Archive for July, 2021

Off the Cuff…More About Masai Clothing!

Posted in Uncategorized on 30 July 2021| Leave a Comment »

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Alert! Just In!

Posted in STAFF PICKS, tagged , on 28 July 2021| Leave a Comment »

Hi Ladies!

Just unpacked new from Tribal and my heart did a little pitter pat when I spotted this beauty and I couldn’t wait to share it with you all!

The classic sherpa jacket gets a modern makeover in animal print, making it your new favourite, whether you’re coming from the gym, picking up groceries, or simply enjoying the outdoors. Not only is this soft fleece a functional staple, but it’s a fashionable addition to your closet. One that you can throw on and step out the door in style.

Want to see it on a model? Take a look and come on in if it does the same to your heartstrings.

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Orange Ya Glad?

Posted in Features, tagged , , on 27 July 2021| 1 Comment »

Quote of the Week:

Okay. . . so  maybe it took til almost three o’clock this afternoon, but this day’s sky did become quite a glorious one with the colors of yellow and orange enhancing the beauty of its milky blue.  I think Van Gogh meant that blue becomes its most vibrant when it is enhanced by its complements (opposites on the color wheel) yellow and orange. That seems to be especially true at sunrise and sunset. 

The “fashion” colors of this year are turning toward a palette fit for a painter.

From lemon yellow to tangerine orange to bubblegum pink, these deliciously bright pops of color bring a feeling of joy and happiness. And that was purposely planned by fashion designers, as they wanted to exude a sense of optimism and positive spirit into their 2021 seasonal runways. 

I love color so choosing a favorite is impossible but orange is right up there in my color wheel of favorites. For goodness sake…. I have an orange sofa in my living room. Not at all what I was thinking when I walked into the showroom of the furniture store… “I want an orange sofa” was not on my agenda. But, there it was right in front of me and I was stopped in my tracks by its happy energy, its warmth, and its evocative feelings of Autumn. 

Since the rest of the room is relatively neutral, I felt safe in adding a pop of color with this sofa. It worked out great and I and my kitty, Gracie, love that sofa. I had to find an orange throw blanket to drape over the top so Gracie could curl up and sleep without leaving too much “debris” behind. Doesn’t hurt that Gracie is an orange calico so she fits right in. Designer kitty!

And then there is this! A spring birthday bouquet of exquisite beauty with one bright orange parrot tulip as its centerpiece.

Oops! I digress! But… you know how one picture is worth a thousand words and, in this case, make it two pictures. It’s definitely impossible to write an essay on such a vibrant color, or any color, without visuals. So. . . perhaps we can learn a lesson or two from my living room decor, minus Gracie, of course. And from a birthday bouquet of definite distinction.

Yes! By all means, orange is a bold, attention-getting color not to be worn by just everyone. If you can, DO! But, if you can’t, then go for just a touch of orange in an accessory that pops the more neutral outfit and, by all means, don’t be afraid to wear orange, if only just a touch. And no. . . orange is not the new black, at least fashionably speaking. But it is out there in force and represented by nearly all the fashion vendors so, if you need to brighten your day, bring some orange into your life. It evokes happy and energetic feelings that just lift you up and help you find and embrace life’s vitality.

WOW! Just to showcase my little essay on orange: here is one of Shelly’s “Van Gogh” moments in her photo of an Edmonds skyline on an Autumn’s evening sunset. Spectacular and makes me happy to be in our small corner of the world.

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Off the Cuff…Mall of America with Mary!

Posted in Uncategorized on 24 July 2021| 2 Comments »

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The Skinny on Travel Wardrobing-

Posted in Uncategorized on 20 July 2021| Leave a Comment »

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Dolce Far Niente

Posted in Features, tagged , , on 19 July 2021| 3 Comments »

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

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Off the Cuff…Coats in July?

Posted in Uncategorized on 16 July 2021| Leave a Comment »

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Cooking With Sound Styles!

Posted in Uncategorized on 15 July 2021| 2 Comments »

Sound Styles has been cooking with fashions for over 35 years, but did you know that we have our very own cookbook? Developed by Ollie Bjorback, aka the Sound Styles Gourmet, this cookbook features family recipes and culinary ideas from customers over the years! Come grab a copy, $15 each and take home a piece of Sound Styles memorabilia.

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Of Lavender and Linen

Posted in Features, tagged , , , on 13 July 2021| 4 Comments »

Quote of the Week:

Be still my heart! Give me a moment please to wax poetic about the simple, yet complex, beauty of that figure of speech comparing two unlike things . . . Reed’s simile “Like a leaf of lavender in a store of linen, so does memory make life sweet.” Both a leaf of lavender and memory sweeten life. One with a tangible and immediate sensory perception. The other in an emotional reckoning with the passing of time after the pain of heartache. Would that my writing could conjure up a simile of such unexpected and pleasant surprise. I feel a challenge coming on. Am I up to the task? Stay tuned!!

Let’s see. Where was I? Ah yes! Thank You! I am back to reality and why I even found that quote to begin this post. My intention here is to offer up a few pointers about the qualities, benefits, and wearability of linen.

Don’t stop reading now please!

Give me a chance to plead linen’s case. I do know that many of you love linen and wear it with ease and beauty. However, there are many, like myself, who have had a love/hate relationship with linen over the years. Love it in the store and on the hanger but not so much on our bodies. . . for all the obvious “wrinkly” reasons. Then there are those who just plain dislike it and won’t go near it. Perhaps it is to the two latter categories that I write here and did some research in hopes of us all becoming more accepting of what is actually a very remarkable fiber.

Turns out that once upon a time, linen clothing was worn only by the upper eschelon of society. . . monarchs, knights and priests. Us commoners were denied the luxury of linen until the propagation of flax plants became widespread sometime during the 16th century and led to everything linen from bedding to kitchen towels to clothing. There are even those who claim that linen has healing powers and wouldn’t wear any other fabric, especially in hot and humid weather.

So… just what is it about linen that makes it so sought after and superior to other fibers? I learned some interesting details while searching for an answer to that question.

Ready! Set! Go! Here comes the infamous list!

  • DURABLE: If the strength of the fiber directly contributes to the strength of the fabric that a garment is made of, then linen has optimum longevity. Buy a linen top or dress or pair of pants and you can count on it to stick around for decades ’cause linen is considered the strongest of natural fibers… much more so than cotton.
  • SUSTAINABLE: Linen ranks high in the category of environmentally friendly and ethically sourced clothing. Flax plants are resilient, can grow in poor soil and require very little water or fertilizer. Being a natural fiber also makes it biodegradable and recyclable. Buying and wearing linen means you won’t be adding to the growing pile of textile waste all over the world. With all that said, you might be wondering why linen is considered a luxurious fiber and thus more costly. While easy to grow, the process of getting the flax plant ready for spinning is a lengthy one requiring several months of softening before it is ready to process as fabric.
  • SUITABLE: What do I mean by suitable? Here’s something new that surprised me. Hard to believe but one of linen’s more magical properties is that it can keep you both cool and warm. Because it is breathable, moisture wicking and lightweight, linen is the obvious perfect summer fiber. But think Spring and Autumn as well because flax/linen is a natural insulator and capable of releasing excess humidity. You won’t get sweaty in linen clothes as you can in cotton or wool because linen retains the heat from your body and releases the excess making you feel nice and cozy during cooler transition months.
  • EASY-CARE: While considered a luxury fabric, linen doesn’t need special or expensive care. Machine wash in cold water just don’t use bleach or detergents with whiteners in them as they tend to weaken the fiber. You can tumble dry your linen or hang them to dry naturally. As for ironing, much of linen’s charm is in those wrinkles so ironing is not necessary. A smoothing out by hand can accomplish much in the way of softening the look. Now, whether you succumb to its charm or not is a personal choice.

I hope that I’ve given you some new thoughts to ponder and consider when looking for or deciding whether to choose a new linen garment. Right now Sound Styles has a great selection to choose from so come see us before the weather heats back up again.

Remember to wear your linen in seasons other than just Summer.

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Off the Cuff…Sugarboo & Pants 2!

Posted in Uncategorized on 9 July 2021| Leave a Comment »

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