Holiday Shopping Ideas...

We still cannot believe that the holiday season is here and in full force. I have not done any shopping yet and will most likely be one of the many last minute shoppers. For those of you who are in the same predicament, I have listed a few ideas to help get you started.

1. Scarves - anyone can wear them, you can't get the wrong size, very popular right now.

2. Lotions - what woman doesn't want to smell fabulous? Again... you can't get in trouble for getting the wrong size... safe gift.

3. Denim - for those of you who are confident you know the right size, denim will make any lady happy. It's one of those gifts that we will get a lot of wear out of. If you do get the wrong size, color, style, etc... it's easy to exchange.

4. T-shirts/thermals - soft, cozy thermals are always a popular gift. We also offer $18-$20 t-shirts in great colors and styles. Perfect match to those jeans.

5. Gift Certificates - Let her do the shopping! Always my favorite.



~Cupcake Couture

Cupcake Couture featured in Portland Picks!!

Candy Cravings

It’s unladylike—we know—but we just can’t resist licking the frosting off those darling little cupcakes. What’s more, we could give into these sweet cupcake cravings every day (9 am, midnight, at 3 in the afternoon). But our dentist has warned us otherwise: Sugar fix or pearly whites?

Happily, Cupcake Couture is a tart of a boutique filled with all sorts of cavity-free (and calorie-free!) sweetness. Premium denim from Hudson Jeans and 7 for All Mankind, cute tops from Splendid, and everything Michael Stars—super-soft supima cotton tops, thermals for layering, and cowl-neck shimmery-shine sweaters—all in rich, fall hues. Feeling extravagant, we cooed over the gorgeous party dresses from Jennie N. (like her rose bubble tunic in a sultry shade of plum).

The Cupcake gals offer a fabu shopping experience and personal “Closet Consultations” in their pink and white, candy-striped boutique. They even carry a line of scrump-dilly-umptious body care products called “Cake.” Now that is some sweet-tooth satisfaction that even makes our dentist smile!

www.portlandpicks.com

Cupcake Couture
214 NE Davis St.
McMinnville, OR 97128
503.472.8285
www.shopcupcakecouture.com

NEW Hudson Skinny Jean in BLACK!

We listened to your requests and the black skinny jeans have finally arrived! They are so cute. Perfect jeans for boots this winter or heels/wedges for a dressier look. They are a great fit, come try them on!
Don't forget... 20% off ALL denim the day after Thanksgiving! Shop Local.

~Cupcake Couture

Scarves - Hot item this Holiday Season.

Love Quotes scarves will make you feel great inside and out. So soft and light, you will want to wear your Italian linen Love Quotes scarves with every outfit – no worries, they come in every color from Truffle to Caviar! And to compliment your inner beauty, 10% of the proceeds are donated to international children’s charities. Each Love Quotes scarf is accompanied by an inspirational quote. We know you have seen Lindsay Lohan wearing these gorgeous scarves all over from LA to NY, but Miss Lohan is not the only one who cant get enough Love Quotes! Hilary Duff, Cameron Diaz, Nicky Hilton, and Ashlee Simpson all own Love Quotes. Wear them all winter long, and they also look great as a wrap with a cute summer dress. Sample Quote: Our love is the greatest gift we can give one another...Oscar Hamerstein II

More Rain = More Outerwear at Cupcake!

We know... we have been feeling the rainy blues already too. Since there is no way to avoid the cold, wet, rain, we figured we might as well look good while dealing with it! The first shipment of jackets and vests we received were sold out within a week. Don't worry... we ordered more for you. Hooded sweatshirts too! Below are a couple of the new styles.




~Cupcake Couture

Girl's Night Out... Alpha Phi Style.

A huge thank you to the gorgeous ladies of Alpha Phi at Linfield University! We hosted our first "Girls Night Out" party exclusively for them. We had a blast. Those girls can shop!

Thanks Alpha Phi, we look forward to the next time!

~Cupcake Couture

Splendid Arrived! And... jackets, vests, etc

Cupcake Couture now has a large selection of Splendid tees, thermals, sweaters, etc. Super soft cotton and cute styles. Thermals are easy layering pieces and also make great gifts. BB Dakota is our new line of jackets and vests at an inexpensive price for good quality. We are filling up our store with tons of inventory, so stop by!

~Cupcake Couture

NEW Michael Stars and holiday dresses!

This week, we recieved a large Michael Stars shipment, as well as a couple more styles of fun holiday dresses. Merchandise is going fast, so come in soon before it's gone!
Also, two new styles of 7 for all Mankind arrived. A very cute petite "A" pocket, as well as a new Dojo style.

Thank you to all of our customers who have made our first few weeks a huge success!

Cake Beauty...

If you haven't already tried this line of beauty products, check it out next time you are in our store. The line is sold at Sephora in Canada and has won many awards. Here are a few of the products we carry currently:

Satin Sugar Refreshing Body and Hair Powder. A luxuriously velvety, talc-free, calendula and chamomile-infused powder that can be used to absorb oils and moisture and smooth and delicately scent the hair or skin. Keep it in your purse for quick touch-ups and try sprinkling it in your hair after a workout. Satin Sugar Refreshing Hair and Body Powder won a 2007 Chatelaine Innovation Award.

Sweet Cheeks Sinfully Smoothing Brown Sugar Scrub. Made with turbinado sugar packed in rich olive, sunflower and coconut oils, the Sweet Cheeks body scrub is an incredibly luxurious, intensive exfoliator and moisturizer that leaves your skin smooth, scented and supple. It’s an exfoliator/moisturizer in one that is perfect for winter when your skin is naturally drier.

Desserted Island and It’s A Slice. Two of Cake Beauty’s most popular products are its Supremely Rich Bath and Shower Froths and matching Body Mousses. Desserted Island smells like it sounds with coconut and Tahitian vanilla and It’s A Slice is scented like an orange creamsicle. Both shower froths are made with Virgin Oil de Coco Crème (the most superior grade of coconut oil available) and are extremely soothing and moisturizing for the skin.

Yummy!

~Cupcake Couture

EBay What the...H? of the week.

So I was doing my usual search for something completely ridiculous and almost gave up.....that is until I came across this little beauty. The picture speaks for itself, but the description makes it even better. Listen to what carefreemama has to say about her listing.........

DENIM HEARTS & GLITZ -- MUST SEE
"Absolutely gorgeous jacket! Unfortunately the pic's don't to justice to the finished product. Tremendous amount of appliques. Jacket was purchased at Draper's & Damon's and worn only a few times. All rik-rak is attached, jewels are in place and beading is perfect. "
I don't even need to comment further...wtf?

We heart Michael Stars...

Bad News: the dreaded rainy season has arrived in Oregon.
Good News: Michael Stars' super comfortable tops have arrived at Cupcake Couture.

I love to throw on a Michael Stars top with a great pair of jeans and brave the weather. The supima cotton blend that they use feels like that old tattered sweatshirt that we all have and want to wear out of the house, but know we shouldn't.

Stop by and see for yourself how comfortable (and cute)these tops really are. My personal favorite are the T-Shirt dresses... they can be worn with leggings, skinny jeans, or tall boots.

Opening Weekend!

It's finally here! Cupcake Couture will be open for business beginning this Friday, October 3rd. Our Grand Opening Celebration will be the following weekend, when we will have a few more items to browse through. Sam and/or I will be in the store everyday, so please stop by and keep us company. If you haven't done so already, visit our website at www.shopcupcakecouture.com and sign up for our email list. This will keep you updated with sales, promotions, events, etc.

We look forward to getting to know all of our customers, see you soon!

~Cupcake Couture

EBay what the H??? of the week.

So after finding that gold mine(toe cleavage)last week, I had to go back for more. I decided to start by looking under the various categories in womens clothing. I was disturbed to find that Ebay has a specific category for skorts! Are you serious? No wonder there are so many fashion mis-haps out there when ebay has an entire category set aside for all things skort!

Seller "Thanks2jesus" feels like she has hit this one out of the park! HOT RED PLAID MINI SKORT SKIRT DOG LEASH BELT WOMEN 7. So not only is this a two for the price of one skirt/short combo but it is also a dog leash...wtf????

Family and Friends Opening

Last Saturday evening we gathered our family members and friends who have helped within the store. It was a quick open house to thank everyone for their help with Cupcake Couture. The store will officially be open for business this Friday, October 3rd at 10am.
The evening went well and everyone seemed to enjoy seeing the store. We had cupcakes, cheese and crackers, and beverages for the guests. Sam and I gave a quick speech and then sent every one on their way. Here are a few of the pictures of the finished store and the party.
Minnie, our shopdog, recieved a new custom cupcake carrier and a cupcake toy... thanks again La Bella Casa, you have done so much!




Link to more pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/sara.bergey/FriendsAndFamilyOpeningCelebration#

~Cupcake Couture

We LOVE little blue boxes!

We have been cleaning the store non-stop over the past couple of days. We have recruited our Mothers (everyone knows that moms do the best cleaning). Sam's sister Hannah helped out by steaming clothes, and Luke (husband to Sam, brother to Sara) was all around MVP when it came to the handy work we needed done! Check out our new outdoor sign! (see picture below)

In the middle of cleaning, these little blue boxes appeared. Sam and I love little blue boxes and knew exactly what they were! Inside were cupcake charms... compliments of our wonderful Moms. We couldn't do this without the love and support of our families, thank you so much... we love you.


~Cupcake Couture

EBay "What The H?" of the week...

So, we have all shopped on Ebay at one time or another. This evening, Sam and I were randomly rummaging through the site for some Halloween costumes when we stumbled upon this gem...

Seller "wholelottagotta" writes: "Vintage 80s Turquoise TOE CLEAVAGE Womens Shoes 9 9.5."
Seriously?! Is toe cleavage a strong selling point these days? I don't get it. AND.... the size is 9 9.5.... do you get more toe cleavage if your a size 9.5?! WTF.

~Cupcake Couture

Construction is over... prepare to SHOP!

We have said "good-bye" to our contractors, painters, etc. They've done their job, so now it's time to prepare the store for some serious shoppers. We plan to be open for business beginning October 3rd, but our Grand Opening Celebration weekend will be October 10th - 12th! This is the same weekend that La Bella Casa will be holding their Anniversary Sale, so what a great time for a shopping extravaganza on 3rd street in McMinnville!

~Cupcake Couture

Quote of the Day...

Our jeans may not be the best things in the world, but they are right next to it!

~Mark S.

Gypsy '05... Hot Dress, Not a Hot Mess!

We just got our shipment of Gypsy '05 Maxi Dresses. OMG, they are amazing! Sam and I already own one in every color we ordered. They are flattering and made of organic cotton, so are extremely comfortable. OH... did I mention that they have been featured in almost EVERY magazine on the rack this summer and probably fall??? Check them out in the new People mag on stands this week. You can also see them on every celeb from Lauren Conrad to Hayden Panetierre.

Construction is under way...

Wow, what a transformation the store is taking. The new doors are fabulous and the cash wrap and dressing rooms are framed. We are very appreciative of the work Connor Manfrin Construction has done on the interior of our store. The team has paid careful attention to detail and is doing a wonderful job. Thanks guys!
Check out the pink paint and the straight lines... we know it looks professional, but nope... Sam and I actually did that ourselves. We are proud.

We have purchased the majority of our store fixtures. Shipments seem to be arriving on a daily basis now. Today we got our entire line of Cake products. Check them out online at www.cakebeauty.com, this line is fabulous.

Before and After store photos coming soon!

~Cupcake Couture

A tribute to the "Mom Jean"

Introducing 5 new "Cupcake Girls"

We proudly welcome Vicki, Barb, Debbie, and Donna to the Cupcake team! The four ladies arrived this week perfectly packaged in their own dream homes complete with individual carrying cases. Samantha put Vicki and Barb to work immediately, they are currently modeling the latest styles of 7 for All Mankind denim in our storefront windows. Debbie and Donna will eventually have their own space in the store as well, but we decided that training 4 girls at one time would be a bit challenging with our busy schedules.

Last, but certainly not least is the addition of our new shop dog. Her name is Minnie Pearl, aka "Minnie". She is the cutest teacup Chihuahua I have ever seen and she will soon be sporting cupcake apparel.

Since the last update we have finished painting the interior of the store, we have finalized our promotional item designs, our doors have been installed in the store, and this Tuesday starts construction!

Barb

Vicki

~Cupcake Couture

Progress...

Check out our first sign!

We have three of them placed in different entrances and they are starting to create a buzz around town. However... I did have to explain to a gentleman that stopped me as I was hanging the signs that we are not a bakery.

Now that we have our inventory ordered, we have been working on interior store design and layout. Sam and I are great with the inventory, it's basically just shopping for clothes. However, we have been finding the store layout and purchase of fixtures a much more daunting task. Our spirits were quickly lifted again when we saw the UPS truck pull up with our very first shipment on Monday! It was Christmas in August for us and we are expecting that the boxes will start arriving on a weekly basis from now on.

Cupcake Flavors

Cupcake Couture is very excited to announce a few of the lines that will be in stock for our opening. It will take time to build up inventory and bring in all of the lines that we would like, but it will happen. We already have a few more lined up for the holidays and spring that we are keeping a secret. For now, some of the brands you may have heard of that you can expect to see at Cupcake are:

These are just a few of our favorites, but there are many more!

~Cupcake Couture