Lorla’s Blog

One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we’re all about.

We’ve carried TOMS for three years now, believing in their mission, and loving the way they feel on our feet.  If you have turned on a TV in the last six months, you can’t miss their AT&T commercials featuring Blake, the owner and visionary of TOMS Shoes - the “Chief Shoe Giver”.

TOMS are Vegan friendly, impossibly comfortable, and incredibly world changing.  IMAGINE!  You can change the life of a child by buying a pair of shoes.  Gotta love that.

TOMS - Burlap Woven
Available only in our retail store or by phone at 248-444-4192
$54

TOMS - Wrap Boots
Available in two great colors online and at our retail store
$98

I own the wrap boots in Rust and cannot wear them without people stopping me and asking me about my great boots.  They are fabric, so they are “fair weather” boots.

TOMS are the shoes (or boots) that you will wear all day and be happy you did.  Feel free to call for availability - we have several syles and colors at our retail store.  We can hardly keep them in stock!!  248-444-4192

TERRASOLES® ‘APRES ANYTHING’ FOOTWEAR
Taking You to Places Green and Comfortable

Terrasoles® outdoors lifestyle footwear, targets the void many people face when transitioning from their active footwear into something that is more comfortable and casual, yet remains functional. Terrasoles’ hybrid design appeals to those whose hearts belong to the spirit of the great outdoors.

Terrasoles® - Rainier Available in 4 great colors
$50
All Synthentic

“Research tells us that whether a consumer actually lives an active lifestyle or is simply inspired by the concept, they want unique products that are reflective of their active lifestyle vision. They want functionality, quality and unique aesthetics that will set them apart. They also seek comfort and the durability to travel well beyond the boundaries of their living room. That describes the Terrasoles® concept”, says Jerry Hemphill, Terrasoles® Brand President.

Terrasoles® - Ridge
Available in 3 great colors
$50
Suede upper

The environment also is top of mind when considering their components. They utilize environmentally friendly elements wherever possible.  Their packaging and other collaterals are produced on recycled stocks with soy inks, and they are using high-quality fleece made from recycled materials in some travel and cold weather styles. Terrasoles® believes that small, environmentally smart steps like these are easy to implement from a business perspective and critical to implement from an environmental perspective.

Terrasoles® - Summit
Available in 3 great colors
$65
All synthetic

Go on; seek adventure - live for comfort with Terrasoles!

If a picture is worth a thousand words,
what is a word worth?

To us, it is a lot!!!! Words are thoughts you can see; they put thoughts and intentions into action through energy. This may sound very deep, but it is making the simplest and grandest impacts around the world.

be.ology’s be.involved shirt, created exclusively for YouthAIDS, was the shirt of choice at the YouthAIDS Gala! 10% of all be.involved tee purchases are directly donated to this worthy foundation.
NOTE:  Currently not in stock.  Watch our website for the latest in be.ology designs.

What “be” words do you want people to think of when they think of you?  What “be” words would you like to share with the people around you?

• be.thoughtful
• be.loved
• be.green
• be.peaceful
• be.happy
• be.strong
• be.inspired
• be.you
• be.peaceful (really?… can you have too much peaceful?)

We have no idea what power is held in a positive word.  Be!  Be.something!  Be.nice!  Be.ology!

Comfort comes in super sweet styling with Privo by Clarks

I’m on my feet all day and I when I’m working 10-12 hours at a time, believe me, I want comfort.  Privo is not only comfortable, but also cute.  Frankly, I have sacrificed comfort for cute for way too many years.  The older I get, the more I regret those old choices and vow to make better ones from here on out.  Hence, Privo!

Zuri - Privo by Clarks - Available in Eggplant or Charcoal - $85

Zuri is the style that I own.  I walked all over Grand Rapids in them (right out of the box) and I couldn’t have been more comfortable.  Purple is a great color, too - Don’t be afraid of it.  Purple goes with just about anything and looks great with jeans.

Paddie - Privo by Clarks - Charcoal - $85
Also availble in brown leather or black leather

• Lycra® and neoprene FlexFit™ lining flexes with your feet and provides a custom fit.
  
• Shock-absorbing Soleassage™ insole features textured bumps for a massage effect.
• Lightweight EVA midsole wedge absorbs shock to reduce foot fatigue.
• Durable SSR rubber outsole creates an improved walking experience.

This season you aren’t rockin’ it unless you’re wearing a pair of over the knee boots.  Perfect for jeans or dresses, this hot trend will warm up your cool days and spice up your chilly nights.

Roost - by BCBGeneration $199
As seen in - People Magazine Style Watch (October 2009 pg. 117)

Vamp - by Restricted $110
As seen in People Magazine Style Watch (September 2009 pg. 153)
Rachel Zoe’s pick

Turbo - by Chinese Laundry $99
As seen in - People Magazine Style Watch (September 2009 pg. 20 - in suede - NOTE:  We are carrying black leather only)
COMING SOON!!

For the last three years, we have been a National Sponsor and drop off location for Soles4Souls - a worthy organization that shoes victims of natural disaster in the States and around the world.

It’s so easy to change the world.  Sometimes we think that we can’t affect change by ourselves - but it just takes one step, one gesture, one smile, one kind word, one pair of shoes at a time.

You accepted our invitation, took our hand as we embraced this charity, and Saturday we boxed up another 952 pairs of shoes that will be shipped to Soles4Souls on your behalf.  952 people will have shoes because you gave up your old ones.  That’s more than cool and that’s a total of 2480 pairs of shoes (to date) from Lorla’s customers.

Some time ago, two young men (high school sophmores in Northville, MI) starting coming around my store.  They just wanted to “hang out”.  Was it the candy we keep in the hole in the wall?  The kindness that was extended to them?  The interesting conversations we had between customers?  I don’t know.  But, a friendship has grown between us and these boys were the first we thought of when it came time to box up the shoes.  They showed up - with a friend in tow - to go through bags and boxes of disguarded shoes.  Pairing them up, counting, taping and stacking boxes that were way to heavy for me to lift.  They didn’t complain… they laughed.  They picked up little shoes and said things like, “Aw look at these”.  They slung big bags of shoes across their backs and said, “I feel like Santa Claus”, and I had all I could do to keep the tears from coming.  I knew they were indeed playing Santa Claus to child after child and person after person who’s lives will be changed because of the generosity of your gift and of their time.

So THANK YOU!  Thank you to all that donated.  Thank you to The Northville UPS office for giving us free packing boxes.  Thank you to Northville Storage for donating the storage facility we use to house the shoes between shipments.  Thank you to Conway Shipping that donates the shipping fee to get these shoes to their much needed destination.

A heartfelt thank you to two very special young men and their friend:  Brad, Rehse, and Jacob.

Change the World…. One shoe at a time.

Back by popular demand, these silly (I know how to have fun) mittens and hats hit Lorla’s two weeks ago.  This is the third year we’ve carried them and every year we struggle to meet the increasing demand.  This year, we brought them in early and the first shipment is going fast.  Don’t worry…. new shipments are coming soon.

We have many, many more characters available, including (but not limited to):  sock monkey, punk sock monkey, several different dogs, koala bears, horses, pigs, cows, bunnies, lambs, chickens, lobsters, and sharks.

New This Year:
Children’s sizes in both hats and mittens. (coming soon)

The Victorian Festival proved to be the largest event of the year - in Northville, and at Lorla’s.  Thank you to all that came out and enjoyed our “Sweet Deal” (Candy Coded Sale).

Are you a winner?  If you came in to our retail location last weekend and signed up on our mailing list you had the chance to win a number of prizes.  The names of winners and their prizes are listed below.

All prizes must be claimed by Wednesday, September 23rd.  You may call the store to claim the prize and arrange a later pick up date.  248-348-9270

$25 Gift Certificates (4 winners):
Good on full priced merchandise only.  Expires October 31, 2009
* Lacy Mitchell
* Sally Johnson
*  Elissa Yarrow
*  Sheridan Markatos

Club Card Membership (3 winners):
*  Alanna Marotta
*  Regina Winans
*  Lori Ostertag

Puma Handbag (1 winner):
*  Becky Diedrich

Sunglasses (3 winners):
*  Mary Hardenbergh
*  Ana Dillon
*  Daina Yelda

Salt/Stain Remover (4 winners):
*  Chris Karam
*  LaShay Winans
*  Tina LaFreniere
*  Jamie Spriet