It seems Merra-Lee is associated with fond memories for customers as well as for those of us who’ve worked here.  I know Halloween just won’t be the same to me without Clifford in our alcove terrorizing…I mean handing out candy to adorable Trick-or-Treaters.

We always had such fun partying with our customers at special events, like the NAOT V.I.P. Royal-Tea party,  and being serenaded by the Merry Carolers throughout the shops during Christmas walk—they’ll be back this year!

We’d love for you to share your fondest Merra-Lee memories with us in the comments below.  If you’ve got pictures or would like to have your story put up as it’s own post, just e-mail me at bev@merralee.com and I’ll set you up.  (And hey, we’ll be happy to hear about new memories you make with fabulous deals at our Going Out of Business Sale, starting tomorrow—doors open at 9am.)

Solmate Socks are crafted with care in the USA from recycled cotton. By sourcing cotton yarns from recycled materials, the company is creating an environmentally responsible cotton product by reducing the amount of virgin cotton that needs to be grown and helping reduce landfill waste.

Marianne Wakerlin is the founder and owner of Solmate Socks. Marianne’s mother taught her how to knit when she was nine years old, but it wasn’t until she started knitting socks that her real passion was born.  Over the years Marianne knit over one hundred pairs of socks for family and friends. She then decided to turn her hobby into a business and in the year 2000 Solmate Socks was born. Her colorful and complex patterns are knit in the USA at a family owned knitting mill, hand finished and then “mismatched with care.”

The company is run in a small town in central Vermont, where the Socklady is surrounded and inspired by the woods, brook, gardens and hills of the countryside.

All Geneva Diva scarves are 100% wool with felting and feature unique details, like vintage buttons.

After washing and shrinking the sweaters, the designer cuts them into strips and lays them all out so she can see her full collection of colors and patterns.  Then the fun begins as she matches up a variety of pieces and cuts them into interesting and attractive designs.

Each Scarf Diva creation is a truly one-of-a-kind piece, and our customers are having a lot of fun finding the one that’s just right for them.

]]> http://www.merralee.com/blog/2011/11/the-scarf-diva-comes-to-the-meeting-place/feed/ 0 http://www.merralee.com/blog/2011/09/fabulous-fall-footwear/ http://www.merralee.com/blog/2011/09/fabulous-fall-footwear/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:24:37 +0000 Bev http://www.merralee.com/blog/?p=2486 New Naot shoe styles this fabulous deserve party!  One day’s not enough, so we’re celebrating from Thursday, September 22 all the way to Sunday, September 25! And it wouldn’t be a party without presents, so our gift to you is a 10% discount on your Naot purchases during the party.  (Store hours: Thurs 10am-7pm; Fri & Sat 10am-5:30pm; Sun noon-4pm)

All the new Naot styles will be on hand in a variety of sizes, and our Naot experts will be at the ready to help you find the footbed and style that’s just right for you. Expert craftsmanship, innovative technology, and attention to detail are what set Naot shoes apart from other fashion footwear.  Be sure to ask about our Frequent Footer and Friendly Footer Naot discount clubs while you’re here.

Now, how about a sneak peek at just a few of our personal favorites?

The Radical is a fashionable maryjane with a faux patent button hook & loop closure and a patent toecap. This style has a padded heel cup for extra comfort & support and inside gore at the instep for adjustability. Naot’s anatomic cork & latex footbed is wrapped in pampering suede and molds to the shape of the foot with wear. From the Avant-garde Collection; 2″ TPR sole with metal shank; Narrow to medium fit.

The Culture is a fashionable maryjane with three upper straps. The top strap has a hook & loop closure and the middle strap has gore for adjustability. The Culture has a padded heel cup for extra comfort & support. Naot’s anatomic cork & latex footbed is wrapped in pampering suede and molds to the shape of the foot with wear.  From the Avant-garde Collection; 2″ TPR sole with a metal shank; Narrow to medium fit.

The Legend is a beautiful boot with a layered leather look & faux leather buttons. The Legend has an inside zipper for accessibility & gore for adjustability. This style has a heel cup for stability and support & a padded shaft for ultimate comfort. This style features padded technical lining which provides comfort and warmth. This style has a 5.25″ shaft. Naot’s anatomic cork & latex footbed is wrapped in pampering suede and molds to the shape of the foot with wear. The Avant-garde Collection features a 2″ TPR sole with a metal shank. Narrow to medium fit.

Here’s a peek at 8 trends for Fall/Winter 2011:

Fur - Fashions have gone wild!  Mixed animal prints are as strong as ever and now fur has joined the safari

Velvet - Crushed velvets with a gentle sheen add an interesting texture and touch of elegance to casual dressing

Graphic Print – Fun, with a touch of drama

Capes and Ponchos – A cozy trend this fall and winter in all sorts of fabrications and colors

Sheer Shoulders – Tease ‘em just a little bit with peek-through lace at the shoulders

Peplum - A feminine flounce at the waist to show off that girlish figure

Lace - As accents or across whole garments, modern lace designs are a must this season

Ruffles - On sweaters, coats, everywhere!

Real Simple Magazine recently posted an excellent series of articles on how to flatter specific body types through fashion—what to wear and what not to wear. Here’s a quick and dirty summary from our buyers—study up and then come into Merra-Lee, The Meeting Place, and Boutique 15 and let our new summer fashions work their magic!  The principles below also apply to formal styles at The East Room.

Apple Shape:  Tends to carry the most weight around the midsection.

Apple shapes should wear:

• Angular lines
• Wrap tops
• Anything with a corset-style structure
• Pleating and gathering under the bust
• Deep v-necks and scoop necks
• Straight-leg bottoms
• Higher-waisted pants and pants with a bit of stretch to hold stomach in

Apple shapes shouldn’t  wear:

• Extreme A-lines, or anything too blousy that lacks shape
• Busy details like pocketing on top half
• Patterns that don’t match overall size (e.g. don’t wear small prints on a bigger frame)

Pear Shape:  Smaller on top/bigger on bottom

Pear Shapes should wear:

• Darker colored pants with stiff or stretch fabric
• Seams that run down the front of the leg
• Fluted skirts
• Lower and thicker waistbands
• Tops that are slightly A-line
• Low-slung tunic tops
• ¾-length jackets and tops

Pear Shapes shouldn’t wear:

• Fading on your denim, which highlights trouble areas
• Too-tight tops
• Attention-grabbing pocket details on the hips and thighs

Hourglass Shape: Curvy around bust and hips with smaller waist

Hourglass Shapes should wear:

• Simple, solid shapes
• Thick belts
• Pencil skirts
• Volume around the shoulder
• Wrap tops, scooped and boatneck necklines
• Bootcut or flare pants

Hourglass shapes shouldn’t wear:

• Ruffles
• Frills
• Lapels
• Busy patterns
• Straight, boxy shapes

Boy Shape:  Straight up and down

Boy shapes should wear:

• Details at the bust such as ruffles, wraps and rouching
• Sleeveless tops and halters
• High-waisted skirts
• Bootcut pants and jeans, with a lower rise

Boy shapes shouldn’t wear:

• Menswear-inspired styles
• Straight cuts
• “Boyfriend” jeans

Cut Loose clothing is for women who aren’t willing to sacrifice fashion for comfort and visa versa—that’s why it’s become one of the most popular designers at The Meeting Place.  Cut Loose began out of a box on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, when two enterprising expatriates decided to bring European flair to California and sold dyed cotton T-shirts and drawstring pants to passers by.  Because there were no dressing rooms on the wharf, sizes had to be forgiving, and that tradition continues today but with a much wider variety of styles, which can be dressed up or down, in an array of soothing and fun colors.

The skirts are a trendy new twist on a 1980s pattern for tennis skirts. It’s a fresh and flexible look that can be dressed down or up and is convenient for packing since it can be folded up like an accordion.

The style lends itself perfectly to Livermore’s penchant for mixing various textiles from previously worn clothing because the skirts are made from strips of different, but coordinating, men’s suit and pant fabrics. Men’s trousers have never before looked so good!

Beverly donates most of her profits to charity, including a sewing school in Honduras and the Glenwood School for Boys and Girls in St. Charles.  The Geneva Patch recently featured Beverly in the article linked below:

Local Designer specializes in “New Again” Fabrics

Mark scoured our basement, attic, and other nooks and crannies for very cool display pieces—which didn’t seem nearly so cool until he got a hold of them:

Note the luggage display - Naot shoes are perfect travel companions!

New French door entrance to She She

Color is an important factor this spring and summer, as well as geometric shapes, particularly circles.    Warmer colors are appearing in metals, such as copper tones, antiqued silver, and tri-colored necklaces and earrings.  We’re also seeing an emphasis on eco-friendly materials such as wood and bone. The Meeting Place has an interesting collection of rings made from replenishable Tagua Nuts.

Strands will start to get thinner and more graceful as we move into the summer season. But simple doesn’t have to be bland. Charms and vintage elements are going to be very big in costume jewelry this year, but on thinner chains and spread out more so each charm can be appreciated.  Also, semi-precious gemstones are still popular, like this collection of rings by Anne Koplick.

For bracelets, look for edgy antiqued metal cuffs and leather embellished cuffs, as well as multi-layered bangles.