Memories....

Because the temperature continues to flirt with the single digits, I thought I'd post some pictures of the Mint Julep girls enjoying the summer months. There is hope! Yippppeeeee!




Gagen's going-away party.

B and Sara with their summer glows!

Stephers and Mandy in summer dresses. I can't wait!

SG, Gages, and Rocky visit Edith Wharton's house. Nerds!

Tan Rachel and Pale Rachel at the beach!

Newest Installment in RK's Denim Addiction.

We all know that I have a denim addiction. Brooke always likes to say that my fingers are blue by the end of a day at the Julep from getting people into new jeans. I love it! Denim shopping can be so difficult and there is nothing better than finding a new jean that looks amazing and makes you feel great. That's why I wanted to share with all of you that my current FAVORITE jean has just arrived at Mint Julep! I ordered these puppies for myself about a month ago and have been bugging Brooke and Steph to get them for the store ever since...I am obsessed! I wear them constantly! Whether I want to be daring and tuck in a funky tank or a silk blouse and throw on a skinny belt and some high-heels for a night out on the town or if I just want to wear a pair of jeans all day that makes my butt look good and stays in place; these are the jeans! Come in and take a look at the Bardot's or just come in to see me for a denim consultation!
xoxo, Rachel K.

yummyyummy in my tummy.

Up here in Boston the snow has clearly been falling around quite a bit. It seems that the weather, through precipitation, truly wants us to remember that the winter will be here for quite some time. Although we are starting to get our springy-spring shipments in to the stores the snow drifts outside aren't melting anytime soon.

In my own efforts, as a non-native New Englander -and vegetarian, to stave off that chill i've been trying to cook up extremely hearty meals. I present to you a recipe (with some modifications) that I found amongst the pages of a very delightful book: Market Vegetarian, by Ross Dobson. Delicious, interesting ideas....

Wild Mushroom Lasagne!!

Ingredients:::
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 quite large white onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, chopped roughly
2 bay leaves
2.25 lbs wild mushrooms, sliced thickly
- this I used a fairly even mix of shiitake, button, cremini, and portobella all cut quite evenly but in different shapes, obviously...
1 cup vegetable stock
-I like using "Better than Bouillon" vegetable base, or freshly made stock
1 tablespoon tomato paste
12 ounce pack of fresh OR dried lasagne sheets
-whole wheat adds a great texture/flavor to this recipe
3 cups grated cheese
-the original recipe calls for fontina, but I couldn't find it at the store so I opted for 2 cups part-skim mozzarella and 1 cup extra sharp cheddar for a less mellow flavor
.5 cup finely grated parmesan
salt 'n pepper and some additional spices including white pepper, oregano, basil, sage, thyme and red pepper flakes

for béchamel sauce:::
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
.25 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3 cups whole milk

DIRECTIONS:::
Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and nutmeg and stir in. Remove from heat and whisk the milk in until mixed very well. Put this mixture back on the heat and whisk/stir constantly for about five minutes until the sauce becomes creamy and saucelike.

Preheat your oven to 350. Heat the butter and oil on a higher temperature in a very large skillet and add the onion, garlic, and bay leaves until the onion has started to soften. Then, add all your chopped up mushrooms and a pinch of the spices (white pepper, thyme, sage, red pepper flakes, oregano, basil) whilst reducing the heat to medium until all the mushrooms are cooked to a tender and even niceness. Then add your stock and tomato paste and stir in thoroughly. Turn the heat back up and let this little guy simmer until the liquid has reduced down to half of what it was. The finishing touch is salt and pepper to your own liking.

To put the lasagna together, line the bottom of a greased dish (I used a rectangular big one and made this only a two-layer lasagne) with some of the lasagne sheets, spread over a third of the sauce and a third of the mushrooms and a third of the cheese. Repeat this process until all of your delish is used up and then put the remaining sauce over the top with a cover of the parmesan cheese. I also drizzled a bit of olive oil for taste lightly over the top. Then let the lasagne cook for 45 minutes until it starts to get a bit bubbly and light brown on top. Let cool a bit and

ENJOY!

Mint Julep's January Sale!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...
the Mint Julep January Sale!!!
Shop all your favorite Mint Julep brands at 25 to 50% off! The sale begins today, so pop over to your favorite Mint Julep location to get first dibs on the goodies.

We look forward to seeing you!

New Year, New Look

Bring some vintage style to your head with these fabulous PISTACHIO headbands! Handcrafted with care from stunning satins, metallic jacquard, colorful brocades and donned with vintage costume brooches, these pieces can add the perfect finishing touch to a party dress or everyday ensemble!

Stop by the Julep and pick one out for yourself!

A Lucky Break!

Look at this shout-out to Mint Julep LES! Featured in this month's New York LUCKY magazine is the silk floral dress from the Beth Bowley Resort Collection.

And the best part? New York's Lucky readers can receive 20% off their purchase when they bring in this coupon!

Glitzy Glitzy!

When this fabulous sequin skirt arrived at Mint Julep, I was in love at first at sight! What says glitz and glamor better than this? Of course LUCKY magazine had to agree, which is why they featured this Plenty by Tracy Reese sequin stunner in this month's issue. Pair it with an over-sized and fashion-forward sweater like shown above or simplify with a black or grey top. Perfect for a special event or a night on the town.

Tracy Reese Sequin Skirt in Gunmetal, $188.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(click on the image so you can read it!)

Gotta Love Twofer One!

Thanks to Max + Cleo and Molly New York, it couldn’t be easier to achieve that perfectly put-together look this season. Each of these dresses tricks anyone into thinking you have paired a blouse and skirt, but don't be fooled! Each piece is really a two-fer-one ensemble!

Black & White Shannon-Combo Shift Dress by Molly New York, $184.
Raspberry & Tan Colorblock Dress by Max + Cleo, $128.
Two-Tone Silk/Tweed Dress by Max + Cleo, $138.

Resort to This!

It's that crazy time of the year where it's below zero outside, but the designers start shipping their resort collections for the lucky few with tropical travel plans. And the rest of us? Well, we just lust after the beautiful brightly colored pieces that we won't be able to wear until June! Life isn't fair.

Oh well, I'll just close my eyes, crank the heat at the Julep and imagine myself on the sunny shores of Mexico wearing either this floral ruffle front dress by Beth Bowley or this banded stripe strapless frock by Plenty by Tracy Reese. Mmmmm, I can almost taste the pina coladas now...

More of Sam's Faves...

Happy New Year! Sam here from NYC and I just needed to blog about one of the adorable new arrivals to MJ Ludlow! This Lily Mcneal sweater dress with cowl neck and asymmetrical buttons is my favorite pick! A perfect pairing with leggings and your favorite boots or wear it open with a long sleeve shirt and a pair of jeans. Whatever your personal preference, you are sure to turn heads wherever you go!

We're Online, Baby!

Hello faithful blog readers! If you've come this far, you may have already noticed the link to our new online store! It may have taken us almost five years, but it's finally official, Mint Julep is online.

We started small with jewelry and accessories, but we might add clothing down the road. If you're a Mint Julep shopper, you know that we always have something new, so check back often for fun new additions to the site.

Take a peek & tell us what you think!

A Very Happy New Year from the MJ Lower East Side Girls!

Happy New Year! We wish you only the best for 2009.

2008 has brought us a new store in a new city and many new friends. Thank you all for your support and friendship. See you in the new year!

Mint Julep Lower East Side Friends and Family Night!

Sarah Nist FINALLY made the blog! Thank you for helping us organize, Senior!

Eliza and Dan came for a visit. Thanks for the cookies, Lize! We hope Dan's sister liked the shirt!

The Stern Girls!

We hosted our friends and family for a night of drinks, snacks and holiday shopping a few weeks ago, but we wanted to post a few pictures and thank everyone for coming! Hopefully all of the Christmas gifts were big hits....

We had a great time & hope you did too!

I can't get enough...

of Pistachio by Marisa Perry RINGS!!!! They are GORGEOUS! Seriously, I wear one almost every day to add MAJOR flare to my outfit. SO much fun! and, our dear Marisa is a Julep gal as well! Swing in to either store for a last minute sparkle...

Five great last minute gifts!!

1. Aunt Sadie's famous Tree in a can candle, our favorite!

2. Jojo bling earrings. Great for holiday parties and they come in a variety of colors!

3. 525 America sweaters. They are cozy, cute, and make a great gift for these cold winter days.

4. LA Made basics. Perfect for layering or just on their own.

5. Orla Kiely wallets and makeup bags. Cute and colorful to brighten up your gloomy winter days!

Written in the stars...

Whether or not you're the type to wear her heart on her sleeve, let one of these zodiac charm necklaces speak for you. What does your sign say about you? Are you an energetic Aries? A quick-witted Gemini? How about a stubborn Taurus?

Check out the chart and find your sign!

At only $36, they make a great holiday gift!

Peace, Love & Magic

When you're making your Christmas list this year, put peace at the top! Gifts of peace are always appreciated and always in style. This is just a small selection of gifts available at Mint Julep that send an important message and make a fashion statement too! We're happy to ship, so just give us a call.

Jessica Rose Rhinestone Studded Earrings $24 also available in a subtle gold

Zina Kao Peace Sign Necklaces $40

Zina Kao Peace and Pearl Necklace $60

Zina Kao Peace Sign Necklace on Triple Gold Chain $56

Congratulations to Cibeline!

Our friend and fellow boutique owner, Cibeline, has moved her fabulous shop from Davis Square to Beacon Hill, so we all (Laura and Rebecca from Crush, Brooke and Steph from Mint Julep and Leah and Records from Jean Therapy) came out to celebrate! The new space looks amazing and the store is packed with holiday duds and great gifts too. If you're in the neighborhood, pop in to say hello!

Cibeline
120 Charles Street
Beacon Hill

Introducing.... Bundle! Big Style for Little Ones

We're proud to announce that our dear friend, Allison, has opened the cutest little shop catering to the minis in our lives. After several cold Saturday mornings searching Manhattan for the perfect gift for her dear friend Christine's new baby girl, Allison was surprised and frustrated by the dull mass-market collections and the extremely overpriced alternatives. Soon after, she decided to leave her Wall Street career and open a children's clothing boutique. She's done an incredible job, so if you're in NYC, come check it out. The store is stocked with great gifts for the holidays.

128 Thompson Street, New York, NY

Top Dress

Did anyone catch Bravo's Top Chef this week? Judge Gail Simmons (from Food & Wine Magazine) sported my favorite Nanette Lepore dress from this fall! Sorry ladies, we sold the last one this week...but we do have many other stunning Nanette Lepore dresses just in time for holiday party season!

Dakota Martin Scarf Tops!

The Dakota Martin signature scarf top in solid colors. 100% silk charmeuse, doubled so that you skin feels the softness too and theyre never see-through! Held at the top by a beautiful detachable necklace, and tied behind you for that sexy open back look. All colors fashioned on the muted side of the silk. One size fits all and $148.

We have many beautiful colors available at all of our locations. Perfect for the holidays!

Just In Time For The Holidays - New Orla Kiely!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Have you ever seen anything as stunning as these new Orla Kiely bags? We sure haven't! This print comes in many shapes and sizes, but always the perfect fit for that special someone on your shopping list.

Come and get 'em! They're going to go fast!

Brookline First Light Festival this Thursday!

Years ago, before we opened Mint Julep, Steph and I marked the beginning of the holiday shopping season by attending the annual Brookline First Light Festival. Cupcakes at Party Favors, live music in the stores, checking out the holiday wares in the unique shops.... so much fun!

Now, as part of the the Coolidge Corner shopping district, we love being part of the celebration! Mint Julep will have a live musician and yummy holiday sweets, so come visit us and join in the holiday cheer.

The schedule of events is on the First Light website:
http://www.brooklinema.gov/firstlight/

Thursday, December 4th
5 - 8 pm

See you there!

You'd better come quickly!

Hats! Gloves! Scarves! They are FLYING out the door! Rach and I are in awe of how quickly they are selling, like little hot cakes, i tell you.
Between Wooden Ships, San Diego Hat Company, and Free People, you are bound to find the perfect piece to highlight your favorite oldie or show off your brand new goodie!
Hurry into Cambridge, Brookline, or LES to pick out your darling set before they disapear, or before it gets too terribly frigid!
xoxo shg

Next Stop: Harvard Square

Hi Everyone!

It is Steph. Greetings from a lovely day before Thanksgiving in the Lower East Side. Clearly I am blasting the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack as I have been since I opened the store at 11 am this morning. I think it has now played about 4 times. Ahhh, I just can't get enough! The girls know that nothing makes me happier (and them sadder) than belting "Love You I Do" at the top of my lungs. I am certain they are all thankful that I am in NYC during this current show tunes phase.

The exciting news today is that Mint Julep Cambridge is featured in today's Boston.com "Next Stop" series. Please check out the video by clicking on the link below:

http://multimedia.boston.com/pub/tn/21/lifestyle.htm?bctid=3220301001&p1=newWell_ThingsToDo_Headlines

Obviously there was no way I was going to be able to just upload the video onto this blog so if this link does not work you can simply go to boston.com and find the video on the home page. You will be pleased to see our amazing Harvard Square manager Rachel "Rocky" Wentworth and our dear Sara Graham featured in the video alongside the stunning Mint Julep.

Enjoy this little tidbit of Mint Julep wherever you are for the holidays and of course Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at MJ! We LOVE you and have much to be thankful for....

Happy Thanksgiving!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we would like to compile a list of all the things that Mint Julep Lower East Side has brought into our lives this autumn that make us thankful.

Above all, EACH OTHER!

New friends!

New explorations. Mintz's trip out to Jersey City (just yesterday!) and Sam's trip to Brooklyn! From the LES to Jersey City to Brooklyn, we have discovered some of our new favorite places: Tre, the restaurant next door to Mint Julep (YUM!), Marco Pepe, a French restaurant in J.C. that serves the best Sangria, and one of our new favorite boutiques around the corner from Mintz's apartment in Williamsburg, Pop!

New customers! And our new favorite greyhound, Bill Clinton. (That's really his name!)

Brooke and Steph, of course!

To everyone who has welcomed us into the LES and everyone who has visited us here in the big apple, we are thankful for YOU!

XOXO
Mintz & Sam