Father's Day Fashion

If you follow this blog, you've probably learned a little bit about my husband, Torrey, and his - let's just call it  "unique" - sense of style.  He is all about dressing for the occasion - we have the largest Halloween costume assortment of anyone I know.  During Oktoberfest you'll see him in his "town drunk" hat, during Christmas lighting he sports a scrooge top hat, and most recently has become OBSESSED with wearing lederhosen.  (we are in "Bavaria" after all...) 

So on this particular Father's Day, Torrey prepared to go golfing by putting together golfing attire reminiscent of Payne Stewart meets Rodney Dangerfield.  Knickers - yes.  plaid - uh huh.  Patriot - indeed.  Crazy - fo' sure. 

Those of you who know me well - know that I like to analyze EVERYTHING, so here I am analyzing my husband's obsession with unique "look at me" fashion.  The attention must be a big part of it - it's as if he's performing some sort of role (like when you visit Disney World and everyone is "in character") and wants to make sure the crowd is pleased by his performance.  He certainly gets a reaction out of people, which I KNOW he loves b/c he is always trying to get some sort of reaction out of me.  Whatever the reason - I've come to appreciate this side of him and have taken a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach" on many occasions.  (although you will not see me in knickers anytime soon!)

"Investment" advice from a college student...

By: Elsa Wagner

Every summer I get the chance to come home from college at Western Washington University in Bellingham and work as a sales associate at Mapel in my hometown of Leavenworth. One of my duties at Mapel is to bring my "college-ish" style to the products we offer. So for those of you who don't mind taking style tips from a 21 year-old, here goes!

Here I am (hard at work) wearing our gorgeous Water Color Wrap Dress.

As a college student, I have been fighting the sweat-pants everyday look that most gradually adopt. I am a relatively rare commodity at Western-a student who actually LIKES fashion! My love of fashion (some might say obsession) combined with my financial status as a college student makes shopping somewhat difficult. I have found that if I buy what I like to call "Investment" pieces, I can satisfy my cravings for fashion while paying for school.

So you might be asking, what are these said "Investment" pieces? My lovely friend Alex graciously agreed to model some looks to show off three investment looks that I am loving at Mapel right now.

Here Alex shows off three great investment pieces: Mapel's Boyfriend Blazer from Tulle with our ever-popular Burnout Tank in Kelly Green and our newest 7 For All Mankind style, the Gwenevere Skinny Shaia. 

Every girl needs that perfect summer dress! Alex perfectly models our Flora Dropwaist Maxi from Veronica M. Who doesn't love a maxi dress silhouette?

And last-but definitely not least-Alex shows off Mapel's Malina Silver Dress. If you're schedule looks anything like mine, you're going to need a great dress to wear to all of those summer weddings! This gorgeous number by Mahtab Azimi is timeless for women of any age. 

Walk, Drink, Repeat

Wine Walk Pictures provided by Earth & Sky Studios

The 8th Annual Leavenworth Wine Walk was a huge success with the biggest turnout to date! That news wasn't at all surprising to me since I watched the crowds come into Mapel all day long.  I'd like to pretend that the crowds were all in pursuit of fashion, but I have to be honest (darn) and admit that Mapel was a tasting location at this year's wine walk. 

Knipprath Cellars came all the way from Spokane with 3 of the most amazing wines.  The winemaker himself, Henning, brought in the cases of wine and provided tastings to the eager wine walkers.  Next time you're in Spokane, I highly recommend visting Henning at Knipprath Cellars (Henning DID let me take home the open bottles of wine at the end of the night, but that's not the only reason I love Knipprath!).  Rumor has it that Knipprath's wine was one of the most popular at this year's event.  (it's a small town - people talk)

My darling friend Niki drove over from Seattle to help me at Mapel for the day.  Of coarse the customers bought everything they saw Niki wearing since she is so adorable.  Doesn't this Tulle sheer printed top look amazing on  her? I thought it looked so cute that I let her take it home w/ her at the end of the night.  She deserved it after slaving all day on Mapel's behalf!

Niki and I were so busy running around helping all our fabulous customers that we didn't have time to eat, so our endlessly helpful neighbors at Haus Dog Kaffeehaus brought us some homemade mango salsa later in the afternoon.  (don't worry - there is a point to me telling you this random info) As I was ringing up yet another satisfied wine taster, I saw that the crowds had started "sampling" our chips and salsa! "Hey, that's my dinner!" I thought, but only smiled at them as if to say "Enjoy".  One guy who was a bit more

sober than the others finally said to his wife "I think you're eating this girl's supper".  She looked terribly embarrassed and turned bright red and all I could do was laugh. 

At the end of the day, Henning gave me a bottle of my favorite "Au Chocolat" flavored port style wine with pure chocolate extracts and grape spirits. (doesn't look like i'm about to fall asleep gazing at it?) It is the chocolate lover's ultimate dessert wine, which is why I think it's the perfect wine for Mapel! Perhaps Staci and I should start passing out tastings of "au chocolat" in addition to our mapel truffles?!

Here comes Summer

Like clock work Memorial Weekend kicks off the summer season in Leavenworth.  It's funny how that works- it's like a curtain is lifted and our customers immediately shift from large convention like work groups to families with 2.5 kids. I like it though.... it's nice to have various "seasons" of customers to suite various "seasons" of weather.

The other nice thing about retail seasons is the product change. Honestly- after you have folded the Same Stack of jeans or steamed and re-hung the same sweater dress you get very anxious for new new new product to feast your eyes (and merchandising fingers) on.

Building up to the holiday weekend I cracked the retail whip and hustled in some new summer treats. So glad I did because we had surprisingly sunny (no rain) weather in Leavenworth. With the sunny weather comes an appetite for summer dress', light weight tanks, and sandals - all of which Mapel had full stock in.

Don't despair if you missed out on Memorial Weekend in L'worth..... If you know anything about "The Little Town that Could" you know we have as many festivals as we do beer steins. Lucky for you this coming weekend is another "Fav'sies Festivals" of ours. Wine Walk. Enough said- right?

Next weekend will be the 8th annual wine walk- and for the first time- Mapel is hosting a winery!!! Yes.... you read that correctly. This Saturday you can find new summer dress', havaianas sandals, premium denim, signature chocolate truffles + Wine!!!! Briilliant.

Enjoy the Summer Breeze in New Mapel Capri's

Is it summer yet??? Given the current fickle weather the jury is still out on that one. None the less Mapel is offering a shopping incentive sure to bring on the summer sun...... or at least help ease the pain of this "liquid sunshine".

Starting Thursday May 20th through Monday May 31st Mapel customer's can

"Enjoy the Summer Breeze in New Mapel Capri's"

with 20% off all capri styles + FREE Tulle Tank Top with Purchase + FREE Shipping.

Mapel has 4 summer breeze worthy capri styles @ 20% off retail price.

* Joes Jeans Cropped Paltrow Kicker     $126.40 (normally $158)

* 7 For All Mankind Cropped Twill Josefina       $118.40 (normally $148)

* See Thru Soul Roll Up Boyfriend  $68.80  (normally $86)

* Kut from the Kloth Favorite Capri    $62.40 (normally $78)

+ FREE Tulle Tank Top with purchase

* Choose from a summer color palette of Yellow, Pink, Blue, Red, Teal, White or Purple.

*Customers are asked to leave a "note" in the checkout field with their desired tank top color & size

 

+ FREE Priority Mail Shipping on all orders

Discounted prices on capri styles will be automatically populated on website & availabe in store started Thursday the 20th through May 31st.

We Drank the Kool-Aid

As if our friends and family didn't already think we were crazy for moving from Seattle to this sweet little Bavarian Village in the mountains......we have now fully immersed ourselves in living the "theme-town life" by dressing in dirndls and lederhosen.  This past weekend was Leavenworth's annual Maifest celebration!
We marched in the parade on Saturday - Cora and me in our authentic Bavarian dirndls.  I recently became aware of the fact that not everyone knows what a dirndl is (my friends in Seattle were like "a what?!" when I mentioned my new one).  A dirndl is "a woman's dress with a full gathered skirt and fitted bodice; originating from Tyrolean peasant wear [German (Bavarian and Austrian): shortened from Dirndlkleid, from Dirndl little girl + Kleid dress]". 

Torrey proudly wore his newest lederhosen - "short leather pants of a kind worn with suspenders by men and boys in the Alps" (Origin: German: lederhosen; leder, leather + hose, pants).  Now I get to put a little plug in for my husband's idea of business venture "Landgraf's Lederhosen Lounge", where he sells authentic lederhosen in a variety of sizes and colors.  He's starting by posting ads on craigslist and through word-of-mouth, but hopes to grow his business in time of Oktoberfest! So, if your man needs a nice pair of lederhosen for this year's O'fest celebration, you know where to send him!

Following the Maifest parade, Torrey competed in the annual "lederhosen" contest and won "best looking man in lederhosen" by showing off his fancy moves.  I don't know if anyone in the audience had seen someone do the worm or the moonwalk in lederhosen before.  I doubt they were "authentic" German moves, but nonetheless, it seemed to please the crowd.

This year Maifest celebration included Mother's Day festivities on Sunday.  Staci and her mom, Jeannie competed in the "Mother-Daughter Look Alike" contest in their matching outfits and sunglasses - all compliments of Mapel! My mom and I also wore matching Mapel tops (remember that Kersh paisley cardi from the fall - still valid!)  In case you missed out this year, plan on joining us for Maifest activities next year!

Wear with What??? Cropped Twill Josefina

Within the last 8 months Mapel has received numerous customer call outs for "boyfriend jeans". You ask for it- you got it!!! We added two "boyfriend" fit jeans to our assortment.

The Cropped Boyfriend $86 & the Full Length Distressed Boyfriend $86 (shown rolled up here)

Denim Boyfriend Jeans: CHECK

Denim is a huge player in the fashion arena- but we're also seeing twill moving up in the fashion ranks. Going into fall twill pants will be washed and distressed like denim and play a dominant part in fashion. Not to be left behind Mapel has picked up a double hitter.

Twill Josefina Boyfriend Pants from 7 For All Mankind $148

 Twill Boyfriend Pants: CHECK

So now that we are embracing 2 trends in one whammie garment let's elaborate on "what to wear" with these double hitter pants.

Here we've paired our twill pants with natural earth tones.

 Ideal for an afternoon shopping or lunching with friends. Cinch Shoulder Tote $48. 

Eco Conscious Tilly White Top $62. Statement jewelry piece Peached Woven Necklace $32.

Tap into your "inner sailor self" with the Hooded Nautical Pullover $38 paired with stonewash Jett Jacket $48 and vegan Spring Tote $68.

Order your double frappaccino mocha frappe latte in style. Pair 7's Twill Josefina Boyfriend Pants $148 with Mapel's best selling White Burnout Tee $26 and credit card ready Croc Narrow Wallet $24. Bling courtesy of Adorn Jewelry's Braided Necklace $32.

Get some names on your dance card by pairing these Twill Boyfriend Pants $148 with "come hither heels".

Shown here with Dancing Silk Cardigan $48 & Gold Quilted Bag $48.

Nail that interview with this city chic prof' look. Twill Boyfriend Pants $148 all grown up with Boyfriend Blazer $62 & Sheer Printed Top $42. Transport your resume in the Spring Hobo Tote $64. 

Lastly & simply said pair 7's Twill Boyfriend Pants $148  with this comfy yet sexy Marilyn Knit Top $48  and simple accents of Giraffe Flat Wallet $32 & Bangles $35.