The overcast January days in Michigan are here….so you would think our sunglass business would be in the doldrums. No, no, no!!! The sun may be hiding from us, but our customers are chasing the sun down to warmer climates for great getaways. And what is #1 on the packing list for vacation? Sunglasses! And what do we all want? Oh, we want the hottest trending sunglasses of the season. Of course, Leigh’s has you covered…with great sunglasses from Tom Ford (shown on Jennifer Aniston in pic 1), Dolce & Gabbana (Madonna loves D&G in pic 2) and Prada (Sasha Pivovarova - Russian supermodel – shows us a great style from Prada in pic 3). So, go get your vitamin D with your stylish new sunglasses from Leigh’s…..just promise you’ll bring sunshine and warm weather back with you!
Sunshine & Sunglasses January 27, 2012
What Do We Love At Leigh’s? Etro January 20, 2012
How do I love Etro….let me count the prints. Yes, the innovative prints and design - every single one of them, the fine materials and superior craftsmanship make this one of the finest fashion houses today. The Italian textiles brand founded by Gimmo Etro in 1968 is synonymous with style. Etro is New Tradition, the sum of artisan know-how and creative experimentation. The materials, the workings and a special talent with prints are what make Etro unique and unrepeatable. I couldn’t help but pull this picture of the Etro family from their website to show you. Ok, so they make beautiful clothing and they’re beautiful….gorgeous…..hopefully they’re not nice too. Fortunately (or unfortunately), I haven’t met them so I can’t weigh in on the nice factor. But I can weigh in that we have beautiful Etro in store for you. I also pulled this picture of this fabulous Etro topper that just arrived for spring. Do you love? I LOVE! Hope you can stop in and let us introduce you to Etro….your new fashion love interest!
Color, Color, Color! January 13, 2012
What a snowy day! As I look out my window at all the white stuff, I think about all the beautiful spring merchandise that has arrived at Leigh’s…which includes fabulous bursts of color! Yes, hot pink, tangerine, blue, vivid yellows and bright greens…it’s all here sending this season’s take-home message, “Go bright or go home!” How are you going to put it all together?? Color-blocking is the name of the game! Check out this arrival from Diane von Furstenberge, it hits the mark for the spring trend. It’s playful and chic and makes it so easy to pull-off this latest trend when the designer has taken care of it in a single dress! Love it!
Happy New Year! January 2, 2012
Happy New Year! I wanted to take a moment to reflect on 2011….WOW – what a year! Leigh’s had a banner year – our best ever! I am so proud of my team. They are such a great group of individuals that are all so very talented in their areas of expertise. As you know, we have many trunk shows and again and again I hear from the owners, designers and reps that visit our store that I have one of the best teams in place and most beautiful store that they do business with. It just makes me smile! The other feedback that I get, is that we have the BEST customers!!! Yes, you make a big impression not only with our visiting guests, but also with our team. We enjoy working with you – you’re fashion savvy and you’re fun! It makes coming to work so enjoyable. Thank you! Finally, our vendors….we love the great fashion that you design and that we then get to bring back to West Michigan that enables us to be the fashion leader in our area. We appreciate our business relationships with you! So, CHEERS to the Leigh’s team, our fabulous customers and our fantastic vendors! We look forward to another wonderful year in 2012!
The Hot Item Of The Season December 19, 2011
It’s crazy! We do so much planning for all of the special things we are going to have in store for you during the holidays and then out-of-the-blue, we stumble upon a last-minute gift item that we think is a must-have for our customers. What is it? The retro handset that you use with your smartphone. Here’s a picture of Lenny Kravitz on the streets of New York rockin’ out this hip item. You know if Lenny has it…it’s cool. How did we find it? Deb Clark was in New York on a buying trip and one of the showrooms we work with gave it to her as a gift. When she brought it to work, it created so much conversation and smiles that we tracked it down so that you, our customer, could have this fun gift to give, too! They come in all sorts of colors: blue, pink, purple, red, orange, yellow – and they’re only $29! They have been flying out the door! We love to always deliver great fashion and this is a great fashion accessory that is the hottest trend of the season!
The Count Down Begins! December 2, 2011
Can you believe the holiday season is upon us? I get this little feeling of panic….I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet. Every year I tell myself that I am going to do my shopping in September and coast through the holidays smug-as-a-bug while I watch my friends having to go through crunch time. But, every year I am unsuccessful in securing any early purchases and find myself at the start of December with an untouched shopping list. Last night as I was at the Christmas Around the World event at Meijer Gardens, I had an epiphany…the reason I can’t get a jump-start is because I need inspiration….you know, holiday cheer. The Meijer Gardens, with all of their beautiful Christmas trees officially kicked off the season for me. Today, I walked through the store and I admired all of the Christmas decorations that Patrick and Basia had adorned the store with - including creating this fun “Merry and Bright Shop” I have pictured for you. Such fun colored apparel and great stocking stuffers….it made me smile. Then one of my best friends, Linda Anderson, sent me this great youtube link of Jim Carey as The Grinch: http://youtu.be/VarlV8dP6ak. You have to watch it…it’s about his busy schedule! (It makes me laugh-out-loud every time I watch it or that Linda does her own impersonation of it.) So, within a 24 hour window, I have got my holiday groove going and I am ready for it all….decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping, parties, etc, etc….. yes, bring it all! It’s going to be a FABULOUS holiday season, busy as always!
When To Say Goodby November 15, 2011
Thanks to everyone who read my last blog post about what to wear to a hockey game. I have had several readers inquire about my tried and true “puffy coat” and ask, “Ok, what is the rest of the story?” Alright, I’m ready to share and I think you will all be able to relate this post to a fashion item in your closet. Ok, it all started in 2007. We had a Cole Haan outerwear trunk show and there was this beautiful winter white long puffy coat that I laid eyes on…and wrote an order for…thinking, of course, it would be perfect for our cold Michigan winters, enduring the cold ice arenas that I frequent for my sons’ hockey games and my trips to New York during the winter months. Well, the coat arrived and it was everything I hoped it would be and I became very attached. And I was still attached the next year and the year after that and….last year my team said, “Enough! The puffy coat has to go!” Well, I couldn’t disagree. All I could think of was sitting at the Thanksgiving table with my children when they’re in their 30′s and them making fun of me, “Mom, remember that white puffy coat that you had….it’s like Groundhog Day with photos. Here’s Mom in 2007 with her white puffy coat. Here’s Mom in 2008 with her white puffy coat. Oh, here she is again in 2009….with her white puffy coat. 2010 – same coat.” Can you relate….the thought of it is like waking up from a bad dream in a cold sweat. So, this year I decided….I’m going to donate it. Our seamstress, Huyen, came to work and said her sister was visiting from Vietnam, would be staying the winter and she asked if anyone had warm clothes that they would be willing to give her. Perfect – I will give her my puffy coat – it will be to a good home and it will force me to buy a new coat. So, I brought the coat to Huyen….who then brought the coat home….and then returned it the next day….she says it wasn’t the right size….could it really be because it was a little worn and discolored??? Ok, a lot worn and even when it’s been washed it looks dirty (Yes, I’ve been wearing it these past few years in this condition-yikes!). I can’t be sure, but it did inspire me to purchase a new coat…black this time with a cute fur collar. Why did I wait all this time to get a new coat??? I love my new coat!!! And, I’ve received lots of compliments for trading in the other (I know my friends are giving me positive reinforcement so this never happens again). Tonight, I want you to look through your closet. You know you have things that it’s time to part with….do not put it off!!! Retiring your favorites is like giving up your snuggly when you’re a toddler (and we all know how tattered and worn those snugglies were), but it’s ok in the end….and when it comes to fashion….giving up those pieces gives you a fabulous opportunity to get great new items that keep you hip and current!
What To Wear To The Hockey Games November 1, 2011
Both of my sons play hockey. Much of my fall and winter fashion revolves around, “What will I wear to the ice rink?” Can you relate? Are your kids involved in activities? You have to think about this kind of thing if you’re a mom. Here is what runs through my mind: a. It’s freezing in the ice rinks. Staying warm is #1 on my priority list. b. I want to have cute things to wear other than wearing the same coat over and over to the 55+ games that each of my boys play September – March. c. Someone has to take on the role of raising the bar on fashion in ice rinks across Michigan….why not me? (My husband might say that I have taken this calling much too seriously!) Today, I walked out in the store and spied this fabulous Tracy Reese sweater that just arrived at our store. Love the winter white (it comes in red, too), the texture, the patent closures nicely round out the look for this sweater. It’s paired back to Vince leggings (my favorite legging in the world) and some great boots from Stuart Weitzman. Now envision me walking into an ice rink with this look on…yes, I’m imaging right now as I type….a. It meets the warm factor (especially if I splurge for the fab fur hat). b. It has the cute factor….and let’s add chic to that….but still looks mom’ish….not like I’m trying too hard. c. It could assist in raising the bar. Other hockey moms might think, “Hmmm….I like the idea of a sweater versus my same old puffy coat I’ve worn for the last 4 seasons.” No, I’m not making fun of anyone…except myself….I have that puffy coat that I’ve worn for the last 4 seasons that I can’t seem to shake. (Literally….I gave it away and they brought it back to me. How does that happen?? This is a whole other blog post.) The net, net is I found a great new hockey outfit and I am very excited to sport it at Hogan’s hockey game on Friday night. I’m sure we have the perfect sporting event attire for you too….and you are sure to look fashionable!!
Couture For A Cure…What A Success! October 24, 2011
What an amazing night we had last Thursday at Couture for a Cure! This is Leigh’s 6th year partnering with the VanAndel Institute to raise funds for important research and educational opportunities at VAI. The doors opened at 6pm and guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Suggested attire was cocktail….and there was some fabulous fashion going on with the guests….Grand Rapids stepped it up for this fashion event! Everyone looked amazing! The VanAndel Institute was transformed into a New York style runway – just as you would see during Fashion Week. We even had to extend the runway because of how many tickets were sold! This was our most successful Couture for a Cure….most tickets sold and most money raised! The show started off with great fall fashion from Leigh’s. Our models looked fantastic!! Then everyone was treated to a sneak peek of spring. We flew in New York Designer Douglas Hannant to show his spring 2012 collection….love it!! Thank you to the entire Leigh’s team, our fabulous models (yes, they are all from the area…Grand Rapids has incredible modeling talent), Blue Water Technology, Douglas Hannant, the VanAndel Institute and their team and all of our guests! Pic 1: Behind the scenes - Ashley Cole, Kelly Millikin, Jacalyn Wood, Patrick Plank. Pic 2: Jacalyn Wood and Emma Hall get the nod to pose with Douglas Hannant for the many photographers present. They looked beautiful in his spring pieces. Pic 3: Rebecca Wierda, Douglas Hannant and Carol VanAndel…strike a pose! Pic 4: Sam Clark – yes she is a “Ye Ye Girl” (one of the segments for the best of fall at Leigh’s) Pic 5: Jordan Carson owns the runway. Pic 6: We love Anna DeBoer modeling all of this rich color! Pic 7: Gloria Goya…elegant and gorgeous! Pic 8: Ashely Cole shows some great Yigal Azrouel! Pic 9: Jessica Hilzey…breath-taking in Douglas Hannant. Pic 10: Alex Rush…love this look from Douglas! Pic 11: Kelly Millikin looked right on trend with this great red tuxedo!
Couture For The Cure Preview October 18, 2011
Thanks to WZZM 13 for having Leigh’s on Take 5 today! We are looking forward to this Thursday - Leigh’s will be on location at Van Andel Institute for Couture for a Cure! Tickets are still available at www.vai.org. This is a New York style fashion show featuring the best of fall fashion from Leigh’s and a very special treat….New York Designer Douglas Hannant will be showing his spring ’12 collection on the runway. This is my favorite event! Take 5 helped us promote the event today and we brought our beautiful models, Anna, Sam and Kelly to give a sneak peek of what you might see Thursday night. Here is the link if you would like to check it out! http://www.wzzm13.com/life/local/programming/take_five/182773/42/VAIs-Couture-for-a-Cure
