And. . . all of us at Sound Styles want to let no present go unopened by not expressing our gratitude to all of you for your friendship and community support through all the thirty six years of our existence but most definitely through these past two years of very poignant and challenging circumstances. You’ve been our “rock” so to speak and we will forever be grateful.
We offer a toast to one and all: There may be better people in the world but we don’t know ’em.
By shopping local, you keep tax dollars in your own backyard, you keep your community vibrant, you support family owned businesses, you build relations with your local merchants & receive service in a personal way!Gift cards make the perfect gift!
We might however be able to help fulfill the so called four gift rule for Christmas wishes.
Ever hear of this idea for kids?
One item that you want.
One item that you need.
One item to wear.
One item to read.
Might the idea translate well to adults? Let’s see!
Perhaps your recipient of said gift wants a new sweater or jacket or blouse just to make them feel special. We got it!
Perhaps your recipient needs a new warm scarf or gloves or pair of socks or even a bit of joy in a new bra. We got it!
Perhaps your recipient has a special item to wear on their wish list. Well that’s us everywhere in the store. We got it!
Now….for #4 Believe it or not, we even have that one item to read. Our new Sugarboo accessories abound with inspirational cards and posters to read. They are all over the store and would be great additions to any stocking or use as an enclosure card on any gift.
’Tis the season has begun and we are already gift wrapping. Stop in soon for the best selection of all we have.
Gives new meaning to a fisherman. If you catch my drift!
This sweater and you could be the first foot prints on the empty sand and you would have Puget Sound all to yourself. You’d be wrapped up in this cotton, nylon and 10% wool warm blanket of deliciousness in what they call an oak milk color. You should, by all means, have a latte in hand. In days of late, our Pacific Northwest winds have been swirling about in those dark grey skies and temps are descending.
Perhaps lunch awaits, cooked by a loving someone and a crackle in the fireplace will warm the coldest of hands. Later you may just discover how great a pillow this fisherman’s knit makes.
Okay so I fantasize! Real life takes place off the pages of my fantasy.
But. . . enjoy the beach walk!
Add an extra layer of warmth with this half-zip pullover. Designed with a chic high neck and half-zip closure at front, this rib knit wool-blend pullover features a clean silhouette with a stand collar, cuffs, and silver-tone hardware. Crafted with dropped shoulders, a relaxed comfortable fit, and high neckline, this sweater will provide you with the ultimate cozy look. An underneath layer could be anything from a turtleneck to a lacy camisole…. Eddie Bauer to Victoria’s Secret.
CARE
Machine wash cold with like colors, gentle cycle, lay flat to dry, do not dry clean.
You can start by wearing this black chenille fedora hat from Pia Rossini. You will need not utter one single word. You will, more than likely, need to establish a social media account just to keep tabs on all the pictures you will be asked to pose for, as you wander about the streets of our quaint small town. With backdrops like the water’s edge, stunning local murals or a certain water fountain, there will be someone on every corner and around every bend stopping you and asking for permission to snap a photo. The woman in a black chenille fedora. Charisma abounds!
Me thinks my ruana needs a companion. What better friend than a fedora.
Just exactly what is a fedora as opposed to some other hat? What makes it a fedora? Burning question of the day!!
While we typically associate the fedora with such dashing men as Gregory Peck and Humphrey Bogart, believe it or not, the fedora hat was first worn by the actress, Sarah Bernhardt, after appearing in a play called Fedora in which she played Princess Fedora Romazov. The hat soon became a common fashion accessory for many women, particularly among activists campaigning for gender equality during the late nineteenth century. The fedora was eventually adopted as a defining symbol of the women’s rights movement.
Maybe we should establish a Woman’s Day where we all wear our fedoras.
We can be just as ‘dashing’ don’t you think?
Two black chenille Pia Rossini fedoras still remain at Sound Styles. Did I tempt anyone?
Hope all of you are having a wonderful fall season, enjoyed the fun of Halloween and are looking forward to Thanksgiving Day.
What a happy surprise last Saturday when she returned that beautiful ruana that I’d been wanting for my own and thought I’d missed my chance to take it home to my closet. Ah Fate!! Sometimes it goes your way! No sooner out of her bag and into mine was that ruana
Now that we’re in the middle of the fall season, are you possibly looking for new ways to add a layer, stay warm and look cute at the same time? There are more choices than oversized sweaters or mid-weight jackets, you know. Or do you? How many of you have a ruana in your closet or dresser drawer? That’s like asking how many of you would like to have a teddy bear hug in your closet or drawer? And. . . I hope you would and do! (have the ruana, that is)
Just what is a ruana you might ask? It’s confusing, I know. There are shawls, wraps, capelets, ponchos, and now ruanas. It seems like there are dozens of different names to describe knits that you drape over your body and they all mean the same thing. The truth is that, while the line can be blurry at times, each of these are distinctive articles of clothing with unique, defining features.The ruana is a relative newcomer to the world of yarn trends.
A ruana is a poncho-style wrap – it’s basically a blanket you can wear! They originated in the Andes mountains of South America, and the word means “Land of Blankets” in the native Chibcha language. Ruanas are extremely versatile as they can be worn in many ways. Like shawls, wraps, and ponchos, ruanas are layering pieces for added warmth or protection from the sun, wind, or snow.
Typically, a ruana is rectangular in its construction with an opening in the middle for the head, and the front piece split down the middle to drape over the shoulders. From there, the ruana may be buttoned or pinned closed, and the ruana may be cinched with a belt underneath the arms to create pseudo-sleeves or, the ruana can just lay freely to drape and flow as they like to be.
Just how does it differ from a poncho is a burning question from many of you.
I kid!
That is not a burning question but I’m going to answer it anyway. After all, this is your fashion lesson for the week.
Ruanas are distinct from shawls because of the opening created for the head, but how exactly do ruanas differ from ponchos? Ponchos, unlike ruanas, lack the opening in the center that gives ruanas that cardigan-like appearance. While both may or may not contain designated armholes, ponchos typically are closed in the front. Additionally, ponchos may be either circular or rectangular, whereas ruanas are almost always rectangular.
The traditional Irish way to wear a ruana is to throw both ends over your shoulders to form a double cowl neck. The shoulder can easily be secured with a brooch. (don’t laugh at me! Just how long has it been since you heard that word. . . brooch.? Vintage, I know but they are making a comeback.) Ruanas can be worn just as is by placing the label at the back of the neck and letting the ruana drape like a shawl only it stays in place because of the opening for the head and shoulders. Or, you can throw just one end over a shoulder and let it be or secure it with a pin(brooch). You can also wear the ruana as a belted wrap, placing the belt under the back and over the front pieces, or belting the entire thing, creating a sort of jacket.
Last but not least! Ruanas can add drama, beauty and purpose to your wardrobe. Whether worn over a silk blouse, cozy sweater, even a coat, they hug you with that extra teddy bear warmth and create drama with the beauty of their patterns, color and texture. We ladies should all “stand out” with a ruana in our wardrobe. Sound Styles has many beauties to choose from!
How’d you know that I was “going there?” Of course we have ruanas in the store for this season of giving and receiving.
P.S. My new ruana has a distinct feel for the fall season. Big surprise! I’m going to wear it later this week and secure it over my shoulder with a beautiful jeweled brooch in the shape of a maple leaf that has been languishing in my jewelry box for far too long and I’m excited to wear it again. Hope to see you in the store soon! Let us show you some of our new ruanas and demonstrate how to style them.
“Love the hat. It and you grabbed my attention.” I told her.
“Thanks,” she replied. “It was a gift from a friend who lives in Europe.”
“Well your friend has great taste and you know just how to wear it. I also noticed the unique way you tied the scarf. Could you share with us your technique?” I asked.
“I’d be happy to show you what I did, if I can remember what I did. I love to experiment and never know where one fold-over is going to lead me.”
So began a conversation between us. . . all because of her red hat and fringed scarf.
As conversation starters go…
Weather? Kinda boring!
Politics? Who wants to go there these days?
The Picasso hanging on the wall? Not too awful if there really is a Picasso hanging on the wall.
But the tilt of a hat and the unusual way she tied her scarf? That’s a winner in my fashion world and easily started our conversation.
Ah accessories!!
They really do pack a punch and are as equally important as the basic outfit you are wearing. They punctuate the overall look as your clothing and your accessories work together to create a harmony that expresses your style and who you are.
They are the last layer that can bring magic to an outfit. A simple outfit can have a million dollar look with reasonably priced accessories. They are creative and a fun way to play with your clothes. You can wear the same two articles over several days and change the entire look with different accessories. Accessories can bring attention to those features you want highlighted such as the face, hands, neck, ears and hair.
Not to mention: accessories make for the perfect gift. They are reasonably priced with no worries about size, etc.
My post today is meant to give just a bit of word power to Jenny’s last two videos which showed you how the store is full to the brim with beautiful scarves, gloves, socks and many more fun accessories. Think Christmas gifts and think about how you might want to add a little extra zing to your own wardrobe.
By now one thing you know about me is my penchant for finding just the right quotes for each post. That “penchant” often spills over into greeting and gift enclosure cards. I’m just imagining what fun it might be to pick out an accessory for a friend or family member and write on the card something like the following:
“Did you say exercise? I thought I heard accessorize!!”
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