Gracie's Cove - Gracie's Blog

Men's clothes at Gracie's Cove???

2010-02-20T17:43:12-06:00

I’d like to introduce new merchandise offered by Wyoming West designs (the same company that produces the Cowgirl Up apparel). The merchandise and souvenir products feature the National High School Rodeo Association and Wyoming West Designs logos and proceeds from the sales go to the Cowboy Crisis Fund. This worthy cause provides assistance with costs related to an injury or death sustained by a NHSRA member. For additional information and donations please contact crisisfund@NHSRA.org.

Here is part of an email that I received in response to inquiring about selling the clothing on Gracie’s Cove:

“Thank you for your interest in the NHSRA merchandise. We gave over $50,000 in the past 3 years to the foundation for selling ONLY the wristbands. Now I was able to become the National Logo and Souvenir sponsor of the NHSRA and we immediately added the clothing. We donate all the proceeds from the sales to the NHSRA.”

This is such a worthy cause, I’ve been thinking about ‘bending the rules’ (just this one time) and offering the men’s line as well… men’s clothes at Gracie’s Cove… hmmm…

It’s all great stuff, and gals can get it for their boyfriends, dads, husbands, brothers, yadda, yadda, yadda….

What do you think?

The vote appears to be an over-welming “YES!”, so I’ve placed the Men’s clothing line in the Barn as well. Thank-you to everyone for your help in this decision! Now, should I add in some of the Realtree men’s line, too?
Need to think about that one…

Denim Sale!

2010-02-15T08:43:37-06:00

We are having a Denim Sale here at the Cove! All jean styles from Adiktd and Cowgirl Up are 25% off. This is the lowest price ever on these jeans.
They are going to go fast at these prices! We have limited quantities, when they’re gone, they’re gone!

Olympic Dreams

2010-02-13T18:49:55-06:00

I’d like to wish all of the Olympians from all of the different countries the best of luck!
It must be incredibly exciting for them; the years of hard work and sacrifice for the chance at the gold medal. And to be able to compete for their country, with the entire world looking on… wow…

I watched the footage on the luger that died in the training run in Vancouver, how tragic. I feel deeply for his family, teammates, and his country. It is a very brave and honorable act for his team to compete with him gone.

Good luck to everyone, go USA!

Namaste

2010-02-04T20:18:58-06:00

I’ve recently allowed myself to get back into my yoga addictions. If you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend it!
It makes you fell stretchy, and long and lean. It’s great!
Great for muscle tone,
Great for relaxation,
Great for sanity,
Great for meditation,

Have I mentioned it’s great???

Anyways, I hope everyone is on their way to reaching the goals you set forth for this year! Remember to try some new exercises! Maybe yoga?

Thinking Spring in Fashion

2010-01-24T16:37:28-06:00

I’ve been spending a lot of time recently looking into new products for Gracie’s Cove. At Christmas time I wanted add some items that could be given as gifts to someone who perhaps didn’t know what a person’s size was, and as we all know, guessing is NOT a good idea! So I added Gift Certificates and jewelry.
Now with Spring around the corner (thank goodness), I’ve been looking into more shorts, tanks, and just a general shift in focus… out with the old and in with the new!
In retail I can tell you that it takes diligence to keep up with the shift in trends! A week is a long time in the fashion industry.
But I can honestly tell you that this is one of my favorite parts of my job. I love clothes! And clothes that are the foundation of some of my favorite hobbies are even better. Though, if it were between a great pair of running shorts, and a really cute pair of brown suede knee-high zipper boots with a 1 ½ inch heel… hmmm… not sure which would win there… Of course, you can’t win a 5K in a pair of cute zipper boots!
Anywho…
I’ve been on the lookout for great spring items for The Barn, The Lodge, and The Track. I’m excited about what Cowgirl Up and Adiktd have in their newest catalog. And Kirstie from Prois has a great new Hoodie coming out in the next couple of months. CW-X just sent their Spring catalog out as well, can you say “Ventilator Shorts”, yeah baby!
Think Spring!

Countdown to Fargo

2010-01-15T17:47:24-06:00

Here it comes again; the Fargo Half-Marathon. It’s time to get off of my rear-end and get in decent running shape, which is where I was at about this time last year (must be a coincidence). Unfortunately, too many NCIS episodes, and FAR too many treats filled with chocolately goodness have landed me 15 pounds heavier than this time last year. So now I can work to get in good running shape, and go on a diet. EEEsssh!

The one positive to all of this: 3 weeks ago I had 20 pounds to lose, so 5 pounds down, 15 to go!

I’m sure I’m in good company. So many people ‘resolve’ to lose weight with ringing in of the new year. Here is some unsolicited advice from someone who has been there, done that, and did NOT buy the T-shirt:

1. Write down your goals and keep a journal. You’ve heard it before and probably thought “Dumb! How is ‘journaling’ supposed to help?”, or something like that. It does…help… a lot. If you are about to power your way through an entire pint of Chocolate Chunky Monkey ice cream, knowing that you have to write it down…. I bet you think twice before digging in.

2. Go ahead and throw out the junk. You are not wasting money by throwing it out; you already wasted it when you bought it. Throwing the junk food away is getting rid of temptation. You will have weak moments; don’t have a box of Ho-Ho’s anywhere near when it happens!

3. Do not shop for groceries when you are hungry! Go when you are comfortable. Hungry+Snack Isle= Bad

4. Get up and move! We’ve all heard about the benefits of exercise, you don’t need me to reiterate…

5. Have fun. You won’t stick with an exercise regimen that is boring, or hurts, or is uncomfortable, or makes you feel like a total ass. Find something that is fun to do that you like!

Okay, climbing down from my Soap Box now.

Good luck to everyone, and hope to see you in Fargo this year!

Can you say "Cold"?

2010-01-09T11:09:05-06:00

Holy Popsicles, Batman!
The last couple days up here in Northeastern South Dakota have been between -20 and -30! That is actual air temperature! Not including the wind-chill, that puts it around -50. I’m not sure you can put on enough layers to counter-act that kind of cold.
It makes me marvel at the animals that are outside in this. If they can survive this… I bow down to their superiority!
This also means that I am stuck inside on the treadmill until warmer weather arrives, a “Happy Hamster” until the spring.
With the running season fast approaching I have put out a few specials on the CW-X line, and expanded the Champion apparel line as well to add some more hoodies (layers, layers, layers!), and even a few yoga options!

Let me know if you’d like to get on the mailing list for Gracie’s Cove announcements, I will gladly add your address to my list!

Here is a great email from a customer (and good friend) about the freezing temps in our neck of the woods:

Hey Girlie,
I had to send you a picture of my horses with their blankets on, after reading your blog story about negative 35 below zero weather in South Dakota. Some people think horse blankets is a crazy concept, but not this girl. Thank goodness my husband is supportive of the blankets. If they didn’t have blankets on, I couldn’t look out my windows. I think I would have to shut all the blinds so I can’t see them standing out there trying to stay warm, while I watch from my 70 degree house. Not only do they eat less, but it’s a weight off of my shoulders knowing they are as comfortable as I can make them. They are also surrounded by multiple tree claims. You can’t spoil a horse too much. They are special friends that need our love.
Sincerely,
Spoiled Horses In South Dakota

The dun mare is Gypsy, the bay gelding is Sonic, the girl is Tori

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T17:50:28-06:00

I hope everyone rang in the New Year safely, and, of course, had fun doing it!

I have one resolution:
To lose the 20 pounds that crept back on this past year (how did that happen?). I should be able to do that with the tools available to me. I’ve got a gym membership to one of those 24-hour places (which also includes a website where you can set your goals, log your food intake, and track your workouts-handy!), I know how to eat healthy-I just need to DO it, and I will be running in the Fargo Half-Marathon with some friends again this year, so I have accountability for my exercise regimen.

Anyone else have any they would like to share?

As a related side note, I am working on putting together some great sales events for January on our exercise apparel- CW-X and Champion! And expanding the Champion line to offer a broader range of options for you.

As always, let me know if you’d like to see me offer something on the website, you know what you like best!

Talk to you soon!

Let it Snow!

2009-12-26T16:31:19-06:00

A very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
We are in the midst of a monster of a blizzard up here in South Dakota, this is day 4 of some nasty weather. The one good thing coming out of it is with all this snow, we will get a chance to crack out the snowmobiles while we are on holiday from work!
Woo Hoo!

The Work-At-Home Woman website

2009-12-19T08:31:25-06:00

The Work-At-Home Woman is a website dedicated to woman who currently works out of her home, or wishes to, strives to, or is curious about doing so.
It is a bustling Mecca of resources including: articles about blogging, landing a job, interviewing, promotion of yourself and/or your new career, marketing, and scam prevention- just to name a very few.
The website is owned and run by the very talented Holly Reisem Hanna. Striving to find a way to earn extra money while caring for her newborn daughter, she researched stay at home jobs and networked with individuals, eventually finding some leads. Compiling this information and beginning the website was her venture into the entrepreneurial world.
The WAHW is packed with information; I strongly encourage everyone to check it out! Bring a Snickers bar with you, you’re gonna be there awhile!