10 Great Gift Ideas for Him

I don't know about you all, but my husband is the hardest person, in the world, to buy a gift for.   EVER.    His idea of the 'perfect gift' is for me to not spend any money on buying him a gift!!  Really?!  Really?!  Have I mentioned before that I have a DEGREE IN FASHION A.K.A. A DEGREE IN SHOPPING?!  So, I say again:  "Really?!  You want me to buy you nothing?  Do you even know me?!"   Yes, that has been an actual conversation.  Sad isn't it? 

So, after all this time I have gotten to be pretty creative with gift ideas; making sure I get him something that I know he will love and making doubly sure that I don't go overboard in regards to that pesky little issue of cost - because if I do it's a sure bet that you will be able to find me in the 'Returns' line.  So, with all my acquired knowledge, I have decided to help a sista' out by sharing some gift ideas.  The Holiday Season is sneaking up on us, as you might know - and so is my husband's birthday.

Alright, lets go!

Scented Soy Candle: $18.50

 1.  A very manly candle.  This one by Vance Kitira is very manly indeed, with it's Forrest scent and simple jar.  The scent is subtle but there - so he won't even have to light it in order for his sense of smell to transport him to his rustic ambiance A.K.A 'man zone'.  And bonus? If your guy is a pyro - like mine - this is a safe way for him to play with fire!  And double bonus?  Its a "Green Product!"  And tripple bonus?  Ladies, when he does use the candle up - and he will - the jar doubles a cute little teacup! 

Metal "Golfers" Statues: $34.50 each

  2.  A statue depicting a favored hobby or pastime.  These "Golfers" statues will integrate perfectly into any environment your guy spends time in: the office - home or work, the living room, the bedroom, the bathroom, or even, better, his man cave!  He doesn't golf? Or even do sports?  No problem, look for a cool desk clock.

Glass Photo Frame: $12.50

 3.  A simple but sleek picture frame.  This one from mud pie is perfect for any guy.  Thick glass and clean lines make it perfectly simple.  But don't underestimate it - it will hold it's own on a cluttered desk any day.  Make sure he knows its just for him by getting one with his intital or get creative and pick up one with the letter "D" for Dad or "L" for love.  Top it off with a fun family picture or a special one of just the two of you.

Two's Company Paperweight: $12.50

 4. A cool paperweight for his office.  If your guy spends a lot of time buried in papers, gift him with something that will help him keep on top of things and you on the top of his mind.  If you like this idea but want something a bit more unique than his initial in glass, look here for some unique ideas.  Think baseballs, coins, compasses, or even pictures.  The possibilities are endless.

Monogrammed Wine Bag: $5.50

5.  A bottle of his favorite wine.  Is your man a wine connoisseur?  Then what could be better than you planning an evening tailored just for him.  Start out by presenting him with his favorite red and then surprise him with a special meal followed by a cozy evening in front of a fire.  And be sure to dress up your presentation by encasing your purchase in something a little more fancy than a paper bag.  This wine bag from mud pie is simple and won't take away from what's inside. 

Teak Oblong Bowl: $16.50
Chuma Wood Bowl: 42.50

6.  Something  beautifully natural.  Such as these natural wood bowls.  But don't worry, no forrests were cut down to create these.  Vance Kitira International prides itself on "Green Products."  The trees these bowls are derived from were "plantation grown" for the express purpose of bringing you, the consumer, something natural and beautiful to look at in your own home.  The Oblong Bowl can be used to hold pens, paperclips or other office supplies.  And the Chuma Wood Bowl would be an excellent catch-all for wallets, keys and watches as your guy comes home and pulls everything out of his pockets.

Wine Rack: $133

 7.  A vintage wine rack for his Den/Billard Room/Man Cave.  Who doesn't love vintage?  Add a touch of 'You' by picking out some unique barware and installing some of his favorite bottles of wine.

Natural Slate Placemat/Serving Board: $28.50
Trays/Serving Boards: $14.50
Natural Slate Coasters: $16.50

 8.  Natural Slate Trays/Coasters.  Are you picking up on the fact that Natural is IN?  If your guy likes to cook and/or entertain this would be a perfect fit.  What is more masculine than rock?  'Nough said.

Teak Wood Picture Frames: $28 and $34

9. Teak Wood Picture Frames.  How great would a picture of you and him look in these Teak wood picture frames?  And how great would these look in a bookcase in his office, on the mantle in the livingroom or in the kitchen next to the toaster?  What?  You don't have pictures next to your toaster?  I do, and it's so unexpected that everyone notices. So, of course I place my favorite picture there.  Duh!!

Chinese Bamboo Lanterns: $129 and $85

10.  Bamboo Lanterns.  These are so freakin' cool - I definatley saved the best for last.  How amazing would these look on a patio or deck?  There are glass hurricanes inside perfect for the tall pillar candle needed to give of the most amazing light that looks so amazing after dark. 

Chinese Bamboo Lanterns: $65 and $55

Don't have enough space on your patio for these round puppies.  Look at these; they come in another shape.  The taller shape looks so amazing on your patio table.  Sprinkle some tiny river rocks around the candle you place in the bottom of the hurricane glass and you have a centerpiece like no other!  How proud will he be to serve his steaks to your backyard guests after you so thoughtfully planned out the finishing touches? 

  

So the moral of the story is: Find something that is so unique, so cool to look at, something that he would never think to buy for himself.  Well, "duh!" you say.  "Much easier said than done."  Well, hopefully I have given you some ideas to start with and you will be able to tailor them to fit your guy.  Like something you saw here?  Send me an email and we will be glad to do a phone order and ship it to you!

Local Artists of Southwest MO: Hand Painted Watercolors

Room 5 is proud to be the new retailer of original works of Hand Painted Watercolor Art by Nina Lewis!

Here is a small sampling of what she brought in today:

These two are my favorites:

Add caption

Prices range from $35 - $55.  Such great prices!! I have a feeling these will go fast! Hurry in and get them while you can. 

P.S. Room 5 gladly accepts phone/email orders!

Vintage Beach Pictures

Have I ever mentioned that I am always right?  Well I am!  Any picture taken by Marquita is guaranteed to be awesome.  But add the Hipstamatic Camera App (you know, the coolest thing EVER - besides pop tarts) into the equation and WOW!  These are soo cool!! 

Here is the proof:

Do I need to know how she got this one to turn out blue? Nope. All I need to know is that this one looks awesome and it is quite possibly my favoirite!!

And this blog post is totally business related because we have previousely discussed Room 5 being the exclusive retailer of MARQUITA SAYRES PHOTOGRAPHY in Missouri.

So, World, here is your introduction to MARQUITA SAYRES PHOTOGRAPHY.

(Maybe one day those bold letters will be a link to her very own website!!)

Thanks Marquita!!

But your Degree is in Fashion!?

Or as my dad said when I told him what I was doing:  "I thought it was clothes."

Hopefully you've looked at my information by now and have seen that Room 5 specializes in Home Decor.  And hopefully you've read my first post and know that I have a degree in Fashion and my life-long dream (all 26 years long) has been to own a clothing boutique.  So how did I go from an obsession with clothes to a passion for fun, unique but beautiful home decor?  Well, I'll explain:

I could spend days inside a mall. Days.  I could look at everything; put together outfits, accessorize those outfits and top them off with the best trench coat you've ever seen.  But do you know what I would do with those amazingly coordinated expressions of self?  I would own them.  That's right; I would horde them in my closet and look at them daily but never ever wear them outside of my bedroom for fear of ruining them and never being able to wear them ever again.  That is my obsession.  Pretty sick, I know, but it is mine and I claim it.

But I discovered something with Home Fashions.  I don't have to store these items away in my closet to be seen by only me and my husband (as we share a beautiful walk-in closet large enough to handle my 'bursting at the seams' obsession he has to see them too).  I  discovered, for the first time, my passion for home decor with the purchase of our first home.  I mentioned in an earlier post that I had never had the opportunity to discover this about myself.  Living in someone else's home and then in tiny college spaces doesn't give one the opportunity to express one's own creativity with the space around you.

But then, I (we) had our own space!  We could do whatever we wanted, because we wanted, without asking someone else's permission.  It was fantastic!  You want to paint the walls?  Okay!  You want to tear down the wall!?  Sure... why not - but first make sure it won't tear down the house, thereby forcing us to move back into another apartment while the damage is being corrected, and thereby putting us right back in the non-self-expressing position we were just in!

Well, no walls were torn down, but I did get the opportunity to start expressing myself on a larger scale.  And it is a blast!!  Instead of looking for the right pair of shoes that I would never wear, therefore nobody would see, for fear of scuffs or broken heels; I was looking for the right piece of artwork to place over the mantel for everyone who entered our home to see!  It was absolutely fantastic!!!

But our home is far from complete.  The down economy has put a halt to our 'expressing ourselves,' for the moment, at home.  But, Room 5, on the other hand is complete and has been displayed to the world.  I have purple walls (my favorite color!) and hardwood floors and the best lighting ever!!  Since my husband won't let me paint our bedroom purple - I painted my store purple!  And you know what?  He is the one who actually did the painting!  Haha!!  Sucka!  If only he had let me have my way at home, I might have left the walls (the 30ft tall walls, might I add) in the store the beautiful shade of orangy-red that they were.  Really, it was a beautiful color - but it all comes back to that pesky self-expression thing... and not getting my way at home ;)

So, yes.  I have a degree in fashion, but it all trickles down to knowing what you like and being able to show everyone else in a way that helps them understand you.  No matter what medium you choose to use.

Hipstamatic App for iPhone

So, I have a new app for my iPhone that I have to tell everyone about.  I absolutely LOVE it.  It is the coolest thing ever invented; well, besides cereal and pop tarts ;)!  I played with it all day on Sunday; it was me, the trees, grass, bugs, my dog and my husband - although he wasn't very good at it.  He thought it would be absolutely hilarious to make an evil face at the last second and then watch me get mad at him for it.

Bugs!?  Trees?!  Evil Husband Faces?!  What?!  Oh!  Sorry, in my excitement I forgot to tell you what this cool new invention is that's ranked all the way up at the top along with cereal!  It is the Hipstamatic App for the iPhone!!  It takes very cool "vintage" photos and you are even able to switch out your lenses,films and flashes for even more effects.  And, best of all, it integrates perfectly with your original camera app by storing the pics you take with the Hipstamatic app into your "Camera Roll."  I read about it on Enjoying the Small Things Blog by Kelle Hampton.  She is a photographer and takes some of the sweetest photos of her family.  She mentions this camera app very briefly on her Photography F.A.Q.s page but it was enough to catch my interest.

See, here is what the pictures look like:

And here is an image I couldn't wait to see how it turned out:

See!  Isn't it so freakin' cool!!

These three pictures are all of the inside of Room 5 so this blog post is totally business related! ;)

I told my friend Marquita about this app and she downloaded it too.  I have charged her with the all-important mission of capturing pictures of the beach by her home in San Diego, CA.  I know the shoreline and the horizon will be portrayed beautifully when you combine this app with her photography skills. 

Marquita, I'm waiting!!!!

Holding The Dream

This blog was going to be titled:  "And Now, The Rest of the Story;" but I think that guy on the radio has the phrase trademarked - if he doesn't, then he should!

But I think I'll continue on with my "Dream" theme;  it's working well for me.  If you didn't know, I borrowed these titles from Nora Roberts.  She wrote a trilogy in 1996-1997 about three women in California who started their own business together. I put my titles in a different order than she did though;  it makes more sense to me to "Hold The Dream" after you go through all the trouble of "Daring To Dream" and then  "Finding The Dream."  On the right is the link to these books on Amazon.com.  Go ahead and click on them... but make sure you come back!
OK, back to me... ;)

So, I started writing my business plan on May 1, 2009.  It was such a long process!! I spent months on my first draft.  Months!!  Even though I had my college business plan to look at!  Remember in my first post when I told you that "college taught me nothing."  Well, there ya go! I only used about half of my college business plan.  And the half that I used wasn't even the most important half!  Everyone in business knows that the financials are the most important part of any business plan.  The banks want to know "how and when are they going to get their money back?"  It's a darn good thing I married that accountant; he came in quite handy - let me tell you!!  And before you get all snippy and tell me that I should have paid more attention to the other half of that class (the math half), let me tell you, that the math that was covered in class dealt with mark-up percentages.  (At least what I remember of the math part.) So Ha!! See: "college taught me nothing!"

Well now, after the months that I spent writing my business plan, I spent weeks revising that plan. Weeks!! Finally, it was deemed "good enough" on September 28, 2009.  That's when I took my plan to the UPS store to get it bound.  How do I remember all these dates?  I keep my receipts.  Everyone in business knows that you keep every single receipt - no matter what you bought or what you paid for it!  I had also scheduled the first of 4 meeting with bank lending officers for that day at 1:30pm. (Checked my calendar!)

So, I met with the Bank of Bolivar on September 28th;  Commerce Bank at 11am on September 29th; Region's Bank at 9:30am on September 30th and Bank of America on Thursday, October 1st.  I presented my plan, asked my questions and answered theirs.  And then the waiting game began.

Slowly, offers began to trickle in about two weeks later: Bank of America was willing to up my credit card limit to cover my requested loan amount - but the interest rate would sky rocket!  "Noo thank you," I told them.  Regions Bank never got back to me - screw them!  Commerce bank wanted us to put more of our own money into the business than we were willing - so that was a no-go.  And I was still waiting to hear back from the Bank Of Bolivar.  Several emails back and forth to the lending officer I had spoken with sounded promising though...

Finally!!  My loan was approved on Tuesday, November 3rd!!  The Bank of Bolivar came through for me!! It was definitely fate!  I had just walked out of a final interview with a company in downtown Springfield, MO when my phone rang.  During the month of waiting, I had been keeping my ear to the ground for back-up plans in case my dream was crushed.  This particular company wanted me to run the Springfield location of their clothing company while they oversaw their Kansas City, MO locations.  Sounds good, right? I just wasn't excited about it; I didn't want to enter into another demanding retail career - unless it was my demands being demanded of me.  And surprisingly, Aaron felt the same way - we had discussed my going back to school to teach if this business didn't pan out.

But, the backup plans weren't necessary after all!  Someone besides family (and they're required!) believed me!!

Now for the scary part:  Holding onto The Dream - for dear life!

Missouri Dept of Revenue... Grrr

Welp, today I paid my Missouri State Sales Tax for the first time.  I would really love to have that money back... 

My Point of Sale program (POS to those of us in the retail industry - and if you are, then you just laughed when you read those initials because it is soo true!!) is so kind.  It reminds me daily that I don't get to keep that extra 7.975% tacked on to each sale that I so graciously collect for the state.  How does it do this?  By not telling me about that extra money when I look at my sales reports.  It's awesome!!  Let me tell you why: When I run my daily sales reports, it only shows me total sales amounts for how my items are priced in the computer!  Meaning: it only showes me the money that is MINE!!  Why does it do this?  Because POS knows that I don't get to keep this additional money.  It is kind enough to not let me get my hopes up by thinking that I am making all this extra money when, in actuality, I am NOT!

But my business's checking account is not as kind.  Everyday I look at my balance and I see a number greater than I am expecting.  My heart gives a little flutter each time; "I'm making it!"  I think.  "My dream is staying alive!"  And then I plummet back to earth when I look at my POS sales report and am given my reality-check:  "That extra money isn't yours,"  it tells me.  "Don't get used to it - AND DON'T SPEND IT!!" 

"Right. Thanks.,"  I grudgingly mumble.

Well... today I had to return the extra money that I was, again, graciously, keeping safe for the State of Missouri.  I'm not ashamed to say there might be a few tear drops on the check I wrote.  "It was nice knowing you," I whispered, as I sealed it in it's envelope and walked it to the mailbox.  "Have a good time in someone else's pocket!"

Oh well, there will be more... I hope!

Room 5 To Be Featured In 417 Magazine

Are you ready for this?!  Are you ready?!?!

Room 5 is to be featured in Springfield, Mo's 417 Magazine!! OMG!!!!

To be exact, I (I mean Room 5) will be featured in the Savvy Shopper's section of 417's October issue!  I am so excited!!  I bet you couldn't tell, though - I'm trying to be way cool about it all.  And I just learned that 417 will be featuring me (I mean Room 5) in 417's Home Magazine due out in January of 2011.  Insert high pitched girlie squeal!!!

OK, I'm back.  Well, 417 just wrapped up their photo shoot, which by the way, was a total blast!  The photographer, Ed Biamonte had a very high-tech camera that got some great shots - I'm sure he had a little to do with it too!  Bethany McDonald, the assistant art directer, was very fun and Savannah Waszczuk, who is writing the article, is so sweet!

I kinda knew what would be going down when they got here - I knew they would be taking some shots of the entire store, or at least sections of the store.  And I knew they would be picking out "five things they like" and then would be taking some close-up pics of those items.  I did not know I would be included in these pictures!!  I figured if they did want a picture then it would be a head shot submitted at a later date!  It's a good thing I looked super cute today!!

So what five things did they pick to feature?  Well, let me show you!!

This Bamboo Chinese Lantern by K&K Interiors:

This cluster of Moonbeam Vases by Cyan Design:

This Slipper Chair:

This teapot by Andrea by Sadek and two teacups by Vance Kitira International:

And last, but not least, this Toddler Rocking Chair by Elegant Baby; a Chocolate Cable Knit Teddy Bear, also by Elegant Baby; a Plaid Tie Onesie by Stitches by Shaylynn; and a Plaid Burp Cloth, also by Stitches by Shaylynn:

Here are some pictures I took with my phone of them dressing the bear in the onesie for a 'gag picture' done as a 'gift' for a co-worker:



From left to Right: Savannah Waszczuk, Bethany McDonald and Ed Biamonte





Sorry, I don't have a "high tech" camera so the photographer's face came out kinda blurry!



Setting up the shot:

Getting the Shot:

The very impressive camera:

The close-ups of the merchandise showed above are replica's of how the photographer staged the items for his shots.  I think I did a pretty good job of duplicating his work!!

Here is a link to 417 Magazine's website.  Remember to look for me (I mean Room 5!) in the October issue!  And don't miss the January issue of 417 Home!

Finding the Dream

Now that we know all about how this crazy idea originated, let's explore the events starting from May 1st, 2009:

May 1st, 2009:  The day before I turned 25.  It was such a somber day.  I was getting ready to turn a quarter of a century old!  I started to reflect on my life:  What had I accomplished?  Well, let's see; I graduated High School, put myself through College, married the most amazing man EVER - sorry ladies, you've been looking for him but I've already got him!  In fact I've had him since I was 17 - Ha!! OK, back to my story... 

Mr. Amazing and I had just purchased our first home (after diligently saving for three years - seriously, I was on a $75/month shopping budget - so hard to do when you have a College Degree in Fashion!), we both had great jobs and were beginning to tip toe around the idea of starting our perfect family of 2.5 children: one boy, who looks just like his father except has my father's hair line; one girl who has my blond hair and blue eyes - ah, who am I kidding, she'd probably have her father's black hair and green eyes - but she'd still be gorgeous; and one ridiculously cute half-chow-half-something red pound mutt named Sierra (she thinks she's a person, so she counts as that other .5).  What was missing?!

So, there I was, sitting on my living room floor frustrated with myself for being so frustrated with myself!!  Life was great!!  We were moving in the exact direction that we wanted be going!!  Finally, I realized what was wrong.  I wasn't going after my dream!!  The thing that I spent 4 years (one half class actually) and $40,000.00 pursuing!  OK, I had a cause for my restlessness - now for a way to solve it.  I turned to my husband who was watching baseball, or some other boring "man show" and said, something along the lines of,  "Babe, I think I'm going to quit my job and open my store."  Anybody want to guess what his reply was?  "Shut up, no your not."  Yep, that was it - then he resumed his "man show."  While he was absorbed with the Kansas City Royals I went into the attic, pulled out my college business plan and started thinking.

I knew I wanted to have my business close to my house.  I was currently driving 45min to work - not 45min stuck in traffic; 45min of lonely highway through the hilly, curvy but beautiful Ozark Mountains.  I was tired of the drive and of being gone for a total of 12 hours a day due to work (10hr work days plus 45min commutes each way doesn't leave you with a lot of "home time").  So, what type of retail business did Ozark, MO need?  Did I mention that we had just purchased our first home?  Okay, good - it's an important aspect of this story.  My dream had always been to own a clothing boutique; but that's the only retail environment I really knew, well, besides Walmart.  We had just begun to buy furniture and accessories to decorate our house but were having trouble finding what we really liked - Southwest Missouri is kinda limited in the contemporary furnishings department.  We were having so much fun buying for our new home, but were having to travel to larger cities to accomplish this.  During this experience I learned that I enjoyed home decor more than I did clothes, but I had never really had the chance to explore this passion - previously I had lived in my parent's home, a dorm room and a tiny apartment.  A whole new world had been opened to me!!  Well, I'm not one to stand around when I see something that I want.  That train of thought led to my brainstorm...

Ozark, MO caters to those looking for antiques - there wasn't any place for people with my taste to shop.  Well, I was determined to give them one!

Daring To Dream

I entered college in 2002 with one goal in mind:  I wanted to learn everything I needed to know in order to open my own business.  Pretty simple right? Wrong!!  College taught me nothing!!!  I have a Bachelors of Science in Fashion Merchandising and 2 Minors: Marketing and International Business Management.  Why, you ask, did I earn a degree in Fashion if I wanted to own a business?  Well, let me tell you.  After searching the class catalogs I discovered that the Fashion Merchandising department at Missouri State had a program of classes designed specifically to teach you what you needed to know in order to own your own business - specifically a retail business.  "Perfect!" I thought!  My dream was to own my own high-end clothing boutique.  So, I declared my major and signed up for my classes.

When it was all said and done I graduated with 153 credit hours (appriox 25 more than necessary) and a bill for approximately $40,000.00, give or take a few dollars.  Of those approximate 50 classes I sat through, I only needed one (actually about half of that one class); CMT 585: Establishing a Fashion Business.  What makes this class so lucky that I feel it was the only class needed?  We wrote a business plan.  That's it! We spent three months writing a document that was worth 100 points.  At the end of the semester we were told to make an appointment with a lending officer to have them review our plans.  If they told us, "yes, we would most likely give you a loan" - then you passed.  If you were told "no," well, then, I'm sure you can guess the outcome.  Well, I passed and momentum was given to my dream.

What was the other half of that class that I deemed unnecessary?  Well, we did some math stuff... and had some practice job interviews with the career department at the University.  But I didn't need to master the art of job interviews - I was going to be the one doing the interviews if I owned my own business, right?  And I was pretty certain that I was going to marry my boyfriend - who was an Accounting major, so I didn't need to pay too much attention to that math stuff, right?


Right!  Well, to at least to one of those!!  I did marry the accounting major and he has been the most incredible husband in letting me take this risk.  He would much rather I have a nice, steady, secure job which includes great health benefits and a stable 401k (which I had!); but he agreed - reluctantly - to let me pursue my dream.  Don't get me wrong - I took all his wants into account as well.  I found an amazing job with Abercrombie & Fitch right after graduation that was right up my alley, it was so much fun and I was great at it!  (Thank God I paid some attention to the practice interviews!) But I just wasn't satisfied - it wasn't mine!!  So after three years with a company that I was quickly moving up in - I left.  I left a great career to follow my life long dream at the age of 25.  I left a great, stable & secure job in the middle of a global economic melt down!

Yikes!!