Labels: Interview

For some reason there always seems to be so much mystery behind the mastermind of Fiddlesticks for our customers. They are always asking my coworkers and I- who is Elizabeth Leu? Who is the woman that picks out these adorable onesies? Well, as in one of my favorite childhood movies "The wizard of Oz", the women working behind the curtain is not who you think. She's the lady playing peek-a-boo with your little one, and a quick game of trucks/monster, or lovingly wrapping your gift. As Elizabeth has been busy interviewing others for her blog, we felt that it was time that she answers some of your questions...

- Brandi Smets



What inspired you to open up Fiddlesticks? Where did the name come from?

It actually all happened fairly organically and as I suppose it was meant to be. When I opened Lavish eight years ago I never anticipated selling anything kid related. But I quickly found the neighborhood wasn't catering to that age at the time. So I started selling baby merchandise and it took off fast, and the more we sold the more we found the demand to grow. Soon our customers were growing out of the store...and that's about when I realized the opportunity was staring me in the face, and that I should make it happen. So I did. And I haven't ever looked back.

The name is something that actually takes me back to my childhood. I am the youngest of 4, and I grew up in the Midwest. When my mother (my VERY patient mother may I add!!!) got frustrated she would blurt out 'Oh Fiddlesticks!' And every time I heard it, it made me smile...it still does.

As a mother of 2 how do you balance running a business and family time?

I count my lucky stars on many levels. I have a very wonderful, extremely dedicated, and entirely entertaining staff. We work together as a team. I run on a philosophy that I am only as good as my team. We all have different talents and together we divide and conquer.

My children LOVE to spend time at the store when the opportunity arises, and my husband is really understanding when I need to dedicate time to the store and away from the family. It's an eb & flow that works really really well.

What inspires you?

Lots of things. A meaningful conversation with a friend. A super yummy home cooked meal. A piece of clothing that I wear over and over without hesitation. A moment with my children that makes me laugh. A picnic at Crissy Field with friends. Date night with my husband. A really good and addicting TV series, or a good book. Planning our social calendar. A well wrapped gift. A hand written note.

What was your favorite outfit, pair of shoes, or toy as a child?

Oh - hands down it was a royal blue t-shirt that had 'whoopie' on it. I don't know what it was about it, but I loved it big time. I wish I still had it.

Was there anything you got stuck wearing as a child that still makes you cringe?

I had these red corduroy knickers. And I wore them ALL the time. They actually just crack me up because I loved the crazy out of those...and I just don't see those coming back in style. Although they should.

The one thing that does make me cringe a bit is the BOWL cut my mother use to give me. My hair could have used a little urban style. It had a boy look to it.
- When building a wardrobe for your kids what are the staples you always go for?

In short, a really fun pair of shoes and an adorable sweater or jacket. My children are in school uniforms so I tend to gravitate towards the accessories for them - the things that allow them to spice up their everyday look. For my daughter it's the leggings or tights, and for my son it's outwear. I have tried to get him to wear different shoes, but for the last year all he will wear are the elephant shoes from Livie & Luca. I stopped trying and just keep replacing them. I think we are on pair #6 at the moment.

What advice would you give other women who wish to open a business? What has been your greatest support?

I encourage anyone to keep moving towards their dreams. I think not making it happen is worse than failure. You will never know until you try, and I am sure you will end up surprising yourself in a good way. Opening one door has always opened up several more for me...so open a door & keep on an upward slope. The best career move I ever made was opening a store.

Labels: Interview

We traveled with our troops (all 5 models) down to the CBS station this past Saturday and did a segment with anchor Lisa Chan on Spring Fashion Trends. We had a BLAST!!! Definitely check out the video.

The outfits.



Ms Maggie was twirling the beautiful Tea Collection Jogakbo Sundress, and danced in her pink Elephantito Ballet flats.



Ms Ella had on the Neige Clara Dress, a Cookie & Dude headband, and the adorable silver Elephantito sandals (that we swear smell like bubblegum!!!)




Little sweet Morgan had on the stunningPink Chicken Belle Dress, the must-have Sand Cassel Kids Polly Hat, the adorable See Kai Run Pink Ariana Shoes (which she refuses to take off - still!), and the Appaman Jeans Straight Cut Jeans.

Precious little Leo wore the Wonderboy Henley and Starburst Button Down Shirt, Appaman Jeans Straight Cut Jeans, and the chocolate brown slip-on shoes by Morgan & Milo.



And last, but certainly not least - ENZO!!!! wore the
Tea Collection Paeja Vest, the Tea Collection Bulguksa Print Shirt, the Tea Collection Hahoe Plaid Shorts, and the See Kai Run Ariston Shoe. A favorite outfit - especially for this Easter!

Labels: Interview

We just got our Spring delivery in from Ses Petite Mains, and it's FANTASTIC!!!! Whew, have we been missing her collection or what! Unfortunately Beth did not produce a Fall collection and Fiddlesticks was feeling it's gap for sure. But, they're back. And it's beautiful!! And colorful, and whimsical...just as always! Take a peek.





In welcoming Ses Petite Mains back into Fiddlesticks, we thought we would celebrate with a little Q&A from Beth.

1. Tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind your Spring 2010
collection.

ses petites mains spring10 is rich in 30’s/40’s sentiment--a loving nod to my mother Eileen, who grew up in the 30’s and taught me so much of what I know about design today. The muted colors, the fabrics (linens, seersuckers, denim) and the shapes all take me back to our wonderful family archive of photos from that time, of which I am constantly digging through and finding rich inspiration. One of my favorite styles is the Bailey Trouser, the ease of the leg, the deep pockets and the cuff detail. And the shirtwaist dresses, always a favorite of mine and so sweet on little girls.

2. We meet many mothers at Fiddlesticks, and many have great aspirations
to start their own business. As a successful business owner, and mother,
what would be your advice to women interested in becoming an entrepreneur?

Be really prepared to work! I have never worked so hard. Although I have more flexibility with my hours, which means a great deal to me, as I can stay close to my family, there are many nights when I don’t get my eight hours of sleep! And my most important bit of advice, get ready--never give up on your vision! If you believe that you can create something meaningful, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I think that stubborn belief in myself has allowed me to get through the sticky parts of running a small business. And there are always sticky parts—late fabric deliveries, pattern mishaps, etc. My ‘real’ job is to manage the problems and come up with feasible solutions. And I do think that being a mother gives me an advantage. In my past life, I would have mulled over things much longer, and now I have to make decisions because my time is not always my own. Motherhood has made me much more efficient and sharper, so I have my lovely daughter to thank for that!

3. What is one of your favorite kid activities/places to visit in San
Francisco?

Our farmer’s market in Noe Valley on a Saturday morning—listening to the music, getting honey sticks and hanging out; flying kites at Rodeo Beach in Sausalito, hiking along the headlands, the tide pools at Muir Beach, eating cheese toasties at the Pelican Inn.

4. What have you found to be your biggest challenge as a designer?

Continuing to manufacture my line here in San Francisco--the economy has made everything harder but I really believe in keeping our production local and supporting the community in which I live. It just makes me work harder to keep my costs in line with the brands that produce off shore and don’t have the same labor costs as ses petites mains.

5. If you could take a snap shoot of your daughters shoe collection right
now, what would we find?

She is her mother’s daughter for sure! I love shoes and she is following suit—bloch metallic ballet slippers; red polka dot flamenco shoes; her tap shoes (she’s obsessed), way too many pairs of outgrown-ballet slippers; a pair of hotel slippers from a recent holiday; snow boots with fur tops, sequined flip flops and red converse low tops, sparkly fuscia maryjanes, and her white and pink cowgirl boots.

6. If you could dress a famous actor/actress - who would it be & why?

Someone like Rachel McAdams…I think she has such a wonderful retro appeal about her, she's very stylish and doesn’t always appear so ‘slick’ which I appreciate. There are so many young actors who look sophisticated in a way that takes away from their own sense of style. They end up looking a bit too manufactured, slightly boring in doing so. I love that she will streak her hair with pink and wear youthful,spirited clothing. We could have fun putting together a look, I’m sure.

THANKS Beth!!! Welcome back!

Labels: Girls Clothing, Girls Dresses, Interview