Monday, April 13, 2009

Once in a Blue Moon Online Thrift Store Blog

Instead of issuing our usual newsletter, I thought I would try my hand at blogging. In all honesty this isn't an idea I developed on my own. I recently met someone on Facebook who writes her own newspaper articles/blogs for a living and it was at her suggestion I get out of the Stone Age. Her name is Eve Hammond Bushman and she's the author of Eve's Wine 101. As you can tell from the title her expertise is in wines, so for me to ask for her help in writing a blog about an online thrift store would have been fruitless. (Pun intended)

Personally, I think it's a plus to know someone who knows everything you'd ever want to know about wine. Trust me it is not easy to choose a wine for a special dinner and especially if you are anything like me - wine ignorant beyond belief. To help with making my-special-dinner-wine selection I would often ask a grocery store clerk for their recommendation. The irony is most of the clerks are even more ignorant than I am; at least I know where they keep the wine. I'm sure I'll be chastised for attempting to buy a 'good' wine at a grocery store. But hey, I already admitted I know nothing about wine. Nada, zip, nil, NOTHING.
So even though wine doesn't have anything to do with our online thrift store, other than us having some wine glasses for sale, I hope you'll take a few minutes to read Eve's blog and see for yourself how much she really does know about wine.


Blogging

Because I am new to Blogging I found it to be far more intimidating than writing a newsletter. Seriously, I looked at each of the blogs I've included in my Blog List and just felt so overwhelmed by the expertise shown in each of them. My initial thought was 'How am I ever going to have a Blog that looks and sounds like this one.' Truth is, maybe I won't. Another truth is; maybe theirs wasn't so good in the beginning either. One thing I know for sure: Everything gets better over time and with experience. Even wine!

The Real News of the Week

New Product

This past week we added a new product to our lineup: Brand new, beautifully designed hand-beaded tank tops in three popular colors; black, white and tan. Sizes are Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large. These tanks are so versatile you won't have to wait until summer to wear one: For your work day, add a jacket for an office chic look and then later when you're headed off for wine and dinner, remove the jacket to show off the fabulous bead work. You can find the tanks in our Women's Clothing category.





Our Amazon Store

When I first set up our Amazon.com store I was really timid about showcasing products, and primarily because I didn't know what would be of interest to the majority. Well, things have changed! This past week I showcased Hannah Montana dolls for a few days, and when it came time to change it up again, I added every product I could find. Now you'll be able to hunt through items ranging from A to Z and hopefully you won't be like me and not know what a few of the things are or what they do. For example: How many of you have heard of an Essential Wine Aerator? I pass! No problem because it's easy to find in our Amazon store.
I think you have to admit, whatever it is it certainly fits with the theme of this blog.


Venturi Essential Wine Aerator

It makes wine taste better in just seconds




Follow up

In one of my recent newsletters, I wrote about how I was ripped off by a company selling the Acai Berry capsules for weight loss. Connie, one of our good customers emailed me to say that Good Morning America did a story on the Acai Berry diet and said there was no proof that the product does what they say it does. Even if it does do what they say it should, I think having a company use my credit card as a blank check every month is, or at least should be, a felony.



New Merchandise
In case you missed our last few newsletters; we have been adding new merchandise just about every week. New items were added to: Original Art, Print Art, Children's Clothing, Outdoor Decor, Dance and Gymnastics Wear, Women's Clothing, Home Decor, House Wares, Antiques and Jewelry. Some of the new additions to our merchandise line-up have even sold already! Currently we're in the process of trying to enhance all of the photos on the site and once we're finished with that tedious project we'll start adding new merchandise again.
Don't forget we're offering Layaway service now. The customers who have taken advantage of the service seem to be very pleased. My feeling is it's nice to know there is a backup plan for you if money is tight right now. Why miss out on something just because you don't have the full amount available? Layaway is the Answer! Contact us for more information: cs@gone-tomorrow.com

Final Thoughts

My neighbor and Facebook friend, Linda has a saying on her profile that really hits home with me, especially because I am such a prolific writer: "I wonder as I write, do I have anything important to say? I wonder as I write, do I have to say anything important?" I'll just have to let you be the judge of that.
And with that being said, this is the end of our first blog. Let me know if Blogging is better for you than sending our newsletter.
You can post comments to this blog. You'll find the button below.
Thanks,
Sharon