Botkier Back at the Troc

We are so excited to have Botkier back at Trocadero. I've always been such a fan of the designer Monica and although we temporarily stopped carrying Botkier bags, it wasn't because we didn't love and adore them.

I was at the shop recently and I couldn't help but love the cardinal red tote! It's a great pop of color, a great "neutral" in many ways as a good red can go far in terms of versatility in your wardrobe.

Paired with the tribal print scarf, both pieces are definitely items that will never scream "Spring 2012" but rather, these are wardrobe staple accessories that will enhance anyone's closet.

I also could not stop myself from trying on the latest sandal deliveries. These black platform sandals from Dolce Vita are so amazingly comfortable but also incredibly practical. I mean, who doesn't need a great, basic heel in black? I also like that you can take these sandals and wear them with opaque tights come autumn.

And speaking of black. I'm also loving this black leather Botkier satchel. Do you see the wood bar detail? I adore that! It's just a simple but chic touch that gives this black bag something special.

I'm definitely loving the look of a satchel these days. Handheld or placed in the crook of your arm, it's a far cry from the large, oversized shoulder bags that I'm so accustomed to wearing. I love mixing ladylike with some downtown edge. This bag would be great paired with a biker boot or even the Dolce Vita platform sandals pictured above. But of course, this also works with a classic black pump as well such as these.

The BEST Bets at the Berkshire Hathaway 2012 Meeting in Omaha

Welcome Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders to Nebraska!

Our very popular dish towels (we have everything from Nebraska to Boston to Paris!)

It's that time of year again! The annual Woodstock of Capitalism, also known as the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting.

The estimates are always around 30,000 folks attending this convention held at the Qwest Center in Omaha, now known as the CenturyLink Center (I know, kinda confusing!).

Trocadero always love to share our best bets when it comes to dining in Omaha during the BRK Meeting, but this year we're going to mix it up a bit. For the next 5 days, we'll be posting daily about what our BEST BETS are during Berkshire Hathaway week. To kick off this 5 day TrocTalk series, we decided to begin with a peek at all the fabulous new items available at Trocadero this season...

Jewelry, handbags and shoes in Spring's cheeriest hues!

Hi! This is Alice Kim. My specialty when I was the Accessories Director at In Style were handbags and shoes. But I also know my way around the luxury and costume jewelry market as well. So I cannot help but stock Trocadero with some of my favorite brands such as MZ Wallace, Kara Ross, Botkier, Seychelles and Dolce Vita. The best thing about these brands is that they offer stylish, seasonal items that don't cost a fortune and aren't so trendy you cannot wear them ever again after this season.

I love to buy items that are wardrobe staples but have something about them that are au courant. In addition to all our wonderful accessories, please enjoy our unique gifts for the home and baby.

Come by and say hi! Trocadero is located at 1208 1/2 Howard Street in the heart of the Old Market. Right next to Wheatfields!

Beautiful lightweight summer scarf that has the colors of the season!

The perfect black sandal that isn't overly trendy. Comfortable to boot!

A power red leather tote with a tribal print scarf

You can't miss our window!

Oh, and an adorable little rattle for that baby!

The Illusion of a Lady

I have this phrase I always use with friends- "You have to keep the illusion of a lady!"-meaning that one should always be on their best behavior and put their best self forward when in public. (Yes, this includes sitting straight, shoulders back, and legs crossed). It seems that on the spring runways, designers took my advice by showing lady like ensembles in pastels and 50's inspired frocks.

Take a little mix of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and top it off with a bit of Blair Waldorf and you've got the right look. Designers like Marc Jacobs (for Louis Vuitton), Giambattista Valli, and Miuccia Prada all seemed to take inspiration from decades past with delicate details like lace, modest skirts that fall to the knee and ladylike pencil skirts, and demure blouses. The light and airy easter egg hues also lent themselves to the trend-- pastel pink, sorbet yellow and green seem to be the colors of the season.

Ladylike inspirations (clockwise from top):

Edith Head's Dress for Success, Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polish in Pepto Pink, Prada SS 12 collection, Tocca grapefruit and cucumber hand cream, MZ Wallace Little Alice bag, Ginette_NY mini boy and girl 14 k gold w/ diamond necklaces, Prada SS 12, Dolce Vita suede pump, Louis Vuitton SS 12 collection.

I, for one, am pleased to see the nod to purposeful dressing. I cannot express enough my views on dressing for your career and stage in life, and then there's something to be said for just dressing to express all the right things and keeping some of it a mystery.

What are your thoughts? Too prim and proper or refreshingly sophisticated?

**All photos courtesy of Google images.

Make Your Trendy Summer Staples Work in Your Winter Wardrobe!

from summer to winter by shoptrocadero

all bags and shoes available at Trocadero!

With the first major snowfall of the season falling outside my window, it's time I've come to terms with my closet. Every year, I struggle to switch out its contents with the passing of spring, summer, fall and winter. In all honesty, I'm a true believer in "seasonless" dressing - for the most part, I only purchase pieces that I can wear all year round.

To prove this philosophy, I've taken three of last summers' trendiest pieces and demonstrated how to transition them into a perfectly wearable winter ensemble.

The Maxi Skirt

The floor-length skirt was one of my favorite pieces from this past summer. There's something so effortless and easy about tossing on a maxi skirt with a white tee and a great necklace and heading for the door. Mine is so well-loved that I couldn't bear to pack it up, so instead I'll be pairing it with a cropped sweater. I am obsessed with these suede wedges, but I also like the idea of swapping those out for a pair of rugged boots for running errands.

The Lace Tee

A great lace tee is a must-have for me. It's the simplest item to dress up or down for any occasion. Throw on a pair of great colored corduroy trousers and a rugged black boot and you're ready for just about anything!

The Romper

Most people would say that a romper is a summer-only option, but I dare to disagree. I sport all my shorts with tights during the winter - in fact, so much so that my friends like to joke that I "never wear pants," because I'm always in shorts, skirts and dresses no matter what the season. With a thick pair of tights, chunky sweater, and riding boots, this lightweight romper is winter-ready.

What summer item will you be wearing this winter? 

Cozy Campfires and the Great Outdoors

I love fall! As it cools off and approaches this beloved season I start bringing out the cozy sweaters, boots and cute beanies while other people are hanging on to their shorts and tees as long as they can. I'm a bit of an outdoorsy style girl, relishing in my moccasins and blanket ponchos, a bit a la 70's hippie style (but with skinny jeans).

See by Chloe, plaid poncho on polyvore.com

Hang on to your stripes! If I can extend and blend some of my summer wardrobe into fall all the better. Layering a striped tank under a fall print can give it a new flair! One good winter worthy pair of boots and you've got a lot of options. Pair tall boots with shorts and a sweater, over skinny jeans or leggings. I recommend a healthy selection of leg warmers to go over tights or the boots themselves for another look. A lighter scarf protects you from the chill and adds print. I encourage mixing and matching of prints, all the layers make it fun to get dressed.

Poncho by Kenzo, DV by Dolce Vita brown riding boot, Marcus Lupfer pleated knit mini skirt, Missoni scarf.

In preparation for my upcoming trip to Mount Rushmore national monument, it will be my first real camping trip this year and I can't wait to pack! Betting it's going to be chilly this time of year a cozy wool Mexican blanket and a good pair of boots are must haves. A masculine inspired but sexy sweater adds warmth without the frump. I always take a journal with me everywhere and campfires are the perfect place to listen to your thoughts and record them in your Attic Journal!

Pendleton Mexican print inspired wool blanket, Attic Journal, DV by Dolce Vita brown riding boot (available at Trocadero), Alexander Wang cut-out sweatshirt tunic, chain bangle by Kara Ross.

While I can't go dressed as a Hitchcock bombshell, I'll still have adventure in style!

All About Eve: Styling MZ Wallace's Sequined Bag

MZ Wallace "Eve," $245

At first glance, it's impossible not to be drawn to MZ Wallace's stunning sequined "Eve" bag. The glitzy rose gold clutch has the distinct ability to catch the eye of passers-by. Customers often argue that this lovely little accessory isn't really the pillar of practicality, at which point I chose to demonstrate differently. 

While you may be intimidated by its glam and glitz, I'm a firm believer that this bag can serve as the perfect compliment to soft neutrals at any time of day. Not only that, but it comes with an optional cross-body strap, meaning you can sling it over your shoulder during the day or carry it as a clutch at night. 

Of course, this edgy-yet-feminine bag can easily become your evening staple. It can effortlessly be worn with other neutrals - I like it with a slouchy dress and tough booties for a brilliantly balanced ensemble (see outfit 1). 

The real challenge, however, comes from styling it casually. You'd be surprised at how versatile sequins can be for day, and once this bag catches the light of the sun you won't be able to lock it away in a closet just for after-five use. Again, it pairs perfectly with a casual printed tank, soft jersey maxi skirt, feather earrings and strappy wedges (see outfit 2). In fact, I'd argue that the addition of the "Eve" makes this ensemble easier to wear for any occasion.

The way I'd personally wear it is with what has come to be known as my summer uniform - a soft and slouchy blouse with a pair of worn-in, high waisted denim shorts (see outfit 3). I'd just stack on a few everyday Alex & Ani bangles, slip on some sandals and head out for absolutely anything. 

all about eve by shoptrocadero

The MZ Wallace "Eve" and all shoes pictured are currently available at Trocadero. 

Now, I challenge you - how would you wear the "Eve"? 

Coachella Ella Ella Ella, Ay Ay Ay.

Just last weekend, I found myself wandering around the Palm Desert in need of a pair of Coachella tickets. Listening to the radio DJs talk about people being mugged for tickets, my sister, Chloe, and I were a little hesitant to meet with someone off of Craigslist or eBay. However, as a last resort, that's what we had to do. To our luck, a lovely mom named Teresa came to our rescue with two Coachella tickets she'd picked up for her kids who already had them. With that hurdle out of the way... my next one was something a little easier to handle: finding an outfit to wear in 95 degree weather at an outdoor festival with 75,000 people in attendance. I wanted something other than a bathing suit - the usual choice for female concert-goers - stylish, and comfortable. While hunting through my stuffed-to-the-brim suitcase, I came upon my DV by Dolce Vita Moon Sandals, one of my favorite purchases from the Troc. (Sadly, we no longer carry the Moons - but we do still have other Dolce Vita's left.) Little did I know, these shoes would become the basis of my outfit every single day of the festival.

Note: the outfits in this Polyvore are similar, but not exactly what I wore.

Day 1: The first, and hottest, day of the festival. Temperature hit 102 degrees and I knew I had to wear something that would let my body breathe when I was packed like a sardine in the tents. I first decided on a skirt my mom recently purchased me at Diesel. It's high waisted with ultra-light layers of cotton that showed off my legs and kept me cool at the same time. Then came the shirt, which I knew had to be something lightweight and something that would go with my skirt. I paired a jersey graphic tunic from Forever 21 with the skirt, but kept it tucked in to emphasize my waist (a trend for Summer and Fall this year). To add the final feminine/bohemian touch to my outfit, I put on my DV sandals and headed out for a night of movin' and groovin' to bands like LCD Soundsystem, Passion Pit, Grizzly Bear, and Vampire Weekend - all of whom put on stellar shows.

Day 2: This day was a little easier to tackle, being that my body was now used to the constant heat and I knew what to expect from the masses of people cramming the Coachella valley waiting to see their favorite bands. I now knew that the breezy nights got a little chilly and I planned on staying until the last set was finished, so I opted for something a little warmer to keep me content after dark. On my recent excursion to Forever 21, where I picked up the tunic I wore the day before, I also got a black jersey maxi dress with braided straps. I put it on and wondered what I could accessorize with to stand out at the nighttime shows. I chose, yet again, my DV Moon sandals and threw on a multi-chain gold necklace to pull it all together. To my pleasure, my outfit worked out well while I stood to watch some of my favorite bands - Portugal. The Man, Girls, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and MGMT.

Day 3: The last day of the festival came and went in no time. My sister, her friends and I were tuckered out from the days spent standing at the shows, in line at the food tents, and at parking in search of our rental car. Needless to say, we decided to head to the ending night a little later on in the day. Though... the time difference didn't make much difference and the heat was still hitting the valley. I was especially worn out and didn't want to deal with dresses and such, so I chose a simple pair of high-waisted black denim jean shorts to wear with a backless cotton feathered tee and - you guessed it - my DV sandals. I threw on a vintage cuff I remembered to bring and that was that. The outfit treated me well throughout the night and was comfortable enough to watch Phoenix, Pavement, and Gorillaz in.

As for my fashion hurdle? Mission accomplished.

Mojito Madness!

Mojito Madness by shoptrocadero featuring RAFE bags

The mojito, a traditional Cuban highball, is one of my favorite summertime drinks. It was also a favorite of author Ernest Hemingway! According to the website Taste of Cuba, this is the mojito recipe that Hemingway enjoyed at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, Cuba, the supposed birthplace of the mojito.

1 teaspoon powdered sugar

Juice from 1 lime (2 ounces)

4 mint leaves

1 sprig of mint

Havana Club white Rum (2 ounces)

2 ounces club soda

While we can't mix you a drink at the Troc, we can offer you Malin + Goetz's mojito-scented candles and mojito soap sets, featuring individual bars of peppermint, rum and lime soap. Almost as good as the real thing!

What is your favorite beverage to sip during the summer?

In the Mood for the College World Series

Baseball, one of America's favorite pastimes, has taken over Omaha for the first half of June in the form of the College World Series. Two days ago, I sat through four innings (as many as I have the patience for) of the LSU vs. Arkansas game with my friends but could hardly concentrate on the field. I was more intrigued by what the fans around me were wearing. Sitting in front of an LSU fan with toy tigers and Mardi Gras beads glued to her hat (cute, I know) and behind ten die-hard Arkansas fans body-painted to spell out "Razorbacks", I just had to look. Even walking through the crowds of fans in the Old Market, I noticed that many of them can't help but sport their home team's colors, as well. However, I saw that many of the fans stick to colored clothing when they could be going the extra mile with team colored accessories we have at the store. Take the purple Botkier James tote, for example. How perfect would that be for an LSU lover? Or a few red items, like the Matt Bernson Barracuda sandal and the Rafe Pearl bag, for someone cheering on ASU. The store even has Carolina blue baby clothes and Dolce Vita shoes, plus a Southern Miss gold Python bag! Any accessory from our "team-colored" display seems perfect for these fans.

All this talk about the College World Series has just made me think how much I love attending. I mean, you can never go wrong with a nice summer day, tickets to a sports event, and some good greasy food. Oh, the greasy food at the stadium - even the staff here can't get enough. When asked to choose between a hot dog, popcorn, and a baked pretzel, I chose the pretzel... with a side of cheese! Sarah and Marie like their hot baked pretzels too while the other high-school intern, Lauren, chose popcorn (only because the ever-famous Bloomin' Onion wasn't offered) and Jared, another intern, went off the list and chose his favorite: cotton candy (pink, to be exact). As for Alice, Drew and Helen, they go for the Hebrew National hot dogs (courtesy of local Con Agra!). 

With two ball games almost every day, I'm just looking forward to the final match, which is the only whole game I'm willing to sit through. Who's going to win? I couldn't even guess. I do know the competition has narrowed down to ASU, Arkansas, LSU, Texas, UNC, and Virginia. So, good luck to all. The spirit, excitement, and food from the stadium is enough to last me the entire summer. I'm soaking it up; you should too.

Five hold-overs

We've talked about shopping your own closet a lot here on Troc Talk and in our weekly Trocadero Tidbits newsletter, so I've had it on my mind. As I go through my purchases from the previous summer in my own closet, I've found a few things that I know I'll be rocking all summer long (as well as a few things I plan to donate to my local consignment shop.) It just so happens that a lot of the items on my list are things we carry at Trocadero, so if you didn't pick up an ec0-chic tote or a pair of gladiator sandals last summer, you're still in luck. 

Here's my list of the top five holdover looks for the impending Omaha heat. 

1. Strappy Gladiator Sandals. Whether you opt for a comfortable flat style for everyday wear or a sexier high heeled number, last summer's Greek-inspired sandals are my top pick for what to hold on to or to invest in now. At Trocadero, we have lots to choose from: Matt Bernson's studded red "Barracuda," L.A.M.B.'s "Fuji" with its fetching triangular heel (pictured at left) or a metallic gladiator by Bettye Muller or DV Dolce Vita. I tried the "Fuji" on last weekend and can't get it out of my head. 

2. Oversized Clutches. For day or night, or day-to-night style, an oversized clutch is both chic and sensible. 

I have a number of vintage numbers at home, but if I were going to invest in a new one, my number one choice would be Anya Hindmarch's "Large Pipkin" clutch, pictured at right. It's perfect for day or night, neutral enough to be worn with everything but has gorgeous detail on the front clasp. It's an investment piece, to be sure, but one that you'd pass down to your daughters or neices without fail. I also love Kara Ross clutches, in both gold and burlap with python details, and the L.A.M.B "Ahndra Bala" clutch that Gwen herself recently carried. 

3. Eco-chic gear. We all know how important it is to be friendly to Mother Earth, and Trocadero helps us do it stylishly. I'm still planning to rock my Anya "I'm not a Plastic Bag" tote this summer, but if you missed out on that trend, you can check out her latest foray into eco-chic with the much-blogged about Fruit and Veg, Meat or Dairy totes. You can also pick up a canvas tote screened right here in Omaha by artist Miss Cake; we have a few in stock. New this summer is BC Footwear's "Danke" sandal, pictured above, which boldly advertises what it used to be: a rice bag. These comfy flip flops are not only eco-friendly, they're super cute. What's more is that beacuse they're made of old rice bags, each pair is singular, with subtle details that differ from pair to pair. Alice also carries a super cute phone or mp3 player case, also made from colorful recycled rice bags. 

4. Cross body bags (for day or night). Though I usually carry an

oversized bag stuffed to the gills with odds and ends, I'm totally into the idea of downsizing for the summer. I'd love to do it with Botkier's soft green "Moto" clutch, which is a petite sister to my white Botkier "Trigger" bag (that, coincidentally, Alice has too!) I prefer this beauty in green, though Trocadero also has it in black. If you're looking for a vegan style, we have a number of cross body bags in canvas and nylon by Harajuku Lovers. Botkier's "Marcel" is made for hot city nights with its long chain strap and woven gold detail on its sides. 

5. Wearing SPF every day. What's more important than our skin? I've long been a devotee of strong sunscreen, and I think its become more than a trend. It's a necessity. Luckily, lots of skin care lines are aware of the importance of skin protection, and Alice, is too: all of the face creams at Trocadero include an SPF. Korres makes both a lightweight pomegranate moisturizer and a wild rose moisturizer (at left) with SPF 6, as well as a watermelon moisturizer with SPF 30 (for pale girls like me.) Ole Henriksen has two SPF 15 moisturizers, one for normal skin and one for dry/sensitive skin. Malin+Goetz makes a SPF 30 moisturizer that we have in the store, and finally, for your little ones, pick up a tube of Susan Brown's Baby SPF 30.

Now that I've reviewed my list of summer hold-overs, tell us, what do you plan to hold on to or purchase before it gets hot in Omaha? 

Trocadero at Summer Music Festivals

Last summer I went to Chicago for Lollapalooza. It was the first time I'd ever attended a multi-day outdoor music festival and I had a great time. I also learned what to wear. With Coachella going on as we speak, and tons of outfit posts from the festival all over the fashion blogs, I thought a little guide to style for the summer music festivals might be in order. Here's what I came up with.

All four of these outfits would work for any of the American festivals, and they'd work for Glastonbury, in England, with the addition of a good pair of rubber boots and a rain jacket.

We'll start at the left. A pair of jean shorts are necessary (I have this exact pair, from American Eagle Outfitters.) I paired them with a big pair of sunglasses, a simple grey American Apparel tank and of course an all-access pass. Accessorize at Trocadero with Anya Hindmarch's Fruit and Veg tote (to lug your sunscreen, water bottle, lip gloss and wallet) and keep your feet cool in a pair of DV brown "Caprice" gladiators.

The two middle looks both use a dress, and let me just say this is the coolest, most comfortable option at a festival crowded with people in 90-degree heat. Our top look takes a simple Alice and Olivia tank dress in a bright color and pairs it with a funky pair of Puma sneakers, your boyfriend's baseball cap and a classic pair of Ray Ban Wayfarers for an overall sporty vibe. Accessorize this look with a Harajuku Lovers crossbody bag in the fun "Flourescent" colorway and a set of Alex and Ani expandable bangles.

The bottom look uses a floral cotton sundress, from Theory, and makes it festival appropriate but still keeps things feminine. A hat is your best friend in the hot summer sun, and here we show a cute retro straw style from Eugenia Kim. A "Pepto Pink" pedicure from Rescue Beauty Lounge looks great with Matt Bernson's Talaria winged sandal and a pair of retro pink sunglasses. I'd use the Anya tote with this look, too.

Finally, at an evening show, when the sun is on its way down, consider a pair of comfortable boyfriend jeans with a floaty peasant top; here we show Current/Elliott jeans and a Malele Birger York embroidered blouse. A big floppy sun hat keeps the glare off your face and classic aviators just look cool. A simple but cute pair of Seychelles "Get Outta Town" flats and Botkier's "Marcel" clutch with a crossbody strap are dressy enough for drinks after the show.

Have fun at the summer concerts, and even if you're just enjoying music locally, let Trocadero know what you wear.