You may have noticed a few changes to our website. We worked hard to update our look and make it easier for you to order and communicate with us through this blog, social media and product reviews. What do you think?
In the meantime we're going to take a break over the weekend with some delicious popcorn courtesy of our food blogger, Kim. Go ahead and celebrate with us too!
Thyme-Parmesan Popcorn
When people think of popcorn, images of a calorie-laden, buttery and salted tub comes to mind. Eaten largely at movie theaters, those little popped kernels are given a bit of a bad rap. Popcorn, made without gobs of melted butter, can be a flavorful, healthy treat. Dress it up with some spices and seasonings instead of loading on the heart-clogging calories. Try this thyme-parmesan mixture out for size. Click on link below for recipe.
Spring certainly has us excited for the future this year! In addition to re-vamping our website, Adea is also excited to announce that we will be re-vamping a few of our styles.
First, we’ve decided to rework our Short Sleeve Crew Neck and Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Layering Tops. In order to give them a more flattering, modern look, we have decided to elongate the sleeves to end just above the elbow. These longer sleeves will not only offer additional coverage for when wearing the top by itself, but they will also allow the top to layer seamlessly underneath cardigans and more snugly fitted jackets and blazers.
In addition, we’ve decided to update both our Spaghetti Strap Cami and our Extra Long Reversible Cami. Rather than treating them as two different styles, they will essentially become the same style, but offered in two different lengths. The straps will be widened just slightly to cover the average bra strap and both will be reversible with the option to wear them as either a scoop neck or a v-neck. Order it in either our standard length that will hit right at the hips or in a tunic length that will cover the butt. I recommend one of each length in white, black and nude-for-you to satisfy all your basic layering needs!
Both of these new styles will be available just in time for summer so be sure to keep an eye on the website so that you can order your new tops ASAP!
We’ve done it. This year we have signed L up for her first sport. Yikes.
After she heard friends were signing up for softball she begged to join as well. It is hard for us as working parents to be able to commit to do something like this. When you don’t get out of work until 5 and need to pick up to kids, feed them dinner, get them changed and head out the door to be somewhere by 6, it can be difficult. Let’s just say – we eat a lot of cereal on these days and someone is usually missing a shoe.
L has only been in Girl Scouts so far. She loves it and we love the cookies – a win / win for everyone. Venturing into softball, with no prior sports experience plus half of her genetics being from a very un-athletic mommy, will be interesting. We are looking forward to seeing her out there and of course cheering the team on each week. I imagine getting to the first few practices and praying that her 3 year old brother does not wander onto the field will be interesting. That is of course assuming we make it on time….
I’ll keep you posted.
-Vanessa
Chicken noodle soup is the first thing to enter people’s minds when they think comfort food. It’s hearty and warm without being overly heavy. And even in the summer, a big bowl of chicken soup can be comforting and delicious. Sometimes, however, it is a little fun to make a few tweaks to the classics. This chicken soup replaces noodles with pearl couscous for a new an unexpected twist on the old traditional soup. Get the yummy recipe here:
The women who wear Adea are a diverse and exciting bunch of ladies and we are always curious to learn more about each of them. Once a month we highlight an Adea customer and share their personal story and style sense with you. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we do. This month we interviewed Christine Tieri, mother, wife, and owner of Smith & Jones(Open Link in new window), an idea agency. Read the full interview by clicking below:
Over the past few years, the phrase “direct to consumer” has earned a lot of buzz in the fashion industry. Numerous apparel companies have been created with this as their focus and still others who were already in business have been championing this concept as what sets them apart in the industry.
“Direct to consumer” refers to the fact that a brand or designer has chosen to sell straight to their customer either through their own brick-and-mortar store or online rather than selling through boutiques or department stores in a traditional wholesale manner. Not only does this provide the brand or designer with higher profit margins and more control over the presentation of their brand, it also provides the consumer with the best possible pricing and shopping experience.
Adea is proud to say that we have been selling “direct to consumer” since 2008 through myadea.com(Open Link in new window) and plan to continue to do so as long as we can! Because of this choice, you can trust that you are getting a high quality product at the best possible price when you shop our online store. We control the design and the production and we know exactly where our fabrics are sourced and the conditions under which the factory’s employees are working.
Just yet another reason to lounge in and layer with Adea! You not only get beautiful colors, stylish fits, warmth, coverage and the softest of materials, but you also can rest assured that you are getting your base layers for the best price and that they are being made with the best quality materials in humane conditions. Three cheers for “direct to consumer” apparel!
Today is Patriot’s day in Massachusetts so there is no work for me and no daycare for A. Big sister is at Nana’s for a whole week because she gets a whole week off of school. Being 6 is awesome.
So today we will have what we call “Mommy / A Day”. Fun activities for just the two of us. We will start with a yummy breakfast at “Old McDonald’s” aka McDonald’s. This is a special occasion breakfast visit – we will have some pancakes and then go run some errands.
When we get home we will do the following:
- Go down the slide backwards at least a dozen times.
- Make at least two of the following in the sandbox: pancakes, hot chocolate, cake or hot dog. None of these will actually be eaten but they will be created with the finest care – as if a four star chef were making them…out of sand.
- Lunch – this is most likely going to be grilled cheese – a favorite on our special day.
- If the mommy angels are smiling on me there may be a nap. This could be a “for sure” if we throw in some laps and a game of tag in number 1 of this list.
- Snack.
- More outside time – on a beautiful day like this you can’t beat being out in the fresh air and getting excited about the one daffodil that has opened. Seriously. He spotted it yesterday and you would have thought it was Christmas.
- Dinner. Yeah, I have no idea what we are having.
- Bath / Snuggle / TV Time
- Off to bed (and then mommy will be called in at least 15 times for reasons varying from “My pillow fell” to “I just missed you so much, mommy”)
I’m not going to lie. I’m really looking forward to it!
Mix emerald with a bright pop of orange for an unexpected jolt of color. Enjoy the weekend!
If you are looking for a bright, festive cocktail this holiday weekend try a Rossini. It's a wonderful alternative to a Bellini and makes a fun addition to a tableful of colorful Easter eggs. You'll need a bottle of Prosecco or dry sparking wine and some strawberries
A little tidbit for you - The Rossini is named after the famed Italian opera composer, Gioacchino Rossini(Open Link in new window), author of The Barber of Seville, among others. The sparkling drink was created at Harry's Bar in Venice along with the other famous cocktail, the Bellini. Cin Cin!
The Rossini Cocktail
*image courtesy of rakratchada torsap
Ingredients:
1 bottle of Prosecco or dry sparkling wine
about 15 fresh strawberries, halved or 2 cups of frozen strawberries (defrosted for about 15 min)
teaspoon of sugar
1 fresh lemon
Directions:
In a small bowl add strawberries mix with a tiny bit of sugar. Allow to sit for about 20 minutes and then put into a food processor. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of strawberry puree into each glass and top off with Prosecco. Add 1-2 drops of fresh lemon juice to brighten up the flavor and stir gently. Garnish with fresh strawberries if you have them. (For a non-alchoholic version use sparkling water instead)
Enjoy!
Well, it seems that spring has (finally) sprung! However, we aren’t out of the (winter) woods yet. Despite the 70-something degree weather that we enjoyed in Boston on Monday, temperatures in the 40’s are back today.
How is one supposed to dress for this crazy weather!? Might I suggest some carefully chosen base layers?? While outer layers are an obvious choice, cardigans, blazers and jackets can limit your outfit options and hide some of your favorite spring pieces from view. Base layers, on the other hand, can work their temperature-regulating magic while hidden from view, letting your springtime fashions take center stage. Here’s what I’m talking about:
Slip a base layer like Adea’s Spaghetti Strap Camisole under a pretty silk blouse.
The cami will give you the extra warmth you need to make it through your morning and evening commute and will save you from hiding your silk top beneath a sweater or jacket and, ultimately, wrinkling it.
Wear a thick-strapped tank like Adea’s Bra-Friendly Camisole under an off-the-shoulder sweater or tee.
The tank will not only allow you to wear a regular bra and feel infinitely warmer, but it will also give your top a sporty-chic vibe.
Pull on a tunic-length undergarment like Adea’s Extra Long Reversible Camisole under open-knit sweaters.
Where a nude bra will do in 60-degree temps, a camisole is needed in 40-degree temps. Pair with leggings and you are ready to go!
If you know the temps won’t allow you to remove your cardigan, make it the centerpiece of your look with an embellished camisole that peeks out at the neckline like Adea’s Lace V-neck Camisole.
A hint of lace or another unique detail at the neckline is all you need to shift a cardigan from supporting actor to lead role.
And with that, my friends, off into the spring weather you go!
It's been a rough two weeks around these parts. While the snow has been melting and flowers blooming the cooties has taken up residence in here. Gross.
It started two weeks ago when I was awoken at 2am with the words no parent wants to hear..."Mommy, I threw up." My first instinct is always to go and soothe them, get them cleaned up, everything wiped down and ease them back into bed. I will them toss and turn while thoughts in my head move from, "Maybe she just ate something bad", to "Crap, do I have any meeting tomorrow?" Three hours later the same thing is heard from her room. The sheets are once again stripped, because she missed the bucket, and I try to soothe her that it will be ok.
Whether you call it orchid or lilac, we think it looks smashing for spring. Enjoy the weekend!
