We are pinning....

Just for the record, you pinterest addicts--the Stash is now pinning!

You can follow us here:

The Stash's Pinterest Page

 

 

Need to know what to wear those green jeans with you just bought?

 

The pin here on our Colored Denim Board

 

Or how about some outfit inspiration for the chambray shirt?

That pin here on our Chambray shirt board



 



Or you just can't remember how to tie that scarf that we showed you..

Pin here on the Scarf Tying Board

Sensing a theme even in these photos??? (Dang stripes! We have a board for those too..)

 

We just started but can attest to the undone piles of laundry in our houses that this might be a little addicting.

 

 

If you are ever in need of some outfit inspiration, feel free to follow our boards. (We'll follow you back, too! :))



 



 

 



 



$10 Style Files: Legwarmers

 

The Stash has a ton of gifts this year for $10 or less. Pick one up for you AND your fashionista ladies on your list.

 

Sometimes you miss things at the shop (we do, too, believe it or not)--it's an explosion of girlyness, especially this season. You might see something and either don't know how to wear it or just plain don't get it.  

 

 

Case in point--a legwarmer. The very word might conjure up bad 80's outfits and a Pat Benatar song but the truth is, they can be (and are) both functional and a really cute accessory.

 

Still don't believe us? How about this little montage of inspiration?

 

 

 

$10 cuteness, right? Yep.

 

Gift Idea: A pair of fleece leggings for $10, and a pair of legwarmers to wear as boot socks for $10--a stylish $20 gift!

 

(P.S. We have sweaters very similiar to the brown and grey ones in the above photos...)

 

Stay warm and inspired! 

{We're open every Thursday from 10-7 and Saturday 10-5}

 



Color Lover

This little business has been and continues to be, to say the very least, a huge learning process. We’ve learned many, many things we didn’t know. We’ve also learned that there are some things that we do, instinctually, know.

Summer is the master of creating outfits from different styles of clothing. She puts things together I would never imagine and somehow makes it work. She’s created new twists on outfits simply by wearing a piece in a different way than it was originally intended—IE, shirts on backwards, sweaters worn sideways….they warrant a blog post in themselves.

 I, on the other hand, have learned that color and accessorizing are my things. Mixing, matching, and experimenting.

 This summer we taught a “More Than Pink” class. We talked to the 40+ girls in grades 5-7 about clothes and confidence. Somehow, we got on a tangent and one of the girls raised her hand and said, “I had on yellow shorts and a purple shirt once and my mom wouldn’t let me wear it.” (Maybe it wasn't the color combination mom was not wanting her to wear but we'll use it for the purpose of this post.)

We, as children, were taught to recognize color in a “match” or “doesn’t match” kind of a way. So much, that we get scared of color and just stick with black and white. It goes with everything, right?

On October 11^th from 7-9, we are hosting an afterhours come-and-go event; Colored Denim 101. We’ll teach you to throw the “Matchy Matchy” out the window. Come learn our secret formula for creating the perfect outfit.

In the meantime, this season is full of possibilities if you love color. Thought I’d leave you with a few inspiration pics of “colors in action” from my inspiration book.

 

Purple + Yellow

 

And just so you know, I practice what I preach..

Orange + Magenta

 

Mustard + Evergreen




Pink +  Red



Burnt Orange + Teal

Just remember--the only thing you really need in your closet in confidence.
See you soon!
 

Dreams today, no clothes.

On the outside, The Stash sells clothing-(really affordable, really cute clothing.)

But behind every business, there is a person (or people, in our case) that had an idea fueled by some sort of desire. Something kept them up at night dreaming of how to get whatever it is inside of them, out.

Imag source here

If you are one of these people, read on.

After Wednesday's Boho Bazaar night and meeting the artist behind the charm bar--we recognized the "jazz" smile of someone taking their dream to the next level. It's hard to articulate, but you can see the light in someone doing what they love. We know there are more people like Lizz living in our own backyards.

Summer and I could (& do) spend hours hypothesizing about business, talking about business ideas, dreaming of ways to do business, sharing thoughts on what we're doing, yada yada. It's kind of a passion that we both share.  In fact, one of the Stash's guiding principles is to "enhance the community in which we live."

We love Waconia. (You saw this, right?)


Are you dreaming about opening a retail business here? Do you get up every morning with that small voice nagging you to listen?

Yep, we get it. That little voice is relentless.

(I try to get her to stop talking by reading self-help books, thousands of them. But all the books in the world don't help. It's ACTION that gets her to stop.)

So, let's just publicly put it out there. We'd love to listen to you, to help, to guide, to mentor. And we'll make it easy: 

Shoot us an email: thestashgirls@thestashofwaconia.com
Call us: 612-805-0130
Stop @ the Shop: 544 So. Elm Street
Message us on Facebook: Click here

Here's to living your dreams!

Bohemian Bazaar + Charm Bar

Summer Solstice happens this year on June 20, 2012. In honor of the longest day of the year and the onset of summer, the Shops of Waconia are celebrating! Come join us!

We're hosting a Bohemian Bazaar from 5-9 on Wednesday, June 20th.
Lots of fun things to do....

Tarot reading, belly dancing lessons, Boho drink specials, $5 braids, and deals @the Shops! (Did you know that Waconia has a new candy shop? )

Click the Events tab to see exactly what we have planned.

Here, at the Stash, we are thrilled to host the "Charm Bar".

For $24, you will be able to customize your own charm necklace by selecting the handmade beads and charms from the "bar" that mean something to you. 

Our artist will do the hard part and put your necklace together for you. 

Since the trinkets and baubles are all HANDMADE, there is a limit to 75 necklaces so GET
HERE EARLY!

All participating shops are donating a percent of their profits to Relay for Life, so you are also supporting your favorite "team" by coming out to celebrate with us.

Legend has it that the Summer Solstice is a magical day--

At one time, it was considered lucky to turn around three times clockwise after waking up from sleep on the morning of the Summer Solstice!

(We'll give it a shot and let you know... though we did read something about fertility and the thought of that might just not be worth it. Yikes!)

Can't wait to see you! 5-9p.m. on the 20th!

US

The Magic Dress--Really.

Dresses are always on the "seek" list with us. The summer is HOT here and a really good dress is sometimes the "coolest" alternative.

The "Magic Dress" arrived in a shipment a few weeks ago. (There are 3 patterns; this one we'll call orange. Also in a blurple (bluey-purple), and a green version.)

As a dress, this makes a cute little strapless number.

(Or a great beach cover-up).

But let's face it, strapless for me is a no go.

(2 kids and no bra is just a no deal--for me.)

But..I loved the pattern. And, had a few ideas a brewing.

If you are anti-strapless baby-doll dresses too, let us show you a few alternatives.

(Hence, the magic.)

1. The Picnic Chic version:  Burnout tees in the summer are a staple around here, so here the dress is pulled down so the elastic hits your waist.

Belt it + add your favorite sandals. Cool, casual, and put together. I see hoop earrings and an armload of bangles in your future.

( Fit note: I'm 5'7" ish so pulled down, the skirt hits me @mid calf.  Roll up the elastic once, and its the perfect right above the knee length. If you're petite, this dress is probably already the perfect length for you.) 

2. The "I hate my arm pits showing" baby doll version: If you are fortunate to have tan legs (or just don't care), you can layer your favorite tee underneath the dress and let your legs show. 

3.The "I'm just tank top hot today." version:  (A.K.A 90% Humidity Picnic Chic)

Once again, pull down to waist and add your favorite tank. The patterns are great in these so those colorful tanks you just don't know what to wear with are a great option.

4. The "Office Casual or I feel pretty" version: Add your favorite cardi, some heels, a few accessories and you have a dressier option. (I, personally, plan to wear this @ my  big girl job.Love casual Fridays!)

***A note on washing--the skirt you see here is straight out of the washing machine. Just a shake while damp and hung. It's cotton and it looks better than the new ones @ the shop. No shrinkage and only a few wrinkles. The dress is lined and the lining also isn't bunching.***

There's always MAGIC @ the Stash...

US

Looking Fab: Style Tip #1

People often say to us, "You're so stylish, so fashionable. I can't put things together for the life of me."


Truth is, sometimes we don't feel so fabulous, or so stylish. But....there are a few tricks (easy ones) to help you feel and look pulled together.


I was inspired today to write this post after getting gas at noon and noticed a woman at the pump. Inspiration strikes at the weirdest times, doesn't it?


She could have been 20 (she wasn't) or 60, or somewhere in between---what I noticed about her were her shoes.


How many times have you gotten yourself dressed in your "uniform"?

Black jacket, black pants and black shoes? (I've done it too!) Just because it's easy or you just don't know what to wear.

Black Blah. {Don't get us wrong, there is a time and a place for black. But we do it so often not for the sake of style, but out of comfort...}

My gas station lady was wearing wide leg black dress pants, a cream sweater, and a cocoa colored scarf. We probably all have this very same outfit in our closets. What made her stylish?


She paired this ensemble with red shoes. Chic and pulled together.


The tip today:

If you don't own a pair, go buy yourself a pair of colored shoes. Any color,any style, any price. For experimentation's sake, don't spend a lot. You're just trying this out.

The only rule is that you can't worry about matching the color with anything in your closet. Just pick a color you love.



Next time you put on that nuetral outfit and you're feeling frump city, switch out your shoes with your "colored" lovelies.

Here's a little inspiration.................................if you're a visual sort of gal.

Rebekah A. via Gwendolyn Brasher

Rebekah A. via Jamie Bass


Rebekah A. via Susanna Zeiss

Rebekah A. via Heather Casey

Rebekah A. via Amy LaMotta

Be brave!