Cecile Corral

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Sign of the Times - Part 2

A sign of the times, part 2:   My best friend, who two years ago left Miami to be closer to her family in Northern California, called me this week to give me some sad news.   A designer who recently worked at Williams-Sonoma’s corporate offices assiting inproduct design, she suddenly finds herself out of work and forced to downsize — fast.   My 30-something single, childless friend – who led a low... More

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Consignment conundrum

A friend of mine recently left her post as a young miss apparel buyer for Macy’s to try something “totally different.” She bought a children’s consignment shop in our neighborhood and she took over it this week. My friend is very bright and a savvy retailer, so I know that even though she admits she knows little about the consignment business, she’ll do well. To boot, her timing is impeccable. No... More

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Give consumers an eco-reason to shop

In 2009, consumers "will act rationally," meaning they will restrict their shopping to what they need, "and they don’t need much," Mike Ullman, ceo of JCPenney, recently warned — as seen quoted yesterday in the USA Today article titled "Consumers get frugal, so retailers get creative."   Home textiles retailers are bracing themselves for a continual economic downturn this year by slashing operatin... More

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White House to redecorate on tight budget, recycled wares

On the light — and even maybe fun — side of President and Mrs. Barack Obama’s hefty to-do list these days is the matter of redecorating the White House to their taste. And unlike recent past presidents, who were said to have leaned on upscale Manhattan-ite interior decorators with traditional styles, the Obamas are going a different route with the appointment of Santa Monica, Calif.-based designer... More

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Early holiday specials everywhere

Holiday shopping doesn’t begin to consume me until the long Thanksgiving weekend. The frenzied crowds boost my adrenaline and spur my credit card spending.   But this year is already different, and we’ve only just stepped into November.   Many retailers have been wooing my wallet since Halloween.   Pottery Barn and its several nameplates, for example, email me sale updates daily — sometimes multip... More