Re-freshingly Lilly -- Lilly Pulitzer Yo-Yo

Every so often we plan on posting a fun way to "re-fresh" some item hanging around your house...It might be your toddler's blueberry-stained Lilly Minnie or maybe a cute shopping bag from Melly.  Our hope is to give you some ideas on how to look at these with a fresh eye and recycle them into something new and fun.

We're starting with the ever versatile fabric yo-yo.  These wonderful little embellishments can be made in a snap, and you can use whatever fabric scraps you can find.  We thought how fun it would be to make some Lilly yo-yos.  While we agree, it seems almost unthinkable to cut up any Lilly clothing...how about that little shift that no longer fits your 5 year-old or the coffee-stained skirt you tried to save?  Why not give those Lilly fabrics new life in some cute yo-yos.  These are incredibly simple to stitch together (my 7 year-old can do it).  You can purchase "yo-yo makers" at craft stores like Jo-Ann Fabrics, Michael's, etc.  The ways to use these fun circles is endless.  Check out a few of the ideas here.

From Design*Sponge

• From Design*Sponge comes this adorable Yo-Yo Pillow.  Imagine how cute this would be covered in Lilly patterns. All the DIY instructions can be found here.
• The Flickr group YoYo Crazy has tons of photos with ideas along with detailed instructions on how to sew yo-yos without a yo-yo maker.
• Embellish a skirt, a lampshade, some flip-flops, a hair clip...
• Make a necklace, a bracelet, a bookmark...

If you've got any other fun ways to "re-fresh" Lilly, let us know.  We'd love to share. 

Red, White & Blue for You

Celebrate the 4th in style with something fun from Melly.  Then impress your friends with some fascinating 4th of July facts.  Did you know???

• John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third U.S. presidents, both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Five years later, the nation's fifth president, James Monroe, also died on July 4.
• The White House held its first Fourth of July celebration in 1801.  It had just opened the year before.
• Every Fourth, the "City of Brotherly Love" honors our nation's independence by gently tapping the Liberty Bell...can't chance that crack.

Summer Salebration

Shop Melly's Summer Sale

See a bargain, pick it up...all day long you'll have good luck.  So stop by Melly, either online or in the store, June 23rd and June 24th for lots of great deals at our Summer Sale.  You'll find 30% to 60% off select Lilly Pulitzer for adults and kids. There's no better time to fill your closet with adorable summer outfits!  Remember, all purchases of $300 or more receive free shipping.

Lilly Contest



Name that Print Contest



Be sure and enter the Name that Summer Print! contest on the Lilly Pulitzer blog. Ten winners who correctly identify these adorable Lilly prints will be chosen at random. You have until next Friday, June 24th, to post your answers.  Winners will receive a cute Lilly lunch cooler in the "Cherry Begonias" print Good luck~

Lilly Pulitzer Furniture ~ Oh, My!!

In case you're like some of us and just can't get enough Lilly Pulitzer in your life, then check out this new line of Lilly furniture. You can find out all the scoop and more on The Lilly Blog.  If only Melly were large enough to have a furniture department :)  Right now the furniture can be ordered at  Neiman Marcus and Horchow.  Later this summer, you'll be able to order directly from lillypulitzer.com


Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Director Jane Schoenborn's favorite furniture pieces

1. Marisol Jewelry Chest (MSRP $1,699)

2. Tessa Chair (Custom Upholstery $$ determined by fabric)

3. Boulevard Arm chair in Salmon Pink (MSRP $649)
4. Aster Writing Desk (MSRP $1,699)

5. Tangiers bedroom collection (MSRP $899 – $2,999)

Mixin' It Up Lilly Style

The latest Lilly blog post shares the memories of creating those "summer mix" cassette tapes and then captures that spirit in a new Lilly Pulitzer print.  What a fun idea! It seems like just yesterday I was making my "summer music tapes" to play in my Sony Walkman while laying out by the pool. Those were the days, my friend...

Summer Reading

Summer has definitely arrived in the Twin Cities with temps in the mid-90s, and all we want to do is sit by a pool with a cool drink and a great book.  Here are just a few of our faves...

• If You Were Here by Jen Lancaster ~ The latest hysterically funny book by entertaining author Jen Lancaster whose other laugh-out-loud reads include Bitter is the New Black; Pretty in Plaid; Such a Pretty Fat; Bright Lights, Big Ass and My Fair Lazy .  If you haven't read any of her books, you are definitely missing out.  There's no doubt that you might recognize yourself or someone you know in some of her characters.   So, if you don't mind people staring as you laugh out loud on the beach or poolside you owe it to yourself to pick up at least one (if not all) of Jen Lancaster's books this summer.  Check out her equally funny blog Jennsylvania...her last post included her summer reading list.
• The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home by George Colt Howe ~ This memoir is great on so many levels.  It's part history lesson, part life lesson and incredibly well-written. It follows the author as he reminisces about his summers spent at the family's 100 year-old summer home on Cape Cod, the history of the home and its Boston Brahmin inhabitants, and the heart wrenching decisions that must be made as family members can no longer care for the home.  No doubt, many readers will be able to relate to the issues of a family summer home.
• Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks ~ If you are a fan of historical fiction, you'll truly enjoy the writing of Geraldine Brooks.  Her latest novel is set in Massachusetts in 1665 and based on the true story of a young man from Martha's Vineyard who became the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College. Upon this small historical fact, Brooks has created a tale of love and faith, magic and adventure that you won't want to put down.  Her other novels include March; A Year of  Wonders; and People of the Book.  It's historical fiction at its best.

Do you have any favorite books that make for a great summer read?  Pass them along in our comments section. 

2011 Lilly Lover Days!

Get ready to don your cutest Lilly outfit, or better yet, come find some new summer Lilly at Melly. Then shoot a fun photo of yourself and enter the 2011 Lilly Lover Days! You could win a trip for 2 to The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach and a bunch of other great prizes. All the details can be found on the Lilly Pulitzer blog.

Mott 50 ~ It's All the Buzz

Tomorrow is the big day…our exclusive Mott 50 trunk show begins, and we couldn’t be more excited!!!  We are thrilled to be able to showcase this wonderful and purposeful fashion collection and to “show-off” one of the designers, Minnesota native, Monique Moore.  She will join us Friday, June 3rd, from 11-2 at Melly where you'll be able to meet and greet this local gal who is making it big.    

Read Vogue Daily Article

Monique graduated from the Breck School in 2001 and then headed east for college.  At Boston College, she met her now business partner and best friend, Anne Botica, and together the two fashionistas and skincare fanatics developed the idea for everyday wearable clothing that offers protection from the sun’s harmful rays.  Each piece in the collection offers a UPF of 50 (Ultraviolet Protection Factor – it’s like an SPF rating for fabric).   The UPF 50 provides 10 times the protection of a typical white tee.   The combination of fashionable clothes with a purpose has caught the eye of many.  Check out some of the great press that Mott 50 has been getting…




Elle June Issue

Travel + Leisure

June Issue of W Magazine

Men's Journal June Issue



From the June issue of Shape Magazine

New York Times T Magazine Article
Photographs by Taea Thale. Make-up by Cory Bishop.
From left, Anne Botica and Monique Moore

Visit Melly from June 1-3 to see what all the buzz is about.  Summer is upon us so there's no better time to add some adorable Mott 50 pieces to your wardrobe.



A Sweet Toast to Summer



From Lilly Pulitzer

 Why not toast the unofficial start to summer with these yummy Key Lime Mojitos?  You can find this recipe along with lots of other Lilly faves in her books, "Essentially Lilly: A Colorful Guide to Entertaining" and "Essentially Lilly: A Colorful Guide to the Holidays".   I'll be making her Seafood and Avocado Salad with Lime Vinaigrette tonight.  It's so much fun to just flip through these books and see the great photos and  illustrations.  It's inspiration at its best!

The Ultimate Sun Dress

Melly is thrilled to be hosting an exclusive trunk show featuring fashions from Mott 50.  This new line from designers Anne Botica and Monique Moore offers style and function as each piece provides sun protection with an SPF of 50.  The women made it their mission to find new ways to protect skin from the negative effects of sun and raise awareness to the cause.  After over a year of research, fabric sourcing around the globe, and garment testing with top facilities Mott 50 was born.  The clothing line is approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation, and a portion of the company's proceeds is donated to cancer research.

Shoppers can see Mott 50's collection of tunics, dresses, skirts and more from Wednesday, June 1 through Friday, June 3 at Melly located in The Galleria.  In the meantime, check out

Mott 50's designs on their website.

Fresh Start

We are so excited to start our blog, The Melly-Go-Round...a place for us to share all that's fresh and fun in the world of Melly. As the only Lilly Pulitzer signature store in the state of Minnesota, Melly is the "go-to" shop for all things fun, fashionable and preppy. By creating our blog, we're looking forward to sharing stories, making new friends and hearing what makes your world fresh and fun. On The Melly-Go-Round you'll find everything from fashion tips to entertaining ideas to refreshingly happy stuff that makes us smile. We hope you'll stop by often...both here on our blog and in our shop, Melly, located online and in The Galleria in Edina, Minnesota.