What's on our Trend'ar (you know... instead of Radar)

Early next week I'm headed to Calli to peep out some product and catch up with one of my besties. Last week Mapel got in some GREAT spring teasers. We'll call them appetizers since it's enough to tide us over till the bulk of our spring & summer product arrives.

What am I am looking for at market? What do all of yous want to be wearing? My radar is set on the below trends.


BLUE: This season blue is neither somber or sad- in fact it's the most dominant color for spring. It's vivid & it's soft and......it's everywhere. Blue lends sophistication while allowing us to "play" with color. It's OK to play with your fashion - I love that.

Peter Som Spring 2010

Jill Sander Spring 2010

Stella McCartney Spring 2010

Lela Rose Spring 2010

Mapel's Newest Blue Treats:

Tye Short Sleeve Zip Up $48

Kristina Jacket $58

Veronica Tank $68

Susan Nautical Dress $52

PRINTS: Make a statement of yourself (not a fool) this spring with prints. Go vivid & get intense- but be sure to pair with neutral shoes or subtle accessories or a solid layering. Designers have taken their initial inspriation from nature then digitally remastered their artwork into innovative and statement prints.

Proenza Schouler Spring 2010

Versace Spring 2010

Narcisco Rodriguez Spring 2010

Stella McCartney Spring 2010

Mapel's Spring Printed Assortment:

Twinkle Print Dress $78

Kitty Dress $48

Black Splash Dress $108

Fuschia Mamba $98

Flowy Neutrals:  I think this trend will be more dominant in the fall- but we see a hint of it in spring/summer fashion. Inspiriation is in  lightweight fabrics that are drapy and flowy. They smooth over curves and move with ease. Colors are neutral soft palettes that evoke a calming yet collected appearance.

Michael Kors Spring 2010

Fendi Spring 2010

Mapel's Neutral Offerings:

Malina Silk Dress/Tunic $86

Eclectic Nomad:  Similiar to military chic this look is very random and described within a variety of styles. Eclectic Nomad pulls inspiration from safari, traveling, ethnic and a little military chic. It's casual and unstructured with  muted dirty tones and Sexy. Yes- sexy. That gritty and dirty sort of sexy.

Louis Vuitton Spring 2010

Chloe Spring 2010

Marni Spring 2010

Find your Inner Eclectic Nomad with Mapel:

Jamie Button Down in Silver & Mint $58

Taupe & Nantucket Navy Cotton Dress $38

?Wear with What?

At the request of our customers Mapel is offering a regular blog that discusses' ?What to Wear with What?.

Many of you have asked us how to wear various items you've purchased from Mapel. When you are in the store it's easy for us to recommend jeans, tops, shorts, handbags, jewelry, etc. etc. to compliment the item you are interested in. For those of you perusing our offerings via the WWW we can't easily recommend ways to wear our fashions - Until NOW!!!!

This week we want to show you 3 ways to wear our Jamie Button Down (avail in Mint & Silver).

Let me first share a bit about Jamie. She comes to us from Alternative- one of our Fav'sies brands. She is pre-shrunk (low maintenance) and is constructed of both woven and knit material. Her body is a lightweight voile material (breathable and comfy) and has knit rib along the side's (even more comfy & doesn't have the weird "wings" along the side seam that most shirts have). 

She is a wardrobe staple and can transition effortlessly from season to season- as illustrated below.

It was sunny, pleasantly warm and mojito weather this weekend. Today it's snowing (literally) and too cold  to wear my fav gold flats. Enters Jaime Button Down @ stage left. She offers seasonal transition during these fickle weather days. Bundle her up with a comfy cardi sweater (Paul Smith Sweater Wrap $38) and skinny jeans  (Joes Cigarette Jeans $158) that will soon enough be best friends with your summer sandals - but at present tucked into your sherpa boots (Bearpaw $68). Because you have places to go and people to see stuff all your most "importants" into a bowler bag (Studded Bowler $58).

Get dressed up (but look like you didn't have to try because with you it's more or less natural) in your city chic ensemble. Wear the Jamie button down sans a tank top for a sexy (who? me? - oh, well thanks.) nonchalant look. She has a dropped button closer so be sure adorn your neck

with a necklace (Heart & Horn $42 on Happy Wednesday $33.60).

The comfy and loose shape of the Jamie is perfectly complimented with slim fitting jeans (Joes Cigarette Jeans $158) and your favorite "come hither" heels. Add flare with bangles (Gold or Silver $35) and a big city tote (Grey Pleated Tote $62) to hold your valuables (cell, gloss, mace).

Eventually (I promise) it will warm up. Once it does you and your best'ies are certain to arrange weekend brunches on an outdoor patio to simultaneously gossip and people watch. Before running out the door throw on your Jaime button down over your casual tank (Burnout Tank $18). Pair with loose fitting pleated shorts (Pepper Shorts $39.50 or Resort Shorts $38.40). Don't over accessorize with too much jewelry- instead subtly embellish with a gold tone purse (Quilted Bag $48) and flats.

Hopefully this blog has shed some fashion light. Send us an email (info@shopmapel.com) or leave a comment to let us know your thoughts. How would you wear the Jamie Button Down???

Jessica & Tim's Adventure to Leavenworth

Last October Mapel celebrated our 2 year Anniversary by offering a store wide discount @ http://www.shopmapel.com/. In addition to the discount one lucky customer would receive a weekend get away in Leavenworth with free lodging, dinner and a shopping spree. Jessica Reed was the lucky recipient of our weekend get away.

She cashed in on her winning this February during Valentines Weekend. She received one free nights lodging at Haus Wunderbar (in the Mapel building) a dinner gift certificate to South and a Mapel shopping gift certificate.

We asked her to share her experience for our readers and this is what she had to say:

Jessica and Tim’s Adventure to Leavenworth


We arrived in Leavenworth at 3pm on a Sunday, the weather was dreary but the atmosphere was warm and inviting. After window shopping and wine tasting, we decided to go into Mapel to say hello to Janelle and Staci and to get the room key to stay in the fabulous Haus Wunderbar Suites.


When we walked into the suite, I could have died (literally, no joke). The Condo was so big and luxurious, granite countertops, tile flooring, and stainless steel appliances. The master bathroom was so breathtaking, there were TWO shower heads…I mean, who has that?


We decided to catch our breath and take another walk around town. We decided to eat at the restaurant South on the recommendation of Janelle and Staci; it was completely North of our expectations We had the chicken en mole tacos and listened to a local artist perform, it was the perfect evening.



We had such a great time and we just love Leavenworth. Thank you so much Haus Wunderbar Suites (www.destinationleavenworth.com), South restaurant (www.southleavenworth.com), and most of all, Janelle and Staci from Mapel!!!

HOT or NOT?

I can't wait because in early March we'll be showing the first of our spring teasers via ShopMapel.com. Look forward to light weight cotton dress that can be dressed up or worn casual. You'll also see our new petite jeans (thanks for all your feedback last week) and much more.

This week I want to order a few more teasers for mid march arrival- and I need your help.

Once again I want to open the forum for your feedback. Are the below styles HOT or NOT?

The boyfriend blazer. It's oversized, the sleeves are intended to be rolled up with an interesting lining detail. It's loose, it's casual and has a boxy fit. Are you wearing it this year?  HOT or NOT?

Floral Influenced Dress
This little number is already in the bag- but none the less I would love to hear what you want in a dress this spring/summer. There seems to be a push for prints (specifically non descript florals) and bold colors. I love this little sweetie. It's feminine, fresh and can be perfectly paired with a cardi and flats or worn super sezy with some killer stilhettoes. HOT or NOT?

Spring Transitional Coat

It's not quite warm enough to ditch the outerpinning- but I am So Done with my puffer and wool coats. We want to bring in a lightweight and comfortabel spring coat. This little number has interesting detail with the offset double breasted buttons, hidden placket and gathered sleeves. I'm also kinda obsessed with peter pan collars. Are you ready for a spring coat? or are you skipping it altogether and jumping into spring with a lightweight cardi?  HOT or NOT?

Jodpur/Cuffed/Boyfriend Pants

Are you wearing these? ARE YOU? I am so torn about these pants. I think they are cute in looks books and magazines- but are the rest of us wearing this look? It kinda reminds me of grade school when I worked so hard to cuff my pants as tight as possible (but I also paired them with 2 diff colored socks on each foot). HOT or NOT?

Lightweight Elongated Cardi.

I love cardigans. Always have- always will. I so love the idea of a super lightweight (almost see through) summer cardigan with an extended length and real loose body. I think it pairs perfectly with any dress (structured or casual) and goes well with jeans and sandals or shorts. Some women prefer more shaping- but if your underpinnings have shape the cardigan is the perfect pairing. HOT or NOT?

Send us a comment with your feedback or send us an email at  info@shopmapel.com .

You be the Buyer

As the weather warms up (Thank YOU) Jenelle and I are thinking about spring and summer product. We are anxious for cropped denim, vivid cami's, summer sandals and lightweight wraps. I'll be heading to LA to check out summer product within the next few weeks (yes- I'm waiting until The Last Minute) . None the less I don't think we can wait that long to bring in a few warm weather teasers.

Mapel wants to hear from YOU. Below are a few styles that we are debating placing orders for. Before doing so I want to get your feedback- are these summer teasers Hot or Not?


Subject #1: 

The boyfriend fit "Josefina" jean from 7's. The "boyfriend" styling been on our radar for a few seasons. It might be perfect during the summer months because it acts as a cropped jean and is fashion forward.
It’s slightly roomy through the thigh, slim through the leg, and tapers to a narrow leg opening. The Josefina can be worn cuffed or un-cuffed. This jean would retail for approx $158

Subject # 2:

The Lexie Petite jean

One of our Best Selling jeans is our Dojo Petite (well- it's not technically called "petite" it's considered a flip flop length). Customers love that it's not super model 34" inseam and they can wear the jeans right out the door (and they do just that). We want to also offer 7's formal petite jean the Lexie. This petite jean would retail for approx $158.

Wash Beverly Glen

Wash Vintage Del Mar

Give us your thoughts- share your feedback- tell us what you want (or don't want) this spring and summer. We'll be adding more Hot or Not surveys to our blog as we narrow down our spring and summer buy.

Thanks

Last night Staci and I attended Leavenworth's Annual Chamber Auction.  You may recall that my hubby and I went a little overboard with our bidding last year, so this year we scaled back a bit and just picked up a few small items during the silent auction.  We did have some fun bidding on a few live auction items, but someone always managed to outbid us.  Staci got a certain something for her valentine, but I will let her tell you more about that in a future blog so that I don't ruin any surprises for Barnsie.

As always, John Curly was a lively host, and even had some little helpers this year.  All I can say is that the apple, or in this case "apples" do not fall far from the tree! Everytime those 2 little cuties thought of something to share, they marched right up to their dad and just said it right into the microphone for all to hear.  And they even bid on some of the live auction items - it was really funny.

We saw lots of our friends at the event - including Mapel's neighbor from d'vinery (below).  It was great to spend time with friends and celebrate Leavenworth's successes from 2009 - including our new train station, sales revenue that surpassed expectations, and major city improvements.  Mapel is lucky to be part of such a thriving and innovative business community!

Mapel's Top Sales Associates

There's no doubt that Mapel has an amazing team.  While our W-2 employees are AMAZING, it's our "little helpers" that often steal the show at Mapel! As many of you know, I bring my 8 month-old daughter Cora Jean to the shop with me during the week.  It's quite the balancing act for me, but the customers seem to love it.  And Cora is developing a love for handbags at an early age.

In addition to my little baby helper, my 10 year old cousin, Grace, and her best friend, Aurora, often help at the shop.  They love their "job" more than I have ever seen any adult love their job.  I have never seen an employee get as excited as Grace does to mop the floor, or tag new inventory.  Grace and Aurora's enthusiasm is contagious and encourages me to look at my daily routine at Mapel in a whole new light.  If I can get even half as excited as they do about new store projects, then I am going to spend my time enjoying every moment of my work day!

Grace and Aurora especially LOVE offering Mapel chocolate truffles to customers.  And the customers instantly adore them and rarely refuse a chocolate treat! I haven't conducted a full analysis YET but I think it's safe to say that Mapel's sales go up when Cora, Grace, and Aurora are at the shop.  Also, they are wonderful models for Mapel's expanding Little Ones section in which you can now find beautiful handmade hats by Angelica Louthan (shown on Cora), along with fun frocks from Sanae Ishida and fresh spring dresses from Katie Myers.