Posts Tagged ‘Brianna’

V.I.F.F. Window Display Competition Masterpiece

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

My VIFF Window!!

As many of you know, we are in the midst of the Vancouver International Film Festival! But what many of you might not know, is that V.I.F.F. holds a window display competition called “Window On the World Window Display Competition”. The guidelines are pretty simple: create a window display that highlights and brings attention to V.I.F.F. When I heard about the competition and what the prize was (2 tickets to the closing gala) I immediately said “I NEED to do that!”

I am pretty obsessed with film and so any chance I get to exploit my ridiculously large movie collection and play with old film roles I am in! So I packed up my movies, grabbed my old movie tickets (yes I have a collection of every movie I have seen in the past 4 years…and yes it takes up a lot of space in my wallet), bagged up some popcorn and nibs and hawled it up to the store. Then the fun part came…lugging a like 100 pound leather couch from the basement into the window. In the rain. And then trying to fit it through the door that was to small for it. Lets just say if it wasn’t for the brawney buff angel from the liquor store across the street who came and helped us 3 wimpy girls, no one would be getting in the store for awhile. So for the next 4 hours, we placed some props, hooked up some tvs, played dvds and made a cd chandelier. Then at about 12 oclock, the masterpiece was finished.

The window has been up for a while and there have been some minor changes (for example Back to the Future and Cars are now playing on the TV instead of The Sound of Music and Finding Nemo) but the competition is still open until the 15th! So if you love my window, and want to fufill my dreams of going to a big hollywood movie event then please go to http://www.viff.org/festival/a-window-on-the-world-voting/ and vote!

Thanks!

-B

Its Our Birthday!!!!!!! We are 3 years old today!!!

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Today is October 1st and guess what! Its our 3rd Anniversary!!! That’s right we turn 3 years old today!!! Its hard to believe that a store so crucial and perfect for Vancouver didn’t exist long before us, but no need to worry now because We’re here to stay!

Although I have not been here for all 3 glorious years, the last 6 months that I have, have been amazing. I have gotten to meet some amazingly loyal GumDroppers, gotten to do some pretty stellar window displays, helped moms and their little ones get their very first pair of boots, guided some travelers on how to keep up with Vancouver weather, pulled a few all nighters receiving, processing and organizing stock, had a few “family bonding dinners” with Kathryn and Shanda. I have also find out what lengths people are willing to go to get Hunter Wellies!!!  Aaannnnndddd,  finally I have been able to write freely about something I never thought I would be passionate about…rain!

GumDrops feels like a second home to me now, and I can honestly say I love working here, I love Shanda and everything she is doing and I honestly love rain! (And I should mention I love Kathryn too! Oh and Ruth! (she is new but she rules!))

Its been a long haul and a tough year, but we are out of the terrible twos and are already on the up and up! And to celebrate change and growth and because ultimately “It is our birthday!” (said like an angsty teenage cheerleader) we have an awesome sale happening on our website! (yes website only, Sorry!) So to help us ring in our birthday check out the online store and feel free to send us any birthday wishes or comments! PS the sale will change weekly for the month of October.

Its our birthday but we have to thank you because as you have heard some many times in the movies, if it wasn’t for you we would not be here! So thanks for supporting us and we hope to see you in the store soon!

Happy Birthday GumDrops!

-Brianna

Bloomin’ Hunters!

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Exhibit A

It’s now the middle of September and although we have only gotten a taste of the rain to come, its just about time for us to dust off our rain boots from the back of our shoe closets and take them out back out for a spin. Now many of you may be pulling out your Hunter Wellies and notice they might look slightly different than when you first got them. But don’t worry! I repeat do not worry! This is a totally natural process that ALL Hunter Boots go through!

In the case of Hunter Wellies, in hot or humid weather, white marks may appear on your boots; this is not a defect but a release of a protective wax known as “blooming”.Every Hunter Wellington boot is made from 100% natural ingredients and small amounts of wax are included in the rubber compound during vulcanization process that is used to create a pair. When Wellies are exposed to certain environmental factors, this wax can “bloom” to the surface and appear as white or blue marks. This is not a defect and is again completely natural!

Now that you have calmed yourself down and deleted your email to us asking for a new pair, I can tell you there is several remedies to blooming. The best and most commonly known “fix” for blooming hunters is UV Tech Spray. This spray both made by Hunter and McNett, rejuvenates synthetic rubber and helps stop colour fading & UV damage. Basically you spray it on the boot, use some good old elbow grease and viola! Your hunters are restored back to their original glory! Another homemade remedy that works is good old canola oil. Scrub it on and the white blooming should disappear. Finally, in the store we have found that Moneysworth Best Shine Sponge has worked wonders! It may take a bit of scrubbing, but this little sponge has soaked up all that unwanted white residue!

So if your are in need of Hunter TLC, this is what you need :) McNett UV Tech!

-Brianna

Eat. Pray. Love. Hunter.

Saturday, September 4th, 2010

The HBG in all her glory

It was pouring buckets outside a few days ago, and for the first time today we have had a breather, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to shed some light onto what the low down is at Gumdrops. Many of you may have already been in lately trying to get a head start on the rain season. And many of you have been coming in asking to get your first pair of hunters (or in some cases, add to your collection.) You may have noticed that we probably said “I’m sorry but we don’t have your size, in any of the colours or styles that you want.” Well I’m hear to tell you, we are not just telling you that, and its not the universe saying “I hate you, so I’m going to make it impossible to get your perfect rain boot.” Nope, in the scheme of things it’s not the universe picking on you, but rather someone picking on us.

So I’m going to tell you a little inside info, since you guys are obviously invested enough in Gumdrops to spend a portion of your day reading our little blog so here it goes: It pains me to say it but last month Gumdrops had another robbery! (Note: If your mouth dropped like mine did when I first heard the news then you probably were thinking the same thing I was “Why god! Whyyyyyyy!!!!”.. Okay maybe not. Still, who would steal from little old Gumdrops? Just trying to make you look better in the rain!) Yes the robbery SUCKED, and we lost a lot of product that we had initially planned to hold us over until our fall stock came in. But of course, you think when bad things happen, something good will probably happen to keep the world balanced…Well it didn’t. Not only did we figure out we had 1 pair of size 7 Hunters left in the whole store, but Hunter called to tell us that our Fall shipment was being pushed back from July to October! After I recovered from my slight heart attack, we picked ourselves back up, realized it was out of our control and the best thing we could do is tell you, the customer, exactly what was up. We are basically at the mercy of the Hunter shipping department.

Now it’s starting to get busier and busier, and everyday I have to look at another broken-hearted women who is just trying to find a Hunter size 7 in any colour. I think there is only 3 options to help this situation. One, is to stuff my face with peanut butter Big City Cupcakes because chocolate and peanut butter always make me feel better (and less hungry). Two, is to make a little hunter boot shrine in the storage room and spend exactly 30 min a day praying to the Hunter Boot God (HBG) that she will send us a magical shipment full of all the boots we need, and finish praying by pouring some water on boots to let her know that we desperately need them. Or, three, just spread the love. I love my hunters, you love your hunters, and if we just send that love out to the universe, HBG is sure to make us all happy!

Don’t be discouraged lil’ Gumdropper, I have faith in our HBG, so the best way to make sure you get your hunter boots this fall is to come by, try on a pair if you don’t know your size, and get us to put you in our customer request book, where you will be one of first people (besides me :) ) to know when HBG has answered our prayers and sent us some boots!

-Brianna

Brianna Gone Wild

Friday, July 9th, 2010

July in my opinion is the best month of the year. July is a month of sunshine, soft beaches, drinks on a patio, the smell of BBQ steak, tanned skin, NO SCHOOL, late night bonfires, vacations to lake houses and camping every other weekend. I mean, it is hard to think of one negative thing about July, not only do we have all those amazing things, but we also get to kick off the month with a huge country wide party to celebrate Canada’s Birthday! So with all the upcoming fun on my mind, it got me thinking about how this month is the time to let loose, be free and go wild! Which in turn got me thinking about what the wildest thing I have ever done was? And coincidentally it is the wildest place I have ever been as well!

Me & Friends In Rafting Gear Before the Big Ride!

Now it wasn’t easy thinking about me being wild, as I am usually a very cautious and reserved person when it comes to adventure and being spontaneous, but there is one particular time last summer that comes flooding into my head. In may of last year I went on a 25 day Contiki Tour of Europe. The trip was full of firsts for me. First time being farther east than Calgary, first time in Europe, first time travelling without our my parents, first time realizing it was up to me and my friend to figure everything out and that my mom wasn’t going to be there to fix it! (this hit home very very hard when I got Strept Throat in Spain!) But it was also the first time that I took “danger” head on and wasn’t so inhibited by my logical side of my brain. What was this “danger”? Well it was white water rapid rafting down an Austrian river in the Austrian Tyrol Mountains! At first I was terrified, I acted all cool but inside I was having multiple panic attacks and trying very hard not to just run the opposite direction of the water. Once we got to the water, myself and 5 other girls climbed in the raft with Scouse our Liverpool accented guide and away we went! The ride was about half an hour and we had many laughs and screams along the way but I have to admit by the end of it I was hungry for more! I wanted bigger rapids, bigger jumps, more falling off and more drama! Scouse told us that we had done about a 3.0 run and that in the Austrian off season he does tours of 4.0 and 5.0 down the Nile in Egypt…he told us some stories and lets just say I am glad there was no hippos in our 3.0!

I have to say white water rafting down an Austrian river was one of the highlights of my trip and think I may have found a thrilling past time to pursue in the future! I’d love to hear about a time you left inhibition to the wind and went wild or where the wildest place you have ever been is!

And if your think you need some inspiration for letting loose, come on in and check out our “Gone Wild” window display and let your inner animal take over!

Go Wild!!!

- Brianna

White Wedding (No not that Sweet 80′s song)

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Now you probably feel like you know us pretty well (you know we love Conan, peanut butter, movies and youtube) but I think we have failed to mention one giant thing that Kathryn and I have in common: We both attend the same fashion school! Although I am about a semester ahead of Kathryn [I'm a senior so she has to do what I tell her to do at school :) ] we both have taken a Visual Display class. However, being the senior that I am, I am currently taking a second Visual Display class that is more focused on window displays! So you can imagine how happy and excited I felt when Shanda told us we would have free reign on the window display this month! All she told us was that it was to be wedding themed and that we had a very small budget :) As soon as she said it I blurted out “Hunter Boot Marriage!” and instantly my Original Tall White Hunters popped into my head, and then slowly the picture dissolved into a wedding scene complete with a bow tie groom, “crazy” coloured brides maid, stock black grooms men and kids boot as the flower girl and ring bearer. Yes the image in my head was glorious and for the next 3 weeks I couldn’t help but bug Kathryn with all the things we could add to it! (lets just say there were many late night emails to each other) It went a little something like this:

Brianna: oh!!!! Lets add rice! Like how they through rice when you come out the church!

Brianna: oh!!!! Lets make little bouquets for the brides maids!

Brianna: oh!!!! Lets make a little pillow with a giant diamond on it to be the ring for the ring bearer!

Brianna: oh!!!! Lets make an arch of all white paper flowers and one bright coloured flower because Kathryn surprise, repetition and colour are 3 of the 12 attention getting devices! (shout out to my lovely teacher Cara for teaching me that!)

Kathryn: Okay , Good ideas B.

White Wedding

Now I know Kathryn won’t be happy that I am making her out to seem like she didn’t contribute much but oh contrair! Kathryn came up with the idea for the “your invited” slogan and she spent a few hours a day making those beautiful little tissue paper flowers! (I would have helped but we discovered I have a bad cutting issue where I can’t cut in a circle so all mine looked terrible!) She also slaved away on the ladder hanging the umbrellas and the arch! I think overall our first window went pretty perfectly! We managed to have a busy selling day and still make the window look great! I am really proud of the window and I confident in saying Kathryn is proud of the window too!

If you guys have walked by the window, let us know what you thought! If you haven’t seen it yet i suggest getting your boot down to West 4th and check it out!

Brianna

Boots In The City

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

With the highly anticipated release of Sex and the City 2, we started thinking: “I wonder which boot Carrie Bradshaw would wear?” This eventually lead us to think about the rest of the gals. So in true Brianna and Kathryn fashion, here is our opinionated take on Sex and the City boots!

Carrie Bradshaw

K: When I think about Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe, aside from dollar signs and designer labels, I think colour and originality. How many times have you watched an episode of Sex And The City and thought, “I can’t believe she’s wearing that!!” But secretly, she pulled off the belly tops and overalls. The Carrie Bradshaw boot has to be vibrant, daring, and it doesn’t hurt having a well known label. So in true Carrie Bradshaw fashion, I chose 3 pairs to deem the “Carrie Bradshaw” boot:

Hunters Citrine

Hunters Turquoise

Hunters Lava

B: Well I would like to argue that I am a WAY bigger fan of Sex and the City than Kathryn, and perhaps the world! (When I was proof reading this K spelt Carrie, Cary! Haha) Although I didn’t start to watch the show until after the series ended, I became some what obsessed. I have probably seen the entire series at least 4 times, I have books, a board game and one of my favourite things is I have walked over the bridge in Paris that Carrie and Mr. Big kiss and make up in the series finale! Now I would probably proclaim I am more of a Carrie and after watching the second movie I am still amazed at what she can pull off. Vintage mixed with couture, and bold color choices is how I would describe Carries so as my choice I would choose the Dav Karma Boot. Its loud pattern in a riding boot style mixes everything that we love so much about Carries style!

Samantha Jones

K: Samantha Jones is a powerful woman, with a little sass. Looking through her wardrobe, she can go from a great suit, to a risque dress. The Samantha boot needs to be sophisticated, with a little something extra. And like Cary, you know she loves her brand names! For Samantha, I say the Hunter Carnaby Boa

B: Obviously the first thing that pops into my head when I think Samantha Jones is sex and that’s basically all you need to say. So whats sexier than Sam Jones? The Hunter Carnaby Boa of course! Nothing says sexy like black snakeskin!

Miranda Hobbs

K: Miranda is a classic mom on the go. A successful career woman, and a mother of one, she has a lot of running around on her to-do list. The Miranda boot has to be slightly more modest than her friends, and above all: Comfortable!! That it was I chose the Kamik Ellie Chocolate.

B: This is where I would like to argue with most women. I think a lot of people see Miranda as just a less sexy up tight version of the other girls, but in this second movie Miranda brings it! She has some of the sexiest outfits (her dress at the wedding was beyond drool worthy) and she rocks the Mom look better than anyone I know! So as for my pick I choose the Kamik Janis Navy. The Kamik brand is excellent for a mom on the go because of its slim fit and comfortability! And the fun sunflower print is anything but boring!

Charlotte York-Goldenblatt

K: A mother as well, Charlotte leads a slightly more mellow lifestyle compared to Miranda. It’s not coincidence Charlotte and classy both start with a ‘C’, they’re basically synonyms. And although I can’t picture Charlotte trudging around in the muck and rain, there is still a pair for her. The Charlotte “boot”, in my opinion, are the black Dav flats. Perfect!

B: Charlotte York-Goldenblatt is a women after my heart. I was once told by a psychic that I had an old soul and she asked me if I had a thing for vintage. And although I hate going and riffling through vintage stores I absolutely love the classic 50′s house wife look! I seriously think besides 18th century Rococo I would go back to the 50′s just so I could wear Diors New Look. But getting back to Charlotte I think that because she is so classic that I would have to go with the Original Tall Black Hunters.

We’d love to hear what you think about the girls as well as what boots you think Stanford would wear!!!

Brianna and Kathryn

Introducing, Kathryn and Brianna

Monday, May 17th, 2010



We're both big fans!

As the GumDrops blog newbies, we thought our first post should be used to introduce ourselves. And what better way than by asking each other 20 random questions? Enjoy!

#1) If you were an animal, what would you be?

B:  Cat! They are hilarious! .. And I like to think they have crazy adventures like in the Aristocats

K: Angora rabbit. Google it, not going to lie- they are amazing.

#2: If you could be best friends with any celebrity, who would it be?

B:  Lady Gaga, I think she would want to do crazy things like have a picnic on a New York sidewalk, while wearing a dead fish bedazzled hat.

K:  As tempting as a fish hat sounds, I’m going to go with Conan O’Brien!!

B: I’m super jealous you thought of him, I love him!

Twin alert: We both revealed that we used to think up ways to be famous just so we could appear on Conan O’Brien’s talk show.

#3) What song are you still dancing around to?

B: “Stop” By the Spice Girls. Yeah, I still reenact my grade 4 lip sync moves.

K: Single Ladies.

#4) Your secret obsession?

B: Gushers, and Dunkaroos.

K: Oooh.. Toss up, bacon or perogies.

#5) What movie have you watched so many times, you can quote it?

B: Honestly, every movie.. I have a talent for remembering useless lines in movies. But the movie I could probably reenact scene for scene, line for line, is Step Brothers! ” I am NOT going to call him dad.. Even if there’s a fire!!!”

K: Zoolander. ” Hansel.. He’s so hot right now.”

#6) What do you miss most about being a kid?

B: Playing with my barbies, and reenacting “Days Of Our Lives” with them.

K: Wow.

B: And! Rollerblading with my brother and sister, listening to Jock Jams and Ace Of Base.

K: The goody bags you get after birthday parties. Why and when did that stop?

#7) Favorite You Tube clip?

B: “Charlie Bit Me”, and if you want to see the best jazz dancing “Prisencolinensinainciusol”

K: To name a few: “Kittens Inspired By Kittens”, and ” So You Cat Wants A Massage?”

We have been quoting “So Your Cat Wants A Massage?” for the past few days.

#8) Favorite pizza topping?

B: Chicken, peppers, sun dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and Spinach. Basically, the Chicken Florentine at Pizza Hut.

K: 3 words. Bacon, pineapple, and kalamata olives. I recommend this creation at Megabite.

#9) Favorite magazine?

B: It’s a tie: Zink, Interview, V, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar.

K: WAD, and Vice.

#10) Something you’re still trying to find?

B: Justin Bieber

K: She’s not joking.

B: And the perfect pair of jeans!

K: I had my mom as a grade one teacher (yes, it did get awkward). She would read us a book called ” Le Chat Patapouf” (did I mention I was in french immersion?). It was about a

cat, who ate everyone in the village and grew into a giant balloon. I wont ruin the ending. Still trying to find that book.

#11) The Hills, or Jersey Shore.

B: The Hills!

K: That’s like trying to make me pick between my parents!

#12) Twilight, or High School Musical?

B: Twilight for the books, HSM for the movies.

K: None of the above. Pass.

#13) What is the farthest you have ever been away from home?

B: Europe, Rome or Munich- whichever is farther?

K: New York. When I was very little, I went to the 6 Flags there. I have too big of a shopping obsession to afford travels. Fingers crossed for Montreal this summer!!

#14) Beyoncé or Lady Gaga?

B: Lady Gaga!

K: (In a baby voice) Gaga!

#15) Name one female, and one male (dead or alive), that you would like to spend a day with.

B: Marie Antoinette, and Napoleon Bonapart (or Marc Jacobs)

K: Audrey Hepburn, and Alexander McQueen.

#16) If you could hop into a Dolorian, and travel back in time- where would you go?

B: Either the Roman Empire, how cool would it be to be a Roman? Like really, gladiator fights, cool headbands, the Colosseum.. Or 8th Century Paris (pre- revolution), so I can wear sweet wigs, befriend Marie Antoinette, wear huge dresses, and chill in Versailles.

K: Well, as much as I would love to rock the 80′s power suit. I’m going to say Egypt. As long as I was rich. I’m not cut out for pyramid building- I can barely garden.

#17) Favorite T.V show?

B: Dexter

K: The Office

#18) Favorite Will Ferrell movie?

B: Step Brothers

K: Night At The Roxburry, or Anchorman.

#19) Man in a suit, or Casual v-neck and Ray Bans?

B: Man in a suit. Like a good Pin Stripe, skinny

tie, sweater vest, good shoes.

K: Ray Ban steeze casual, for sure.

B: Steeze????

K: You like a man in a suit, you wouldn’t understand.

#20) Your dream rainboot?

B: Tall Hunters, in a Burberry print. Love, love, love Burberry!

K: Short red Hunters, definitely my next pair.

What’s next for the adventures of B & K? Look forward to our future blog posts, and behind the scenes on the next window display!

- Kathryn and Brianna.