Christmas Presents Online

Its been a good December for hats, gloves and scarves on our Internet Site www.turners75.co.uk. We have received a lot of orders from Europe this year, that we presume is a result of a good exchange rate and Europe selling out of cold weather gear early.

Just one week left now for to buy Christmas Presents online in time for Christmas. We have some good ideas for Xmas Gifts including For the Woman Who Has Everything the Limited Edition Fitflop Swarovski Chrystal Rock Chic Sandal. Get a Work Out While You Party! http://www.turners75.co.uk/product_page.html?productcode=1291459758

Another great idea for the Man Who Has Everything is a ToyWatch Spider Soleil watch. Encrusted with mineral glass stones and Spider Face. http://www.turners75.co.uk/product_page.html?productcode=1286976358

I've had my Christmas present early. The beautiful Moncler style Spyder Raven Down Jacket in deep Purple. It is both luxurious and funky. I'm a lucky girl.
http://www.turners75.co.uk/product_page.html?productcode=1289101463

So, make yourself a cup of coffee, grab a mince pie, log-on and shop in comfort.

Tra La La La La La La La La

On Saturday Imi's School Choir sang under the Christmas Tree at the local Shopping Centre. The Children dressed in school uniform and Santa Hats sang their hearts out for a full hour. Imi especially loved Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer with added lyrics of "Has a very shiny nose" (Like a Lightbulb), "Used to laugh and call him names" (Like Pinoccio), "He'll go down in History" (Like the Spice Girls!).

I'm always moved to tears when I hear children sing and it was lovely to feel the true spirit of Christmas.

BUSY BUSY BUSY

How can we be doing this Xmas activity again already? This Sunday it was our CACH (Children Adopted From China) Xmas Party and everyone was remarking how quickly the year has gone. Imi had a great time dancing to the Activity Disco and her little feet were worn out by the end of the evening. (Partly because she insisted on wearing her famous Lelly Kelly shoes, that are a little on the small side now!)

David and I are also enjoying party mania at the moment and have never had such a sociable December. We had a great time at our Friend Thalia's " A Touch of Africa" 40th party. David wore a South African Rugby shirt and I wore a Masai Mara beaded necklace. The best outfit was a bright pink furry flamingo hat bravely worn by a man.

The shop has been very busy in the cold weather and today we had our Xmas delivery of Superdry with some great new styles. Always exciting to open parcels with new lines at this time of year. Yes, busy, busy, busy.....

Its Time To Think About The Christmas Window

This week we have been looking for ideas for our Christmas Window. Don't worry, we won't follow John Lewis, and put Christmas decorations up the same week as Halloween!

The first Week of December is early enough for us, just in time for the Marlow Christmas Late Night Shopping Event.

This year we have decided to design the window around some beautiful Art Deco Ski Posters we have. David first saw these posters on our holiday in Switzerland and managed to source them when we returned home.

On the way to look for a bookcase for our daughter Imogen we were discussing where we might find an old sledge and some wooden skis. We drove to a new Antiques Barn at Emmets Farm in Little Marlow where Mandy, our Sunday Manager, had suggested we look for a bookcase. We couldn't believe our luck when we walked in and saw an old wooden sledge being used as a prop for Christmas decorations.

The Barn is a treasure trove of Shabby Chic Antiques that David and I love and after a chat with the Owner The Home Barn has kindly agreed to supply us with props for our Turners window and in return, we will publicise The Home Barn. We are really excited about this venture and hope that with the help of Pat, our Window Dresser, this year's window will be the best yet.

The Kazi Mingi Foundation Ball

We had a fantastic night out at the KMF Foundation Fund-raising Ball at
the Marriott Hotel Heathrow last week. We were treated to a wonderful accoustic set by Newton Faulkner and the African soul band had the dance floor full all night.

The Kazi Mingi Foundation (KMF) was founded in 1997 to provide quality education for African children. Since the mid 1960s, Kip and Phyllis Keino have been caring for orphans. Their dream to build a school for children in their care became a reality, with KMF’s first project raising funds for the construction of The KipKeino Primary School, Eldoret: designed and built by Kenyans, the project provided much needed employment for the local community.

Through this school these children have been given the chance to develop as individuals and build a future for themselves.
See http://www.kmf.org.uk/index.htmlfor for current fund-raising news.

WEBSITE RE-LAUNCH -PHEW!

This week we finally re-launched our website www.turners75.co.uk for Winter 2010.

This time we were lucky enough to have three local students from Sir William Borlase's and Great Marlow Schools model some our our Brands for us. I think you'll agree they are naturals!

We are also hoping for as many people as possible to hit the "Like" Button on our Website. This will link your FaceBook Page to our Turners of Marlow Facebook page and will help our Google Ranking. This week we have gone from zero to 16 Likes (our Corporate Competitors have about 13,000!)so I'd better get networking!

GLORIOUS GLASTONBURY

No need for our Hunter Wellies or Hunter Festival Rain Ponchos this year. What a glorious festival.

David and I follow the Glastonbury highlights on TV (oh to be twenty something again and to be there). The atmosphere looked amazing and the Muse set was outstanding. Nothing beats the high of singing along with a huge crowd of like-minded people.

Did you see Michael Eavis singing Happy Birthday with Stevie Wonder? You must YouTube it - funny and touchingly innocent. Happy 40th Birthday!.

IMI'S NEW SHOES

Sunday 13th June was our 6th Family Birthday. To celebrate we had a lovely lunch in Carluccio's in Windsor and bought Imi a pair of Lelly Kelly party shoes. Imi was absolutely thrilled. She had coveted these silver shoes with little heel for months and puts them on as soon as she comes in from school, places them by her night-light when she goes to bed and arrives in our bedroom in the morning wearing her dressing gown, silver shoes and the biggest smile.

We can't believe Imi is now 7 and six years have passed so quickly. We would love to return to China for a holiday in the next year or two and revisit Jiangxi Province. Its been such a wonderful post-adoption journey and we are so proud of our beautiful little girl.

Ooops! Forgot to Workout for Summer

After enjoying the gorgeous weekend weather my thoughts have turned to our summer holiday. A quick glance in the mirror at the weekend while tinting my pasty white legs was quite a shock. (Lynda blogging - David hasn't resorted to tinting yet.) Legs aren't too bad thanks to the Fitflops but butt, belly and arms need a bit of work.

Luckily while posting this blog my friend Sarah just called to say she has booked a group tennis lesson. A perfect start and a good excuse to buy a new tennis skirt and top. Our Casall range has lovely clean lines mixed with contemporary prints and forgiving cuts over what Imi describes as my "flummy tummy" area.

Maybe after a few lessons I'll be ready to try on our Sunseeker bikinis. Fingers Crossed.

FASHION EMBRACES HEALTH

There's certainly a trend at the moment for fashion to embrace health. Look at the fitflop brand FITFLOPS. It claims that its doctor-developed Microwobbleboard midsole technology improves posture, and in studies is shown to reduce plantar foot pain and pressure, reduce shock and load your bottom and leg muscles more every single time you take a step.

Sceptical? I was! But I must say having worn them near enough every day last summer my legs are looking pretty toned. (This is Lynda writing by the way, not David!) They are also the most comfortable fitflops I've ever worn.

Then there are Breo watches that claim tourmaline, the naturally occurring mineral they are made from, is responsible for many beneficial health effects including: increased concentration, natural detoxification of the body,
improved sleep, relaxation and meditation and improved vitality and mood.

We also sell MBT shoes endorsed by physios and Skechers shapeup trainers. So the Turners family will soon have toned legs, taught buttocks, be absolutely focussed and in a constantly good mood! We wish!

SUMMER INJECTIONS - WHAT ARE THEY?

After a visit to the French Connection Showroom we have just ordered some great new styles to top-up our summer collection. Injection ranges as they are know in shop-speak are a great way to freshen up the range. We have to pre-order most of our stock six months in advance and it can be rather tricky predicting best selling styles. The injection ranges are much easier. By this time we already know what is selling well and can buy these capsule ranges with confidence. The French Connection injection range should be delivered by this weekend and the bold prints and colours will be perfect for a holiday wardrobe and fingers crossed our approaching summer.

BARBECUE SUMMER?

I love the Spring. There is nothing more beautiful than scented blossom and the hope of a balmy summer. Well, we have heard that the white witches are predicting a barbecue summer. Wouldn't it be great if it came true? Marlow High Street would be buzzing with families visiting Higginson Park, ambling along the riverside, enjoying a cafe frappe and, of course, a visit to Turners for some summer clothes!

We now have received most of our summer stock and have added a few new brands to our portfolio: Breo Watches and headphones and Havaianas flip flops. We are always on the look out for new brands and it has been great to see Superdry that we took on at its debut in Barcelona grow from strength to strength. The challenge, of course, is identifying the next hot brand.

MUNICH SKI SHOW

Last week David, Anthony and I visited ISPO the Munich Ski Show. It was a pretty action-packed day trip taking the red-eye Easy-Jet out and back. Its a good way for us to get an overview of the ski collections for next autumn winter.

We can tell you that the Spyder range is very strong, with some gorgeous Moncler style padded coats and luxurious and stylish black ski jackets. The North Face continues to outshine with its Summit series that includes some new design twists on the popular gillets and coats.

A brand to watch is Napapijri. Our rep Ettore, told us that Harrods loved the collection and so did we. In fact it will be our third season with the brand.

On our return, we found out that flights back to London the following day were cancelled because of heavy snow. The Red Eye wasn't so bad after all!

Spring Cleaning

We were sad to see the last vestiges of the snow finally melt away after so much festive fun this year. Time now for a spring clean. We have bought some great Trofast storage units with pastel coloured plastic bins from Ikea for Imi's play room. Imi is being a good girl and has put lots of toys into sacks for rotating, ebay and Oxfam. Organising can be so liberating! We are also clearing out the Warehouse for the Shop and have a £10 bargain rail that has proved very popular. And, talking about Spring..... our magnolia tree is in bud. I can feel the warm sun already.

SNOW & SLEDGING FUN TOMORROW

David is so excited its snowing again. He has been following the met sites with great interest since Christmas and has managed to order some great sledges. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the school will be closed so Imi and I can find a steep hill and have loads of fun. (If anyone is looking for a sledge call David at the shop on 01628 472223.)