Public Relations Essence – January 2014 Travelers Tank 570090950 Public Relations Gulf & Main – January 2014 Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial Ready, set, snow fashion By Johannah Masters January 5, 2014 Animal instinct Acrylic-blend pompom beanie, $68 at juicycouture.com Cotton-blend infinity scarf, $59 at chicos.com Faux leather and acrylic blend gloves, $98 at juicycouture.com 5 Fashion Investments For 2014 By NADA MANLEY Published: Tuesday, January 7, 2014 Next year always seems so far away, until suddenly, it’s upon us, and then it’s a few days old, and we realize that this year looks startlingly similar to the last, and that not much has changed except for the date. That’s because, for so many of us, resolutions are broken the moment they are made. Success specialists and life coaches have multiple reasons for this, each with their own fancy names, but I can sum up “Broken Resolution Syndrome: much more succinctly. Resolutions are boring. Do sit-ups. Yawn. Drink water. Double-yawn. Eliminate white sugar. Yaaaaawnnn. These aren’t resolutions. They are life sentences. So here’s a different kind of resolution for you: Look cute daily. Sounds simple, non? Well, it is. Sort of. Like most worthwhile endeavors in life, it’s both a lot simpler and a lot more complicated than it looks. Fortunately, I’ve distilled the art of dressing well into a few key elements. These are the investments, the key pieces that will up your style quotient in 2014. Stocks may plunge or soar, but the value of a fashion classic endures forever. Here then, are five fabulous fashion investments — essential pieces you can buy now, and wear forever. (Find all of the fashion investments, and more essentials, in one place by going topinterest.com/nadamanley/fashion-essentials/) Shoe Shine There are a few universals when it comes to women’s shoes. One, of course, is that you can never have too many. The second is that you never seem to have exactly the right pair. So I set out to find the “exactly right” pairs: your choice of style (pump, flat, or wedge) in black, a metallic, a leopard print, and an accent color. The styles should be classic, with no trendy details (i.e. studs) or exaggerated shapes. Once you own these, you’re covered for all but the most formal and the most casual of events. (But that doesn’t mean you should stop shoe shopping). Splurge: Kate Spade “Karolina” black pump, $298 (piperlime.gap.com); French Soles “Gale Heart” leopard ballet flat, $185 (Amazon.com); Cole Haan Air Tali lace wedge in gold, $158 (Zappos.com); Banana Republic “Abby” ballet flat in cobalt, $79, (BananaRepublic.com) Steal: Bandolino “Courteous” black pump, $49 (Zappos.com); Lucky Brand “Emmie” leopard ballet flat, $59 (Amazon.com); Nine West “Flax” red patent leather pump, $55.99 (Zappos.com); Merona women’s leather ballet flat in cobalt, $33 (Target); “Ella” platino ballet flat, $24.98 (SoleSociety.com) SHOE SHINE: The quintessential ballet flat like the Saki striped ballet flat ($99, Chico’s), will never go out of style. Spend the weekend at Art Under the Umbrellas and Art & Fashion at Chico’s Art work by featured artist Robert Weil Staying home over the long Martin Luther King Weekend? Start it off at Art Under the Umbrellas on Saturday, January 18 with 80 of your favorite artists and craftspeople showcasing their original creations at picturesque Old Town La Quinta. Combined with the great music by Steve Madaio & Friends, Old Town’s many boutiques and top-notch restaurants, you can’t go wrong. And did we mention it’s FREE? Featured is artist Robert Weil, a self-described “image junkie” from Malibu who paints from old photographs, original drawings, stills from home movies, video grabs and digital photography. True to his Mixed Media classification, Weil produces his fun, storytelling artwork using lithography, silkscreen, etching, monotype, offset lithography, computer graphics, photography and acrylic painting on wood, aluminum, and canvas. A past exhibitor at La Quinta Arts Festival, this is Weil’s first season as an Art Under the Umbrellas participant. Art Under the Umbrella’s Business of the Day is Old Town Optometry operated by Dr. Ron Jensen and his professional staff of eyeware fashion consultants. In honor of the Humana Challenge, the shop will host a trunk show on January 28th showcasing their collection of designer sunglasses for golfers – plus will hold a drawing for a $500 gift certificate. Old Town Optometry is located at 78-015 Main Street Suite #107 – between The Wine Bar at Old Town and Stuffed Pizza. Sunday, January 19 – it’s Art & Fashion at Chico’s and Soma. Join La Quinta Arts Foundation from 11am to 4pm to discover the latest Chico’s fashions and Soma’s luxurious intimate apparel at The Shops on El Paseo, 73100 El Paseo, Palm Desert. Enjoy a fashion show and get tips on trendy accessorizing with light refreshments by Panera Bread Company and California Pizza Kitchen. Ten percent of all purchases that day go directly to LQAF programs that “Promote and Cultivate the Arts.” Cynthia Whisker likes tailored look, but doesn't want to miss new, cool Jan. 18, 2014 WHO: Cynthia Whisker, 67, Wilmington, social service coordinator at Lutheran Senior Services. WHY: Cynthia was nominated by her friend and co-worker Joan Martin, who said, “She always looks totally fashionable, but also totally professional. Her use of color and line is right on.” HER STYLE: “I’m sort of eclectic traditional. I like simple classic looks like Audrey Hepburn and Katherine Hepburn with some eclectic accessories that pick up colors in the outfit. I like the tailored look, but I like some of the new things that come along. But I always add them to what my sister calls the ‘permanent collection.’ ” WEARING, around Catherine Rooney’s in Trolley Square: FIRST OUTFIT – White no-iron blouse from Coldwater Creek outlet; red three-quarter length jacket from Chico’s; black wool gabardine slacks with cuffs from Liz Claiborne outlet in St. Augustine, Fla.; black patent leather Mary Jane clogs by Born Concepts from TJ Maxx; black patent leather Liz Claiborne handbag from Bellefonte Vintage; ‘Pueblo Princess’ brooch by Pennsylvania artist Stacy McNeal; sterling carved earrings purchased in Toledo, Spain; sterling and abalone thumb ring from Heart & Hand, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; sterling initialed cuff, gift from her parents; and a sterling and onyx bracelet that belonged to her mom. THIRD OUTFIT – Navy So Slimming brand knit jeans from Chico’s; amethyst ribbed turtleneck from Chico’s; magenta merino cardigan from Coldwater Creek; black suede heels with gunmetal buckle accents from Garages Aux Trois; grape alligator shopper by Nine West from Macy’s; earrings by friend and local artist Arlene Finocchiaro – glass lampwork combined with silver colored metal beads; necklace – rectangular polymer clay pendant combines multiple layers of translucent colors, gold leaf and a bale of silver toned textured metal and oval cabochon of black glass with vintage Egyptian style faux lapis accent beads; wristwatch with the symbol of the Gift of Life Program (“received so that I could keep track of medicine schedule for my husband after his life-saving liver transplant five years ago”). Jan 26, 2014 Gifts that Sparkle: For the Grand Dame of entertaining. The lady who prefers to host events, dinner parties and gatherings small and large effortlessly. This one's for you. Chico's Gifts that Sparkle: For the Grand Dame of entertaining. The lady who prefers to host events, dinner parties and gatherings small and large effortlessly. This one's for you. Chico's Gifts that Sparkle: For the Grand Dame of entertaining. The lady who prefers to host events, dinner parties and gatherings small and large effortlessly. This one's for you. Chico's Gifts that Sparkle: For the Grand Dame of entertaining. The lady who prefers to host events, dinner parties and gatherings small and large effortlessly. This one's for you. Chico's Scholarship functions now in full swing Woman's Club maintains ongoing mission Jan. 29, 2014 They do it in style and glitz, but their underlying motive reaffirms that Marco’s community spirit is shatterproof. About 150 members of the Marco Island Woman’s Club convened Tuesday this week at Hideaway Beach Club to enjoy a luncheon and fashion show that in turn raised thousands of dollars for student scholarships. It is one of the 47-year-old club’s main missions, which have also included founding the local library, donating money for the island’s healthcare center and initiating a youth movement which later grew into the establishment of a Y on Marco. Fashions were by Chico’s, and moderator was NBC-2 anchor Stacey Deffenbaugh, who smiled broadly on the way to the podium when she was announced as the recently-married Stacey Deffenbaugh. Models on parade, all members, were Carol Ann Anzalone, Karen Dumontier, Judy Kenney, Beverly Kilpatrick, Tanya LaButte, Joanne Patterson, Debbie Rago and Debbie Silvestri. They were escorted by Marty Roddy and Sal Soldano. Chico’s stylists were Angie Hemann and Christine Rusch. Dan Vass supplied the music. Main sponsors were Mutual of Omaha Bank and the Marco Island Sun Times. Chico's brand expands into Mexico Jan. 29, 2014 Chico’s FAS Inc. is launching the Chico’s brand into Mexico. Through an exclusive franchise with El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C. V. (“Liverpool”), the Chico’s brand expansion will begin with a stand-alone boutique opening at Perisur Mall, Mexico City, this spring. Plans for its expansion in Mexico include the opening of stand-alone boutiques as well as branded shop-in-shops in Liverpool department stores, according to a news release. The second stand-alone boutique will open in Villahermosa, Tabasco. In addition, Liverpool plans to roll out six Liverpool department store shop-in-shops during the first half of this year. “We believe Mexico is a great first foray into the international arena for the Chico’s brand. It represents an important part of the overall global expansion of Chico’s FAS, Inc.,” said Bill Bine, Chico’s vice president of International Operations, in a news release. “We are excited to announce our partnership with Liverpool. Their experience and understanding of the customer in the Mexican market, combined with the strength of the Chico’s brand creates a tremendous opportunity for international growth.” The Chico’s brand was founded in 1983 as a boutique selling Mexican folk art and cotton sweaters from a store in Florida’s Sanibel Island, the release stated. Today, Chico’s sells exclusively designed, private branded clothing for women featuring a combination of great style with on-trend, expressive and one-of-a-kind designs to yield a wardrobe that is fashionable, unique, and comfortable. As of Nov. 2, Chico’s operated 617 boutiques and 108 outlets across the U.S., the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Chico's expands to Mexico Fort Myers company signs franchise deal with major department store Jan. 30, 2014 Chico’s fashions are going to come full circle this year as the brand expands into Mexico through a franchise agreement with a major department store company there, the company announced Wednesday. Chico’s plans to open a stand-alone store in Perisur Mall, Mexico City, this spring followed by a second store in Villahermosa, Tobasco, and six stores inside Liverpool department stores in the first half of the year. Chico’s stores are operated by Fort Myers-based Chico’s FAS, which also operates stores and websites under the brands White House/Black Market, Soma Intimates and Boston Proper with about 1,500 locations in all. The company began with a single Chico’s store on Sanibel in 1983, where founders Marvin and Helene Gralnick sold Mexican folk art and cotton sweaters from Mexico. Chico was a bilingual parrot owned by a friend and the FAS was shortened from Folk Art Specialties. The parent company opened its first international stores last year with three White House/Black Market stores in Canada. The stores in Mexico are first international stores for the Chico’s brand. “We believe Mexico is a great first foray into the international arena for the Chico’s brand. It represents an important part of the overall global expansion of Chico’s FAS, Inc.,” Bill Bine, Chico’s vice president of international operations, said in a news release. The design of the Chico’s stand-alone boutiques will be based on a new store prototype featuring woven entry doors, luggage details on fixtures and layers of artifacts as props, the company said.