Playing dress up was always an important part of growing up in a traditional, mid-west family of five children for Linda Offerdahl. But at an early age when this self-described "skinny, gawky nine-year-old" had red lipstick applied by a neighbor mom, a defining moment came about for Linda. She felt her first deep sense of transformation that comes from dressing the part or simply a touch of make-up. She is probably the most honest and down-to-earth, dress-the-part role player you'll ever meet. She is a woman who has deep knowledge of herself and her life goals. She has the prowess and fortitude to achieve her goals and give-back and impact community--for good--in huge form. Linda Offerdahl is the entrepreneur and owner behind Dress the Part(y) for Charity LLC located in the Village Center, Incline Village.

Linda describes her mother as a "stay-at-home" mom who worked at the local high school as a cook. For her mother's part in the dress-up scene Linda says, "My mother didn't sew, but costumes were home-made-we constructed them out of paper-bags, fabric and yarn. Linda's father ran the meat department in a local grocery store and progressed well in the grocery/meat business.

Trisa Vincent once had a skier friend drag a beautiful piece of knurled branch down the mountain to incorporate into the displays at Inside Outfitters in Kings Beach. Now, skillfully worked by a local artist, the piece sits elegantly among hand-crafted pottery on an antique table.

Trisa, who has raised two children (now 16 and 18) as a single mom says she has found her artistic self in the management and buying for Incline Outfitters. She says, "Now the store is my baby." Integrating nature, local artisans work and many American-made pieces obviously satisfies her artistic soul. Everywhere you look in the store is a vignette filled with complimentary texture, color and form that presents like a "still-life" work of art.

The opportunity to present the work of skilled local artisans especially pleases Trisa. Current displays include the work of local potter, Erin Lunstrum Pietsch (pronounce that "peach.") Lunstrum Pietsch's work includes hand-made, textured teapot sets in soft greens and muted blues and organic-shaped pitchers in earthy tones.

Besides the work of local artists Trisa focuses on selecting merchandise made in America. "It's almost always better quality," she says and adds "plus now it's the right time to buy American."  A favorite line of clocks comes from a family business--two brothers in Berkeley--called Timeworks.

Bear and pine cones feature on many items in the store, "people love them" says Trisa.  However, the mountain theme does not dominate. Mirrors, lamps, hooked pillows, rugs, candles (by Root) and iron wall art fit the description that she uses to describe the over-all theme of the establishment-rustic elegance.

Incline Outfitters has been in business for 13 years and is owned by Monty Webb. Monty has also owned the restaurant next door, Jason's Beachside Grille for a quarter century.  The store also provides home and business interior design and staging, along with architectural drafting services by Autumn James. They also accept antiques on consignment. Right now there is a beautiful green and red, painted, antique child's desk and chair on display.

Incline Outfitters is located at 8338 North Lake Blvd., in Kings Beach and is open every day from 10-5. 530-546-0358. Incline Outfitters is participating in the Spring Shop Local Wallet Card program and offers a generous 20% off purchases. They also sell the Spring Shop Local Card (just $10) to benefit Kings Beach Parent Cooperative.