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15th February (Sunday):

Wow, 1 entire month has passed since my last post here. The imported accessories & bags, mini leggings collection are doing really well! Infact, all the leggings have been sold! =) Thanks guys for your support~ Also, thanks to Cordelia for the really sweet testimonial she wrote for us at her blog (http://anticipatingdiva.blogspot.com)!

Clothes Preorder #11 has just been launched and this time its a bit different. There's a wider range of style because im using 2 suppliers for this preorder. Its more work for me, but i think its more important to have more choice. Some of the old designs have been put up too, but the prices are slightly higher because of the falling exchange rate. =( For the GoJane spree too, the exchange rate was like USD1:SGD1.55. I still remember that late last year, the exchabge rate was USD1:SGD1.42. Should have bought more then!

Anyway im thinking of setting up a membership system for regular customers so that they can enjoy more priviledges in a systematic way. Now, its still quite messy and disorganized. Any suggestions you have on what kind of system you will like to see? If so, email us @ theblackboxshoppe@hotmail.com

Im also thinking of a lucky draw! Haha, the prizes will be fashion related of course. I will probably give away some clothes, bags, accessories and maybe even shopping vouchers(not just at our own shop, but maybe some retails shops!)

And on another note, im simply in love with the GoJane shoes i bought! I've already bought like 3 shoes from them and all fit perfectly!

4th January 2009(sunday):

Lots and lots of stuff happening in theblackbox at the moment! Imported Bags Collection, Imported Accessories Collection(coming up tomorrow), Clothes Preorder #10, Mini Leggings Collection, Blazer Backorder... Wow.. I've been on the computer continuously since i came back to SG on 1st January.

Anyway do support okay! =) Also, any comments, feedback is greatly appreciated too~

Oh yes.. I have to pay adult fare for public transport already so i wont be able to do as many meetups as in the past. With student concession it was just a flat fee of 45cents per trip. Now the rates are much higher. So i will probably have to do "mass" meetups instead. For the sprees like Gojane and Orange Bear sprees i will have to charge transport fees already since im only charging 50cents handling fees.

=(

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5th December 2008(friday) :

Yea! Clothes Preorder #9 items are finally arriving and im busy sorting, packing and making trips to the post office. I am also running out of paper or plastic carriers! =( Anyone can recommend a place to buy black paper bags in bulk? =)

Anyway after some thought, i decided to cancel Clothes Preorder #10(korean fashion) for the time being. The thing is, there's just too much chiffon and funny little flowers on the dresses.. I dont think you guys will like the clothes very much. Plus the prices are really high. There was this one black LBD that could have been gorgeous on its own. But they just had to sew on 3 flowers on in the middle of nowhere and spoil the simplicity of a LBD! *cant find the picture already!* But i will still bring in a few pieces of Korean fashion instocks for CNY! I will try to keep all prices below $30.

Im off for now to do up the survey! The next time i post here will probably be next year when the new collections are released!

~yilin

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13th November 2008(thursday):

Reflecting back on the past 2 years since i've opened theblackbox-shoppe, its been a relatively smooth ride which i really thank my customers for. Though my shop may not be the most popular, i really appreciate those customers who have supported me since February 2007. (Yes i know who you are!) Haha.

I cant deny that it has gotten tougher ever since more blogshops starting sprouting up. Some people even scoff at blogshops and think its just going to be another passing fad, just like bubble tea shops or some silly game. Actually it isnt that simple to juggle a shop and my studies and of course all the extra activities i have, but i have never regretted opening this shop because it has not only become my passion but something to keep me going.

I remember just a few months ago breaking down in tears because the preorder that i had painstaking and tediously put up was gone! There was some technical problems with the website and my draft was not saved as stated. Imagine what i had felt after sitting in front of the computer for hours, exhausted and hands aching. I even felt like just giving up and forget doing the preorder. But of course that didnt happen. I just woke up early the next morning and redid the entire post. Oh well.

Perhaps blogshop owners who read this can emphatize with me. Like how we come home and spend hours checking our emails and orders. But perhaps they also understand how all this is worth it when we get orders and happy customers. Its really quite satisfying and heartwarming when i get a testimonial from a happy customer. Just like a teacher receiving a card from her students.
Enough with the emo-ing as they call it. Im going to take more about my plans for next year.

P.S Im not in anyway complaining about buyers etc. I'm fortunate enough to have really nice and patient buyers and i dont remember having any difficult customer so far!

-----(CHANGE OF MOOD)-----

I am constantly trying to find new suppliers and more exclusive pieces for buyers! Its really quite hard you know, to survive in this terribly saturated market. But anyway i'll be making a trip to overseas soon to source for new products, especially accessories!

I think accessories are really a great way to spice up your outfit! Not just the typical necklaces and bangles, but how about scarves? I know its quite crazy to wear scarves on our sunny island but i think we can still wear it in such a way that it is trendy but not suffocatingly hot! Maybe wear it in the colder places like the mall or theatre? Did some research and realised there were so many ways of using a scarf. Do you know that you can also use it around your head, or waist?

But my current obsession is with charm bracelets and necklaces! Its really pretty and feminine, and even girly. I think every girl should have at least one charm accessory. It matches well with Singaporean's staple wardrobe of jeans and tee and thats whats most important!

Then there's jackets. There will be LOTS of jackets/blazers in Clothes Preorder #9 and i mean LOTS! Seriously if i were you, i would check out that category first when the preorder has been launched. (Put this free-gift code in your order form for Clothes Preorder #9 to get a free trendy pocket pen: #09FPP)

Okay thats about it for my first post. Hope you enjoyed it!

~yilin