Spreading some Holiday Cheer - Sat 12/14. Noon to 4.

Dear Blog.  I needed an amazing excuse to write.  And this was it.

I tend to think, ponder, then... POUNCE.  And that I did when I decided to put together a last minute holiday event at the boutique.  I know there's a lot going on this time of the year (too much!)... but who can resist a cool DJ,  vintage Christmas sweaters,  yummy treats, and groovy gifts?

Come on down to the boutique on Saturday, December 14th.  

DJ Sleeper lives in the neighborhood, and I can't wait to hear him do some holiday mixed up tunes.  Check out this video to get an idea of what he can do.  I mean, over 1 million views?! 

And Ugly Christmas Sweaters?  Really?  YES.  Check out this commercial and this company that sells a ton of them online even did this funny song.  Even my friends who looked appalled when I told them that I was going to do a capsule collection for the boutique are getting excited about wearing one.  Seriously wearing one is silly, and wearing one is great way to get into the holiday spirit.   

That's me (above).  And I love this little gem.  

The cardinals remind me of my grandma, and that's a good thing.  

And that's Kanya, who works at Big Red Sun.  She can actually wear one as a dress!

Plus, I'll be serving my famous hot cider on Saturday (and all season long).  I might even spike it for you.  And Paige from Flake Restaurant is cooking up some yummy food to keep you going.  

One more thing... 

Hope to see you Saturday!

XO, M.E. 

Happy Birthday, ME & Blue (the Venice version!) is now 3 years old.

Happy 3 year birthday to ME (& Blue)!  As many of you know, I started the ME & Blue brand in 2000 in Philadelphia and had a boutique there for 6 years.  Then I took a break and re-opened the Venice boutique in 2009.  So technically, ME & Blue is 12 years old.  But I did a do-over with this boutique, so I'm happy if we just call it 3 years in Venice.  

Anyway, it feels like yesterday that I was just flipping the "Open" sign for the first time and selling to my first customer, and having an opening party.  Since then,  I have a lot to be thankful for.  I got married, had a baby, and weathered this crazy economy to stay open.  I am thankful everyday when I go to the store and see the pretty garden outside and am able to bring my little girl to work.  She gives a gummy smile to my regular customers, and warmly greets the new ones who finally have said to themselves (and to me..) "I have been driving past this store for months (and years) and finally decided to stop today."  So.. thank you!

Anyway, now thru 6/31/12, spend $50 or more and get a free bracelet.  Tell a friend, bring a friend, and thank you again!  

                                  

XO, M.E. 

Just call me the Instagram Mam...

I've been loving the Instagram app on my Iphone and find it to be an
easy way to capture beauty in my everyday life.

I love it so much that I like to sing this song along to the tune from "Rubber Band Man"...

Just call me the Instagram Mam, OK?

"Hand me down my iphone mam, hand me down my phone,
hurry now and don't be late 'cause we ain't got time to chat"

You and me we're taking photos to catch the latest ideas,
guaranteed to blow your mind, so fun you can't complain"

Hey, y'all prepare yourself
for the Instagram Mam...
You never saw photos
like the Instagram Mam
You're bound to lose control
when the Instagram Mam starts to click

Oh, Lord, this Mam is outta sight
Everything she does
seems to come out right..."

Here are some photos I took this past week.

The Santa Monica Airport flea market

An RV parked near my boutique on Rose Avenue in Venice.  

Me and Bonnie-Blue Sunshine at the end of the day

Lovely building at 824 South Los Angeles Street in downtown Los Angeles

My lovely friend, Cindy Ciskowski in my new design,  the "Blondie" dress.  

You can find more Instagram images at MEandBlue on your Iphone app.  And that song?  Check it out, it's outta sight!



XO, M.E.

Ho Ho Holiday soiree photos...

I'm still sweeping up the tinsel from the fun charades of last night's Holiday Soiree. For more photos, click here!

XO, M.E.

more fun photos...

Photographer Sophie Pangrazzi sent over more photos from the photo shoot on Saturday in Malibu. The Adelaide top looks so pretty as a beach coverup. And she loved the vintage embroidered poncho so much that she bought it. Now all I want to do is go to the beach and learn to surf. I'll settle for laps at the swim club today. Ocean swims later this summer...

And this is the inspiration I need to get my old school Canon out of the closet and take some photos.

XO, M.E.

resolutions or making plans?

Hmm. I always seem to break my resolutions, or so I think. I was taking a spinning class as YAS in Venice the other day and the instructor, Sherri Rosen was getting the class pumped up and yelled out, "Who achieved their resolutions in 2009?" Hmmm. I thought for a second. YAY. I did it! I got my boutique rolling in this tough economy, am in a great relationship, started doing regular volunteer work. I raised my hand in class. Yay.

So now I'm thinking about what the new year will bring. As opposed to resolutions, I'm thinking big and am plotting out how to get things done. Among my list...an open water swimming race this summer, launching the ETSY.com site and the wholesale segment of ME & Blue, and lots more...

As for spinning...I need to keep going and knock off the 30 pounds that I've been resolving to lose year after year.

XO, M.E.

Red Pen alert!

The WONDERFUL WINTER SALE is in full swing...I took out the red pen and went a tad bit crazy with the markdowns. We've got lots of bling (perfect for New Year's) and other fab pieces up to 50% off. Yippee!


XO, M.E.

Hippy chick hair...

I live near my boutique and try to keep things local... Local grocery stores, mom & pop coffee shops, and more.  I guess I hope the "shop local" motto will come back to my bungalow boutique (so far, so good!)  So yesterday I finally made a trip to visit my local favorite hairdresser, Antonio Posa at Trim Salon here in Venice.  

I hadn't seen him in 5 months.  Between opening the boutique, teaching at FIDM, dating a guy who lives 25 miles away, I have been super busy.  I was dealing with my grown out hair by pulling it back in a ponytail on hot days, ignoring the hints of grey at my temples, and  "blow drying" it naturally by leaving the windows open as I made my commute.  When I told Antonio, he was politely appalled.  Oops.  

We chatted about how much we love our dogs, our boyfriends, and living in Venice.  

 

He tells me that everytime he drives past my store he sends good vibes.  

Maybe he'll drive past the store in a month or so and trim my bangs between salon visits.  hint. hint!

    

Here's the result of his work.  I feel like a brand new rock 'n roll girl.  

XO, M.E. 

 

Venice street style --- in a mini form.

Meet Ruby. She comes over to the boutique from Big Red Sun (owned by her mom, Selena). She has fab style and has been giving lots of style suggestions today. So I looked at what she was wearing today and decided to share HER style sense with my customers. 9 year old Ruby loves layering at least 2 (if not more necklaces). Lately she's been wearing a floppy hat with her daily outfits (except when going to bed, or when it's super hot here or in Austin, TX). Hat - Urban Outfitters, Peace Necklace - a friend's 8 year old birthday party giveaway, skunk and "Ruby" necklace - given to her by a friend of the family, long crochet pouch - a gift from the Easter Bunny. Dress - borrowed from Mom (now her's!). Paper bracelet - a leftover from an inner tubing trip taken a couple of weeks ago. Macrame friendship bracelet - 3 of her friends have it. Leather "Live In Love" bracelet given to her by her mom. Chipped nail polish from CVS. When I asked her what her thoughts were on style, she simply said "It's Cool."
Look for more style inspiration on the blog. XO, M.E.

Flower Part...part 2

Ahh! Photos from inside and outside of the boutique. Inside from ME & Blue. Outside, flowers from Big Red Sun. Enjoy.

trend spotting...fabric prints

I design my own line of clothing.  But I'm really a vintage girl at heart.  I love the process of buying vintage clothing.  I have been trying to figure out what makes me buy certain things....hmm.  So as I was out last week, I took some images.  I'm usually drawn towards colors and prints, then towards the feel of the fabric.  Lately, I've been drawn towards certain prints...they all seem to have a graphic element (plaid/crosshatch/lines), then a floral element (fun!)!!!!  All I can think about is the dress that I got at Lerner's back in the early 80's.  Here are some prints that I have been inspired by.  XO, M.E.

more production...

I'm recutting the Julianna (1 shoulder long sleeve), Goddess (one shoulder, shorter!), Candice (hello! my uniform) dresses, and developing new patterns.  I was out and about downtown today.  Summer in LA is so hot.  Taco trucks are everywhere, and I need to be armed with plenty of quarters when parking my car on the street.  The choices of trim and fabric can be a bit overwhelming, but I know the ME & Blue customer...she likes things fun, flattering, and made with her lifestyle in mind.  Here are some glimpses of trim and fabric as I shopped today. New styles arrive new week.  XO, M.E. 

Philly girls in Venice...

Today 2 fun loving girls came in.  Grown women, really...but having a blast.  They were on vacation from Philly, where I lived for 11 years and had the first ME & Blue.  They cruised up on their bikes and parked them outside of the boutique.  One girl looked so familiar.  In this town, familiar means that they're famous and don't want to recognized.  As we started to talk, I realized that she was a former customer of mine from Philly who happened to stumble upon the store during her vacation.   Joy and Kate had a blast shopping today and totally made me smile.  I'm an east coaster at heart, so I love the energy and smarts of these Philly girls who engineered a great vacation for themselves.  They are staying in a cool guest house here in Venice and riding their bikes around to check out the Venice scene.  I hope to see them again before they leave.  They totally made my day!

The Ann Marie a-line skirt at ME & Blue ... reinventing the everyday uniform!

In Philly, ME & Blue was known as the store with the cool a-line skirts.  I even got a "Best of Philly" award one year from Philadelphia Magazine for them.  Every spring, new colors and fabrics arrived.  It paid my bills.   Now in LA,  I've re-invented the a-line, only slightly.  It now has a slimmer cut, a fun hem, and is named after one of my best customers in Philly, Ann Marie.   She always looks fabulous.  As a Producer for NPR's "Fresh Air", she is the epitome of classy and cool chic.  She walks to work from a former candy store turned row home in historic Philadelphia, to her cool job.  To top it off, she has a handsome hubby, and a little girl named Amelia.  She's smart, always has a smile on her face, and personifies how I want you to feel wearing this skirt.   It's time to stop our daily uniform of tees and jeans.  Throw on the new Ann Marie a-line and cute t-shirt instead.  Available at the new ME & Blue in Venice, CA starting 7/11/09.  $78 in a range of cute colors and prints.  Photos shown are styles in production...more to come!  XO

ROA tees by Steve Vintage and Capri Pinto...

During the ME & Blue years in Philadelphia, I knew of a groovy store near mine owned by Steve Vintage (yes, his real name), and his wife Capri.  Like me, they grew tired of the cold northeast winters and F*&^ you attitude that came with the lack of sunshine.  Fast forward a few years, I was in LA at the Rose Bowl and ran into them.  They had relocated to the west coast as well, refocusing their efforts on creative screen printing on t-shirts and vintage clothing for guys and girls alike.  They have 3 labels now, including the ROA tees that I'm now carrying at ME & Blue in Venice.  It's fun to work with them.  They produce their designs in downtown LA and even hand deliver the tees to me.   The response has been good, and it's fun to know people that have seen ME & Blue evolve from an industrial-style loft in Philadelphia, to a sunny bungalow in Venice, CA.