Hatley in Newport, eh

Maybe I can blame the handful of biblical-proportion rains we’ve had this spring, or simply because it was colorful and precious, but my eyes were drawn to a display window at Brick Market Place last week, across from Brick Alley Pub. Pastel children’s umbrellas with everything from moose to geese to watermelon slices, kids rain boots with horses and slickers for little ones– some with strawberries, others with alligators and, in true Newport style, one sporting chocolate labs sailing single mast sailboats! Newport’s Hatley boutique is just one of half  a dozen in the U.S., and is a brand that has been well-known in its native Canada since it started 20 years ago. The family-run business runs on a set of principals: good design, quality and loads of laughs. In the Brick Market Place boutique you’ll find soft, comfortable cotton pieces for men, women, babies, small children and some piece tailored specifically for ‘tweens. The women’s line includes sleepwear, boxers (yes- for women, no more stealing your man’s underthings!), fitted t’s, tanks,  rain boots, socks and totes, while pajamas, playsets, dresses, t’s, swimsuits and cover-ups for little ladies are cute as a button. Men have their choice of boxers sporting funny sayings and comfortable casual wear.

But the “awwww” factor also includes cute home accessories like funky napkins, kitchen textiles, oven mitts, magnets, water bottles, mugs and much, much more. Bring your sense of humor when you visit Hatley at 101 Swinburne Row in Brick Market Place in downtown Newport or get  a preview by visiting www.hatleystore.com