Every woman has her favorite “go to” items in her closet. The “Babes and Kids” blogger takes a look at a few of her new favorites and gives readers the chance to add some items to their closet with a new giveaway, sponsored by DownEast Basics. Her new favorites? The Sprinkles on Top and Double Take Jeans.

Dish on Favorite #1 -  Sprinkles on Top:

“I love the gathering around the neck line and around the bottom of the sleeve as well, it adds a nice feminine touch.  It’s the perfect shirt to dress up with a skirt or to wear casually with a pair of jeans.”

Dish on Favorite #2 - Double Take denim:

“I was pleasantly surprised to find more coverage in the back of the jean, without sacrificing the lowrise in the front. These are also lightweight and have spandex in them which gives them a nice stretch. Can you say comfortable? My new favorite jeans, hands down.”

Read the full review and enter for a chance to win your own favorite new DownEast top, accessory or denim from the new arrivals. Read the posting here for details. Good luck!

THIS JUST IN: Many of our brand new and much anticipated accessories are now available online! I have been dying to get my hands on these rings! I was thrilled they’d just arrived at our warehouse when I was in Salt Lake finishing up our March 2010 catalog shoot. So, I welcomed eight new rings to my jewelry collection. Starting at just $9.99, they offer a lot of bling for your buck. My personal favorites are the Rhinestone Tiger Ring, Gold Flower & Pearl Ring, and the Rhinestone Snake Ring (very similar to one I’ve spotted many times on Heidi Klum). Spice up your accessories in 2010 and shop now!

And here’s some more good news! I have a special offer for our Internet shoppers: This weekend, Jan. 15-18, DownEast will host an online clearance sale with an additional 50 percent off great clothing to keep you warm and stylish through the long winter!

Here’s a sneak peek at some of our amazing items that will be on clearance!

Matchstick Cords – Our popular lowrise, skinny fit, five-pocket cords in soft stretch corduroy. Made of a cotton/spandex, they’re available in berry and charcoal.

Spotlight Dress – Take your turn in the spotlight in our polka dot, ¾ sleeve with gathered detail on the neckline, belt and invisible pockets. It comes in grey and white, or black and white. I recommend wearing some fun red heels with the grey and white.

Over the Top Dress – Embrace the feminine ruffle trend in our flattering jersey knit dress with long sleeves and ruffle detail on the deep v-crossover neckline. It’s available in heather grey or red plum.

Timeless Trench Coat – This semi wrap style trench coat gives instant glamour to any outfit. It features a generous fold over collar with ruffle detail and belt. It comes in black or limestone. This is the perfect coat to wear now and into spring.

Those are just a few of the amazing deals available online this weekend only!

Also, I want to say “thank you” for making our Holiday line our most popular ever! We appreciate all of you who gave or asked for our clothing and accessories as gifts.

I’m so excited about our upcoming spring and summer lines! Here’s a sneak peek at the covers for our February and March catalogs. The February catalog offers a complete style guide for the month. Also, I’m sharing a great photo from our swim line that debuts in our March catalog. In the meantime, remember to drop by the DownEast web site sale this weekend, Jan. 15-18, for some of our best winter fashions at unbeatable prices!

Happy New Year!

Andrea

One of my favorite things is being out and about and actually seeing women wearing DownEast Basics clothing and accessories. I love knowing that our fun, fashionable and affordable styles are being worn “with style” by our very best models – our happy and loyal customers!

In fact, the most rewarding part of my job is hearing from fans of our clothing – learning about their shopping experiences with us, what DownEast styles they like most and what they hope to find in our next catalog.

With this in mind, I want to start sharing some of the great comments we get from shoppers right here on our blog. The following was emailed to us from “J Britnee”, and she included a very cute photo!

DownEast Basics Fan J. Britnee

“I LOVE DOWNEAST because of the great clothes and great, friendly people! The clothing manager, Mel, at my local store is amazing! I can just call and say ‘I’m coming in’ and she picks out outfits for me. I love the service and it keeps me coming back. Thanks for everything, DownEast!”

We pride ourselves on our fashion-conscious and friendly salespeople, and it’s always exciting to hear that our customers are getting great service!

Here is another comment and another cute photo, this one from “Chloe”, who is wearing one of our amazing DownEast coats:

DownEast Basics Customer Chloe

“I love shopping at DownEast! They have a ton of cute clothes in so many styles. I can always find what I’m looking for. Because of DownEast’s fantastic prices, I was able to get more than one outfit for my senior pictures!”

As we’ve mentioned before on this blog, we sincerely value our customers and listen to them closely to help us plan new offerings and clothing designs. So, we want to hear from you! Tell us what you like about DownEast and what you want to see in our future lines.

Leave a comment here or send us an email (we’d love it if you included a photo of yourself wearing our clothing) to ILovedowneast@downeastbasics.com. Who knows? You might be featured in an upcoming “DownEast by Design” blog!

- Andrea

In a new posting, “Sensibly Styled” blogger Natalie Olsen gives you 5 reasons why she thinks the DownEast Basics Reunited Top is a must-have for your holiday wardrobe.  She writes:

 “So, if you’re like me, what you need for the holidays is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe. Something that works with what you already have. Something that is easy to wear, but looks festive and put together. Seriously, DownEast Basics’ Reunited Wrap is the answer to all of our prayers. I have had my eye on this top for a while, and am so glad that I have it.  I have the top in black, and all of these outfit ideas are built around the black top. I think you need one.”

Read her reasons and register for the giveaway by commenting on her blog before Tuesday!

Natalie Olsen models the Reunited Wrap on her way to a Christmas party.

 LOOP:

Fold scarf in half

Loop around neck, leave loop open

Pull one scarf end through loop

Tighten

PRETZEL:

Fold scarf in half

Loop around neck, leave loop open

Pull one scarf end through loop

Twist

Pull second scarf end through loop

Tighten

WRAP AROUND:

Pull scarf back around neck, scarf ends hang behind

Bring both scarf ends forward on opposite sides

THE WRAP AROUND:

Bring both scarf ends forward on opposite sides

Cross scarf ends

Pull one scarf end under to form knot

Tighten

Adjust

TWIST:

Loop scarf around neck, leave loop open

Twist loop

Pull one scarf end through

Tighten

Twist scarf ends together

Finished!

When I begin the design and development process for each season, one of the questions I always ask myself is whether or not I would wear or buy each piece in the line. For the holiday line, it was fun for me to think about whether or not I would love to give or get certain items as gifts! I loved creating gifts within the line and I hope you will find it equally enjoyable to both give and get them! In a time where gift cards seem so easy, there is nothing like receiving a gift that someone really felt you would love. Hopefully between all of our new accessories, jewelry, hats, gloves, scarves, hand bags, printed skirts and festive print PJs, you will find something that perfectly suits someone you love, too! 

If you’re still in the midst of finding those perfect holiday gifts for family and friends, DownEast Basics has some truly great ideas and they’re all at amazing, affordable prices! Here are a few of my favorite things…

DownEast Basics Essential Scarves 2-Pack

To make gift giving extra easy, we have two gift sets that come tied and ready to go, complete with a cute “to/from” card and grosgrain ribbon accent. Our new Cami & PJ sets (now just $20 with any purchase - enter code: PJSET at checkout) pair comfy, cotton jersey pj pants in darling festive prints with a coordinating DownEast Basics camisole. Our other gift set includes two of our very popular Essential Scarves (now $15 with any purchase - enter code: SCARF at checkout). These long, jersey scarves are extra soft and come in a range of fabulous colors – they are addictive to wear and make a perfect stocking stuffer!

Speaking of scarves, our knitted Rosette Scarf ($16.99) is romantic and sophisticated, and comes in gray, black or purple. These scarves feature a hand-knitted appliquéd rose that is super trendy and fun to wear. To give or get a complete accessorized look, combine it with a pair of Rosette Gloves ($12.99), and our Rosette Hat ($12.99).

DownEast Basics On the Town Tote

I am so thrilled to carry our own line of hand bags! The price and style make them hard to pass up. In fact, they are so affordable you can use one of our bags as a gift bag instead of a box for other gifts for double the fun of gift giving! Our trendy, metallic Main Street Tote (now $20 with purchase – enter code MAINST at checkout) goes with just about everything, and comes in gold, silver or black. Another gorgeous bag is our On the Town Tote ($29.99), which comes in either a modern flower print in colors that coordinate with the entire holiday line, or an equally versatile polka dot print. 

Our embossed, metallic Skinny Belt ($14.99) featured throughout the holiday catalog adds easy glamour to most of our fashion tops and cardigans, and is available in gold, green and silver. Did I mention these are also a perfect stocking stuffer???

DownEast Basics Classic Cord Coat

Hopefully you have had the experience of shopping at a DownEast Basics store and finding items with amazing detail and quality fabrics – and you are completely shocked by the very affordable price! The Classic Cord Coat ($49.99) is one of those items. This dress length, high-quality corduroy coat is fully lined with a gorgeous zebra print and features large tortoise buttons. This is a classic style that will be a fall/winter wardrobe essential for years to come. It comes in citrus gray, plum, and my personal favorite: cream.

DownEast Basics Formal Flowers Dress

Finally, don’t forget to gift yourself! Your frustrating quest to find an affordable, stylish and unique party dress (with sleeves) is over! Our Perfect Form Dress ($38.99) defines romance, with a soft, satin sheen and ruffled neckline, and the Formal Flowers Dress ($44.99) is an example of DownEast Basics at its finest. This style boasts a neckline that is flocked with handmade flowers while the rest of the dress fits to flatter with its simple waistline and inverted pleat detail. Let’s get this party started! I suggest you hurry - the word is out and these are selling fast.

For all of you who have become a fan of our jeans, we have more styles coming! Perfect for snuggling by the fire, we recommend our True Love Boyfriend Jean (coming soon – $44.99). Also, if you didn’t get a pair of our popular Rock Star Jeans ($54.99), don’t worry, we just received more, so get yours today!!!

Without a doubt this is my favorite time of year. What could be better than family, friends, and shopping???? Best wishes for a wonderful and safe holiday season. Thanks for making 2009 so great for us! Here’s to another year of style surprises and many fashion must-haves. Give-Get-LOVE DownEast Basics.

 CHEERS!

Andrea

Amanda Acuna, blogger for “Mommy Mandy” is thrilled with the new DownEast holiday line and wants to share this season by giving you a chance to win the top items on your wish list as well!

In her latest review, Amanda talks about the One of a Kind Top:

“First off I didn’t realize it was as long as it is, so it’s perfect for maternity, new moms or any woman. The long sleeve v-neck top is accented with delicate smocking detail below neckline and waist.  My cousin Nat who is pregnant with her 2nd baby wanted the top so bad. I told her that lucky for her it’s only $24 dollars… I love how soft it is and it is by far one of the most comfortable shirts ever.”

And, on the Timeless Trench Coat, Amanda writes:

“The semi wrap style, below-the-knee trench coat features generous fold over collar with ruffle detail and belt. I love this coat, you can wear it with dresses, pants, even jeans.”

Get your own “wish list” items from DownEast by registering in Amanda’s holiday giveaway. Read the posting here for details! 

Many moms at this time of year are busy focusing on the wish lists of others. But Mique Provost of the “Thirty Handmade Days” blog is letting her lady friends in on the fun of a grown up wish list in this week’s review and giveaway, sponsored by DownEast Basics. Mique reviewed the Timeless Trench Coat and Perfect Form Dress.

Mique writes in her review:

“I wore the jacket to church today and it was SO comfy. I think it’s the perfect jacket- could go with a great pair of jeans or a dressy outfit. I have reserved the dress for the Sunday before Christmas. It’s super comfortable and even has pockets! It also has a fun ruffly neckline. Adorable!!”

And, says that “In addition to having clothing that is cute and comfy, their prices are amazing.”

Enter to win your favorite DownEast item by leaving a comment on Mique’s blog posting here. Good luck! 

Mique Provost models the DownEast Basics Perfect Form Dress

Take part in some new “frosty festivities” with blogger Tracy Wallace of “Just for Me and You”. She’s hosting a new denim giveaway and reviewed a pair herself. Tracy writes:

“Who isn’t always in need of a new pair of jeans that fit you just right? Lucky for us all, DownEast Basics now offers a Denim line. They have a good variety of different styles so you’re sure to find the right pair for you.”

And, on the Platinum Jeans she reviewed, Tracy wrote:

“I had the opportunity to review the Platinum Jeans and I love them. They are really good quality and fit perfectly. The first day I was wearing them I had two people compliment them! I just might have to buy a few more pairs. I really like how I can dress them up or down.”

Click here to read the full review and register for the giveaway! Hurry – it ends December 11^th.

Tracy Wallace models DownEast Basics Platinum Jeans

In a new online review, “The Fashionable Housewife” blogger shares how she discovered fashion on a budget with DownEast Basics. She wrote:

Everyone is looking to save money these days, but you might be getting sick of Wal*Mart, Target and Forever 21 when it comes to fashionable clothes on a budget. Lucky for you, I found another option that even the most frugal fashionista will approve of!

DownEast Basics offers fashionable and affordable women’s clothing. While they have several store locations, none are in the northeast. But I don’t mind shopping online!

You’ll find lots of low-priced items that range from classic to trendy. And if you’re in the market for a great a-line skirt to wear with your tall boots, you are going to be in heaven browsing their selection of women’s skirts.

Read her full review here!