I never had a prom, I know, its tragic. I went to boarding school and we just didn't have one. I have found myself randomly collecting vintage prom dresses in the past, I never wear them, but it makes me feel happy, so I figure what's the harm? I used to have them hanging in my living room, but then a fit of re decoration and room changing after the flood last year (can you believe that was a year ago!) made the dresses retret to my closet. So anyway...there is a point, I may not have been to a prom, but apparently i channel prom style and have jewelry in both the Teen Prom and CosmoGirl Prom issues this year! It makes me want to buy more vintage dresses. So here they are, in all there glory!
Sunshine and warm days…in January!?!
Perhaps its from living in Syracuse for 7 years that has me so jaded about the stretch of bleak weather that appears in the North East every winter. Or maybe its just the fact that yes, its usually really cold for 4 months here in the Hudson Valley that makes me really enjoy that it has been over 50 degrees and sunny here for the last few days. It just makes everything a bit easier to do. I am still really sick, so I am not really doing much that requires any exertion, but still, its nice to have sunshine streaming in the windows.
Dealing with January

I always know it will be a blow to the system when the holiday madness is over and the lull of January sets in, but I never am really ready to deal with it. To go from running around filling orders and answering emails all day and night, to almost nothing...its tough for me. I had my little vacation and have now been back puttering around my studio, trying to shake my cold...but I feel so out of sorts without the activity.
I received a huge order of goodies from FMG the other day, and I have just been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of what is piled up on my shipping table, I haven't even opened anything yet.
I have been trying my hardest to stay away from the pull of winter blahs and keep my chin up, but I have been hiding under the covers for more hours then I care to admit lately. Slowly I making myself accomplish goals and work that I need to tend to, as I really want to continue to push MT as much as I did last year, but right now I just want to sit on the couch and stare at the wall.
Once again I have also realized that I have two full time jobs that are seasonal, and I have to go to the restaurant in an hour to endure a painfully slow night where I will stand around talking to co workers all night, as I will most likely have very few bar customers. Sigh.
I have fully enjoyed my mini self imposed vacation for the last week, but I have been itching to get back to work! I am very excited about this year, as always plans change and ideas evolve...so a few of my plans for 2008 may already have been altered. I though I might as well share a few of my goals for the year.
* Manic Trout open studios/trunk shows have been doing well and will continue on a monthly basis...the next one will be on January 12th.
* Continue to grow wholesale accounts
* Work with manufacturer to create higher volume of some lines, as well as recreate vintage pieces to reduce the amount of limited availability pieces
* Continue to create a higher end/couture line
* Add more One of A Kind pieces to the collections
* Increase online advertising
As well as things that I want to do, I realized that my planned move to Brooklyn in July may have to wait yet another year...I am enjoying being an artist in the Hudson Valley at the moment and want to become more involved here right now...plus the thought of having to shut down for a few weeks to move my studio terrifies me.
Oh and speaking of news...Manic Trout is currently in CosmoGirl Prom and Teen Prom on news stands now...woo hoo!









