BOUTIQUE
Can you think of anything better than coffee, pastries, and shopping? How about all three in one badass place surrounded by the kings—and queens—of rock and roll? Well, you can find this phenomenal trifecta at Grit N Glory, Lower East Side’s newest gathering spot. The product of owners Emily Conley and Veronica Cano’s own trilogy of passions—music, art, and coffee—Grit N Glory is an ever-evolving space offering a new brand of coffee culture.
After a soft opening in November, the duo hosted their grand opening event this week, and we have to say, it’s our new favorite place for a cup of joe and good time. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the drum set and guitars in the window, as if the band just took five for some shots of espresso. Come on in, and like us, you’ll be stopped in your tracks with the sights. At first glance you may notice the floor to ceiling “chalkboard” wall. Yes, a community art board! Feel free to pick up some chalk and have at it. Next, four shiny vintage hub cab clocks, set to various significant time zones, might catch your attention--or the realization that your personal favorite classic rock album happens to be playing. As you relax in the warm, cappuccino colored atmosphere, observe the art on the walls and other functional fixtures. Almost everything is for sale allowing a “vivid evolution of decoration” to gradually take place. There will always be something new to look at, one of Grit N Glory’s most unique characteristics.
Angelenos are mad for boutiques, and luckily LA is chock stocked full of wonderfully curated little shops, each edited to perfection.
So, whether you are:
- An upscale beach girl tossing your sun-bleached hair (with a little help from Fred Segal’s salon, natch) on Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue;
- An indie queen prepping to scour the eastside in search of vintage duds and offerings from the latest little-known designers, with a caffeine stop at LAMILL;
Or somewhere in between, there’s a sartorial something for everyone in LaLa Land, with more shopping fix spots popping up every day.
Located in Somerville's hip Davis Square neighborhood, Black & Blues is a casual-chic boutique that sell skinny jeans, sheer gauzy tops, and a multitude of accessories such as scarves, dangly leaf earrings, and huge, almost scarf-sized necklaces. Black & Blues sells a variety of designer labels, such as Michael Stars, Three Dots, and Red Engine. There is also a decent selection of home accessories, such as candles and jewelry boxes.
The store has been around since 1999, but is often overlooked due to its secluded location, several blocks away from the main square. This hidden gem is definitely worth checking out not just for the great variety of trendy basics (impressive for such a small store), but also for the great deals of the week the boutique offers every Monday, available through the e-mail list at www.blackandbluesboutique.com.
Black & Blues Boutique
89 Holland St
Somerville, MA 02144
617-628-0046
Open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5.
With spring right around the corner, everyone's itching to get out of their drab winter wardrobes and into fresh spring colors. What better way to make the transition than by donning a bright green emsemble for St. Patrick's Day?
I stopped by one of my favorite boutiques in the city, Crush on Charles Street, to see how I could look chic this holiday - and avoid getting pinched! As always, they had scads of adorable clothing that won't cost entire pots of gold. Here are some of my favorite pieces for any upcoming Saint Patty's Day celebration:
For his first anniversary in the small, yet artfully designed SoHo location, Loris Diran rolled out the red carpet for guests to admire the creatively crafted and skillfully designed collection which serves as a gateway to Downtown fashion. Simple, black cocktail dresses paradoxical to the silk chiffon evening gowns on opposite walls displayed versatility in style while conforming to the desires of the ever-changing woman. Deep purples and reds were the colors of choice for low cut, form-fitting dresses which could easily be worn on a night about town or to a formal reception or event.
The Arcadia Boutique
819
N. 2nd Street
www.arcadiaboutique.com
So you survived Thanksgiving, another family Christmas, and on New Year's Eve you even got a kiss (either from your date or from a dashing stranger). But there's one final hurdle to jump this winter, one small bump in the road until smooth sailing into spring.
Valentine's Day.
With the exception of April 15th, it may be the most dreaded day of the year. But love it or hate it, you should look your best, as you should every night. Head to the Arcadia Boutique on 2nd Street to find the ensemble that compliments your love life.
Benefit Boutique
8387 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 944 0600
Benefit Boutique knows how to make makeup fun. Located in West Hollywood, the Benefit Boutique offers more than just make-up. There are a slew of services you can get done: lash and brow tinting, waxing and threading. Ladies, if you've never had your brows or eyelashes tinted before, you are missing out. You won't believe how many people will stop you on the street to tell you how beautiful your eyes look.
Yumi Kim
Lower East Side
105 Stanton Street
(at Ludlow Street)
New York, NY, 10002
(212) 420-5919
www.yumikim.com
Located in the Lower East Side, this vintage inspired line has the perfect mix of prints and silhouettes with just the right amount of urban funk. You will be sure to find a variety of silk prints and Boho tops, and the label prides itself in providing customers with unique and special pieces for your wardrobe.
Heaven on earth can best be described as part high-end clothing boutique and part full-service make-up studio. With that said, Candice Birdsong and Joelle Brodhecker, owners/creators of Addiction Studio, can best be described as angels. This Antique Row addition offers resale clothing and accessories from an impressive list of designers including Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, and Dior. Candice and Joelle are trained make-up artists and host make-up seminars, complete with cocktails and hor d'oeuvres. So if vintage Louie bags are your drug-of-choice, make like Amy Winehouse and say no, no, no.
Addiction Studio
1024 Pine St.
267-687-5446
www.addictionstudios.com
Carolynne McNeel and Lauren Parker, former fashion design students at Drexel University, opened Mew Gallery in October 2006 with the bold intent of creating a community-fueled boutique. Nestled like a hidden gem amid the sidewalk groceries of the Italian Market, Mew swaps Christian Louboutin and YSL for collections from local designers like Stephanie Kao and Nicole Rae Styer. Highlights include Kao's feather-embellished headbands and Styer's decorative slips that can be worn as lingerie or a dress with tights.
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