Girls' Night Out
Cowgirls & Indians
The San Juan Lifestyle
Sustainable Foods
Photography by James Burke and Roger Young
Story and photography © San Juan Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
“I have to go
shopping now!” The battle cry is quintessential woman, and the activity
itself a universal
panacea
that knows no geographical or economic boundaries. Doesn’t matter when
or where. Doesn’t matter why. No excuses needed. (Just ask any husband.) Looking, browsing, buying, loading up ‘till you need a bagman to lug it all home for you, or heading back home empty handed—no matter, really. It’s the essence of the activity that counts, the quality not the quantity of the experience. (Although we freely admit it’s more fun to come home with an armful of pretty shopping bags.)
Shopping is therapy “It’s like putting a big
Band-Aid on it when you’re having a bad day,” notes SheShe Boutique
owner, Sheree Frede. True, although unchecked enthusiasm can put
a real hurt on your charge cards. But oh, what exquisite pain.
Shopping, Frede, a dedicated shopper herself, reminds us, is the
ultimate pain pill.”
Whether
you need a quick pick-me-up or a protracted cure-all (where you buy a
whole lot of stuff and do serious damage to your credit cards),
preparation is essential. Gear up for battle with your most fun outfit,
brightest lipstick, killer earrings, then march out to conquer those
shops!
WHO, WHAT
& WEAR We tried it with three fabulous area boutiques: Razzmatazz! (definitely lives up to its descriptive name) in Grand Junction; Tara’s in Delta (impossible to leave empty-handed) and SheShe Boutique & Gallery in Montrose (pictured on our cover and an all-too-close, must-stop shop spot for many of us). Helping prove how soothing a great shopping experience can be were five Montrose area business women, all of whom have earned Frequent Shopper cards.
We
sallied forth to play dress-up, wallowing in great clothes,
drop-dead-gorgeous accessories and fabulous shoes. (Look out Imelda!)
Store owners Sheree Frede (SheShe), Laura Culver (Tara’s) and Becky
Brehmer (Razzmatazz!), aided by knowledgeable staff, helped with our
selections. Wise in the ways of fashion, here were some of their
guidelines.
“Real
fashionistas are all about the hunt,” says Frede. “They know what they
want and they know where and how to find it.” Other ladies need a
little more help, maybe suggestions that will help them be a little
adventurous. Razzmatazz! owner, Brehmer, comments on the role she and
her staff can play. “Accessories, whether they be jewelry, scarves, or
handbags, can change an outfit from casual to dressy, even utilizing
something in their wardrobe that they aready have.” Culver adds, “When
a customer asks, ‘Does this make my butt look big?’ You need to be
tactfully honest, to help them find something they will feel good in
after they leave the store.”
“You
come in looking for something, maybe not knowing quite what it is,”
says Frede, “then you walk out feeling like Cinderella!”
That’s easy. We want something that fits and makes us look good. How hard is that? Very hard, if you’re addicted to big box discount stores. Difficult, but not impossible if you shop more upscale chain stores. Downright definite if you hit the specialty shops where the merchandise is bought with you in mind, the staff is honest and knowledgeable, and outstanding customer service is the store’s goal. “Whatever we put on, we want to feel great, beautiful, competent,” says Frede, summing it up for all of us, from the fashionista to the casual shopper.
Only one way to do that. Go shopping...Now!
Photos
1. Nancy Kirykowicz cops some attitude at Tara's in Delta. © Roger Young for SJPG.)
2, Razzmatazz! owner Becky Brehmer (in front) toasts frequent shopper ladies (© Roger Young for SJPG.) Models: Keithley Wagner, Sandy Head, Nancy Kirykowicz, Deb Hawk, all of Montrose, Colo.
2.
SheShe Boutique, party shopping. (©James Burke for SJPG.)
4. Getting into a party mood at Razzmatazz! (©Roger Young for SJPG.)