Go green with Maguba clogs

We can't think of anything more practical and fun for summer than clogs. And these aren't just any clogs ... Peep toes and polka dots? Count us in. 

The olive huarache style pairs well with our Tzuri Gueta pin and Slowcolor hand-loomed linen scarf.

Stop by Black Parrot in Portland to see these new Maguba clogs from Sweden. We also have open-toe, baby blue suede and closed-toe, floral Liberty print styles in Rockland.

Beach days are coming ...

... And we are so ready! If you're in the mood for classic, sexy swimwear, visit Black Parrot in Portland to see our debut collection from Beth Richards. The Canadian designer draws her inspiration from her favorite muses – Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss. 

We love her figure-flattering details – bustier cups, high waists and mesh. Best yet, her pieces can be worn on the beach, poolside or as bodysuits. She uses beautiful Italian fabric that protects skin from UV rays with UPF 50+ (it also resists oils, lotions and perspiration).

Stop by to see her Bardot suit, above; the Brigitte top, Kate bottom and Jane bustier suit, below.

Don't forget Mom!

Mother's Day is just around the corner, so we've selected a few of our favorite things that cost less than $50 ...

 These little travel alarm clocks are so cute we'd use them all the time!

Amazing ... a book of pop-up floral centerpieces.

The best lint brush ... evah!

These little books of historic food writing are so fun to read. Perfect for the mom who likes to cook. (Check out our selection of other new cookbooks!)

Go green with water bottles made from recycled glass. (And the silicone parts are made in Maine!)

Possibly the best-smelling soap we've found ... grapefruit and bamboo from Nest.

Think skinny

What to do when you lose those last five pounds? Celebrate and buy a belt! Here are just a few of our new skinny belts from Post – they look striking layered over a long top or with your maxi-length dress to add a little more shape. Check them out at our Portland store.

A few new favorites from Issey Miyake

 Just in ... new styles from Issey Miyake, perfect for traveling. Our favorite is the gray cotton blend dress with black dots. It fits beautifully with a stretch bodice that flares out below the waist. We've paired it with Miyake's lightweight black topper that has a cascading front and one-button closure (also available in light gray).

Accessorize the look with a silicone necklace from Tzuri Gueta and black linen, hidden-platform slingback pumps from Marchez Vous.

 

We're also swooning over Miyake's cropped swing jacket, above, with its incredible colors. 

Try them on in our Portland store!

Join us for a special First Friday

We hope you'll stop by Black Parrot in Portland on Friday for the opening of "Harvest," a photography exhibit by Elise Wright. Wright's images are rich with detail of Maine domestic scenes.

Join us for refreshments and meet the photographer from 5 to 8 p.m.

"Harvest" will be on display through May 29.

You walk!

 Marchez Vous has hit the trifecta with its newest spring and summer line: comfort, color and style – not to mention polka dots! 

The footwear line is the inspiration of Yeardley Smith, an Emmy-award winning actress known as the voice of Lisa Simpson on TV's "The Simpsons." The pumps and slingbacks feature a hidden platform and amazing padding on the footbed. 

Stop by Black Parrot in Portland to check out all our styles, including the laser-cut leather peep-toe heels, below, and black linen slingbacks ...

 

Mercy me!

This has to be the sweetest little cotton shirtdress we've seen in a long time. It's one of several easy frocks that just arrived from the Toronto-based design team of Jennifer Halchuk and Richard Lyle of Mercy. It features an inverted pleated and elasticized waist in back and comes with its own navy belt. Best yet, the Jackson Pollock-inspired print will match any color shoe you choose.

It's perfect for summer in the city – maybe a trip to the impressionist exhibit at the Portland Museum of Art!

Try it on in our Portland store ...

 

New on the bookshelf ...

Black Parrot's shelves are brimming with some great new books. Here are three of our favorites, inspired by New York City:

• "On The High Line," by Annik La Farge, is the first illustrated guide for "America's most original urban park." It includes a pullout map, photos and history on its tour of the High Line.
• "Brooklyn Brew Shop's Beer Making Book," by Erica Shea and Stephen Valand, includes 52 seasonal recipes for small batches. The authors are co-owners and founders of Brooklyn Brew Shop, which sells beer-making kits and ingredients at several national stores. You'll discover recipes for everything from Lobster Saison to Eggnog Milk Stout.
• "Nobu's Vegetarian Cookbook," by Nobu Matsuhisa, features 70 recipes for cocktails, fresh salads, desserts and everything in between. Robert De Niro persuaded the chef to open Nobu New York in 1994; since then Matsuhisa has opened 29 restaurants around the world. The book includes stunning photos, below, by James Beard Award-nominated photographer Masashi Kuma.

Stop by Rockland or Portland to see all our new books. Call 221-6991 if you'd like us to hold a copy!

Pick your print

Just in ... beautiful print cotton and striped and plaid linen scarves by Dutch designer Jago. The prints 

are amazing – abstract flowers, ferns and even frolicking monkeys. Stop by Rockland and Portland to check them out!

Just dotty

We admit we're a little dotty about polka dots at Black Parrot. (Keep an eye on the blog for linen polka dot pumps and clogs soon ... ) We know we're not alone – even blues guitarist Buddy Guy regularly plays a signature black Fender Stratocaster with cream polka dots. 

Here are a few of our favorites ... Above, a multi-colored scarf from Catherine Andre and small cloth bag from Margo Selby. We think it's perfect to hold little essentials in our new sunny mustard suede Obakki clutch (also available in turquoise).

And how could we live without dots on our socks? Even better in orange from Italy, by Etiquette.

Stop by Portland and check them out!

An Audrey-worthy LBD

Hache, one of our favorite brands at Black Parrot, has produced a perfect little black dress in linen and viscose. We adore the covered buttons down the back from neck to hem, an attached belt to tie in a back bow and elegant gathers at the waist. Best yet? It has pockets! 

Now in our Portland store ...

We're sweet on Jaunt

Jaunt has arrived for spring with pretty pastel tops that put a modern spin on seasonal prints. The dusty pink polka dot top, above, has short sleeves edged in silk, while the floral top, below, has an elongated keyhole back trimmed in silk. We'd pair them with our favorite black leather jacket to give the sweet look a little edge.

Check them out at Black Parrot in Portland ...

We're wild for stripes!

We've fallen for stripes from With&Wessel (pronounced "Vit" and "Vessel"), established in Norway in the 1930s. The clothing is made from wool so soft you'd swear it's cotton terry. Best yet, the fabric absorbs up to 30 percent of its weight in moisture from the body, so it's warm in winter and cool in summer.

 

The line includes beautiful wraps and scarves, above, and beige and chambray-striped tops and drawstring pants, below. Stop by Black Parrot in Portland to check out more pieces from With&Wessel.

 

 

Fresh picks from Billy Reid

Billy Reid is back for spring with his fresh take on American work wear. Black Parrot customers love his shirts and dresses for their special touches and beautiful fabrics. 

Reid, who hails from Alabama, in 2010 was awarded the Best New Designer in America Award by GQ and the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award.

We just received two new styles from Reid – a pin-tuck shirt dress, above, and his blue linen, snap-front "popover" shirt, below. Stop by Black Parrot in Portland to try them on!

New Tzuri Gueta pieces in Portland

Tzrui Gueta's biograhy, let alone his unique jewelry, is enough to make us take notice. He's collaborated on haute couture projects with Thierry Mugler as well as fashion houses of Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, Dior and Armani.

After earning a degree in textile engineering, Gueta moved to Paris and invented a technique he called "lace fed with silicone." The results: amazing pieces that look like treasures from the sea.

We're excited to introduce more of Gueta's designs at Black Parrot in Portland. Our selection includes an array of necklaces, pins and earrings.

One of our favorites is the black and white choker, below. It's simply amazing with a white blouse or LBD.

Just in time for spring cleaning ...

 

Who needs a reason to clean? Not us, when we're wielding our favorite goat hair brushes from Redecker. We've just received a new shipment from Germany that includes amazing 28-inch radiator brushes, sweater lint brushes and our new favorite, the hedgehog table brush, above.

One of Redecker's best inventions is the rubber lint brush, below. It works like a charm, especially for dog and cat hair, and rinses off after use. Call either store if you want us to hold one for you – these sell out fast!

New fashions from Hache

 

Just in, new styles from Hache, designed and produced in Italy. Here's a peek at some of our favorite pieces... The lovely cotton-blend dress, above, fades from black to blue and even has variegated pinstripes. It looks lovely loose or belted.

 

Next up – an Italian viscose sun dress with just a touch of neon green that's so popular for spring and summer. The color-blocked Hache tunic shirt, below, would look fabulous with leggings or skinny black pants.

Stop by our Portland store to see more from Hache!

New Catherine Andre socks for spring!

We knew we could count on Catherine Andre to come up with the most beautiful sock colors for spring – so pretty they're fit for an Easter basket!

We'd pair them with our favorite new Gidigio oxfords – love their chunky heels ...

Stop by Portland or Rockland to see our new socks or Portland for our latest Gidigio selections.

Minnie Mouse meets Wednesday Addams

Designer Rachel Antonoff describes her new spring collection as "sort of Minnie Mouse meets Wednesday Addams."

Our Black Parrot customers in Portland are giving thumbs up to her red and white polka dot dress and intriguing lace-top "Wednesday dress." The anything-but-basic little black dress mixes demure and sexy so well we can't decide whether it's best for daytime or cocktail hour. Your call.

Stop by soon to see more of her spring dresses!

Just in from Paris ...

Customers in Portland and Rockland are raving about our new spring offerings from Manuelle Guibal.

Guibal has produced her contemporary clothing in Paris since 1991. Her spring line features gorgeous silk, cotton and linen frocks and blouses in white, grays, soft browns and beautiful blue hues.

We've paired her gray-blue and black dress, right, with a silicone necklace from another Parisian favorite, Tzuri Gueta.

Our other favorite is the so very French black and white check sleeveless dress with a ruffled neckline.
Stop by soon!