Check this out – tonight from 6pm – 9pm, ZEROMINUSPLUS at Fred Segal Santa Monica will be hosting a launch party with 100% of the proceeds going towards United Nations humanitarian agencies. Patron will be hosting the bar (score!) and Marc Breslaw, Executive Director at USA for UNHCR and Kevin Sturtevant, VP of Development for the Friends of the World Food Program will be hosting the evening…
Filed under Accessories, Art, Boutiques, Celebrity Shopping, Events, Gifts, Interior Design, Jewelry, LA: Westside
The Barlas Baylar designed chandelier at Hudson Furniture Inc… We want to wear it!!!
Thanks Peter Sidoriak for sending us this! Furniture dudes rock!
Filed under Boutiques, Interior Design
Getting Her Fill of Retail Therapy, 90210'a Shenae Grimes was Spotted Leaving the American Rag on La Brea
American Rag on La Brea is the epitome of a too-cool-for-school, one-stop-shop destination. The merchandise seems to be so cutting edge that it is hard to tell if the buyers have their fingers firmly on the pulse of Los Angeles, or if they are creating the pulse themselves. An entire rainy afternoon can be spent blissfully getting lost amongst the racks of sequined vintage, designer denim, and delightfully obscure high-end retail—we know from experience, as we stayed dry in this shopper’s haven when the rain came a-knocking this past week. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
The scope and breadth of the store’s merchandise is simultaneously stimulating and intimidating. Upon entry you are greeted with blasts of color and funky art, displayed against warm wood, all situated within a cool urban loft expose. The u-shaped shoe display is the central focus of the main store, with the women and men’s retail flanking the display, and their vintage collection bringing up the rear. If that was not enough to make one’s heart skip-a-beat, to the right is their “World Famous Denim Bar,” although no Irish coffee was found, the denim selection was a sight to behold in and of itself.
Mark Werts, the owner and founder of American Rag, claims the buyers are what separate his stores from the masses, and the denim bar clearly showcases their talent. Ranging from classic 501 Levi’s to J-Brand’s newest invention, “jeggings” (they look a lot better than they sound), your desire for all things denim can be fulfilled here, and then some. We were thrilled to see that our favorite skinny jeans from EVER made an appearance amongst other up and coming contemporary brands such as CORPUS, Kill City, and PRPS, all perfectly mixed in with the big hitters, such as Helmut Lang, Diesel, and Citizens of Humanity.
The price tag on American Rag’s selection of vintage ranges dramatically from thirty-dollar funk-a-dellic flannels to two hundred dollar army coats, steeped in history. Although you wont find those vintage Chanel ballet flats you’ve been searching for, as there is little label vintage, you will find reasonably priced thermals, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and some awesome neon-plaid bell-bottoms, if those happen to light your fire. If the neon-plaid bell-bottoms intimidate you, and perhaps rightfully so, American Rag’s retail is paces away and offers you classic options, updated to today’s urban cool-vibe that simply exudes from the store. The men’s selection is a must, as it proves there should be so much more to a man’s wardrobe than just sneakers and jeans.
The menswear buyer, James Hammonds, sums up the success of store with, “You come in to accentuate your own look, not buy into ours.” It seems like American Rag simply wants to makes the masses look cool, the coolest part being, they don’t want to dictate your wardrobe, but just re-vamp your already existing look.
We surprisingly worked up a sweat scouring the racks, but didn’t even need to open our umbrella to find some lemonade. Café Midi is tucked away in the back of American Rag’s home décor store, Maison-Midi, which is easily accessible from the main retail section. We happily obliged when we saw banana bread on the menu— as we all know, it is our quintessential comfort food that tastes so much better when the weather is damp and dreary. Alas, they keep their recipe under lock and key.
Faire Frou Frou is inviting LAShoppingReviews readers to attend a shopping party this Saturday, from 3pm-7pm at the Ventura Collection (Faire Frou Frou, Optx Fine Eyewear, Atik Home & Gift Boutique, Stacey Todd, and Stacey Todd at Home).
The party will be complete with cocktails, music and special in-store discounts. Faire Frou Frou will offer a discount 20% OFF ALL ITEMS in the STORE. (Even sale items will get the additional discount!).
The Ventura Collection is located on the 13ooo block of Ventura Blvd. (btwn Coldwater Cyn and Ethel) in Studio City, CA. The collective boutiques offer lingerie, designer eyewear, designer clothing & denim, home decor, gift items, children’s clothing, non-designer women’s clothing & accessories, a pilates studio, and a swimwear boutique.
Filed under Accessories, Boutiques, Clothing, Clothing: Women, Events, Interior Design, Jewelry, LA: Valleys, Sales, Swimwear
The Brentwood Country Mart is definitely a place to see and be seen! This is a popular spot for locals and celebrities alike to stop for some shop and nosh. The atmosphere evokes a mid-western barn, but the stores strictly speak Los Angeles high style. The Mart has a food courtyard with surrounding stores that sell everything from women’s, children’s, and men’s clothes to books, candy, and home furnishings.
THE STORES:
The Brentwood Country Mart is one of the first of its kind to have a chic, preppy, yet casual, men’s boutique, called apartment number 9.
For jewelry, there is Broken English and Pippa Small jewelry that both sell beautiful one-of-a-kind looks.
For home and fragrance, we love Calypso Home for gorgeous, unique home furnishings and Marie Mason Apothecary where you can splurge on fragrances, bath, and more.
And probably the most exciting… for women’s clothing, we love Calypso, Post 26, and Jigsaw. Calypso boasts a mix of international accessories and supremely chic pieces from high end-fashion designers including the original designer, Calypso by Christiane Celle. Post26 provides a fun environment for eclectic clothing for every shopper from rockers to bohemians. London-based Jigsaw is a great store for anytime fashion—the weekend, the office, and the evening.
The Brentwood Country Mart: 225 26th Street (corner of 26th and San Vicente), Santa Monica, CA 90402
Our lovely Czech, Radka Opalka, makes us girls feel happy to shop, shop, and shop! Approximately two years ago, Radka opened Clever: a boutique that caters to all women with a stylish, feminine flair. Radka describes her products as “practical and pretty,” with “clever” touches like whimsical patterns, up-to-date styles, and witty uses for home accessories. Clever aims to provide an intimate shopping environment enhanced with unique clothing and designers. But unlike many boutiques that hike up prices for garments of mediocre quality, Clever only sells garments of great quality at reasonable prices. It’s so nice to be able to walk into a boutique and feel like the prices match the fabric, styles, and cuts of the clothing!
View From The Entrance
So what is in this wonderful treasure chest of a store? Clever carries a wide range of designers from Audrey Acosta (green) recycled silk one-of-a-kind pieces to Single Tease T-shirts that boast pick up lines for women on the front (e.g. “just ask me (out)”). Other popular Clever brands include Haven (long dresses in billowy prints), Pink Tool Belts (for those handy fashion-conscious women), Bungalow 360 (accessories à la beach), Gloveables (the best way to get your dishes done), Funky Urban (our favorite tee says “well-behaved women rarely make history”), Survival (comfortable, cotton essential dresses), 382 (loud, playful prints), and Angry Little Girls (recycled handbags with quirky, fun quips). And for you California visitors and worshipers, be sure to pick up a California-lovin’ tee like “I don’t Go East of the 405.” What’s more Clever has one of the best selections of gifts for all your friends!
Part of what makes Clever so special is that it is a lifestyle boutique. From the moment you walk in and see the Hungarian antique furniture, organic silks, and delicate jewelry (which Radka makes herself!), you feel as if you have walked into an interactive mood board. Radka has taken her idea of the quintessential girly shopping getaway and has turned it into a laid-back home-y experience. Radka even keeps her shop open late on Friday night for a complete “Retail Therapy” evening; she provides cocktails, friendly chit-chat, and, of course, shopping!
Treasure Uncovered
Mention this article and get 10% off your purchase!
Clever is located at: 2823 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 - 310.396.8108
Filed under Boutiques, Clothing, Clothing: Women, Handbags, Interior Design, Jewelry, LA: Westside, Lingerie, Resort, Sales, Seasonal: Spring, Seasonal: Summer, Shoes, Shoes: Women
Once a year, you can shop at your favorite Montana Avenue boutiques ON SALE and that day is coming! This Saturday only, May 16th, you can shop at over 150 stores with deals on items up to 80% off. This notable Los Angeles event has something for everyone, making it the perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon with family, friends, or significant other.
Seaside Luxe’s mission is to raise the quality and sophistication of resort retail. Being “resort wear” fanatics at LAShoppingReviews, we’ve never heard a cooler mission statement!
Lee Ann Sauter, owner and resort fashionista has transformed the Four Seasons retail stores in Hawaii and is now she is doing it in Los Angeles with trunk shows from her lovely oasis of a home in the Santa Monica Canyon.
Look for summery labels such as Missoni Orange Label, Emilio Pucci, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Stella McCartney. In addition there will be shoes, accessories, fine jewelry, art and home décor.
The preview starts on Friday at 11:00am! Arrive early for the best selection.
Comedian Chris Rock and his wife Malaak Compton took their daughters Lola and Zahra shopping at the former Malibu Lumberyard.
Chris Rock And Family Go Shopping In Malibu
Among the 15 retail and food establishments open at the Malibu Lumber Yard mall are Cafe Habana, a Cuban-style restaurant by Malibu resident and nightclub entrepreneur Rande Gerber; MILK, a cafe, ice cream and bake shop (the original, owned by Bret Thompson, is in Beverly Hills); home design store Adrianna Shamaris; clothiers Maxfield, Tory Burch, Intermix, James Perse, alice + olivia, J.Crew, Kitson Men, Planet Blue Kids and Theory; and Crumbs Bake Shop. In addition, a family-style restaurant is planned for upstairs, in a corner with big glass windows that overlooks Pacific Coast Highway with a clear view of the Malibu Lagoon.
Filed under Boutiques, Celebrity Shopping, Clothing, Clothing: Men, Clothing: Women, Interior Design, Jewelry, Lingerie, Malls, Shoes, Shoes: Women
