Whew! Summer vanished, Fall flew by and chilly November is telling me to knit, knit, knit… The Studio opened November 1^st and we were barely ready. Thank goodness for “soft openings”. The Debbie Bliss and Araucania yarns were delayed in shipping but have finally arrived. They are gorgeous. I was a bit nervous about adding any commercial yarn to my organic, handspun, hand-dyed selection but unpacking my boxes of new skeins put any preconceived notions to bed…

Araucania Yarns is a group of artisans and designers dedicated to the artisan dyeing of fibers for weaving and knitting located in Santiago, Chile, on the southwest corner of South America. Their Coliumo yarn is 70% wool and 30% silk, 3 sts to 1”, soft, drapey, wonderful. It should fly off the shelves.

Debbie Bliss is another story. A legend to 21^st century knitters, Debbie Bliss uses the finest materials to create yarns that will make you swoon. My granddaughters already have a wardrobe of sweaters knit with fabulous Baby Cashmerino (55% merino wool, 33% microfiber, 12% cashmere) so I knew I had to include many shades in the boutique. Then I added several more varieties including Donegal Tweeds and Alpaca Silks in fabulous colors!

Lastly, the development of custom patterns for HeidiHope Photography has been a full time endeavor. A huge project with a tight deadline for holiday photo sessions, I am cranking out new designs as fast as I can… groping my way to the computer at 4am to convert patterns to PDF files for sale both in the boutique and on Etsy. Stop by the boutique for a sit’n knit when you’re in town…

MrsMay is expanding!

After months of dallying around with fiber arts it’s time to introduce our newest line of handknit baby goods, handspun yarns and original patterns. The handknit items, created for use by HeidiHope Photograhy, were such a success that we developed patterns to allow home knitters to create one-of-a-kind items for their family and friends.

Online shoppers will soon have their choice of several custom patterns available in PDF files for easy transfer along with some yummy handspun merino yarns.

MrsMay is also expanding into a retail location in Warwick, R.I. where many handknit samples and tons of handspun yarns will be available. All yarns are grown organically, dyed with natural, organic plant extracts and handspun into fluffy softness. Just what you want to put close to your baby’s skin! Keep an eye out for more news soon…

Spring is in the air. Oh yes, I’m still addicted to my car’s seat warmer, to sleep-in socks and flannel PJ’s, but I know that in a matter of weeks, the “Formal Season” will commence and carry on late into the summer.

Ahhh, formals. From Sadie Hawkins and Spring Ball to Prom and Weddings, warm weather is blitzed with galas. Galas mean dress-up, and girls love dress-up! Why not? It gives us a chance to play a role, to nurture our inner glam, our femme fatale. And yes, we make our entrance sure to stun, but we know all too well the hours of hard work it takes to get there….. nails, diet, skincare, gown and hair.

Hair? Hair can be frustrating and time-consuming. Hair can go all wrong. Hair can make you late. Also called our crowning glory, hair can be totally unruly. The secret to success is a back-up plan! A back-up plan will save you from hours of frustration. A back-up plan is ready to take over when you surrender. The back-up plan is POP!

POP! stands for Put On Piece and it is just that. A hairpiece you simply “put on”.

Elegant, sleek, flirty or formal, you can have any look you want in less than 5 minutes. You brush your hair and fasten it into a ponytail high on the back of your head. Pick up the POP and attach the claw style clip right over your ponytail, tucking any stray ends in. Done! Instant glamour! And let me tell you, you will REALLY love it when you have to look your best at breakfast the next day. Just brush, clip and go.

I got my first POP a few years ago for a formal event. Soon after that, my daughter borrowed it for Prom. All of her girlfriends were paying big bucks for updo’s… we shared and saved. I’ve added many pieces to match my many changing shades of haircolor over the years and we continue to share, now in a bigger circle of family and friends. My POPs go in the suitcase to vacation in the Caribbean every year, and they’ve been to London, Palm Desert, San Juan and Chicago. They even show up after a round of golf at the country club leaves me with “hat hair!”

It’s funny: what I originally bought for a black tie event has now become one of my everyday accessories!

MrsMay began selling POP’s in 2003 and we are proud to incorporate our three best sellers into the online store for you to enjoy. POPs are easy to store and clean and will last as long as you need them with just a little care. Try one today, and see what you’ve been missing!

As daylight diminishes and winter sets in I find myself focusing on rebirth (renewal). Autumn, not spring, seems the better season to nurture a healthy complexion. Fewer hours of daylight encourages more sleep. The return of schedules and routines allow for compartmentalizing exercise blocks. Oven roasting and home cooking cuts way back on the BBQ sauce, glaze, marinade… carbohydrate overload of summertime. But, is that enough? I found myself needing more.

On November 1, 2007, Oprah aired the Dr. Oz on Aging episode, which got me thinking. I watched, I read, I self-tested. Yup, I’m in good shape. Then why, at 50, did I look so dull? Here goes. Vitamins for one thing. The test results — take your own test here — found me lacking in MANY essential vitamins. At this point I must interrupt myself; as a nutrition/exercise/diet freak, I found this shocking. The days of One-A-Day vitamins are over. The body can use many key nutrients for regrowth and anti-oxidant protection that we just did not know about 5 or 10 years ago. Take them! I ran to CVS, clipped coupons, bought 2-for-1, shopped sales until I had all that I needed and more.

Lastly, it was time to get rid of the old, weather beaten, faded suntan. Exfoliating had begun on a daily basis about 2 weeks before I walked into my local SpaVure for a waxing. While chatting with Erin, my aesthetician, I learned about a new, non-invasive peel from Skin Medica. The Illuminize Peel might be just what the doctor ordered. Never having had one before I was only a little tentative, considering the slow results my “Grow a New Face” project, as I came to call it, was getting. Five minutes later I was being prepped for my treatment. I walked out a newer woman. The peel worked great, I have kept up the stepped up diet, exercise and vitamins, and started going back to bed at 5:00am for another hour or more of sleep! We’ll see the results soon and report back!

Welcome to the new MrsMay.com, where you’ll find the same great catalog of products we’ve always offered for the most competitive pricing anywhere on the Internet.

We’ll be using this blog to post tips about how to use the products we offer, as well as information about upcoming sales, so be sure to check back often!

Please email us if you have any problems or questions about our new site. Thanks for shopping and happy holidays!