Tucker Blair - Dog Collars are In!

Ever since founder Taylor Llewellyn first mentioned coming out with needlepoint dog collars, I've been very excited to see this product for pooches. Well the collars have finally launched, and they're available in three beautiful patterns: Nautical Flags, Lobsters, and American Flags. The needlepoint look is relaxed, at the same time sophisticated. Each collar is 1" wide. These three styles come in three sizes: S (17″), M (20″), L (23″), and they are adjustable, so whether you have a little dog or a big guy, you will be able to find the perfect fit. I'd love to see my two dogs wearing matching TB collars and running around on this beach!

I have the lobster needlepoint design in a headband, and I've loved wearing it because of its impeccable quality and hand stitching. The quality shines through the same way in these dog collars. Every collar is individually handcrafted with 100% wool stitching by the Tucker Blair needle workers, who work closely with the Tucker Blair designers to ensure detail and design accuracy. The needlepoint is backed on dark brown full grain leather, clasped with a shining silver buckle. By buying your dog a TB collar, your are investing in a truly unique piece.

My favorite part about this company is the approach they take to managing their business. They do not have bricks-and-mortar stores, but rather they distribute online and through word of mouth referrals - which really is the best way I believe to find out about the most unique products regardless. Taylor and the others at Tucker Blair want to ensure that your shopping experience is the best it could be. They are available online, on the phone, and by email to answer any questions and help you out in any way they can. I hope you take a peek at their great products, because you are sure to be beyond satisfied.

To visit Tucker Blair's online store, please click the link:

Pop of Color and a Dash of Delight

"A pop" and "a dash" - quite aptly describes my blogging habits as of late. My posts have been less frequent ever since starting work at a financial consulting firm in late August. I am loving my job, however working very hard as an Analyst, so I have decided to maintain a weekly basis for posting. I will be updating my Daily Reads and Favorite Places to Shop, and hope you continue to enjoy this blog as much as I do enjoy reading yours. Below please see the pop of color and dash of delightful new fall apparel and accessory items that Kate Spade is debuting in its latest and greatest Fall Collection.

All the Best,

Melanie

Let Me Introduce You....

I’ve been wanting to introduce a wonderful company called Bungalow that was started by a fellow Cornell alumnus mentor of mine, Deborah Waterman Johns, with her husband Ben Johns. Her entrepreneurial spirit and incredible creativity inspired me to follow her on the same degree program at Cornell, and she has continued to keep me updated with the latest Scout bags and color lines. I’m always excited to see what the newest print will be, and with every season there are more and more products available. The line has expanded from basic tote bags into coolers, laptop cases, backpacks, and more!

For the past 25 years, Deb has traveled to Paris, Milan, and London for the major trend and fashion shows, making it her business to know the colors, styles, and designers for the upcoming season. She uses these insights as inspiration for the seasons’ Scout products. Deb’s history is quite fascinating. After Cornell she worked as an editor at Vogue, so she understood the world of fashion and the importance it plays in women’s lives. When she moved to Washington, D.C., from NYC, she saw a major fashion opportunity - she saw in her new community women with high-profile careers in media and politics but few fashion alternatives. And so she created Get Dressed, a business based on the assumption that most women don’t have the time or opportunity to find clothes that truly work for them. Washingtonian magazine published an article with Deb’s “Tips to Dress By” for Washingtonian women.

Deb is also a dedicated philanthropist. Deb focuses on the issues she cares most about and directs her energy (a lot of it) into grassroots initiatives that bring together members of the Washington, D.C., community to share valuable resources. Deb’s professional and philanthropic works are all rooted in the same spirit that is at the heart of Bungalow’s message, attitude, and style. That spirit is best expressed in the life that Deb and Ben Johns created for themselves, their family, and their friends in their Georgetown home: a place that doesn’t take itself too seriously, combining old and new, with a pervasive sense of humor. On Friday night, I had the pleasure of attending the Johns’ annual GO BO GO fundraiser soiree at their home in Georgetown. Deb and Ben started Go Bo Go six years ago, when her son, Bo, was diagnosed with cancer. After seeing some families struggle to meet their basic financial needs in the face of high medical bills, she and a group of families in Georgetown created a fund, which gives grants to families of children with cancer so that their unexpected medical expenses don’t mean they can’t pay for food, rent, and other essentials. The Go Bo Go fund raises its grant money from an annual theme party at the Johns’ home. The fund’s parties are themselves another reflection of the Bungalow philosophy. No fancy food, no black tie; instead, a theme like “Beach Blanket Bingo/Under the Boardwalk” or this year’s “Backyard BBQ” - and people dancing in silly costumes to fabulous bands. Each one brings people in their community together for a fun night where they can let loose and do some good under a big tent in the Johns’ backyard.

I hope many of you will checkout the Scout bags and Bungalow’s other products at their website www.bungalowco.com./ You will be sure to fall in love with the products, both for the stylish aesthetic and practical durability. Look for them in boutiques around Washington, as they have been trickling into the best shops around town.

Fall Swap

I received my Fall Swap package in the mail the other day, and it was delightful to open the many presents from Helen of Monograms & Manicures. I was happy to be paired with the hostess of the Fall Swap, who sent me many kind gifts all of which I loved! Here is a picture of her beautiful package. Thank you, Hopsy, for your sweet and thoughtful presents.

I also got an invitation in the mail from the Madison Ave Lilly Pulitzer store for a special showing of aqua art on Wednesday, September 16 by photographer Christopher Pulitzer Leidy. Unfortunately I am unable to attend, but for any of you in the NYC area, the event is from 6-8pm at 1020 Madison Avenue. Please call 212-744-4620 to rsvp.

Cape Madras Sale

Thousand Islands

This Labor Day weekend I spent on the St. Lawrence River in the town of Clayton. Clayton was voted the Best Small Town in NY by Coastal Living magazine. It’s entire downtown is a National Register of Historic Places. This trip was my first introduction to the Thousand Islands region, which was absolutely lovely and bustling with people out on the water in their motor boats and sailboats. The town hosts its annual Antique Wooden Boat Show every August, and during the rest of the year they have open a wonderful Antique Boat Museum. It was amazing to see such pristinely restored boats of the great boatmakers Lyman, Chris-Craft, Gar Wood, and Riva.

Labor Day Discount

The PR Director at Tucker Blair Needlepoint has graciously extended to readers a 20% discount offer on any flip-flops purchased during Labor Day weekend. You can view the full line of needlepoint products at www.tuckerblair.com. Please enter the code “LABORDAY” at checkout, and I hope you enjoy it.

Welcome September

Happy September to everyone! Yesterday on the first day of this month I drew the winner for the Ame & Lulu golf bag. Congratulations to AshleyBelle, I am pleased to announce that you are the giveaway winner! Thank you for sending the lovely photograph, and I do hope that you start your blog soon. In the meantime, thank you for reading, and please send me your address so I can slip your prize in the mail. I sincerely thank everyone for entering the giveaway, and I hope everyone who loved the shoe bag will visit www.ameandlulu.com to take advantage of the full line of products that Ame & Lulu has to offer. Whether you love yoga, tennis, golf, or are a working girl, the fun and sophisticated prints of their flexible line of products is sure to fit with your lifestyle.