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.

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.

I love shopping, of all kinds. So what could be better than a glimpse into this years most fashi0nable homes? It’s time to hit the streets for the NW Natural Street of Dreams, where you will find fresh ideas and inspiration for a home, or even just a dream closet of your own!  The event runs this year from August 8th-28th. Plus, special events are planned every weekend.

 MAJOR BONUS:With every Ticket Purchase you will also receive a ‘Dream Pass’  (worth $100’s of dollars in discounts at local participating business’s - Like Meringue! )

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!

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.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  Now, there’s only one holiday left in 2010- NEW YEAR’S EVE!  Woo-hoo!

Two big questions remain:  What are you doing to celebrate? and What are you going to wear?!

I don’t quite have my NYE plans hammered out yet.  I usually get so preocupied with getting through Christmas that New Year’s is always an afterthought.  Better figure it out quick though!  Time to pick out a new dress!

Thankfully, we have TONS of party-perfect new arrivals from Bailey 44, Joie, Nicole Miller, Fifteen Twenty, Black Halo and Ella Moss to make the outfit shopping run a little more smoothly.  I am sure the hardest part will be picking just one.  Ok, maybe one and a ‘back-up’  (just in case, lol). 

Click here to look at all of our dresses- more in-store too!

Stop in this week and check out all of the pretty new things.  Happy 2011! Cheers!

Do you have an expecting mother on your list this year?  Perhaps a new ‘babe’ in the family?

Well, we have the PERFECT gift for both new mama and new baby- swaddling essentials from Aden + Anais.

Generation after generation, muslin cotton wraps have been the preferred choice of mothers looking to swaddle and comfort their newborn baby.  It is widely believed that swaddling helps to mimic the cozy feeling babies experience in the womb and, thus, helps babies settle faster and sleep longer.  Here at Meringue, we always keep an eye out for new products to help our customers, many of whom are mommies or mommies-to-be.  When we discovered the ‘Swaddle Packs’ from Aden + Anais, we knew this was a product we wanted to get in our customers hands right away (a product that is designed to help new babes sleep will also help the mamas get their much-needed rest too)!  Available in a variety of ‘boy’, ‘girl’ and unisex prints, these 100% cotton muslin wraps are totally breathable (to prevent overheating) and oversized to make swaddling easy (they even give you instructions as to how to properly swaddle).  They are also multi-functional and can double as a stroller, nursing or changing table cover.

In addition to their original Swaddle 4-Pack, Aden + Anais’ founder, Raegan Moya-Jones also authored a book, Swaddle Love, that highlights the numerous benefits and techniques of swaddling.  We also stock their various other products- the bamboo swaddle packs, the dream blanket, the slumber sleep sack, the comfort security blankets, the dribble burp cloths and the double-layer cozy swaddle.  Not all are featured on our website, but will be soon (*however, they are fully stocked in both locations right now!).  In the meantime, click here to browse the entire Aden + Anais online selection and here to read the story of Aden + Anais.

I know I’ve said it before, but, of course I’ll remind you again– free holiday gift wrap with your in-store purchases + for every $100 you spend in-store, we’ll give you a $25 off coupon to use in January!

Happy shopping!

Meringue Gift Cards, Available in Any $ Amount

I get into this same debate quite often, especially this time of year.  Basically, I don’t understand why so many people are against giving gift cards as holiday presents.  As my boyfriend says, ‘they’re too impersonal’.  What?!  Are you kidding me?!  Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE to shop and really can’t think of too many things better than being given the gift of shopping from my loved ones.  I’m sure most of you ladies out there feel the same way, right?  The same goes for gift cards for coffee, manicures and spa services.  Yes, I will indulge myself regularly, but always a bonus if someone else indulges for me!  Of course, if your hubby got you a gift card to the fishing store- obviously, that isn’t too cool.  But if your hubby got you a gift card to Meringue?  Stoked, right?!  Now I am sure there are plenty of women out there who aren’t into shopping at all, but I am also sure that they aren’t the ones reading this blog either ;).  Point is, instead of stressing over what to get the girl who ‘has it all’, or is ’super-picky,’ or just ‘loves to shop’ - keep it simple and pick up a Meringue Gift Card.  You can purchase them for any amount both  in-store or online.  Guaranteed to put a smile on her face! Plus, you know it isn’t going to be exchanged for what she ‘really’ wanted.  Happy holidays!