Black Friday used to be just the best excuse to get a favorite fancy coffee drink in the hugest size. It was the first day where it was officially acceptable to put on holiday music, and a nap before noon was imminent. Electronics were never cheaper, cutting in line was the norm for the day and glitter was everywhere.

We all know this still goes on, but we at MDG also know we aren’t alone in thinking that Black Friday has, in recent years, been taken to another level. Big stores are opening earlier and earlier, some opening now at Thanksgiving dinnertime. They stay open until the wee hours, if they close at all. People getting trampled to get a discounted TV? Madness.

Some stores are happily breaking with tradition by not opening at all on Black Friday. REI is collectively asking us out, encouraging us to leave those florescent lights in our dust and to #OptOutside. Others, like Patagonia, are donating 100% of their sales today to small environmentalist groups. Small Business Saturday is a great alternative to the zoo that is Black Friday. Denver-based Feral Mountain Co. was just selected by GearJunkie.com as one of the Best Independent Gear Shops in the USA. They also aren’t open today and recently opened their online shop, just in time for Cyber Monday. (Psst… be sure to check out our shop too.)

However you choose to partake (or not partake) in these shopping days, we at MDG wish you a happy holiday weekend!

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The first day of fall ceremoniously shuts the drawer on linen shirts, tucks away swim trunks and flings flip flops to the back of closets—at least until we realize that it’s still a little too hot to go to such extremes. But while we stubbornly shake out the moth balls from our sweaters, what pattern are we seeing flash before our eyes? Plaid.

Plaid, the pattern of lumberjacks and haberdashers alike. We think of both campfire and pipe smoke, of scratchy wool coats and soft cashmere socks. But, you ask, can you mix plaids? How do I wear plaid without looking like Paul Bunyan? What if I want to look like Paul Bunyan? We at MDG have compiled our top tips for how to wear and mix plaid.

1) Choose patterns that vary in size or width. Try a teeny check print with a big plaid or a wide herringbone with small buffalo plaid.

2) Keep plaids in the same color family, i.e. grey, black and charcoal, or two plaids that share the same color, like a navy Glenn plaid coat with navy micro-check dress slacks.

3) Choose one plaid or print that dominates and one to accent.

4) When in doubt, mix plaid with neutrals.

Our favorite way to wear plaid this season is to pick your plaid and run with it. Use all the rules or none of them, but if you have any questions, contact Marlena here.

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However you choose to partake (or not partake) in these shopping days, we at MDG wish you a happy holiday weekend!

marlena design group llc - 100 S. Madison St. Denver, CO. 80209