shop tawk

kickin' it in style

2006-04-02T21:26:00.000-07:00

Walking the streets in style means sporting nice kicks on your feet. I know that living in San Diego means never parting with your flip-flops. We wear them everywhere, everyday. But sometimes switching things up with a cool new pair of kicks is just what your street style needs. And I know just the place to go.

Blends, at 726 Market Street in downtown, is a great sneaker boutique. This small unassuming shop carries loads of trendy kicks ---here, even the familiar brand names like Adidas, Nike and Reebok shoes come in cooler styles and colors. Hip brands, Feit, Creative Recreation and the DC Artist series can be found there too. These are so much cooler than those old white shoes we wore back in grade school. Remember how we all wore the same ones, like uniforms? But with the selection at Blends, you have the potential to sport some styles that can express your individuality. So kick off those flip-flops once in awhile and cover those nasty winter toes with something stylish.

Tie one on!

2006-03-31T22:19:00.000-08:00

My buddy, Noel, needed a tie to go with his black suit so he could wear it to his sister's wedding in Ireland. Since he was busy travelling for work and didn't have the time to shop for ties --- not to mention he hates shopping and wouldn't know the first thing about picking a nice tie --- I offered to pick one up for him. I knew he had two dress shirts (I picked both of them out) --- one dark grey and the other, lavender.

I found a great selection of men's silk ties at the Barneys New York outlet store in Carlsbad. There were rows upon beautiful rows of vibrant colors. Mens' ties are the one way that men get to really express themselves in fashion. It was so exciting to see the variety. Some of the details were soooo cute --- like adorable little flowers or cool geometric shapes. I don't remember my dad (who shopped at Barneys for his suits) sporting such colorful ties --- were they even available then?

Cristina and I picked out two black ties ($39/each) with some purple in both...although I have to admit that we were tempted to get the cheesey one with the green shamrocks but I'm sure he would have thrown it at me. So we resisted and got the black ones that would go well with either dress shirt. One tie with little squares is more conservative and the other with polka dots is more fun. He chose the polka dots. It is a wedding in Ireland afterall and that's pretty much the definition of FUN! So when he ties one on with the bride and groom, it will be with a gorgeous silk tie AND a tasty Guinness.

Collectors Items

2006-03-07T00:34:00.000-08:00

In the dictionary, one of the definitions for the word "magpie" is: one who compulsively collects small objects. When you walk into the South Park boutique named Magpie (2205 Fern Street), you would find many things to satisfy that compulsive desire...but these aren't just ordinary objects that any ol' pack-rat would want to hoard. We're talking quality and good taste here. This shop sells an eclectic mix of vintage and new...everything from leather boots to baby clothes created by San Diego designer, Shayna Yates who's label is called Fancy Pants. (Check out those adorable handmade baby shoes from Portland too --- soooo cute.)

It's the great selection of local designers and little-known labels that make this unique shop a gem. I stopped by last Sunday for one of their trunk shows (which they have frequently according to co-owner, David Cuzick--- and it's worth it to stop by just to have him pour you a free mimosa!) That day's featured designer, Rory Rabut (who's line is called Stitch and Pull), is a local guy who's creations redefine "recycling". He uses (or should I say re-uses) thrift store finds and old bicycle tires and probably whatever else he can find to make his clothes, bags, and bracelets. I really liked the leather bracelets made from old belts, very western. I bet the Brokeback Mountain boys might even like those.

I loved the Sally Bee tee-shirts with their interesting graphics, great color combinations and fine quality material. But my favorite line there is called Spica, designed by Tijuana artist Gabriella Fuentes. She makes everything from skirts to jewelry which is gorgeous. Her necklaces are reversible and made from all kinds of innovative materials. I also loved a green velvety bag with cool stitching of a girl and wood handles. (It also comes in red and black.) It's obvious that she pays attention to details.

Speaking of details, even the walls have objects worth collecting. The owners, Meegan and David Cuzick are both artists . Their paintings decorate the walls (although they often show other local artists). It gives the boutique a nice SoHo art-museum feel. It is easy to browse around the store, digesting the unique art on the racks, the shelves, and the walls...plenty for any magpie to hoard into her collection.

A cocktail of clothes & jeans on tap

2006-02-13T22:57:00.000-08:00

Picture this perfect combination: a hot new pair of jeans and an ice cold beer ... For some of us, it's intoxicating enough to find some cute new outfits, but at L.A. Fairchild Denim Bar in Cardiff, you can try on dozens of the latest designer jeans and the helpful stylists would even serve you a bottle of beer (or water) from behind the bar. (They keep them on stock for their special events.) It's a great way to keep your man occupied while you shop! The store is designed just like a sports bar, complete with a big screen TV and a pool table.

Located in the Cardiff Towne Center, The Denim Bar opened in October just across from its older sister, L.A. Fairchild Boutique which has a decent selection of name brand clothes for women, including Project E t-shirts, Primp sundresses, and Theory career outfits. I loved a colorblock tank by Ella Moss and a couple of adorable vests by True Religion (but kinda pricey at $185/each). There are baskets filled with flip-flops and flats and accessories like purses and belts and even lingerie. I think I would like the boutique even more if they carried more unique designers, maybe some up & coming local ones or hard-to-find European or Asian labels. I mean, the big department stores already carry Theory, Penguin, Ella Moss, True Religion, and Rock & Republic. Boutiques have that rare opportunity to be eccentric and truly unique; I wish they would take advantage of that and give shoppers that fabulous feeling of discovering a treasure.

That said, the service at both shops is fabulous. That's particularly important when you are shopping for the "perfect pair of jeans", which usually means that you try-on practically every pair in the store! You can even call them and set up an appointment if you can't make it there during their regular hours (M-F,11am-7pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 12pm-5pm).

The Denim Bar carries the mens clothes and all the shoes. The selection of mens shirts was refreshing... in tons of colors and styles. And, of course, so was the selection of jeans (for both men and women, priced from $88-$300). But missing were some other brands that I was hoping to find there like James or Edun. When I mentioned this to owner, Laura Fairchild, she seemed open to suggestions so hopefully my next visit will put me in a new pair of one of those. But don't worry, there's still plenty to chose from ( Habitual, 575, Antik, AG, Serfontaine, Chip&Pepper, Joe's, Hudson, Red Engine, Blue Cult, Yanuk, Union)... with all those styles, cuts, colors and washes, there's bound to be a pair that could make you look hot even without beer-goggles!

The Shopping Bug & Pigs Flying

2006-02-05T21:56:00.000-08:00

The shopping bug has unexpectedly bitten my friend, Kevin. I'm not sure if I should be proud and happy or if I should look up in the sky for pigs flying.

Kevin makes fun of me and his wife, Cristina, when we go shopping. Kevin is not a shopper. Kevin doesn't browse. For his birthday, he is psyched when you get him a package of white sweat socks. That's the Kevin I know.

But yesterday when I was over their house, Kevin said something as we were leaving --- "When you guys get back, if you want to hit up the TJ Maxx, I'll go with..." WHAAAA? I glanced up at the sky in a panic. Nope. No pigs. He really just said that he wanted to go shopping with us!

Cristina explained that he was bitten with the shopping bug earlier that day when she took him to Marshalls in Solana Beach. He found a great deal and was really psyched about it. Now he's one of us. One of us "great-buy-finders" who enjoy shopping at stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Loehmans, or Ross. We are patient. We are thrifty. We are smart. (Although my friend, Jim compares it to "dumpster diving", we think it's a lot more fun. And clean.)

Kevin is just the third person this week to tell me about a great buy found at either Marshalls or TJ Maxx. Earlier, my friend, Susan, was wearing an adorable pair of Saucony sneakers that she bought at TJ Maxx for $29. They looked so cute on her...black and pink (I love when sneakers are a color OTHER than white!)

And Cristina, who has been looking for a new purse this season, found a pretty one at TJ Maxx. She bought a dark bordeaux leather bag (Enzo Angiolini) from the clearance rack. It's always worth a once-over glance to check out their clearance bags. They carry a lot of great name brands. Last month I picked up a cute ecru-colored Anne Klein purse on clearance for $18 (regularly $80) and a stylish short-sleeve collared sporty top by Coach for $22 (retailed for $128).

My friends and I swear by these stores. We feel absolutely giddy when we buy some "name-brand something" for at least half of what it retails for at regular department stores. Back in the day when I was just starting out with an entry-level salary and living paycheck to paycheck, it was hard to justify buying new clothes every season so I frequented these discount stores. Nowadays, I don't have to shop there...but I do. And so does Kevin.

eskimos in t-shirts

2006-02-02T21:48:00.000-08:00

Besides jeans, t-shirts are a true staple to most people's wardrobes. Worn with pride and treasured for years (despite stains or holes), t-shirts really say a lot about a person. Even freebies have a place in the heart of t-shirt lovers. (I once asked this guy I was dating what style of t-shirts he likes b/c I wanted to get him one and he said, "Free. My style is free.") Today I saw some really fun tees. They're not free but they are worth paying for.

I went to a great little shop in Little Italy called Igloo...with a name like that, it's got to have cool things! It's on 640 W. Beech Street, no sign---just a little picture of an igloo on the door. Those clever artsy guys. Gary, the owner, is a freelance graphic artist who works in a little loft above the store. (Get some stairs, Gary. Dammit, get some stairs.) Some of the t-shirts he carries there are made by local San Diego artists. I bought a tank top made by a local artist. It's got a big red kiss on the front and the words "besos not bombs" (the name of the company) on the back. It could get me arrested on Capitol Hill. But many are just clever and funny with really cool graphics on them. And there are plenty of colors to choose from. Igloo carries some other cool things like artsy books and a few crazy skateboards, but the t-shirts are the reason you should check them out. Maybe it's time to replace those stained and holey tees? And if you're lucky, Gary's dog, Henry will be there to greet you with little eskimo kisses.

VD

2006-02-01T20:21:00.000-08:00

My favorite Hallmark holiday is coming: Valentine's Day. NOT. How I feel about Valentine's Day is exactly how I feel about most holidays. Those who know me will understand. (Right KG?)

But these super cheesey holidays give us the chance to get out there and buy something. And I've noticed some shops with really cute Valentine's Day displays. Today, we went into a little boutique in downtown called Scott James. This store used to be in Hillcrest (and one in Mission Hills) but both of those have closed. This one, located on E Street between 9th&10th, has been open since October. They have lots of gift items, cards, and jewelry. The jewelry is ecclectic and original --- a perfect Valentine's gift. They carry the "seatbelt" line of purses in every size and style. The window display is alarmingly red but somehow tasteful. My friend/colleague, Nina, bought a darling vintage necklace ---long and yellow and soooo "in" --- and a box of blank notecards, both for a friend's birthday. The new owner of the shop says that the location is great and they get tons of foot traffic there now that it's the new hip place to be so I'm excited to see what other cool places will open on that street. Right now, there's a small day spa (which was closed), a tattoo parlor, and a cool little record shop. (I think my friend, Jason, would like that place --- lots o vinyl and some cool tee-shirts). And if you get hungry, just walk down to the corner to Pokez for a yummy burrito. That's what we did. Even if your shopping bag's not full your belly will be.

shop til you drop

2006-01-30T16:38:00.000-08:00

So I decided to start blogging about the one thing that I'm really good at --- ok, I'm good at a few other things but I'm not writing about THAT - this is about SHOPPING. Specifically, about shopping in San Diego. My friend and colleague and I do a little thing in the local newspaper called SD Style where we cruise around town and stop people we like the looks of and ask them about their clothes and style. (Truth be told, sometimes we stop them just because they look hilarious.) I take a picture of them and it runs every Sunday in the Style section. It's fun and we enjoy checking people out. But it's also cool to find out where everyone buys their stuff. By the way, most popular answer to the question, "Where do you like to shop?" : vintage stores.

Honestly, do all these people really shop at vintage stores? Most of them look like they just walked out of the Gap. But whatever.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my different shopping experiences. Retail therapy meets venting.

Ok, I guess it won't always be venting. There will also be praise where praise is due. Recently, I returned a sweater I bought around Christmas to the Anthropologie store in Encinitas. I had already worn the sweater once but the knitting started to unravel. It was very disappointing --- I always thought their quality was above par and often justified my purchases there that way. (I mean, some of those prices! geez. I should mention that Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters have the same owners and carry similar styles. Urban is more affordable --- especially the sale racks where you can find some great bargains on the latest styles.) I went straight up to the counter and showed the sales clerk the damage and began to explain. But before I even finished my sentence, she just smiled and said "ok". That's it. She didn't need some sob story or me screaming for the manager for my money back. It was just "ok". Now that's service. It's the kind of service that buys loyalty.