Hello Ladies,

Since opening in 2011, I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to attend the Curves Expo in New York City, but financial and practical considerations always left me sitting by my computer avariciously devouring blog posts and updates from those fortunate enough to attend.  However, I vowed after missing the show in August, that February 2014 would come to fruition even if I needed to use all of my credit card miles and shut down the store for a couple of days.

Before leaving for New York, the shop topped its previous best sales week record—a miraculous omen in itself as we spent this time last year wondering if we would make it another year.  Sales were low, and for us to see such a marked improvement lifted our spirits for the 8.5 hour drive in the middle of the night (we literally left at 12:30 a.m.).  With only a couple hours of sleep between us, my business partner/dad shouldered the brunt of the exhaustion by driving the entire trip to allow me periodic naps to keep me somewhat coherent for the show

Having lived in MD previously, the first part of our journey was as expected, but when we veered into NJ, sleeping was no longer possible on account of the poor roads, potholes, and aggressive drivers.  Near the end of the New Jersey Turnpike, we stopped at a rest station to change from our travelling clothes into something more professional.  From the Turnpike, we ventured through the land of swirly twirly gumdrops and emerged from the Lincoln Tunnel with $25 less to our names.  My first view of the city was awe-inspiring.  New York always seems grand in the movies but in an almost exaggerated sense, and I did not fully appreciate how the city teeters on being a colossal monument of engineering, architecture, and industrialization in its own right.

Nevertheless, it is difficult to appreciate the view when the symphony of horns from taxi cabs constantly reminds you that you’re in someone’s way.  The constant barrage of sound took on the qualities of a secret language spoken only by natives of the city and underscored how loud and fast-paced New York is.  While I quelled heart palpitations, my dad pulled on his combat driving experience to swerve, veer, and power forward around the taxis and buses.

Fortunately, the parking garage associated with the hotel was only a few blocks away, and we managed to park the car, collect what we needed, and hoof it the ten blocks to the Javits Center.  Since returning home, I have been told that we saw the city at its worst on account of the snow and our general location (40th Street/8th Avenue), but the walk to the expo was littered with a disgusting assortment of dirty diapers, cigarette butts, used panties, dog feces, and good ole fashioned dirty slush. 

After arriving  at the center unharmed albeit slightly dirtier, we checked in and headed down the long red corridor which opened into the expansive, white-washed Curves Expo where over 550 booths were set up to display beautiful lingerie, sleepwear, and swimsuits.  Our schedule was packed, but we still found time to wander and visit other vendors.  In one such instance, we visited the Tia Lyn and iCollection booth (more on them in a future post), and I was greeted by none other than Tia Lyn herself—a gorgeous, fun, and talented designer aiming to provide women with sexy lingerie and sleepwear which is still supportive of a fuller bust.

Nearly everyone we met was wonderful, supportive, friendly, and helpful, and I enjoyed every second I spent at the show.  During the trip, my poor dad who was still recovering from abdominal surgery took so many photos that the culled total is over 450.  Be prepared for some amazing shots of the lovely lingerie available now as well as what will be coming into the store.  I knew before we left that I would not be able to attend in August since that is traditionally our best sales month.  As a result, I wanted to maximize who I could speak with and what I could see.  Some of the booths featured models who would try on the lingerie for you to see the fit or color on a person.  Curvy Kate had North American “Stair in a Bra” winner Katie Bizzak—a lovely lady who was gracious enough to take a picture with me, but all of the models for the brands did a fantastic job.  They were friendly, personable, and tolerated the abuse of trying on bras and panties all day better than I ever could.  You ladies were fabulous!

On my first evening in NYC, I braved the subway system to visit Sala One Nine and meet Sweet Nothings, Miss and Mr. Underpinnings, the writers of Hourglassy, Elisabeth Dale, Ali Cudby, the Lingerie Addict, and the Lingerie Lesbian.  My station was near Times Square, which I was able to see in the full glory of the evening.  Sky high billboards and colorful lights took an artistic, over-the-top quality perfectly reflective of the city which left me softly whispering “wow” to myself.

When I went to undergraduate school in DC, I took the subway every day, but the DC metro and the NYC subway are horses of two totally different colors.  When I descended into the station, I was greeted by a band playing classic rock, and with a few touristy glances, I found my way to the train.  A family sat down near me, and while the kids were rambunctious, all seemed well until the mother announced that she had shoplifted some more toys for the kids to play with on the ride home.  Four stops later, I was out of there without a second glance and on my way to the restaurant.  New to the city, I expected to get lost at least once, but I managed to arrive quickly at the restaurant without needing to backtrack.  While I waited, the bartender and I chatted about the city, and when I told him I was from NC, he explained how he lived in the south for a few years.  However, he left because, and you must imagine this in a sultry, Spanish accent: “It’s too clean there, and I like my city dirty.”

I mentioned on a previous blog how I wanted to runaway to NYC to strike my fortune when I was younger, but after a single day, I missed my beloved NC and country-living.  In one sentence, the bartender struck to the core of why I could never live there but he couldn’t live anywhere else: It’s a different way of life.

When everyone arrived, warm hugs and greetings went around, and I assure you that everyone is more charming, intelligent, and beautiful than you can imagine.  The entire experience was so surreal and went by in a blur (that could be attributed to running off four hours of sleep too).  Despite the trolls and armchair opinions, I love the Internet because it affords you the chance to connect with people you may never have otherwise met.  Getting to meet and interact in person though is even more amazing.  I was so tired I could only stay for about two hours, but I wish I stayed longer.

As it turned out, I should have because the crisp air gave me a second wind by the time I reached the hotel, and my dad and I went to the hotel bar for a drink.  The bartender was fantastic (thank you for getting  my Warriors reference and introducing me to an Old Fashioned), and we met a cool guy from Holland who owns a five star restaurant in his home country and was touring America in search of new culinary experiences.

People make a big deal about how New Yorkers aren’t the nicest folks, and I found this to be superficially true.  It is all too commonplace to push and shove people out of your way, to close doors in people’s faces, to honk at them for going too slow, and to generally project the aura that you just don’t have time to be polite or patient or friendly.  Nevertheless, if you ignore the de rigueur and treat people with kindness and sincerity, they responded positively, and you are blessed to meet some fascinating, diverse individuals who can teach you something new about them and their culture.

In addition to meeting some of the bra bloggers, I also was able to meet Kat of Luxury OBX.  She and I have been chatting about the trials and victories of owning lingerie boutiques, and I loved being able to pick her brain and gain a new perspective. Sadly, we totally forgot to get a picture together!

Wednesday morning arrived quickly and brought with it a flurry of fresh snow, and even though I was glad to be coming home, I regretted not being able to spend more time with the show’s attendees.  There were some other store owners I wanted to meet, and I did not have much time to talk with Elizabeth Dale and Ali Cudby—two amazing lingerie professionals with whom I have collaborated virtually in the past.  Next time, I will stay an extra day, so I am not rushed.  Also, I’m going to fly up, even if it is more expensive.  Those horrible northern roads cracked my windshield, threw off the alignment in my recently aligned front end, and sent a hub cab flying somewhere into the bowels of NJ.

Overall, the trip was fantastic, and even though I am still trying to recover from all of the extra work (so please be patient with requests/correspondence), I cannot emphasize enough how happy I am we made it.

Erica

P.S.  New Yorkers:  What is the deal with your interior temperatures?  It’s 30 degrees outside.  Why do you set the thermostat to 75+???  All of the southern people were able to pick each other out because we spent the show wiping sweat from our brows and fanning ourselves with line sheets.