Small business Saturday is approaching on November 26^th. This has encouraged me to reflect on all things local! Specifically- a few publications which are great FAMILY guides for what to do & where to shop around the northwest & Oregon. Below I’ve listed 3 of my favorite local publications fueled by local business which can serve you as a great resource for gaining more insight on local events and current issues right here in the Northwest.

1. NW Kids Magazine

NW Kids Magazine is 100% family owned and operated! NW Kids provides a comprehensive resource guides to family-friendly events and kids activities in the Portland, Oregon metro area. This monthly publication provides useful information and resource lists to help you stay in the know about our community. I LOVE that NW Kids partners with local businesses and service providers to make it easier to help you get what you need, find great deals, and most importantly, have fun! Plus, the current October edition features a Holiday gift guide for great gift ideas from local stores around your area – yours truly meringue is even on the list! : )  check it out here! To Subscribe Click here.

2. Portland Family Magazine

Portland Family Magazine, also a monthly publication, is fueled by the importance of positive media and for making real differences in the community. Owner and Publisher Jana Lopez wants her readers to feel there’s a place in the media world that provides quality content of both substance and relevance. Her goal is for you to trust Portland Family as more than a resource, but as a source for connection and inspiration in your community! Portland Family Magazine offers a really comprehensive variety of information on local arts and culture, travel, health, fashion, parenting advice and current events! If your like me & find you have mounds of gently used clothes you no longer wear you think you would like to consign, this month’s publications has a great article on consignment shopping do’s and don’ts. To Subscribe,click here, or more to find the publications at a store near you,click here.

 3. Metro Parent Magazine

The Mission of Metro Parent is to

+To provide local parents with the most relevant and useful information possible to assist them in raising their children in the Portland metropolitan area.

+To deliver such high quality content and format to our readers that they consider us to be an invaluable resource and, in essence, their partner in parenting.

+ To educate our readers on the needs, struggles and triumphs of all families and to offer ideas on bettering our community – because we all understand that when our community thrives so do the individuals and families within it.

At Metro Parents Website, they offer a Monthly Parents Calendar with great ideas for education opportunites, fundraisers and family fun events I have found very useful. For subscription informaiton click here.

Happy Friday Friends! Its a Four Hour Frenzy Today (11. 4) here at Meringue. Join us at either store location from 2-6 P.M. And Recieve 40% OFF all regular priced merchandise! This is a great time to get started on all your Holiday Shopping! If your joining us online, enter promo code frenzy40 at checkout.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Paige Lauren Baby was born from a need to find simple, classic, unadorned, wearable styles for baby without compromising on soft luxurious fabric, or fine tailoring. In a market flooded with over designed upscale infant clothing, Paige was able to create a refreshingly unique line that is both modern and classic for those who will appreciate clothes that will never go out of style. The pieces are made out of the softest combination of micro modal and supima jersey both Moms and Babies are sure to love!

“I’m not concerned with the latest trends or decorative baubles. I think that clothing should be timeless and beautifully constructed. If something isn’t well-made than it isn’t worth getting at all. I’m proud that PAIGELAUREN baby manifests those values to the fullest.”

The current Fall/Winter Collection we are proud to carry here at Meringue includes rompers, bodysuits, footies and more that come in beautiful gem toned inspired colors like amethyst, emerald, quartz, ruby and slate.

One of our favorite gifts for new parents is back at Meringue!

The ITZBEEN is the perfect tool created to help eliminate charts and journals, while assisting sleep deprived new parents parents remember the basic details of baby care. Like when the baby last ate, or napped. The ITZBEEN is really 4 timers on one that count at just the touch of a button. Tracking  changing, feeding, sleep or awake, and anything else of your choice such as when to take medications, etc. We love the small, portable, lightweight size and its so easy for anyone from Grandma to the Babysitter to use!

Bella B Tummy Honey Butter

We know there are a TON of products out there for expecting Moms that it can be a bit overwhelming,  and finding a solutions for stretch mark prevention are always at the top of our customers list. Rubbing a really good salve or lotion on a pregnant belly will not only help with stretch mark prevention, but it also makes itchy growing skin feel better. Our customer’s favorite choice since its introduction here at Meringue has been the Bella B Tummy Honey Butter. Tummy Honey Butter is an all-natural (yay!) hypoallergenic formula that contains Sheabutter, Vitamins D & E, jojoba oil, and aloe. These ingredients help aid in maintaining skin elasticity and moisture. We love that it doesn’t have a really over powering smell like so many other stretch mark prevention creams. Tummy Honey Butter has a really subtle cocoa butter scent, and best of all - it doesn’t feel greasy after application on your skin!

Must Have # 1 Bella Band

  A Best Seller Here at Meringue, The Bella Band by Ingrid & Isabel is a Maternity accessory that will support you all the way from the newly pregnant stage all the way to your post baby belly stage!  The fade resistant fabric band is a soft thick blend of spandex and nylon that comfortably helps hold un-buttoned pre-pregnancy pants and too loose maternity pants throughout and after your pregnancy.

The bella band comes in a variety of colors  including, black, white, brown, sand,and grey available  in the ‘everyday’ & ‘everyday lace’  collection. Click Here for additional info or Stop in one of our Stores to try on the Bella Band and see why product this is our Maternity Customer Favorite!

Ok, so you invested in the perfect pair of Jeans, they are too long to wear with your favorite flats, but just right for your heels. So now the dilemmas…do you commit to having them altered or leave them long and sacrifice the versatility of wearing them with all your favorite shoes?

We see our customers ponder this dilemma everyday, but we’ve got the perfect solution to offer up! Bristol 6 Hem Tape for Denim is the No-Alter Alterations for your Denim!  The double stick Hem Tape specially made for denim is the perfect no cut, no iron solution for a quick way to temporality alter your jeans. Now you can go from heels to flats and back again! The hem tape gives you instant gratification and is strong enough to hold for days.  Hem Tape also works to change with the trends; you can roll cut off or cropped jeans or shorts and hold cuffed styles in place. Click here to check them out online or stop by and see us in stores!

Just a little way of showing our Love!

Shop Online & Use Coupon Code HeartYou at Checkout or Shop in Stores and Mention this add to you recieve your lovely discount!

Yes, I said it…Cute Comfy & only $55 dollars! These leather fold-up ballet flats from Yosi Samara have been catching my eye since we received a BIG order in the store last week. Now I know that those long nights when you just can’t wait to get home and take off your heels has come to an end!  The ultra flexible samara flat fold in half and come in their very own silver satin pouch, making them portable & small enough to carry with you in your purse.  Unlike so many other ballet flats, the samara have a super soft padded foot bed and elastic collar that help create a custom fit. They also come in a wide range of fashionable colors and textures like gold, bronze, silver, crackled Pewter and black so you are sure to find a pair that will match any outfit.

Saturday kicked off the start of what I like to refer to as ‘Man Week’ here at Meringue Boutique.  While it is not official, I swear we never get as many men in our store as we have had in already this week.  I know, I know- guys like to wait until the last minute to do their Christmas shopping (for whatever reason) and we @ Meringue are happy to help simplify it for you gentlemen out there.  Not only will we help you pick out the perfect gift for your wife/ girlfriend/ mother/ sister/ daughter, but we can gift wrap it as well.   Plus, we’ve extended our hours this week so you can come by before or after work.  Thru Thursday 12/23 we are open from 9am until 9pm in both our Salem and Lake Oswego locations.  Christmas Eve?  Yes, we are open from 9am until 4pm. 

Ladies– got a ‘clueless/ last minute’ guy in your life?  Send him our way and we’ll take good care of you (oops, I mean him ;)).

Merry Christmas!