Viable Options to American-Made Clothing

Yesterday I talked about the priority I place on looking for American made products when I shop for you. The flip side of this coin is finding items that are responsibly made abroad.

I trust the owners of Nomadic Traders, one of the staple lines you see at Renee's, to conscientiously make those choices for me. Len and Anna Schemin started Nomadic over 30 years ago in Berkeley, California. They still own and operate the business. This longevity is practically unheard of in today's apparel business.





Len and Anna "are very wonderful human beings in this planet. They are fair, family oriented, and supportive," said Giselle Perez, marketing director for Nomadic Traders. Giselle has worked for the company for 24 years and counting.

Giselle and I discussed the some challenges to American-produced apparel. "We are between a rock and a hard place," Giselle explains. Apparently most of the cotton grown in the US gets exported to China. On top of that there are not many companies left in the states who manufacture sweaters and textiles. Most of the skills and factories have moved overseas, and some "production almost has to be abroad."





The owners appreciate my American-made quest, and many of the knits are produced stateside. However when US production is not practical, they get the job done overseas to create a well-rounded collection.

From my perspective, Nomadic Traders is a company whose integrity I want to support. The employees who answer the phones are friendly and compassionate; the shipping is reliable, accurate and speedy; the merchandise is reasonably priced, and the owners uphold and promote the art and culture they've experienced in their many journeys.

They also give back to others. "We have always believed in giving back, and have donated to various charities for many years," they write. You can see a list of the charities they support on their website.

Best of all, you, the customers, have embraced Nomadic!

While I prefer to purchase items made in America for you, there are some other viable options. Buying from Nomadic Traders is one of them. Do you know of others?

Warm Regards,
renee

What's Important to You

Hello, there!

Today I will spend time in Seattle combing through lots of "stuff" to choose what else, dear readers, you might like me to add to the collection here at Renee's. You may know I do not consider myself a shopper. I was raised in a frugal, minimalist home. How ironic that I now shop for a living! I do this for you, so you don't have to!

Many of you have told me you rely on my decisions. While that is flattering, I also think of it as a huge responsibility, one I am still happy to grab hold of. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

While I am culling through what I can only picture as a huge haystack for just the right items, I often ask the sellers where the merchandise is manufactured. I try to support companies whose manufacturing is done in the U.S., and I am also fond of Canadian-made lines. I like to give my business to small, women-owned manufacturers when possible.

Recently I wrote a letter to the editor of the Everett Herald about American-made merchandise, and they saw fit to publish it. While not everything I bring to Renee's is made in America, the majority is. I will continue my search.

What else is important to you when you are shopping, dear readers? What do you mindfully and deliberately choose?

We received new items from Nomadic Traders (below) and Naot shoes (pictured above)!

New Arrivals for Spring at Renee's

Hi There,

What's that you say? You are tired of the long gray days of winter? You need a sign of spring to get you through this month?

Well, besides noticing the crocuses peaking out of the ground, you can check out the new arrivals at Renee's to rest assured that spring is just around the corner.

Last week we received bling full length and cute capri jeans from a Seattle-based company called Zenim.



































Nic + Zoe showed up with my favorite feminine sweater for spring, which I call "pink fluff."




















They also produced beautiful sweaters and coats in rich coral colors, and light-weight pants for spring.




















Other bright colors have been arriving daily: kiwi greens, sky blues, daffodil yellows, cotton candy pinks, bright turquoises, and more.

Last week on my buying trip for Renee's I spied cute, inexpensive jewelry and lightweight colorful spring scarves. Fun and inspirational, these items are sure to get you through the rest of our winter.

While at market I also ordered: jeans from Silver, Zenim and Dish; cotton sweaters from Mermaid; knit tops from Prairie Cotton and Cut Loose; a new, wide selection of Hobo handbags; and bold print dresses from Elana Kattan.

Best of all, I am so excited about a new, cute Jammie line called Munki Munki! You will see why I am so excited when you take a look here.

As always, let me know if you are looking for particular brands, styles or fabrics. When you discover new finds on your journey, clue me in on those, too. You are always the best source of my buying inspiration!

I can assure you, spring is on the way! In the meantime, come in and take a sneak peak at spring inside Renee's!

Warmly,
Renee

NO MORE DIETS!

How are your New Year's resolutions coming along just about now? I hope you aren't feeling like a failure because you couldn't keep your enthusiasm up for your resolutions...

New Year's resolutions are so often about negative body image and not being good enough just the way we are. Maybe instead of making New Year's resolutions, we could start a New Year's REVOLUTION. We could work on feeling good in our own skin. We could love and accept our bodies, and feel liberation from a diet industry that plagues us. We could focus on normal, intuitive eating, enjoyable and life-long physical activity, and healthy sleep patterns and stress management.

Let's invest time and money in ourselves rather than in the diet industry. Imagine decreasing self-criticism and body judgment, and living now, not in the past or future. We could start with something as simple as finding and wearing something we feel good in now, right where we are.

As a clothing store owner, I've seen many of us waiting to feel good in clothing until we are "thin enough." That time rarely gets here, even with the best of intentions and resolutions... I've also struggled with being "good enough" and feeling worthy myself. I know from experience that when I feel good, I look good. And when I look good, I feel better, too!

Forget resolutions. Instead start a REVOLUTION! Live your life as if you were at your desired weight, including wearing beautiful, comfortable clothing in your present size. When we can accept ourselves just as we are, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Stop by soon and find something beautiful to wear. We have lots of new arrivals for Spring, and the fall and winter items are now on sale.

All the best to you, my beautiful and worthy friends.

--renee




MYSTREE CROCHET TOP, A'NUE LIGNE REVERSIBLE TOP, XCVI PANTS














MYSTREE TUNIC TOP, A'NUE LIGNE REVERSIBLE TOP, CORSON LEGGINGS

New Year's Day Sale Saturday!

Hi there! Happy New Year! I trust you've had a good year-end celebrating the holidays and enjoying time away from the regular work routine. Here's another opportunity to experience something different...

You (and your family and friends!) are invited to our traditional New Year's Day sale at Renee's on Saturday, Jan. 1 from 11 am to 4 pm. For one day only, everything in the store will be discounted 20%! This discount is available to anyone who comes in during the sale. If you've been hanging around the house during the holidays, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for to get out and about. What a great way to start off the new year.

We look forward to seeing you!

--renee

A Christmas Letter to my Customers and Friends

Dear Amazing, Incredible Customers and Friends,

Thank you for giving us the gift of another busy, exciting and profitable holiday season at Renee's! Every year my heart is touched by your generosity and high spirits. Your dependence on and trust in me is affirming and inspiring.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow evening and Christmas day as you wear clothing from Renee's and open presents under the tree that were chosen from Renee's. I hope you feel confident wearing your clothing, and are pleased with presents that were selected especially for you.

We would love to meet your friends and relatives. Please stop by next week with your guests for a relaxed holiday shopping experience downtown Everett. Let us serve you something to drink, and tell us all about your Christmas celebrations and special meals...

Marlene and I send you our warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday. May your new year be blessed with peace, good health, love and joy.

Gratefully yours,
Renee

Renee's is Decked Out for Christmas!

Come in and see us this season, either for yourself or for a loved one. Renee's offers a fine collection of tasteful, personally chosen women's apparel, accessories, jewelry and gifts. Let us help you with personal service, beautiful, free gift wrapping, free delivery, gift cards in any amount, and much more.


The windows are dressed for Christmas!






























Yvonne worked her magic.

























suitcase full of accessories














Classic Louben wool cashmere jacket, silk turtleneck, silk scarf






























Red Velvet jacquard jacket
















sparkle dress for New Year's Eve?





















Traveling over the holidays? Find something bright and cool to wear in warmer climates.





































Pick a pair of socks from our sock tree!














Choose from cotton waffle jackets in baby pink, baby blue, or spring green paired with a matching scarf. Soaps make great hostess gifts. Find comfortable shoes to go with your outfit.

















Giga soccer mom coat. Unzips from bottom and top for ease and comfort.






















































Gloves, hats, scarves and socks make good stocking stuffers.






We look forward to seeing you soon. xoxo, renee