What Is In Your Handbag?

The Handbag or purse as it is referred to in American English dates back to the 14th century when both men and women would attach pouches to their girdle. The pouch would vary according to the fashion, status, and lifestyle of the wearer. Not much has changed over the past 600 years, with the exception of the contents. I had a fun experience with the contents of my handbag recently and thought it would be great to find out what the top 5 must haves for the Burns Girls are in theirs. So drum roll please, the top 5 things are: 1. Lip Gloss, Chapstick or Lipstick 2. Wallet (with lots of money of course) 3. Gum 4. Ibuprofen or some type of pain reliever 5. Lotion Of course this wasn't everything, just the 5 that were mentioned the most. Here are some of the other things we carry: knife or leatherman tool, feminine products, diapers & wipes (definitely from our mom of little ones), keys, cell phone, mirror and planner. The most interesting reply came from Wendy our Marketing Gal Extraordinaire, ropes, rope gloves, bell boots, dally rubber and a water bottle. Stay tuned and we will bring you some pretty amazing handbag options to carry all of your necessities in.

Choosing a Roller Bit for Your Horse

We would like to thank Trist for submitting her question for our bloggers challenge:

Do you have any good roller bits?

Trist, We carry some great roller bits manufactured by Tom Balding in Sheridan Wyoming. I have 2 bits in stock with rollers. The first one has Ace of Spades w/ roller on a switchback shank… this bit sets the horse down in the rear and break at the poll, its soft and easy for a finished horse. View more information and purchase Tom Balding's Switchback Ace of Spades Bit, click here.

The second bit has an Equalizer w/ roller mouthpiece and a Sheridan 7 shank….this bit gives a lot of feel and rate for the finished horse. I have included pictures for you to see the bits. View more information and purchase Tom Balding's Sheridan 7 Equalizer Bit with Roller, click here.

Let me know if you are interested in one of these bits or if we could assist you with another style or brand.

Check out more of our western roller bits online by clicking the link below:

http://www.burnssaddlery.com/ItemRelations.asp?GROUP=87&CHOICE=239;Tp=

Thank You,

Amanda Baxter

Customer Service

Amanda@burnssaddlery.com

435.529.7484 Ext-401

Submit your question to our bloggers challenge and receive Free Shipping on your next order at http://www.burnssaddlery.com/. Click here for more information.

If The Boot Fits

Another weekend in Park City, and I am still so amazed at how many people comment on the fact that they already own cowboy boots and don't wear them because they hurt their feet.

It is so important to be fit properly. With boots, size is a guideline, you cannot get stuck on the fact that you have always worn a certian size. You have a size range, most of us that own several pairs of boots, have several different sizes and widths of boots depending on leather and style.

Wearing boots is different than wearing a tennis shoe, it is more like wearing a slipper or clog. Your heel should slip when you put on a new pair of boots. It is perfectly acceptable to slip up to 1 1/2 inches. The slip will subside once you have worn the boots several times and the boot begins to conform to your foot.

A boot should never be tight, pinch or pull any on your foot. If it does, the boot is too small and you will own a pair of boots that you do not want to wear. Your foot should feel comfortable when you try on the boot and you shouldn't assume that it will "stretch" so you need a smaller size. It is true some leathers will give but only a little and not enough to justify buying a boot that is too small.

At the Burns family of stores, we want your boot to fit. All of our associates are trained in the proper fitting of a boot. We want you to proudly and comfortably wear the boots that you purchase from us. We want you to love your boots as much as we do.

A Great Shopping Experience

Since I've been at Burns Saddlery, I have really become interested in what makes a great shopping experience. I have become more aware of the experience I have when I am the customer as well as how I act when I am the one serving the customer. I am very aware of how I feel when I walk into a store and I take special note of how the displays in the store are set up. I am much more aware of the quality of the merchandise, I am not so focused on the cost if the quality is high. I am certianly more choosy in my purchases on the functionality and versatility of the item I am looking at. I am always taking notes on how I am approached and treated by the staff.

At Burns Saddlery and Burns Cowboy Shops we want to provide our customers with an outstanding shopping experience. We are always striving to give the very best service and provide the very highest quality products. We want to be a place people tell their friends to visit. We always welcome suggestions on how to better our service and product. Don't be afraid to let us know.

Cowgirl Apparel

I read the best article on CowgirlDiary.com (see link at right for blogs & websites we love, the article is dated February 26th). It's called Cowgirl Apparel, the author has been having a lot of the same musings that I have lately. What makes people choose the clothing that they do?

This was big on my mind last week as I placed a job posting for a sales associate for the store. In the requirements I included "attire appropriate for the western industry". I did not have as many responses as I did a few months ago to another listing that did not specify any attire. This is the only thing I could think of that would make much of a difference.

So what exactly is cowgirl apparel or western attire? It really depends on where you are and what you are doing. To me appropriate western attire definately includes boots. Of course my 5 toe Lucchese Classics might not be the boot for a girl taking her horse for a ride, but they do look pretty great running around the store. It also includes a favorite pair of jeans. It doesn't matter what brand, what cut, or what style as long as you feel amazing in them. Then what ever top you are in the mood for be it a t-shirt, a plaid button down, or a light peasant top.

Western attire has definately evolved from the roper and brushpopper days. It is all about comfort, style and individuality. There is no right or wrong item to include, just what suits your personality best.

Facebook Fun

If you haven't already, check out our facebook pages for Burns Saddlery and Burns Cowboy Shop. We will be having some fun contests as well as some great information. There will be information on products and upcoming events. Let us know what you like as well as what you would like to see.

Fashion Friday

Today's outfit was put together by Emily. It features a brown long sleeved henley tee with a distressed coral screen print by Cruel Girl. This top features custom hardware accents and buttons. Paired with a coral tank, it is a fun pop of color for spring.

Also featured are the Cruel Girl Shawna jeans. The Shawna features heavy, wicked embroidery details all over this stretch jean. Cream and Khaki toned saddle stitiching accents the yokes and pockets. Whiskers and baked creases add flair to the rinsed denim. Finished off with an eye catching back pocket, these jeans can be your favorite for riding or going out.

This is definately a great transition outfit from the blahs of winter to the fun of spring.