When was the last time you were in a JcPenney store?

JCPenney....the company being over 100 years old, I think we all know or have been to one.
I grew up in a tiny town and we had a JCpenney (it's now called JCP) and I remember it very well..before the days of Internet we would get the "catalog" that was the size of a small child and used by my grandma in her car to prop herself up to see over the steering wheel. When my mom got mad at us, and was prone to tossing things in our direction....the worst was the jcp catalog, you didn't want to be in that cross fire!!
Ok, so it was HUGE, it made the September issue of Vogue look like a pamphlet! But, that is what we had and we would shop from it, fold over the corner of the pages, circle the items we wanted for back to school and mom would call JCP and order.  Then, when it all came in (the most exciting part) you go to the JCP store and pick it all up:)

Now fast forward 20 years...JCP is a lot different in ways, but in others it still reminds me of the store I grew up with.
Just recently as I was on the job search for a new job...Target and JCP stood out to me, I really wanted to work at either place.  While interviewing for a couple other stores, and having to have a degree to be in the Fashion dept at Target...JCP started to look to me as the place I just HAD to work.  So, what did I do? Oh, just what any other gal that knows what she wants would do...I went after it, called the manager and inquired about my application. He was a tad taken  aback by my boldness and said he has never had someone call to "ASK for a career" before!!
I went in for a couple interviews with him and the assistant manager....stating that I just wanted to be a part of this "up and coming thing" I told them that I KNEW Jcp was the next big thing and I just had to be in on it.
With no jobs open at the time that they thought I would be happy with, they sent me on my way and told me that they would contact me if anything opened up.
Well, being not patient...after about a week..I called them again. This time, the manager told me to come asap. When I got there, he has just printed off a brand spanking new JCP position that was going to be available for applicants to apply for in a couple weeks time.
The position was for the Jcp "fashion expert" and after he read the job description to me, I simply said "That job was written for me!!"  He agreed!
With the position not even available to start yet, and I still had a few more interviews to go on. And they too, had to put it out there and interview other applicants....to see if a better fit for the job applied!

I left it up to "If it's meant to be, it will be"  Well, to make the ending short and sweet..it WAS meant to be!!  I'm loving it....the training is a month long, and by October I will start the actual job and I can not wait!!!  It will involve working with clients and helping them find the perfect clothes, shoes, and accessories for them....I'm giddy just thinking about working one on one with people and watching them walk away feeling and looking like a million bucks!

The JCP "face lift" is amazing....come by your local store or stop in ours at the Apache Mall in Rochester, MN..we would LOVE to see you!!

Here is a picture of our brand new Liz Claiborne "shop"...I could live in this one..I adore it, and so do our customers! It's SO chic..and the clothes are classic, and the best part...affordable!

A couple other of my favorites are:
~The Levi's Denim Bar..in our men's section!  Guys..you can come in and sit down and use one of the ipads that are set up to help you find your perfect pair of jeans!
~the JCP shops...both men's and women's. colorful, on-trend, classic pieces for your everyday and work wardrobe!
~Betseyville....I adore Betsey Johnson as a designer..I love her quirky style and now you can get a piece of Betsey at our JCP Betseyville shop!  Shoes, accessories, and yummy sleepwear!
~Cosmopolitan...think sexy, flirty and confident like their magazine!  shoes, bags, sleepwear, bras and panties!
More of our "Shops" include
~ibuffalo by David Britton
~Izod
~Arizona jeans co.
~Dreampop by Cynthia Rowley (for tween girls)
~DC shoe co.
~little maven by Tori Spelling (for the little fashionistas)

We also carry collections by these designers..worth a look at!!

~I "heart" Ronson by Charlotte Ronson
~Olsenboye by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
~Mac+Jac
~Bisou Bisou
~a.n.a
~mng by Mango
~allen b. by Allen Schwartz
~nicole by Nicole Miller
~decree
~ and MUCH more......

As I continue my journey with JCP, I will keep you all up to date as to what is new and happening with the store itself as well as my fashion expert career!!  Can't wait to see you all there!

XO~E