Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Sweet Mapel Interview

click on this image for a closer look!

Our feature boutique for this month, Mapel sent me something yummy in the mail. Check out this gorgeous cardigan from Champagne Lace! At $48 it's a steal but the ladies at Mapel have decided to sweetin' the pot; They are offering Adelita Style another cardigan for me to give-away to one of you lucky Fashionista Club members! Sign up today because this pretty prize will be gone April 30, 2010. Annnnd, for ALL my readers type in Adelita20 for an exclusive 20% off anything at ShopMapel.com! The coupon code is active today and is good until April 18, 2010. Fashion IS sweet!

Here's my interview with one of Mapel's owners Staci Stevens :


AS: Leavenworth is a very small town. Did the two of you grow up there?


Mapel: Neither or us are "from" Leavenworth. We met in Seattle but both come from areas outside of Seattle originally. I'm from Portland and Jenelle is from Chicago. Part of our "inspiration" for opening a store in Leavenworth was because of Jenelle family connection in town. She has family that has lived in Leavenworth and she would visit (from Seattle) on a regular basis. She came to love the cute Bavarian town. It can be endearing (if only they had a good happy hour- the food kind of happy hour)!!!!


AS: So a mutual friend introduced you and a little wine brought your mutual ambitions of owning a store to light. How has partnering in your darling boutique illuminated your friendship? I mean, are you besties now?

Mapel: Good Question- the first time we have been asked that. Most people want to know about how "difficult" it is to have a partner OR warns us how difficult the result will be. To be honest between managing the store and operating the website, we talk/email/text "about" 70 times a day, so we pretty much know everything there is to know about each other - when one of us gets a bad case of the hiccups, the other is notified immediately. We both like to work hard and play hard, so we've bonded over wine (beer during O'fest) after busy days in the shop. We joke (on a regular basis) that we are "married" and need to ask the other one before we plan a girls weekend with friends OR laugh that we should be sending each other flowers (which.... we have done). We are both lucky that it's been a compatible partnership and resulted in a friendship.

AS: Do you find the urge to yodel every now and then?

Mapel: One of our first business meetings (in Leavenworth- when Jenelle lived there) resulted in an after hours mtg at The Post Office (have you been there?). It's a karaoke bar in Leavenworth. After hearing the other one "attempt" to sing we knew our calling was in fashion- nothing that had to do with our voices. HOWEVER- Jenelle's husband has assumed the role of the yodeler (or in this case singer) and during the conception of our business we would work late late late hours @ Jenelle's house in Leavenworth while her husband kept us entertained doing that "rock star" band singing game- on the wi or something. I don't even quite know the name.... but there were numerous nights when we worked in her office while he sang us to work.

AS: I absolutely love the Champagne Lace cardigan you sent me!! I know my followers will love it too (and one lucky winner from our fashionista club). Can you tell us a little about this line?

Mapel: Oh You!!!! Since I'm officially coming out of the closet this Thursday at a wearable art exhibit in Portland I will let you in on a little industry news. Champagne Lace is my label. I have an apparel design background (Nordstrom for 6 years) and this last winter had an itch to do something crafty. So essentially I take raw goods (basic knits) and embellish them with vintage trims OR A grade trims. It was more of a casual side project but it kinda keeps growing. So... .in my spare of my spare of my spare time I craft the Champagne Lace collection. I love things that exude a romantic, vintage yet relevantly modern aesthetic- and that's what I strive for with this collection. In addition to the apparel I have a few jewelry pieces that are comprised of vintage chandelier pieces and vintage buttons. Voila'. Also- this Thursday the collection will be shown in a Portland art gallery that highlights wearable art. Thanks for your kind words about the cardi. It's one of my favorites. It's a raw 100% silk trim that is torn on the seam (to prevent fraying) with a gold ribbon trim.

AS: What is the sweetest part of working together at Mapel?

Mapel: I don't think Jenelle and I would still be in business if we didn't have each other. We OFTEN need to bounce ideas off each other and more importantly vent to the other one. You know how hard it is to have your own business- and even if you have family that supports you emotionally it's not the same as actually being in the trenches owning the business. We are able to relate and support the other one emotionally unlike any other family member. We also are always running at full speed and it takes two people to maintain a website and brick/mortar. We each have such different strengths that perfectly compliment the other one.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Pocket-Size Nicole Hits it Big with Winter Kate


"Do you want to come see Nicole Richie with me?" I squeeked.

"Why would I want to do that?" Dana chortled back.

I would show her! Nicole Richie has been a fashion icon since her days with Rachel Zoe. This little rebelious pixie isn't just about her famous on again off again relationship with Paris Hilton. Keep up! Ms. Richie has blossomed into a beautiful designer; Last year with her charming jewelry line House of Harlow 1960 and this Spring with her bohemian dream collection Winter Kate.

I dragged Dana downtown to Nordstrom for Nicole's personal appearance and instead of standing in line for an autograph, I decided to SHOW Dana that I wasn't just a stalker. We bee-lined it straight to the Winter Kate racks in Savvy where Jenelle showed us the line. We grabbed 5 key pieces and I swear I heard Dana say, "This is so me!" when she picked up the Grace chiffon tunic.

When we got to the dressing room, there were about 10 pieces from the line. "Good girl Jenelle," I thought. The Savvy girl had paired our picks with vests, pants and complimenting scarves. We ooooed and ahhed over every garment. We gasped at the reasonable prices. My girl Dana had to admit it, this stuff wasn't just good it was great! "I need to get myself into this dress!" I cooed while looking into my reflection in the Grey floral Kimono Dress, "There's a photo of Nicole in this and it's like dragging all over the floor! I love! I must have!" Dana purchased a Winter Kate navy cami and House of Harlow peacock ring.

I thought this would be a good time to say it, "Do you want to stand in line?"

"Sure." Dana smiled.

I have two autographed postcards! (Dana gave me her's.) I LOVE it when I'm right!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Hero Shot

I knew I wanted to do a product shot showcasing perfume so I started hunting down the perfect objects to support my concept. When I saw these darling lace panties with "I DO" stitched on the side in sparkling crystals from QA Dispatch, my lovely bottle shot became a wedding story. Tiny presents for her bridesmaides, a vase full of white roses, a delectable cupcake custom made for me from Wink, Erin's rococo table, heirlum bust and squishy antique chair set the scene. Maybe our bride was waiting in the wings, getting ready for her walk down the isle. What didn't make the shot? A stack of wedding magazines that I didn't quite have a place for. And what was the fragrance, who was our hero? Dolce & Gabbana's L'eau The One, of course.

Photographer: Lucien at Studio 3, Inc.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Move Over Miley Part 2

click on this photo for a closer look!

Miley returns for this shoot with photographer Lucien at Studio 3, Inc! Err, at least my inspiration from Miley returns. I channeled the country girl vibe while styling and producing this darling little barn shot. (Check out the tub full of bubbles in the back!) Our little Country Cinderella mannequin is ready to rake the hay, pluck the chickens, warsh the clothes and still make that hoedown throw down! Her get-up includes a Frankie B western button up, some great finds from Nordstrom's Brass Plum and a pair of darling boots from Target's Liberty of London line. My ace-high kickers are from Miss Sixty, the top is from F21 and those down home jeans are from Little Big. Stay tuned for more from this fun shoot but, fer now I've got to skedaddle!

Monday, March 22, 2010

New Moon, Ancient Sun

"I reached the edge of the pool of light and stepped through the last fringe of ferns into the loveliest place I had ever seen. The meadow was small, perfectly round, and filled with wild flowers - violet, yellow, and soft white. Somewhere nearby, I could hear the bubbling music of a stream. The sun was directly overhead, filling the circle with a haze of buttery sunshine." Stephenie Meyer, Twilight
Beneath the living room window is a massive cowhide that we have named, "Lucky No. 7" because the brand for this particular bovine was, yes, the number 7. I often find the puppies sprawled out basking in the sun on it and this time I thought I would join them. Since we just rented, "New Moon" I am thinking of the field where Edward and Bella lay silent. From the amber color of my eyes you can see that I am channeling the vampire in me. If only my Edward were here. Sigh.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Today's AdelitaStyle Self Portrait: Korean

click on this image for a closer look!

Where have I been? In the coming days you will see that I have been a busy little Korean girl! Just to prove it, let's start off with this collage from Lil Star's Multi-Cultural Fair. This year we decorated a presentation board focusing on current Korean music, fashion and food. While I cut and pasted photos of our favorite things, Estelle wrote an article to explain our glittery deco'd board. My fashion style was not from Korea but it was Korea-Style: I wore an F21 cardigan with that ever important shoulder detail, a Diane Medak tank with ruffle detail, Fiorucci jeans, Streets Ahead belt and a darling pair of ruffely, bowy pumps that Cherry gave me.

Friday, March 12, 2010

One Bright and Cheerful Baguette for Breakfast Please


While nibbling on a little treat and checking email, my Miami connection pinged me this morning with her heart all a flutter. She stopped a girl on the street and asked her about a darling little blag she was carrying. Then our willing victim gave up her info. I quickly confirmed that Ecoist bags were in fact heart flutter worthy! I much prefer this little Confetti Baguette to my seedy bagel! I'll take this one for breakfast please ViVi!!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Adelita Style at the Nordstorm Trend Show

Me and the Chanel rep after the Trend show. Ain't we cute?

Sean and I attended the Nordstrom Trend Show this past weekend. I staggered out of bed on Saturday at 7am and was out the door at 8. “This better be good!” I told Sean when I picked him up from his studio.

By 8:30 we were herding ourselves into an underground makeup lair, greeted by uber polite gay men handing us tote bags with treats, pastries and coffee, thank God!

The show began and the question was posed, “Does anyone here want flawless, beautiful skin?!” A dull roar came from the crowd, “I can’t hear you!” Then a resounding cheer. They caught on fast. I had never experienced hundreds of women drinking in the latest makeup trends. But, I had been to a male strip club once (ONCE) many years ago. I have to say, these trend show ladies had the same reaction to skincare as the bachlorettes at the strip club; Hoots and hollars for free stuff, screams and cheers for the Delectable and Delicious male models donning the latest tanning cream and awwws and ooohs for the newest mascara mania. After an hour or so, I started to feel peppy and positive too. The excitement was contagious.


When the show was over, all of us herded ourselves back up to civilization and the frenzy of makeup continued with rows of chairs lined all around the Nordstrom makeup floor. Ladies quickly took their appointments and whipped out their credit cards for the freshest and most exclusive skincare and makeup. I was simply searching for my favorite model. For some unknown reason I thought it would be a good idea to take a picture with a Barbie clone. When I finally found her and stood by her side I murmered, “Do I really want to take a picture with you?” She laughed uncomfortably, Sean took the shot and I zoomed over to the male models for a quick photo op.


I had a great time, no impulse buys but my favorite makeup rep from Chanel, of course, promised a package of goodies after the Oscars! Will it be those gorgeous temporary tattoos that Barbie and the Chanel models were wearing on the runway? I understand that Sandra Bullock wore a Chanel lipstick for her Oscar victory. Was it their gorgeous new lipstick Rouge Coco? Women should start wearing lipstick again. At least, that’s what they said at the trend show.


In this story all photos and video by Sean Watson.

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards - Delictable Celebrities, Delightful Treats

click on this photo for a closer look! Oscar photos by Donato Sardella

I don't like to be interrupted while transforming myself into a couch potato for the 7 hours of redcarpet, Academy Awards and post show highlights, so I started preparing for the big night at 1pm with a little shopping at Uwajimaya, supplements at Trader Joes and an hour or so of slicing, mixing and sauteing. Et voila! Academy treats for 3! Our munchies included fresh crudites with onion dip, sweet and savory rice cakes with honey and sesame seeds, Korean sushi or kimbap consisted of tightly rolled sour pickled radish, julienned carrot, steamed spinach and omelet delicately seasoned with sesame oil with papaya, mango, passion fruit punch to quench the thirst. Here are my top picks for the
82nd Annual Academy Awards!
Oscar winner Sandra Bullock mimicked the statue itself and wore Marchesa and her own jewelry, Zoe Saldana looked like a blooming flower in her Givenchy couture lavendar and eggplant dress with Lorriane Schwartz and Jennifer Lopez dazzled us in her pale Armani Privé dress with the side train and Cartier.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Happy Hour at Mapel



We all know about Happy Hour; You know, that designated time (usually after work) when adults can partake in yummy treats and libations at a discounted price. Well our feature boutique Mapel just ads to that happiness by offering those who do not drink an alternative- shop at a discount! From 2 to 6 every day a new discounted item is offered, like this adorable Juniper dress from Melanie Renee that I am wearing for today's discount. Check out Mapel's HH because happiness means something different for every girl!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Today's AdelitaStyle Self Portrait

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E.D. from Fancy Green sent me some darling little Keens to test. Yes, Keens! So I asked Sean if he wanted to take a stroll with me through the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle. We stopped by
Broadway News to take a look at their HUGE magazine collection (around 2,000). Next I tested my little Mary Janes on one of the cute sidewalk dance steps on Broadway. After that, we took a peek at some artwork at Seattle Central Community College. (Did you know they were named, "College of the Year" in Time Magazine?!) I learned a lot on my little test drive for Keen! Take a peek at my review at Fancy Green.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Today's AdelitaStyle Self Portrait


I'm a wine-o! A sunny roadtrip to the Tri-Cities with my girlfriend Erin started with a visit to Canyon's Edge tasting room in Kenniwick, WA and progressed to a glass of Tercet at Bookwalter and a bottle of Foreshadow Merlot to bring back home. The next morning we visited a tiny cafe were E paroused my Mark. catalog. On these casual roadtrips to small towns, I pack lightly and wear comfortable. Here's what was in my suitcase: One Juicy Couture tracksuit for the long car ride, a Sucre tank top for those sunny surprises, a cute little puffy jacket from Forever 21 for those temperature drops at night, a pair of old tweed and lycra slacks in case I need a to dress up, a white tee because it goes with anything, a darling cardigan from Mapel (stay tuned for more picks) and my mark. Flip For It in Urban Neutrals compact great for traveling!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Sugar is Sweet but Mapel is Savory


At the base of the Cascade Mountains you will find a sugary sweet boutique named Mapel. Several times a year I take a trip with Lil Star, E and friends to the Bavarian wonderland of Leavenworth. We go there to relax, soak up the sun, drink in the mountain air and SHOP! And although there are shops o' plenty, my favorite by far is Mapel. This gorgeous stack of 6 hematite bangles (only $35) from the twin sister collaboration Two Sisters is just one of great finds you will discover in their darling shop. This month take a trip with us to the mountains and shop at Mapel!