The CWS is Coming to Town!

We're just days away from the first pitch of the 2010 College World Series! The sporting event gets underway on Saturday, June 19th for the final time at the legendary Rosenblatt Stadium, but the party starts on Friday with a opening ceremony featuring music and fireworks.

No matter who you are rooting for this year -- Arizona State, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, TCU or UCLA -- Trocadero has a rainbow of accessories so you can color coordinate with your favorite team. Baseball caps and t-shirts are so passe. There's no reason why you can't be chic while watching the game! Show your Bruins pride in a pair of turquoise DV sandals. Rather than sweating in a giant foam finger, wave your red, blue or yellow patent Anya Hindmarch clutch in the air to cheer on your favorite players.

Here are some of our favorite accessories in this year's CWS teams' colors.

Maroon/Red: Anya Hindmarch patent clutch, Red Flower Blood Orange candle, Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polish in Chinoise, Matt Bernson Barracuda sandal, Harajuku tote, Kara by Kara Ross bangle and enamel ring, Crocodile Creek bib

Yellow/Gold: Anya Hindmarch loose pocket, Anya Hindmarch patent clutch

Royal Blue/Baby Blue: Anya Hindmarch loose pocket, Anya Hindmarch patent clutch, DV sandals, Marvis aquatic mint toothpaste, We Are Happy To Serve You ceramic deli cup, Flip and Tumble reusable bag

Purple: Marvis jasmin mint toothpaste, Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polish in Purple Haze, Seychelles sandals, Bond No. 9 Scent of Peace perfume, Kara by Kara Ross enamel ring

Orange: Bond No. 9 Little Italy perfume and candle, TDM tie-dye bamboo scarf (not shown)

In the three years I've lived in Omaha, I've yet to go to a CWS game. I think I need to experience at least one at Rosenblatt before it moves to TD Ameritrade Park Omaha next year. I'm not partial to any of the teams playing (go BU Terriers!), so I'll probably pick one based on their uniforms, which is what I did when I was a little girl. I do love purple and orange...

Grasping on to style and function

Since my (temporary) departure from interning at The Troc, I can’t help but stop in every now and again, as I find myself getting homesick. Unfortunately for my wallet this means making some sort of purchase to do my fair share as a loyal “customer”.

Upon my last few visits I became intrigued with the idea of adopting a small bag into my daily wardrobe. I often find the need for something to carry my on the go “must haves” in but something that is smaller than a tote and able to easily fit in my grasp. After thinking about all of the pouches we carry in the store, I decided to investigate the crop of stylish candidates.

After a journey of “this one’s too feminine”, “this one’s too small” and “this one may cost more than what I plan to carry in it”, Alice helped me decide on the Harajuku Lovers “tromp l’oeil” "make-up" pouch in black (shown below in cream). I quickly became a fanatic of the small wonder.



Perfect for organizing the clutter wars going on in your purse (or “man-bag”) or a simple solution to carry a few necessities (i.e. phone, gum, cash, lip balm, keys) on the go, the pouch- or as I have named them for myself, the “man-clutch” – is my obsession of the moment.

This past Friday I made my way down to The Troc and ended up snagging the MZ Wallace Bedford Nylon Flat Pouch to add to my collection. This bag is sleek and sophisticated for casual or dressier looks and still fun with a vibrant flash of color from the red lining and the gold colored zipper and stud detailing.

I feel that any woman…or man…could benefit from some sort of pouch in their life. Perfect spring treat for yourself or even great for a last minute Mother’s Day gift (see: Anya Hindmarch’s Loose Pockets!), come down to Trocadero to check out the array we have to offer.


(On a side note: During my last visit I also managed to get my hands on the last Kikkerland Sing Sing Dinner Tray, a hosting necessity that will soon find use this summer maybe serving up Bliss Bakery’s Pink Champagne Caketinis….Yummmm!)

Jet Set

Cover Up in the Desert by shoptrocadero featuring Giuseppe Zanotti shoes

I am currently packing for the experience of a lifetime. I'm leaving my comfort zone in the Midwest for the desert of Doha, Qatar. The hardest part about packing for the trip is that I have to pack clothes that will cover me up, even though it will be extremely hot. Middle Eastern women are supposed to dress conservatively, and as a foreign guest, I need to respect the culture. I'm not a suit person, so I'll be packing mostly long dresses, skirts, sandals, and TONS OF SUNSCREEN. Who knows, I might arrive and decide I need completely different clothes. As I see it now, my day to day style is going to be based around a solid colored dress and sandals with colored accessories (I still have to be Kathleen). But I'm still looking for a mid-priced lightweight blazer. Any ideas?

Word of the day: tromp l'oeil!

I didn't realize how many fashionable terms have French origins until I opened up Trocadero. I guess it makes sense since the French are so known for their certain "je ne sais quois" when it comes to looking effortlessly chic and so put together. When we got this Harajuku Lovers Tromp L'Oeil "Honey" Tote in Natural (but also available in Black), I remember a few Team Troc members not knowing the word "tromp l'oeil." In French, it literally means "trick the eye" and what makes it tromp l'oeil is that the illustrations on the bag make it look like it's three dimensional (that the button is a realbutton, that the zipper is real). Other examples of tromp l'oeil include this photo of Paris Hilton in a tromp l'oeil sweater where the buttons and belt are sketched onto the fabric.

It is definitely a trend that comes and goes in fashion and one design house that often uses a lot of tromp l'oeil is Moschino. Gwen Stefani isn't alone in recent seasons to use this effect. Some others that have used tromp l'oeil include Sonia Rykiel, Martin Margiela, Marc Jacobs and Vivienne Westwood. 

And I recently purchased a very kick ass black t-shirt from Target that has a wonderful silvery-white tromp l'oeil multi-layered necklace (very old school Tom Binns-looking). As I always say, it's not difficult to mix high with your low. I like to wear my tee with my Marc Jacobs voluminous cuffed shorts from S/S 2006 and my Louis Vuitton silver buckle belt in black.

source Paris Hilton: Glamour

source Marc Jacobs runway: style.com

source Louis Vuitton belt: Louis Vuitton

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.

Gwen in the House

We just received another shipment from L.A.M.B. and we practically sold the bags right out of the shipping boxes. I have to admit I wasn't always sure about the brand, thinking it might not be the right fit for Omaha or even for my store in general. But I was totally wrong...Omaha is crazy about Gwen! It's easy to see why when you check out both her L.A.M.B. collection as well as her fun, nylon and canvas Harajuku Lovers line. I knew the quality of the line would be great -- her line is manufactured by the same folks who started the company Le Sportsac way back when. It was my friend Tim's great idea to have Gwen collaborate with Le Sportsac on those awesome nylon bags so when it came down to finding someone to partner with for her own bag collection, Tim was naturally her go-to-guy. This season for Harajuku, Gwen brought back that retro print, reminiscent of her first collection at Le Sportsac.  We love it here in "the Raddest" shape. I also love the new button and ribbons she has put on this collection of Harajuku bags.
I love the Harajuku Lovers bags for their lightheartedness and affordability. But I am really impressed by the chic-factor of so many of the L.A.M.B. bags this season, most notably the collection we just received. First, "the Rabais" is this chevron fabric satchel with optional long strap. I love the accents of cobalt blue and yellow against the black and white chevron pattern. It's really something totally unique but at the same time is versatile enough to wear with both casual and dressy outfits. This bag also comes in a clutch called "the Bala" that is so well-priced at $195. Really, it's a steal, since it's sooo adorable and chic. Another bag that I haven't seen much anywhere is "the Smyth," a soft leather cut-out handle tote that has a long canvas strap that can be worn as a long shoulder strap or even cross-body. I love the white racing stripe down the center. I'm a big fan of the sporty look this season and think that touches of it look especially nice with soft, feminine silhouettes like shirtdresses, flowy skirts with a t-shirt or a ruffle top and pair of jeans. One last bag from this delivery is "the Busby," the perfect cross-body shape that is the summer solution bag for any woman. I love it especially when traveling as it fits all the essentials and it fits close to the body keeping your passport and money safe. But it's also the perfect size when you're heading out to a quick dinner with friends or out for a walk around the block. We've always sold these small cross-body shapes well at Trocadero and are always anxiously awaiting this style of bag. If you haven't checked out the L.A.M.B. bags in a while, we invite you to check them out online or in person. And while you're at the store you can see a special signed photo that Gwen signed for me (she was after all, in her "Alice in Wonderland"-themed outfit from her "What You Waiting For" video).

Leather-free, fashion forward

My sister Lindsey, a staunch vegetarian, doesn't wear or carry leather. When she first made the decision to give up the material, I benefited - as did a bunch of her friends - when we received her cast-off, oft-expensive and barely used collection of leather bags.

Once my sister made the decision to forgo leather, her search for stylish, non-leather goods began. One of the first lines she discovered was, coincidentally, one she found at Trocadero: Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers. This line of fun, frivolous and fashionable bags includes lots of non-leather options that are also long on style. Below are just a few of the covet-able ones in the store now.

Pictured above: Harajuku Lovers “tromp l’oeil” black canvas tote, Harajuku Lovers shoulder tote “Kamp Kawaii” print, Harajuku Lovers cross body “Totally Tubular” print and Harajuku Lovers Makeout City Pop Bag.

An Omaha Steak and an Ear of Corn...to go!

Let's just say we're totally addicted to Kidrobot's newest zipper pulls to arrive at Trocadero. It's not hard when you see what we're talking about. An ear of corn? A Ribeye steak wearing a fedora and pair of boots? C'mon! They're just way too adorable to resist. Today my friend came in and purchased three to add to her Harajuku Lovers bag from Trocadero. With a cute ice cream cone charmattached to her bag, the three new zipper pulls of an ear of corn, tea cup with sugar cube and a lemon with straw, just added more to the "kawaii"-ness of these irresistible treats. Every day it's a challenge to not tear open a box to see what's inside. Luckily we have wonderfully generous customers who open their boxes at the counter so we can see what they got! And of course, everyone loves our "free trade" policy. We want people to be happy with the zipper pull they get. Which also means once in a while we let ourselves open up some more boxes so that there are more to trade from. Really, we're just making it easier for our customers. Really. It's not like we enjoy opening those boxes or anything...Don't you believe us?