Tomorrow we head down to Dallas Market.

We go twice a year to purchase import items for the shop, and this market is all about Easter, Spring, Patriotic, and Everyday items for 2027.

Yes, 2027.

That part always sounds a little wild when I say it out loud, but in this business, we have to think far ahead.

While market is always exciting because I get to see new products, new color stories, and new trends, it is also one of the busiest and most stressful parts of my job.

Because as fun as it is to look at all the pretty things, the reality is that every buying decision matters.

What should I carry?
How much should I buy?
Will it sell?
Does it fit my customer?
Does it fit the budget?
Can I find the right balance between quality and price?

And let me tell you, budget is a big one.

I want all the pretty things.
I want to bring all the pretty things home.
I want to share all the pretty things with you.

Unfortunately, I did not win the lottery last night, so I do actually have to try and stick to one.

Although, if you ask my husband, he would probably tell you I fail miserably at that.

Why We Have to Order So Early

One thing I think surprises a lot of people is how early all of this happens.

The reason we shop for Spring 2027 now is because the manufacturers need time to produce the items after orders are placed. Once that production is finished, those products still have to be packed, loaded, shipped overseas by boat, unloaded, processed, and finally delivered here.

That whole process takes time.

A lot of time.

So if I want to have beautiful Spring and Easter items ready for you next year when you actually want to shop them, I have to make those decisions long before the season ever arrives.

That is just part of how the seasonal product world works.

Why Going to Market Matters

And honestly, this is exactly why going to market is so important to me.

Yes, there are items we purchase online throughout the year. Sometimes we need to fill a restock pallet or add onto an existing order, and those kinds of purchases are part of the business too.

But those online orders can be hit or miss.

And that is why I care so much about going in person.

I want to see the items.
Touch them.
Pick them up.
Bend them.
Look at the color.
Check the texture.
See how they compare to other options.

It has to pass the Melissa test.

Because I want my buyers to feel confident ordering from me, knowing that for the most part, I have personally selected these items in person.

That really is the heart behind why I started this business in the first place.

Back in 2020, when so much of the world had to shop online, I experienced way too many bad online purchases. Things that looked one way in the photo and showed up completely differently in real life. Poor quality. Wrong color. Cheap feel. Disappointing texture.

And I remember thinking, there has to be a better way.

I wanted to help other makers and decorators feel more confident shopping online.
I wanted to do the heavy lifting for them.
I wanted to be the filter.
The one who sorted through the misses so they could feel better about the yes.

That still matters to me now just as much as it did then.

The Balance Is Not Always Easy

Of course, that does not mean the decisions are simple.

Because one of the hardest parts of market is finding balance.

I have to think about the things I personally love and use, while also remembering that not everyone decorates like I do.

I have to think about what customers are asking for.
What is trend-forward versus timeless.
What feels fresh, but still usable.
What can work for makers and decorators.
What feels high quality, but still affordable.

And let’s be honest, I’m a little bougie.

So yes, there will always be some higher-end items mixed in there too.

Because I do believe there is room for beautiful elevated products.
But I also know affordability matters.

Trying to find that sweet spot between decent quality and a price people can actually work with is not always the easiest thing.

But it is part of the work.
And it is part of what I care about.

Thank You for Helping Me Shop

That is also why the survey I sent out means so much.

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to fill it out.

That kind of feedback is a huge help as I head into market. While I will not be able to fulfill every request, I absolutely will be paying attention and trying to find what I can.

It helps me know what you are reaching for.
What you wish was easier to find.
What styles, florals, greenery, and everyday products you actually want more of.

And that matters.

Because I never want to shop in a vacuum.
I want to shop with real customers in mind.

Market Means a Trip… and a New Outfit

And since we are talking about market, that means a trip.

And a trip, of course, means new fashion.

Now, while I always want to look cute, market is also about comfort. There is a lot of walking. A lot of walking.

So this is one of those times where comfortable shoes absolutely have to win over cute ones.

I did get a new outfit for one of the days though, because if I’m going to be stressed, tired, and trying to make smart buying decisions for next year, I’d at least like to feel put together while doing it.

I’ll be sharing a picture of the outfit along with my affiliate links, and if you want to see more of the things I’ve been buying lately, you can also browse my Amazon storefront.

The Work Behind the Pretty

That is probably the best way to describe market.

It is the work behind the pretty.

The parts customers do not always see.
The questions.
The strategy.
The pressure.
The budget.
The walking.
The comparing.
The second-guessing.
The excitement.
The risk.
The hope that you are making the right decisions for the season ahead.

It is a lot.

But it is also one of the most important things I do for this business.

Because I want what comes into this shop to be curated with care.
To feel thoughtful.
To feel selected, not random.
To feel like something you can trust.

That is the goal every time I go.

And tomorrow, we do it all again.