Please Visit our New Blog

http://www.fancyfrenchcologne.com/shop/blog/

Hold up, wait a minute

WE ARE LIVE
kind of.
Make a wish list and we will come calling next week.
we thank you.
profusely :)

Introducing.....


www.fancyfrenchcologne.com

Happy Treasure Hunting,
Carly + Christine

RSVP To Our Launch Party!!!

One free drink for the first 40 guests, complimentary treats by local sponsors, and music by DJ Eli Glad. We will also be raffling off gift certificates and custom tote bags. Come hang out with us!!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=109351885789830

Brief Update + Thanks Dan

You guys, we have been soooooooooo busy. The photoshoot last weekend went just perfect--I got all weepy and emotional when we were saying goodbye at the end because I was so happy with everything. Everyone that participated not only did a wonderful job, but had such great attitudes. What more could we ask for?

Here is a sneak preview from the photoshoot...

Other than that, we've just been working on our press + promo and getting everything with the site working. We're also figuring out how to make our launch party as great as possible on a shoe-string budget. Lots of late nights, y'all.

Also, Dan Africa is my hero. This video is courtesy of his sense of humor. I've never enjoyed being teased by someone as much as I do by Dan. Don't tell him I said that.





xoChr

Photo Shoots!

Hello all! We are finally getting our photography on for all the products we will have by our launch date (ahem...CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S ONLY THREE WEEKS AWAY????). I spent pretty much the entirety of Sunday in my living room with Lev photographing the few accessories we have so far. We honestly don't have nearly as much as I thought we would by now, but it still took forever! I think we spent almost 2 hours on just one pain-in-the-neck purse to make sure the colors were accurate! It was really fun actually, but holy lord I can't emphasize enough how similar this process has been to writing and recording music. There is so much just sitting around, agonizing over the smallest details, testing this, trying that, and so on. :D

This weekend we're doing the clothes--both product shots and styled location shoots. We're really excited about everyone that's involved--from our models Nicole and Gaelan, to our make-up artist Jenny, hair stylist Stephanie, and of course Lev. You might have guessed correctly that Carly and I have no idea how to run a photo shoot, but we're going to do our best and feel pretty confident that the end result will be something we can all be proud of.

It will be, to put it mildly, a wild experiment. Wish us luck!

xoChr

Highlights from MAGIC

Well, we did it! We went to our very first MAGIC tradeshow in Vegas. If all goes well, this will be something we'll be doing twice a year, every year. I was pretty apprehensive before we left--everyone had warned us that it was going to be huge and overwhelming, but it really wasn't that bad! Looking back at how confused we were at our first show--the baby of all trade shows, CALA--I can't believe how far we've come. And it was actually really fun! Here are some highlights from our trip:

- Checking out Dolce Vita's new DV line, and staying awake long enough to check out the DV launch party at LAVO (did I mention we woke up at 4am for our flight on Tuesday, then went straight to work! holy moly!)

- All things adorable at Many Belles Down, a local Bay Area company

- Somehow managing to not wilt from the heat

- Celebrating Carly's birthday!

- Finally learning how to play craps... the FIRE bet!!

- Our favorite pick for Spring--a beyond-words-adorable dress by Funktional. We can't wait to show you!

- When Carly got to hug Betty White...

Okay, so maybe she didn't really meet Betty White, but I got to hang out with Jessica Simpson!

Okay, so maybe I didn't really meet Jessica Simpson either, but we did see Lady GaGa and Beyonce perform!

Okay, so maybe they were impersonators, but they were really convincing! Anyway, what we did do is a whole lot of shopping and we're happy to report that it was a great success! We can't wait to show you the results!

xoChr

We believe in MAGIC

Hello Friends,
I thought it might be a great time (since we are headed of to MAGIC tomorrow) to let you in on some of the brands that we will be carrying this fall season. Currently it is 11:36 PM, and Christine is coming to pick me up at 5:30 (YES AM zzzzzz) so we can get to the airport in time to make it to our first appointments tomorrow. So, I will make this short and sweet. Above are not photos of actual items we will be carrying, but of previous pieces created by brands we are carrying so you can get a feel for what the overall aesthetic might be. Going clockwise from the top left corner we have:

Funktional
Many Belles Down
(uh.....)
Tulle
Frock! by Tracy Reese
Dolce Vita
BB Dakota
Hype

...and I forget where that 3rd dress came from. I would have re-made the collage, but it's 11:45 and I'm waking up at 4:30. Cute though isn't it? In addition to the brands listed above we will also be carrying Aryn K and it's little sister Ark & Co, Cheap Monday, newcomers Line & Dot, and much much more!
OK, that is all for now because my sleep hours are dwindling! More to come very soon.
Goodnight xo
Car

Inspiration: Stephanie B.

Hi everyone!

Goodness, have we been busy! July was a whirlwind of summer fun, which means we took a lot of trips out of San Francisco to enjoy Mr. Blue Sky. In fact, we spent last weekend in beautiful Seattle to celebrate the wedding of our ex-bandmate to his long time love. It was an amazing time, made especially great because I was able to catch up with my darling friend Stephanie!



Stephanie and FFC alum Leia looking foxy at the wedding.


We met Stephanie a looooong time ago when she was living in Santa Cruz with Finest Dearest’s future bassist, and were even roommates for a while in San Francisco. I have long admired Stephanie’s look—from the perfect hair and makeup to the way she embodies vintage style in her everyday life. I also love that Stephanie’s personal style really reflects her personality: sunny, cheeky and adventurous.


Here’s what Stephanie had to say when I interviewed her a while back:

1. What usually motivates your outfit when you get dressed in the morning?
As a lifelong procrastinator, I have learned that dresses are best suited for my lifestyle...and my figure. They are a one-stop shop, just begging for the perfect accessories! I am also inspired by people watching outside my window on 24th street, very colorful!

2. What’s your favorite reason to get all gussied up?
I love to pull out all the stops for dinner parties and Sunday brunch with my ladies.

3. Something fashionable you’ve been drooling over lately?
A vintage poncho-style trench coat would be lovely. Or, if someone could just buy me a Snuggie, that would fine as well.

4. Favorite places to shop?
The Painted Bird, the Goodwill in Auburn, Savers in San Jose, and the Bargain Barn in Santa Cruz

5. Most embarrassing fashion trend you’ve seen people follow recently? (Or that you've been guilty of!)
Leather leggings...faux or real. Only the New York Dolls can get away with a stunt like that!



Looking gorgeous as Edie Sedjwick for Halloween.

The First Face of FFC

This is Nicole L. Browner. Besides being a real looker, Nicole is also the Content Producer for one of our favorite San Francisco music blogs The Bay Bridged . Beauty and brains! Nicole is humoring us by being one of our first models. Our very first photo shoot is scheduled for one of last weekends in August when we will finally have enough stuff to get up on our site and to make it look like a (real) boutique. Before then, we have to conquer the mother of all trade shows - MAGIC . As always, we are excited and scared. 105 degree weather, back to back meetings with vendors, spring '11 collections (!), poker tournaments (oh, um, I mean, did I say that?!) :)
One of our focuses for MAGIC is going to be shoes, because currently we are sorely lacking in the shoe department, and that makes me sad. Those of you who know me, know I am kind of ridiculous about shoes. And by ridiculous I mean obsessed. Rest easy my loves - I will find those shoes! Until then, goodnight, and stay fancy.
xo
Car

FAQ No. 1 and 2 : Do you sell cologne? / What's with your name?

OK, we knew there would be a teensy bit of danger in choosing a name that may lead people to believe we sell fragrances. However, we were also hoping that a few might pick up on the
origins of our name and some of you have, hooray! For those who are still saying "what the what?" I thought I would tell you about a song called Carey, by Joni Mitchell. I grew up listening to Joni as many of us did (depending on your parents' tastes) and haven't stopped since. When we were going crazy trying to choose a name for our store, I was doing all kinds of exercises - making mood boards and collages, making lists of words, rearranging - and one night while I was working on all this I happened to be listening to Joni Mitchell's album Blue.
“Carey” by Joni Mitchell, describes her wild adventures in the Greek isles. In the song, she soaks up an exotic but gritty travel experience, and though she’s having the time of her life,
she sings: “I miss my clean white linen and my fancy French cologne”. The meaning of this song really resonated with us and has come to define the spirit of our shop. We are for you ladies
who are just as comfortable in a fast-paced urban environment as you are hiking a trail or climbing a tree—looking for adventure in everyday life and looking lovely while you’re at it.
In music, lifestyle, and fashion, Joni is an icon and an inspiration.

xoxo

Car

Model Hunting This Weekend

That's right, we'll be scouring the streets of San Francisco looking for some normal, everyday ladies to recruit as models. We're not 100% sure how to describe the kind of gal that we imagine will grace the pages of our site, but I am confident she's out there!

If you know anyone, please have them contact us at info at fancyfrenchcologne dot com.

xoChr

That's All, Folks!

This weekend Carly and I played our last show ever with Finest Dearest and I don't think we could have asked for a better ending. We had a really great time with everyone--thank you for being there! And while we're on the subject, I'd like to say thank you if you ever let us sleep on your floor or booked us a show, thank you for all of your kind messages recently saying you are sorry we're breaking up, thank you everyone who was involved in our music, from artwork to photography, recording, distro, trombones... Basically, thanks to everyone who cared. We know how lucky we are to have known you all.

Special thanks to Lev for taking all the awesome photos of the show, which you can see more of here, and who is actually going to be our photographer for Fancy French Cologne.

And so with this behind us, I think Carly and I can really focus everything on Fancy French Cologne. Weve dipped our toes in this completely new world, and we're eager to just get in there already!

xoChr

Inspiration: Seth B.

That's right, we're introducing the male element into these here inspiration posts! And there is honestly no better dude to kick it off with than our dear friend Seth. He is the only guy that's ever asked me: "which set of cufflinks do you think I should wear?" Seth can tell you what era the camouflage pattern he's wearing is from, he doesn't mind telling you if he likes your blouse, and he plays a clear bass in Stirling Says. In other words, Seth rules.

I recently saw Seth on his birthday and watched his other band Pills play (sorry for the blurry photos...). Read below for some of Seth's opinions on clothing, and if you like what you read he's got many, many more opinions right here.

1. What usually motivates your outfit when you get dressed in the morning?
Context of the day. If I am going to work office-ish clothes. Days off depends on the weather, which in San Francisco changes at the drop of a hat so layers are almost always a must.


2. What’s your favorite reason to get all gussied up?
Friends’ get–togethers mostly, birthdays, cocktail parties, and what-not. But I like getting dressed up as much as possible and always wish there were more reasons to do so and not look out of place or like I am wearing a costume.



3. Something fashionable you’ve been drooling over lately?
I have been really into woven brown leather shoes lately, I am on the lookout for a good pair of calf boots at the moment. I really like some of John Varvatos’ new styles but will never ever be able to afford them. Also, I want a watch. I have had two really great looking watches but one was stolen and the other is too heavy and messes with my tendonitis (I know, lame).


4. Favorite places to shop?
Clothes Contact on Valencia and Mission Thrift have given me many of my favorite clothes. Almost always second hand except the old undies and socks. Any chance I get I check out army/navy surplus stores too. Well made, stylish and it fits like a dream! I also really want a Uniqlo to open in San Francisco.


5. Most embarrassing fashion trend you’ve seen people follow recently? (Or that you've been guilty of!)
I wore girls jeans for about a year when I was a younger man but got over that thankfully. New trends that are on the bummer radar is the tendency of “the kids these days” to wear clothing that is becoming more and more baglike, too many pleats and baggy on top tight on the bottom pieces.

Lights, Camera... Think About Snakes!

Today we drove down to Palo Alto to do a practice photo shoot before we do the real thing. The thing we were most worried about was being able to photograph darker colors and still make the detail stand out, or being able to see the detail when a pattern is really small. We also wanted to just play with the settings and backdrop to see what kind of lighting, angles etc, we liked the best. What we found is that we have a lot of options and flexibility which was kind of a weight off of our shoulders. Also, Lev really knows how to bring the best out in people. For example, he says:

Think about puppy dogs:

Um... ok Christine....

Think about snakes:

Um.... OK uh, both of us...

Look like you love each other:
That we can do :)
Good thing we aren't the models. Anyone else want to take a crack at it?

xo
Carly + Christine

Farewell to Finest Dearest

Hi everyone!

If you haven't heard already, the band that Carly and I have been in for almost six years is calling it quits at the end of this month. I think we all agree that playing in Finest Dearest was one of the most amazing times in our young lives, and we feel so lucky to have shared so many experiences together. We had sooooo much fun, and I have never felt more at home than I did in that band with my finest dears. Together we saw so many new parts of the country, met a ton of great people, learned a lot about the world and each other and ourselves (sounds cheesy, but it's true!!). I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my twenties. But alas, we have sown our wild oats and are all moving on to new (and more "grown-up") efforts.

To say our proper goodbyes, we're playing a final show in San Francisco, and just released our final album, Good Enough, on iTunes today. Click here to learn more about the show and click here to download the record from iTunes.

Our First Shipment Has Arrived!

We have reached another milestone, friends! We received our very first shipment last night as we were in the midst of our weekly business meeting. How exciting! Here's a picture of me opening the box... unfortunately we can't give away too many details about what's inside, but rest assured we are very excited about its contents.

And this is just the beginning! We will be receiving many more boxes like this one throughout the summer, and indeed year-round from now on. And still, somehow none of this seems very real yet... I wonder how many milestones it takes till you can stop pinching yourself. Where's that pesky Tootsie Pop owl when you need him?

The F Word

Dear Readers,

Lest you think we are neglecting you, I thought I would do a quick check in. The problem is, we have been waiting. Waiting for our website to be done, our logo to be finalized and all of the vendors to approve our paperwork. So we have nothing amazingly exciting to report- and that is just not great blogging material. However, now that you are reading you may as well continue, yes?

As I was enjoying my aunt's 60th birthday / surprise brunch this weekend, I was realizing how tiring it is to talk about the business sometimes( yes already, don't judge me :/ ) I used to have a hard time when family members asked me about our band also. I don't know what it is- maybe you feel like everyone is eager to be proud of you and you are like - well yeah, i mean in Minnesota we played to the piano player that went on before us, his wife, the other band and one poor journalist who heard us online, so we are basically huge.
Not to say that we didn't have some marginally successful nights in our own hometown, but for the most part we ended up just doing it for fun- because we are all friends, and we liked making music.

It's different this time. If we don't have some degree of success I might be seriously dissapointed. I might feel like a failure, and I might be embarrassed. I don't want to be talking to my family a year from now about how we are struggling just to keep our heads above water ( especially since I now owe them my first born - thanks mom and dad and stepdad and stepmom!)

The point is, I'm in a mental preparation phase. I need to be ready to work my hardest, perservere, and if absolutely necessary, be ready to let everything go and chalk it up to a great life experience. I'm just saying - hello Failure, I'm aware of you - if you come anywhere near me I'll punch you in the face- and if you are stronger than me, at least I went down with dignity.

-Car

Inspriration: An Unexpected Theme of Pets + Ladies

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since we'd done an inspiration post (mostly because people are so camera shy...nudge, nudge) but that doesn't mean we haven't been inspired! Here are two sites you should all check out:

Introducing All Mighty, an adorable online shop run by two sisters out of an old Victorian house in NY. The shop is named after their Boston Terrier, Mighty, and the look of the entire site is just over-the-top adorable in honor of his cuddly cuteness. All Mighty is a far cry from what Carly and I are putting together over here at FFC Headquarters in terms of the theme, but it's inspiring to me nonetheless because it's two ladies running an awesome online store out of their house--and they make it look like so much fun! I also think the site is uniquely approachable and really captures their friendly point of view without being precious in a bad way. Good design and good ideas, executed well--it's lots of fun! Go see for yourself!

Next up is Pawesome.net, which is actually where I learned about All Mighty! Pawesome.net is an all-things-pet-and-animal site that is also run by two ladies in SF (my friend Sarah and her co-founder Sonia). Pawesome offers a huge range of info on everything from pet advice, to information about adoption to hilarious YouTube videos. They even do pet profiles, such as this one of my cat Eleanor. I encourage all of you to check out Pawesome, it's a great resource and really fun.

Have fun surfing the net!

xoChristine

Let's say it again together - Live and learn!

Woweeeee, could we have ever imagined that we would be in the middle of so many things at once? I really didn't expect to learn this many life lessons in a few short months. If I had a nickel for every time I, or someone in my vicinity has said "live and learn" lately, ...well, you know. To put it vaguely, while we have been regaling you with tales of trade shows and mythical dresses, there is a lot more going on behind the scenes than one might think. Namely, we have been desperately trying to get our store BUILT. Everything that you will see when we launch the store, from our logo all the way down to the poses of the models will have more thought behind it than you, the customer (er hopefully, OK, not you Dad :p, but hopefully *some* of you ) will ever be privy to. And let us assure you, it has not been easy.

Without going into all of the gory details , we have had to learn a lot about the way we work with each other and the way we work with other people. We can't accomplish every facet of this business on our own , so naturally we have had to hire other people to work with us. How do you communicate effectively to someone, the store that already exists inside of your head? The customer you have already met in your daydreams? And that you would rather have your store look like the fake bathroom in the lovely BellJar boutique than anything else? See even you don't know what we are talking about (well some of you probably do, and you guys rule).

With that in mind, I think the main thing we've learned is to be clear and as specific as possible about your initial ideas with web designers and developers. Even if a detail seems too tiny to mention, mention it, and early on. You won't be sorry. You will save time, money, and headaches. If you don't have a vision yet - sit down and brainstorm. Gather images you like, observe the competition, focus on helping to create something extraordinary - and know that sometimes that means letting go, too.

Good Morning, Spring!

Hi everyone!

I'm sitting in the internet cafe at the D&A showroom waiting a few minutes for Carly to arrive. It's on the 13th floor of the Starrett Lehigh building, everything is white and bright, the windows are flooded with sunshine and the flowers on the table are screaming spring!

This is the third and final day of trade show shopping for us, and we are surprisingly not completely pooped. The last couple days have been so productive, we've seen so many beautiful things, and are feeling really good about the orders we want to place. We're especially excited about a long sleeved Dolce Vita dress (as soon as we started we both started cooing over it--it was kinda embarrassing but I think everyone was too busy to notice). There are also some really great accessories we plan to order, which is a relief because we were starting to feel like nothing amazing was going to stand out to us.

Another great surprise is how nice everyone is here! Maybe we're just more comfortable with ourselves in this new situation, but I swear, people in NY are not keeping up their reputation for being aggressive at all. We feel very grateful for everyone's patience and kindness towards us as we learn the ropes.

That's it for now, it's time to shop!

xoChr