adorable! we also have a huge new shipment of hair accessories from Rachel Weissman...sparkle and glitter headbands, princess tiaras and a huge selection of the pinch clips that you love!

also new to the shop... super cool wall animals made from vintage wallpapers by Romp! these great wall animals can do wonders for a seemingly dull nursery or child's room. they are actual wallpaper so they are not moveable or reuseable, but it is soooo worth it! I can tell you from experience that it is easy!! just mix up the paste and go for it! we have monkeys, crocodiles, giraffes, elephants, lions, and birds in totally retro-chic patterns. we can also special order trees, like the one above in my daughter's room.

don't miss out on the last opportunity for seasonal sale merchandise! all spring/summer on the floor is 40%off and there are still $10 racks for both boys and girls!!

reminders and updates....

so this is my final reminder about the sale!!! come in now for 40% off or wait until friday for 50% off. friday, saturday and sunday (1-4pm) will be 50% off and all shoes $15!! also...we have put more merchandise out on the $10 and $20 racks, so even if you came in last week you'll find something new. 

FYI...we will be closed monday through wednesday at 12 (noon) for inventory, and to put the store back in order. when we re-open we will have new fall merchandise from Oeuf, Bluebird, and Kiwi Industries and select summer sale merchandise at 40% off.

Catimini will be shipping this friday, so i hope to have it all tagged and on the floor by next friday.

and we are excited to be introducing Oilily in the shop for the fall!!! I will update you when i hear about ship dates from them. I can however let you know that we will be having a trunk show in the shop in early september...more details to come!

inspiration...

i'll spare you the list of excuses for not posting in over a week and get straight to it...

are you inspired by the stories of successful business people? how about successful business women? women who juggle it all on a daily basis? and i'm not talking just walking the dog, doing the laundry, and making the lunches here....oh, these women do that too, but they also manage, make decisions that impact hundreds of lives and run extremely profitable businesses! these are the women whose stories are brought to us by the magazine Pink! the tag line "how to grow your firm to $1 billion" is what caught my eye on this month's cover! okay...you can stop laughing now!! i am well aware that even when (if?) red wagon becomes a huge success in birmingham and beyond, this could never be a real possibility. or could it?? it's that sense of wonder, that sense of "just maybe" that reading Pink raised for me. it planted a seed...maybe what i thought was impossible is actually possible. the inspiring stories set me back on track and got me re-focused on what seem to be the baby steps of growing my business! sometimes you just need confirmation that it can be done to rekindle your passion for what you do, and not be satisfied with the status quo.

local talent

local talent...

birmingham is truly rich with talented and creative people, i meet them every day! as a shop owner i love representing local designers, and i am especially fond of red wagon's newest locally made line, Tapioka. designer Kristie David hand makes these precious dolls the "old fashioned way", and they are truly enchanting! each one is unique and comes with a delightfully whimsical name. Amelie, a sophisticated brunette with a chic bob (ala Coco Chanel) is currently featured in the summer issue of Flower magazine, looking right at home amidst the moss and bamboo. come in and have a look at Piper, Pippa, and Lola still available in the shop. 

photograph by Liz Young

off we go...

so today seemed like a good day to start blogging!

i will try to use this blog to bring new merchandise to your attention, let you know about sales, special events, etc....and occasionally just to share whatever it is i feel like sharing that particular day. i am also constantly finding new cool sites (mostly from my customers...thanks ya'll) of which i will attempt to compile a list. if you have any that you really fancy, please share!  so here goes...

what's going on in the shop? and on the website?

as for the shop...the summer sale has begun! all clothing is currently marked down 20%, with shoes from $30-$50 depending on the brand (we will not be carrying any shoes in the future). mind you this is only the teaser!! the true end of season sale begins July 7 with discounts and dates as follows: 

july 7-12 30%0ff

july 14-17 40%off

july 18-20 50% off (open from 1-4pm sunday the 20th)

all shoes will be $15 for the entire duration of the sale!

and don't miss the $10 and $20 racks!

if you are on my mailing lists, you should be receiving a postcard and/or e-mail in the next week. if you are not on my mailing lists but would like to be, please send me an e-mail with all pertinent information...redwagonclothing@gmail.com.

as for the website...i was going to say that we have been experiencing technical difficulties, but the truth is that i just don't quite have all the nuances of product upload mastered yet. i am working on it. but, since spring merchandise is about to be out of here anyway...i am using this time to compile fall images, so that when the fall lines arrive i can upload them quickly and accurately for your shopping pleasure! in the mean time, if you see something on line that you would like to purchase, please call us (205-879-0026) and we will be happy to check size availability and ship it right out to you if we have it. 

thanks for your support and patience!! as new fall items begin arriving, we'll feature them here, so be sure to check in.