Mapel Emphatically Announces Orange Box Jewelry

Earlier this summer I had an adorable, petite yoga instructor of a customer in the store. She was up from Seattle showing her parents (from Nebraska) around the northwest area. I won't divulge too much info about this customer- but she fell in heart with our assortment of "petite" jeans and I in-turn found a Fabulous new jewelry designer. She was wearing the cutest most unique earrings I've ever seen.

She bought them at the Fremont Market from a woman that has a collection called Orange Box Jewelry. It took me all of .05 seconds to google OBJ, email her and set up a time to talk over the phone about working together. A few days later we had our first shipment of Orange Box Jewelry. Upon receipt my mouth dropped. Her collection is AmAzInG. Amazing.

Each piece is compiled of vintage, 2nd hand bits and pieces that she pairs with new necklace chains, earring backs and ring circumferences. Essentially the "bling" is second hand and the hardware is first hand. Each pieces tells a story and lends it's own personality to your look.

She strongly believes in recycled goods. So much so that all of her packaging and business cards are recycled goods. Fabulous!!!! Even better- the prices are Brilliantly affordable. All Rings are $22, All Earrings are $24, and All Necklaces are $32. Great prices for One of a Kind Jewelry.

So if all of the above hasn't sold you on OBJ let me share some eye candy.

We've compiled a few OBJ "looks".

Tap into your Inner Renaissance with these "Queen Elizabeth" inspired pieces

Gold Tear Drop Necklace $32

Vintage Cameo Ring $22

Gold Pearl Earrings $24

Make a Statement with these Buzz Worthy pieces

Crested Pearl Ring $22

Lucky Bee Necklace $32

Diamond Stud Drop Earrings $24

Let your Jewelry do the Talkin with these Unique pieces

Gold Cone Earrings $24

Rhinestone Cluster Ring $22

Linked Pendant Necklace $32

Girls are full of "Everything Nice" with these Sweetly Feminine pieces

Gold Pearl Swirl Ring $22

Ring Drop Necklace $32

Smokey Blue Drop Earrings $24

Hit the Road Jack

We are in the thick of summer- and by this time you have likely savored a few mojitos, worn out your favorite sandals, hosted a few bbq's and attended a wedding.

Next task on your list of "summer must do's" is to take a Road Trip. Set your navigator on a mini get away that involves food, drink, sun, relaxing and fabulous company. The pre planning involves deciding on your desired destination, packing your bags, and calling in sick to work. I will let you take care of deciding the destination and working up an authentic hoarse voice for your call to work. However when it comes to the packing..... I would love to lend some useful and fashionable advise.

Overnight Bag: You'll want a durable and multifunctional bag that makes a wardrobe statement. Something that is large enough to carry your clothes, make up and shoes. The Woven City Bag $58 is tall and wide enough to hold all of the above and a few extra smut magazines. The roomy interior is 17" wide, 13" tall and has 7" depth. Extra PLUS are the pockets built into the inside- for keys, phone, gloss, etc. etc. and the real leather like woven exterior. This bag doubles as a work carry all during the week.

In Transit: The actual road trip is a key component to any weekend get away. You want to look good while ensuring comfort. Casual linen pants in black for $36 are easy to coordinate with, breathable and chic with the higher waist line.
Pair these black linen pants with an easy pre-shrunk $18 burnout tank from Alternative. Choose from violet, cobalt, white, kelly green or washed black.

Day Of: You've slept in and enjoyed the "complimentary" coffee. Now it's off to enjoy a day in a new environment sans an agenda and hopefully full of good food, drink and sun. You'll want to wear something that makes a statement for all those FB pics you'll take. The Smocked Floral Dress $52 from Tulle has a summer fun print in a breathable pull on silhouette. Pair this dress with sandals or flip flops.

Evening: If everything went according to plan you had a fabulous day out, took a nap in the later afternoon and now you need to ready yourself for dinner out. Get your sexy on with the Gwenevere Skinny Jeans $172. YES- YOU can wear skinny jeans. You'll look good and feel even better. The stretch material lends ease and flexibility.
Pair these sexy jeans with retro inspired Smocked $32 tube top. Available in black or sky blue. Transition this top into office appropriate with a boyfriend blazer or cardigan.

Heading Home: Unfortunately the wekend will come to an end and you have to head back home. Throw on a pair of denim kickers from Joes Jeans $158. They are casual, stretchy comfortable and still look good for your fb pictures.
Easily pair your capri jeans with a summer favorite sweater- the Kimono Sleeve Hoodie $42. The relaxed terry cloth material has a weekend casual aesthetic and is also uniquely chic.

Lastly- be sure to pack sunscreen and a wine opener. Bon Voyage

Going to the Chapel....

I'm not getting married again (already found my Torrey lobster!).  But lots of other people are this summer...so finding that "perfect" dress for summer weddings is top priorty.  But before I get to my "sales pitch" (might as well call a spade a spade), I have to share a little bit about the most AMAZING wedding....

Last weekend we went to a very adorable chapel in Seattle's Mt Baker neighborhood to see our dear friends, Allison and Michael, get hitched.  In case you don't recall the story, Allison is the reason Mapel exists today - the link between Staci and Jenelle.  

But enough about us (for now) - it seems EVERYBODY has a wedding to go to this summer.  At least that's what we hear from our customers on a daily basis.  If you are as last minute as my girlfriends and me (we were trying on dress options the night before Alli's wedding), then you may need some last minute options.  Our most popular designer for summer dress options has been Veronica M dresses - the styles are fresh and unique and the prices are all under $110.  We can hardly keep them in stock and continue to place re-orders - you must check it out - I insist!

Okay, back to us.  Jaime, Staci, and I (of course) wore Mapel dresses to the wedding.  The three of us have VERY different body types, so it was fun to see how each different style dress worked for each of us.  Jaime looked amazingly hot (in the words of her husband) in the black kimono dress - the top minimized her "well-endowed" chest and showed off her sexy legs (again, I'm taking actual quotes from her husband).  The color, print, and style were classy for this evening summer wedding. 

Staci chose the flora dropwaist maxi - perfect style for a summer evening wedding.  The blouson-style top added shape and the bold print suited her contagious personality.

And I couldn't resist the black splash dress - loved that it was bra-friendly, a flattering length on my "vertically-challenged" body, and I absolutely love the black and white print.

Allison's wedding was intimate, fun, and absolutely perfect! Staci gave a memorable toast followed by lots of dancing and merriment.

Wear With What? Introducing Mapel's Gwenevere Skinny Shaia

Some of you may remember our previous "Wear With What?" posts. Today we are thrilled to bring you our latest edition, featuring our new fave denim pick the Gwenevere Skinny Shaia from 7 for all mankind!!

Aren't these the perfect skinnys? Let's take a look at the versatile outfit options for this knockout pair.

Here we've paired our fabulous skinnys with a pop of color-perfect for a day out with the girls!

Gauze Drawstring Top $28

Drawstring Soiree Bag $218

Pair with your best heels.

Create the ultimate relaxed look with the Cobalt Burnout Tank $18, a statement tye dye scarf and of course, your best heels.

The nautical look is still going strong! Get beach ready in our Belted Nautical Dress $48  and pair with a stylish wide brimmed hat.

Mapel Introduces.......

Mapel wants to introduce our newest local designer - Crystalyn Kae. She is a sweet Seattle based handbag designer that creates functional, unique and durable products.  How did I hear about Crystalyn Kae? Through my good friend Brooke - of course.

Brookie makes it a point to not only wear Mapel- but to directly contribute to our product assortment via her strong and determined voice. Shortly after she found out (and was gifted) a Crystalyn Kae treatie she "conveniently" placed a large stack of her business cards on my coffee table. The rest if history.

How did Brookie hear about Crystalyn Kae? I'll let her tell you herself:
It was at a charity auction last December when I was first introduced to Crystalyn Kae. My husband and I were putting on the charity auction and had intimate knowledge of all the items being donated and auctioned. While there were plenty of great items, there were also several very “interesting” items….that were a challenge to merchandise in an enticing way, as to attract fellow auction goers.

That said - it was a wonderful surprise when my husband came in with a box overflowing with lovely little bundles and straps of camel, green and ivory colored leather. I of course immediately recognized them as handbags and they immediately got the front row seat at auction table #1 (right next to the wine gift basket and Mapel gift package).

I of course tried them all “on” and fell for the camel one with the ivory fabric insert…however, putting on the auction, gave me no opportunity to actually bid on any of the items. Sad. Throughout the auction, as I poured wine for people (more wine, more buying, right?), I watched as people hovered over auction table #1. They picked up the clutches, unzipped them, put their cellphone and lip sticks in for sizing and of course wrote down bids every time. By the end of the auction, I had released the idea of having my new camel clutch join me for the walk home. There would be no memories of pairing it with new boots, stuffing it full of Velana K lipgloss, or showing it off to my new friends.

But wait!!! As I was gathering up the auction bid sheets, I saw my last name as the winning bidder of a particular camel clutch. Either someone else at the auction shared my last name, or I had the best husband ever. Of course, it was the latter and I got my Crystalyn Kae! I Love the clutch and use it all the time….perfect wrist strap, great detailing, timeless style. Oh, and generous local designer who donates to charity auctions does not hurt either.

You can find all of Mapel's Crystalyn Kae handbags on our website.

Drawstring Soiree Bag $218

Troubadour Tote $182

Metier Square Shopper $156

Charleston Topstitch Hobo $142

Soiree Drawstring Bag $218