I’m pleased (I’m sounding more British everyday!) to say my pursuit of business here in the UK has been quite successful thus far. Of course, the fact that me and my family members are literally on model 24-7 does help with the marketing. But really, everyone has been extremely friendly, despite initial reactions to my blasted accent!

The HOPE spring 2009 collection is being test marketed over the weekend at a trade show in Manchester. Fingers crossed! However we do have an account who is selling this year’s summer collection (2008) in Greg’s hometown of Marlow. It was so funny because on the first day we were here, we were going for a walk down the high street, and Deva (my four-year-old) shouted, “oh my, mommy—look what that little girl has!” I swung around to see a cute little blonde in the cottage berry Love Lucy dress. I was so chuffed because it was the first time I’d seen anyone in HOPE clothing that I hadn’t personally sold to myself—-and it was in ENGLAND!!!!! How cool is that? I would have missed the whole experience if it weren’t for Deva who went on to say, “that’s a very special dress because the tailors made it in our workshop.”

Another great thing that is happening in England (aside from the fact that I haven’t had a single row with my father-in-law) is that our local account in Marlow, Doogies, is partnering with HOPE to hold a sale/fundraiser next week to relieve the orphaned cyclone victims in Burma (Myanmar). We are really excited about the event and hope that we can raise a lot of donations for clothing for the victims.

So far there have been two California stores that have held similar fundraisers with product donated by HOPE—-Sprout in Healdsburg, California, and Rock-It Kids in Windsor, California. We have yet to tally the results but will definitely keep you posted.

I am really excited to go to France next Wednesday. The rain is driving me mad in England and it will be nice to visit with Greg’s French family. Best of all, his cousins have kids the same age as Kai and Deva so life will be free and easy for a while. Plus the plan is for some serious FRENCH immersion for the kids! I told my mother-in-law today——no more English!

I am also excited to bring HOPE to France. I hadn’t planned to do it because Greg kept going on about how difficult it will be in France, BUT we met these really nice French designers at Bubble, London who have a shop in Paris. We showed them our line sheets and their comment was, “oooh well it’s very French.” Of course I was TOTALLY chuffed at that comment and floated out of the trade show on that very high note! Just one account, that’s all I want—-One account in France.