BrandHabit

Lucia Boutique Saratoga Springs, NY

by Boutique Peek

When I was twenty-one I was still an aimless college student deciding what major to choose. Lucy Straus was finishing finals at the Fashion Institute of Technology and opening a boutique in Saratoga Springs, New York. Her training at FIT was not the only influencing factor pushing her towards opening a boutique.

Lucia has only been open for two years, but Ms. Straus is a young business owner who has a head start on the education of running a business. Straus’ parents have owned Mabou, a store that sells “furnishings for the well traveled”, for over 35 years. From a young age Ms. Straus was exposed all aspects of owning and operating a business, including assisting her mother in buying jewelry and accessories at trade shows.

Her home grown education combined with her instruction at FIT has allowed Ms. Straus to run a business that with “the atmosphere, along with the products, makes a shopping experience at Lucia different from any other.” Lucia makes an effort to carry as many eco-friendly and domestically made clothing and accessories as well as vintage.

Eco-friendly fashion may sound like a trend as bland as tofu, but Lucia’s carries a great line called Sworn Virgins.  The garments are primarily 95% bamboo and 5% spandex and look amazing!  Go green in that emerald dress!

If eco-friendly fashion isn’t making you green with envy Lucia’s Boutique still has plenty to offer. Everyone needs great cotton basic t-shirt in their life and Lucia’s has it. Flux Nouveau makes 100% combed cotton basic tees which feel great and flatter every body type. 

And why not accessorize your basic tee with some new jewelry by AVMax.  I love it because it’s delicate and simple, but it’s also colorful enough to make a subtle statement. 

Which is the exact reason you should head over to Lucy Straus' young enterprise. It's colorful, feminine and thoughtful which will provide your wardrobe with subtle fashion statements.

Samantha Chicago, IL

by Boutique Peek

Chicago has some of the greatest architectural structures America has to offer. The Marina Building, Sears Tower and Millennium Park are just a few must-see constructs for those interested in aesthetic treats.

Concerned Chicago is just bricks, pillars, asps and modernism? For those seeking a sanctuary Samantha Mittelman’s boutique is a haven for women building a sturdy and stylish wardrobe, as well as appreciation for wearable aesthetic gifts.

The primarily white and black interior gets a jolt of color from pink lampshades and shag rugs. A little dog prances around the boutique while shoppers, including Lindsay Lohan and Ashley Simpson, mill about searching for the newest addition to their wardrobe.
Since 2004 Samantha has erected a reputation for selling chic and trendy styles on the Gold Coast. Genetic Denim, Viv and Ingrid, and Lauren Moffat are a few of the well known labels Samantha stocks. Ya-Ya, an Amsterdam based label (with a pair of modal capris I’m yearning for) and Primp, a casual wear line (with an adorable sailor hoodie to coordinate with those capris), are two of the lesser known labels that make Samantha a standout spot.

There’s no reason not to head into Samantha’s when you make a trip to Chicago. Though Ms. Mittelman’s boutique is a young attraction in a town full of historic national design treasures, it has already made its mark as a landmark for fashionistas everywhere.

Bella Jules West Reading, PA

by Boutique Peek

I grew up 40 miles from New York City and Philadelphia. I’ve lived in moderate sized cities like Syracuse, Charleston and Providence for portions of my life. I even spent a semester in Florence, Italy. Now I reside 20 minutes outside of San Francisco. Though I don’t dwell in the crux of the fashion world I am not living under a rock.

But what do you do when you live over two hours away from the nearest big city? Are you relegated to the sometimes inconvenient online and catalogue shopping?

The answer is no! BrandHabit is an essential tool for fashion forward shoppers all over the map. That’s how I found out about Bella Jules in West Reading, PA.

West Reading has something going for it besides Bella Jules, but whatever it is doesn’t shine as bright as Juli Cleaver’s 3 year young boutique. Instead of offering strip mall standards, Bella Jules offers stylish and trendy boutique wares that aren’t native to the Southeastern Pennsylvania region.

One of my favorite lines Bella Jules carries is Alice & Trixie.  How cute is their flouncey new paisley number? Ms. Cleaver’s past experience as a buyer for a major department store has sharpened her eye and given her the edge that West Reading needs to keep up to speed with NYC and LA.

Mac & Jac brings couture to the modern day women, if the modern day woman can find the label. These cute ankle length pants are Mac & Jac necessities I can’t seem to find in my neck of the woods, but Cleaver’s customers are privy to this label which is actually affiliated with Kensie and Liz Claiborne.

Other fun labels include Sweetees, French Connection, Robert Graham and Splendid. JoJo jewelry feature Swarovski crystals. This jewerly line is colorful and versatile and I can only seem to locate it at Bella Jule which seems to be a diamond in the rough.

Cupcake Clothing Santa Fe, NM

by Boutique Peek

San Francisco has Miette while New York has Magnolia. But where in New Mexico do you satiate your appetite for cupcakes?

I don’t know, actually. There is, however, a fabulous little boutique in Santa Fe called Cupcake Clothing. Owner Kate Kruger carries quality lines that appeal to those with a casual lifestyle and a modest budget but still have refined taste.

Cashmere Magashoni and low key Billy Blues Bermuda shorts   reflect the fun and mellow vibe of some of the other labels in the store, like Lily McNeal   and HAvaiana flip flops.   

But let’s say the cute little Kensie button-down  you bought in the shop doesn’t go with anything in your wardrobe at home? The customer approval option at Cupcake Clothing allows you to take something home and see if it works. If it doesn’t return it with no hassle.

Returns are not accepted, however, for the “Cupcake for a Cause” tee which benefits No More Victims, an organization that sponsors medical treatment for war-injured Iraqi children while simultaneously bridging their communities with the US communities. The t-shirt is cute, but the cause is urgent.

Even a double fudge chocolate cupcake isn’t a sweeter treat than a fashionable boutique donating to a good cause, now is it?

Mother's Day

by Boutique Peek

If your mom is anything like mine, she will tell you all she wants to receive on Mother’s Day is the assurance that her children are healthy and happy. That request has saved many last minute shoppers from embarrassing themselves in front of their considerate siblings (who, unlike you, are wielding thoughtful gifts) when throwing in the towel at the last frustrated minute and buying mom another unnecessary potholder.

However, I question the sincerity behind that Mother’s Day request of just seeing your children content. Plus, how many years can you use that same excuse? So, I’m here with some suggestions to mend last minute shoppers’ agony. First, stop shopping at strip malls and big stores advertising massive Mother’s Day sales. Your mom didn’t birth you at a strip mall and she didn’t pick a discounted doctor to deliver you. Go the extra mile and seek out unique boutiques with distinctive merchandise. Mothers everywhere deserve a medal for going through an excruciating procedure known as child birth which involves something the size of a watermelon trying to make it’s way through something the size of--- well, all I’m trying to say is mom deserves a medal. Or something made of metal. . .or gold or leather!

How about finding mom some Bo J.C. Inc. jewelry? The mother and two daughter trio design sapphire and opal encrusted bangles, charms and earrings which are “dainty but bold.” Desirable pieces for deserving mothers everywhere. My favorite find on http://brandhabit.partners.thefind.com/query.php?query=Bo+J.C.+Inc.&cobrand=brandhabit was definitely a triple strand garnet and topaz necklace. Another jewelry designer mom will adore is Rebecca Norman. Her designs are simple and timeless, which is great because when mom develops arthritis and can’t wear the Rebecca Norman wrap ring you will be first in line to the classic piece! If rings aren’t her fancy, try Ms. Norman’s simple hoop earrings or silver bangles at http://brandhabit.partners.thefind.com/query.php?query=Rebecca+Norman+Inc&cobrand=brandhabit . Both are treasures for the woman who found so many “treasures” in your dirty diapers so many years ago.

Speaking of diapers, your poor mother had to carry around a diaper bag. Unfortunately, Kate Spade was a wee child when my mom was toting around my supplies, therefore she didn’t have the luxury of carrying the sleek diaper bags hip mothers wear nowadays. Rectify those unfashionable years of mom lugging a Gerber spit stained shoulder destructor with a Henry Beguelin crocodile-embossed leather tote. Any Henry Beguelin leather good you lay your eyes on at http://brandhabit.partners.thefind.com/query.php?query=Henry+Beguelin&cobrand=brandhabit will be a welcome replacement for the twenty-ton sack mom used to have to lug.

If you want to splurge on mom, get her a sleek new sack along with some new shades. Oliver Peoples has a variety of shapes, sizes and colors for all those in need of fashionable eye protection. http://brandhabit.partners.thefind.com/query.php?query=Oliver+Peoples&cobrand=brandhabit has some of the hottest Oliver Peoples shades, like the oversized “Harlot” shades. My suggestion:  you and mom get matching pairs!

Whatever you do for Mother’s Day, whether it’s a phone call, some flowers or a fantastic cashmere sweater, just be sure to let your mom know how grateful you are for having her (and all her fabulous hand-me-downs) in your life!!

Costume Institute Gala 2008

                         I interrupt this regularly scheduled boutique post for some red carpet ruminations. 

by Boutique Peek

Today I really wanted to go to yoga after work. As soon as I got home my roommate gave me two options: Sangria or Sangria. Since it is Cinco de Mayo and I pledge allegiance to all holidays whether I am a card holding group member or not, I had to abandon my sorry attempt to contort into a downward facing dog and instead held an extended pitcher pour pose (recommended for the most professional of sangria drinkers). Two hours later with red stained teeth and guacamole breath we stumbled home to laze around the house. I found myself on www.celebrity-gossip.net envying all the gown clad stunners at the Costume Institute’s annual gala hosted by Vogue at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Day to day dressing becomes so pedestrian, so when I see stars and models wear, I mean really wear, high fashion I get giddy. Instead of seeing stars schlep around in leggings and oversized t-shirts, we see them at events like this modeling intricate and highly crafted designs from style icons.

Though Claire Danes keeps a low profile it doesn’t mean she has low fashion standards. In fact her dress was my favorite.    Though I worry about wearing too much black and not expanding my color palate, it just gets the job done!

My least favorite was Mischa Barton.  While Claire Danes wore her dress, this “frock” wore Mischa Barton.    She looked like a taffeta factory exploded. 

I was most confused by Cristina Ricci’s. . .ensemble? Since it is for the Costume Institute I will afford her interesting “costume” leniency when conducting measurements on the “offensive” scale.

And per usual Julia Roberts radiated. She could wear a freakin’ paper bag and she’d still look stellar thanks to her killer smile!

I would have been there on the red carpet this year wearing something stunning and fabulous but you know, I had a date with my roommate at the dive bar down the street. Next year I’ll be there minus the sangria, guacamole breath and tattered sweatpants.