This summer's Teddy Bear Challenge is shaping up nicely. I'm really pushing myself to get in my exercise and watch my calorie count to meet my 5% weight loss goals for the team. Of course for me too...but my Teddy Team is always primary in my mind for pushing a little further. I love the idea that you rise or fall as a team. It's so true..in life and the world at large.

Here's my L~O~N~G set of stairs that I have committed to running at least 10 x daily on work days...remember it's NOT a/c in the back warehouse area...so you really get to huffing and puffing. I spread the stair climbing out through the day and most days I make that goal of 10 x up and down and a few days if we are busy and there are lots of customers with questions on items upstairs I make the climb even more frequently.



I'm also looking for a photo of the big double wide overhead door in the back that I pull up most days on a big pulley chain...this HAS to help tone the arms...doesn't it?



Then of course I know how you love to look at the new furniture arrivals...I have some of the prettiest stuff I've had in a long long time.



I love to 'layer up' little montages to make interesting displays. I've been doing LOTS of layering lately..because I just have so MUCH stuff.



I have these two little coral lamps with raw silk shades...so FLORIDA..so adorable!



Speaking of silk...check out this swivel accent chair..it's the most BEAUTIFUL combination of soft gray and lavender...like brand NEW!



I think this beautiful dresser with a marble inset top is sold today. The lady is supposed to come in and pay for it..but...ah...I've heard that line a few times before...so I'll believe it when she plunks down her money on the counter. I LOVE people's tactical approach to whittling down the price. First off they pick out any flaw they can possibly find. I usually try to give them about 10% if I have the room. Then they move on to tell you their story...sometimes EXTENDED story of why they NEED this piece...WANT this piece..but really can't AFFORD this piece. I listen patiently and tell them I've done the BEST I can in working with them on pricing. Which is true...never B**S** a B** S**iter..got it?

When THAT tactic doesn't work (AND the richest customers never take the first rejection...this may be exactly WHY they are rich... ) go onto the BUDGET...oh the BUDGET...well THAT changes everything.

I only have SO much in my BUDGET...yeah..okay well take your scroogie stinky budget to the next suckka down the road okay? I'm sure your budget possibly may be a little pinched because of the JAGUAR you drove in and parked in the parking lot..do you maybe think?

Note to thrifty shoppers...do NOT take the EXPENSIVE car to shop..take the clunker...oh..you only HAVE an expensive car...oppps...that may be a tiny problem.

So longer story short...this little gal gave me the whole nine yards...and still only got her 10% discount...HEY things are WORTH what they are WORTH and if you don't want to pay a fair price...well...NEXT!

But then she started negotiating FREE delivery...erp...people just WEAR you down don't they?

I held my ground and told her we would give her a very fair price of delivery for $35 which is WAY below the going price...again...take it or leave it...and



Ha..ha...just another day in the consignment biz...ya gotta love it..the stories you get to share!

I've learned that you should just come right out from the get go and say...would your consignee consider this amount for this item. SO much quicker...just cut to the chase..because BELIEVE me...the shop keeper has heard EVERY BRILLIANT strategy, story, mis..story... you have to lay on them...YEP..every one in the book!

Keep CALM and SHOP on!



One more beauty to close with...yes..those ARE actual button accents..how COOL is THIS?