Trending at The Loft – May Newsletter

Hi.

Summer is right around the corner, and the weather is finally starting to reflect that fact! Colorful tanks and summer dresses are lining the store walls ready for your perusal. Look for some exciting changes at The Loft this summer.

There is still a chance to vote for the Best of Story County 2013 until May 12th!  We here at The Loft humbly ask for your vote.  Please vote The Loft as best “Women’s Clothing Store” and “Men’s Clothing Store” & “Consignment Store”.

http://amestribune.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=83628

Mark your Calendar. 

Vote for the Best of Story County. Entries must be submitted by Sunday May 12th to be counted. Don’t delay – submit today!

http://amestribune.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=83628

The Loft will be closed Memorial Day – Monday May 27th

The Art Walk in Downtown Ames!

When: Friday June 7th, 2013

Where: Main Street, Ames Iowa

What:  Enjoy a night dedicated to the arts the first Friday in June! The ArtWalk includes music, food, local talent and fun. Downtown businesses and organizations will host local artists and their work. Various talents will perform throughout the evening.

http://www.amesdowntown.org/index.cfm/32502/47470/artwalk

Consignment.

Spring and summer are here and The Loft has everything you need to outfit your warm climate wardrobe! Check out our shades, accessories, shoes, and dresses.

New product comes in daily, so stop in frequently to keep up on our great deals.

 

 

Check out theses summer totes! Perfect for relaxing at the beach, toting things to work, and shopping trips to all your favorite Main Street stores. Starting at only $8.00

Mother’s Day is now days away – Show her some love and pick up a nice piece of jewelry or summer tote above!

Useful Information.

Our latest blog will help you use the art of color to plan and coordinate stunning, colorful outfits. Read now to find out how!

http://theloftames.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/color-theory-and-what-it-means-for-your-wardrobe/

You Should Get to Know.

Each month we will be featuring a staff member for you to get to know! Our staff thinks of our consigners and shoppers as an extension of The Loft family and we want to connect! This month you should get to know our very own Connie Vaclav.

Who: Connie Vaclav is our dear employee who has been with us since our beginnings.

Position: You will usually see Connie’s helpful smile behind the sales counter at Duck Worth Wearing but you will also occasionally see her at The Loft helping people with her caring and loving spirit.

Past: Connie is an Ames native and has many wonderful memories growing up in this wonderful town.

Present: Together with Connie’s husband Mike, they have raised their son, Michael. He has recently completed his freshman year at Notre Dame.  Connie is a very active volunteer in many organizations including St. Cecilia’s Church, Boy Scouts, and Ames Women’s club.  In her free time Connie and Mike enjoy attending local plays and concerts.

Future: Plan on catching Connie at the stores with a smile on her face and a willingness to help do whatever is needed.

In Closing.

As often as possible, while the sun shines bright and all the snow has melted, we hope to see you shopping on Main Street, especially at The Loft. Whether preparing a vacation wardrobe, or replacing last years worn out flip flops, we are sure to have what you need!  Stop in soon to check out all of our spring and summer goodies and don’t forget to vote!

Thank you for your business, and for shopping local!

Sincerely,
Amy Abrams

Color Theory and what it Means for your Wardrobe

The difference between clothing and fashion is intent. There is the obvious need to wear clothes for protection, modesty, and uniformity with the culture, but when we introduce new forms, patterns, textures, and above all color, fashion is born. Colors play an important role on the fashion scene, as they help us to coordinate within an outfit, as well as with our surroundings. The season, time of week, and even time of day help determine the appropriate colors necessary to turn standard clothes into fashion statements.

Read on to discover the science behind color groupings, learn the physiological associations of colors, and uncover color trends sure to show up in fashion this spring and summer.

Trending at The Loft – April Newsletter

Hi.

Spring has finally sprung! You would not believe the amount of spring fashions that have arrived at the store. Please stop in soon to take advantage of some really great one of a kind deals on name brand apparel.

With spring comes the annual opportunity to vote for the Best of Story County 2013!  We here at The Loft humbly ask for your vote.  Please vote The Loft as best “Women’s Clothing Store” and “Men’s Clothing Store” & “Consignment Store”.

http://amestribune.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=83628

Mark your Calendar. 

The Loft supports The Fashion Show 2013!

When: Saturday April 13th at 7Pm

Where: Stephens Auditorium

What: ISU Fashion show with guest designer Brent Hannapel, J Brand.

http://www.aeshm.hs.iastate.edu/fashion-show/

Vote for the Best of Story County

Must be submitted by Sunday May 12th to be counted. Don’t delay – submit today!

http://amestribune.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=83628

Consignment.

Prom is just weeks away and we have uniquely styled prom dresses to show off your personality. Stop in today to for a dress fitting. Need help finding a good fit for your body type, and the perfect accessories? Read our recent blogs!

http://theloftames.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/style-guide-how-to-pick-out-the-perfect-prom-dress/

http://theloftames.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/using-the-principles-of-design-to-accessorize-for-prom/#more-355

Is your wardrobe lacking the vibrancy that spring has to offer? Great News! We are getting new jewelry and scarves coming in all the time. Let our beautiful accessories bring a fresh appearance and add color to an existing outfit.

Since you are coming to shop our extensive accessory collection why not shop our brand new spring and summer inventory? The latests styles that have graced our racks include shorts, tanks, skirts, capris, sandals, sunglasses, and much more! Let us help get your spring and summer wardrobe started off on the right foot.

Useful Information.

You, the consumer have a right and duty to be informed! Don’t fall victim to a designer handbag knock-offs and spend your hard earned cash on a scam. Our blog below will help you have discernment when it comes to telling the real deal from a fake steal. Read on to learn how!

http://theloftames.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/designer-handbags-how-to-tell-the-real-deal-from-an-imposture

 If you are part of the ISU graduating community or one of the millions of Americans looking for a good job, you’ll want to present yourself in a professional, well dressed manner. How do you build a decent wardrobe when you haven’t even begun collecting your first paycheck? Consignment shopping and fashion staples are your answers. For more details read our most recent blog post.

http://theloftames.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/how-to-build-a-professional-wardrobe-on-a-pre-paycheck-budget/#more-422

You Should Get to Know.

Each month we will be featuring a staff member for you to get to know! Our staff thinks of our consigners and shoppers as an extension of  The Loft family and we want to connect! This month you should get to know our very own Tiffany Walker.

Who: Tiffany Walker

Position: Tiffany has been a dedicated member of The Loft family for the past nine years. She is the 2nd big kahuna at Duck Worth Wearing and The Loft. Tiffany operates almost identically to Amy,  minus having to pay the bills. They are practically speaking one in the same. Amy and Tiffany’s similar working styles cause the stores to run smoothly under any and all circumstances.

Past:  Tiffany grew up in the small city of Durant in eastern Iowa. It wasn’t until 1993 when Tiffany came to call Ames her home.

Present: Tiffany has enjoyed life in Ames with her self employed husband Scott. Together they are caring for and raising up three children. Zechariah, the eldest is a freshman at DMACC studying diligently to obtain a Criminal Justice degree. Their second, Harrison, is currently an 8th grader at Ames Middle School. Finally, Anleah, the youngest attends first grade classes at St. Cecilias. The happy family is kept company by Mr. Kitty, their cat and at this time of writing, one hamster – you just never know.

When not busy taking care of customers at The Loft and Duck Worth Wearing, Tiffany enjoys volunteering at church and attending her children’s activities.

Future: Tiffany hopes to make 2013 the best year yet for all of her consigning customers by providing great service and cheerful greetings at both stores!

In Closing.

We have successfully made it through another Iowa winter. We couldn’t be more pleased to see our customers out and about on Main Street.  Stop in soon to check out all of our spring and summer goodies and don’t forget to vote!

Thank you for your business, and for shopping local!

Sincerely,
Amy Abrams

How to Build a Professional Wardrobe on a Pre-Paycheck Budget

Whether you are a recent grad, or new to the career scene, it is advantageous to dress for the job you want, not the job you have.  Similar to your resume, your experience with attire may be minimal, so building  a professional wardrobe is critical to creating credibility. Collecting the essentials on a pre-pay check budget can be a challenge.  Establishing a base wardrobe by purchasing quality consignment staples will put you on the same playing field as your polished peers. Continue reading to learn how to build a solid wardrobe foundation that will echo your future career path!

Using the Principles of Design to Accessorize for Prom

Prom is just weeks away and it’s now time to finish off your look by accessorizing.  From head to toe you will want to coordinate your jewels, accents and shoes by using the principles of design to achieve a handsome overall appearance for a prom you’ll never forget.

February Newsletter

Hi.

As we prepare to weather one of our last winter storms of 2013, I am as anxious as ever for all that spring has to offer here at The Loft! We are constantly getting new dresses for prom, and clothes for the upcoming spring and summer season.  Let us be part of your spring cleaning and wardrobe refresh by bringing in your gently worn clothes and shopping our updated collection. We are looking forward to seeing you in the store soon!

Consignment.

We are having a HUGE winter sale right now! Stop in before all the goods go, and to check out our newest spring additions.

Awesome prom dresses are arriving daily. “Like” our Facebook page to get updated images of our new arrivals.

https://www.facebook.com/theloftames

Here are some of our most recent arrivals…

Follow these tips for bringing in prom dresses:

• Must be dry cleaned and in perfect condition
• Check over dress for missing beads and rhinestones
• Please look over your items thoroughly. We will only accept the highest quality and current trend items.

Not sure how to pick out the perfect prom dress? Get great advice from our latest blog.

http://theloftames.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/style-guide-how-to-pick-out-the-perfect-prom-dress/

While you shop our upper level for formal wear,  you’ll see plenty of dazzling and brand new accessories to complete your look. We also have a broad selection of shoes in all sizes.

We are also now accepting spring and summer consignment. For details on how to consign check out the link on our website.

http://www.theloftames.com/popups/howto.html

Events.

Not in high school but still love to get dressed up? Mark your calendars for the Back to Basics, Ames Adult Prom!

What: A themed annual charity even held in Ames, Iowa for adults 21 and over.  This year profits are donated to Raising Readers in Story County and Polk County Child Abuse Prevention Council.

Tickets are $20 and include music, keg beer and prom punch.

Professional photography by Jolesh is also available.

This year’s theme is Back to Basics, a throwback prom to any era you chose.  Whether you fancy the 50′s with bouffant hair and wing tipped shoes or the 80′s with ruffles galore and larger than life hair, we want to see you in your prom best!

When: Saturday, April 6th 8PM – Sunday, April 7th 1AM

Where: 300 S 17th St. Ames, Iowa 50010

What to wear?: A prom dress from The Loft

You should get to know.

Each month we will be featuring a staff member or two for you to get to know! Our staff thinks of our consigners and shoppers as an extension of The Loft family, and we want to connect! This month you should get to know Amy and Eric Abrams.

Who: Amy and Eric Abrams

Position: Amy & Eric became the owners of  Duck Worth Wearing in 2006. Three years later they opened the sister store, The Loft in 2009.

Past: Amy and Eric grew up just miles apart with Amy’s stomping grounds in Radcliffe, Iowa and Eric a short distance from there in Story City. As Iowa natives, purchasing the store in Ames seemed the perfect fit for giving back to the community in which they grew up.

Present: Eric currently keeps busy working full time at the Iowa DOT as a Geospatial Infrastructure Manager. In addition to his full-time employment  Eric helps out at the stores by managing the finances, marketing, and maintaining the website.  This compliment’s Amy’s skill set perfectly as she’s not to fond of numbers!

Amy’s schedule is packed with working full-time between both Duck Worth Wearing and The Loft. She is a jack of all trades and undoubtably the glue that holds the stores together.

When Eric & Amy finish their work for they day they enjoy returning home to spend time with their two kids. Colby is currently a senior at Gilbert High School and will be heading to ISU in the fall. Mackenzie, their second child is an 8th grader at Gilbert.  Also waiting eagerly to greet them when they come home are their two dogs. Snickers, a chocolate rat terrier who is 14 years old, and the new puppy Cooper, age 1 who can be caught from time to time wandering the Duck Worth Wearing Location.

Future: Amy & Eric have a real passion for serving the families of Ames and look forward to a continued relationship over the coming years!

Ask Amy.

Do you have any unique question for us that you just have to know the answer to? “Ask Amy” will give you a monthly opportunity to do just that! Contact us through our websites with questions, and if we use your question in our next newsletter, you will receive a $10.00 gift card to The Loft!

February’s Question: How did The Loft’s sister store, Duck Worth Wearing get its name?

Duck Worth Wearing was founded by Bill and Sheila Duckworth along with Joyce Duckworth in 2000. They were inspired by the game show “Wheel of Fortune” puzzle with the theme of “before and after”.  They used their last name and added “Worth Wearing” which then became three words making the final result, “Duck Worth Wearing.”  It is a name that sticks in your head. Children have been known to lovingly refer to it as “The Duck Store” and even “The Chicken Store”!

Tech Time.

Our blogs are being delivered on a regular basis with tips for accessorizing, ideas for new styles, and updated product alerts. Follow our blog to be first in the know!

Keep up with our blogs by bookmarking this link…

http://theloftames.wordpress.com/

In Closing.

Stop in soon to check out our updated jewelry, accessories,  and spring outfits. Have a wonderful Easter and enjoy your friends and family!

Thank you for your business, and as always for shopping local!

Sincerely,
Amy Abrams

Designer Handbags – How to Tell the Real Deal from an Imposture

Quality. Honesty of material. Research. These three elements will guide you to use good discernment in a designer handbag purchase. Most seasoned shoppers will only own one or a very small collection of true designer hand bags, so becoming familiar with the product before you buy is key. It can be extremely difficult to tell the difference between an authentic designer bag, and a look alike knock-off.  Continue reading to discover the ways to determine the difference.