Suzanne. The dress. Sleek and chic to boho and beautiful...

The Suzanne dresses just came in.  I love them.  Just like my friend, Suzanne.    We met in the early 90's when we both worked for Express in NYC.  It was a crazy job.  Non-stop, selling in a high volume store. We had fun after work and went to the local bars and listened to cool music.  I didn't see her for years, then reconnected with her in 2000.  She's my vacation buddy, style maven extraordinaire, and the first person I go see when I am in NYC.  The Suzanne dress is the epitome of her style - sleek and sophisticated, but breezy and boho at the same time.  It can be worn on or off the shoulder and can go from style vixen (with fab boots or heels), to boho babe (just add flip flops!) The Suzanne dress --- now in store at ME & Blue.  $85 in cotton voile in solids and prints.             XO, M.E. 

late summer inspiration

The end of another week.  Teaching at FIDM, working the boutique, designing new fab styles, and finding time to finally relax for a moment.   Sometimes I wish things were as simple as this photo.   The photo here was taken circa 1979 in Meeker CO.  It's of my sister, Blue...and my Grandmother Shirley.  Grandma looked pretty groovy in that kaftan!  Vacation is coming soon for me.  And I'll be spending time doing nothing with my sister.  I can't wait!  

odds and ends...

I like the name of this post.  Odds and ends.  Old school term for a bit of this, a bit of that.  Usually fun and interesting, but things that don't necessarily connect together. Fortunately, all of these photos connect - I took them (I know, I know.  I need a new camera!).  And they all reflect my design sensibility... from end result (customer wearing an ME & blue dress!), to vintage picks, works in progress, and my favorite flower for the summer.  

Ava... she bought the "Grace" dress in this fun paisley print.  Then she wore it out of the store, hopped on her bike, and rode up Rose Avenue to Whole Foods to shop for groceries.  Even more fabulous about her?  She was only visiting... from Hamburg, Germany.  What a cool woman. She's a business coach and has been living in SoCal for the past couple of months.  

The sunflower that just bloomed outside of the front entrance.  ooh!  Thanks Big Red Sun.  Owner Selena planted these seeds a couple of months ago.  They are so much fun!

In progress - ruched waistbands for the harem pants I'm designing.  So many details to work out for the perfect fit!  

The groovy vintage needlepoint DIY vest now in store.  So fun.  

This post was inspired by Erin Tavin's recent post.  (photo above of her was grabbed from her blog).  I love her store that recently opened in Echo Park.  My boyfriend and I stopped by to say hello last weekend.  It's magical.  Creative.  Ooh, how I love to meet people who are true to their creative vision!  I need a free day to come over and show her my designs to carry in her boutique...http://blogbytavin.blogspot.com/

ooh! My first Webisode sighting. Musician Lisa Nemzo!

I love how amazing the web is.   Customer and musician Lisa Nemzo is wearing the Goddess dress in the first webisode for her new album, "Unlock My Heart".  That ME & Blue flame print Goddess dress looks fabulous on her!  

She talks about her music, her latest release, inspiration, and more on her webisode.  What a talent!

http://www.youtube.com/lisanemzo to check out her music.

XO, M.E. 

Website in the works... Now and then.

I'm still trying to fine tune my website details.  But today I took a few moments to speak with my graphic designer about what the site should look like.  I've been open here in Venice, CA for over 2 months, so I'm looking forward to the new site!  Things have changed a lot in the evolution of the ME & Blue brand.  Now my focus is on color, sunshine, warmth, and inviting people through the front garden into the boutique. 

then...

In Philadelphia from 2000 to 2006, the focus of ME & Blue was also on on color, sunshine (streaming through the upstairs window), and being on the 2nd floor.  (The challenge was to make customers walk up a tall flight of stairs...it worked for 6 years! 

 I love the evolution of the brand and style of my boutique.  From Philly and a loft-style boutique, to Venice with a sunny bungalow.  Stay tuned for updates on the site!  

XO, M.E.

Collage craziness...

I like to take my Sundays to relax and try to catch up on my magazines.  Here's a glimpse inside my ideas for styles that come from my collage book.  I'm also testing fabrics for wash/wear for my fall sweaters.  Let's see what other ideas I come up with today.  

Swedish style with a Venice twist.

It seems like lots of customers have been coming in during August from Europe.  Ireland, Italy, and today - Sweden!   Except these Swedish girls are her studying at Santa Monica Community College. 
They had a style twist that made me ask where they were from.  I'm fascinated by Stockholm and the style sense that goes on there.   Here are Michaela (right) and Sanna (left).  Check out the high waisted acid-washed denim skirt, self-styled fringe t-shirt and cutoff shorts,  big sunglasses, and cute striped shoes (from Indiska in Sweden).  My favorite...they are true LA girls.  They just came from a pedicure at my favorite mani/pedi place, Mainly Nails.  Love it!

psst.  I'm working on getting a better camera.  Any tips for a good brand that's easy to use?

 XO, M.E.  

big sunglasses, big fun!

Yesterday the sun wasn't shining so bright, but I had a bunch of color from my fun customers.

Big sunglasses seem to appeal to women of all ages.  They all had a lot to say on this not-so-sunny day and made me smile.  The big sunglasses they wear have big personalities behind them...

Uncle Ruthie Buell (left).  She sports her own groovy sunglasses that match her fun style as is the host of "Halfway Down the Stairs" on KPFK, 90.7 FM here in LA.  Check out her offbeat sense of humor on her self-titled show!  

http://www.kpfk.org/programs/113-halfwaydownthestairs.html

Along with Ruthie came her cousin, Susan Wooldrige (right).  She's also a ball of fun and uber-talented.  The author of "Foolsgold:  Making Something from Nothing and Freeing Your Creative Process"... we talked about creativity, keeping journals, and wearing things that make us feel and look good.  She bought the big sunglasses, too...and plenty of ME & Blue dresses.  (Thanks Susan!)  

http://www.amazon.com/Foolsgold-Something-Nothing-Freeing-Creative/dp/0307341488

Then one of my students, Katelyn showed up.  And ALSO bought big, over-the-top sunglasses.   We laughed as she told me about how what she learned from my FIDM "Selling Techniques" class made her the new favorite salesperson at her part-time job in Ventura.  She took big selling ideas taught in my class and outsold her fellow workers recently.  300 boxes of Pop Tarts in a single day.   She outdid the sales goal for the day and was a big hit.  Hmmm...maybe sales will be even better when she wears her new shades! 

Sport some big sunglasses (shown in the lovely flower garden outside) and watch your big personality appear!  $18 at ME & Blue.  

XO, M.E.

FIDM style...

I teach part-time at FIDM.  My students have a range of styles.  There's been a summer uniform that I have seen (lots of cutoff denim), but now things are progressing into fall trends.  Here are Erin (black hat), and Katelynn (FIDM bag).  These photos were taken this morning before heading down to the New Mart to check out showroom displays.  Style takeaway...mix it up.  Have fun.  Accessorize.  Floppy hats, aviators, boyfriend jackets, comfy (but cute!) shoes, chain necklaces, studded details, mini skirts with a bit of poof, and black are all fab for fall.  And the classic vintage handbag is my fave.   XO, M.E. 

fabulous...Meghan. These hoodies are sooo cute!

I design most things for the store, but I can't pass up on buying from another California gal. Meghan. She's fabulous. And glamorous. Like if I had a sister who bedazzled everything, but in a fun, tasteful way. She's an expert at designing clothes that turn heads. When I had my boutique in Philly, she came for a trunk show with DJ Sasha who now runs her company.   It was a ton of fun.  She was a sunny addition to the gloomier weather that we had there.  Now I'm in LA, and I still love her style.  Check out the Andy hoodies. $129. Super fabulous, just like Meghan. Now in store at ME & Blue.   Just in time for a slight chill in the air.  More fabulous pieces for fall are coming!  XO, M.E.  

p.s. - photos and image of Meghan courtesy of Meghan Fabulous.  

New! Pixie dresses. Inspired by a fun loving girl.

My latest dress personifies the daughter of one of my long time friends. Pixie has a proper name, but I prefer to call her "Pixie". Check out her photos, and you'll know why.

Just like the versatile dress that she is named after, Pixie is fun and whimsical.

Just like the newest dress at ME & Blue, dear Pixie has a solid 'feminine with a twist' personal style, that does not follow the trends, but sets them.

Pixie loves art and nature based with a deep love of the earth and ocean. All creatures large and small hold a place dear in her heart. Her last birthday party was held at the SPCA and she requested that all "presents" were donations to the animals in need. 

Pixie is a high-spirited girl.  She is always up for a good prank and a real laugh--but never at the expense of someone else's feelings. 


             

Pixie spends most of her time outdoors and is never short on the kind word or just a nice snuggle at the end of the day with the ones she loves.  Watch out boys...

"Pixie" dress - available at ME & Blue. $75. Layer it with a long sleeve tee or groovy vintage jacket as the seasons change. Select styles available with a matching sash. Dress it up or down with accessories. When the weather turns chilly, pair it with tights and well worn boots.

XO, M.E.

Details, details...

Wow.  I love learning new stuff...like all the ways I can do finishes and edges on my garments, pleat and treat fabric. Or how to make stretchy elastic waistbands for the harem pants now in development.  I visited an old school factory outside of downtown LA the other day. There wasn't a computer in sight. Just old school machines and people working hard. Here are some images.  And the visit to the dye house...that was cool, too.  But that's another blog.  XO, M.E. 

in production...fall cowl sweaters

In LA, if the temperature dips below 80, we all start bundling up. Since it's a desert climate, it's cold, it's hot, it's cold. We need our layers. I'm working on fall designs and I love this new style. The Lorisa (named after a friend of mine in Philly).

I met with one of my pattern makers (seen above and below) and tweaked the sample by making the sleeves slimmer, adding thumb holes, and a detachable hood/cowl that looks like it's really attached, but can be worn separately if you need so. I'm road testing this style to make sure the fabric holds up with my wear and tear. Take a look.

Ooh! I like it already...

More styles are in the works. I can't wait to share them with you. (fyi - the harem pants I'm wearing are also in the works. I'm working on colors, a groovy waistband, and more). XO, M.E.

Pendant-o-rama! vintage pendants with fresh charm...

I recently met a local jewelry designer who is helping collaborate on the latest ME & Blue designs... jewelry!  I have gobs and gobs of vintage parts --- a missing earring, a fab brooch that doesn't clasp right, a pretty bead.  So... we repurposed these fab pieces into fun pendants.  Vintage charms hang on new, gold-filled and sterling silver chains.  $32 to $55 shown here.  All different, all super easy to throw on and go.  XO, M.E.