Dear Monkee’s Girls,

You know that old saying A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words? Well I say a catchy handbag is worth a million laughs! That’s why I LOVE these Jessica Kagan Cushman totes! You might be familiar with Ms. Cushman’s adorable big resin bangles with those tongue ‘n cheek phrases (you can get them at our fabulous neighboring boutique, H.Audrey)… These totes are too cute for words and can’t help but make you giggle! Our very own Laura Wright stylishly carries her JKC bag around Belmont campus to class and creates much chatter… There are only a couple left and they would make a hilarious Easter happy for the lucky lady in your life ‘fellas!

And in closing, we are begging you size 6 girls to get in here and snap up the remaining $30 sale shoes we have left! Oddly, they mainly seem to be size 6 and they are lonely and need a good home!

Love,
Elizabeth

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

We have had a flurry of bright-eyed brides bound through our doors as of late in search of the perfect shoe for their wedding day!  And more often than not, our friends and neighbors on Bandywood at The Bride Room have referred their brides to Monkee’s!  I always keep an eye on The Bride Room’s BLOG as Charlotte, The Bride Room’s beautiful and talented proprietor, has me hooked on her daily posts!  So today, I was thrilled and honored to find that Monkee’s was featured on the blog!  Charlotte has the most beautiful gowns in her dreamy shop and we are always honored when she trusts one of her brides to finish off her gown with a pair of Monkee’s shoes!  

And speaking of wedding shoes…  These are a few of our favorites! Girls, think outside the box and beyond just a white satin shoe!  Include a little pop of color under your gown with a blue or even red shoe!  It’s fun and flirty and something unexpected as you walk down the aisle or flutter across the dance floor!!

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

I have always, always, always LOVED jewelry.  And while the real thing is lovely and I can stand in front of a Harry Winston window for hours, my favorite is the big, fun costume jewelry encrusted with crystals and stones.  Big, bright and fun…  Too much is never enough!  I probably get this penchant for baubles from my great-grandmother Madeline.  She always had loads of costume jewelry bursting from her jewelry box. 

So, on my first buying trip for Monkee’s when I walked into the Kenneth Jay Lane showroom, it was like I had died and gone to heaven!   My favorite pieces are the super sparkly animal bracelets.  They always make an outfit, and absolutely require extras to play them up.  I load on enamel and gold bangles with my jeweled bracelets.  And Kenneth Jay Lane is so timeless…  I have several vintage pieces that I have found various places that still are gorgeous!

Now, equally as blingy, but a just a bit edgier is Gerard Yosca.  I have been collecting his pieces for several years and they are so eye-popping that people stop me on the street to admire them.  Each collection has a theme and the pieces are truly divine inspiration.

If your stomach is in knots over whether “Lipstick Jungle” will return for another season, you will recognize many of the Kenneth Jay Lane and Gerard Yosca pieces as they are always sprinkled throughout the show on all 3 of the girls. 

Now any of these pieces can be a bit of an investment but they are a heck of a lot cheaper than diamonds!  So load up and bling it out!

Xoxo,

Elizabeth

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

With all the doom & gloom on the news about the economy and Chris Brown turning out to be less than clean-cut, a girl can’t even get her kicks from Perez Hilton without getting depressed!  But, fear not!  With the warmer weather, and the sun shining well past 4:30pm, Spring is here!  And you certainly won’t be sad when you visit Monkee’s and see all of the fabulous new Spring shoes!  And regardless of your budget, you will find the perfect pick-me-up to cure your blues!

So, everyone is asking me which shoes have come home with me (thus far)  for Spring.  I’ve had to contain myself because I can’t take all of the size 9s, but I carefully made my selection and here you go! 

Kate Spade “Freeda” – this is my FAVORITE shoe in the entire store!  You will be instantly cheery when you’re wearing these shoes!  The orange and turquoise are so chic together and the burst of jewelry makes your entire outfit.  I will be wearing these fabulous sandals with my white jeans, a simple black t-shirt and some turquoise jewelry and pretend that I’m on Capri with a lemoncello.  Heaven…

BCBG “Courtney” – this killer nude heel will go with literally everything.  And the pleated leather is so gorgeous.  With an LBD (little black dress) out to dinner and easy gold chains around the neck I won’t even have to think about it… just where to see and be seen!  You’ll probably see me at A Cause for Paws luncheon in these babies.

Belle “Sunburst Ballet” – this little green suede ballet is precious and it’s perfect for the pre-Easter, but I need a bright color fix.  I recently visited my buddy Erin in San Diego and wore this shoe on the plane.  People were stopping me in the airport to tell me how pretty they were.  Definitely an attention grabber!

Beverly Feldman “Dubai” – this thong with the shells and pearls is simply gorgeous.  It’s Robert’s “girlfriend” right now and we literally are drooling over it.  It’s so chic, but sweet and will be adorable sea-side with a colorful tunic and straw hat, or, while I’m working at Monkee’s in capris and a t-shirt.  It makes an outfit…

BCBG “Ohio” – everyone loves this little khaki suede loafer with the fluorescent orange patent detail but everyone asks what they should wear it with.  ANYTHING I say!  I’m living in these comfy shoes right now and mixing them with denim, browns, or blacks.  Just treat this major Spring like a neutral.  Everyone needs something bright in their wardrobe and this is a great way to do it.

Belle “Fringe” – this fringed thong sandal is edgy but chic and the stud details are so huge for Spring.  The first warm day that came our way, I put these bad-boys on and made sure my toenails were bright red.  Gorgeous…

Pucci “Lizzy B” – I love this Pucci print loafer so much, Lauralee decided to name it after me.  It’s a perfect transition shoe and navy is such a great alternative to black.  And the touch of Pucci print adds some elegance to a basic, but classic look.

BCBG “Ghita” – I worship this shoe.  And I am determined to teach you gals that you can’t be afraid of rose gold!  I promise, you just treat it like a neutral and wear it with everything!  And the jewelry on the toe of this ballet flat is a show-stopper.  These comfortable little flats can either be the focal point of your outfit, or blend in as a basic if you’re wearing something more snazzy up top.  While it’s a looker, it’s a basic and you’ll love it!

Marc by Marc Jacobs “Star” – it’s the comfort of a Dr. Scholl’s but with a fashion forward edge.  The platform of the shoe is detailed with graffiti art that is just so cool.  But it isn’t such a loud statement that it over-powers your look.  Light weight and fun and perfect for summer.

Now it’s your turn girls!  Come in and see me!  We’ll play shoe and pick out your favorites together!

Love,
Elizabeth