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Vol. LXIII, No. 3
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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Vol. LXIII, No. 3
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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 FASHION FORWARD: “We will have a trunk show for Troll Beads and Chamilia on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 6, 7, and 8, the weekend before Valentine’s Day. These make-your-own charm bracelets are so popular, and we have lots of hearts for Valentine’s Day.” Gayle DeAndrea, co-owner of Ma Chérie Boutique, is shown by the display of the Troll Beads and Chamilia Beads collections. |
Shopping has become more fun with the addition of Ma Chérie Boutique, the women’s clothing and accessories shop which opened last October at 20 Nassau Street.
Owned by Gayle DeAndrea and her sister Cheryl Goldsmith, who have a similar shop in Pennington, the store highlights eclectic lines catering to a sophisticated clientele. The classic and elegant specialty boutique offers career and casual styles, and customers have been delighted with the selection of fashions, which feature the height of the season’s style and newest trends.
“I was attracted by the window and saw a dress I had to have!” says a first-time customer from Princeton. Not only did she purchase the dress, but also gifts of jewelry for friends.
“I enjoy meeting the people and getting to know the ladies of Princeton,” says Ms. DeAndrea, with a smile. “We have lots of regulars already, and they really seem to like what we have. We have a nice selection of moderately-priced clothes, both from American and foreign designers. A very popular line for us is Ronan Chen. Our sizes are zero to 16, and we are having more choices for the full-figured woman.”
Sophisticated and Updated
“We offer sophisticated and updated classic styles, and we also have resort wear, including sweaters, dresses, pants, and tops. We have Tommy Bahama dresses and a great selection of Willow resort sweaters in wonderful bright colors. Washable cotton cardigans, they feature big buttons in all different styles.”
Ma Chérie’s fashions are versatile, she adds. They appeal to women of varying ages and styles. “Our clothes can be dressed up or down. There are lots of ways to change a look.”
She points out a great-looking tailored over-sized white cotton tunic shirt, accented with a beige tie at the waist, which can combine nicely with jeans or for a more elegant style, with black pants.
“Princeton is certainly a scarf town,” continues Ms. DeAndrea. “Women like them for all occasions, and I have to keep reordering all the time. All styles and fabrics are popular, and we have a real variety in cotton, wool, burn-out velvet, and a lot with bamboo.”
Hand-Crafted
Ma Chérie has already established a reputation for its jewelry, including hand-crafted designs. “We carry the Catherine Camino line, which is especially known for pearls, and we have beautiful hand-done cuff bracelets from Israel. They are hand-painted in gorgeous colors and designs (which continue on the inside of the bracelet).”
In addition, the Brighton line of products features jewelry of all kinds, including many pieces in silver. Brighton also offers a variety of gifts, such as picture frames, letter openers, wine stoppers and the like.
The “create your own” charm bracelet concept is becoming very popular with the Chamilia Beads and the Troll Beads line. The latter is exclusive to Ma Chérie in the area, and the beads are created by internationally-renowned designers. The designs are inspired by mythology, astrology, fairy tales, and cultural diversity.
“You are invited to delve into the stories and create a bracelet that is uniquely ‘You’!” says Ms. DeAndrea. “And every bead has a story!”
Handbags are another very big seller at the shop, and they include all styles, shapes, and sizes. Popular lines are Hobo, Hype, Brighton, and Jolan B. Patent leather is a favorite now, and will be an even bigger item in the spring, reports Ms. DeAndrea.
“We will also have beach bags coming in, and another very popular item for us are the hand-crafted bags from Mexico, made of specially-treated unused Mexican candy wrappers. These are very fun bags from Nahui Ollin in all sizes and a variety of colorful designs.”
“Girls Night Out”
The shop has introduced “Girls Night Out”, she adds. “We have private parties where we close the store, and women can shop privately. We have two set up for January already.”
Prices cover a wide range at Ma Chérie, with jewelry starting at $25. Currently, there is an end-of-holiday sale, with mark-downs of 30, 40, and 50 percent.
“We have moderately-priced items and clothes that people like and want to buy and wear,” points out Ms. DeAndrea. “Customers come in and say they really admire our selection.”
Buying is a big part of the pleasure for her, she says. “There are so many clothing lines, and I’m always looking for the new and different. My sister and I shop so well together, and we are so happy we are choosing items our customers like. And we have a great staff to help them.
“I look forward to growing the business and meeting even more people and getting to know them. We are also updating our website, and the Chamilia bracelets can be bought on line.”
Ma Chérie is open Monday through Friday 11 to 6, Saturday 10 to 6, Sunday 12 to 5. Gift cards and gift packaging are available.
(609) 924-7244. Website: www.macherieboutique.com.