After yesterday’s post about our Back to School video here, I have had some fall thoughts on the mind.  Even though these 90 degree temperatures would indicate that clearly we are on the brink of summer, I thought I would interrupt our regularly scheduled warm weather posting to look forward to Fall.

Below is the color forecast for Fall 2011 from Pantone.  As you can see some of our favorites (ahem, Honeysuckle) will be moving forward into Fall, and some other hues are just darker interpretations of some Spring color picks.

One of my favorite things about these color profiles are the drawings that Pantone publishes on their site by top fashion designers.  If they ever compiled these into a coffee table book I would totally buy it!

{images via pantone}

I suppose we will just have to wait to see how all of the designers and retailers incorporate this color direction into their collections and offerings come fall.  You can hop on over to our website to see how RIU is bringing in some of these fun shades into their new Back To School/Fall prints here.

What color are you most excited to see for the Fall season?  Discuss away in the comments!

Tags: back to school, color, fall 2011, fall 2011 color, inspiration, pantone

I am really excited to share with you our first ever photo shoot video.  Watch now for a behind the scenes look at the making of our Back to School 2011 catalog.  We took these photos on a chilly January day in our picturesque downtown Stuart.  The girls had a great time and I think it definitely showed in the end result.  Take a couple minutes to watch and let me know what you think!

Psst – Did you know that we are now offering consumer catalogs?!  You can fill out a RIU Catalog Request form on our website.  We’ll be sending them out towards the middle of June.

Tags: back to school, bts2011, video, youtube

Here’s a little preview picture for our Back to School 2011 Collection which hits stores in June!  Retailers, be sure to check your mailboxes because a copy of the new catalog is headed your way!

Tags: back to school, bts2011, riu, roomitup

Tomorrow Jamie and I are off to the annual National Stationery show in NYC.  If you are also attending the show be sure to stop by the Room It Up booth (Javits #1637) to see our new collections for Back to School 2010 along with the entire new line of Stationery from Capri Designs!  Below is a preview of what new stationery we will have – too cute!

Catch you all next week when I return!

Tags: back to school, capri designs, houndstooth, room it up, stationery, stationery show

…When you’re having fun… or just when you’re downright busy!  It’s been a crazy busy time here at Room It Up in our office as we are busy working on some pretty exciting things.  While I haven’t been able to post everyday on here – I wanted to let you all in on what’s been going on here the past week.  We just wrapped up our final planning for our new Back To School (I know, BTS already?!) 2010 collection and I for one just can’t wait to show you all what we have in the works.  We recently had a fun photo shoot with all of our new products and the pictures turned out awesome.  Hopefully we’ll be able to share them all with you very soon.  This weekend we will be heading up to Orlando for CAMEX 2010 – the annual College Bookstore Trade Show.  We will be taking the new collection with us and are super excited to show it off and see what our bookstore buyers think.  Heading to CAMEX yourself?  Be sure to see us at Booth #2443.  In semi-related new:  As the weather starts to warm up stores are starting to stock up (and sell out!) of some of our top selling Spring items.  The Beach Towel Sets, Coolers, Chaise Lounge Covers and Beach Totes have all been a great hit.  More substantial and exciting posts coming soon – I promise!

Tags: back to school, bts 2010, camex 2010, room it up 2010

Tags: 2009, back to school, eCatalog, room it up

The great editors over at RealSimple.com kindly featured our New Dot Lap Desk as a great item for making going Back To School easier for both parents and kids. Check out the link by clicking on the image below!

Tags: 2009, back to school, BTS, Editorial, Lap Desk, new dot, real simple

Jamie and I are NYC bound to attend the National Stationery Show. If you’re planning on going please stop by Booth #2962 and say hey! It’s the first time we will be showing the NEW full BTS 09 collection!

Tags: B2B, back to school, stationery show, trade show

Even though school has barely let out for this year, and summer is quickly upon us, we are already hearing (and creating!) the Back To School ’09 buzz!.  Recently the friendly people over at School Uniforms Magazine contacted us for an editorial spread about our growing Back To School business.  Maureen (vice-president of RIU & a former uniform kid herself!) was interviewed as well as one of our customers, Thomas from TC’s Uniforms in Jackson, MS.  Not only does TC’s sell tons of school uniforms, but they also do a great amount of custom embroidery in their store.

Throughout our endeavors in the Back To School business we have found that some of our best selling accounts are those that also sell school uniforms in their store.  Uniform kids are always looking for fun ways to show their style and express themselves.  Our bright and fun backpacks, lunch totes, pencil cases, 3 ring binders, etc… are great for that reason!

Don’t get School Uniforms Magazine to your door?  Check out the pictures below!

So what does Room It Up + Your local school uniform store = ?

The ultimate one stop shop for any family looking to outfit their kids for Back To School 2009!

Tags: 2009, back to school, backpacks, embroidery blanks, lunchtotes, messenger bags, Retailer

That’s right, our 1st ever Back To School catalog was mailed out this past Friday.  This is a supplement to our Spring 2009 catalog that you probably already have a copy of.  Don’t worry, everything in the Spring catalog is still available.

Once you receive your copy you will find our Back To School 2009 collection (BTS) has grown to 10 prints for this important season.  We have also made some changes everyone will be happy with.  Here is a list of some:

• New 20% larger size lunch totes
• New “super easy to embroider” pocket on the backpack and mini backpack
• Brand new 3 ring binder design.  You will be amazed how easy the new design is to embroider.  We have also added an extra reinforcement layer so they will hold up loaded with over 30 pounds of papers!
• After of a lot of requests, we have finally added a Roller Backpack to our BTS assortment!  Available in 4 prints.
• Lower price points on our storage and organization line.  This year retails are from $18 to $24.  In the past, everything was $28.

We decided to publish the BTS supplement this year because we were hearing from everyone that they wanted to wait to book BTS until July because they wanted to see what we’d have new.  Well, no need to wait this year!  Book it now and you’ll have it in your stores beginning June 1st.  With schools beginning earlier and earlier every year, it is important to have your BTS display setup no later June 15th if you want to compete with the major stores for this business.

You will also find some of the prints in the supplement are marked LTD EDITION.  This means it is a limited edition print just for the BTS season.  Inventory will only be available until it runs out, and it is only available in the BTS silhouettes.  So get it while you can!

We’re looking forwards to our best Back To School season ever.  Consumers are still spending on their kids.  Don’t miss out on your piece of this lucrative business!  Place your order today.

Jamie

Tags: 2009, B2B, back to school, backpacks, BTS, catalog, lunchtotes