Yes, you certainly can purchase unsold items currently on the site.

New Merchandise

I put status announcements about incoming merchandise/upcoming & recent postings on the FRONT PAGE of the web site. That will be the most up-to-date solid information I have, so check there first.

Under normal operations, I am constantly posting new items, at least several costumes every week or so.

Currently I'm moving at a slower pace (which will be increasing). I do have some things in stock not on the website: a few small groups of troupe costumes, a good number of DECORATED ($225+) bras and belts (all $135/$155 basics are posted or listed). Only a couple of higher end costumes. I have a fair number of gently used, pre-loved high end costumes that I'll be posting. I will be getting new stock from my supplier. I JUST CAN'T SAY WHEN and I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS COMING IN.

In general I can't answer questions about in-stock items that are not posted on the site -- so it will save time if you don't ask! If you just HAVE to, please see the FAQ's below BEFORE sending any questions, thank you!

As of late October, I have started posting in-stock merchandise. Check the announcement box on the front page of the site.

I really do not have any more to tell you should you inquire -- so it will save time if you don't! Please see the FAQ's below BEFORE sending any questions, thank you!

In general, the best I can suggest is to check back every week or two and see if it looks like I've started moving again towards updating and uploading new costumes (this should begin occuring by early November 2008 at the latest). Even before this past half year or so, before things started getting really hairy, I had for the most part stopped doing major uploads of many costumes at once, and instead was spreading them out over time. That is how I see things continuing. Slowly at first, then with increasing frequency as the current situation(s) improve.

I WILL respond to new inquiries including sending shipping costs, though it may take several days to a week-ish. EMAIL will get faster responses! I don't purposefully answer emails first, but it can be difficult for me to find time to make phone calls (I have a 3-1/2 year old daughter)

Answers will be prioritized somewhat according to subject, although the order inquiries are recieved in is definitely important. See below for an example list of questions and the priority placed on them (you may save yourself some time by reading this). It is below, click here.

Tip: if you are asking a question that is CLEARLY answered on the web site, your inquiry is going to have a lower priority.

NORMAL processing time (the time it takes before your order is actually shipped) is from 1 (same day - you got lucky) to 6 business days (under normal circumstances unlikely to be maximum seven days).

As of 11/5/08: processing time is 1 (you got lucky) to 14 calendar days. It is pretty unlikely that it will take the maximum 2 weeks. However, things are still unpredictable enough that I don't feel fair in absolutely guaranteeing less!

Please be assured that I am working as hard as I can on all aspects of the Boutique, and will get your order shipped as soon as possible.

If the possibility of waiting this long is even slightly unacceptable -- please don't order! I do not want you to be angry or disappointed should I need the maximum time.

I'm extremely frustrated by this, I DON'T think it's really acceptable for customers to pay for in stock items and then potentially wait that long for them to be shipped.

This situation is temporary; it's either run this way for now, or shut down. If I did shut down while I catch up and the outside obligations pass, I sincerely doubt I'd be starting up again.

• "Can I order this sold costume? Can I order this costume in another size? Will You get more?"

  In a word, NO. NOTHING THAT IS "SOLD" IS ORDERABLE OR OBTAINABLE IN ANY WAY. PERIOD. NO MATTER WHERE IT IS ON THE WEBSITE. IF THE WORD "SOLD" IS ON THE DETAIL PAGE OF THE COSTUME(S), IT/THEY ARE GONE. GONE. GONE. G O N E . NOT ORDERABLE, IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY IF THERE WILL BE MORE. There is absolutely no way to order an individual costume of any kind. See below for troupe ordering.

• "Whenever I check everything is sold, how the $@#!! do I buy something?"

  Even when under normal operations, things tend to sell very quickly; you'll find many items are sold most of the time, if you don't catch them soon after the are posted. This is currently exacerbated by the slowdown in everything including posting of new items. Normally I'm constantly adding to the site, averaging one to three or more costumes a week.

• "When Will You Post New Items?"

  I expect to begin posting new items (slowly at first) no later than early November. Hopefully a few sooner.

• "Do you have things not on the website?"

  I'm going to answer honestly so you know items will be on the way. But PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT anything not posted on the site; it significantly slows down the process of GETTING new postings up, and generally I won't be able to sell anything not posted. See below as well.

  I do have some things in stock not on the website: a few small groups (2, 3) of troupe costumes, a good number of DECORATED ($225+) bras and belts (all $135/$155 basics are posted or listed). Only a couple of new higher end costumes. I have a fair number of gently used, pre-loved high end costumes that I'll be posting. I will be getting completely new stock. I JUST CAN'T SAY EXACTLY WHEN I'll be getting any of this on to the site. Hopefully I'll be uploading a few here and there during October and definitely by November. I'll post status updates when there is any change in the situation. Under normal operations, I am constantly posting new items, at least several costumes every week or so. I am working as much and as fast as I can!

• "Can I buy something not posted on the website? Can you tell me if you have XYZ and/or when it will be posted?"

  In a word, NO. I won't sell something without the customer seeing a photo and getting exact measurements. In other words, I really can't sell you something that is NOT already posted on the site. Yes, technically I could spend time on the phone with you, digging through costumes, describing things I have, measuring them, taking some photos to send to you... but as much as I'd like to, I DON'T HAVE TIME!!!!

  I understand wanting to find out what is going to be available, but most of the items not posted are unmeasured and unphotographed. Dealing with this type of question is extremely time consuming, and actually delays my getting items onto the site. So, PLEASE refrain from calling/emailing this type of inquiry.

  HOWEVER if you want to email and say something along the lines of "FYI I am looking for xyz; you don't need to answer, Karolinka, just wanted to let you know in case it helps you decide what to post next" -- that is exactly what that will do; help me prioritize what I work on next. Just PLEASE specifically note in your email that you aren't expecting a personal answer, so I don't lose my already stressed out mind! There is a chance that if something DOES leap to mind and I'm able, I will let you know... but again, I can't promise and you shouldn't expect it.

  If you REALLY have an "emergency", I'll do what I can. Just wanting a new costume is not an emergency (oh, I know it IS, but try not to think like a belly dancer!). Same caveat as given for many of these questions: right now is a difficult time and I just may not be able to do anything. Even under normal circumstances I would not promise that I could. But you can try and if I can help I will. Email specifics (include EXACT dates of performances that whatever it is is needed by, don't say "I need xyz in late December"; include your exact measurements - normal undergarment bra size, true waist if looking for a dress, upper hip/belt, hip at widest, height, weight; include as exact a description of what you want as possible and how married you are to those specifics; any deal breaking or absolutely required details). Note: extremely difficult to help when it's a request for something that is not super specific and frequently available. Specific and generally available is "a gold fancy basic bra and belt set with paillettes, to match the rest of my troupe". If you ask for "a blue cabaret costume, a stretch type, not chiffon, something really fancy" -- ack. That covers a lot of ground, very difficult to interpret your tastes.

• "Can you email me when you get (something specific) or post anything new - Can I get on a mailing list?"

  Unfortunately I don't have the resources to keep track of requests and personally alert people when something they want (or something "like" what they want) comes in. I get literally hundreds of requests like this. That would mean running down a huge list each time something comes in. However, that being said, I DO keep an informal "request" list. I can't promise anything, but I'll put you on it and if what you are looking for jumps out at me and I'm able, I will let you know. It's just not something I can guarantee!

  As far as sending out general mass emails when "something new comes in," similar problem. I have new things all the time. Even automated mass mailings take time. However, every once in a while I DO send out an email about an especially large posting or sale, and I will ***definitely *** be happy to put you on my mailing list. I save emails of most regular customers and most people who have contacted me (thought sometimes I miss a few). You can let me know anytime if you DON'T want to be on it (I never share or sell emails, ever).

• Limited Ordering of Custom Troupe costumes (five minimum; in the $135-$250 levels):

  Even as a troupe order it is STILL IMPOSSIBLE to order an exact costume that has already been made; if you order troupe costumes they will be "similar" in design to details/photos you give, but never exact (different workers, variations in available materials, etc.) Most troupe ordering can only be done twice a year, during my supplier's trips to the Mid East. These occur in the early spring, and late summer-fall (exact times vary). Ordered custom troupe costumes therefore come IN twice a year, 1 to 2 months after those trips. Say, roughly in May/June, October/November. So if it is July and you need a troupe costume in 6 weeks - generally not possible. Contact me for details if you are seriously interested and can fit within the above restrictions.

This list starts at the top with high priority inquiries (answered sooner) and goes down to low priority inquiries, assuming approximately equal arrival time of inquiries (within couple of days of each other, or a week if busy):

High Priority, answered sooner:
• Shipping cost for item that you have already paid for ("reserve ordering")

• A specific request for a shipping cost on a specific item (and which inludes all necessary information as described in NUMEROUS places on the website)

• A question checking to see if something that is listed as in stock (in other words, does NOT say SOLD) is actually still available (I certainly do my best to immediately update the site when something is sold, but sometimes there are delays, mistakes; so it never hurts to check)

• A question about an item that has been shipped (you received the shipping notification email from me) and is at least four days past the estimated arrival date.

  Answered after higher priority inquiries....

• "Do you think this (specific costume) will fit me?" (and you HAVE read "how to buy a costume that fits", as is suggested in NUMEROUS places on the site, and taken ALL of your own measurements (instructions included in that document). I have done every possible thing I can to carefully measure the costumes and give you instructions on interpreting the measurements, there is really little else I can do. However, I understand when, say, you might be borderline compared to the measurements and want SOMETHING to help... I will answer you, I know buying long distance is tricky and risky. Be SURE and tell me in your email that you have indeed Read and Measured, or I will take longer to get to you (and in a case like this give me your measurements and be as specific as you can about what you are worried about).

• a general question about shipping costs, such as "how much does it cost to send something to antarctica?" Tthe answer is, "I don't know, it depends on the weight and these days when it is sent (shipping costs have been fluctuating); how soon you want it -- rush charges may apply -- if you want regular or expedited shipping..... etc." In other words, to even get an "estimate" I have to do real calculations, which take a good bit of time, ESPECIALLY international shipping costs.

• "Can you put me on a general mailing list for when you receive/post new items?" See FAQ above.

• "Do you have anything in stock that is not on the website?" See FAQ above.

  Low priority, answered after all higher priority (because answers to these are CLEARLY stated usually in numerous places on the website; either you missed them.... and now know to go look..... or you didn't pay attention/didn't want to take time to read) -- these types of questions are not only annoying but waste both your and my time; time I could be spending posting new items or shipping or etc.!

• "Do you have anything that will fit me/can you let me know when something comes in?" See FAQ above.

• "Do you think this (specific costume) will fit me?" (and you haven't read "how to buy a costume that fits", as is suggested in NUMEROUS places on the site, and/or you haven't taken your own measurements). The answer, when I get to you, will be, "Read 'how to buy a costume that fits', as is suggested in NUMEROUS places on the site, and take your own measurements (instructions included in that document). I have done every possible thing I can to carefully measure the costumes and give you instructions on interpreting the measurements, there is really little else I can do, and the final decision is up to you -- you have your body, I don't. If you still have questions after that, email me again, and be sure to say in your emal you have Read and Measured, include your measurements, and be as specific as you can about what your concern is."
  If (after doing the above) there is something specific you truly don't understand about my instructions or the measurements of a specific costrume, or if it looks like there may be an error in the measurements, I'll be happy to help. But in your email be sure and tell me you read and measured.

• "Can I order this SOLD Item? I'm checking to see if there might be an extra one of these SOLD items or if you will be getting any more." The answer to these questions are stated all over the website (usually in obnoxious red print). Also see FAQ above.