It's not too late to get your Easter Bonnet, (with all the fringe upon it!). We at Andrea's Fine Hats have quite the selection on fine bonnets. You can go as small or as large, as sedate or as outrageous, as reasonably priced or as 'deep pockets' as you like. We've got all styles, all colors, all shapes. If you have a head, we have a hat for it! You know what they say....,"There's a lid for every pot"! And tell the guys to come on out too. They need a fresh new straw or linen topper for their new spring suit or for their spring casual outfit.
Check out the pics of some of our customers and mannequin in the latest fashion!
Hey, spread the word! We want to meet you and share our fun. Hats are a lifestyle and it's one that allows for so much creativity. So come on in and be a part of something big. Don't sleep! The best looks and bargains go quickly.
Save me some jellybeans, my friends.............
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Let's Talk About Fascinators!
So, what's a fascinator anyhow? Well, it's just a 'little something' for the hair that makes a grand statement. Know what I mean? It's less than a hat, but more than an ornament. It's a way to make a statement about your personality or to gauge a mood. For instance.....a little disc with a feather says, "I'm feeling jaunty today." One with feathers and tulle or veiling says, "I'm soft and elegant."
Fascinators are often used with dinner or cocktail outfits. They also are perfectly appropriate as head gear for bride's maids. Many women like them because they won't cover up a hairdo that it took hours to perfect.
Once I wore a fascinator to the Ebony Fashion Fair at the Kennedy Center and some people thought I was a part of the show! Well, you KNOW I loved that! Last week, I wore one to Crowns at the Lincoln Theater. Aside from the fact that the colors and the feathers went perfectly with my outfit, my main goal was to wear something small enough as not to obstruct the view of audience members sitting behind me. I cannot tell you how many compliments I got wearing that little bit of flair!
The added photos show our staff in our fascinators hamming it up. Michelle got hers from Harrod's in London! Imagine that! It was designed and made by the company that provides hats to the Royal Family! Now, that's news.
Fascinators are often used with dinner or cocktail outfits. They also are perfectly appropriate as head gear for bride's maids. Many women like them because they won't cover up a hairdo that it took hours to perfect.
Once I wore a fascinator to the Ebony Fashion Fair at the Kennedy Center and some people thought I was a part of the show! Well, you KNOW I loved that! Last week, I wore one to Crowns at the Lincoln Theater. Aside from the fact that the colors and the feathers went perfectly with my outfit, my main goal was to wear something small enough as not to obstruct the view of audience members sitting behind me. I cannot tell you how many compliments I got wearing that little bit of flair!
The added photos show our staff in our fascinators hamming it up. Michelle got hers from Harrod's in London! Imagine that! It was designed and made by the company that provides hats to the Royal Family! Now, that's news.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
It's Spring...Let's Get Our Hattitude On!
In the 60s, President Kennedy attended his innaugural hatless, and the world changed! Before that day, most people wouldn't consider leaving the house without a hat.....it's like dotting an i. Then came the Afro, hippie hairstyles and the peace movement. Most of the hair sent messages, and hats might have covered up the message. Mine was obviously 'Power to the people' so I wasn't covering up my afro!
It's 40 years later and we can send our messages via the web, so let's get back to basics. And don't even try to give me that junk about hat wearing as a thing for old people. Have you seen the fashion magazines lately? Everyone and I mean EVERYONE is sporting lids these days! Fly, fresh and funky, these new hats really help set off an outfit. There are the outrageously large hats favored by the 'church ladies' and cute fedoras for men and women that make a statement.
As the weather warms, people will begin to come out giving their spring looks. I'm ready with sun hats and even one with an open crown that I can shade the sun and still get air. For the men, there so many new colors and options with regard to style. There are caps in linen, denim, heavy cotton and Panama hats in every price point. Guys, all you need is a head and we at Andrea's Fine Hats will take care of the rest.
Got a wedding or tea to attend? Don't sleep. The prettiest get snatched up the fastest.
OK then. that's it for now. You take care OK? And if you're in the DC Silver Spring, MD area, stop in to see Andrea and the crew.
It's 40 years later and we can send our messages via the web, so let's get back to basics. And don't even try to give me that junk about hat wearing as a thing for old people. Have you seen the fashion magazines lately? Everyone and I mean EVERYONE is sporting lids these days! Fly, fresh and funky, these new hats really help set off an outfit. There are the outrageously large hats favored by the 'church ladies' and cute fedoras for men and women that make a statement.
As the weather warms, people will begin to come out giving their spring looks. I'm ready with sun hats and even one with an open crown that I can shade the sun and still get air. For the men, there so many new colors and options with regard to style. There are caps in linen, denim, heavy cotton and Panama hats in every price point. Guys, all you need is a head and we at Andrea's Fine Hats will take care of the rest.
Got a wedding or tea to attend? Don't sleep. The prettiest get snatched up the fastest.
OK then. that's it for now. You take care OK? And if you're in the DC Silver Spring, MD area, stop in to see Andrea and the crew.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Time For Tea!
Hats and tea. Ahhhh.....now there's a match made in heaven!
Naturally we at Andrea's Fine Hats drink tea. In fact, we have tea almost every day! We even have little tea parties for our customers on Tuesdays if they call us in advance.
Oh.....we've GOT your tea!
Our Michelle Norkus is a certified tea taster and has schooled us all in the etiquette, history and nuance of tea. My personal fav is Oriental Beauty, a soft gentle oolong favored by Queen Victoria. We drink it for the soothing nature and the way it makes us stop and breathe for a few moments. The health benefits, which are legion, seem almost to be an afterthought though we are aware of them.
When you come to our shop do not be surprised to see us all gathered close, cups in hand, pinkies raised (though I've recently learned that's a no no!) sipping slowly and solving all the world's problems.
Michelle takes her tea show on the road and either shares the history with adult groups or teaches the etiquette to young girls who just may be tomorrow's First Ladies!
So, how could we go to all this trouble and not use the occasion to sport a wonderful chapeau? We often invent outings just so we can get all gussied up and show off our wonderful hats! It's a blast! You should try it. Tea is the perfect showcase.
Michelle is in England this week. I hope she brings us something new to taste when she returns. Rumor has it that she has visited a millinary shop and just may bring some trim or other such items home. Can't wait to see!
Well, I guess that's it for today, my first blog day. Hopefully by week's end, I'll have figured out how to post pics so you can see us in our element.
Good night!
Naturally we at Andrea's Fine Hats drink tea. In fact, we have tea almost every day! We even have little tea parties for our customers on Tuesdays if they call us in advance.
Oh.....we've GOT your tea!
Our Michelle Norkus is a certified tea taster and has schooled us all in the etiquette, history and nuance of tea. My personal fav is Oriental Beauty, a soft gentle oolong favored by Queen Victoria. We drink it for the soothing nature and the way it makes us stop and breathe for a few moments. The health benefits, which are legion, seem almost to be an afterthought though we are aware of them.
When you come to our shop do not be surprised to see us all gathered close, cups in hand, pinkies raised (though I've recently learned that's a no no!) sipping slowly and solving all the world's problems.
Michelle takes her tea show on the road and either shares the history with adult groups or teaches the etiquette to young girls who just may be tomorrow's First Ladies!
So, how could we go to all this trouble and not use the occasion to sport a wonderful chapeau? We often invent outings just so we can get all gussied up and show off our wonderful hats! It's a blast! You should try it. Tea is the perfect showcase.
Michelle is in England this week. I hope she brings us something new to taste when she returns. Rumor has it that she has visited a millinary shop and just may bring some trim or other such items home. Can't wait to see!
Well, I guess that's it for today, my first blog day. Hopefully by week's end, I'll have figured out how to post pics so you can see us in our element.
Good night!
Life In The Hat Shop
Hello there hat lovers! I'm Paula Settles and I created this blog to share one of the passions of my existance! Hats!
Since I retired from the corporate rat race in 2005, I've discovered that hats are like acting. I can create a different character every day if I choose and on most days....I choose! I've been a part time associate at the great Andrea's Fine Hats & Accessories in Silver Spring, MD for the last 3 years and I cannot begin to tell you what I've learned about hats and about people. Every day brings something unexpected from the customers. It's always a riot. We've often said that we should lobby for a reality show..."Hat Shop", because no one would believe what goes on in there or how much fun we have.
Join me regularly as I post pics and relate stories about our fearless leader Andrea Bray (of WPFW FM 89.3 - The Andrea Bray Show, Saturdays from 4-7:00 pm - The QUEEN of 'old school' rythm and blues!), our associates Michelle and Affi and me, of course. I'll show you the newest in chapeau fashion that's funky, fresh and always hip and rat out our customers who come in and say the most outrageous things! (no names of course, unless they consent!).
You will hear much in the way of 'sidewalk philosophy' and find out just how wonderful 'hat people' are. It's true. Hat wearing is its own separate culture. Hats make you stand out - even small ones. If you have the 'Hattitide' to pull it off, it says something about you and your willingness to be an obvious player in the larger life stage.
I hope you'll visit my blog often, and even stop by the shop and become one with the magic.
Since I retired from the corporate rat race in 2005, I've discovered that hats are like acting. I can create a different character every day if I choose and on most days....I choose! I've been a part time associate at the great Andrea's Fine Hats & Accessories in Silver Spring, MD for the last 3 years and I cannot begin to tell you what I've learned about hats and about people. Every day brings something unexpected from the customers. It's always a riot. We've often said that we should lobby for a reality show..."Hat Shop", because no one would believe what goes on in there or how much fun we have.
Join me regularly as I post pics and relate stories about our fearless leader Andrea Bray (of WPFW FM 89.3 - The Andrea Bray Show, Saturdays from 4-7:00 pm - The QUEEN of 'old school' rythm and blues!), our associates Michelle and Affi and me, of course. I'll show you the newest in chapeau fashion that's funky, fresh and always hip and rat out our customers who come in and say the most outrageous things! (no names of course, unless they consent!).
You will hear much in the way of 'sidewalk philosophy' and find out just how wonderful 'hat people' are. It's true. Hat wearing is its own separate culture. Hats make you stand out - even small ones. If you have the 'Hattitide' to pull it off, it says something about you and your willingness to be an obvious player in the larger life stage.
I hope you'll visit my blog often, and even stop by the shop and become one with the magic.
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