AMaVo Boutique Blog

"Thank you from Suvo"

2012-02-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

February has been quite the month at AMaVo! From the love story that touched so many hearts, to the delivery of Candyland games at Sanford, it has been a whirlwind of blessings for which we are thankful.

During this time, it really struck me that not only should we take a personal inventory of our blessings on a regular basis, it is important we share them with others.

Therefore, my blog today is a tribute to the “Amavotologists”…..the group of gals who create that one of a kind shopping experience for you!

I am so inspired by their passion and creativity! No obstacle is too big for them….their persistence and can-do attitude has been the cornerstone of our success.

Multi-talented is an understatement, but most importantly, they are genuinely interested and concerned about our customers. I have witnessed their tears and laughter when touched by your stories. They are true to our motto…..”Enter as friends, leave as family”.

I just want them to know how appreciated they are….and the special place they have in my heart.

As the old saying goes, “Every time we remember to say thank you, we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.” Thank you girls, you are truly a blessing!

And a big heartfelt thank you to our customers. You are the ones who make AMaVo special by understanding what we are doing here and telling others!

Much love,

Suvo

"A Love Story"

2012-02-14T11:24:00.000-08:00

Being that it's Valentine's Day, we wanted to share the Love Story that touched our hearts! This story was actually submitted by the couple's daughter- which was so thoughtful. After meeting Karen yesterday, it was confirmed to me that this couple was well deserving of this package and I couldn't be happier for them to share this special night!

Enjoy this Beautiful Love Story!

This is not my own love story. However, it is the most beautiful and cherished love I have ever witnessed. I’m sure it’s common for daughters to say that about their parents but, after you read their story, I am sure you will agree with me. Below is their story.

May 1982

Phil Johnson and Karen Vikesland met in Europe on a USD Business School study tour. The first time Phil saw Karen was in the Royal Gardens in England and, immediately, he was drawn to her. He knew he had to know her. As she walked by he “accidentally” bumped into her. Surprised, a 5’2’’ Karen stared up at a 6’3’’ Phil. “I’m so sorry,” Phil said. Karen said it was fine and when she smiled with her dimples and big green eyes, Phil knew he had it bad.

With the ice broken, Phil and Karen talked easily about the trip, their finance and accounting majors and the crazy coincidence that they were actually neighbors back at school. After a bit, it was time for the USD group to move on to the viewing of the crown jewels. Before they left the Royal Gardens, Phil plucked a single rose from a bush and handed it to a blushing Karen. It was a good thing they were leaving; picking the flowers in the Royal Garden is illegal and they were promptly thrown out.

April 1985

“Hurry up! We’re going to be late!” Karen said to Phil as they finished getting ready for dinner with Phil’s parents, George and Clare. The two were meeting Phil’s parents at Minnehaha Country Club for dinner, so they hopped in the car and headed north. Karen noticed Phil was more fidgety than normal and silently wondered what was up. He had been acting strange for the past week or so and it was starting to worry Karen. After asking if something was wrong and receiving a short “no” answer, she decided to drop the subject until another time.

They pulled into the Country Club’s parking lot and parked. Walking quickly, Karen turned to hurry Phil up when she noticed he was still by the car. Confused, she headed back and told him it was rude to keep his parents waiting. Phil was silent for a few moments and then, out of nowhere, he dropped to one knee. Karen gasped she was so taken aback and, as Phil pulled a ring out of his jacket pocket, she started to cry. She sank to her knees and hugged him. “Well, are you going to say yes? Are you going to say you’ll marry me?” Phil asked Karen expectantly as he stood up with her. With wet eyes, Karen looked up thirteen inches and said, “Even though you just proposed to me in a parking lot...I can’t wait to become Mrs. Johnson.”

October 12, 1985

Just six months after their engagement Phil Johnson and Karen Vikesland were wed. It was a beautiful ceremony, filled with so much love and joy. They honeymooned to Mackinac Island, where they enjoyed each other for two weeks in a blast to the past with no telephones, TV or cars.

May 26, 1988 and March 29, 1990

Phil and Karen welcomed their first child, Amy, into the world and had never known such joy. The young couple knew they wanted more children and, soon Karen was pregnant again. However, a few months into the pregnancy, they discovered this baby had Down Syndrome. While some parents might have seen this as an imperfect child or an impossible task, Phil and Karen stood strong with each other and their faith and, late in March, Megan was born.

From birth, Megan’s condition was a challenge for the young family. Her heart was too weak for her body and the Down Syndrome made the development almost impossible. They moved to Fargo, ND to be closer to specialist doctors for Megan but nothing seemed to work. Karen took Megan and lived in Rochester, MN at the Mayo Clinic for a few months, hoping and praying. Eventually, the doctors said there was nothing they could do and sent Karen and Megan home to Fargo. They said to hope for the best but only gave her a month or two to live.

June 26, 1991 and November 14, 1991

Phil and Karen brought home another baby girl, Teresa, in June and introduced her to her two big sisters, Amy and Megan. The family had an amazingly blessed summer together, documenting every precious moment on video and with pictures. For Halloween, the sisters were a fairy, clown and bunny, respectively.

Two weeks later, Megan died in the arms of her parents. Phil and Karen buried their baby girl in the family plot in Irene, SD. They left her favorite flower, lilacs, and a pink pinwheel at her gravesite.

1991-Present

Some parents never experience the pain and suffering Phil and Karen felt with the loss of Megan. Some couples never find the strength and love to get back up and continue on. This young pair quickly found they had to lean on each other in good times and in bad, as they vowed on their wedding day. They overcame this hurdle and were able to look back with joy at their times with Megan. They felt so grateful to have known her and had as much time with her as they did. But, all too soon, their love was once again tested.

Karen was preoccupied as she was on her way to the doctor with Phil. She had been experiencing intense fatigue and leg spasms lately and she wanted a consultation as to what was wrong. She had gotten a check-up and tests had been done. Her doctor called her and Phil and told them to come in; lately, Karen hated hospitals and was not looking forward to being back. Little did Karen know, her battle with hospitals was just beginning.

Multiple Sclerosis. The two words echoed through Phil’s head as the doctor described the disease that haunted Karen’s body. Some were lucky and the disease was hardly noticeable, but Phil could hear the worry in the doctor’s voice. At that moment, Phil knew his life with his wife would never be the same.

Karen’s first year with Multiple Sclerosis was plagued with stiff limbs and shocks of pain through her legs. Soon, she started using a cane to balance and walk with. As the years wore on her body, she needed a walker to get around. Eight years after her diagnosis, Karen was in a wheelchair full time and was completely unable to use her legs. The use of her arms was next.

The love between Phil and Karen is so pure; it is proven to conquer all odds. It is often quoted that “couples must lean on each other in times of trouble”; well, this couple must use this phrase literally, but not only in times of trouble, but in times of triumph, as well. Phil has taken on the role of caretaker for Karen, a role that no couple ever wants to assume at such a young age.

I have never witnessed such love as I see between my parents. When many young husbands would get scared at the prospect of having a handicapped wife and desert their family, my dad never even complained. He is the strongest and most generous man I have ever met. After all they’ve gone through, the way my mom and dad still look at each other and joke with each other is so beautiful to me. My parents perfectly complement one another; when they’re together, it’s like my mom isn’t in a wheelchair and they haven’t had to overcome all the tragedy. I hope and pray every day to someday find the absolutely selfless love my parents have found with each other.

Phil and Karen's Engagement Photo May 1985

Their wedding photo

Their daughters- Megan, Teresa, and Amy 1991

We want to say THANK YOU to everyone who submitted their love story. We had an overwhelming number of love stories come in and it was hard to just chose one! I pray that everyone is blessed in their life with UNCONDITIONAL love like Phil and Karen share!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

XO-

Andrea

"Cupid's Table"

2012-02-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

During the Victorian era, St. Valentine’s Day was an annual celebration of home, sweet home. It was an investment of creative and emotional energy, but most of all, commitment. Truly, it was a family affair. Following the flurry of the day’s activities, a family dinner was the highlight….and it was romantic.

I wanted to show all of you what a Valentine's Day dinner looks like in our home!

Set the mood with a candlelit dinner….yes, you heard me correctly. Children will love a beautiful table. Or certainly this can set the mood for a couple….it works for all!

One can never have too many candles! It is more impressive to group items on your table. For instance, I have grouped the flowers and candles as the main attraction…. typically I will use a couple of random pieces such as this silver serving piece or the candy dishes to add texture and a little charm to the table. There is one rule I follow when setting the table…..and this applies to decorating as well……items should be grouped in odd numbers. Instead of 2 candles, have 3 or a bouquet of flowers next to the candles will suffice in honoring the “odd rule of thumb”!

I break most of the rules when it comes to setting the table! I like to mix and match dishes, including vintage finds over the years.

Vintage linens are so appealing! Or you can even layer modern table linens to add dimension and color to the table top.

These are vintage flower frogs used to anchor flowers in vases. But on this table they anchor a love note. I intend to dedicate a future blog to the many uses of these quirky finds!

When your family is introduced to the Valentine table, it will not matter what you serve…. food just seems to taste better when served on this table! Besides, the mood you have created is aimed for the heart, not the stomach!

And lastly, as promised, the Valentine branch! I cannot wait until Easter!

Much love,

Suvo

"Cupid's Day"

2012-02-07T10:50:00.000-08:00

February 14, a day set aside each year to show your love to others. After all, it is so easy for us to take our loved ones for granted. But St. Valentine’s Day can become a tradition to let all members of your family (and friends) know how special and loved they are. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

First of all, I’m going to suggest you consider fashioning a card out of paper, glue, and imagination. Hand written cards are becoming a lost art. A couple of years ago, my daughters sat down one afternoon and made Valentine cards for their grandparents. Construction paper, paper lace doilies, glitter, and ribbon become a masterpiece of art! And their heart-felt sentiments highlighted the finished product.

Here are a few other "Love" ideas to kick off this festive holiday!

Idea 1 – Begin your celebration at breakfast with heart shaped pancakes, muffins, or toast. Surprise them with a special Valentine to start the day. I found these mailboxes for $1 and used glitter and glue to write their names. Write a special love letter to them or fill the box with a favorite trinket. This bucket would be darling with Valentine confetti and treats!

Idea 2- Write their name in glitter on heart shaped doilies…… It doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s the surprise and personal touch that will linger in their memories. Be sure to set a festive table (which I'll be showing you all in my special edition blog on Thursday! ;)

Idea 3 – For centuries, it has been an old country superstition that on St. Valentine’s the birds select their mates. How fun for the children to prepare the wedding supper for their wild feathered friends. I chose to purchase this suet cage and adorn with ribbons. You could also make a special peanut butter ball with birdseed, raisins, and chopped nuts. Just remember to hang them in netted produce bags.

Idea 4 – Treats, treats, and more treats! Cupid Day is paradise for those with a sweet tooth. With the exception of flowers, confections are best sellers. Why not opt for homemade treats! These cake pops are easy and fun to make……and delicious! Mini cupcakes are also a big hit!

I hope you enjoyed some of these Valentine Day ideas! It is always fun to get creative and as I like to say, "Think outside of the box!"

I have a few more things up my sleeve for Valentine's Day ;) I am so excited to share my rendition of the “formal Valentine table setting" However, you will have to check back on Thursday. And remember the Christmas branch? Ah, it is now fit for the Queen of Hearts!

Much love,

Suvo

"A Nursery for Noah"

2012-01-31T07:38:00.000-08:00

The announcement arrived in a gift wrapped box......it was a book titled, "Grandma and Me." I quickly realized Andrea was pregnant and that we were going to have our first grandchild- how exciting! And thus began the preparations for our new arrival on December 30th, 2009, Noah Michael Dick.

Now I was one of those fortunate "Nana's" blessed with the opportunity to help with preparations. And the first item on the agenda was designing a nursery.

It was time to get in touch with our crafty side. We wanted the nursery to be cozy,custom designed,and budget friendly. It was also desirable to have a vintage appeal, as both Andrea and I LOVE anything vintage, especially when decorating our homes.

The theme of the nursery was designed around this crib sheet. The colors were calming and the figures depicted nature. And of course, Andrea wanted to have owls in the nursery!

Crib Sheet with trees, owls, and bees. The mint green was used as the base color. The other colors were used throughout the room as accents.

You should always kiss your baby goodnight! I ordered this sign which cost $19. I think it's special to add a personal touch of some sort to my projects!

We carry the Blabla dolls in the store and they make these adorable dream catchers. We had to incorporate them into the nursery. When we saw the tree dream catcher, we knew it was perfect!

And of course, the owl dream catcher.

I am a big fan of "recycling" furniture! I thought this sideboard would serve as the perfect changing table. You can find the pad at numerous retail stores. It is a wonderful storage unit for supplies and toys. Someday, it would be the perfect buffet table in a dining room!

A vintage shelf that didn't need any fixing up! We loved it as it was and hung it right above the changing table to house some of Noah's favorite things

Little knick-knacks on shelves can be special as they should tell a story about who your child is. Vintage books are a great addition because of the distressed look and beautiful colors! We found the old alphabet and number blocks at an antique store. I gave Noah the red fire truck for Christmas as he LOVES firetrucks. And after Noah was born, I found the Noah's ark set in my basement- I had bought it years ago and little did I know it would be meant for my first grandchild- very special ;)

Flea market toy box that just required a bit of "TLC" and some polyurethane. We also found this adorable owl rug with the saying, "Who do you love?" that we placed right in front of the crib. Too cute!

Flea market shelf that serves as the perfect book shelf. This was painted to match the toy box.

Hand painted motifs offer lots of visual stimulation. We traced the figures from the sheet onto projector paper. We then rented an overhead projector and adjusted the magnifier to the desired side. Our trip to the paint store was cheap as you can purchase small sample containers of paint. We LOVE the finished wall!

The only new items in the nursery were the crib and a rocker with ottoman. Total cost for the project was less than $500.

There are many websites you can access to get ideas for themes but I think it is special to create a one of a kind from your own inspirations. As you can see, there are many things you can do to save money when tackling the nursery. And most importantly, it is an opportunity to leave your imprint for that special arrival.

And for the star of the nursery, Nana has to brag a bit! Here is my very handsome grandson at 2 years old already!

Much Love,

Suvo

"All you need in life"

2012-01-24T08:52:00.000-08:00

Last week I encouraged you to really consider the inspirations in your life. We get so caught up in the daily routine of our lives and never take the time to think about what we really want or what makes us happy and content. We just keep rolling through our lives out of necessity. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the value of their authenticity…..their lives are defined by worldly values.

Life can be complicated but yet there are those moments when the mountaintop is within grasp….it touches the core of your being…….or better stated, an inspiring moment. I experienced just that when I found this image on Pinterest.

Immediately, a sense of peace came over me and the understanding that I am not alone. The stark tree and empty bench represent emptiness in my life however, the words give hope and value to my existence. The soft colors play out His grace and mercy. It is so comforting to know that God will never leave you or forsake you.

This image is now on my desktop and I am reminded daily of that “awe” moment. My hope for each of you is to discover not just one, but many tokens of inspiration that add meaning and spark passion in your life. Be true to yourself!

Back to decorating next week…..stay tuned for “Nursery Décor 101”!

Much love,

Suvo

Manager Retreat and Margarita's!

2012-01-20T07:36:00.000-08:00

A few weekends ago, all of us managers, Anna, Sarah, Kim, myself, and my momma, packed up our bags and headed over to Okoboji for our retreat. It's always nice to get away to really be able to use our "thinking caps" as we like to say! And it's extremely nice that I have amazing staff that I can rely on to run the store when all of us are gone- thank you Alli, Grace, Kat, Olivia, and Brit!!

It's important to us to really reflect on the previous year- which was amazing for us- thanks to all of you! And then we plan our next year- set our goals, come up with new events, ideas for our photo shoots, and plan our spring campaign.

We can't wait to unveil our spring campaign to all of you! It's going to be so amazing- and so fun creatively for us to do! We're also giving the boutique an update and we also have a few other exciting things going on that I can't unveil yet! We want to give you, the customers, our best!

Not everything was business on our retreat- you know us, we have to have some fun too!! These girls are such a blast to be around- we're all so different, but we all blend well together- and that's what makes us so unique!

We were able to get some snapshots of our little retreat that we wanted to share with all of you!

Get ready for spring.....it's coming!!!

Mexican and Margarita's was first on our list when we arrived! Yummy!

Fun times!

We had to get some groceries for our condo- I said if Sarah were to go to a holiday party, this is what she would bring- a jello salad and Hanko cards! Ha!

And....this is what Anna would bring- a sausage roll and cheese log- if you know Anna, this is hilarious!

Margarita's and P.J.'s!

First day of work- working hard!

Lots of creative ideas going around the table!

Coffee and computers!

This was the theme of our retreat- everyone was sick! Sneezing, coughing, blowing noses- it was so funny!! This is Kevo running to the kleenex's again!

Taking over the condo!

Funny story- we drove away from Anna after lunch so she walked to the street to hitch a ride as a joke! We parked and got some shots of her- so funny!

But then someone actually pulled up and offered her a ride- no joke!! We were dying laughing so hard!! Only Anna!

Had to hit up the antique stores to get some inspiration- we found Anna's new sewing machine! ;)

Mom's a little excited about her finds! And I LOVE my new salt and pepper shakers!!

The "manager's" on the lake! Love these chics!

Ahoy!

Yep, the tipsy house for Sarah and Kim!

Mom and her ice cream cone

Too bad the roller coaster wasn't running :( But fun times had by all!

Much love and blessings everyone!

Andrea XO

"Tuesdays with Suvo"

2012-01-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

A hearty welcome to those of you reading “Tuesdays with Suvo”! I must admit that I am a bit nervous and apprehensive about blogging. First of all, I have not been trained nor am I experienced in the art of interior design. I just have a great passion for creating environments that speak to the occasion. Secondly, each one of you has a different style. I enjoy decorating with a mixture of old and new which may not be your cup of tea! However, this may force me to “color outside of the lines”…… just think of the possibilities!

The inspiration in our lives is triggered through the senses. It could be reading, the aroma of coffee, touching soft fur, listening to music, vibrant paintings…the list goes on and on. Over the years, I have realized a sense of gratification when tapping into my “creative bank”. Perhaps better stated, creating something out of nothing. And the more I acknowledge and heed to my inspirations, I am honoring my authenticity.

My first idea to share with you is rather simple and costs nothing. I love to decorate for Christmas! This year however, time seemed to slip away and I was down to the final week before Christmas to accomplish that task! I couldn’t possibly unpack all of the totes and create the “perfect” setting. In addition to the tree, I had to create another large statement piece. Thank goodness for the nice weather as I was able to retrieve this perfect branch from the grove.

Next time around, I may look for a smaller branch as my husband had numerous encounters with this one! Once the branch was secured with ribbon, I adorned the branches with balls, beads, garland, greens, and ran some gold tulle through the chandelier to add color and texture. It was fun to add the good luck pieces and “time for Christmas” clock. I had all of these items available so there were no associated expenses.

And think of this…….I will remove the Christmas decor and replace with Valentines and then Easter eggs, nests and birds……you could even create other themes unrelated to holidays. Such as a birthday bash, a tea party, or even just Congratulations!

I would like to challenge each of you to find that something that gives your bleakest of days, a beacon of light!

Here is a photo of the chandelier above our table in the kitchen

Here you can see some of the ornaments and garland I hung literally all over the place ;)

That is the horseshoe that brings lots of LUCK to our home! You can also see a good detail shot of the branches that I grabbed from our grove

Dear Santa ;)

It's fun just to keep adding things from around your home- the more the better I say!

Our Christmas clock

A nice shot from below the chandelier

Until next week,

Suvo XX00

For all my Soule Sisters out there!

2011-12-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

"Some women have souls that beg to move, to travel, to love, to be free. These women have Gypsy Soules. They have a spirit that demands more out of life; this spirit is not easily tamed and penetrates the soul. Gypsy blood runs deep and cannot be ignored. For these women, a line of clothing, shoes and accessories have been created. Gypsy Soule."

The above quote is found on the Gypsy Soule website www.gypsysoule.com

This is only a bit of what I love about this company. Here are a few more reasons I love it! Founded in the heart of Texas it is the perfect accessory line for this country girl. Gypsy Soule is a line that builds the confidence of the women wearing it and celebrates their individuality.For these reasons it is the perfect fit for AMaVo.

On any given day when a new Gypsy Soule shipment arrives you can hear me screaming with excitement in the back office and within minutes I will be out modeling the entire new collection! Yep-obsessed! I love love love it and I wear it all the time and it is so fun to layer up or wear on it's own. And wait until you see their flip flops and boots, OMG they are bling-tastic!

There are many celebrity fans of Gypsy Soule including my bff , Miranda Lambert, she is a true Soule Sister. You can see Miranda sporting Gypsy Soule on the red carpet, out hunting with her hottie hubby Blake or rockin' the stage in concert. She is the epitome of a free spirit and a gypsy at heart.

I I invite you to come in and shop with us for your Gypsy Soule and make history!

Here are a few of the FABULOUS pieces we offer in the store! We've also included the links to our ONLINE store for convenient shopping!

"Protect my soule" cuff bracelets

http://shop.amavoboutique.com/index.php?product=TE202&c=9

"Words of Inspiration" cuff bracelet

http://shop.amavoboutique.com/index.php?product=D266&c=9

"Take a Stand" cuff bracelet

http://shop.amavoboutique.com/index.php?product=SJ085&c=9

"Take a Stand" and "Protect my Soule" pendants- chain sold separately in the store

http://shop.amavoboutique.com/index.php?product=SJ094&c=9

Turquoise and feather cuff bracelet

http://shop.amavoboutique.com/index.php?product=C58&c=9

Horseshoe "Lucky in Life" cuff bracelet

http://shop.amavoboutique.com/index.php?product=C20&c=9

"Queen of Everything" trucker hat

http://shop.amavoboutique.com/index.php?product=306B&c=9

XO Gypsy Sister's!

Sarah

Why I LOVE Christmas at AMaVo!

2011-12-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

With Christmas quickly approaching, yikes!, I thought it'd be appropriate to share with you all why I LOVE Christmas here at AMaVo.

First off, let me just tell you that with this group of girls, we have way too much fun here :) And with the holidays, we're just a little goofy- well, more than we usually are! I'm so blessed to be able to come to this place and work in an environment full of love, happiness, excitement, and FASHION!!

Here are just a few of the reasons (there are soooo many more, but that would be way too many photos ;)

Our handy dandy Keurig coffee pot- seriously, this thing is amazing! Easy to offer a coffee/tea/hot chocolate or hot cider to customers, and easy for us to stay energized ALL day long!

Our CANDY bar! Now, it's for the customers to enjoy all season long, but we're definitely indulging ourselves

(a little too much ;)

Our AMAZING banners Mathison's made for us from our Candy land photo shoot- they are all over the store and add such a cool element!

Our BeAUtifUL Christmas tree! It's so pretty!

Our super cool vintage holiday lights- sorry, they aren't for sale :( We get asked that all the time!

Our Indie Christmas music on pandora! It's so unique and fun

The amazing holiday shoe collection- probably one of my fav's!

Loads and loads of sequins here! We love anything sparkly

The holiday wish lists we have on hand for customer's to fill out- it's so amazing to see all the cards come in :)

Our Secret Santa game we having going on with all the employee's here- all the cute gift bags popping is so fun!

The cutest Christmas puppy p.j.'s! How fun to wear these on Christmas morning- the girls keep asking to do a p.j. day here at AMaVo- we'll see.....

And of course, last, but not least, my amazing staff (minus Kat, Olivia, and myself in the photo :) This place wouldn't be the same without all of them!

I wish you all a very blessed holiday season- full of lots of love and AMaVo goodies!

Andrea (the Boss lady ;)

Thanksgiving Day Love

2011-11-24T12:28:00.000-08:00

Today is Thanksgiving Day and we have much to be thankful for here at AMaVo!

I want to first start by thanking my amazing employees! God has brought everyone into our lives when we needed them the most. They are the heart of AMaVo and they all have a love and passion for this place like we do. It's so funny how we are so different, yet so much alike. We just laugh all the time together ~ I just smile sitting here thinking of all the memories we've made. Without them, AMaVo wouldn't be the same ~ and for that we are very thankful!

And of course, we can't thank our customers, YOU, enough! You have become our friends, our families, our besties ;) We have the most amazing, loyal, customers anyone could ever ask for. You all "get" us and understand what we are trying to do here at AMaVo. I had a very wonderful customer say to me once (and she is 30) "You make my mom feel young, my nieces feel older, and me and my sister-in-law feel fabulous!" That quote hangs in our back room for us to read every day. And every day, I look at it and am reminded of why we starting this little journey. To be able to make people feel that way, that's what it is all about for us. God led us on this journey, and we will continue to follow His lead every day. He is the boss here ~ and for that, we are very thankful!

I pray you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving Day! We have much to be thankful for!

XO-

Andrea

Source: Pinterest

If we were to have a country Thanksgiving feast, this is what it would look like

Source: Pinterest

Our FAVORITE series to watch during the holidays! We watch all of the holiday ones over and over and over and over.....again!

Source: Pinterest

My absolute FAVORITE thing to eat at Thanksgiving ~ sweet potatoes!

Source: Pinterest

We watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade every Thanksgiving morning ~ we LOVE it!

Source: Pinterest

My grandma's make the BEST pies ever!!

Sourche: Pinterest

"Come into His presence with thanksgiving." - Psalm 95:2

Love this!

Meow...it's Kat ya'll!!

2011-11-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hey AMaVo fans- it's me, Kat! You can usually hear my loud "Hello's" but might not always see me right away. That's right, I'm the little brunette gal usually behind a rack or steaming away behind the shoes. Don't let my little self fool you though, I'm a little on the sassy side.

All sass aside, I'm here to chat about my style and a couple of my faves at the store. I'm a huge perfume fan, I feel naked without it on. I LOVE the Tokyo Milk line that we carry here so much I couldn't pick just one scent. Sencha Bleu is light and fresh- perfect to wear during the day. Dead Sexy is a dark, warm scent that would be fab to wear on a date or night out on the town.

I am constantly cold so I'm really big on cardigan's and knit sweaters. This cream, Topin sweater is a piece you can put with just about anything and any color cami you want underneath.

Ever since my vaca in Phoenix, Arizona I have been in love with TURQUOISE! Turquoise jewelry is SO stunning and you would be surprised how many different colors look great next to it! I personally love wearing my turquoise jewels with pale yellow or pink. To add to my turquoise collection I would like to point out how FABULOUS my turquoise rose and cross boots are! I never would have thought cowboy boots would be comfortable but take my word for it, they rock! I wear mine almost every day!

Moving right along, every sass-Kat needs some bling in their life. I love anything that sparkles and anything that involves a bunch of bedazzles. This red dress is the PERFECT dress for this season and even for Christmas dinner or a Christmas party. Those of you that know me pretty well know how much I love dancing. It's been my favorite thing since I was 4 years old. You may or may not catch me dancing around the store while singing, giving Alli a tutorial on how to "shake it" or on the field at the Sioux Falls Arena during a Storm game :) Yes, me and my fab team of Lightning Girls are all about the bedazzles!

With that being said- I chose this Knitted Dove TuTu dress because it is just TUTU cute! I might just have to buy this for myself as a birthday present- which is January 5th and also a holiday, of course ;)

Last but not least, I chose BLANK denim. These jeans rock and are SO comfortable. I love dark-wash denim and how stretchy they are. Tuck these babies into your cowboy boots and you will turn heads for sure! Meow! My goal for everyone reading this is to come visit all of us at AMaVo and find yourself or a friend something fabulous for Christmas or for your favorite employee's birthday coming up :) Meow for now!

It's the one and only, Alli!!!

2011-11-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

Hedooough AMaVo loves! It is the widdo baby of the family, Allison! When I am not slaving away with my school work at Augustana, I am here at the world's greatest store with my most favorite people! How lucky am I to be working with my amazing sister, Andrea and my crazy aunt, Anna?! My cousin Liz is also behind the scenes doing most of our awesome Facebook pictures and our fun ads. Then there is our extended family Sarah, Kim, and Katrina - woofta, these 3 are a hoot! Trust me, I would much rather be at this spectacular place rather than school - you can ask anybody here about how many times I've skipped class just to come be with my girls! Oops, sorry to any professors who could perhaps read this.

How ready are you guys for the sweetest blog post EVER?!? Yes, that is exactly what I thought - you are completely stoked to read this. Well.... prepare yourselves, because here I go! :)

Since Christmas is coming up (which is my second favorite holiday next to Halloween), I have a wish list here at AMaVo... which is more like an all year round Christmas list because I always want something here at the store!

I am OBSESSED with anything with animal print or tribal print. It doesn't get much better when the animal print is on the comfiest leggings in the world or on our cami's here at the store! It is also on the lovely cross body purse I chose!

I looooove high/low tops, especially with a funky tribal print on them because that is HUGE right now!

The boots I selected are the boots I own, which obviously have to be the best boots at the store ;) I love throwing on bangles to accessorize an outfit - I especially love that jingly jangle noise they make whenever you move your body - weird, I know.

Can't go wrong with some sparkly nail polish for fun Christmas'y events coming up.. seriously people, the Butter nail polish is extraordinary - such a big word for me to use, but that is the best way of explaining it! I hate when I chip my nails but this stuff stays on for weeks and is legit.

Last but not least, I am so in love with the Voluspa candles at the store, especially the Christmas smelling ones! If you ever can't find me, I'm probably sniffing candles by the counter and that is something I am not joking about at all.

Well, it is time for me to get back to work... if anybody is feeling generous and wants to provide a poor, college girl with some of these items off the wish list, do not be afraid!!!! :) Hahahaha, kidding....... sort of. Take care and love to all!

Allison

It's the new girl, Kim talking!

2011-11-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

Hi! Just wanted to introduce myself, I'm the newest member of the AMaVo team! Originally from Watertown, I returned to SD from Minneapolis about 6 weeks ago, so far LOVING it!!!!!

Here's a few thoughts on the pieces I love. For those who don't know me-I am constantly tying clothes to the celebs that would wear them,so in keeping with my theme......

Denim trouser and a Lace Blush top is very chic and VERY Katie Holmes.

A shout out to my Bohemian friend Nicole Richie with the Embroidered Dress and Oxfords.

I do read magazines everyday-so I happen to know that Gwyneth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz are new besties and would TOTALLY wear this black jumpsuit and the grey glitz dress out in London.

Moto jacket: a classic, just like Madonna.

Kate Hudson would rock this poncho with a big pair of shades and an awesome fedora. (Much like the one Anna just blogged about)

Should you ever have any celeb related fashion questions, please come see me!

Later Gators!

Kim

Hey, what's weird everyone! It's Anna!!

2011-10-31T11:31:00.000-07:00

Andrea said I could actually write my own blog this week so just wanted to share a few things about myself and my faves in the store right now.

If I've ever helped you in the store before, you know I'm kind of a goofball, except when it comes to clothes!! We live and breath fashion around here.

I obviously love anything rocker/biker especially skulls,thus the PJ Salvage jammy pants. The boots and shoes here are amazing but my favorites this week are the black and gray Corrals, which my girls from work got me for my 30th birthday!!!

I also got my faux leather Lucy Love fedora for those bad hair days LOL. Maybe I can get this Hazel coat for Christmas, if it's not sold out.:(

Anyway, I picked out a few other great things that everyone should check out ! Stop in and see these and other fab things, which we get in daily. You can stop in and see me too!!

Til next time hugs and kisses,

Anna

Hey fans! It's Sarah!!

2011-10-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

Hey Ya'll...this is Sarah! Staying with the theme of getting to know the "AMaVotologists," it is my turn to share a little bit about myself and my favorite things at AMaVo.

So here are a few things you may not know about me:

1. I am a country girl at heart. I was raised by a family with deep roots in cattle and farming. Some of my greatest memories are of showing cattle all over the country! So you can say I am AMaVo's "country girl."

2. I truly believe that in my former life I was from the South...I love everything Big and Southern!

3. I am kinda crazy over my 2 kids...Hankers and Torrey (my boston terriers) are my life. Just ask the ladies I work with, Hank and Torrey have their own voices!

4. I love anything athletic, I played Rugby for the SDSU Women's Team...that means I am one tough cookie:)

5. I am an only child, (yes that explains alot ;0) and I am absolutely bananas about my AMaVo sisters! We have so much fun here everyday and we love having ya'll be apart of it!

XOXO,

Sarah

We're baaaaack!!

2011-10-20T16:31:00.000-07:00

Well, we're finally getting back to our trusty blog- we apologize for letting this slip! Fall is a fantastic season here in beautiful South Dakota and it keeps us extremely busy!! Plus we really wanted to evaluate what we wanted this blog to be for all of you. There are so many social media avenues to take to communicate with all of you and we don't want to overwhelm you.

So we've decided our blog will be a bit more personal. It'll be a great way for you all to get to know us, your AMaVotologists (it's a new word we made up ;) And we want to get you all too!

We're starting with our "staff favorites" here at the store. Of course, we LOVE everything here! But there are a few things here and there that each staff falls madly in love with. And I'm starting with mine!

Lots of LOVE always AMaVo fans!

Andrea XO

Occasion inspired outfits!!

2011-08-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

With fall season quickly approaching (yikes!) our calendars seem to fill up fast with multiple events! How do we keep track?! And what do we wear to all of these things?!

Well, that's where AMaVo comes in. We've put together some of our favorite looks for events you may have on your calendar this fall. And if they're not on your calendar, but you LOVE the outfit, then you can decide where to wear it.

Whatever you have going on this fall, be sure you look fabUlous!

For the love of all things fashion-

Andrea

MAXI-fy your wardrobe!

2011-07-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

If you're a true fashionista, you probably already have a maxi dress in your closet. Now it's time to get your maxi skirt! This is one of the season's hottest trends and we're completely embracing it!

Maxi skirts go with about anything. It's a great piece to have now, and take it into fall and layer it with oversize sweaters- LOVE this! A maxi skirt is great because you can dress it up or dress it down- and we love versatile pieces here!

Have fun with colors, prints, and textures- don't be afraid to mix it! That's what make maxi skirts so unique- you can wear them however YOU want to.

And last but not least, don't be afraid of this trend, fashion is supposed to be fun!

Here are a few ways to wear our maxi's this season

Love this maxi dress- we've layered it with an oversized sweater to create this maxi skirt "look" Adding the belt helps define the waistline more

This maxi is so easy to wear and versatile- you can wear it now without the sweater and this fall, throw the sweater over to add layers

A black maxi skirt is a MUST! There are multiple ways to wear it- we're showing it here with a longer printed top to define the two pieces

Our new ikat print vest over a seamless cami adds another exciting layer to this maxi skirt!

We're absolutely in love with the tribal trend and this maxi has it all!! From multiple vibrant colors, to an easy fabric that'll keep you cool and comfortable. A draped, berry top pulls the color out of the maxi

XO
Andrea

Land of the free, home of the brave!

2011-06-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July is a day of celebration, pride, family, love, food, and fashion! I have so many fond memories with my family of this holiday. The colors, smells, food, and noise are unforgettable.

This summer we're seeing a lot more people rock their red, white and blue. It's the perfect way to show your American pride! Get creative with how you wear these colors- show it in your accessories, on your boots, in your clothes, under your clothes, or even in your hair. However you choose to bring these colors to life, do it in style!

With our favorite holiday coming up, we thought it'd be appropriate to share some of our favorite pieces for the sparkly holiday!

We all LOVE an easy tube dress! And this one says, "American Pride!"

Throw some fun colors on your nails with our Butter London nail polish!

This adorable flirty tank will keep you looking cute and feeling cool all day!

Wear your red and blue with your accessories!

Batwing tops are so on trend right now- and we love a white one! Accessorize with your red and blues!

How about red in your shoes?? Or on your shoulders??

One of my favorite purchases- my red, vintage cowboy boots! These are my own, sorry they are not sold in the store! But I want to share a piece of me with all of you- I'll be rocking these on the 4th!

XO
Andrea