I envisioned myself selling toys for people like me, people who also felt that getting older wasn't the end of creativity, having fun and possessing a playful view of life.

And a love of clothing my friends still mention a certain red and blue panel skirt I sported in grade 6 that had a plastic white elephant belt buckle. I think that says it all! I believe that fashion is an extension of your personality. It worries me when I see gaggles of people all wearing the same label plastered on their clothing. I wonder if they left their individuality at the door when they left the house this morning! If this makes me a fashion snob, then so be it. But why not experiment? Be creative!

I pay homage to stores like Cinderella's Attic in Royal Oak and Little Rickies in New York - who catered to people like Pee-wee (still my hero after all these years)!

Music has been a huge influence on my life. I was a real teenybopper and followed boy bands like the Osmonds (Sigh…Donny!) and the Bay City Rollers (I have the best Roller Gear in Canada!). I attended my first concert at 10 years old (with another 10 year old!) Now my tastes have matured (thank God), and I love people like Billy Bragg and Jill Sobule. When I was opening my first shop, it was the lyrics of Ani Difranco that gave me the courage to do my own thing and believe in myself. Music is very powerful!

People always ask me where the name Frilly Lizard comes from. Once, when I was coming home from a concert in Detroit (sometime in the 80's), I got lost late at night and ended up near the old Tiger Stadium. I noticed a bar on the corner called the Frilly Lizard Lounge and I thought it was a great name, so that's where it comes from. Commander Salamander was suggested to me by a customer who thought it would be a great companion name to Frilly Lizard. And it was!

So this is what happens to someone who never had a Barbie as a child and who loves The Wizard of Oz! TOTO, I DON'T THINK WE'RE IN KANSAS ANYMORE!!!

SUE GLASS