Little Baby Xylo!

Helena's is blissed out to announce the birth of Xylo to our dear Jessica and her beloved Dave! Lil' Xy arrived on April 21, and the news went out loud and proud at 397 Mass. Ave. Today, Jess & Dave brought Xylo in for his first (of many) visits to Helena's. He was immediately surrounded by adoring women from Wild Child and Isis Maternity. He is a sweet tiny man.

25% Off Sale!

We have expanded our sale rack over the weekend. Come see discounted tops and dresses from Hazel, Tulle, Johnny Was, Kensie, Velvet and more. There is one (yes, one) of the Tulle raincoat shown at left.

This Olian dress is a knock-out.

This spring Olian has presented some stunning prints. We have two faves: One is the navy & green graphic dress that we sold-out. And the other, is this little ditty, which has been so wildly popular that Olian re-cut it. This pretty print of blues speaks a language of fresh style. Wear it to your shower, or other spring and summer events.

Olian Rollover Maternity Pants are IN!!

One of our bestselling maternity pants are back in full size runs. This is a staple for expectant moms: comfortable, stylish and versatile. The rollover waistline is soft and stretchy to move to accommodate an every growing belly. We have them re-stocked in black, charcoal and brown.

Little Man Wristlets at Helena's

We have new Little Man card carriers, and wristlets in the store. Jessica and I reunited with the lovely textile designer Christine Guanipa at the recent Boston Gift Show. She makes limited-runs of all her prints, and has fantastic details like ribbon trims and magnetic closures. The look is vintage and modern all at once. To see her feature in last months Daily Grommet click here.

Hair Product We're all Gabbing About.

There's been a little hubbub about Moroccan Oil between me and the ladies at Isis Maternity. I love it, and all who try it seem to love it as well. Put a little on wet hair and suddenly you have smooth, shiny, soft, utterly shimmering hair. Try it in the little bottle, or commit to the big extravagant pump! Pick it up in Arlington at the fabulous Blush Salon on Mass. Ave in the Heights.

A Little Line Called Pete

Helena's likes to find new innovative lines. Pete, is one of those little gems we discovered at a NY show. Easy and utterly charming, we have three styles in for the spring. Two are the soft stripe pieces above, and the other is a pointelle tank in lavender with a drapeneck and tulle lining. And, yes, it is as stunning as it sounds.

Lole Radiate Dress Back in Stock.

The Radiate printed dress from Lole sold out in a wink, and it's easy to see why. This lightweight spring lovely is a stunning brilliant red with deep purple blue circular print. A great dress, a great fit, and a great price at just $66.00. We just got a restock shipment of some of our favorite Lole pieces from this season. We received a full run of the Radiate Dress. We are also restocked in the outstanding Opal Dress (see previous post), in Black, Sea Blue and a brand new color Chili, which is as spicy as it sounds.

New Prairie Underground is in!

New Prairie Underground is here. Including the fantastic two tiered hoodie. A fabulous addition to any Prairie lover's collection. We have the two tiered hoodie in inkpot, which is a gorgeous deep purple color.We only have three in stock, so availability is extremely limited. Our next shipment of Prairie should be coming Mid-May and will be chock full of cloak hoodies.

Easy Casual Dresses: A Helena's Staple

Everything we bring into the store is selected for style and wearability. The category of the easy knit dress is one that we have always carried with success. It's the "go to" dress for many occasions and can be dressed up or down in minutes. These two dresses have all that. The Cascade dress from Three Dots is a trend-perfect layered dress. The granite color looks great with navy, red, and yellow accessories...or really any other bold color you throw on. And the black Floren tank dress from Velvet is divinely soft, and falls away in all the right places. Both are great dresses for weekends away, or a lunch out with your girlfriends.

Tips on Working with a Stylist

A consultation with a stylist is an opportunity to broaden your fashion horizons. It’s likely that you know what you like to wear, and what colors and pieces you are comfortable with. You may also have an ideal style that you “aspire” to have, but haven’t been able to pull together. Before you have a professional assess your closet, or take you out shopping, think about your views on fashion and dressing.

The big question: What do you love to wear?
Some possibilities…dresses, jeans, cozy pieces, long jackets, more coverage, less coverage, jewelry, flats, prints, bright colors, black, soft colors? A stylist can steer you toward the clothes that look good on you, and the accessories to polish your style. But in the end, you need to love what you are wearing and feel “at home” with your look. Giving a professional feedback about your life helps her to push you in the right directions. For example, you may love the style of a wrap dress, a tunic, or halter top, but can’t figure out how to wear this look with confidence. The right stylist can make these looks work in a way that suits your style.

Other questions:
Are you ready to get rid of the clothes that don’t work?
The answer should be yes, but it may take some time for you to get there. The clothes that “don’t work” are ones that you don’t wear. Perhaps they don’t fit you well, or are out of date by a few seasons. Maybe they are the wrong color, or are an unflattering print. If you don’t wear them, donate them. They will look great on someone else. And you will finally have more room in your closet for the clothes that you love.

What you basics are you lacking?
This requires some closet and dresser examination. You may think you have too many black tops, but in fact maybe only one fits you in the right way. You may think you have too many jeans, but in fact only wear three pairs consistently. A good stylist will emphasize the importance of basics. A collection of seamless tanks in the right colors can solve many wardrobe conundrums.

What occasions are you dressing for?
Are your work clothes the same you wear on the weekend? Do you have an “everyday” wardrobe that suits your personality? Are you looking for pieces for vacations? Travel? If you frequently have more formal events to attend, do you have the right outfits? If a friend called at the last minute and asked you to go out to dinner, could you open your closet and get dressed? This information about your lifestyle is very helpful to someone helping you build your wardrobe.

And make sure the stylist you choose is a good fit with your personality. It should be a productive process, but one that you enjoy.

Lole: Perfect Spring Dress

Lole is one of our most long lived and beloved lines here at Helena's. Known for their comfort, versatility, and simple styling Lole has batted another one out of the park with the Opal Dress. We think it may just be the most perfect little dress for spring and summer. The crossover v neck top and banded waist create a look that is almost universally flattering. We have the Opal in Black and beautiful Sea Blue.