LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Here’s the thing about people from LA: They are awesome. I’m serious. I feel like for whatever reason Los Angelinos get a mild “bad rap” from us Northern Californians. Why is this? I personally have never been in this camp of South bashing, but I know it’s out there.

Here in little old Healdsburg we get visitors from all over the world! Believe it, it’s true. Lots of people from the East Coast like to come and check out what’s new on the West Coast and of course we get our pals from SF and the Bay Area escaping the fog on the weekends. And then there are our friends from LA. Anytime I strike up a conversation with some happy shoppers in my store they are so often from LA. They always seem so cheery and pleasant and gracious and thankful and happy to be here. . .  and I just love my SoCal neighbors!

One such fabulous person in particular is fellow blogstress (I think I just made up that term) Megan Arquette. Her killer blog Beach Bungalow 8 is so well done it makes me ashamed. I had the pleasure of meeting Megan and her husband while they were up for a weekend. They scored a few great finds, we exchanged friendly conversation and they complimented our space! The latter is always great to hear and especially when it comes from someone with an interior design eye! I didn’t realize this was Megan’s niche until after they left so of course I felt even more pleased with my new pals from the South.

So, this here post goes out to Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8! Thanks for the killer plug on your beautiful blog about Arboretum and your Ethical Apparel purchases. All of you should rush to Megan’s blog as it is chock full of insightful design tips! (Oh, and just because it’s H I L A R I O U S, go to her June posts and look at sleeveface. seriously funny!)

Megan Arquette
http://beachbungalow8.blogspot.com/
http://www.bungalowstaging.com/

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Summer Stuff We Love

So, there is all sorts of really great stuff here in Sonoma County and summertime is when it all comes into full effect. We are pretty lucky, REALLY lucky. Some of our favorite things to spoil ourselves with this summer have been food, fresh fruit and frozen yogurt. Here are a few of our NEW favorites:

SCOPA
SnowBunny
Diavola

If you live here and have not yet been to all of these places, RUN don’t walk to each of them as soon as possible. If you are not fortunate enough to be with in running distance, then book mark these recommendations and be sure to visit soon. Summer won’t last forever, get it while the gettin’ is good!

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BEST FASHION BLOG EVER

The Sartorialist for all of your fashion inspiration!

I think I may have come across this blog a year or so ago, but my good friend and customer Nicole just recently reminded me of it (thanks again, Nicole). The Sartorialist is a haven of AWESOME style from NY to Paris and lots of places in between. If you don’t already know of this blog, check it out and if you are at all compulsive about looking at image after image of totally great and inspiring fashion, this will make you very happy.

You can thank me later, like I’m doing with Nicole in this here post. Honestly though, in my opinion not one single fashion publication can even come close to capturing the pure individual style the same way Scott Schuman does. He takes all the photos himself and swears that nothing is staged! Pretty unbelievable as everyone looks just perfectly so. From time to time I like to think that I have a fairly keen sense of style considering that I do own a clothing store and whatnot, but looking at the sartorilaist makes me feel as though I should just start all over again with my personal fashion approach. The Sartorialist blog has the uncanny gift of inspiring you while at the same time making you feel completely pathetic, but in a good way if that’s possible. Thanks Scott Schuman for keeping us all in check!

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MELISSA SHOES FOR SUMMER!

Colorful, comfy, cute, affordable and eco-conscious. Presenting Melissa shoes.  It can’t get much better than that, right ladies? With so many styles in their collection, you can rest assured that we have done the hard part for you and chosen the very best styles for 2008. With prices starting at $49 you can pick more than one style and not feel guilty about over spending. How can it be this good, you ask?

Answer: THEY’RE PLASTIC. If those two words conjure up images of discount shoe stores, think again. Brazilian-made Melissa shoes have been creating fashionable shoes for decades. Remember the original jelly shoes? Same company. Grendha, the parent company to Melissa has always been a socially responsible company that pays it’s employees above-average wages and provides health benefits. In addition to the social commitment, they have a pretty impressive stance on the environmental issues of manufacturing as well. The shoes themselves are made from recycled materials - even last years left overs are melted down to make new styles, and the factory recycles 99.9% of waste and water used in production.

So weather you like them because you’re green minded or fashion minded, you’ll be keeping plastic out of the landfill with Melissa Shoes. And you’ll be making a fashion statement as well.

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Here are some additional styles of Melissa shoes for sale at Arboretum.
Available in wholes sizes 6 thru 10 $49 - $86
Shipping to all of the US. Call 1-707-433-7033

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We Won, We Won

WE WON!

Best Clothing Store in Sonoma County for Women

Arboretum was voted “Best Clothing Store in Sonoma County for Women.” What a thrill! We practically came unstitched when we received the news of our win, but wait, THERE’S MORE. . . 

WE WON AGAIN!

Best Clothing Store in Sonoma County for Men

That’s right, Arboretum was voted “Best Clothing Store in Sonoma County for Men” as well. WOW, what an honor! These are two separate awards, and because of your votes we have taken first place in both categories, making this a first in North Bay Bohemian history!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We could not have done it without you.

Please allow us this moment to proclaim our unending thanks for all of your support and enthusiasm. The response to Arboretum in less than one year has been fantastic. We have indeed cultivated a truly fashion conscious clientele, and we are honored, to say the least, to have you on board! We look forward to sharing another year of looking good, doing good and feeling great.

Cheers to all of you!

(5) Comments • Design • Arboretum News