People Who Do Cool Things
OMG - Minneapolis St. Paul Mag was kind enough to interview me for their People Who Do Cool Things feature in their lifestyle section. How totally cool is that? I feel about 10 feet off of the ground right now! I has such a great time chatting with Abby VanNess and discovered that she is a former figure skater like myself.
The photo shoot was fun and Stephanie Colgan did her best to loosen me up. I have to admit that I am not too comfortable in front of the camera, but she coached me through working what my mama gave me.
Saturday Nelle (that me!) was in the Minneapolis Star Tribune as part of Sara Glassman’s Bag Ladies story. Below is an excerpt on Nelle from the story. so very cool - I had Cameron run out and buy 5 copies! Click here to read the full story.
adventures in a NY heat wave…………
Well, well where to begin - so much to tell. I have been in NY the last 5 days and one word describes it; HOT.
I start this post discussing the heat to set the tone for my adventures… On Thursday this week I threw myself at the mercy of the fabulous New York style editor - Town and Country and Lucky magazine were kind enough to give this little midwestern gal a bit of their time. Very exciting stuff - right? Well yes and no! Exciting because I was able to present my pieces to a few women that have seen it all, so the feedback is more than valuable - not so good because I was a “hot , sticky, mess” - and definitely was not able to represent my most fabulous self to these chic and stylish women.
My Lucky appointment was at 10 am and I was still holding myself together pretty well - though I have to admit I was a bit nervous. Suzanne Signer the Assistant editor I met with was a doll and very gracious - said my bags were cute and asked about different colors - all in all it was a good experience, for a first time NY desk side.
My next appointment was not until 3 pm so silly me decides to poke around the garment district searching for inspiration - wasn’t much there, but I did destroy myself in the heat and then proceeded to spill a sticky liquid all over my dress. YIKES! With little more than an hour to spare I hopped a cab up to 55th and 5th and zipped into ZARA to find something quick. ZARA was packed - but I did find a great dress that I could change into. By the time I had found a new outfit and changed it up, I only had 15 minutes to get to the Hearst building and there was not a free cab to be found. So me, my rolling suitcase, and 20 handbags hoofed it in 99 degrees across three long avenues. I made it to Town and Country just in the nick of time, but when I got there - OY! - I looked like a wreck. I still don’t know for sure what would be worse; 1) being late and looking at peace or 2) being on time and looking extremely disheveled. I chose 2 because to be late would just be insulting! I did learn one thing thought - stop trying to multi task it only makes a mess.
The editors there were kind and encouraging - I did not dish out the whole sticky scenario to them, other than mentioning that it was hot and that I had made the mistake of walking a few avenues instead of cabbing it. I had to say something to explain my current appearance.
Many more stories to come from My 2nd Nelle trip to NY - I will fill you all in on the trunk show at Bendel’s tomorrow. ( hint: it went pretty well). OH yeah, well I was out there I had 2 celeb sightings; Jennifer Hudson (on my plane) and who I believe to have been Zac Posen (at the Beatrice Inn). NY is oh so glam - what is a girl to do?
Nelle Go’s Back to Bendel’s
I will be back in New York June 18 and 19 for my second Nelle Trunk Show, and if I learned one thing from the last time I was there it is to wear more sensible shoes! I can’t even express how thrilled I am to be invited back - each time I walk through Bendel’s there is always something to discover. If you are in the New York area I invite you to stop in and check out my collection.
I Heart Designer Lara Cameron
I have been following this fabulous Australian print designer for just over a year. Her work is light - colorful - and personal. Lara is one talented lady and continues to delight me with each new print that she develops. From her stationary to her textiles her whimsical designs inspire.
I encourage you to visit her site where she has products for sale as well as a number of fun tutorials that will bring the design goddess out in almost anyone.
What’s on My Playlist
Wilco. . . . . . . . . . . . Either way
Iggy Pop. . . . . . . . . . Punk Rocker
Dolly Parton. . . . . . . .9 to 5
Cat Power. . . . . . . . . The moon
Flashdance. . . . . . . . What a feeling
Halen and Oates. . . . . Rich Girl
Look for Nelle at Covet NYC
Covet, a fantastic jewelry store in New York’s Greenwhich Village that exclusively represents the work of Alexa Garner Sidaris, is the latest retailer to carry my new collection. They have picked up a variety of my cherub clutches. I was lucky enough to get the chance to stop by a few weeks ago and fell head-over-heels for a few of the pieces in the store.
The pieces are just lovely and very well pried for the quality and design. Cameron and I have been taking the ring tour for a while now and I have seen so many beautiful pieces but this ring takes the cake! The ring that I saw in the store was a light blue saphire and just stunning.
I know it is not a diamond, I am not really sure that I want one but for those of you that do Covet has some fantastic diamond engagement ring options at the store in NYC.
Nelle’s NYC Moment
Hi there! What an amazing week this has been for Nelle! From the 3-day trunk show at Henri Bendel to the Independent Handbag Designer Awards ceremony it has been a whirlwind and a truly memorable experience. I am happy to report that my trunk show at Bendel’s was a smashing success, with nearly all of my pieces selling out. Bendel’s has invited Nelle back for another trunk show in July and they are considering picking up the line for their holiday assortment. I am still a bit star-struck that my handbag line will be in Henri Bendel on a regular basis. What a dream☺
It was a very successful week for Nelle in the big apple, however I did not walk away with the award in my category, which went to Darren Wallace. The event was simple and fun, filled with industry professionals who were eager to show their support for the indie designers in the room. I got the chance to meet Judith Lieber and celebrated the weeks successes drinking wine and feasting on crème brulee’. The next morning, as I drank my decaf coffee, I caught a quick glimpse of my Perfectly Petersham clutch on the CBS Early Show. What a week!