I was fortunate enough to meet Kaisa Larkas a few years ago
on a press trip to Helsinki. Kaisa, although she lived in the UK,
was originally from Finland and I was instantly inspired by
how she stayed so upbeat and organised with both a busy career
and a family (oh, did I mention when she was organising this
Press trip for around 40 people, she was also pregnant?). Now,
she has just opened her first Fashion Boutique: POP The Fashion Store
and writes her own successful blog as well as being a mother and
ALWAYS looking chic...how does she do it?!
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| Kaisa, with customers in her store |
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| Kaisa's store in Olney, Buckinghamshire (but you buy online, too) |
When did you decide you'd open your own Fashion Boutique?
We moved to Olney two years ago from London and there are
so many lovely independent boutiques here, but I felt that
there was nowhere that I would regularly shop myself when
it came to clothes etc. So I kept thinking it would be lovely
to have a store that would sell young designers and independent
labels mixed with some more established brands. The whole
thing was just an idea though, but then in late March my
husband called me to say he had found the perfect location to
open a shop in. I went to see it the same day and decided to
take it - and I opened a month later! It was all very quick.
How did it feel when you found THE perfect location?
The shop instantly felt right. It's an old building with wooden
beams on the ceiling and it was just the right size so it was
really exciting.
Describe your style...
I am mostly dressed in skinny jeans and boots that I team with
different tops. I wear a lot of black and then add colour with
accessories. I like to keep my style quite minimalist as I think
that by wearing too much jewellery or a huge mix of colours can
sometimes end up looking messy.
Has coming from Finland influenced the way your dress?
I do love the Scandinavian minimalism when it comes to clothes.
The materials are great quality, the colours subtle and lines clean.
How do you manage your time between running a store, buying, raising
children and blogging?
With very little sleep!! :) You forgot fitness classes and Personal
Training! ;) Some days I have no idea how I do it all,to be honest,
but I'm lucky enough to have a fantastic au pair who helps out with
the kids and a supportive husband.
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| Kaisa's Launch Party for POP The Fashion Store |
Where do you shop on the High Street?
Zara is my ultimate favourite when it comes to the High Street.
What's your top 'frugal' tip?
When it comes to shoes and bags, it is worth spending a bit more
money and buying real leather items. They will cost you slightly
more but they will last a lot longer than the cheap (plastic)
versions. Also mix the high street brands with some more expensive
brands - no one will ever know! ;)
Just a few of the gorgeous things Kaisa sells in her Boutique and online:
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| Fab selection of necklaces including these knitted designs, by Amy Lawrence |
Love independent stores? Support yours! O2 has opened up its Priority
Moments App service to all small businesses and Boutiques, allowing
them to reach shoppers in their local area.
In a survey, they found that the majority of people believed that
'Boutiques' were generally more expensive than the high Street. Us
frugal people, however, know it's not the case!
Small businesses can set themselves up on the o2 Priority Moments
App to appear on the radar of all o2 local customers and can offer
local deals for free.
Next week, we will be doing a competition with o2 revolving around
small, independent businesses, where the lucky winner will win gift
vouchers to spend in POP The Fashion Store! Please stay tuned!
Beautiful things - and Olney is Tim's parents' town! Will be popping in (ahaaaa) asap xx
ReplyDeleteWe should go together!
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