Posts tagged as Ag

Now that spring is here, we find ourselves with a real case of the denim blues (but in a good way, of course!). It's no secret, nothing gets us quite as excited as new denim in our stores – and there's been a lot of it lately. Whether it's light, medium, or dark, we've handpicked some new favorites that are sure to grab your eye.

Light Wash 

The wonderful thing about pale, light wash denim is that they have a certain love-worn appeal – as if you've owned them forever. An instant fave from MOTHER is their new skinny ankle with a side zip in light kitty; it's perfect for springtime. Or if you prefer a more '70s-inspired silhouette, MiH's Marrakesh High Rise Flare in sugarblue is just the ticket. Wear them with a tucked-in blouse & TOMS wedges for a covet-worthy look. Whichever you choose, both these styles promise to lend your look a casually cool vibe that's spot-on for spring.

Medium Wash

If you love your tried-and-true medium wash jeans, we've got a few recommendations for your collection. J Brand's Mid Rise Rail jean in bayside is perfect for everyday; it's slim straight cut will have you hooked. Or try AG's Aubrey straight leg jean in 10 years-rio for an effortless vintage look. Lastly, put on a pair of Joe's skinnies in ceece for movie dates and afternoon barbecues. Denim has never been so easy.

Dark Wash

Dark jeans are a go-to for many due to their versatility; they can easily be dressed down for the weekend or dressed up for a night out. Step out in Citizens of Humanity's Riley Boy Boot in venus for a relaxed, low-maintenance look. Or try 7 for All Mankind's Mid Rise Skinny in dark rich blue. Their second skin Slim Illusion has 100% elasticity and is made to hold you in while having an ultra soft feel. Either one will leave you feeling polished and ready for whatever the day (or night) brings!

<3 Keriann

(Image courtesy of MiH Jeans)

Our Portsmouth Team put together three looks for three of their favorite outings:

Moxy Mondays

This outfit is ideal for grabbing tapas at Moxy and catching up with friends!

Top: MiH 'The Oversize Shirt'
Jeans: AG Legging Ankle in 18 Year Destroyed
Shoes: Frye Coral Ankle Strap (now 50% off!)
Belt: Hyde Contour Hip Belt
Sunglasses: TOMS Aviators
Wallet: Frye Melissa Snap Wallet

Casual Saturdays

For those lazy Saturdays wandering the Farmer's Market (or indulging in Eggs Benedict at Colby's), this outfit is perfect in pairing color & comfort.

Top: Splendid Baseball Pullover
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity Dylan Boyfriend
Shoes: Frye Jillian Oxford (now 50% off!)

Date Night

For a date night out with your special someone! Whether you're catching a concert at the Music Hall or getting martinis at 2 Ceres, this outfit is guaranteed to turn heads.

Dress: Only Hearts Shirred Wrap Dress
Rings: Shell Ring & Seahorse Ring - both by Alkemie
Necklaces: Various Initial Necklaces by Nashelle
Shoes: Frye Coral Ankle Strap (seriously, we can't get enough of this heel!)

The gifts have all been unwrapped... and now it's time to get what you really want (and let's be honest, what you really need). Thanks to our end of the year denim clearance, your denim wish list is totally within reach!

Starting tomorrow morning at 10AM in both store locations, shop over 375 pairs of jeans all priced from $25 to $100! Sound too good to be true? Here's the breakdown: 125 pairs of jeans will be priced at $25, 75 pairs at $50, 125 pairs at $75 and 50 pairs at $100. Come early for the best selection, these will go fast! (We sold out last year!)

Stock up for the new year with a wide range of cuts from all your favorite brands - AG, J Brand, Joe's Jeans, Paige Denim, Citizens of Humanity and MOTHER. It's our biggest denim sale of the year! Oh, & if you have a Bliss gift card, there's never been a better time to use yours!

Hope to see you tomorrow! 

<3 Keriann

{Sale in both store locations on Saturday & Sunday only. Our Portland store has over 250 pairs of jeans for the sale. Our Portsmouth store has over 100 pairs of jeans for the sale. All sale items are final sale. Sale cannot be combined with any other special promotion.}

Well hello, September. In the fashion industry, this is the month of thick fashion magazines, must-read fall trend guides, New York Fashion Week, and for us here at Bliss, one of our biggest buying shows of the year - Coterie. There’s no denying it, we’re just 4 days into September & we have fall on the brain. Maybe it’s because we can hardly wait to trade our iced coffees for warm pumpkin spice lattes at Bard Coffee, or because we can’t keep our hands off our new cashmere sweaters... but whatever it may be, it’s safe to say that fall is officially here.

So, before we fully dive into our new season of coats, scarves, corduroys & leather boots, let’s take a look back at our summer here at Bliss. (It sure has been a good one!)

MAY:

We entered the month of May on a high; our store celebrated our 10 year anniversary during the last weekend of April. We had a party full of things we love: gelato, Prosecco, our customers, free giveaways and a storewide sale (of course)! It was a memorable event that really set the tone for the months ahead. 

Next up was our AG Trunkshow! With stacks & stacks of the latest denim styles, our AG rep in town, and a gelato cart, this event reminded us why we love summertime (oh, and AG jeans!). We’re already looking forward to bringing this event back next year. 

JUNE:

One of the biggest highlights of our summer was being featured on Elle.com’s “50 States of Shopping!” In the article, Elle profiled the country’s best boutiques & we were selected to represent the state of Maine! Needless to say, we are super honored (and very flattered!) to have made their list. Thanks Elle!

Memorial Day weekend is one of the most-anticipated weekends of the summer for us.  Not only is it a time of remembrance, family gatherings, barbecues, beach trips and shopping, it’s also our annual AG Trunkshow!  And this year promises to be bigger (and better!) than ever.

Jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses & knits - we’ll have a super large selection of all your AG favorites (including many new styles coming just for the trunkshow!).  Take your pick from over 75 different styles of denim & let our AG rep, Jenny, help you find the perfect pair for summer (she’ll be in our Portland store all day on Thursday!).  There will also be a discount on all AG & a free gift with purchase!  You won’t want to miss this.

In addition to the stacks upon stacks of denim, we’re adding a new element to our weekend of fun - The Ropes will be part of our trunkshow!  Local designer, Shana Ready will be in our Portland store with TONS of her highly-sought after bracelets & necklaces.  Now’s your chance to get that bright, Maine-inspired bracelet at an unbeatable price - just in time for summer.

And like always, we’ll have plenty of sweets & Prosecco to ring in the unofficial start to summer.  Yes, that means gelato (The Gelato Fiasco will be here on Thursday!) and Holy Donuts.  So, so good.

Stop by Thursday thru Monday - we look forward to seeing you soon! 

<3 Keriann

Just like you, we have a summer wish-list that just keeps growing & growing (especially with new treasures arriving daily)!  And with warmer temperatures on the horizon, we’re keeping our eye on the prize.  We’ve mapped out our favorite things for summer - whether it’s an essential (and super cute!) denim dress or the perfect pop-of-color accessory.  Take it from us, these items will add just the right amount of newness to your closet.

The Looker Crop by Mother
“Mother denim is a must-have for spring/summer!  My favorite right now?  The Looker Crop!"”
- Angie, owner of Bliss

Round Tortoise TOMS Sunglasses
“I don’t normally splurge on sunglasses, but I can’t help myself with these!  They’re cute, they come with a nice case AND they support a great cause.”
- Michelle, Portland store manager/buyer

Steven Alan Classic Shirt Dress
"It’s a summer staple - I’ll wear it with a skinny belt, floppy hat & big sunglasses!"
- Erin, Portsmouth store manager

AG Racerback Tank with Ruffle
“I would wear this tank with high-waisted denim shorts & a strappy sandal!”
- Althea, Portland assistant manager

Prairie Underground Draper Jean Dress
“This fitted denim dress & Saturdays at the Farmer’s Market - sounds like a winning combination to me!”
- Kim, sales associate

Day 3 was our much anticipated “denim day” at Coterie!  The majority of our day was booked full of denim appointments at all of our favorite lines.  We knew it would be a lot to take in, but couldn’t wait to see what the denim industry has in store for fall.

Joe’s Jeans

Our appointment at Joe’s Jeans started with their ready-to-wear collection, which consisted of covetable tops, darling dresses and novelty jackets.  They capitalized on the mini-dot trend with adorable flannel button-ups - something you’ll be seeing in our stores come September!  Their denim was a sure thing as well; we ordered plenty of our customer’s favorite denim staples... and threw in a red skinny jean too! 

AG

AG’s booth is always very recognizable at the show.  Their walls are made of huge wood panels, they have doll-size displays on their walls of all their denim styles (so cute!), and they even have an AG bar at the front of their booth.  It’s slightly over the top, but if anyone can get away with it, it’s AG! 

The mini-dot trend was seen here as well - both in a sheer top and on their jeans!  I can’t get enough of this trend; it’s cute, wearable and women of all ages can get away with wearing it.  In addition to the dots, AG had some note-worthy denim washes and a large selection of colored corduroys for fall - a wardrobe staple here in New England!  

Each year around this time, I find myself longing for fresh, vivid colors.  Anything but grey... since outside has got that covered (come soon, springtime!).  With that in mind, just think how refreshing a few pops of color would be in your closet?  Admit it, we all need a little pick me up - and I'm not talking about a late afternoon coffee run! It's time to show your true colors.

Splash Blue

It's hard to overlook this royal blue color - I love that it is so eye-catching!  Mix that with Calypso's classic elegance, and it's a win-win combination!  This 100% crinkle silk fabric and slight a-line silhouette makes for an effortless wardrobe staple.  And if you ask me, the braided tie and u-shaped neckline makes this piece even more divine.  Clearly, I have a little crush (or maybe a big one!).

Crayola Green

I can't get enough of this cucumber green color.  Yes, it's bold but it's also totally wearable.  My favorite new arrival in this color is a Trapeze Tuck Tank by AG.  Flowy and soft (50% supima cotton, 50% micro modal), this racerback top is an easy way to add some cheer to your everyday look.  Wear it now over a fitted long-sleeve shirt, or layered under a structured blazer, or tucked into your favorite pair of high-rise jeans.  Whichever way you spin it, it works.  I've always been a firm believer that getting at least three different looks out of one item, it always money well-spent.  And at $58, these will go fast!

Tomato Red

This crushed orange/red is popping up everywhere - it's a huge trend for spring!  Why not jump on board with this lovely AG Tunneled Asymmetrical Dress.  Mid-length and slightly shorter in the front (another spring/summer trend to watch for), it will quickly become your go-to for a wide variety of occasions.  For those of you lucky enough to get away for a mid-winter vacation, this is a must-have!  Cinch the waist with the matching tie or wear it flowy for a look that will leave you feeling gleeful & confident.  Winter blues, what?  This dress (and color!) is just what the doctor ordered.

What do you think about these bright, primary colors?  If you already enjoy wearing color, our stores are filling up with other colors too - mint greens, mustard yellows, and even a little fuchsia.  It's going to be a colorful spring!  And if you're still somewhat hesitant about color, try starting small with a bright accessory (The Ropes bracelets would be a great option!).   

Happy coloring!

<3 Keriann 

Now that we're officially back into the swing of things after a busy, yet wonderful, holiday season, I find myself thinking about new year's resolutions.  Admit it, there's something about this time of year that is inspiring - maybe you're inspired to shed those extra holiday pounds or redecorate your guest room (something you've been putting off for years!)... or maybe you're like me and want 2012 to be the year that you dress better & invest in premium denims.

Let me start by giving you a quick glimpse into my denim background:  9 months ago, when I started working at Bliss, I bought my first pair of designer denim - a pair of AG Charlotte straight-leg jeans.  Up until that point, I had no idea how crucial a great pair of jeans was in pulling my entire look together.  Now I can proudly say that in addition to AG, I own a bunch of J Brand's and a few pairs of Paige and Joe's Jeans too.  I love them ALL.  My denim wardrobe underwent a total transformation and this is something I'm eager to carry over into the new year with renewed vigor and focus.

Here are my denim resolutions for 2012 that you should try too:

Play with patterns:  No doubt about it, Spring is going to be full of color and print - and denim is no exception!  I have always loved my wardrobe classics - i.e. dark wash skinny jeans - but after falling in love with a pair of leopard-print Joe's Jeans at the Trade Shows in NYC this past September, I knew I had to branch out.  The jeans came in a few weeks ago & I've already worn them twice!  I know you must be thinking that I can check this one off my list, but I want to push my limits even more and try other prints too - including these Citizen's of Humanity Floral Jeans that were featured in Vogue recently.

Try a new cut:  For a while now, my go-to jeans have been my J Brand's Maria high-rise skinnies in a dark, stretchy wash.  They are easy, classic and look great tucked into my Frye boots.  But lately, its been a flare or wide-leg jean that stands out to me.  It's a completely different proportion than I'm used to and changes the game as far as shoes go... but I'm up for the challenge.  Not quite convinced?  These AG Lula flare jeans with the adorable braided detail are sure to change your mind!  

If you've ever been in our stores, one of the first things you may notice is our floor to ceiling selection of designer denim.  Though it may seem a little intimidating at first, our Bliss girls are more than happy to help you find the perfect pair... And there's never been a better time than today - all AG jeans are 20% OFF!  Their distinguished washes and signature AG stitching on the back pockets have really given them an edge in the premium denim world.  Stop by today and see for yourself - after all, you can never have too many jeans (or at least that's our motto)! 

We all love this time of year for different reasons - maybe it’s decorating the tree, sipping eggnog by the fire, watching your favorite Christmas movie... or maybe it’s all those holiday sweets (yum!). 

This year, Bliss is giving you one - well, actually 12 - more reasons to adore the holidays.  Starting tomorrow and ending on Christmas Eve, we’ll be featuring a new item each day for 20% OFF!  We’ve picked out some of our best-selling brands for you; keep your eyes peeled for Prairie Underground, AG denim and Frye boots - along with other customer favorites. 

Stay updated by following us on Facebook, Twitter and our new blog (which just launched TODAY!).  Spolier Alert:  We will be revealing our first day tonight at 8PM (and following this pattern throughout the next week and a half!).  We’re excited... and hope you are too.  It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Michelle’s Picks:

For my cousin, Liz - Prairie Underground Cloak Hoodie in Nightshade
“The cloak hoodie is something she looks at every time she comes into the store - so it will be the perfect Christmas present for her this year!”
For my mom - Epice Scarf... “because she always steals mine when she babysits!”
For my sister-in-law, Dominique - Nashelle Maine-State Charm Necklace
“She lives in Queens, New York but her heart has always been in Maine.”

Althea’s Picks:

For my sister, Colleen - Butter by Nadia Signature Jersey Wrap Dress in Black
“Colleen is a social butterfly - she lives in NYC - so I can see her wearing this dress all the time.  It’s the best-ever LBD.”
For my rockstar friend, Kate - Frye Carson Oxfords in Fawn
“She works three jobs & is on her feet all day, but still loves a little heel!”
For my mom - Butter by Nadia Wool Blanket Coat in Gravel
“This wool coat is timeless - she will love it!”

Tonia’s Picks:

For my son, Sean - Pendleton Harding Blanket
“It’s the perfect blanket for his couch - and the southwestern print really reminded me of him.”
For my grandson, Travis (who is the lead singer in the local band, Butcher Boys)- Pendleton Ceremonial Blanket in Smoke and Mustard
“The neutral colors will work great in his apartment!”
For my grand-daughter, Hannah - New Scotland Orange Fisherman Pompom Hat... “fits her bouncy curls & bubbly personality to a tee!”