Vegas! Scarves and Jewelry and Socks and More!

Tickled Pink. From Gig Harbor, Washington.

You are in for a treat! I had so much fun choosing accessories and jewelry in Vegas for you today. Most of it will  debut at Renee's in February, March and April. Take a look!

A jewelry line made of piano wires. Silver piano wire necklace.

Piano wire jewelry collage: silver, charcoal, bronze and chocolate necklaces and bracelets.

Charcoal piano wire necklace.

Rock Flower Paper accessories come from San Francisco. I love the navy, green and white stripe lunch bag, bottom left. Small and cute!

Cotton canvas exterior, coated water resistant interior bags. Great color, style and price. Sheer, soft, sweet summer scarves.

New Coobie bra colors!  Blue, pink and lime tie dye. Cobalt blue and Pantone green solids.

Look at these fantastic B.Ella summer socks! Merchandising these great colors out of hundreds of choices made my day. Socks are an easy way to add color and fun to any wardrobe!

I met Marjorie Baer (far right) today. She has a stunning new jewelry collection. Her use of mixed metals--silver, brass and copper--allow her jewelry to work with any other metal jewelry you already own. A timeless, practical and beautiful line.

Tempting colors, soft fabrics and versatility set this sleeve/scarf line apart from others.

Another way to wear a sleeve scarf? A vest!

Delicious coral color.

And next, a new collection from Echo.

The pink booth. Wow! (I am having fun looking for wild and outlandish photo ops.)

Sharan D. commented that the selections shown in yesterdays post are quite different from the ones I have shared from New York in the past. "Is it the venue and vendors, the season, this year's fashion, or your goals on this trip?" she asks.

I came to Vegas to change my routine. I think it's a combination of all of the above. I was hoping to get a little edgier, more fun, and change things up a little bit. I think it's working... Do you?

Thanks for all your comments and love. I'll be back again tomorrow with another shopping update.

With love,
Renee

Vegas Market Trip: Day One Finds for Spring, Summer and Fall

Bright Jams World spring dress arriving in April.

Dear Friends,

I'm having a great time in Las Vegas shopping for you! Cheerful prints and bright colors will make their debut at Renee's this spring and summer, just in time for warmer weather and lots of sunshine. Here are a few of my favorite first-day finds!

Another fun Jams World dress arriving in May.

Forget about being understated this summer! Don't you love this exaggerated, flashy jewelry? These colors will work well with the printed Jams World dresses pictured above.

This colorful resin jewelry is inexpensive and light weight.

Almost any color necklace you can imagine is coming to Renee's soon.

I like these jackets so much I wish they were at Renee's right now.

A colorful, graphic summer-weight cotton jacket will arrive in March.

Arriving at Renee's this fall, this tapestry Mum swing jacket is vibrant, comfortable and cute!

This bold 3/4-length black and white topper combines floral and geometric shapes, and will arrive at Renee's in September.

You frequently ask what the hot new colors are. I am seeing a lot of orange, and I love it! I'm also into blues: navy, royal and sky hues. How do you feel about wearing orange? Will you wear orange when the weather is warmer and we get a little sunshine? For fall I've seen deeper shades of gold, burnt orange, and avocado green.

Luna Luz orange sun dress.

More orange dresses.

Charcoal with orange knits for fall.

If I want to see even half of the designers showing their wares I need to be extremely quick and decisive when I shop. Some decisions are easier to make than others. Here are a few items I did not have any trouble ruling out...

Some leather western-wear...

A lot of bags and luggage...

...and a bright two-piece outfit reminiscent of stained glass that someone out there is sure to love. There is something for everyone here!

I hope you've enjoyed these first-day photos of my market trip. Two more shopping days to go. Tomorrow, barring any technical difficulties, I'll post more up-to-the-minute fashion news, photos and information.

Sending love from Las Vegas,

Renee

P.S. I'd love to hear your feedback on my finds. And if you are enjoying these market posts, please forward them to a friend. Thanks!

Let the Shopping Commence!

“It’s a sign of maturity when you can delay pleasure to ensure a better tomorrow.” –Dave Ramsey

Dear Friends,

I made it to Las Vegas, aka Sin City, on my big semi-annual buying trip for Renee's, and I am staying in tonight. Does that mean I’m getting older? Or perhaps wiser? It’s 6 p.m. and I am ready for bed. Disclaimer: this afternoon (!) I tried to get tix for a Cirque du Soleil performance tonight, but alas, they were already sold out. Another disclaimer: I was up at 3:30 a.m. to pack and catch my flight.

I got to leave rainy, gray Everett behind...

The Venitian Hotel

...And come to sunny, 70 degree temps in Las Vegas. No complaints about the weather!

Bellingham International Airport terminal

And I flew out of Bellingham International (!) Airport nonstop to Vegas. Who knew! Convenient and peaceful compared to Sea Tac.

It's okay to stay in tonight. I need to restore myself. Shopping here will take all the energy I can muster. It’s going to be a crazy, hectic week. Store owners and buyers and vendors and manufacturers from all across the United States and abroad converge in Las Vegas twice a year, and they’ll all be pushing to get ahead.

With so much to see and do, I hope to be alert, calm and able to take it all in. Methodical in my approach, I'll keep my eyes and ears open for the ping that goes off in my head when I spy a find.

What perks up my ears and slows down my steps? A clean, well-lighted booth. Tight, concise lines (there’s too much to see to spend a lot time in one place). Eye-catching colors. Knowledgeable, helpful, patient sales people with *NO* attitudes. Sincerity. Honesty. Wearable, comfortable clothing in soft, luxurious fabrics designed and constructed with care. Something a little different. In a nutshell, I’m looking for the same thing you look for when you are shopping!

I came to Vegas hoping to fulfill my 2013 goal of getting a little bit “edgier.” Sometimes when I break out of my routine, new opportunities appear. My tiny little confession? I miss New York City already.

Once I start working tomorrow, though, I'll be so absorbed I won't remember where I am or what month it is. Seriously. That's how a buying trip goes.

Oh, and I made a reservation for a performance tomorrow night. And I'll be back soon to tell you all about our first shopping day in Las Vegas. Can't wait. Let the shopping commence!

With love,
renee

P.S. If you like my notes, please forward this to a friend and suggest they subscribe. Thanks!

Be Our Valentine!

Dear friends,

Happy Valentine's Day! Here's hoping you have a fabulous week! Read the rest of my note to discover our Valentine's Day gifts just for you!

Just in time for Valentine's Day from Kristen Ford, Seattle: sweet, petite jewelry. Real gemstones. Tiny seed beads. Kristen's hangtags say "designed in meditation and offered as a symbol to choose love, hope and peace." Perfect gift for Valentine's Day? Send him in... Say you read about Kristen Ford jewelry in the blog and take 20% off all regularly priced jewelry this week only.

Huge new shipment of spring scarves from Asian Eye

Read all about it! We are excited that The Herald newspaper will feature Renee's and our scarves in the Sun., Feb. 17 "Life" section. Before the public finds out about our best kept secret, get in here to see our new lightweight scarf collection for spring. Fabrics include silks, cottons, and lightweight wools in yellow, denim, green, orange, geometric prints and more. These scarves come to us from a family-owned business called Asian Eye, based right in our back yard in Anacortes, Washington. Say you read about Asian Eye in the blog and get 20% off all regularly priced scarves in stock this week only.

Gentle Souls comfy shoes

Treat for your feet? Gentle Souls. What makes these shoes so comfortable? Breathable deerskin-lined insoles provide softness. Flax seed pillows are embedded in the foot bed of Gentle Souls shoes to provide cushioned support. The seeds redistribute and adjust to the shape of your foot with every step. Say you read about Gentle Souls in the blog and get 20% off all regularly priced shoes in the shop this week only.

Fidji spectator shoes (Portugal) and Orox natural leather bag (Portland)

Fidji stone-colored shoes and another Orox natural leather bag

Our other most comfortable shoe line? Fidji shoes, made in Portugal. Tell us you saw Fidji shoes and Orox leather bags pictured in my note and get 20% off any regularly priced shoes and handbags this week only at Renee's.

Bryn Walker (Berkely, California) linen in "fig" color

Here are more new arrivals for Spring...

Three dresses, matching cardigans to cover and spring color galore from Nic + Zoe, Massachusetts.

Nomadic Traders navy or tan windbreaker, stripe tees and tan or white ankle pants

Spectacular New York find from Susan's now in: laquered linen trench.

Remember last month when I wrote about getting edgier? Sometimes a change does us good. I've decided to shake things up and shop for you in Vegas this spring instead of New York City. Get ready for a daily shopping update right here, coming later this month.

Don't forget about our "Play Date" on Sun., Feb. 24. Come in on a Sunday when everybody is relaxed. Try on something you wouldn't normally give a second glance. Play with make up. Meet other cool women. See what's new for spring. Check out the racks of opportunity.  Start your Oscar awards celebration at Renee's from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Lots more exciting stuff coming up at Renee's this spring, and I'll tell you all about it in my next post. Now that you've read my entire note, ask for your sweetheart of a deal and we'll take 10% off your remaining full priced items this week only!

Sending Valentine's Love,

Renee

Let's Get this Party Started!

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer.” –Albert Camus


Dear Friends,

We made it through January. Whew! There was a lot of cold and fog and rain and darkness around here. Inside at Renee’s, though, signs of spring kept popping in with new arrivals in pastel colors. Darker, heavier clothing of winter was relegated to the racks of opportunity—that’s a sure sign of warmer, brighter days ahead.

Do you struggle during the long days of winter? What techniques do you use to stay positive and upbeat? I took up knitting, and I’ve read a lot of books. I organized my file drawers at home. I’ve taken up Sudoku and crossword puzzles. I told myself to enjoy the slower pace that winter offers. I’ve slept more. I have been logging my food and exercise to encourage less comfort eating and more movement.


Planning out-of-the-ordinary dates on the calendar helps, too. For example, I’m looking forward to Valentine’s Day because it’s a day we can step out a bit and show others our love and care.

Here’s another date to anticipate: a “play date” at Renee’s! On Sun., Feb. 24 from 1 pm to 4 pm, you are invited to bring a friend to Renee’s to play. Take a look at our new arrivals. Open your mind to try on something out of your box. Connect with other women like you who are making the best of the winter months.

When I was a kid I’d go over to my friend’s house and together we’d experiment with her eye shadows and lipsticks. We played dress-up. We had fun seeing ourselves differently and learning what worked and what we liked as we played. Experimenting brought us to a new understanding of ourselves.

The entire color palette of the Japanese skin-care line Noevir will be on hand for us at our play date. Emerald green eye shadow has even joined the ranks of their make up line. (One way or another, we are going to add some green to our lives this year.) And the West Coast sales rep will also be here. As an expert she can offer tips and tricks for taking care of our skin and adding new ideas to our routines.

Studies have shown that of all the ways to increase happiness, connecting with others is our greatest harbinger of pleasure. My happiness guru, Grechen Rubin, in her most helpful book “The Happiness Project,” notes that studies show “…if you have five or more friends with whom to discuss an important matter, you’re far more likely to describe yourself as “very happy.” Allow yourself to cultivate new friendships at Renee’s play date.

We will foster connection with other women on the 24th. Choose a question from our fishbowl and get to know someone new. Questions (from “The Little Book of Big Questions”) such as these will get us talking: What’s your greatest sacrifice? Describe your childhood home. How do you explain the color red to a blind person? If you could create the ultimate vacation resort what would it be like? Tell me about your mother. As we play, take a risk of becoming vulnerable with someone else like you. You may come away with a new friend!

So plan now to attend our play date. Put it on your calendar. Look forward to it. Post it on your fridge. Play dress up. Experiment with new make up. Relax into yourself. Get out of your box. Shake up your routine. It’s just for fun. Who knows? You might come away with new and refreshing insights about yourself. At the very least you’ll have a date on your calendar to anticipate and enjoy while we make it through the days of winter together.

Before you know it we will be enjoying the pretty spring flowers that are just now peeking out of the ground, warmer sunnier days, and soft summer breezes… And we will have made it through the month of February with courage and grace.

Sending you love,

Renee

Prepare to be Inspired!

Spring colors are flowing in to freshen up the stock at Renee’s. Ice cream colors from cotton candy pinks to honeydew greens and sky blues are arriving daily. Getting through January and February can be a challenge. Why not come in and get some inspiration now at Renee’s? You’ll rest assured that spring really is just around the corner.

Sometimes I need inspiration, too. That’s when I remember what Whidbey Island resident Steve Burr, a repeat Renee’s shopper for his wife and daughters, said upon walking in one day… “This is the “gettin’ store.” I asked him to explain. “Some stores, you walk in and know right away there is nothing in there that you need or want. This store, when I walk in, I am confident I’m going to leave with something that my wife and daughters love!” I can’t tell you how often those words have encouraged me!

Here are a few other complimentary paragraphs you’ve recently written:

“Thank you so much for the prompt attention you gave to my jacket with the broken zipper. I appreciate the customer service you so generously provided… This kind of service is remembered when a new shopping opportunity occurs.” –Gwen, Puyallup


“Thank you for bringing the best designers and artisans from all over the world to your customers in Everett. We are lucky!” –Kristin, Everett


“I love my Sun Kim dress SO MUCH. I can’t stop wearing it (and washing it) and every time I do, people notice and say, ‘Great dress.’ Such a nice feeling!” –Barbara Greenberg


“Thank you so much! …for your consulting services. You have a gift of helping women feel beautiful and confident through your wonderful pieces of clothing and by YOU, doing what you are called to do and by just being you! Thank you for your honesty!”


“I am enjoying all the compliments that I am receiving on my scarf and necklace. Thank you for a wonderful shopping experience in such an attractive ambience with fabulous clothes.” –Penelope


“It’s my pleasure to shop in such lovely surroundings with the help of your excellent sales staff. You’ll see me often.” –Melanie

“I enjoyed shopping at your store this past Friday. Thank you to both you and Marlene for helping me find all the wonderful clothing to enhance my wardrobe. I talked with you about some pants I purchased in 2004. I have been wearing them for eight years. It just goes to show you that your high quality clothing choices last for a long time.” -Pat Hawley, Federal Way

These comments mean so much to me. Thank you for allowing us to do what we *LoVe*: help you with your wardrobe. I believe you should be able to get dressed without a lot of fuss or trouble. Taking care of your clothing should be easy. Good clothing should last a long time. And you should feel confident wearing the clothing you find at Renee’s.

Simply put, most of us don’t have a lot of extra time. Renee’s does the work for you! I shop with you in mind. When new items arrive, we display clothing that goes together with matching jewelry and accessories to help you shop quickly and efficiently. We provide practical, wearable clothing in a warm, organized, clutter-free atmosphere.

Do you need some inspiration? Walk through our doors. Wander through the store with new eyes. Take a peek at the new things. Thumb through the racks of opportunity; find a few bargains. Discover a few accessories that can easily and inexpensively broaden your wardrobe.

We look forward to meeting you where you’re at, and helping you turn over a new leaf for spring! Come in now, and prepare to be inspired!

Sending you love,
Renee