Get Your Fall Fix Now

Dear Friends,

It's all just so exciting... Fantastic fall arrivals are here. In just one week, Renee's has transformed from summer to fall. Consider this post your personal email or phone call to come in now. Here's a sample of this week's influx.

The avant-garde line Ivan Grundahl, from Copenhagen, has arrived.

Luscious sweaters, luxurious fabrics, and lavish designs: this line is more than clothing.

Each piece is a work of art.

Eileen Fisher is as elegant and understated as ever...

The superb quality, from pants to sweaters and jackets, just can't be beat.

Wouldn't you love to wrap up in a coat like this?

Look at these cool boots from Fly London that just showed up on our doorstep!

Always great for "business casual" attire, Nic and Zoe stands for fit and functionality.

Nomadic Traders, always a Renee's staple, is back and better than ever...

...and Sunday Rose has brought in some romantic, vintage silhouettes you must see to believe!

We brought you Niche this spring, and we're ready to roll with the new fall arrivals.

French Dressing has their usual fantastic fitting pants, and their faux leather jackets are too cool for school!

You'll love Indigenous Designs this fall, including a cozy reversible cowl neck sweater. Pair their fantastic sweater knit dress with boots this season.

Sisters sweaters are fashionable and reasonably priced. Don't miss them!

Lisa Todd has outdone herself with her seasonal sweaters.

Get your fall fix at Renee's. You are in for a treat!

With love,

Renee

Ain't No Stopin' it Now

Dear Friends,

Fall is coming. Ready or not. We got the sweaters to prove it.

If you like fall clothing, you are in for a treat when you shop at Renee's.

My go-to fall shopping words were "beautiful" and "meaningful." Then I added luxurious, useful, feel-good, treasure, and favorite.

Yup, got all that. Here at Renee's. Starting now. Don't miss us this fall.

Thanks ever so much for all your support, kind words, encouragement, and love. We love you, too!

With love,

Renee

Feisty. Older. Wiser.

Dear Friends,
Let me just start by warning you: I'm feeling feisty today!

Niece Rebekah (left) and Chelsea at Cannon Beach, Oregon

Perhaps it's because some of my family is coming, and I'm excited. My niece just finished an amazing feat: she bicycled from coast to coast, over 5,200 miles. Isn't that incredible? And she will be here today! In just a few hours. Over the next two weeks, other family members are trickling in and out. So gRaTeFuL am I for my family!

My feistiness may have something to do with the transformation of the store into fall, which I'm taking upon myself (yesterday and today), and it's hard work. Maybe feisty will get me through. Or maybe I'll just wait for Marlene to help me... At any rate, I made at least ten trips up and down the basement stairs to get all my needed supplies.

Perhaps I can chalk it up to the glorious August we are enjoying in the Pacific Northwest. Day after day of beautiful sunshine and sunsets. And summer is fleeting. Feistiness will get me through even that thought, perhaps.

Next month I am turning 50. My guess is that's why I'm exhibiting new behaviors and attitudes lately. One thing I know is that I'm on the second half of owning a clothing store. It's all for fun from here on out. All downhill. Older and wiser is my new mantra.

Never before have I gone on the warpath with summer clearance sale like I have this month. This fall I'm planning that everything in the store will be beautiful and meaningful. And summer sale merchandise hanging around just doesn't fit into that plan.

Next month, I'll be turning over a new leaf. I'll be ready to climb the rung to 50. Help me celebrate. I'll send you a party invitation soon. We'll have cake. I have always wanted to get one of those tall, round, dark chocolate cakes at Costco. Now's my chance. Will you enjoy it with me?

Nephew Reuben and I enjoying Everett's Food Truck Festival on Sunday

In the meantime, enjoy the fleeting moments of summer. I know I will. And come and take these last remaining sale items off my hands. I'll be right here waiting for you.

Sending you summer love,

Renee

Four Must-Read Tips Before You Shop for Fall

Dear Friends,

Autumn is a favorite time of year for many of us. The clothes! Cozy sweaters, soft jeans, warm scarves... The weather! cooler temperatures, crisp leaves, golden sunshine... The food! Soups, apple pie, candy corn...

Are you making your fall shopping list? Prioritize it! Here are a four tips to keep in mind for more successful buying.

Bootcut jeans are universally flattering

1. Spend more on staples that are wardrobe multipliers. Take Renee's Silver bootcut jeans, for example. You cannot go wrong with this style; it's flattering on everyone. These jeans work with trends AND suit your personal style preferences. In addition, dress them up or down depending what you wear. Pieces like these look good year in and year out.

synonyms for panache: confidence, self-assurance, style, flair, élan, vivacity, gusto

2. Add some panache -- something outside your box -- to your wardrobe. Think something on trend, current, modern, yet still age appropriate. Scarves, for example, continue to be the new jewelry.

If you haven't embraced the scarf trend, it's not too late. There are plenty of helpful instructional scarf tying videos available on YouTube. This short and easy one from Eileen Fisher (above) is one of my favorites. (If the video isn't showing up on your browser, click here.

3. Donate or consign a few tired or dated items from your closet. Think: If I could re-purchase the pieces I bought last fall, would I? If not, chalk it up to experience and keep only what you love in your closet.

4. As you shop, ask yourself about quality. "Will this be useful and treasured for years to come?" That's what I'm thinking about when I choose what's in store at Renee's. Shopping with quality in mind is good for the environment, better for the people producing goods, better for our wallets in the long run, and better for quality of life. Life with well-made, non disposable items is just more lovely. Get in the mood for fall weather at Renee's. Our fall collection is off to a good start! Here are a few shots to whet your appetite.

Fall blue cord vest and jacket

Fall green cord vest and white shirt with jeans

Olive green one button silk and linen jacket

Pinstripe gathered skirt with blouse; pinstripe poet shirt right

Thank you for following along.

Sending you love,

Renee