CHA Day One
Howdy!
I really wish we could have taken y'all with us to California with us, but since we couldn't, I'm gonna bolg about what we are doing and seeing. It is not quite as good, but I hope you enjoy our trip vicariously.
Kristen and I got here yesterday. Our flight was fine, but I learned that Kirsten is afraid of flying. It was so cute to see her fingers wiggle in the air when we went through some turbulence! After our scary Super Shuttle ride, we checked into our hotel. I have stayed at many different hotels around the Convention Center and let me tell you, the Sheraton wins hands down!! The service at the front desk was amazing! One thing I have learned in life is that "nice" works. The guy who checked us in must have like us (we were very nice and fun with him) and he gave us a GREAT room. 
Our balcony faces Disneyland and he told us we would be able to see the fireworks from our balcony at night. Yippee! Guess what? They just ended and they were so cool!
Yesterday we were tired after our flight and the time change so all we were able to do was hit Target and grab some essentials, get dinner at one of my favorite diners,Tiffy's and then go to bed! Some of you may know that for the past 2 weeks I've been sleeping on my couch at home keeping an eye on my dog, Ginger, while she was going through a very long seizure episode. The thought of sleeping in a bed was very exciting to me. The Sheraton is known for it's beds and bedding and let me tell you, it lives up to the hype. I can describe the beds as heavenly! The pillows are firm but fluffy the comforter is thick and when you crawl into bed, you just sink into the mattress. Oh, but I love these beds! One day when I am wealthy, I'm gonna buy a mattress just like this! 
I kept telling Kristen how much she was gonna love them and I know she believes me, 'cause I heard her telling Maria all about how comfortable the bed was!
Today we took a fantastic class taught by a small business consultant. He was fantastic and turns out he lives just minutes from The Doodle! After class we introduced ourselves and he knew about our store! He even gave us a grand compliment-he said that our store was so nice looking that he thought we were a chain! Too cool or what?! Oh! Guess what else? He was the grandson of (the) Buster Brown! Of course, I felt really old when Kristen had no idea who that was! After that we got to go to a sneak-peek party with Creative Imaginations. They invite their top stores and I guess we fill that bill since we got an invite! Oh there is some great stuff coming from CI...especially in the Creative Cafe area! There is one concept that I fell in love with called...oops...I cannot remember the name! Bits and Pieces or something like that. It is a double 12x12 frame that has a foam frame with holes cut out of it and you make mini albums to nestle inside. It is hard to explain without seeing it, but I promise you will love it! Needless to say we ordered it!! 
Kristen was able to do a couple of the make-n-takes with Creative Imaginations so we will have some samples to show you right away when we get home. These events are fun because the pressure of the big convention floor is gone. There are only a few stores there and you can browse through all the new stuff without bumping into tons of people. The other fun thing is that you never know who will be shopping there too. We were looking at new pirate paper (very cool!!) and we turned around to see Ali Edwards looking at it too! Too cool!
We are getting around by a trolley system and that in itself is an adventure! We had to wait tonight at the Disneyland turn-around spot for over a half hour. But the benefit of that is that you get to do some serious people watching! There sure are some weird-o's out there! After a yummy carbo-loaded dinner we are now all snuggled up in our primo beds plotting our routes for the show opening tomorrow and dreaming about all the new stuff we get to see. I cannot wait!!!
Now for something fun...I am going to do a BLOG CONTEST! Here is a photo of our dressing room sink. Kristen has one side and I have the other. To participate you have to guess who's side is who's. Make a comment here with your guess and if you are right we will put your name into a drawing to win a CHA prize packet! Good luck! 
Check back tomorrow (night) for DAY TWO UPDATES!
See 'ya!
Jen (and Kristen snoring from one bed over!!)
huhm...Jen's is the left side and Kristen's is the right side ? Hope you have a great trip and look forward to shopping sooooon.
Posted by: VickieK | February 09, 2008 at 11:45 PM
I think Kristen's is the left and Jen's is the right. Can't wait to see all the new stuff!!
Posted by: Mom2-2boyz | February 10, 2008 at 04:32 AM
Jen's is the right ;) Can't wait to see all your fabulous finds!
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 10, 2008 at 04:43 AM
How neat the left side is! Hmm, Jen on left, Kristen on right? Have fun and bring back lots of ideas!!!
Posted by: Cathy Leitner | February 10, 2008 at 05:01 AM
My guess is that Jen is on the right and Kristen on the left. Can't wait to see what you bring back!
Posted by: Lisa Newding | February 10, 2008 at 05:05 AM
I think Jen's is the left side and Kristen's is the right. Can't wait to see all the new CI stuff!
Posted by: Caroline Calcote | February 10, 2008 at 05:39 AM
thanks so much for giving us the updates on the new fun "stuff".
i do believe that miss jen is the neater side, sorry kristen.
have fun and bring us lots of goodies.
Jackie D.
Posted by: jackie | February 10, 2008 at 05:42 AM
Jen has the stuff all out, on the right and Kristen is all neat, on the left, lol.
Kip
Posted by: Kip | February 10, 2008 at 05:50 AM
I think Jen is on the right side and kristen on the left.
Hope you're having lots of fun guys, can't wait to hear all about the new goodies the store will be getting.
Posted by: Marlene Clawser | February 10, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Kristen = left side
Jen = right side
thanks for sharing your CHA experience with us, and keep having tons of fun there !!!
Posted by: Susan L. | February 10, 2008 at 05:58 AM
I'm guessing Jen is on the Left and Kristen on the right
Posted by: Cathy S | February 10, 2008 at 06:01 AM
Kristen on the left and Jen on the right. Have fun out there. . .can't wait to see the new stuff.
Posted by: Shannon R. | February 10, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Jen left, Kristen right.
Posted by: kands | February 10, 2008 at 06:38 AM
kristen on the left and jen on right.....
have a great time order lots and your bed did look wonderful enjoy... hope ginger is better she is so sweet. i cropped with her 1 night!!!
Posted by: sandy brothwell | February 10, 2008 at 06:51 AM
I would say Jen is on the right. Can't wait to see all the things you bring back.
Posted by: Carolyn Sharkas | February 10, 2008 at 06:57 AM
I think Jen's is on the left and Kristen's is on the right.
Posted by: Cyndee Scholet | February 10, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Jen is on the right Kristen Left
Posted by: Diana | February 10, 2008 at 07:29 AM
MY GUESS IS JEN ON THE RIGHT,
KRISTEN ON THE LEFT. HAVE FUN AND BUY EVERYTHING YOU CAN.
Posted by: Jan | February 10, 2008 at 07:30 AM
Sounds like you're off to a great start and can't wait to see all the great stuff you order.
My guess....Kristen on the left and Jen on the right.
Have fun!!!
Posted by: Justy | February 10, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Hi Jen! The right is yours and the left is Kristen's!!!!
Posted by: Maria | February 10, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Jen is on the right and Kristen is on the left.
Posted by: Betty | February 10, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Kristen's stuff on the left and Jen's on the right, is my guess. Have a wonderful time and bring us back lots of goodies :)
Posted by: Kelley P. | February 10, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Glad you are having a good time!
Jen's side is the messy side and Kristen's is the neat side...sorry Jen!
Posted by: Amy | February 10, 2008 at 07:56 AM
The left side is Kristen's and Jen's is the right. The big roller is a dead giveaway. :)
Posted by: Traci | February 10, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Damn...I really want to win THIS contest...the prize is so BIG !!!!
let's see...who's the neatnick and who's not...hmmm....ok...jumping in here....Jen..you're on the right and Kristen's on the left...and if Im wrong I'll just post again! LOL
I gotta win either way !!!!
hugz, Suze
Posted by: Suze Weinberg | February 10, 2008 at 08:18 AM