Spicing Up Date Night

Anyone who has been in a long-term relationship knows that you’ve got to get a little creative every now and then to keep that spark going. So, I decided to create a “date night.”

I leave for work before my husband, so one morning I left him a card...and it was a "sexy " card...asking him to meet me that night at a local restaurant/bar at a specified time.

I thought I should dress a little sexier than I do at work, so I rummaged through my closet and found a cold shoulder top from metro as well as my new bling jeans. Normally I don't put them together, but I wanted to punch it up for the occasion. To push it even further, I bought a cheap wig in a fun cut and in a completely different color than my hair. My husband was totally blown away!

It was really fun! I love how a simple change of clothes can make you feel like a whole different person. Lucky for me, metrostyle has a lot of styles I can experiment with!

So tell me ladies (and gentlemen), do any of you ever have date night and dress a little different than normal? What do you do to keep the spark going in your relationship?

By Guest Blogger: Lolita fro Boston, MA

Wacky Weather!

Anyone who has ever been to New England in the “Spring” knows that the weather can be variable from day to day even hour to hour. This creates difficulty when getting dressed in the morning. I frequently ask myself will I be cold if I wear this t-shirt or am I going to sweat to death in this sweater.

The solution to this apparel conundrum is to layer, layer, and layer. I will wear a tank top under a short sleeve shirt under a cardigan or light weight pullover sweater.

By Sara

Employee Interview: Brenda, copywriter

1. Who are you and what is your official job title?
Brenda Burger, metrostyle copywriter

2. Briefly describe what you do on a daily basis...
I write all the copy for all the catalogs, emails, web pages, magazine ads and direct mail pieces produced by metrostyle. If it has words on it...I probably had something to do with it!

3. What's your favorite part of your job?
Writing about clothing! In the past, I've held jobs writing about home decor and direct sales. Writing about women's clothing is just so much more fun.

4. Least favorite?
Proofreading legal documents. Yuck.

5. What aspect of your job most directly affects our customers?
Customers see my efforts every day in the catalog and on metrostyle.com...from headlines to individual item descriptions! Hope you like them :)

6. Do you shop on metrostyle.com?
Oh yes. One of the hazards of writing about fashion is that I want at least a dozen things from each new collection. My most recent purchase included a boarder print tunic and cargo pants. I've also got my eye on this adorable tiered knit dress from the upcoming Summer Collection.

7. Just one more...what's your favorite food?
Chocolate. More specifically, my mother-in-law's chocolate chip cookies. I'm not sure what she puts in them - fairy dust, maybe? - but they are incredibly addictive.


Interview by, Jon.

Are you “Vacation Deprived?”

If you haven’t booked a vacation in a while, then I suggest you do so!
Did you know that American’s are the most vacation deprived? Not only
do we earn less vacation days, but we leave an average of 3 days unused.
Read this article and hopefully it will push you to book your vacation sooner rather than later! Wait until you see how many vacation days people in other countries take—my jaw dropped!! After you read the article & book your vacation, you'll probably need a cute new outfit!
Check out the new spring collection at metrostyle.com!

By Sally

2009 SWIMWEAR

I'm sure with the economic crisis a lot of people may not be traveling this summer to beautiful hot sunny places but it doesn’t mean you don’t need a swimsuit. You can still look fabulous in your backyard lounging around your swimming pool or at your local beaches. This summer swimsuits are sexier than ever. So, let’s look at what we can expect in swimwear of summer 2009.

Colors, prints, and the classic black swimsuits are all part of this year swimsuits. Fuchsia is a huge color this summer as well as emerald, purple, and sapphire blue. For prints it’s geometrics and African prints. You’ll see the return of the one-piece with many variations on this style such as cut-outs, the one shoulder, and stylish maillots. So with great colors and great prints I’m sure you can find a swimsuit that fits you. Have fun this summer while looking fabulous!

By Diane

What's Your Zodiac Sign's Style???

ARIES (March 21- April 19) Easy Chic- Energetic and outgoing, you love trendy silhouettes that don’t compromise comfort.

by Allie

The Truth About Clothes and Dogs

I think it is so funny how people dress up their dogs as if they are humans. I have to admit, yes, I am guilty of taking part in this, but only after my sister insists we try one of my dad’s shirts on the dog or one of the other million things we put on him. Seeing my 80 pound German shepherd walking around with clothes on is quite the sight to see. He always looks so handsome, especially in my hot pink puffy vest. My brother dresses his dog up too, like there’s absolutely nothing strange about it. He comes over wearing his Patriot’s jersey during football season or sporting a nice sweater around the holidays. He even has a winter coat, and I seriously just have to laugh. Yesterday, I find out my best friend is bringing home her new puppy…I immediately get in my car to go over and meet the little baby. After being there for five minutes, the new pup was already wearing a little pink tank top and I was already in love. I love these dogs as if they were people…so why can’t they show their own style and wear clothes as if they actually are people? There’s nothing wrong with that...right?

By LB

Things for Spring!

I declared 2009 the year of me. I’m not talking about diets or New Year’s resolutions, just plain and simple embracing the positive and continuing to be hap-hap-happiest person I can be. Part of my happy agenda includes a little cruise with one of my favorite groups from the past…New Kids on the Block! Not only am I excited for the cruise to the Bahamas with NKOTB and two of my good friends, but I’m excited about shopping for it! I’ve already started.

I am totally excited about the new spring metrostyle collection! I’m not always the person who buys the Spring/Summer items before it’s time to wear shorts, so you know how jazzed I am about this season. I love the new styles and the color choices we have. Even while trying to pull photos for this blog I found more things I want for spring! So, what’s in my shopping bag on metrostyle.com?

M by Shakara cargo skirt- I’m lucky enough to have had the chance to touch it, feel it and try it on at the office! The fabric is described as “cotton,” however if you could feel it, you would love this light weight cotton with a paper-ish kind of feel to it. Very flattering Shakara design!

Border Print Tunic- Totally wild about it. I love the color choices, the fit and especially the price! I like the Topaz, but I might get the Tangerine as well.

Knit Wrap Dress- Another one of my must-haves. It’s great for the cool evenings, will pack well and is also a great price.

Embroidered Peasant Top- I’m deciding between the peapod multi and zest multi. I’ll have to make up my mind by tonight though because I need to place my order!

Well, I hope you found some great things you love as well. Spring begins March 20th. I know I’ll be ready! Happy shopping.

by Kyndall

Baby Fat

Babies and metrostyle.... they may seem like an odd combination but in my book they are a perfect match. My son is 3 months old and he is one cute little bundle! But after 9 months of eating for two I am left with a "not quite as fit as I used to be" feeling. Yes, I am talking about baby fat. Not the cute kind that creates rolls around my little one's arms and legs, the kind that lurks around your midsection and threatens to stay!

Now that I am back in the swing of things I want to feel good about how I look even though I am not fitting into the same pants that I used to. I don’t always want to wear my yoga pants, which fit great but aren’t very fashionable, and I’m not the same size in jeans right now. But I’m not the next size up either. I need a size bigger on the waist but not necessarily everywhere else! That's where metrostyle comes in. I love the jean like leggings. These leggings are comfy but discreet, they look like regular jeans! They allow me to wear my usual size with more give around the waistline. With the right shirt you can’t even see the elastic waist and I can buy myself a few more months to shed these baby pounds!

by Suzy

Special thanks to CDG

Green is the New Thing!

Today is St. Patrick's Day! The day when we wear green, drink green beer, and celebrate!

Though I'm not Irish, I usually always wear green, go on a scavenger hunt for lucky clovers, and just watch people devour green beer (since I'm too young to drink). Everybody seems so joyous and happy on this particular day, so the kinful spirit rubs off on me!

Since I always think of fashion, I made an observation today. Green is the color we wear on this day, though it's not the best color choice for many, it's finally debuting as a popular trend. The "Go Green" fashion has definitely come into play, and not just all the organic pieces, but the green color choices as well. It's now a style, and it comes in many shades perfect for the spring season. We have emerald green, forest green, bold lime green, so many greens! This style is everywhere. So go green!

by DeDe

Poll: How do you shop from metrostyle?

We want to know how you shop from metrostyle. Do you shop online? Are you an order by phone person? Do you shop strictly by catalog? Are you a combo shopper and use the catalog as a guide but buy online? There are many ways to order and we'd like to hear what you prefer. Be sure to vote and let us know! Here are the results from last week's poll:

im metrostyle.com

Have you seen it? The newest metrostyle catalog is different than anything we've done before. It's in a cool new horizontal shape with ultra dramatic photography.

But what's really unique about this book is that it's designed to encourage people to go to metrostyle.com to shop (of course), but also to experience all of the other features that you can't get by shopping the catalog alone...like the "zoom" feature, new & now trend section, jeans & suit fits guides, etc.

It's fun, and it's definitely different. So if you haven't seen it yet, watch for im metrostyle coming to a mailbox near you!


By Bren B

Dad "Fashion"

A while back, my husband and I were having dinner with my parents when the talk of fashion began. I wanted a new pair of trendy skinny jeans that I saw in the store, but couldn’t decide if I should get them. That caused my dad to chime in with his “professional” opinion: “Beth, jeans are jeans. I’m still wearing jeans I bought back in 1997… why don’t you just stick with what you’ve got?”

Now, I love my dad for who he is, but his idea of “sticking with what you’ve got” is not the best fashion advice. Especially since his closet still contains the clothing from the events below:

· A Hawaiian shirt and yellow shorts that he purchased in 1987 for a summer birthday party (the shorts are approx. 8 inches above his knee).
· A grey tee shirt with a sketch of Mozart on it -done in black puff paint.
· At least 3 fanny packs, I didn’t stop him because I thought I understood his logic to having them.

He has changed so much since then, he dresses more in the now. His style consists of khakis, a belt, dress shirts and basic shoes. Imagine if he stuck with only what he had then?

One thing that has not changed and will always be a part of him: his fanny pack!!!!! No matter how close he comes to “normal” fashion, this one major “dad” item will always be with him, and you know what, without that he just wouldn’t be my dad! I will love him no matter what, even if he wants to wear those yellow shorts again one day…

by Beth

DESIGNER FOR A DAY

DESIGNER FOR A DAY

So my wish is granted and I am the head designer for the day at metrostyle
I am adding one more style to the line

Hmmm? What should it be?
Ok, we already have clothes, shoes and accessories?

Ala ka Zam Sha Bam (that is the sound of my magic wand)
A Rolls Royce of Course!! Duhhh

I know, I know that it is not clothes
But can you imagine offering a Rolls Royce at a low low price??

I’m talking $39.99. We would all have five!
A girl can dream can’t she?

Surprise Sellers

These two items were surprise best sellers from our latest catalog!! Although we do our best to predict how an item will sell, we get a surprise every time! And we love it…these fashions with unexpected popularity help put us in the right direction for future product. The customer truly leads the way! Tell us, would you wear either of these looks? What other trends would you like to see in our catalog?

By Sarah

Top 10 Fashion Colors For Spring 2009

Spring time is around the corner so its time to break away from the grays and earthy colors of fall and winter. It’s time to add a touch of freshness and light. I have to say this has been a very long winter and I’m definitely ready for spring. So, here are the top ten colors that’s a must for this spring.

Click on the image to view a larger version.

By Diane

Employee Interview: Jon, Web Designer

1. Who are you and what is your official job title?
My name is Jon and I'm the lead web designer for metrostyle.com

2. Briefly describe what you do on a daily basis...
On any given day you can find me doing anything from designing & refreshing content that appears on the homepage/fashion/petite & tall/new&now/category pages to creating marketing emails to making banners that appear on our many affiliate sites.

3. What's your favorite part of your job?
We're currently in the middle of redesigning metrostyle.com and I'm very much enjoying the process. There's a lot of things I don't like about our current site so being able to think about how to change the shopping experience to best suit our customers is a welcome challenge.

4. Least favorite?
Designing banners. They're such small spaces to design within and the ultra-teeny file sizes we need to have them compressed to artifacts the imagery pretty bad.

5. What aspect of your job most directly affects our customers?
The work I do is the first thing you see when you come to the site or when you open one of our emails. I take pride in the designs I do and hope you, the metrostyle customer, enjoys them.

6. Do you shop on metrostyle.com?
No as a 20-something male metrostyle's clothing just isn't my flavor of fashion. :)

7. Just one more...what's your favorite food?
Fresh homemade guacamole can't be beat. Here's the easy and delicious recipe:

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados (you can tell if they're ripe by if the avocado 'gives' a little when you press it firmly with your thumb)
3 table spoons of finely diced red onion
3 table spoons of spicy green salsa (my favorite brand is Mrs. Renfro's)
a dash of cumin
a generous pinch of kosher salt
a few turns of ground black pepper
juice from half a lime

Directions:
Cut open the avocados, discard the pit and spoon out the contents from the skin into a bowl (You can throw away the skin). Spoon the green salsa onto the avocados and mash everything together with a fork until it becomes a uniform, soft consistency (it'll be like a thick gravy). Stir in the onion, cumin and salt & pepper – mixing well. Stir in the lime juice and serve with chips. That's it!

Interview by me!, Jon. :)

What's Your Zodiac Sign's Style???

PISCES (Feb 19- March 20)

EDGY- Your wonderful fashion sense mixes style with imagination. You’re an expert at combining strong and girlie pieces to invent unexpected outfits.

By Allie

America’s Next Top Model--Cycle 12!

The new season of ANTM starts tomorrow at 8 PM & I’m super-excited!! I can’t get enough of this show. I watch the re-runs on Saturdays, so obviously I need to get more of a social life. There’s nothing better than sitting in front of the TV with my big bowl of ice cream & watching the models do their thing. I checked out the contestants online & my two faves are Teyona and Aminat. (1st two below) My opinion may change after the season starts but right now I think one of those girls is going to be America’s Next Top Model.

Who do you think will win this season?

Click here to see all the contestants.

By Sally