nice!

I am a lifelong resident of Monterey. As it is said - home is where your mom lives.

As a child, my mother sewed my clothing. Fixing ripped knees and popped seams - products of youthful adventure. My mother taught me how to sew. As a budding entrepreneur, I started making patch jean purses. As it turned out, the girls at school loved them and bought out my inventory. Then came the super bell jeans and patched denim inserts for existing jeans. By junior high I was sewing my own clothing and made a formal dress in home economics, while others still struggled with sewing an apron.

Fall was the time for new school clothes - a shopping trip to JCPenney for undergarments and new shoes. A new dress for Easter, and maybe some more new shoes. I had no idea how lucky I was. After we got my school clothes, my mom and I went thrifting. My mom loved to hunt for antiques, while I was always looking at the vintage clothing and accessories, gathering inspiration. I would restore, alter, and recreate these items.

As I grew older, I held a variety of jobs - retail sales, alterations at local stores, dry cleaners, drapery, and home interior sewing. I worked in a fabric store and pursued educational opportunities in clothing construction, pattern making, couture techniques, and anything related to sewing.

By this time, consignment shops were becoming very popular and more of them appeared in Monterey. I began supplementing my sewn garments from these stores - building an eclectic wardrobe.

I was hooked on this great fashion arena.

In the early 2000's I worked at a high profile Consignment store in Carmel - it was a natural fit. I felt so inspired that I learned the inner workings of a consignment business. I learned alterations and tailoring at Just For You! in Pacific Grove, gaining so many valuable skills and techniques.

After leaving the Carmel store I started working at Nice! After 3 years, I was blessed with the opportunity to buy this store and for the last 2.5 years my dreams came true everyday.

Park Bench

Watch Cathie's interview on Park Bench.

Stephanie Cumberland is an expert on image and wardrobe. She can provide you with years of insight - realizing your own individual style and beauty - and rediscovering the inner spark that makes you the unique person you are.

Stephanie is a professional model and makeup artist extraordinaire. Stephanie has experience in managing the personal shopping department at Nordstrom and has also done work as a clothing designer and television fashion commentator.

Stephanie is a pro at make-up instruction / application, closet evaluation / organization, and personal shopping / gift giving / body type assessment.

Stephanie can help you in a non-judgmental, supportive way to accentuate all the positives! Stephanie draws on years of experience to find the perfect colors and styles that look best with your unique coloring and body shape.

Learn more about Stephanie and support her local business at her website, http://www.presenting-you.com/.