Our son recently turned four and I'm continuously amazed at the evolution of maternity clothes over the last five years. Lucky for me, I have the opportunity to work with pregnant women and women who've recently gone back to work.
Both of those life stages can be especially challenging for a number of reasons. But, clothes, should not be one of them. So, I thought you (or someone you know), Dear Reader, might enjoy hearing about some new developments for new parents. FYI- That means moms AND dads.
Essentials for the New Parent
Read MoreIt's a funny thing, living in Seattle. If you live or work near Pike Place Market — a plethora of tasty fresh food, flowers and unexpected finds — you may frequent it regularly. If not, you likely only visit when entertaining out-of-towners. We're so neighborhood-centric, we can easily forget that there are very good reasons to venture outside the ten-minute radius around our houses.
So, on this beautiful Sunday, my goal is to inspire you to go beyond your neighborhood, and Pirkko is a worthy destination.
Read MoreI used to feel guilty every time I purchased a new piece of clothing or pair of shoes. Until, one day my husband said the most amazing words to me. He said, "you shouldn't feel guilty. That's your art form."
Magic.
Some people paint, others sculpt, I create outfits in my mind. That is my art form.
As a personal stylist, having the opportunity to create while helping to teach someone else is incredibly gratifying. Why am I bringing this up?
In casual conversations people often share with me their admiration for a style guru in their lives. Perhaps it's someone at the office who always looks incredible, a friend or family member. Looking fashionable seems effortless to this guru. She (or he) is always put together, stunning, current. I love hearing about this style guru because that person can be a helpful inspiration during the style transformation process. Seeing someone else's success can inspire us to work toward our own goals.
The danger is when you start playing the comparison game. When looking at that style guru again and again makes you doubt your own look, feel insecure about attempting a riskier approach to style, or give up all together, we have a problem. That's when I need to step in. So, here I am, stepping in.
Gut Check: Are You Playing the Comparison Game?
Read MoreToday's your very last chance to save 10% from TomboyX with code: Poplin.
Read MoreThe pros of boutique shopping:
1. You get a piece that no one else has.
2. You have an interesting story to tell about your purchase.
3. Ideally, you have great customer service.
The potential cons of boutique shopping:
1. You walk out with one item, if any, because you simply can't afford the prices.
2. You feel judged when you walk in the door.
Enter Vixen Day Spa & Boutique in Magnolia: Your first and likely new favorite boutique (and day spa!). Owner Courean Napolitano opened the doors in 2002. An esthetician by trade, she started the business as a day spa and eventually expanded so that her loyal clientele could shop before a manicure, relaxing all the while.
As a personal stylist, it's common for clients to tell me that they love the idea of boutique shopping, but struggle with execution. Might I suggest Vixen as your introduction to boutiques?
5 Reasons to Visit Vixen
Read MorePoplin: "I've been meaning to write a blog post about how to wear jumpsuits for months. Personally, I'm obsessed with them."
Blog reader Carly via Facebook: "Indeed. The people are clamoring for it. We need to know how to wear them, Mellicia."
Give the people what they want... especially if what they want is what you are dying to tell them. And, I AM dying to tell you how to wear a jumpsuit. After all, they aren't just for the uber cool woman you aspire to be. They are for you. You are that uber cool woman.
How to Find the Perfect Jumpsuit for You.
Read MoreOur good friend, photographer, tile setter, designer, maker, painter and the list goes on, Selena Kearney is also a member of the Chehalis Tribe. Being around her for so many years has offered us the opportunity to get a glimpse into Native American culture. (For the record, Selena refers to it as, "Indian.") I digress.
This weekend we attended the Salmon Homecoming on the Waterfront and I found some Native culture mixed in with some crazy deals that I thought you, Dear Reader, might appreciate.
Three Excuses to Enjoy a Pow Wow in the Coming Months
Read MoreNote from the Editor:
Two things: 1. Below you'll find another blog post from Poplin contributor and plus size fashion guru, Jordan Richardson. Like what you read? Jordan's research on Sizeism was recently featured in an article in the Everett Herald? Check it out! Love her and you will, too. 2. I had a vintage inspired lavender coat with a lavender faux fur collar that I rocked with pride for years. Although, it happened to be the only coat I had with me on my initial move to NYC several years ago. I would not recommend opting for that when riding in a sea of black on the subway for the first time in the middle of February. Luckily, a personal stylist always has solution. On that day, mine was H&M.
This will mean something to you, Dear Reader once you reach the end of the post..... Enjoy!
Read MoreIs it wrong? Ever since I heard Lena Dunham and Claire Danes gushing about Scandal on the red carpet of the Golden Globes, I decided it was time to check it out.
Whatever your feelings on Scandal, one thing is true, the clothes are worth the viewing. As your very own personal stylist, I feel compelled to make sure you are in the know on this one.
Read MoreIf you, Dear Reader, embrace the TomboyX lifestyle, the brand sells itself. Quality pieces with an edge.
But, if you love it, and aren't sure how to wear it- that's where your very own personal stylist comes in. And, now is certainly the perfect time.
TomboyX and Poplin Style Direction are joining forces to help YOU win up to $250 worth of clothing from the brand, a styling session with me at the showroom AND lunch with the team. Make sure you are entered to win by liking TomboyX and Poplin on Facebook as well as signing up for our newsletters. See more details here.
Now, where were we? Oh, yes, styling.
Ways to Wear My 3 Favorite Pieces from TomboyX
Read MoreLast night I attended Fashion First Seattle- a fashion show to benefit Inspire Youth Project. It was an evening to remember, for sure. Flying solo at the event, I was reminded of all the lessons I've learned from Fashion Shows and I have a feeling that you, Dear Reader, will find them useful. Here we go!
What I've Learned From Fashion Shows
Read MoreThe good people at Ludlow were kind enough to host a photo shoot for the recent blog post featuring modernist quilter Jonathan Armstrong. I'd walked by the shop in Phinney Ridge a number of times, but it wasn't until that photo shoot that I discovered the wide variety of finds that are hidden inside. Ever since, I've known that I MUST share a taste of Ludlow with you, Dear Reader.
Ludlow: Curiosities For the Cool
Read MoreTomboyX and Poplin Style Direction present
TomboyX Open House
with special guest stylist Mellicia Marx, Poplin Style Direction
Read MoreFor years, I was a fan of a large bag. I like compartments. As a frequent user of public transportation, I REALLY liked having the daily essentials accessible to me at a moments notice. I was not alone.
Several months ago, I had the good fortune to be invited to the Zara opening downtown. The press preview included a lovely giveaway- a light blue and white leather mid-size clutch. As someone who LOVES both white and light blue (if you add in lavender you've pretty much covered all my favorite spring colors), I started using it the same day. To my surprise, it is still my everyday bag.
I've made it to the mountain. And, may I suggest that it's time for you to join me? You're back will thank you.
5 Simple Steps to Downsize Your Bag
Read More
Ah, University Village- the place you go shopping when you are entertaining out of towers.
It's relaxing, can technically be counted as time "outdoors" and has an array of destination retailers without fighting for parking downtown.
September offers up thirty plus excuses to get to U Village fast.
What's Trending at U Village and Why it Matters to YOU
Read MoreBelow you'll find another blog post from Poplin contributor, plus size fashion guru and resident watercolorist, Jordan Richardson. Read on!
Ever since I was a little girl I have loved art. The creativity, freedom and challenge of expression have always drawn me in. I got to taste even more of the art world when I entered college and took art history classes. I was enchanted by the work painted along the gilded halls of Versailles, spooked yet intrigued by the ever darkening works of Goya, and palpitated at the supreme artistry of Bernini's sculptures. So it would make sense that I would gravitate towards clothing that had some art influence woven in.
Watercolor is my medium of choice when doing fashion illustration. The fluidity and dynamism of the suspended color in water is, to me, sort of magical. So when I noticed that more and more watercolor-printed pieces were showing up on the market I knew I wanted to share them with you, Dear Reader. These colorful and fluid pieces are easy to incorporate into a wardrobe since they are usually great patterned pieces that can draw the eye to wherever you please, and disguise other bits. So I've pulled together a few pieces that I felt worked nicely with some style keywords. Enjoy!
Read MoreRemember when Craigslist wasn't creepy?
Yeah, those were the days.
If only there was a way to sell things to people in your very own neighborhood AND help out a local school, perhaps even YOUR kid's school. I am excited to share with you, Dear Reader, that such a place does exist. Thanks to the interweb and a small crew of dedicated folks right here in Seattle.
I'm appreciative of my good friends at the Recology Store in Issaquah who first clued me in on Swopboard. As it turns out, boutiques like Veouria are on board, too. More on that to come.
It's especially fun to share Seattle Sunday posts that highlight local brands or people that have managed to make an impact on the rest of the country. Swopboard is in the process of becoming one of those companies. Although, I get the feeling if YOU embraced them, they'd go even further.
In the words of the team: SwopBoard is an online marketplace to buy, sell and give back to local schools. Transactions involve users who share similar lifestyles - people in your school and neighborhood communities - which increases the chances of finding the right buyer and purchasing what you really need.
Here's What YOU Need to Know About Swopboard.
Read MoreAs you can imagine, I spend an extraordinary amount of time shopping. Shopping for me, for clients, for friends, for imaginary people (see the Poplin Pinterest boards for evidence). When it comes time to write blog posts, I struggle with narrowing it down. After all, there is so much to share!
Therefore, every once in a while I decide that the only just thing to do, the only course of action that ensures that I'm giving you the level of service you desire, is to give you a laundry list of all my favorite things right now. Perhaps some of them are your favorites, too? My hope is that you'll find something new and exciting. Enjoy!