What to Wear in New York

My husband Bill came with me to New York. Here we are in Times Square. 

Dear friends,

Last Friday before I left for a shopping trip in New York City for Renee's, I went on a shopping trip AT Renee's. Honestly I am not a shopper. Some of you have told me you don't enjoy shopping, and I can relate. But I wanted to experience Renee's from your point of view and see what I could come up with for my trip, so I got some help from Marlene. 

On the plane with Laura, who also came along. 

We had our traditional first dinner in the city: salad...

...And calzone with boats of tomato sauce. Yum!

This is what I ended up purchasing at Renee's before the trip. 

I ended up with one pair of Silver jeans and one pair of FDJ black pants for bottoms. Usually I don't bring jeans because I don't think they are comfy but these jeans have a lot of stretch, and they feel like sweats. Seriously. Plus, with a new marbled wash, they look hip! Already a rep asked me what jeans I was wearing. And they cost less than $100!

For layering pieces I got a blackTribal long tank top and a topaz-colored Nic and Zoe tank top. I also brought along a tan Majestic tank top that is part of my go-to weekly uniform. 

One of my "toppers" is an FDJ longer denim jacket, which I will wear today. It's going to be great because the fabric is thin and stretchy, and perfect all day for September weather in the city. The jacket goes with both bottoms. 

Prairie Cotton for lounging. 

For lounging in the apartment at night I chose a thin tunic top and crop pants from Prairie Cotton. I love this! Talk about comfortable. But I also feel stylish wearing this! If I put a scarf with my jammies I could even run to the corner store for milk and cookies! :)

Silver jeans, Nic and Zoe cardigan, Tribal long tank top, Asian Eye scarf, Fly London booties. 

Another topper I chose is a long sweater cardigan by Nic and Zoe. I like the fall color. This goes with both the jeans and the black pants. I wore this outfit on the plane.

         My final topper is a big shirt by P Taylor. 

I brought along one sweater from my own closet, my running gear, and under garments. Everything I brought easily fits in my carry on. I will wear each bottom three times and each topper twice. The best purchase I made? By far, the booties from Fly London. I am wearing them all day every day. My feet are happy. And we must be walking at least 20,000 steps per day. Second best? Three scarves by Asian Eye. I haven't left the apartment without one of them. Other buyers ask what brand of scarf I am wearing. My outfits look polished with a scarf addition. My hair stayed dry when a little drizzle rained down. 

I feel comfortable and fashionable in New York! What more could a woman need?

Off for another day of shopping for YOU!!!  Thank you for this opportunity!

With love, 

Renee

Don't Walk. Fly!

Dear friends,

I'm so ExCiTeD to be writing to you again. I get to introduce the new girl in town! Meet Fly London!

Although the footwear brand has been around for awhile, it's new for Renee's this fall. And you are going to love wearing these. Why? Believe it or not, Fly London is both stylish and comfortable.

In stock in black.

Is that even possible? Yup. Thanks to sturdy wedge heels, roomy toe boxes, soft leather uppers, comfy fabric linings and cushioned foot beds, the moment you dip your toes in these houses for your feet, you'll know you can live in these shoes.

In stock.

I love stuff that lasts, don't you? According to their website, "Fly London styles are modern and eclectic, yet the designers aren't strongly linked to a particular season or trend." Now that sounds like us!

In stock.

A friend of mine walked into Renee's one day last spring wearing her Fly London shoes. They just looked great. That's when I knew we needed this brand in here. I love hearing about the brands you love.

We need to take care of our feet, but we want to look good, too. And we want something a little different. Fly London is your ticket. This footwear is for those who don't want what everyone else is wearing.

Coming soon to Renee's.

Here's the fun part. The shoes come in a yellow box adorned with a big fly. An ugly fly. Weird. I must admit, though, the emblem is growing on me. Plus, it's easy to recognize. To put it nicely, what a creative logo!

I've been writing to you about one great item each week at Renee's. You got the jacket, the pants, the layering top. Now ya need the shoes! The bomb footwear, Fly London will accessorize your new outfit perfectly!

Coming soon to Renee's.

No matter where you choose to strut your stuff this fall, Fly London will help you get there looking, well, FLY!

With love,

Renee

P.S. Next week I'll be writing to you from New York City. Although I won't be writing every day, I will fill you in on my favorite finds, fun trends, and the latest colors. Stay in touch!

Tops to Wear With Your New Jacket and Pants.

Tees by Tina. Layer two tanks for a colorful look you'll love. Longer length keeps you completely covered.

Dear Friends,

A couple weeks ago I told you about Necessitees one-button jacket for only $98. This jacket  is appropriate for any occasion. Seriously.

Necessitees chocolate one-button jacket with Tees by Tina tank in spice and Asian Eye silk scarf.

Last week I posted about your go-to pant for fall. Guaranteed. You have not lived until you've worn pants by Equestrian Designs.

Equestrian Designs jacket with Tees by Tina tank in cream and Sun necklace.

The way I see it, now you need tops to go with your jacket and pants. My personal recommendation? Tees by Tina!

Here is the textured "Wave" top. We have this in stock now.

I love Tees by Tina. Unable to find the perfect tees to take her from working out to work, Tina came up with some styles of her own. Her nylon and spandex seamless tees stay perfectly in place...no rolling!

Nic and Zoe sweater and pants with Tees by Tina tank in pebble.

I spoke to Tina about the advantages her tops offer. Here's what she has to say in one minute. (If this embedded video does not show up in your browser, click this link to hear Tina herself talk about her tops.)

How do I wear them? Tees by Tina can be worn as a stylish standalone, are fabulous for layering and are perfect for your work out. Wear her tops for a smooth and lengthened look every day. The tank top straps are just wide enough to cover your bra straps.

Tees by Tina textured top and skirt with leggings, denim jacket and scarf by Asian Eye

What colors do they come in? Lots of colors! Right now we stock cream, black, white, pebble, peony, crimson, spruce, spice, storm, beehive yellow, calypso blue, butter cream, and raspberry. We also carry her dresses, skirts, tights and textured tops.

Tees by Tina white tank under Jill McGowan blue and white stripe blouse with Silver jeans.

One-Size-Fits-Most...Really? Yes, really! Their seamless yarns have been designed with high levels of stretch-and-recover capabilities so that no matter your size, they fit. Try one and see. These also make perfect gift because you'll always choose the right size.

This wardrobe essential features a flattering neckline and can be worn from day to play.

Where are Tees by Tina made? We are proud to say Tees by Tina are made in the USA.

Next time you need a fantastic layering piece to broaden your wardrobe, try Tees by Tina, featuring seamless styles that keep their shape and stay perfectly in place.

Friends, if you haven't been to Renee's lately, you must stop in now. Our fall stuff keeps rollin' in and then right back out. Don't miss out on our latest arrivals.

I can't resist showing you our new awning with our updated logo!

Next post: Renee's store makeover update, new category, and more!  If you are enjoying these posts, please forward to your friends. Thanks. See you right back here next week!

With love,

Renee

Your Go-To Pant This Fall, Guaranteed!

Dear friends,

Last week I told you about a one-button boyfriend jacket for all occasions.

This week you need to know about some pants that you absolutely, positively cannot live without this fall: Equestrian Designs.

Our ottoman and ponti legging will look fantastic tucked into boots. In stock now.

Here is the honest truth. You will not find a better, longer-lasting, more satisfying pant to wear than Equestrian Designs. These will become a part of your "wish-I-could-wear again today" uniform. If you don't have a pair of Equestrian Designs pants, you are missing out on the pleasure that comes from living in these pants.

Stretchy and substantial, the fabric holds you in and moves with you. Want to be comfortable all day long, and still feel great and look sexy? This pant is for YOU!!

All of the Equestrian Designs pants and skirts in stock at Renee's have a pull-on, elastic waistband, and they are machine washable.

Fluid retro knit black wide-leg pant in stock now.

On top of that, Equestrian Designs clothing is designed and sewn in California. Two primary fabrics, the ottoman and ponti, come from one of the few remaining American textile firms based in Tennessee.

Listen to the passion company owner Iona Marshall has for keeping jobs in the USA. Northwest rep Robert Frazier also chimes in.




If the embedded video is not showing up in your browser, watch it here.


"Our designs are remarkably flattering to the female form of all shapes and sizes," says Robert Frazier, Northwest Sales Representative. "The versatility, durability and overall quality of our clothing ensures that you will wear Equestrian Designs for years to come, whether it's in the office, out for a night on the town, while hiking a mountain or riding a horse."

Animal print Equestrian jacket in stock now.

All Equestrian Designs pants, skirts and jackets come sized extra-small through xx-large. And if we don't have it in stock, we love to special order for you.

Animal print skirt in stock now.

Some of you already own Equestrian Design products. Perhaps you can comment below about your experience. How long you have owned them? How often you wear them? Why do you enjoy wearing them? We would love to share your testimonials below.

Thank you for subscribing and reading my blog. I hope to see all of you soon!!!

With love,

Renee

Seriously. A Jacket for All Occasions!

Dear Friends,

Take a look at this Necessitees brand jacket. It's a cotton knit, one-button boyfriend-style blazer.

Here's Julie in a Nomadic Traders-brand dress before adding the Necessitees jacket.

A workhorse piece for your wardrobe, the jacket pairs great with a sleeveless dress. Or put it with your jeans. Push up the sleeves. Need to look a little more dressed up? Is your office too cool? Here's the ticket!

Julie after donning the jacket. Immediate polish and definition!

Based in Los Angeles, Necessitees offers all American-made products. "From beginning to end, from designing in house to sourcing fabrics and from production to shipping, we are purely domestic in every sense of the word," said a company spokesperson. When you purchase Necessitees apparel, rest assured you are buying quality, American-made clothing.

Back in the spring we tested the waters, offering just four pieces each of black and navy. At $98, you took to it immediately. Next we reordered the navy and black, added extra smalls and extra larges, and ordered two new colors: asphalt and red. You liked those, too! On the following order we asked for white. Then we got in more black and charcoal.

Necessitees one button boyfriend blazer in chocolate and taupe.

Now our new fall shipment has just arrived. We are all in. In addition to the black, navy, asphalt and red, you can choose from chocolate, taupe, and olive colors.

Red jacket with Asian Eye scarf and cute lunch bag.

This jacket is a winner! If you haven't tried it on, come in and take a look. If you started out with a neutral, think about experimenting with a new fall color. At a minimum, the black color will add value to your basics. This is clothing you will love to wear!!!

With love,

Renee

A Vacation, a Chocolate Cake, and not much about Renee's!

Dear Friends,

How's your summer shaping up? We've had spectacular sunshine and temperatures in the Pacific Northwest for the past two months. Lucky us.

I just returned from vacation. I traveled from Missouri to Wisconsin and then to Ohio. Got to attend two lovely weddings. Spent time with my beloved in-laws and family. Ah, these are the things that make life sweet. Here are a few photos from my trip.

My husband's nephew's wedding in Wisconsin. Bride Affton and groom Dylan.

Our grandson Hayden (right) and his little friends.

Two of my beloved sisters-in-law at a lighthouse on Lake Michigan.

My hubby Bill and I.

Look at this pristine beach on Lake Michigan!

My mother, sister Kris, me and sister Lori in Ohio.

With two of my nieces Annie and Eleanor.

The backyard reception area for my nephew's wedding.

The bride Jenna and groom Reuben.

My mother Sandy and father Rod. Mom is wearing clothing from Renee's! Sympli dress, Fidji shoes.

While we were visiting Ohio my niece Annie celebrated her ninth birthday. She requested chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

I have to admit, the cake we made was the best chocolate cake ever! The recipe came from this book:

Here's the recipe, in two parts, and the frosting recipe, right off the cocoa container.

Make this cake! I guarantee, you won't be disappointed. And it's so easy to make. The chocolate frosting on top was the bomb!

FYI, I checked for doneness at 35 minutes as the recipe instructs, and then at ten minute increments; my cake (baked in a glass dish) took 55 minutes to finish baking in the center.

At Renee's I returned to find all kinds of new fall clothing in stock. I took a bunch of photos. But those will have to wait for the next post!

Enjoy the summer beauty and bounty, and I'll meet you back here again real soon.

With love,

Renee