http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/rss/ Simply Soles - Kassie's Blog - A cyberspace, meeting place hosted by me that is meant to educate and engage. en-us Copyright 2008 Solemates.com, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 3600 My husband needs to be commended.  Actually, he deserves an absurd abundance of praise.  He just put me on a train (as a surprise) to visit some cherished girlfriends who gathered in NYC as part of my birthday celebration.   I was admittedly bewildered and frankly sad that he shipped me away from him and the kids, with no explanation or hint of future plans.  Did he know I was secretly thinking a day to myself would be divine? Was I really that easy to read or was I just that horrible to be around?  My abrupt freedom was consumed by guilt; I was one of those sobbing strangers you see in public spaces and wonder if you should approach them (no one did by the way and I’m trying to decide how I feel about that).    Eventually we rolled into Penn Station where soon after tears were rolling (again) as well.  There - my two wonderful friends were waiting for me with a most obnoxious green neon sign in hand.  We spent the day doing what good friends – good girlfriends do – we gabbed, we shopped, we pampered, and we dined.  I didn’t realize how much I missed girlfriend time until I had a healthy dose of it.  I’m so grateful for them leaving their husbands, children, and weekend chores behind to be with me.  And of course, I’m also deeply thankful for a husband who in times, knows what I need more than I know it myself.  Or maybe…on occasion…I really am that difficult to be around – in which case I’ll happily head back to NYC again to spend it with dear friends. http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/148 February 02, 2010 Please allow me to introduce you to my new BFF Carmen Edmond-Thompson.  She’s been a customer since 2006, but I can now also call Carmen a friend. I just got back from visiting her beautiful home in southern California as the second trip of my “Soles on the Road” series.  Along with Carmen’s sister and friends, we had a lively conversation about shoes, wardrobing, and trends for upcoming season, but we also just enjoyed building upon a relationship that began over 4 years ago. Despite getting to know Carmen for years, nothing compared to the thrill of ringing her door bell and meeting her.   So now when I’m putting together the collection, I have an lovely image of Carmen (and her fabulous sister and friends…and even you too Fred) in my mind.  Carmen – don’t forget our pact though…you’re not allowed to buy any more shoes from me until you’ve confirmed you’ve worn the shoes you have at least once.  I’m your BFF and all – but this is what BFFs do – exert some tough love every now and again.  http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/147 January 25, 2010 I’m leaving for Sao Paolo in 4 days to work on the  lillybee  collection for Fall 2010.  Everyone is asking if I’m excited.  While Brazil and Sao Paolo certainly sound alluring, and while it’s always exciting to design a new season of  lillybees , this trip is all business.  It’s all running around at all hours meeting with vendors/factories.  It’s hard to look forward to running on empty.   I mean if I were flying Virgin Atlantic, maybe I’d be a bit more enthused.  I just came back from California and tweeted (follow me  here ) that I’d trade shoes for an attendant’s outfit from Virgin America (the offer still stands).  Those outfits made working for an airline look cool again.  Strutting into the security line in hot red pea coats, the flight attendants looked glamorous.  I hope to one day own one of those pea coats – though not because of a change in careers.  As for Brazil, I guess I’m excited, but then again I’m a confessed work-a-holic so I’ll just get to do it in 80 degree weather when it’s 20 here in DC.  Now that’s something that warms my heart (and the rest of my body).  http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/146 January 14, 2010 I’ve been really remiss in updating my blog.  It’s on my expansive list of things to improve in 2010.  The truth is that other things needed my immediate attention – the largest of which is our SimplySoles Headquarters.  While we loved our former space, we were given the incredible opportunity to move to Georgetown.  Our new headquarters will be about twice as big and will feature a full retail store that will carry our entire collection. Retailing from a brick-and-mortar store is something we’ve resisted given that our core business is our print catalog and online boutique.  But the success of the  lillybee   line requires both more space, and more attention. Change always has its challenges, but this move is undoubtedly in the right direction – not just geographically, but more in the way it represents our progress as a brand and our commitment towards growing it.  We have big plans for 2010 and I hope they include you. http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/145 January 03, 2010  There are some benefits to working with an all female staff: 1. We can set the thermostat to 79 and no one complains except the occasional male who pays a visit .  2. No one has to worry about the toilet seat position (with the exception outlined in #1) 3. We can obsess over Twilight and Rob Pattinson without the need to speak in covert terms or confine the conversation to the water cooler (which is convenient because we don’t have one).  This past Thursday we went on a corporate outing.  It started with dinner and a movie at my place ( Twilight  on DVD).  The night’s “main event” was the midnight showing of  New Moon .  We braved a serious thunderstorm to make our way to the theater amongst the throngs on teenagers.  And while I was the only one who admitted to closing my eyes for a few fleeting moments somewhere in the middle of the movie, it was time well spent – both with the girls and with my two favorite monsters – Jacob and Edward.  http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/144 November 24, 2009 I’m just back  from the windy city where I had the pleasure of meeting with a lovely lady who shares an equal passion for shoes.  She was the first of the SimplySoles Insiders ( are you one? ) to respond to the “Soles on the Road” initiative. We drank wine as we pined over the Spring 2010 samples, and our mutual love of Chie Mihara shoes.  It’s how I could spend every evening.  Next stop – LA in January.  I could get used to this.  http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/143 November 15, 2009 Tomorrow we are celebrating in a big sort of way.  Our Showroom is turning 1 and we plan to shove some cake in someone's face as most 1  year old's tend to do. We've managed to overcome an unstable economy, an uneven sidewalk (thanks to DC's finest we actually didn't have one for about 5 months), but thankfully we enjoyed many laughs along the way. If you happen to be in the area, please join us for treats (discounts & champagne) and a taste (literally) of Columbia Heights finest with samplings from area restaurants (like Cake Love and Pho 14).  We can promise great shoes, great cake, great spring rolls, and good champagne (no Dom Perignon...sorry...refer back to the first paragraph if you wonder why). Cheers! http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/142 November 06, 2009 The City Tavern Club on fashionable M Street in Georgetown for an evening spent with Washington business women who focus on beauty.  I’ll be there to discuss my “lillybee” collection and I’ll be in great company:  Ada Polla Tray and her team from Alchimie-Forever will give attendees individualized skincare analysis; Valerie Lucas of Coup de Foudre will tease women with a taste of the high-end bras; Betsy Fisher Albaugh will bring a sampling of her store's best; and, Allison Brooks of Queen Bee Designs will set up a bee hive full of jewelry for women to try on.  There’s a $10 suggested donation at the door with proceeds benefiting a favorite local charity doing great things for women in need, Suited for Change . Hope to see you there. http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/140 October 12, 2009 Chie Mihara's shoes are truly extraordinaire.  They are vintage-inspired but add elements of comfort and freshness to transform antiquated into arresting. She's a designer, a mom, and one cool chic. Watch her video below and see for yourself.   http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/139 October 07, 2009 We were recently written up in a marketing magazine about my approach to customer service.  I don’t think of it as anything complicated or technical.  I’m simply a gal who likes to shop. My goal with SimplySoles is to make this a place that replicates the thoughtful, edited collection of a boutique with personal attention to service, but with the ease of shopping from home. Give me the comforts of my couch, and access to a concisely edited catalog or tastefully designed website and I’m ready with credit card in hand.  But whether you are shopping over the phone, online, or in person, service is king.  Things like hand-written thank you notes matter (to me at least).  We do what we can to make shopping fun, helpful, and personal.  I don’t need accolades, but sometimes pats on the back (like this article) do make me slouch a little less (as do my FitFlops ). http://www.simplysoles.com/blog/138 October 02, 2009