Meet JAX.

Omgosh. We have been SO busy at Merce & Me! Our products have grown and expanded, we are now available in brick and mortars, an amazing custom Back to School fabric is in production, and we have a new line coming Monday, 6/24/19....JAX.

Jax is one of Merce's older brothers. He's an athletic, intelligent, goofy young man with tactile sensitivities that have limited his wardrobe to Under Armour and similar athletic wear.  So when we say something in our JAX line is soft...that means it's been approved by Jax himself.  We understand not all kiddos have the same sensitivities, but we hope that if it will work for our Jax, it will work for many others out there whether they have sensitivities or not.

Our first product line for JAX is an entire collection of Flag Tees! The first colorway, Blue, will release on Monday 6/24/19 at 7pm CST.
That's 5pm PST
or 8pm EST.

And who better to model our first collection, than the man-child himself?

JAX Blue Flag tee
©Merce&Me, LLC 2019

After putting his hands on many MANY tees, this guy chose a Bella + Canvas tri-blend tee to house our designs. We are super excited to be able to choose a print shop right here in our hometown to allow us to have a complete hands-on experience while supporting local small business!

When it came to the design, Jax was totally opinionated....so was his older brother.....and his father. Several design-fails and rejections later, they all agreed on this one:

JAX Blue flag tee
Ignore the watermarked photo...but you know, its necessary
©Merce&Me, LLC 2019

We thought this super lightweight, ultra soft tee would be perfect for summer and 4th of July!  And blue is always a win with Jax, it matches his eyes. But don't mention those beautiful peepers to him, he gets all full of tween angst and drama, rolls those baby blues back up into his head and walks away.  He gets that from his father of course.

JAX won't stop with these tees. We have more in the works for Fall and Winter, including items to coordinate with our Merce & Me line! 

I'm not sure if you know this or not, but I'm terrible at keeping my own secrets. If you tell me YOUR secret I'll take it to my grave. But my own? Nope. Can't keep it.  So let me leave you with this....a future JAX release. Yep. That's olive green, otherwise known as OD in our milhouse. It's his favorite, hands down. 

JAX Olive Flag tee
©Merce&Me, LLC 2019

Stay tuned for more release dates and sneaks via our email distribution, Facebook page and group, and Instagram.  And keep an eye on our blog as we bring you not only new products and releases, but also fun tips for surviving the summer with your little snack-monsters. Don't have snack-monsters? SHARE YOUR WISDOM! 😂😂

Merce & Me presents.......

We at Merce & Me like change. In fact, we crave it. We are constantly looking for new products, new styles, unexpected colors, and different ways to style not just our products but all brands of products.  We are growing and changing everyday, just like Merce herself.

You may have noticed a new collection on the website, STYLED by Merce. This collection is very special. THIS is where our preorder Holiday Surprise Boxes will load from now on (the next is coming in January, just in time for Valentine's!)....not only will the preorder boxes load, but also our new STYLED boxes. STYLED boxes will load randomly in extremely limited quantities and will include not just an MM product but an entire outfit head to toe--all you will need to add is a pair of shoes!  This is super exciting for us, as we love to put together outfits, we just don't always have someone to put IN those outfits! You'll never know what is in the Styled box until it arrives, and every single one is different. We will provide general descriptions in product listing, like 'sporty', 'dressy', 'casual' to give you an idea of whether or not it will work for your little beauty, but the contents will be a surprise.

We hope everyone will be just as excited as we are about this new experience coming to our website soon. Very soon. Like, very VERY soon.

https://merceandme.com/collections/styled-by-merce

It's rep time!

Yep, it's THAT time again! One of our favorite times of the year....Rep Search!
We are looking to add just a few more members to our team for the Spring 2019 term. 

2018 has been a whirlwind! We introduced clothing: shorties, tanks, new sock styles, long sleeve layering shirts, ruched leggings, ruffle pants, pocket dresses, tights and before the year is out, we will have a new shirt style and long sleeve dress to add to the mix! We have NO plans to slow down in 2019. Spring designs are underway, exciting samples are en route, and Merce & Me as a company is following the 'real' Merce's lead....we are growing and maturing at an alarming rate! So we need YOUR help! Come join our team and help us celebrate our growth and new product lines. 

All you have to do is send us an email at mmnecessities@gmail.com!

Include 2 (TWO) pictures you took that you feel showcase not only your beautiful little one, but also your photography AND styling skills. We are looking for clear very well styled photos, not necessarily professional quality.  Be sure to let us know why you both want to rep for us, your girls' height/weight (for sizing only), typical clothing size, shoe size, age, name, anywhere else she reps, and a little bit about you both!

We are looking for:
kiddos age 18m - 10y+, AND
Clothing sizes 12m - 10y, and/or
Shoe sizes 7t - 5y.

We welcome all applicants. Any abilities. All ethnicities. Girly-girls to "tom-boys". If you feel MM fits your style, we hope you will apply! 

We have three tiers of team members, and NO purchase requirements ever. We understand moms and dads are busy people and our rep motto is "no stress; have fun!"

Applications are being accepted now through Friday November 16th. We hope to see your application soon! 

Surprise!

The Elves at Merce & Me have been hard at work creating our newest release, the Holiday Surprise Box! 

This specially curated box is full of not only never before seen or released Merce & Me clothing pieces, but also items from three fun collaborators: 

BuggaBoo Bows
Calista & Co.
The Knotty Burl

Holiday Surprise boxes will be available in sizes 12m - 10y, in very limited quantities, and will ship to you (no later than) the Monday before Thanksgiving...in plenty of time for all her Holiday outfits! And here's a hint, if you bought Cranberry Ava's or Bettie Button tees in our preorder you already have a match to one of our Surprise Box items on the way! If not, we will have a few extras to load when they arrive in November. ;) 

Not only do we have Surprise Boxes loading soon, but we have new products and styles coming in November, including TIGHTS in several colors and sizes! If you haven't signed up for email notifications, now is a great time to do that on our website: www.merceandme.com.  More details about these fun Surprise Boxes will come later this week....don't miss out!

Merce & Me & YOU!

It's time for Merce & Me to expand our team! We are looking for Brand Enthusiasts, Representatives, and Ambassadors for the upcoming quarter. 

WHO:

We are looking for fun, camera loving and stylish girls between 18m - 10y clothing sizes and/or 6t - 4y shoe sizes! We do not require purchase to enter our search, but we do require a genuine love for MMN products. 💗

Why yes, that is a sneak of our Berry Stripe Quinn releasing 22July!
Miss E always has us laughing and smiling. 

WHEN:

Team applications are being accepted via email now through 31July. 

WHERE/HOW:

Email 2 (two) of your favorite styled photos, that you took, to us at mmnecessities@gmail.com 

along with her clothing and shoe sizes, age, date of birth, and a little bio.

WHAT:
We are filling three tiers of team members. All team members receive a personal use discount, friends and family share code, AND free product in exchange for....

Brand Enthusiasts  

~One post/child/week on Facebook outlets
~One post/child/week on Instagram using specified #
~Share/regram all MMN posts.
~Provide photos as requested for promotional use.
~photograph items within 1 (one) week of receipt.
~engage in MMN social media in a positive manner

Brand Reps 
~Two posts/child/week on Facebook outlets
~Two posts/child/week on Instagram using specified #
~Share/regram all MMN posts
~Provide photos as requested for promotional use
~Photograph items within 1 (one) week of receipt
~engage in MMN social media in a positive manner

Brand Ambassadors  (these are usually internal promotion positions)

~4 posts/child/week on Facebook outlets
~3 posts/child/week on Instagram using specified #
~Provide high quality photos for website and promotional use via email within one week of receipt
~Share/regram all MMN posts
~engage in MMN social media in a positive manner

*contract will include more specific information that will be agreed upon before team member's term starts. 

We have so many new items and products and colors coming up this next term, and we would love to have you on our team! Feel free to contact us with any questions, or any of our current reps to get the low down on what it's really like to be on our team! You can find our current team members on our Facebook page: Merce & Me Necessities VIP (and also lots of sneaks and exclusive sales). We hope to hear from you soon! 

There's a New Quinn on the Block

As we come up on the official one year anniversary of Merce & Me Necessities, I have to stop and reflect upon the last 365 days. it's been a total whirlwind. I've learned so much, and continue to learn (sometimes very hard) lessons every day.  Thankfully I have unending support from the greatest friends imaginable, and total support from my amazing family! Merce & Me began with a desire to carry quality knee high socks, in fun unexpected colors and extended sizes. Socks expanded to bows in various sizes and types. Then along came fun extras like sunglasses and novelty socks. Then Lace layering shirts. Button ruffle shorties and flutter tanks were introduced this spring, in fun colors and patterns and quality knit built to last. Now as we prepare to embark on year two, our first dress style "Quinn" is about to release.  We have Grace cardigans waiting in the wings....pants are in the works along shirts and a special something coming 2019. 😉 This has been one amazing & busy year, that's for sure. 

We released our first Quinn in Red Dot in very limited quantities late in June. We had released several sneaks into social media and heard several people asking for them before the 4th. So we loaded just a small amount in order to ensure delivery by the 4th. The response to Quinn was overwhelming and we are so excited to release the remaining inventory in just a few days!

Red Dot quinn will release Sunday July 8, 2018 at 8:oo pm CST, in sizes 12m -10y.

Red Dot Quinn, size 2.
Model is 35#, 39"
Shoes by Old Navy
©Merce&Me LLC, 2018

Quinn is a fun ruffle sleeve and hem dress made of high quality knit. It features a contrast binding at the neck, and side seam pockets. Which our model here used to store her dinosaur and some "monies".  Red Dot Quinn is a perfect match to our Red Dot Bettie Buttons shorties and coordinates great with our Indigo Bettie buttons!

To help with sizing we will show different ages and sizes in our Quinn dresses. But if questions remain, you can email us at mmnecessities@gmail.com or message us on our Facebook page HERE.

Red Dot Quinn sz 12m
Shoes by Converse
©Merce&Me LLC, 2018

This little beauty is wearing a 12m Red Dot Quinn at 28# and 33". It hit her just above the knees, and affords quite a bit of growing room. Quinn has such a magical fit. The ruffle sleeves are not tight, have a lot of stretch and allowance. Quinn will grow with your beautiful girl, even as a tunic! but we will talk more about that in a bit. 

The beautiful Miss E is wearing a size 2. I just love this girl. Her spirit is so free and pure.   Miss E is 35# and 39", and typically wears a size 3...this size 2 is perfection on her little self. 

Red Dot Quinn sz 2
Shoes: Old Navy
©Merce&Me LLC, 2018

Our size 4 model is the gorgeous little Miss H. H is approximately 38# and 44" wearing her typical size. She has plenty of room to grow, without sacrificing the look of the fit.  She's paired Quinn with our Hazel socks and Mikoleon boots. We've blogged about Mikoleon Boots before...the are definitely a favorite in our house!

Red Dot Quinn, sz 4
Merce & Me Necessities Hazel Socks
Boots: Mikoleon
©Merce&Me LLC, 2018

Our size 6 and 8 is on Merce. As well as a size 4 as a tunic. 😍 But first the size 6. Merce is now approximately 57# and 51.5". She's a typical size 7ish. Her body proportions are not average, as the bulk of her height comes from her legs. it's a curse she got from her 6' tall mom. Poor girl. Anyhow, This is the size 6 on her. 

Red Dot Quinn sz 6
Shoes: Keds
©Merce&Me LLC, 2018

it's a little short, but the Indigo Bettie Button shorties are such a great match and super fun poking out from underneath.  The next photo shows Merce in the size 8. This was before school let out, and before she grew another half inch. She was around 57# and 51" at this time.

Red Dot Quinn size 8
MMN White 5" Bestie Bow
Shoes: L'amour
©Merce&Me LLC, 2018

Now, if you've been around for awhile you know I couldn't resist sizing down and seeing how this would work as a tunic. Here are the results: 

I LOVE IT! The waist is low enough that even when you size down, it's still in an appropriate position for a top. Even more importantly, Merce loved it. She said it was her favorite way to wear the dress and ran off to hang the 4 up in her closet. Just kidding, she ran off and threw it in the bottom of her closet because "hangers are hard". 😅

We also borrowed a local model for our size 8 Quinn, the amazingly beautiful Miss K. Miss K is 63#, 53.5" and a typical size 10ish. She will be entering the 5th grade this coming year, and her mom reports she LOVES her Quinn dresses and has worn them several times. 💗 We are so excited that all of our feedback has been so encouraging and positive about our Quinn dress....and that each of our models and reps have chosen to wear the dresses day after day. That's our goal at MMN...style and comfort they want to wear again and again. 

Red Dot quinn sz 8.
Shoes: Converse
©Merce&Me, LLC 2018

And last, but not least, our size 10 model was photographed by the amazing Nicole Dalton Photography. If you are in West Virginia, look her up! Her gorgeous model "G" is 54.25" and 71# and typically a size 12ish.  This is an amazing fit on her, the arms aren't tight and the length is looks very school-appropriate. 

Red Dot Quinn sz 10
Photo credit: Nicole Dalton Photography
©Merce&Me, LLC 2018

We are so very excited for our newest style to hit the website! Red Dot Quinn loads Sunday 7/8/18 at 8:00 pm CST, followed by a yet to be revealed "Stripe Quinn" on 7/22/18. And then, finally, our Grace cardigan in Jewel on 8/5/18.  We have loved seeing all the Quinn pictures from customers that grabbed one during our pre-4th of July mini load, and hope that you will all share too! Use #mmnecessities on Instagram so we can find your pictures! 

Little Eliza on the Prairie

Nelly Madison Clothing co recently debuted a new style, Eliza. And by recently I mean just about an hour ago.  Flower Gardener Eliza featured a beautiful delicate floral with hues of pink and emerald, gingham accents, functional pockets, gorgeous buttons, and a hidden zipper.

Nelly Madison Clothing Co Flower Gardener Eliza Dress
Manuela de Juan British Oxfords from Just Shoes for Kids
©Merce & Me, LLC 2018

Isn't it gorgeous? Check out the details! Those perfectly dyed buttons to match the emerald piping and binding, and the fun pockets to hold dandelions...at least that's what Merce filled them with.

Nelly Madison Clothing Co Flower Gardener Eliza Dress
©Merce & Me, LLC 2018 

Nelly Madison Clothing Co Flower Gardener Eliza Dress
©Merce & Me, LLC 2018 

Let's talk Eliza sizing. In the pictures above, Merce is wearing a size 6. She can also wear a size 5 and 7/8. The size 5 is an amazing vintage fit with no growing room. Let's look at that real quick. 

Merce & Me Necessities Bow (coming May 2018)
Merce & Me Necessities Cardigan (coming July-ish 2018)
Merce & Me Necessities Ivy socks, hand dyed. Size small for shorter look.
Nelly Madison Clothing Co. Eliza Sample Dress
Manuela de Juan British Oxfords from Just Shoes for Kids
©Merce & Me, LLC 2018

Merce is currently 57# and 50.25" to be exact. The size 5 zips with ease and fits like a glove; the zipper allows for some stretch and give. She has room to move but another 3# and it won't be comfortable for her. This dress is a size sample, along with the others you will see shortly, but the pink gingham dollies from Nelly Madison were perfect underneath!

Her cardigan and hair bow are both Merce & Me Necessities (follow us on Fb for insider info right HERE). The cardigan is also a size sample, but will be a released color. It's going to be a beautifully hued fall for both Merce & Me Necessities and Nelly Madison, I can't wait to share all the details!  Her hair bow is a new style debuting early May 2018 in several colors, along with new colors of our 5" and 6" Bestie Bows. Her socks are our soft white Ivy cable knit knee highs, in a size small. She normally wears a medium or large for extra height with boots, but I wanted a shorter look. The size small is not a realistic all-day wear for her size 2y foot, but it gave us the look we were going for.   And her shoes.....Manuela de Juan. I have an obsession with MDJ for photos. And this time, Merce was totally on board. She calls them her picture shoes and wants to wear them in EVERY picture. You'll notice she's wearing them with Flower Gardener too. I have a feeling they will show up over and over again if she has a say in it! They are a unisex oxford, which I love. If only the 10 or 15 year old brothers would let me dress them too! We've found Just Shoes for Kids offers a unique selection of manuela de Juan shoes.

Now this is Merce in a size 6. The Flower Gardener picture above is also a size 6.

Merce & Me Necessities Bow (coming May 2018)
Merce & Me Necessities Ivy socks, hand dyed. Size small for shorter look.
Nelly Madison Clothing Co. Eliza Sample Dress
Manuela de Juan British Oxfords from Just Shoes for Kids
©Merce & Me, LLC 2018

I see this as a more versatile and popular fit for her size. She has growing room in the size 6 and it's still a nice length...not too short and not too long. 

Let's look at some smaller sizes. This gorgeous little girl had just celebrated her first birthday, and typically wears about a size 18m in clothing. She's wearing a 12m Eliza with room to grow. 😍 

Nelly Madison Clothing Co Eliza sample Dress
Merce & Me Necessities Taupe 5" Bestie Bow
Merce & Me Necessities custom dyed Ivy cable knit socks, xs
Mini Melissa shoes
©Merce & Me, LLC 2018

This shot came from just slightly above her center, which makes it look a little longer. The invisible zipper in the back makes an easy job of dressing the little ones. No buttons to fumble with while your baby is on the move! You can see Baby A has some room to grow in this size 12m. She was approximately 23# and 32.5" at the time of this shoot, and gave me some serious baby fever. 💖

Next up is Happy, Free Spirited, Little Miss E. Miss E is growing like a weed, and I just can't call her Baby E anymore. It makes me so sad to see all these babies growing so fast. 

Nelly Madison Clothing Co Eliza sample Dress
Merce & Me Necessities soft white Ivy cable knit socks, xs
Old Navy Shoes
©Merce & Me, LLC

Miss E is wearing a size 18 month, at 35# and 38". She has no growing room but it's a gorgeous vintage fit on her. She normally wears a size 3 in clothing. The size 18m is about like the size 5 on Merce, size 2 is best for E, and size 3 would afford quite a bit of growing room but more of a just-below-the-knee fit.

Nelly Madison Clothing Co Eliza sample Dress
Merce & Me Necessities sample Cardigan (coming Julyish 2018)
Merce & Me Necessities soft white Ivy cable knit socks, xs
Old Navy Shoes
©Merce & Me, LLC

Her cardigan from this shot is another Merce & Me sample in a gorgeous berry color. This fall is going to be Fabulous at Merce & Me! I can't wait to share all the new designs and products!  Miss E's shoes are Old Navy that I snagged last year and hoarded. yes, Merce is our youngest with a size 2y foot and I hoard baby shoes for pictures. That's not weird right?

Our last fit model is Miss R. Miss R is the same age my middle son, and still won't consent to being my daughter-in-law some day. 😂 I'll keep working on that, but in the meantime she consented to modeling the size 7/8 and 9/10 Eliza.  R is 5' tall, and 90#. The size 7/8 fit with no growing room at all and gave a very short look on her long-legged frame.

Nelly Madison Clothing Co sample Eliza Dress
unknown wedge booties
©Merce & Me, LLC 2018

The 7/8 is not ideal for this 9 yr old beauty, but the 9/10 was gorgeous. It afforded her quite a bit of growing room, and the length was just above the knee. 

Nelly Madison Clothing Co sample Eliza Dress
unknown wedge booties
©Merce & Me, LLC 2018

Eliza is gorgeously vintage and classic and perfect for so many occasions.... graduations, weddings, church, school pictures, and durable enough for everyday wear! I hope this has been helpful in sizing of Nelly Madison's new style. The fit is versatile and the zipper allows for some give for longer wear.  I recommend sizing down once for the best fit, twice for a photo-perfect vintage fit, or buying her regular size for longer wear. But, when in doubt grab a measuring tape and follow the size charts. Ideal dress size is subjective, and we all have different opinions and preferences--and you know what? that's ok! We can't all be the same, or the world would be booooring.  😘