So, here it is... written out for anyone to see...
I love Christmas.
Some would say I have an addiction.
I'm not sure if it's that bad, but that could just be denial, right?
Right??
Okay, okay, here's how "bad" it is...
For the last 10 years I've kept a spreadsheet (yes, a spreadsheet, in Excel) that shows the gifts we given everyone, where we bought them, and what we spent. Why? Because I gave one person a bowl 3 years in a row... and I was bound and determined not to repeat that little goof.
Also, I cannot walk buy ornaments for sale without stopping.
Anywhere.
Really... I mean anywhere.
This can be Sanibel, FL in March, or Kings Dominion in August.
I.Must.Stop.To.See.Ornaments.
I have finally become disciplined NOT to buy. (at least not ALL the time).
Most retailers I know either love the Christmas season (like me), or they hate it (like my husband).
Think about it... hoards of people mobbing your store with a specific deadline in mind, getting frustrated if you don't have exactly what they came for on the day they want it, even if they did wait until the last minute...
On the other hand, I love the frenzy of the gift wrapping, the 'deer in the headlights' look in the eyes of the (ahem, male) shoppers, the music (LOVE the music).
So, how do we reconcile this?
I handle Christmas (well, all but my own gift and one for his mum).
He handles, well, me. And our daughter, too, who is fast surpassing me in her love for this crazy, wonderful holiday.
I love decorating early.
I love shopping early.
By doing both, it means I have time to ENJOY the holiday.
I can bake, and cook, and visit with friends.
I can watch Christmas specials on TV - the good, the bad, and the sappy.
I can drive around Richmond and see all of the beautiful lights.
And... I can ENJOY our customers who come in to shop for others or for themselves.
I hope you'll come by LaDiff this holiday season to shop, to say hello, to see our beautiful downtown all dressed up (especially this Friday, Dec. 4th for Grand Illumination!).
I'll be the one Decking the Halls...falalalala... LaDifference...
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Help us help the Central Virginia Foodbank
Last year, for our 'holiday sale', LaDifference decided to do something, well, different. We wanted to give our customers a holiday 10% discount, but with a twist. For every donation of 5 cans/boxes of food or a donation of $5 to the Central Virginia Foodbank, a customer received get 10% off one item in the store.With no limit to the number of donations & discounts, the program was a success. We raised enough food & money to provide nearly 10,000 meals to the CVFB, who works with Meals on Wheels under the umbrella of Feedmore to provide meals to our area's neediest citizens.
Because success breeds success, we're doing it again.
Starting today, Nov. 24th, for every donation of $5 or 5 cans or boxes of food that you bring to LaDiff for the Central Virginia Foodbank, we will give you 10% off one really cool LaDiff item of your choice... the more your donate, the more 10% discounts you'll get. The promotion runs until Sunday, January 3rd, so you have plenty of time to help the foodbank while you help yourself to sale prices on furniture and home accessories.
If you are on our mailing list, watch your mailbox for the postcard about the event, and you'll see ads pop up in local papers, too. Thanks to the team at Elevation (Aaron, Frank, and CJ, big shout outs to you), we have a beautiful, hopeful television spot too, that you can see right here.
At the end of the sale, in the first week of January, we'll tally up the donations of canned goods and money brought to LaDiff and present everything to the foodbank at that time. As you can imagine, the need is greater than ever right now. The extraordinary team at our area foodbank knows how to stretch your single dollar into 5 meals... so that $5 donation in exchange for a discount can add 25 meals to someone's week. Pretty powerful. You can learn more about the Central Virginia Foodbank at their website or follow them on Twitter. (Please note, they are also looking for volunteers this season, too, to help with sorting and the like!)
To learn more about LaDiff's holiday promotion to help us provide food for our area citizens while helping our customeres save on fun furniture, visit our website for details.
From the LaDiff team to you, Happy Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Why we love a GOOD Sale
Sales are fun...and I'm not talking about just for the consumer - which I happen to be.
(And I'm quite good at being a consumer, too!)
At LaDiff, we have FUN with our sales.
First, there are the 'games' we've played...in the past we've asked our customers to
Right now LaDIFF is in the midst of our first HALF OFF sale.
When you have a sale called 'half off' you get a lot of questions. We've tried to answer the most frequent ones on our website page about the sale. Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Is everything HALF OFF? ... all of the ads say "select items" and "over 600 items". And wouldn't we tell you if it's the entire store? So, the short and easy answer is "no" (we aren't crazy).
2. Is this the best price? ....uh, it's half off. HALF OFF our regular price. Let me put it this way: this is BETTER than what our employees pay. So you're getting the employee discount and then some. Woohoo! (short answer: "yes")
3. Is my HALF OFF purchase final sale? ... you bet your bippee it is. Period. End of story. (P.S. We also need you to be IN the store when you purchase, because most of the items are last-of floor samples... you'll want to look it over before you buy.)
4. Are you going out of business? "Wait, people really ask you that?"...Whenever we have a clearance sale, we hear this question or a variation of it from at least one person during the event. Crazy, huh? That said, in today's economic climate, and having watched many of our friends and colleagues close their businesses, the question is at least more reasonable. The answer is a resounding NO! We enjoy what we do, our business is strong, and we can't wait to show you all of the cool stuff we have on order coming in 2010... which is the reason we are making room with a HALF OFF sale to begin with.
Sometimes, with clearance sales, we look around us at a sea of 'older than it should be' inventory and too many 'as is' items. This time, however, the buyers are thrilled at the selection we are offering our customers. One of my very favorite chairs sold early on the first day of the sale: a gorgeous, comfy swivel chair from Italy in a truly luxurious leather. Mmmmm.
Want to know what makes us (or any furniture store) decide to put something in a sale like this?
In the end, there were over 710 items marked at HALF OFF... and, with day #3 of the sale starting today, there are still LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of terrific bargains left FOR YOU!
The sale ends Sunday, Nov 22nd. Come on down and
LET THE FUN BEGIN!
(And I'm quite good at being a consumer, too!)
At LaDiff, we have FUN with our sales.
First, there are the 'games' we've played...in the past we've asked our customers to
- search for secret items
- sing patriotic song
- wear specific colors and/or outfits
Right now LaDIFF is in the midst of our first HALF OFF sale.
When you have a sale called 'half off' you get a lot of questions. We've tried to answer the most frequent ones on our website page about the sale. Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Is everything HALF OFF? ... all of the ads say "select items" and "over 600 items". And wouldn't we tell you if it's the entire store? So, the short and easy answer is "no" (we aren't crazy).
2. Is this the best price? ....uh, it's half off. HALF OFF our regular price. Let me put it this way: this is BETTER than what our employees pay. So you're getting the employee discount and then some. Woohoo! (short answer: "yes")
3. Is my HALF OFF purchase final sale? ... you bet your bippee it is. Period. End of story. (P.S. We also need you to be IN the store when you purchase, because most of the items are last-of floor samples... you'll want to look it over before you buy.)
4. Are you going out of business? "Wait, people really ask you that?"...Whenever we have a clearance sale, we hear this question or a variation of it from at least one person during the event. Crazy, huh? That said, in today's economic climate, and having watched many of our friends and colleagues close their businesses, the question is at least more reasonable. The answer is a resounding NO! We enjoy what we do, our business is strong, and we can't wait to show you all of the cool stuff we have on order coming in 2010... which is the reason we are making room with a HALF OFF sale to begin with.
Sometimes, with clearance sales, we look around us at a sea of 'older than it should be' inventory and too many 'as is' items. This time, however, the buyers are thrilled at the selection we are offering our customers. One of my very favorite chairs sold early on the first day of the sale: a gorgeous, comfy swivel chair from Italy in a truly luxurious leather. Mmmmm.
Want to know what makes us (or any furniture store) decide to put something in a sale like this?
- Vendor discontinuation: means we cannot order it any longer - for our store or for you.
- Older floor models that we want to change up to another finish or color or style.
- Too much inventory of one thing! We get a little over-eager sometimes...
- Scratch & dent - accidents happen; we touch 'em up and mark 'em down!
- Something that just doesn't make the 'best seller' list. We love everything we buy. Some items are 'hits' and some aren't. That's just the way it is...
- Something new is on the way to take it's place! When we need to make room, we mark down what's 'in the way'.
In the end, there were over 710 items marked at HALF OFF... and, with day #3 of the sale starting today, there are still LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of terrific bargains left FOR YOU!
The sale ends Sunday, Nov 22nd. Come on down and
LET THE FUN BEGIN!
Monday, November 9, 2009
So, what did you REALLY think?
We knew we were taking a risk.
Double entendre is always risky.
Some people won't hear the 'risky' part, and the joke goes over their heads. Others ONLY hear the 'risky' part, and ignore the safe part, and take it far too literally.
Since mid-October, LaDiff has been running a TV commercial called "Passion for Dining." The concept came from Aaron Dotson, Frank Gilliam and team, and was produced by C.J.Hawn, all of Elevation Advertising. Very talented people with very creative ideas... and this was no exception.
Let me back up.
In July, we asked Elevation to create our 4th of July tv spots.
They were animated and hit the mark.
For our 'Perfect Seat' upholstery sale in September, they came up with an even more clever idea including a variety of 'seats' (young, old, small, large, dressed up, casual, etc.)
But....... they had this other idea they wanted us to do. It was a take-off of a Cialis or Viagra or similar spot: the one with the two bathtubs. Andy would be in one and I would be in the other. The copy would be about it 'being time' and 'being in the mood'... then 'yes, let's have a sale.'
Yeah, ... cute... but, uh, no.
The 'butt' ad was clever. Lucy loved shaking her booty for it, as did quite a few LaDiffers.
The next ad... for our dining sale... was all about the double entendre.
Here we were, sitting around the conference table: two 40-something women, a 20-something woman, and my 50-something husband, listening to the Elevation ideas. They were great. If we'd had the money, there would have been three spots that would have run in rotation so often you'd think we were an upcoming Lifetime movie! Instead, we decided on one. This one. The one that has gotten a lot of attention.
We even got written attention in Holly Buchanan's blog about 'marketing to women'... and she did NOT like it.
But... We like it.
It's risky.
It created buzz.
And... it's "LaDiff."
Check out Holly's blog and the reactions/comments... and watch the ad itself... right here... and let us know what YOU think. (To friends who have already commented on the blog and/or on Facebook... THANK YOU.)
Too much???
Elevation is doing our NEXT tv spot too: about our promotion that benefits the Central Virginia Foodbank. Stay tuned... it's wonderful.
(by the way, dining furniture is STILL on sale for one more week... sale ends 11/15... so, hurry, if that's the room you need to furnish or redecorate next!)
Double entendre is always risky.
Some people won't hear the 'risky' part, and the joke goes over their heads. Others ONLY hear the 'risky' part, and ignore the safe part, and take it far too literally.
Since mid-October, LaDiff has been running a TV commercial called "Passion for Dining." The concept came from Aaron Dotson, Frank Gilliam and team, and was produced by C.J.Hawn, all of Elevation Advertising. Very talented people with very creative ideas... and this was no exception.
Let me back up.
In July, we asked Elevation to create our 4th of July tv spots.
They were animated and hit the mark.
For our 'Perfect Seat' upholstery sale in September, they came up with an even more clever idea including a variety of 'seats' (young, old, small, large, dressed up, casual, etc.)
But....... they had this other idea they wanted us to do. It was a take-off of a Cialis or Viagra or similar spot: the one with the two bathtubs. Andy would be in one and I would be in the other. The copy would be about it 'being time' and 'being in the mood'... then 'yes, let's have a sale.'
Yeah, ... cute... but, uh, no.
The 'butt' ad was clever. Lucy loved shaking her booty for it, as did quite a few LaDiffers.
The next ad... for our dining sale... was all about the double entendre.
Here we were, sitting around the conference table: two 40-something women, a 20-something woman, and my 50-something husband, listening to the Elevation ideas. They were great. If we'd had the money, there would have been three spots that would have run in rotation so often you'd think we were an upcoming Lifetime movie! Instead, we decided on one. This one. The one that has gotten a lot of attention.
We even got written attention in Holly Buchanan's blog about 'marketing to women'... and she did NOT like it.
But... We like it.
It's risky.
It created buzz.
And... it's "LaDiff."
Check out Holly's blog and the reactions/comments... and watch the ad itself... right here... and let us know what YOU think. (To friends who have already commented on the blog and/or on Facebook... THANK YOU.)
Too much???
Elevation is doing our NEXT tv spot too: about our promotion that benefits the Central Virginia Foodbank. Stay tuned... it's wonderful.
(by the way, dining furniture is STILL on sale for one more week... sale ends 11/15... so, hurry, if that's the room you need to furnish or redecorate next!)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Comfort, Color, and a some 'star' sightings....... LaDiff's recap of the October 2009 High Point furniture market
1. COMFORT is king: deep, plush seating wowed us. Sink into comfort. Don't want to get up and keep walking comfort. No 'perching' on the edge of your seat; we're talking become one-with-the-furniture comfort.
2. FABRIC is BACK in modern design. While microfiber covers and ultrasuede are still out there, and still have their places, ‘REAL’ fabrics in rich textures are BACK: linens, chenilles, woven cottons, etc. This only adds to the lushness of the COMFORT (see #1!).
3. Where there is FABRIC, there is COLOR. After the safe sea of brown, brown, and brown (okay: tan, taupe, and chocolate),
we loved seeing the other colors of the earth splashed around: cranberry reds, plum purples, ocean-inspired teals, and pumpkin oranges, all mixed with new neutrals like pewter grey! Our friends at American Leather did it particularly well!
4. MID-CENTURY MODERN was the style inspiration.
Heywood-Wakefield-inspired case pieces, trim upholstery, clean lines – minimal yet fun and funky. Keeping with that feeling, AMERICAN WALNUT brings the essence of the 1950’s and high craftsmanship to the almost 2010’s. LaDiff faves Copeland, Skovby, and BDI showed it off with new introductions throughout.
5. INNOVATION – George Emerson presented his Geneva Sound Systems, where you can get really big sound out of sexy, small boxes: it is SO MUCH
better than some other European options we’ve seen, and a whole heaping lot prettier in your room! 
GUS* even puts ‘tree trunk’ patterned texture onto an otherwise very mod clear acrylic accent table: love it.
, and I came within spitting distance of Candice Olson (note, I would never spit on Candice: 1. b/c she is very tall and could hock one right back on top of my head, 2. b/c she is truly divine). Thom is adorable, and Candice is gorgeous, and both are talented and charming, but neither had the naive appeal of this uber-star, Mr. Squarepants himself...
High Point just doesn't get any better than this!
P.S. if you aren't on LaDiff's email list yet, or following us on Twitter or Facebook, you'll want to! We have big exciting stuff happening that will only be told to our ONLINE audience! Sign up now!
2. FABRIC is BACK in modern design. While microfiber covers and ultrasuede are still out there, and still have their places, ‘REAL’ fabrics in rich textures are BACK: linens, chenilles, woven cottons, etc. This only adds to the lushness of the COMFORT (see #1!).
3. Where there is FABRIC, there is COLOR. After the safe sea of brown, brown, and brown (okay: tan, taupe, and chocolate),
we loved seeing the other colors of the earth splashed around: cranberry reds, plum purples, ocean-inspired teals, and pumpkin oranges, all mixed with new neutrals like pewter grey! Our friends at American Leather did it particularly well!4. MID-CENTURY MODERN was the style inspiration.
Heywood-Wakefield-inspired case pieces, trim upholstery, clean lines – minimal yet fun and funky. Keeping with that feeling, AMERICAN WALNUT brings the essence of the 1950’s and high craftsmanship to the almost 2010’s. LaDiff faves Copeland, Skovby, and BDI showed it off with new introductions throughout.5. INNOVATION – George Emerson presented his Geneva Sound Systems, where you can get really big sound out of sexy, small boxes: it is SO MUCH
better than some other European options we’ve seen, and a whole heaping lot prettier in your room! 
GUS* even puts ‘tree trunk’ patterned texture onto an otherwise very mod clear acrylic accent table: love it.
, and I came within spitting distance of Candice Olson (note, I would never spit on Candice: 1. b/c she is very tall and could hock one right back on top of my head, 2. b/c she is truly divine). Thom is adorable, and Candice is gorgeous, and both are talented and charming, but neither had the naive appeal of this uber-star, Mr. Squarepants himself...
High Point just doesn't get any better than this!
P.S. if you aren't on LaDiff's email list yet, or following us on Twitter or Facebook, you'll want to! We have big exciting stuff happening that will only be told to our ONLINE audience! Sign up now!
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