Thanksgiving & Black Friday

I have been travelling over Thanksgiving for the last 2 years, thus I'm a bit out of the loop with the whole Black Friday shopping....I'm honestly slightly disappointed in how many shops/stores are opening earlier and earlier ON Thanksgiving Day -WHAT??!!  Isn't this a time to be thankful for what you HAVE, not race around & fight crowds to buy even more?

So, first & foremost, 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

I am SO thankful for my wonderful husband and the greatest family & friends anyone could ask for!

This year I will be celebrating up North in Duluth and the only plan I have for Black Friday is hitting up the Smartwool sale for some fabulous wool socks & possibly a pair of slippers or if I'm lucky enough a warm sweater for my hubby.

I just can't imagine dealing with the crazy crowds just to "score some deals" -which are often not even all that great....  My suggestion is to check out what's happening ONLINE, as many sales are starting NOW, and then support your LOCAL boutiques on Small Business Saturday!

There are a TON of "sales" and deals happening, and I completely understand how great it is to SAVE $$ on anything....especially as we approach "the season of giving." Thus, here are a few of the sales that I might checkout at some point in the next few days:

One of my favorite local boutiques, Houndstooth, will be having a FABULOUS sale on Black Friday -one that you really don't want to miss....2 locations, one in Savage & one in Eden Prairie.

Nelle handbags has FREE shipping & 20% off her gorgeous handbags from November 22-26, use code: HOLIDAY

Hot Mama = 15% off EVERYTHING storewide NOW until November 25 (in stores & online)

Shopbop is offering up to 35% off with code: BIGEVENT12

25% off & free ship on everything at Madewell code: TREAT

Get 25% off your purchase at J. Crew with code: COLOR25

J.Crew Factory- 40% off of everything! Plus 15% off when you spend $100 or more!  

Club Monaco has an extra 30% off sale items

Up to 50% off at Nordstrom (Um, hello sale on Equipment blouses!)

Bloomingdales- Up to 50% off and $25 off every $200 you spend

30% off sale items at DVF with code: HOLIDAYSALE

Last Call by Neiman Marcus- extra 40% off everything including clearance!

Steve Madden- 25% off plus free shipping with code: GIVE25

Happy Shopping!  ....and of course, enjoy the time spent with family & friends! 

GIVE THANKS for all you have!

October

October is finally here....and to celebrate these fabulous 31 days of cool, fall weather, a local designer is showing her love for her fans/customers with a giveaway.

NELLE is a designer of gorgeous handbags + clutches. She has been featured in countless bridal magazines, sells her clutches at the gorgeous l'atelier couture, and even had pieces that were sold on Anthropologies's wedding partner site, Bhldn! AMAZING!

The owner, Laura Nelli is conducting an extremely generous giveaway this ENTIRE month of October...giving away a clutch EVERY DAY!! Find her on facebook, like her page, and then sign up to win - it's that easy!

If you haven't checked our her gorgeous pieces, now is the time! I own 3 of her pieces and LOVE them! (Check out a post I did about her collection last winter HERE.)

View her collections at nellehandbags.com ....and sign up for her giveaway here!

GOOD LUCK & Happy Fall!

Local Accessories Designer we LOVE: NELLE

Finding that perfect handbag can often be a total challenge. Whether you know the exact price-point, style, color, and fabric you are hunting for, or you have no idea--it doesn't seem to matter, there are times when you just can't find the perfect one.

We are lucky to have SO many fabulous local designers here in the Twin Cities. From accessories, to handbags, to casual styles, and even wedding gowns--we have many talented people! NELLE is one of these amazing local brands. Laura Nelli is the brains behind this accessories line, and I can't say enough great things about her. She not only is talented, but also a wonderful and amazing woman. Here is a little bit about how she began her business taken right from her website:

In 2004, with no more sewing experience than a pillow she had constructed in home economics class, Laura Nelli, with a load of determination, a used sewing machine, and a library card, set out to learn the art of handbag design.

Her handbags, clutches, and accessories are available for purchase online and in several boutiques (30+) across the country. With price-points ranging from $60-$190, her products are well worth the investment, as they are hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind. I know that when I leave my house carrying one of my NELLE pieces no one will have the same one. Being unique is so much more fun than joining the crowd and carrying the same LV bag that your best friend has!! I ordered her HAROLD chevron bag (pictured above right) for "Christmas" and I totally and completely LOVE IT! It is a perfect size to hold everything I need and is easy and comfortable to carry. I have received TONS of compliments on it already.


And, because she was SO KIND, and I told her not to rush on getting it sent to me by Christmas, she sent one of her AMAZING clutches along with it!! It is perfect, as it is the colors for my wedding....ivory paired with black & brown! (pictured left) It couldn't be more perfect, and she couldn't have been a kinder soul to work with!


So....if you are searching for that "perfect" handbag, need a new clutch for the new year, or a gift for your sister, check out her website or find her at any of these MN locations:
Flutter Boutique-Minneapolis, Smart & Chic-Minneapolis, Picky Girl-St. Paul, Waters of Superior-Duluth.

You will not be disappointed!

Fall Fashion: what we're LOVING

CAMEL... a FABULOUS, yet often forgotten, neutral color that can be paired with just about anything!

I am loving the amount of camel (in various shades) that is popping up in the fall fashions....khaki and anything utilitarian/military inspired was big for summer and we can see that style continuing as we get closer to cooler weather.

Camel is a very versatile and neutral color for everyone's wardrobe...it can be paired with black, brown, navy, white, and prints. Whether it is a basic camel/khaki trench coat, like the amazing one below from Anthropologie, a simple camel wool skirt, or a fun yet functional camel handbag, anyone can work a lot or just a little camel into their attire. *The handbag pictured below is just now finally available online, and is made locally by NELLE, check out her other pieces in her new HAROLD line as well as her fabulous clutches and accessories here.

In J.Crew's fall fashion photo shoot we see a lot of the color camel, as well as fur and the typical fabulous jewelry J.Crew has been known for lately. This is all thanks to Jenna Lyons, the creative director--now recently named President of J.Crew. Her fresh ideas and love of high end fashion has definitely given a new sparkle to what used to be a store that we thought was rather drab, and somewhat "too old" for us in our 20's. I have definitely become more and more of a fan of their clothing and jewelry in the last few years!!

How to wear CAMEL?? there are SO many ways...

• wool camel skirt: white blouse, dark colored tights, dark brown heels, and lots of fabulous layered jewelry
• camel blazer/jacket: silk tank or simple v-neck pocket tee, your favorite DARK jeans, and a pair of heels (any color--they don't have to be camel!)
• traditional camel wool coat: the most neutral color fall & winter coat to wear over any color dress or skirt
  
• camel corduroys: instead of the traditional dress pants for work, change it up--pair a fun, print blouse with camel cords and either heels or flats and you're set
  
• camel accessories: instead of the same black belt and shoes, change it up--wear a camel belt and heels with your black dress or suit-it's a great contrasting color to add some interest to a simple outfit

How do you plan to work CAMEL into your fall wardrobe??
Let us know....or share your favorite fall color!