Dear Monkee’s Girls,

About a year ago, Lauralee and I discovered the invention to top all inventions!  The isABelt!  IsABelt is the Original invisible belt, the MUST HAVE Fashion “fix-it” accessory. A thin, strong and flexible clear plastic belt, that virtually disappears when worn, providing you with the assurance that all is secure without even knowing it’s there. IsABelt prevents back gap, slippage and of course, belt bulk and belt bulge.

As a modest, low-rise jean is nearly impossible to come by, the isABelt will keep you from any fashion faux-pas when bending down.  Being that we roll around on the floor at Monkee’s most of the day, helping you slip your shoes on and off, it’s a MUST for my girls to keep their derrieres discreetly inside their denim!

We keep these babies right up at the register so they are sure to catch your eye.  And after a brief instruction and a dissertation on the virtues of this product, most ladies will toss one in along with their new shoes.  The isABelt adjusts similarly easily, and it has this genius little locking mechanism that prevents the belt from growing with you throughout the day.  It stays put no matter how hard you shake it!

Now, there are plenty of less effective copy-cats on the market, but our friends Elise, Leslie, and Lori (three gorgeous sisters) have put much effort and integrity behind their product and it is truly top-notch!  And we love their new blog which lets us get the low-down on what these busy girls are up to!

If you don’t believe me, come and try it for yourself.  They fly off the shelves and are a must for any modest Monkee’s girl!

xo,

Elizabeth

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

 

One of our favorite tasks is assisting you precious friends in dressing and accessorizing for a party!  It’s even more special one one of our Junior Monkee’s puts something as important as a dress for Harpeth Hall graduation or the perfect prom shoe in our fashionable hands.  We were flattered that our friend Adelaide Morphett sought out our advice regarding shoe choices for an upcoming Sweet Sixteen party she planned to attend at Cabana! 

 

Being a young lady, she (and her sweet Mom) wanted something youthful, but playful.  And of couse something appropriate for a rollicking Sweet Sixteen event.  She had found a killer steel grey skirt dotted with delicate crystals up at Anthropologie and planned to wear it with a more basic top.  Immediately, I thought of the BCBG Madison jelly in begonia with the gorgeous crystals on the toe.  And they were the perfect match!  The hot pink simply popped and the crystal detail was perfect for such a soiree!  Then, the jelly rubber ensured that any soda pop that dribbled on the floor wouldn’t ruin her pretty shoes!  Even better, Adelaide will get tons of mileage out of these lovelies whether she needs a pick-me-up on a rainy day or the perfect pairing with her Harpeth Hall uniform!

 

 

 

Oh, to be Sweet Sixteen again!

 

xo,

EB

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

 

I was perusing the Tennessean this morning over my Star Bagel breakfast and was struck by the Shopping Diva, Cathi Aycock’s editorial.  Apparently, a reader had taken offense to her recent column debating whether to install a chandelier over a ceiling fan in her home and she so eloquently expressed a point that I have made many times over these past few months. 

(Sorry for oversized photo!  But, I had to make it big enough for you to read!  Not the best aesthetically, but practicality prevailed here!)

Yes, these have been a dismal few months at times.  An exhausting recession, the fateful flooding, a disastrous oil spill, Lindsay Lohan in jail…  It’s enough to make a girl want to hide under the covers with a pint of Chunky Monkey!  And while things like shoes and purses and jewelry seem like a frivolity they are a necessity!  Your local purchases keep every single one of us employed and circulating dollars through our local economy.  And I have to say sweet friends, we are always honored when you choose to spend your hard earned pennies with us!

 

xo,

Elizabeth

PS: Click Here to hop to Cathi’s blog!

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

I have always had a love-hate relationship with Lilly Pulitzer.  While I adored the Lilly of old with the chic shifts and fresh prints, the brand underwent a deep depression that got lost in the Dillard’s-ization of fashion.  Mundane and miserable.  But last Spring I attended a Lilly trunk show at one of the sister Monkee’s stores and literally lost my mind.  Lilly had resurfaced from her black hole and I over indulged in her classic elegance with a modern twist.  Today girls, the line is just plain plucky, and I can’t get enough.  And given that the styles I brought in to our Monkee’s in Nashville literally FLEW off the racks, neither can YOU!

So, recently my darling Lilly Pulitzer rep Sasha invited me down to Atlanta to preview the Resort line.  She wined and dined me (at the Ritz Carlton no less) and I was literally swooning over the entire collection.  JUST. YOU. WAIT.  While the Fall Lilly will knock your socks off, the Resort line will send you reeling!  Ship date is late October 2010. Here’s a little preview just for YOU!

CLICK HERE!

xo,

Elizabeth

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

I’m always looking for the latest and greatest to bring you the most up-to-date fashion.  And this au naturel craze is the rage!  I have been fascinated by our latest jewelry line by L.A. based designer, Dara Ettinger.  Dara takes geodes, crystals, and agate in the raw and creates bold jewelry at very fashionista friendly prices.  I am in love with these natural looks for Fall and these one-of-a-kind necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings are not to be missed!

I am particularly partial to those sliced geode earrings with the chartreuse silk tassles.

The geode bib necklace and cuff are the perfect statement piece.  And, don’t be afraid to consider these for a formal occasion!  Kind of a new-age grecian look?  Or a modern take on the crown jewels!

xo,

EB

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

At the end of each season, our devoted shoe addicts wait with baited breath for the date of our famous BUY ONE GET ONE FREE event.  The advanced VIP sale is the place to be and if you are on our “exclusive” MonkeeMail list, you’ve already heard!  Loosen up those wallets girls and make room in the closet, because this THURSDAY, July 15 is the date!

Now, you know the drill.  Come early and shop ’til you drop.  There are some incredible shoes in an array of sizes.  And we’re cleaning house to make room for the amazing Fall fashions that are rolling in on those UPS trucks.  Fabulous Gerard Yosca jewelry; Gucci sunglasses; Linea Pelle belts; and of course, the shoes!  In addition to the BOGO, we have Spring/Summer bags marked down along with what remains of our summer clothing.  And don’t you worry, we’ll have plenty of wine to keep you hydrated!

See you Thursday!

xo,

EB

PS: If you can’t make it Thursday, the sale runs through Sunday so come when you can.  There’s plenty to go around!

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

A couple of you have texted to say you were shopping the fabu sale at Monkee’s today!  Well, you won’t find me at the Hill Center because I am here:

Sometimes a girl’s gotta kick off her shoes and get a little sun on her toes!  So while I’m recharging at my family’s lake house, there are some sweet deals awaiting you at Monkee’s!  Here’s just a peek of what’s at 50%-75% off ’cause we’re making room for the gorgeous new Fall merchandise arriving daily!

BCBG “Margarita” $225 Now $112.50

DaniBlack “Kiki” $130 Now $65

Cole Haan “Jocelyn” $228 Now $114

Bernardo “Lover” $134 Now $67

Martinez Valero “Isis” $99 Now $49.50

Lots more waiting for you at Monkee’s!  And keep your eyes peeled for our famous Buy One Get One Free Sale…  You won’t get an invite to the VIP advance sale if you aren’t on our MonkeeMail list!

xo,

Elizabeth

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

While the vast majority of souls that walk through our doors are of the female persuasion, we love it when a gentleman comes to call!  Now, the fellas are most interesting to watch.  If they are accompanying a lady, they beeline to the sofa and settle in.  Then, almost always they discover the DumDums (the official lollipop of Monkee’s) and sit back to observe our den of femininity while enjoying a little sweet treat.  Now, if they are coming in to purchase a present for a lucky lady, they generally head straight for the counter, a bit wide-eyed and sheepish, asking for assistance and we are always happy to oblige.  Then, these gift giving sweethearts leave with smiles on their faces, relieved to have a “happy” that their honey will love, all wrapped up in a perfect pink bow.

We pride ourselves in being male friendly and we will go to any length to assist our Monkee’s Men with something their lady will love.  And here’s a little secret girls, often after you leave Monkee’s having admired an accessory, a little birdie will call your significant other just in case he needs a dog house gift.  It’s always a good idea to leave the name and best phone number of your primary gift-giver safe in our Rolodex for future reference!  We will ring it, wrap it, and run it out to the car…  He doesn’t even have to hit the brakes!

So in honor of our beloved Monkee’s Men, we thought that July was a perfect time for a bit of a diversion!  And without further ado…  I present our Monkee’s MAN of the Month for July!

xo,

Elizabeth

Dear Monkee’s Girls,

It’s so easy to get lost in the busy-ness of the comings and goings at the store, and I have been rudely neglectful of of my blogging responsibilities.  But seeing the beautiful feature of my sweet friend Libby’s wedding on Style Me Pretty immediately rekindled my love of sharing my thoughts with you!

Shortly after Christmas, Libby fluttered into Monkee’s simply glowing.  Her beloved, Patrick (a college buddy of mine, and owner of Zumi Sushi – YUM!) had firmly planted a sparkler on her hand and the wedding plans were off and running.  On a side note, I had the pleasure of knowing both of these fantastic people individually in my Vanderbilt days, but fate didn’t bring the two of them together until much later!  Are they not adorable together (almost as adorable as the Monkee’s necklace Libby wore in her engagement photo)?!

I was honored when Libby asked me to assist her in finding unique and special accessories for her dream wedding and on my next market visit I scavenged my jewelry resources for the first item on our list, jewels!  Libby and I envisioned her arm stacked with delicate, vintage inspired bracelets and after a multitude of text photos from me (at market in NYC) to her (at her law office in Nashville) we settled on group of beautiful choices.  Including  a fleur-de-lis motif to pay homage to Patrick’s hometown of Louisville, KY.  The effect was exactly as we had intended and absolutely beautiful.

Now, on to shoes.  Libby wanted stunning stilettos, but knew she would be dancing the night away, so comfort way key.  We settled on the most gorgeous pair of Martinez Valero bridal shoes.  The sturdy platform gave her height without pitch with a jewel detail and pretty peep-toe.  It was just enough glitz without distracting from the effect of her stunning gown.  She was simply one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen…  Don’t believe me, see for yourself in a little video excerpt (where her shoes make a few appearances) on Style Me Pretty!

Whew…  It’s good to be back!  I missed you dear readers!

xo,

Elizabeth