Irish Blog Awards - Here We Go!

The day has arrived, the nerves are frayed and the spirits are high...This is a frantic blogpost as myself and Elena are about to hit the road to Belfast for the Irish Blog Awards which is taking place later tonight - we're finalists in the Best Irish Blog for a Businss (freakin' cool!)..I took a half day from the Loft Market but before leaving my fellow Lofties were kind enough to get myself and Elena a good luck card...That you guys - really appreciated and keep those fingers crossed for us...

Speaking of the Loft I strongly recommend you head in today and buy some Tokiki dresses (you can forget about our t-shirts for today) as 100% of all sales are being donated to the Redcross to help with the unfolding crisis in Japan...I've been fixed to the TV/web throughout the last week watching in horror as the tragic events have continually seemed to take a turn for the worse..The dresses that Tokiki makes are genuinely top notch - I even treated Elena to one and implore you to treat yourself too...100% of sales go to Japan - do the right thing...


Anyway, I better scamper, complete the packing and shave some of the grizzly stuff off my face - who knows, might be in front of a crowd later tripping over my words..."umm, I'd like to thank, eh, the Irish Blog Awards...and, umm..Google" - ah, I can dream (for a few more hours at least)...

If you're out there in blogland please cross the fingers for us, if you're in Dublin call into the Loft and if you're attending the Irish Blog Awards well then - see you later! Ole...


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John Rocha and Us...

...incredibly have something in common!

Now, those who know me (especially the ladies of the Loft Market) will know that I'm not too up to speed on fashion & design - it's not really my thing but even I have heard of the designer John Rocha..And, as it turns out us and our ladies t-shirts have something in common with him..His first shop in Dublin was in Powerscourt Shopping Centre which houses the Loft which just so happens to house us! Check out this little vid as John Rocha shows you around Powerscourt and Dublin...Ole...




P.S. Sharing is caring! Our IT boffins have have got a new Facebook "like" button and Twitter ReTweet button on the top of all our blog posts..Give them a click and make us smile!

T-Shirt Triple Threat!

Today is going to be a rare and special day..For the first time in our brief history we'll be selling our ladies t-shirts in not one, not two but three different venues around Dublin City..This t-shirt triple threat will last for one day only and goes like this..

As usual, we will be in the Loft Market on Saturday where you can come and check us out in our "regular" haunt..Also there are lots of other great brands there like Aliquo Boutique, Sinead Doyle, Rebeka Kahn, Salty Philip and Perk Up Vintage to name but a few..Really, if you haven't visited the Loft yet, this Saturday would be a good time to...but, if that doesn't tickle your fancy, how about...

The Fashion Stage!! One of Dublins newest indoor markets located in the Twisted Pepper on Abbey Street..And, this Saturday there is going to be huge party there with Body Tonic Music..I'd love to be there myself but I'll be holding down the fort in the Loft so you can meet our lovely assistant (and helpful housemate) Ermitas if you choose option B..And, did I mention, you can get like the best coffee in Ireland there? Tis a fact, awards on the wall and everything - check it out..

Option C is a very special treat which is only going to happen for one weekend..The good people at Diamant Garbh/Rough Diamond asked us to supply them with some of our wares for their amazing pop up shop in The Lyndsay Gallery in Monkstown Crescent and we were only to happy to oblige..Call into to Jade and Juno and prepare to be dazzled at the selection of under the radar Irish brands they've amassed..

And so there it is, our t-shirt triple threat..Needless to say our online shop is still an option for those of you who can't get to any of the above and we've a sale on until 20th December - ole!..We're really excited to see how Saturday will unfold and have the fingers crossed - any predictions?


P.S. Sharing is caring! Our IT boffins have have got a new Facebook "like" button and Twitter ReTweet button on the top of all our blog posts..Give them a click and make us smile!

Dublin Festival of Fashion 2010

Dublin Festival of Fashion 2010 is about to kick off and both of us here in LUHQ are pretty excited to attend...It will be a first for me (Rob) to attend a fashion show of any description although Elena is a veteran of a few already..I'm looking forward to going and to try understand the latest styles and trends...For a guy who is somewhat lacking in style (no need to act surprised hehe) I'm going to find it tough to hold my own in there tonight but shall endeavour to do so anyway, for the good of our ladies t-shirts hehe...

Dublin Festival of Fashion is going to be a great event and you can find out a lot more about it on the Dublin Festival of Fashion site. I really don't know what to expect from it but what I do know is that we will be open late tonight in the Loft Market so if you are in town feel free to swing by..We'll even have a special giveaway running in the Loft to celebrate the DFF so make sure to call in, say hello, check out the fashion and be in with a chance of winning one of our limited edition tote bags...

P.S. Sharing is caring! Our IT boffins have have got a new Facebook "like" button and Twitter ReTweet button on the top of all our blog posts..Give them a click and make us smile!

The Opening Weekend

Friday, 18th of June, 11am - we arrived in the Loft to set up our section and get ready for our first day of trading. Then, when 12 bells arrived the doors were opened and we were officially open for business selling our ladies t-shirts to the world at large.

We were full of nerves at the start. It is a very different realm from what we are used to with online sales and social media and what not. Interfacing with customers in "real life" is a different type of animal. It will take us a while to perfect the art but all in all we enjoyed our opening weekend. The other traders in the Loft are all very friendly and there is a huge variety of items available - you have to come in to see :)

We have a collection of pictures which you can see on our facebook fanpage if the pictures included here aren't enough for you. If you are in Dublin and reading this we'd love to see you...call into us :) We're open from 12 to 6 on Friday and Sunday and 11 to 6 on Saturday...

On Friday 18th of June!

On Friday 18th of June us here at LadyUmbrella ladies t-shirts are going to experience one of those rare moments in life, one of the days that we hope we'll be able to look back on and cherish.

On Friday 18th of June we'll miss Germany v Serbia in the world cup and despite being huge soccer fans (well, Rob at least) not a tear will be shed. We're not even going to record it to watch it later in the day as with some luck we'll be in a state of jubilation..

On Friday 18th of June we will scale the stairs for the first time to the aptly named Loft Market in Powerscourt Shopping Centre. There, hours before the doors open, we'll set up our dainty section in the Loft Market brimming with excitement tinged with intrepidation..

On Friday 18th of June we'll become real life merchants for the first time and have the pleasure of selling LadyUmbrella in an absolutely amazing shop. The doors open at 12.00 and will stay open, welcoming all, until 6pm. We'll then be open the same hours on Sunday and from 11 to 6 on Saturday - every weekend!

We really can't wait to take this step as we continue to build up LadyUmbrella. We are going to expand our product range as well and will have some lovely framed LadyUmbrella prints for sale along with our t-shirts. Elena has been busy creating the prints and with some luck you'll like them..

On Friday 18th of June we want to see YOU! We have received an insane amount of support from so many of you and really want to meet you in person to say thanks..LadyUmbrella is a dream for us and Friday 18th of June is a massive step. This is your INVITATION - we'd love to see you..and why not send the invite to your friends..the more the merrier!

Stay happy and see you on...
...Friday 18th of June...

A Landmark Day for LadyUmbrella!!!

So here it is LUFriends, some juicy news for you, the inside scoop on what's happening in the world of LadyUmbrella ladies t-shirts. I like to let you, our blog readers, know what is happening first, so here it is...

It has been a landmark day for us. Two hours ago Elena and I met with Aisling from The Loft Market in Powerscourt Shopping Centre for what turned out the be a great meeting. The three of us talked for a bit and we were lucky enough to be offered a place in the Loft Market which is pretty epic for us..

So here it is...From 14th of June LadyUmbrella will be in the Loft Market (just have to sign some paperwork to make it all official but it's looking good)every Friday, Saturday and Sunday...We are so excited to be able to meet our customers in real life and well sell more t-shirts and continue to grow...

It has been a landmark day for us...I urge you to tell someone about it, help us get the word out, press the RT button up the top and share this post..It would help us out immensely..The sun is shining and I can hear the BBQ calling but I leave you with one parting question...ole!

Will you come and visit us in the shop??