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| The Exceptionally Charming Eliza B. of Eliza B. |
I headed over to the
Eliza B. headquarters in Essex, Connecticut, where everything they sell is made, so that Eliza and I could design a bag. I got distracted.
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| Her equally affable brother, Austin Jeffers of Austin Jeffers (or, just Jeffers), stopped by. |
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| Their father Cecil joined us. |
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| Since we were designing a bag, we all decided to head over to the shoes. |
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| Into the Shoe Production Building |
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| Some Custom Orders |
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| Feeling like Charlie Bucket, I got us even more distracted. |
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| Eliza really knows her tartans. |
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| She showed me some samples. |
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| Belt Ribbons |
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| Eliza took us back to the design room. Before we got to work... |
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| ...I admired her wrist wraps, which she had designed from some found leather odds and ends. |
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| She sized one for me.... |
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| ...and gave me hers off her arm. |
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| And then there were the belts... |
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| ...and a peek at some spring shoes. |
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| Inspired, I focused on the bag design. We choose the size of the one the left, and the general style of the one the right. |
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| The next decision was which surcingle to use for the straps. |
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| Eliza came up with a fabulous solution for a closure. Then we decided on the length of the straps and inside pockets. |
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| A Madras Clutch |
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| I was still getting sidetracked on the way out, as it is so much fun to see everything first hand. Now, I just have to wait for the bag to be made. |
40 comments:
That looks like such a fun day!!
Wow, what a great operation they have! I particularly like your comment about feeling like Charlie Bucket... it seems so true.
Thank you once again Muffy for showing us that such people and places do still exist.
HonestToGod, you make me want to SMILE more, and bigger. I love how you seem to lead people into hysterics everywhere you go. There's Eliza all cracked up by something you said or did. Go on! I love it.
-Flo
Wow, it sure is nice to put faces together with the voices I speak to on the phone when I place orders. Thanks for sharing the photos with us. By the way, I still haven't heard back from Connie B. about that needlepoint signal flag belt you posted on your tumblr. What are you guys not telling us?!
I learned about them from reading your blog, and ordered flip flops. I wore them all summer; the best I've ever had. I will definitely be back for more Eliza B. products. Thanks for bringing them to my attention!
Be still my heart...that D ring belt has my name all over it and don't even get me started on the tartans. I used to be a die hard blackwatch fan, but have recently adopted a dress Gordon and dress Stewart as my new favorites.
You know what I find so amazing? It's that all these youngesters have created such successful businesses (Eliza B., KJP, etc...). I love it.
Wonderful photos! Looks like you all had a tremendous day! Can't wait to see the finished product.
~www.thealyway.blogspot.com
Wow! Better than Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. I could get into WAAAAAY too much trouble in THAT place! ;)
Muffy,
I am really enjoying my Eliza B. tote and matching ballet flats.
Thank you and your followers so much for the wonderful advice, tips and stories. And while I may not always comment, I check your blog often. It's like sitting down with a bowl of homemade mac 'n' cheese, warming and comforting.
I love the beautiful pictures you post. They help me visualize when my Aunt Syeeda happily reminisces about living in Suffield, CT and studying opera in Boston at the New England Conservatory.
I'm still a light- weight when it comes to the Prep way of being but I'm having a lot of fun learning.
Oh, I wanted to share something...I ordered Supima cotton t-shirts from: tp://www.diamondgolfshirts.com/ they are located in North Carolina. I just found them this past spring so I honestly don't know how durable they are, but I can say they feel sublime. ; )
Okay, I've rambled on enough. Again, thank you and take care.
TropicalSunbird
What a fun day!! I love their products.
Muffy, you are like the preppy Mister Rogers. I love your glimpses of life and how things are made. This blog is truly a joy.
p.s. Those espadrilles are perfect!
What I like most is that it is all Made in the USA.
(sidenote: I recently spoke with a Laurie Brooks from L.L. Bean and when confronted as to why they can't make more in America is that "the prices would be too high", she then got very snippy with me and challenged me to find companies in America making shoes, belts etc that are within a price that most Americans can afford. I'd LOVE to show her this post on your blog today! I LOVE it).
Love the wrist wrap-very Hermes looking.
To respond to WASP decor... I whole-heartedly agree that more should be made in the USA (and have said as much in several posts.) But, unfortunately we really can't compare significantly smaller companies to a company like L.L. Bean. What is sustainable at a smaller company is not sustainable for a huge company, and L.L. Bean is massive at this point. I do think that for L.L. Bean to manufacture a lot in the US, prices would have to increase significantly. (I'd be willing to pay for it, though, if it means higher quality, but no doubt they would lose some other customers. How many customers they'd lose, and whether an increase in new (or former) customers would offset the loss remains to be seen.)
I have lived in Eliza B flipflops for years and am now living in their flats thanks to your blog. How fun to see Eliza B from the inside!
Tartan plaid is a weakness of mine; how would you describe the material? A medium weight cotton or more like a heavier twill?
We stopped by the (somewhat hard to find) shop last summer; While I'm not a flip flop fan, the patterns and colors were tempting and I ended up buying 4 pairs. It's wonderful (and again too tempting) to be able to custom order items too. And of course, it's great to be able to support local businesses.
I am metaphorically sitting on my hands trying not to buy 10 of those fabric belts. I've been looking for one ever since my Vera Bradley broke. I'm thinking watermelon paisley with brown background, and a tortoiseshell buckle. My sisters and I have ALL been looking for something like this. Thank you so much for the information. And how classic is Eliza's dad!
Oh good grief; I just looked at the tartan plaid material more closely. Is it wool? If so, the November budget is going to go right out of the window!
@Billsburg - I share your tartan weakness, as your reaction. They had both cotton and wool which can mean seemingly endless permutations!
Everything looks fantastic!!
I am so pleased she has the Anderson Tartan! It's not very commonly seen, so I am glad to see that Eliza B. has it - and I know I can trust her products!
This company has the most gracious care for its customers. I got a phone call personally from Eliza herself when my order got duplicated by accident. Not only did she tell me to keep the duplicate without extra charge, but she apologized for it as if I WOULDN'T want a second incredible product free of charge! She was so amiable, and I can match her contagious laugh to your pictures of her smiling! I love Eliza B!
I love Eliza B. I have ordered a few belts from them and absolutely love them.
What I really like about them is that they offer something for everyone. I can get all of my holiday shopping done in one order.
I am so jealous when you get to go all behind the scenes!
Another great post. Unfortunately, I don't live nearby to have attended their recent tent sale, but I did take advantage of their special offer that weekend and designed/purchased my own tartan belt, which just arrived. Now I'm becoming a tartan addict, as if I don't own enough. I'm not a flip flop wearer but adore those red and tan plaid captoe flats. Can't wait to see you wearing your new bag!
Yay! It is so cool to put faces to the names.
My first 2 pair of Eliza B.'s are being made right now. Those lovely folks owe you for pointing me (and probably quite a few other people) their way.
Wonderful quality leather goods! Muffy they should have a limited addition Daily Prep yacht club Burgee motif belt! What do you think?
She's a pretty girl. Sometimes I think when I say almost every woman needs makeup you think of Tammy Faye Bakker, but actually Eliza has on the perfect amount. Just a touch. (And of course I still stand by the fact that you are one of the blessed few that don't). Anyway, I love Eliza B and will be taking a few pair of her shoes with me when we go sailing over Thanksgiving.
She looks like a lovely girl! I certainly adore my Eliza B. flops.
I looks like Eliza is wearing equestrian cut khakis. Could you help us out with details on those adorable pants?
Eliza B is a gorgeous young woman. Wow.
@Riss - I was admiring those as well and I believe she said that they were from J. Crew.
Oh, those shoes are cute! Had such a negative (blame-the-customer-for-our-mistake) experience with Leatherman, so sadly, they are off the Patsy-approved list.
Hi Muffy:
Love your blog! Was the tote you carried on the last photo you created with Eliza B.? What size is it? I am thinking about ordering one.
I called the company to try to order that fabulous cream plaid bag with the navy handles in the pictures with Eliza laughing and it turns out it's not their bag. Ha ha. The lady on the phone was just the nicest person. Great customer service!
I love these shoes and flip flops. I must say that once a pair came and they weren't made quite right. Customer service was sympathetic and friendly. The shoes were returned and new perfect ones came quickly. Everyone comments on my cute shoes and they couldn't be more comfortable as I walk all over New York City and Nantucket. I just added to my cache of flats. Can't wait to get them!
Dear Farrah,
The "fabulous cream plaid bag" you see was sent to us from a company that sources authentic tartans and we made it into a bag for them! We are currently waiting on the Dress Stewart Tartan and should have it in momentarily. So those that have admired it, can own it! Many thanks to you and all that have commented.
~ E
Curious as to how the new ElizaB Spring shoes run! The Flip-Flops's we go up 1 size and the Ballet Flat's we go down 1 size...Can you give us a head's up on how the new shoe runs?
Just found your blog and I LOVE it! Please, please keep writing this.
The interview with Eliza B. was so interesting as were your picks for the preppiest clothing outfitters. I felt you gave an honest appraisal of those who were losing their vision of what quality craftsmanship and selection were all about.
Looking forward to reading much more.
Thanks, Muffy.
Thanks so much for a wonderful blog! Loved that bracelet so much that I ordered one! Now, about your beautiful blue sweater....would you mind revealing who makes it? It is simply stunning!
Many thanks and happy holidays!
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