Monday, July 11, 2011

Summer Break & Back to school

Good afternoon friends Smile  We will be closed from July 22nd through August 5th for summer break.  I realize this cuts it close for back to school orders so please make sure you get those orders in within the next two weeks!  Backpacks are HOT as are the notebooks, lunch bags & binders!  Hope to see more orders flowing in for those in the coming weeks ahead. 

I will leave the website open but PLEASE BE AWARE that no order will be processed from Friday the 22nd of July through Friday the 5th of August.

Thanks again for your business & support… looking forward to a little Lagniappe break in a couple weeks! 

laurie

Sunday, July 3, 2011

In the summer time…

yes, we are smack-dab in the middle of summer & I can’t help feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment.  what else is new?  well, for starters, I have decided that I just can’t be too busy so I have added a couple more job descriptions to my name – more on that in another post… but just so you know, I have been SWAMPED with busy-ness around here.  lagniappe related & not…

with the kids home brings a plethora of situations brewing all at once.  since the let out of school in late-may, we have thrusted ourselves into one of the busiest summers to date.  softball, baseball, tball, cabbage ball, more tball, tumbling, dancing, play dates, seminars, work-stuff… to say the least, I have not stopped… not for a few minutes!  every night we’ve had one thing or another to attend, which requires me to run & run & run all over town – to the demise of my poor car… started overheating!  it’s telling me, “STOP!!!!”  but wait, I need that car – to get to DISNEY!  we are driving this summer (which we have never done) so this should be interesting.  the kids have no earthly idea what we’re up to – they beg us to go – so this should be quite the surprise!

things are moving & shaking around here… and about to be moving & shaking with my business.  I am making some MAJOR changes (for the better, hopefully) in an attempt to counteract the volume of business that continues to come my way.  orders will begin to be produced much quicker & more efficiently with these changes so please understand I may be a little harder to tie down while I transition.  the addition of many new items since the beginning of 2011 has been a fun experience!  I love seeing what you like & what you’re getting tired of … this has helped tremendously in making some key decisions Winking smile

you may or may not see some of your “options” changing in ways you may or may not like.  those who have shopped w me before know I am a pleaser so things will still be very custom – just maybe in a few different ways.  I am still ironing out the details…

just wanted to touch base since we are about half way through our summer. I look forward to a very busy holiday season approaching & please make note of the upcoming show schedule that should be coming out soon!

hope you all are enjoying your summer vacations & please remember to SHOP EARLY for Christmas!!

laurie

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Build A Bedroom

Come & see our latest & greatest addition!  Custom blankets & duvet covers Smile Yes, you can be your own designer and design your own bedding… for you, your kids or as a gift for someone who’s got it all!  Designs shown are only an example of the beautiful choices you have.  Don’t see a pattern you want?  We can design one to meet your needs.  As with our shower curtains and other home décor items, send your interior designers our way to consult… I promise you will not be disappointed!

100% polyester microfiber, super-soft to the touch! CUSTOM, luxury bedding at a great price!

amelieANDREWbellabenjaminbrodybrysoncodycrolineellaemmiemmiehannahjmbLANIElindsaymaxRNSROBBIErTcsarahsophiaTHOMASWBB

Monday, June 20, 2011

Traveling goodies to take with…

We’ve got some cute happies to bring with you on your travels this summer… or to store your precious pics taken!

Small notebooks (these are paired w pens) are $8 each

barbaraellajeanjuliekellylindastacey

The large notebooks are $9

NBbatmanNBlaurieNBmatthewiphoneNBsnoballNBstephanie

Photo Books… $8 each

PBaKePBameliePBchloe

Pillowcases $27.50

Binders $15.00 (my kids’ favorite for travel-they double as scrapbooks!)

Blankets for long car rides

Do you have any favorites??

Melissa & Doug Toy Sale!

Don't forget about our Melissa & Doug toy sale going on now on the website!  Prices have been deeply discounted... shop now & save for Christmas ;)  All inventory will appear for each item as to how  many pieces are available.. 35% off retail prices!!

Here are some of the items up for grabs!!

Click here to shop!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Production time, policies, procedures, etc.

While we are in the midst of another busy holiday rush, I thought I would take this time to thank all of my customers for keeping this business afloat & busy!  So much is going on around here! We have been working very hard to introduce many new items as well as freshening up some old favorites.  It truly means the world to me that you’ve continued to support my growing business all these years & I want to be sure I continue to thank you for that support.

I also wanted to bring up a little bit about what goes on behind the scenes here at Laurie’s Lagniappe to bring to light some of the “issues” we’ve been hearing about from a few of our customers.  We receive anywhere between 5 & 70 orders a day – this can fluctuate season to season, day to day and right now, since we are approaching Easter, we are getting a large volume of orders.  Production can range from 5-15 business days for most items.  While we would like to turn things around much quicker than that, time does not always allow.

Our business is fully custom.  You have the luxury of picking out a FULLY CUSTOMIZED item which, in most cases, is less expensive than the “off the shelf” items you find in your local gift or stationery shop.  We rarely charge for custom requests (which we get around 10 custom invite requests per week) & have been told time & time again how well-executed our designs are.  We hand create every single item that comes our way!  On each order, there are different patterns, fonts & icons… & then move on to the next order which has a completely different set of combinations.  This concept was developed at the inception of our business & is what sets us apart from our competition.  This process takes TIME.

Think of it this way… if you walked in to a local deli & placed 50 separate orders, each order is paid separately, has a different item in each order, different sides, different toppings, some orders have three items, some have one, some 15.  Can you imagine how long this would take the kitchen to prepare?  Would you fuss at the checkout guy if it was taking too long? 

This business has been SO rewarding in so many ways.  One thing I have learned however is that fussy customers will be there – they will always want their voices heard.  99.9% of the time, they are right & we will ALWAYS go the extra mile to make up for whatever mistakes are made or if timeliness of an order is an issue.  Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done that is thrown our way.  We do our VERY best to get to every single request, every single email (today alone, I received 70 – just counted!) & nearly every one has been answered. We have filled over 50 orders today (2 buckets full outside plus 5 packages to the USPS) & will continue to work tirelessly until it is all DONE!

We are a two person operation – we are human – we are mothers – we are wives – WE LOVE OUR CUSTOMERS - we love our jobs – we are happy to do what we do every day – we are BLESSED – we are excited to hear that “ding” from the email inbox when a new order comes in – we are MOTIVATED!

we are NOT superhuman!

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU SUPPORTING US!!!!

I hope each & every one of you has a wonderful Easter!  Look for more wonderful new items coming this summer!  We will be taking a little break after Easter so please bear with us as we reconnect w our families & our lives :)

hugs.. Laurie & Emily

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Custom Invitations… from here on out!

CUSTOM INVITATION GUIDELINES, EFFECTIVE MARCH 23, 2011

Due to an overwhelming request to do custom invitation designs, I have come up with some guidelines that are effective immediately.

  • In order to keep things fair for everyone who requests an invite design, all custom requests will be treated as an order & printed & filed in chronological order in queue with all orders that come in via the website.  
  • All custom invitations require a 30 PIECE MINIMUM.  Anything below 30 invitations (small or large, paper or photo) will be billed a $35 design fee PRIOR to a proof being emailed.
  • Proofs will be emailed on ALL custom designs within a week of sending your request (this may change in heavy volume times). 
  • If you are on a tight deadline to get your invites out, a $25 rush fee can be added to speed proofing & production
  • PLEASE ALLOW 2 WEEKS FOR CUSTOM INVITATION DESIGNS, PROOFS & PRODUCTION (this is 10 business days - not including Sat, Sun)

Pricing is as follows for invitations:

  • Small Flat Invite $.80 each (30 minimum or $35 design fee is billed) 
  • Large Flat Invite $1.50 each (30 minimum or $35 design fee is billed) 
  • Photo Card Invites 4x6 $.70 each with envelopes
  • Photo Card Invites 5x7 $.95 each with envelopes
  • $25 design fee for existing designs if you choose to print them yourself

Thanks a million!!

laurie

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Do you Like me?

If you are not a “Liker” on my facebook page, you might want to head on over & “Like” the page… a special little prize is waiting for you!!!

nite nite!!

laurie

Monday, March 21, 2011

Day 1 of our Facebook March Madness Sale~Metal Lunchboxes!

We are phasing out these metal lunchboxes and would LOVE to offer them to you at a closeout price!  Fully customized & on sale for $15 each!!  This is a STEAL so get yours while they last!!

After today, you will have to check & “LIKE” the facebook page to be alerted of the sale items.  There will be a different one each WEEK day from now until March 31st!

Hurry & get your lunchbox before they’re all gone!!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Family Gras 2011

Saturday, Feb 26th & Sunday, Feb 27th I will be exhibiting at Family Gras in Metairie!  I will have cash & carry Mardi Gras goodies so come out to say hi & get yourself some Lagniappe for the upcoming parades :)

I worked in the Mardi Gras industry for 10 years prior to opening my own business so this is an exciting time for me… I will have lighted goodies as well for your perusal & Mardi Gras-themed cups, lunchboxes, plates, bowls, placemats… fun, fun, fun!

Hope to see you all there!  I will be in booth 51 near Whole Foods on N. Hullen off Veterans.  It’s behind Jared’s & in front of Whole Foods Market.  Laissez les bon temps rouler!!!!   (Oh & it’s my b-day on Sunday…!)

lauriesig