Analogue Chic

Archive for the ‘The Business of Fashion’ Category

They don't wanna play with us anymore.

Here is the actual letter I received regarding the end– just for Connecticut residents– of the Amazon Affiliate program .

Hello,

Me: O hai.

For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with thousands of Connecticut residents. Unfortunately, the budget signed by Governor Malloy contains a sales tax provision that compels us to terminate this program for Connecticut-based participants effective immediately.

I see. So you're not prepared to play by the rules like a brick-and-mortar business? OK.

It specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers – including but not limited to those referred by Connecticut-based affiliates like you – even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state.

We opposed this new tax law because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive.

Not sure I agree with you there…

It was supported by big-box retailers,

Not surprising…

most of which are based outside Connecticut, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. 

I'm not sure they care about us little affiliates. They are already getting pretty big tax breaks here…

Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue.

I would like to see your data on this.

We deeply regret that we must take this action.

I'm sure.

As a result of the new law, contracts with all Connecticut residents participating in the Amazon Associates Program will be terminated today, June 10, 2011.

Oh. Thanks for the advance notice.

Those Connecticut residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com. Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned on or before today, June 10, 2011, will be processed and paid in full in accordance with the regular payment schedule.

Yippee. All three cents.

You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of Connecticut. If you are not currently a resident of Connecticut, or if you are relocating to another state in the near future, you can manage the details of your Associates account here. And if you relocate to another state after June 10, 2011, please contact us for reinstatement into the Amazon Associates Program.

I'm not sure that I would wish to be "reinstated" if I were to move to another state. You might suddenly shut down again for some other reason.

To avoid confusion, we would like to clarify that this development will only impact our ability to offer the Associates Program to Connecticut residents and will not affect their ability to purchase from www.amazon.com.

Oh no, of course not. But won't I have to pay sales tax on those purchases? But you're not closing down in protest?

We have enjoyed working with you and other Connecticut-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program and, if this situation is rectified, would very much welcome the opportunity to re-open our Associates Program to Connecticut residents.

Regards,

The Amazon Associates Team

Peace out.

So, if you were wondering, that's what happened to my nifty little Amazon Affiliate Shop filled with handy dandy style tools.

I phased out this feature a while ago, because I’m not usually a fan of reading this type of post on other blogs.

But this week I found so many good articles and links, I just have to share them with you all.

Comments or suggestions about link-list style articles most welcome—I aim to please!

Style: looking good while doing stuff. Photo by african_fi

• Sally McGraw on “trying too hard” in style.
• One woman’s experience with a body-loving seminar and photo shoot.
• Planet Green’s new fashion reality show – have you seen it? Thoughts?
• Filed under, “If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention”: sweatshops are still the primary mode of production for pretty much everything you’re wearing.

For more interesting links, be sure to connect with me on Twitter and Facebook - sometimes repeats, sometimes exclusive, you never know. Always fashion, style, healthy body image, and occasionally silly stuff.

Do you struggle with body image issues? (Who doesn't?) My wardrobe consulting services can help. Contact me to book a free initial consultation.

Photo courtesy the Neighborhood Squirrel.

I'm so lucky to have awesome clients.

Leslie, whom I affectionately refer to as the Neighborhood Squirrel (she is very cute), has just reviewed my Closet Editing service over at her site, as one of 365 Things to Do in Greater Danbury.

Leslie is a creative blogger and stay-at-home mom, who investigates fun events and services available in the Greater Danbury, CT area. Like a lot of moms, her personal style got sidelined after having the little ones. Lucky for me (and her), she had a great instinct for what worked for her, and just needed some objective guidance.

Read the rest of this entry »

My display table

Reporting back from a super-fun Girls' Night Out at Sequel Consignments in Bethel!

Had a great time with some very cool and stylin' women at the Analogue Chic + Piedra Posy Trunk Show. Wine was drunk, Fritos were eaten, necks were adorned with gorgeous stones, and a few lucky peeps went home with Analogue Chic-curated vintage handbags! Lucky us!

Magically, our first customer of the evening was a lovely acquaintance I met a couple of years ago at a pin-up photo shoot – we recognized each other immediately, not having kept in touch since then, and reminisced about the shoot. So nice!

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The terms “mood board” and “inspiration board”– along with “vision board”, “story board”, and “boring board”– are being tossed around these days like petticoats in a costume drama (OK, I made up ‘boring board’).

While they are similar, in terms of being a tool used by creative people as a reference for their work, there are some distinctions that I think are ignored when people use the terms interchangeably.

(Caveat: I am a big word nerd, and abuse of vocabulary causes me to twitch and foam at the mouth. Perhaps I was an elocution coach, or a Catholic school teacher in a past life… Forgive me.)

I’m going to try to outline a basic definition of what an inspiration board is (and therefore, what those other boards are not), and give you some concrete ideas for making them.

What is an inspiration board?

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Part 2 of this series, where I point out some common photo foibles, and give you advice on how to look better in snapshots.

This week we have,

The Picture Worth $1000

That is what your online profile photo is worth, folks.  What are you gonna do with a thousand words? I'll take $1K, thank you. 

Think about it.  It could be the deal maker (or breaker) for a full time job, a freelance gig, or a wealthy spouse.

I will now attempt to explain how to take your profile photo from "floating head" or "mug shot" to a money-making headshot, with my lovely assistant, professional photographer, Kristina V.

Read the rest of this entry »

A recap of my Twitter links and other fashion news this week. You can play along, @AnalogueChic.

Make a cup of tea, and relax…

Fashion news & general living stuff

Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, Feb. 4-5 

The best of fashion blogs this week

Playing nice with people you can't stand 

Let's reform Immigration laws so people can be with their loved ones 

Plus, 3 of the best fashion articles I have read in a looong time, from the NY Times:

Changes at Lucky Mag, and the fashion publishing biz – Goodby boho, and good riddance!

Black models, and the rise of American fashion 

What is edgy anymore? Fashion photography and new beauty

A recap of my Twitter links this week (plus tweets from the week of Dec. 27). You can play along, @AnalogueChic.

Make a cup of tea, and relax…

Image via National Geographic.

Fashion Industry News

Top Ebay sales in 2010

Style

Style wisdom for New Year’s from NYC’s drag queens

Costume drama up close

Sustainability & Responsibility

Amazing breast cancer survivor photo project

Be a Fashion Locavore

Career

FREE webinar on finances for creative professionals

How-to

Monthly clothing repair & mending circle in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Happy Hour… or less

Worn-Out Fashion Terms

Busy week for me, hence….. Link Lounge Sunday!

A recap of my tweets and re-tweets this week. You can follow me, @AnalogueChic.

Fill up your tea cup, and relax…

Image via Really Truly Too at Etsy.com

Fun with Fashion

Fashion Philanthropy with Uniform Project

The accessories shoot inspired by the 1992 movie Toys

Gorgeous fashion from early 20th century films

New cleavage cover-up

Economics of Fair Isle knitting

Indie Holiday Shopping

Personal Styling

On Closet Editing

Self-Health

Love your nose

Shout Out

The most talented fashion photographer you’ve never heard of

Happy Hour, or less

Vintage Ninja

Reference to a forthcoming book, and a quote from Mad Men…

Take the quiz! or not!

Pick your flyer, and come to my pop-up shop, this weekend, during Taste of Danbury, Danbury Day, and all the rest of the hoopla!

This is my homage to the punk-band flyers my friends made in high school: ballpoint pen + copy paper + clip art or zombie cartoon, and done.

Come on down!