StoreAdore.com + iniam = lurve

We just got a generous write-up in the new online
shopping website, StoreAdore. StoreAdore is (in their own words) "an online forum for passionate shoppers to find and share insights and information on the very best boutiques and specialty stores in the cities where they live, where they travel, and online. As both a practical resource and an online shopping community, Store Adore is a place where shoppers can discover new stores (or find out what's new with their long-time favorites!) and have the opportunity to talk shop(ping) with likeminded individuals."

I couldn't have said it better myself. So I didn't.

Summer Clearance Sale!

It's that time of year when in the middle of summer, retail shops start getting sweaters in for fall ... speaking of fall, that is what is happening to our prices starting today. Today and throughout the month, come to iniam for hefty savings on your favorite designers like Trina Turk, Theory, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Twinkle, and more...we are even offering 25% off some already marked down denim to make room for Earnest Sewn, Hudson, and James Jeans beginning to arrive in July.

Moreover, you can get a good look at all the new stuff coming in for early fall like Vince Sweaters, our new Marc by Marc Jacobs collection, Chan Luu cashmere scarves, with more to come in the next couple of weeks.

For cool summer nights...and even colder fall days

At last! Cashmere and silk scarves for the summer AND winter...we just received a flurry of these soft, wide, and wafter thin scarves - but trust me, they are not your typical pashmina. Our scarves are indigenous to College Avenue in Oakland; pashmina's are found in the high altitudes of the Himalaya's. So you don't have to go far for comfort or warmth. Warmth, you say? In the middle of summer? Again, even if you are in the Central Valley, nights tend to cool off and these throws are perfect for swaddling around your neck (or your naked baby) or throwing over your shoulders as you toss back another mojito. Good over tees or tea party dresses, we just can't get enough. Comes in charcoal gray, grass green, deep teal blue, black, offwhite, burnt orange, pink (shown), and peacock blue.

One for you and one for me

We can't seem to keep the new Jennifer Tuton initial necklaces in store! The tiny gold filled disc is hand stamped (in my vernacular - 'tunked') with any letter of the alphabet and hangs in that perfect necklace spot (for lack of better anatomical reference - below the jugular and above the cleavage). These are apparently appropriate for any occasion according to our customers-birthdays, graduations, friendship, anniversaries, and are great gifts for your daughter, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, girlfriend, wife, yourself, your mistress, effeminate son, small dog, etc...

At $62, you will not only be fashionable, you will be smart - they are a simple statement for a fraction of the cost of a Henry Cuir bag. On the chain closure, Tuton embellishes them with a small stone of varying colors and shapes - always a surprise, but always lovely. Special orders are welcome with no extra shipping charges, as Ms. Tuton is a local and is quick to replenish our supply. Call us or stop by to see what's available (they are usually right on the counter). You won't walk away empty handed or naked necked, I guarantee.

Bike, don't drive

At iniam, we are usually not making loud political statements, and we don't intend to start, however, with gas prices creeping up, we are thinking that bicycling is probably the way to go lately. Not only do you save gas money, but you also save dollars on those pesky meters lining College Avenue. What a pain when you want to be donning all the new Marc by Marc Jacobs tops or dipping into the bowl of Jane Tran hair accessories at iniam. Lucky that just down the street, at Hank and Frank's bicycle shop, you can swing by and pick up the new Amsterdam bike: a real street cruiser built made for whizzing past all the traffic on College Ave. No time to go there? We just happen to have one at the store for you to admire.

MJ on the Way!

Slowly but surely we are just starting to receive our newest line, Marc by Marc Jacobs...and of course the owner of iniam was careful to select the best fitting items for the store. As a matter of fact, this shirt modeled by our very own Gina, is almost gone already!

Though it's coming in dribs and drabs, by the end of June, we'll have a good selection, by July we will start getting in early Fall goodies, and by August, we will be deep into the collection. Keep your eyes peeled or sign up for our email list at www.iniam.com for upcoming Marc by Marc Jacobs specials!

ADDENDUM: Today the very cutest pima cotton MJ shirts arrived in blue and white just in time for the weekend. The round collar is femmy and pretty and just the right touch for your everyday t-shirt.

We also got a replenishment of Jane Tran bobby pins, hair clips, and headbands to jazz up your windblown or sun-tampered locks.

Talent

There exists a heap of talent among our customers, friends, employees, neighbors, and colleagues and once in awhile, we'd like to share their celebrations, openings, readings, etc. with you!

Recently we discovered Ana Labastida, an amazingly talented artist who stopped by the store one day seeking a dress to wear to her first show. After June 21st, some of her work will be shown (and for sale) at LOLA, a new home and accessories store, part gallery, in Berkeley on College Avenue. Ana's mixed media is tactile, beautiful, and ethereal, as is she! And best of all, at her opening she can be found in a Cynthia Steffe long pink dress! Good luck Ana!!!

A Few Words on Simplicity

Occasionally simplicity rues the day; insomuch as the beauty of a thing is sometimes found in an unassuming detail, a humble color, or a modest inclination. Look no further than this James Perse white tee. It came out of the box yesterday and is probably the loveliest thing I've set my retailed little hands on in awhile. There's no trick, no fancy tuck or hem, nothing really to detract from the elegant essence of a well-made white shirt.

Vacation

With Memorial Day behind us and school's end in the near future, most of us are thinking of vacation (actually I just took two weeks off in case you missed me). In the US, we rue the Europeans who are entitled to at least one month off, no matter if they are a retail clerk or a CEO, while we plan our little escapes by the day or the hour, squeezing in our pleasures by the spoonful.

There's much to do in Northern California no matter what your style, time constraints, orbudget: rock climbing, biking, hiking, surfing, shopping, eating, concert going, tracking mountain lions, etc. But if you are seeking a smaller adventure, then look no further than iniam. There are many colorful frocks on the racks sure to brighten up your un-vacation days, making even the dullest Monday feel like a holiday. Check out Trina Turk's new dresses in bold colors and swishy fabrics ; one with sleeves and one without. And try on Cynthia Steffe's classy and wearable zebra striped tea dress and a classic black silk dress both reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.

We got a stack full of new shoe styles too; neutral colored sandals and heels in taupe, chocolate, beige, caramel, silver, and white (not in the same shoe of course) by Pedro Garcia, Chie Mihara, and Rachel Comey. So if you can't be on vacation all the time, why not feel like you are?

I biked to work today, did you?

I used to live in Virginia where automobiles aim for you if you are biking down a country road (of which there are many)... then I moved to bike heaven - Sweden, where bike lanes have their own lights and are plowed after every snowstorm, before even the roads. Today is the official Bike To Work Day in the Bay area as I was reminded by the guys from Hank and Frank Bicycles who are handing out bikery swag in front of the Safeway on College Avenue.

There are so many reasons for biking, but one of the better ones dawned on me the other day. I was trying on a dress at Viva Diva, a neighboring boutique, and one of the gals said to me, "boy, you've got great legs...how to you do it?" Not only do I bike to work, but I bike to get groceries, I bike to do errands, I bike to parties, I bike when I go out to dinner, and I bike for the sheer pleasure of it. Biking is a way to tour a new city or a new country; biking makes you see things you wouldn't see if you were driving.

I have a friend who lives in the hills near Skyline Drive in Oakland/Montclair and just recently I biked up from my house near College Avenue to her house. I took her on a short bike ride up Grizzly Peak Road to Fish Ranch Road, something she had not done since moving there seven years ago. What was her response? "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee" she railed behind me as we cruised along the road. That is another particularly good reason for biking.

With the high cost of fuel there's not really a better time or way to save money than by biking everywhere. And I'm no scientist, but I'm betting biking also is also more gentle on our environment.

So before you get in your car yet again, think about all the benefits of biking and stop by Hank and Franks after stopping by iniam (they are about a block from us) to see what they have in stock. If nothing else, your legs will look better in that Trina Turk dress...

Getting the Boot

The consistent fit, the great styles, and the loyal following all ensure that Hudson is our best selling denim line. A big box of their Signature Boot Cut pants arrived yesterday - in two washes: one light and one medium but both seem to be a nice summer weight. These pants are scooped up faster than you can say "earthquake preparedness."

Speaking of earthquakes, after China's recent natural disaster of unearthly proportions, do you have your "go bag" ready? Do you have enough canned food, water, kitty litter, and batteries to make you sleep better at night? Oakland Magazine published a fantastic guide in their February 2008 issue in case the big one hits. Check it out online.

Warm days ahead

Well, let's not mince words. Most of you come here to see what is new, so I'll quickly update you on our most recent arrivals.

The new 3.1 Phillip Lim shipment is a mixed bag of two different soft and style-ly t-shirts - one a tank in navy and turquoise and one a tee in white and buttercup yellow. There is also a gorgeous lined linen dress in navy and beige, just the pick-me-up for the warm days ahead.

Speaking of warm days ahead, if you haven't been by the store lately, you probably haven't noticed the new bathing suits in the window! Yes, that's right, we dared to bare all and are now carrying Trina Turk Swimwear. Same great design, same great cut, her swimsuits fit as well as her clothing. She also provides a little 'bling' on some, fashioned and inspired by her own love of vintage jewelry.

Currently we have several bikinis and tankinis which are mixable and matchable...you are also welcome to pair an XS top with a Medium sized bottom or vice-versa depending on your body. If you don't see your size (because they are going fast) you are welcome to special order what you need from us...ask for details when you visit us!

There is an awfully cute white eyelet dress from Cynthia Steffe on the racks (and to the left of this post). So cute in fact, two of us at the store already own it. We also have a Cynthia Steffe knit top in turquoise, a very easy fit and gorgeous color for almost anyone.

INCOMING: keep your eyes on this blog for exciting news about what we expect in JUNE!

New Arrivals

Lately I configure my white linen pants into nearly every outfit considered. I was never a gal to wear white pants, with all my bustling and biking about; on the weekends I am always found sporting a long sleeved t-shit and a pair of cutoffs. But, as I said, every time I see a chemise, a camisole, a top, a sweater, a blouse, I think "boy, that would great with a pair of white pants."

Take the Trina Turk tops we recently received pictured here...These scream "WHITE PANTS." (Actually, one of the models is wearing white pants, so I cannot take credit for that particular outfit). Anyway, it's a whole new way to look at all those unworn tops in your closet or dresser. Just scream, "WHITE PANTS."

Spring Cleaning

Spring is usually the best time to take stock of life and limb; whether you start a new workout regimen or go through the giant piles growing in your home office, frankly, there's no time like the present to get your act together. At iniam, we can't promise to save you from mental anguish or financial woes, but the least we can do is help you clean out your closet. But first, take this simple test:





Is getting dressed in the morning a bore or a chore?
Do you have a closet full of nothing to wear?
Do you have clothes in your closet that don't fit you but you can't bear to throw away?
Do you clothes you haven't worn for over a year?
Do you own a beautiful skirts (or pants or tops, etc.) but nothing to wear with them?
Do you feel self-conscious about your style?
Are you changing career paths?

If you answered yes to even one of these questions, you are a likely candidate for our Closet Consultation service. We provide complete wardrobe revamping, seasonal wardrobe revamping, fashion fine-tuning, and personal shopping. Closet consultations are an iniam service to help you adjust the clothes you already own to your life and style. Taking stock of your needs and goals, we examine everything—from your sock drawer to your winter coats—and help clear out what’s not working, highlight what is, and pinpoint gaps in your wardrobe if you have them.

Our goal is not to make you toss everything you own—after all, you probably bought it for a reason—nor is it to create needs you don’t have. We want to help make your clothing work for you. Closet consultations at iniam adhere to our philosophy about fashion: if it’s not flattering, fun, and functional, then it’s not worth it.

Prices are $100/hour and for that we also provide a follow up list of dos and don'ts, suggestions, and what we feel you need to fulfill your wardrobe dreams!