Accessory Show Recap

Last week I had the pleasure of attending my very first trade show! I shadowed Krin at a clothing show in St. Paul last fall, but this was my first solo foray into buying. Since our usual buyers don’t get out to the New York shows very often, it worked perfectly for me to represent The Rare Pair while I’m here on the job hunt!

First things first: it was overwhelming. The sheer number of booths (and no map of of the site to help me find my way) was intimidating in itself. I had a list of companies to visit, but it took me a while just to find my bearings! I probably wandered around for a half an hour, lost, before I figured out where I needed to go!

Secondly, it was a fabulous place to people-watch! I saw teams of buyers from every kind of store moving around the show, dressed to the nines in gorgeous sandals, perfectly-fitting jeans, and tailored blazers. Everyone really dressed up for this event and it was fun to absorb all the fashion. I wore my grey Converse sneakers from The Rare Pair with dark skinny jeans and a light denim shirt, and carried an Emilie Sloane tote (via The Rare Pair from a few years back) to hold all my stuff.

Finally – what I ordered! I picked out some great jewelry by Marlyn Schiff that should show up at the store in about a month. I tried to strike a balance between gold and silver, shiny and antiqued, sparkly and subtle, and there’s an even mix of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings. A few styles are RP best-sellers, but there are plenty of new things, too!

I also placed our fall 2012 order with Melie Bianco (remember the spring styles? So cute!). Just to give you an idea of what’s coming, I ordered mostly hobo and satchel shapes in gorgeous fall colors like deep plum, burnt orange, charcoal grey, and rich sienna, with great design details (think tassels, quilting, and woven patterns).

I also collected plenty of catalogs and took extensive notes on the fall lines of companies like Desigual, Frye, PJ Salvage, Nally & Millie, and Hobo.

I can’t wait for these shipments to arrive! You’ll have to let us know what you think of my picks!

 

You’re Invited: 6th Annual Girls Nite Out

Mother’s Day Chamilia

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, we’ve all got to figure out a way to show the amazing women in our lives just how amazing they are. Although no one thing can do her justice, something as pretty as Chamilia is a great place to start! Whether you’re starting her out with a basic bracelet and bead set or adding to an established collection, The Rare Pair has everything you need to make that special lady feel, well, very special. Stop by the store to see our full inventory of beads, bracelets and necklaces. We’d love to help you choose the perfect gift!

RP Spring Playlist

About a month ago, a woman stopped me in the store to ask what song was playing and as I recall, it was a song from Paul Simon’s newest CD. She was so excited that she asked me to write down every CD we had in rotation that day, and I was happy to oblige! The list I gave her was: Paul Simon’s So Beautiful or So What, The Decemberists’ The King is Dead, Punch Brothers Antifogmatic, Chris Thile and Michael Daves’ Sleep With One Eye Open, and Patty Griffin’s Impossible Dream.

Here are my five favorites from those albums for your listening pleasure, and be sure to listen for them in the store!

 

 

 

 

Get to Know You: Juley Jenkinson

Name: Juley Jenkinson

How long have you worked at The Rare Pair?
Three and a half years. My first day was Crazy Days… nothing like jumping in feet first!

Favorite brand (of the moment) that we carry?
Desigual is always a favorite for the bright colors and funky design. I also love !iT Jeans for their trendy fit and nice price.

What do you think is the most comfortable shoe at The Rare Pair?
Anyone that knows me well knows that I basically live in high heeled shoes! I’m so happy that we offer a nice selection of stylish but comfortable wedges and heels, like Børn and Indigo by Clarks.

What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s happened to you while working at The Rare Pair?
One Sunday afternoon, the store clock stopped working at 2:40. I kept checking the clock, thinking the day was moving along so slowly, and I didn’t realize what had happened until I looked at the bank clock across the street – it was actually 3:45! Oops!

What do you like most about your job?
I love my coworkers! The Rare Pair has a wonderful group of women working there and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it. Being in the heart of downtown Northfield is always fun and exciting, too!

Ring Round-up

We got some beautiful rings in last week and I couldn’t wait to share them with you! They have this great 3-dimensional quality, and they’re truly among the most unique pieces I’ve ever seen.

Which is your favorite?

 

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Merrell

1. Merrell began in 1981 with a pair of boots made by Randy Merrell. That year, Backpacker Magazine named them “the most comfortable and functional boots in North America.” Quite an accomplishment!

2. Merrell takes sustainability seriously! All shoe boxes and packaging and 100% recyclable, and their tissue paper and shoe stuffers are made with 100% post-consumer content. They also use soy-based inks in their package printing.

3. The Jungle Moc was introduced for the first time in 1998. The slip-on “aftersport” style is a performance/casual crossover and was revolutionary in the shoe industry – the first of its kind!

4. Merrell participates in the Soles4Souls program and has sent more than 4,000 pairs of shoes to Haiti.

5. The Women’s Barefoot Pace Glove was declared the best trail running shoe by Shape Magazine in their 2011 shoe guide. It’s an extremely lightweight yet supportive shoe that’s perfect for all kinds of outdoor activity. The Rare Pair carries two colors – Caribbean Sea and Black.

Images via merrell.com

Just a Reminder: Closed on Easter Sunday

Just want to remind you that we’ll be closed this Sunday, April 8 for Easter, but be sure to stop in today or Saturday for some last-minute Easter basket goodies! Think spring scarves, earrings, brightly patterned Smartwool or a simple beaded bracelet. We also have plenty of colorful dresses, skirts and shoes if you’re still looking for something to wear on Sunday!

6 Tops That Make Your Outfit

Here are six new tops that are guaranteed to make your outfit! I love a piece that’s got enough going on that the rest of the outfit doesn’t require a lot of thought. All you need is a great pair of jeans, a cami, and a cardigan or cute jacket to throw over the top. Keep your accessories simple; drop earrings or studs would be perfect, and a fun scarf would look great with these, too. You don’t want to distract too much from these pretty, floaty tops – they deserve to be center stage!

Which would you wear?

New For Spring: Dansko Sandals

We got a shipment of new Dansko sandals last week that are perfect for this sunny, springy weather we’ve been having (just try to ignore the fact that it’s still March…). They’ve got the most amazing wooden base (very 70′s-inspired!) and I especially love the two styles with a cutout heel. The leather straps are smooth and soft, and these neutral shades will pair well with anything you have in your closet – dresses, skirts, cropped pants or wide-leg denim. Plus, they’ve got Dansko’s signature comfort. Gotta love a sandal that’s versatile! Which is your favorite?

Logo via dansko.com