New Girl

Actually, anyone that knows Erin Webster knows that she isn't actually new to Harveys, but she IS pretty new to our design department.

The current design team: Cheryl (left), Erin (center), and me (right)

Just did a little interview with Erin to talk about what we've been calling "Erin's Harveys Journey."  Like all journeys, this one starts at the verrry beginning.  Or at least, close to it.

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Harveys: When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Erin: I wanted to be a fashion designer....or a ballerina.  My mom was a dancer, and her mom was a dancer, so I grew up doing all forms of dance, competing nationally and regionally.  I even did some professional dancing, but that's not worth mentioning. [EDITOR'S NOTE: We'll decide what's worth mentioning, Erin ;)]

Ballerina....fashion designer....ballerina....fashion designer.
Glad you stuck with fashion design, Erin!  Anyone else see little Erin channeling Audrey Hepburn?

As for fashion, I used to stay up late at night and go through all of my grandma's old fashion magazines, making collages, and drawing dresses.  I ended up incorporating fashion into dance and designed dance costumes for myself and my dance team.  Once I learned how to sew a bit, I started making the costumes, too.  I always thought they turned out well, but I'm sure there were a couple of dance performances that were painful for my mom to sit through. 

Center: Erin getting her very first sewing machine.  Right: Erin wearing one of her very own dance creations. 

H: How did you first hear about Harveys?

E: My aunt bought me my first Harveys bag---a Small Tote Snap in Black.  I LOVED it!  I've always loved things that are made using unique materials, and Seatbeltbags definitely fall in that category. 

H: When did you start working for Harveys?

E: I was going to school at Cal State Fullerton, and my stepdad was giving me a hard time because I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with my life.  I started looking up internships, and a marketing internship for Harveys popped up.  I always loved Harveys, but never considered working there.  I applied immediately, and was interviewed by Ashley, who is now the Marketing Manager.  In the middle of our interview, there was a scratching at the door.  Ashley opened up the door and Rocky, the Harveys' boxer, walked in, sniffed me, and then walked out.  I'm sure Ashley had something to do with the decision to hire me, but I like to think that Rocky did, too. 

Erin, during her 2011 internship, posing with coworkers Chris and Dolores at our Barbie release party!

H: What was your internship like?

E: It was super fun, and definitely my first glimpse into the "big girl" world.  I got to help out with photoshoots, research, screen-printing, button-making...you know, intern stuff.  

H: Well, all internships must come to an end at some point.  What did you do once yours was over?

E: Ashley let me know that a position had opened up at the Santa Ana retail store and encouraged me to interview for it.  Of course, I did.  I got the position, and worked at the retail store for two and a half years.  I LOVED IT!  I have a lot of fun interacting with our customers, who are such unique people.  It didn't feel like work.  After a little while, I also got to start working on merchandising for the store, first with [my coworker] Chris, and then more and more on my own.

Erin's crowning achievement at our retail store?  
Designing and implementing these colorful employee uniforms.  Juuuuust kidding.  
This is Erin as "God's gift to the world" for our Halloween LTD event last year.

H: How did you get from working at the retail store to working in our design department?

E: I started working more and more with Corporate employees at our race events, and since they noticed that I had a knack for merchandising, they asked me to consult with them on the merchandising for an upcoming season.  I made a few recommendations, which they liked, so they asked me to help with the following season, too.  Soon after that, a position opened up in the department for a design assistant and I got it!

Erin, posing with Brittany Guppy, our Chino Hills store manager, at one of Harveys' race events.

H: Where do you see your design career going?

E: I never imaged that I would be working in the design department.  Positions rarely open up, so it really wasn't on my radar.  I'm loving design, and am looking for opportunities to work my love of merchandising in a little---maybe also working with our marketing department to design and merchandise displays, tradeshow booths, etc.

Girl loves her sweets.

H: What do you think you're going to be like as an old lady?

E: I don't have much of a filter now, but I DEFINITELY won't have one then.  I'll probably scream out inappropriate things at inappropriate times.  I'll also probably take advantage of being able to eat as many sweets as possible.

H: Do you have any secrets that you're dying to let out?

E: I designed a bag during my interview that may possibly be coming out in a future season!  Fingers crossed!

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Thanks for the interview, Erin!  Can't wait to see what your Harveys future has in store for all of us!

She will be missed

All of us at Harveys are deeply saddened to hear that our customer Kristi Badger lost her two year battle with lung cancer this week.  She had a beautiful, bright personality and a great sense of humor that those of us who met her or spoke with her over the phone remember well. 

Despite her illness, she made it out to our Spring LTD event this year, and Melanie and I are so thankful that we got the chance to meet her.

Our warmest thoughts and condolences go to Kristi's family and friends.

See you at Patchwork!

It's almost time for Patchwork Santa Ana, and I can't wait.  We have lots of awesome things planned, including the release of our new Patchwork collection!

When the Patchwork Craft Fair first started, it was hosted in the parking lot of our Harveys headquarters.  We were so inspired by the show that we created a new collection called Patchwork, using a mix of our favorite printed seatbelt webbing.

Which brings me to this year's Patchwork collection:

Remember those past Harveys for Disney Couture collections?

Well, we took the prints from those collections, and made a super fun Mickey Mash-up!

There's also a side-by-side stitched boat tote (can you spy the undercover exterior pocket?):

Here's a close-up of the Mickey Parts dangle!

 As an awesome bonus, every Disney Patchwork purchased at the Patchwork Release comes with this Mickey Seatbelt Strap Tote, while supplies last.  I use these Seatbelt Strap Totes for everything---they're roomy and super heavy duty!

Here's the official Patchwork invite---see you there!!

Mamas of Harveys

This Mother's Day is special.  Really, really, really special.

Why, you ask? Well, this year, the Harveys team is showing our customers where each of us came from.  Literally.

Behind each of us Harveys employees, there is a beautiful, wonderful, dedicated, Seatbeltbag-carrying lady that helped make us who we are.

Sure, our mamas may get showered with Seatbeltbags more often than most moms, but it's really the least we can do after all we put them through, right?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Mother's Day BOWtique

Our Mother's Day Bowtique was last Saturday, and from the bow-licious treats, to the flowers, to the Mama's Day card-making, to the every-kinda-mama mega raffles, to getting a chance to hang out with our customers, it was AWESOME!

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make the event such a success, because let's admit it, there's only so many Mama-pops we could have eaten ourselves:

And...the doors are open!

These bow-shaped cookies were amazing!

Melanie and the girls hosted a Mama's Day card-making station!  It's not too late to make one yourself---check out our Mama's day card DIY!

We had three amazing mega-raffles at the Bowtique: one for the BOLD mama, one for the EARTHY mama, and one for the GIRLIE mama!

Raffle time!  Here's the first adorable raffle picker!

And the BOLD mama raffle has been won!  This lucky customer won a Grapefruit Bow Tote, a Zigzag Ring Tote, and the Seatbeltmama t-shirt!

Time for Raffle #2!  Ever wonder why we always pick cute little kids to do our raffle-picking?  Well, they take "no peeking" SUPER seriously.

This EARTHY mama has the BEST excited face.  We don't blame her!  She won a Treecycle Large Satchel, the new Treecycle Reusable Canvas Tote, and a Treecycle Minnie Wristlet!

And the GIRLIE mama raffle goes to:

...this lucky customer!  The GIRLIE mama raffle included a Gray & White Polka Dot Lola Satchel, a ChocolateFloral Minnie Wristlet, a Summer Blossom Minnie Wristlet, AND a ButterflyMinnie Wristlet!

 

On the way out, Karla and Brittany handed out flowers to all the mamas!

Thanks again to everyone who came out, and to the Harveys staff that helped put the event together!

First Friday: Inside Scoop!

Happy First Friday!
First Friday always means there's a new product release, which is pretty exciting stuff, even for those of us at Harveys that have seen these bags for a few months already.  It's our first chance to hear what our customers think!

On the SeatbeltBLOG, First Friday is a chance for us to share a little MORE about the collection.

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For this month's First Friday: Inside Scoop!, each member of our Wholesale Sales team is sharing what their favorite FF item is, starting with Paul!

PAUL JAUREQUI, Wholesale Sales Director - Black Label Messenger

Paul: "I love this Messenger---it's sleek and super functional.  It's probably the lightest Seatbeltbag I have ever carried, and I carry a LOT around.  Right now, I'm carrying around my laptop, planner, chewing gum, WAY too many pens for one person, headphones, eyeglasses and of course, Andy Cohen's new book.  My favorite features are the grab handle and all of the interior pockets."  [get your own Black Label Messenger]

*PAUL CASTING BONUS* Who would Paul cast to play the role of the Black Label Messenger in a movie? Robert Downey, Jr.

ALLISON FRIDAY, National Sales Rep - Sophia Tote in Black

Allison, with the Sophia Tote.  She's got her pose DOWN!

Allison: "I love, love, LOVE the braided handles and pleat detail on the Sophia Tote!  It's a fun spin on our Seatbeltbags, and I love that I can wear the Sophia Tote hands-free when I'm on the run.  Our design team just keeps coming back with more and more amazing things, and I think, 'Wait! Now you've got something MORE amazing than last season?'  I'm usually a compulsive purse switcher, but I've been wearing the Sophia Tote for a while, and I'm still in love.  My customers have been so excited to get it on their shelves, and my friends keep asking me when Sophia will finally be released!  Now I can tell them. TODAY!" [get your own Sophia Tote]

*PAUL CASTING BONUS* Who would Paul cast to play the role of the Sophia Tote in a movie? Fittingly, Sofia Vergara.

IRENE BARKER, Wholesale Customer Service Rep - Marilyn Tote in Python

Irene: "I love the Marilyn Tote in Python!  The outside pockets are awesome for easy access so I can grab my phone without having to search through my bag. Plus, I get to keep my favorite MAC lip gloss in there, too!  Of course, I would prefer the Python print in purple (um, yeah...I want everything to be purple), but I love Python mixed with Cognac and Peony, too.  Normally, I hate snakes, but this one I can handle!"  [get your own Marilyn Tote in Python]

*PAUL CASTING BONUS* Who would Paul cast to play the role of the Marilyn Tote in Python in a movie? Jessica Simpson.

Alright, let's hear it---which item on this First Friday is YOUR favorite?

Mama's Day Card DIY + Mother's Day Bowtique!

Juuuust in case you didn't know....wait, what am I saying?  Of COURSE you know:

MOTHER'S DAY IS ON MAY 12TH!

In preparation for our Mother's Day Bowtique Event at Chino Hills (this Saturday, from 10am-12pm) Melanie and the girls went to pick out paper at Papersource.  They're hosting the Mama's Day card-making mini-workshop, and Marilyn and Lily were excited about picking up paper.  If any of you have ever been inside Papersource, you'll understand why:

Holy paper, Batman.

The Mama's Day Bowtique will be tons of fun, with raffles (mega-raffles, this time!), special Mama's Day extras, "abowable" (harhar) snacks/drinks, and the Mama's Day card-making, so if you've got a special lady that needs some appreciatin', the Bowtique is the place to be. 

Of course, we'll be bringing the card-making ingredients to the event at our Chino Hills store, but here's a little how-to if you're not close enough to come:

Recognize those prints?  They're from our Spring collection!  Why, hello there, Gray Polka Dot and Black & White Floral!

 1. Grab an 8 1/2" x 11" of your favorite card paper (or second favorite, if you're all out of the first) and fold it in half to create the "main" card.  If you're staring at a super long, skinny card, you did it wrong.

2. Cut another patterned or colored piece of paper to be 3.75" x 5".  We're using a template, since we're making so many for patchwork.  I highly recommend making a template whenever you're making multiples of something. I also recommend using a cutting mat and an x-acto knife, but some careful measuring and scissors will do the trick, too.

3. Glue the patterned piece of paper onto what will be the front of the card, being careful to center it so that there's a 1/4 inch of the main card showing on all sides. 

4. Now it's time for the "title" square of the card, which should be 2.75" x 2.75".  We're using a paper-cutter to cut kraft brown paper into strips and then cut the squares.

 

5. OPTIONAL: If you want another border around the title square, you can cut another square out that is 3" x 3".  Now center, and then glue the title square on top of this larger square.

6. I picked up a "Happy Mother's Day" stamp to use for the title, but you can do whatever you want---hand-write, type, print, or stamp using individual letter stamps if you want (just make sure your card doesn't start looking like a ransom note.)

7. You can now glue your title square on top of the patterned paper on the front of the card using a glue-stick.  If you've centered it correctly there should be a 1/2" on the front, right side, and left side of the title square where the patterned paper is showing. 

8. OPTIONAL: if you want to be super fancy, you can stamp something onto the back-bottom of your card.

All done!  Just don't forget to write something on the inside for Mom to read:

Hope to see you on Saturday!