The Fabulous Fours!

Four years may not seem like a long time, but for a specialty boutique in an economic downturn it is quite a feat. Trocadero is lucky enough to be celebrating its 4th birthday this Thursday the 13th. Since we opened our doors back in 2007, we have made it our mission to bring customers unique brands and items as well as to help promote what we feel is "the good life." Whether it's a pair of Seychelles boots that boosts your height and your confidence, a John Derian decoupage tray that inspires you, a Simon & Schuster pop up book that takes you back your childhood, or a Kidrobot key chain that simply makes you smile; thank you for allowing us to contribute to your own personal version of "the good life."

We'll be celebrating all day long from 11AM-7PM with sparkling wine, macarons from Cuppycakes Couture Cupcakes, and of course special deals and prizes for all of our fabulous customers:

- The first 4 customers to visit the store Thursday will receive a Kidrobot zipper pull.
- Buy any 4 items and get the 5th half off (on lowest priced item)
- Receive 40% off selected items.
- For every $40 spent, get a free gift with purchase
- Every purchase automatically gets you entered to win a $40 gift certificate!

Please, join us in celebrating and thank you for a wonderful 4 years! 

                                                                                     

(Photo courtesy of Bemis Center For Contemporary Arts. Shane Bainbridge Ready, Steady, Go.)

After enjoying refreshments and a bit of retail therapy with us, be sure to swing by the Bemis UNDERGROUND for their Annual Art Auction, starting at 6:30. This is the 13th Bemis Annual Art Auction and this year marks the second year for the UNDERGROUND auction. Enjoy simultaneous silent and live bidding, DJ spun tunes, appetizers and an open bar. Happy bidding!

Making the Workday Work for You

It may be hard to believe in the Big O with weather like we've been having, but it is Fall. Among fun and festive Autumn activities like hayrack rides, pumpkin patches, and leisurely strolls amidst the fall leaves this also brings new school and office routines that hopefully we've all settled into by now. Whether you work in a confined cubicle or from the comfort of your own home, it's important to have a work space that is both functional and inspiring. Give your desk some personality and keep it fun with bright colors, fun textures and charming details. Here are eight items to turn your workday from drab to joyous.

1. Hold Everything. This ceramic New York City Greek deli cup is a perfect hold all for everything you need to keep at your fingertips.

2. An office with a great view is hard to come by. So, why not bring the outdoors inside. We think this grass vase from Normann Copenhagen just may be prettier than the real thing. A great idea to beat the [soon to come] winter blues.

3. Recycled Thoughts. Keep those bright ideas fresh in an Attic Journal made from recycled books.

4. Keep your friends close. What better office friendship to form than one with success. Keep it on your mind and on your desk in the form of this John Derian paperweight.

5. Everything has its place, keep desktop odds and ends in sight with a chic and quirky ceramic "take-out" dish from Lorena Barrezueta.

6. The best thing since....well, regular sticky notes! This charming office themed sticky note set from Cavallini is sure to help you remember all of those important details.

7. All the right words. Daily affirmations keep your mind on the prize at the office. So why not surround yourself with positive and inspirational thoughts. This John Derian decoupage tray is a smart addition to any desk.

8. The Magic word. Thank you notes like this one from Jonathan Wright are always an office staple. Nothing says thank you like a handwritten note, great for that coworker that always brings you coffee in the morning or for the potential client who you just met.

Unique Hostess Gifts

The holiday season is officially upon us, and that means it's time to prepare yourselves for the numerous sit-down dinner and cocktail parties you're sure to attend. A classy way to show your gratitude for being invited to the soiree is to present your hostess with a small gift. A typical gift is a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers. How boring! Stop by Trocadero to find unique gifts that are sure to impress your hostess (or host).

I like to stick to items meant for the home and not ones geared towards a specific person. Candles, books and vases are things everyone can enjoy. Red Flower candles come with a small heap of potpourri and are available in alluring scents like Italian Blood Orange, Indian Jasmine and Spanish Gardenia. Let her explore the homes of well-known Parisians in the book Paris Living Rooms, which is perfect for the coffee table in her living room. And Anne Black and Normann Copenhagen vases are simple enough to match any decor--and to hold the flowers that other guests bring.

Since your host or hostess has likely been slaving away in the kitchen, why not bring something he or she can use at the kitchen sink? Archipelago Pomegranate Hand Wash is one of our best-sellers. It smells absolutely delicious, but Malin + Goetz's Mojito Soap Set, a collection of three bar soaps in lime, rum and peppermint, is a great alternative. When the work is done, she can indulge in some MarieBelle. Trocadero carries three varieties of the dark chocolate bar: Mayan Chocolate, Aztec Hot Chocolate and Dark Hot Chocolate.

A John Derian paperweight would nicely contain that stack of bills and mail your hostess shoved in the corner. I particularly like the one that says "A Happy Home." Stationery is always something needed--and appreciated. These Cavallini Typewriter Thank You Notecards will come in handy when it's time for your hostess to thank people for their holiday gifts. Finally, who doesn't enjoy a fragrant home? A gift of Antica Farmacista home ambiance reed diffusers is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.

So there you have it! Creative gifts you can bring with you the next time you're a guest at a party... and, lucky for you, they're all available at Trocadero!

Feels Like Fall

The weather in Omaha this past weekend was unseasonably cool. Rather than melting from sweltering 90 degree days, we enjoyed early-Fall-like temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s. As I pulled on my jean jacket over my sundress, I got to thinking about what I plan to wear when the season officially changes to Autumn. I'm looking forward to bundling myself in warm, rich colors and materials, such as flannel, and accessorizing with camel, hunter green, maroon and navy shoes and handbags. For some reason, whenever I think about Fall, I envision camping and hunting in the woods, sitting around the fire making s'mores at night. Let it be known that I've never done any of these things in my life, but a girl can daydream, can't she?

In an ideal world, I'd carry my red Rafe clutch inside my sage L.A.M.B "Alwar" tote and wear my L.A.M.B. Rosebury booties with opaque tights when I went to work. On the weekends I'd make the boots more casual by pairing them with a pair of skinny jeans and Kara by Kara Ross hoop earrings, which remind me of tree branches. Of course I'd have to burn a Diptyque Feu De Bois candle because it smells like a wood-burning fire!

What does Fall make you think of?