Wednesday, December 21, 2011

B-Braithwaite Baby Boutique


Hello Boutique Freaks! I'm back, bringing you something a tad different. My friend Rae and I were walking around her neighborhood one day visiting some of the shops and enjoying some food on a strip on Howell Mill. Its fairly close to area where Room and Board, YEAH! Burger, and other cool shops are. Rae told me she had to show me this baby boutique because she knew that I would love it. I thought it was one of the most adorable things I'd ever seen the moment I stepped in front of the store! This place is call B-Braithwaite. Its an upscale baby boutique.
Now, I don't have any kids. However, I love all things cute and this doesn't exclude baby clothes and accessories! For instance, this beautiful giraffe would look great in any child's room, I loved it! I don't know a whole lot about baby products and clothing brands (other than what popular designers produce for fashion heads and their mini me's) but I do still know fabulous and great quality when I see it. B-Braithwaie is full of highend baby products.
You will definitely find the what's what of the who's who here at B-Braitwaite. If your ever wondering where can I find a stroller like the one Rachel Zoe is carrying baby Skyler in? Where can I find an outfit like the one Kourtney Kardashian has for baby Mason? or where can I find pieces like the one's Kimora Lee has in baby Kenzo's room?? Well the likely hood that you'll find these things at B-Braitwaite is pretty high! The customer service is pretty great too. Even though we expressed to the sales woman that we didn't have any kids but hope to be mothers some day, she still took the time to show us around the store and answer all of our question, how cool is that? You can find this fabulous baby boutique at 1198 Howell Mill Rd Atlanta, GA 30318. B-Braithwaite also has a website at http://www.bbraithwaite.com . They also have a facebook page, so find them, like the, and visit them!!! Tell them Boutique Freak sent you!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Boutique Freaking Miami

There were some other pretty cool notables I visited in Miami while on South Beach that I feel like you guys need to know about.

Here is Star Image. Star Image is definitely the place to come if your looking to get the Jersey Shore look. Rhinestone ecrusted jeans, party dresses, "T-Shirt Time" worthy T-Shirts, and those sneakers that remind me of "red bottoms" for men are all things you can get from this place. My personal favorites are the collection of blingy rosary beads, crystal ball beaded bracelets and other accessories they had.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Image is located on 851 Washington Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139, the customer service was pretty decent. I really liked the lady, wish I would have gotten her name. The next notable is a spot called Whats Up Skate Shop.

 I didn't attempt to take any picture in the shop as it looked like they were in the middle of stocking the store. I still thought the store was pretty nice and the merchandise they had was on point. It was mostly graphic tees. Funny story, my male friend has these graphic tees with these hot photos of women printed on them. I always wondered where he got them and discovered that Whats Up is one of the places you can find shirts like his, I saw two of his shirts in the store. If your into the cool, skate boy look or the college boy look, stop by Whats Up Skate Shop. Its located at 859 Washington Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Last notable boutique I have for you guys is Deco Collection located on 901 Washington Ave Miami Beach, FL. Theres a good mix of men's and women's clothing. The thing that caught my eye were these "attention grabbing" shirts in the door. Parental discrestion is advised for the viewing of these shirts.

 

 

Well thats all folks! Its back to Atlanta for me for now! XOXO!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

U-Rock Couture: U ROCK BLING!!

Hello Boutique Freaks! I'm bringing you another boutique I visited during my trip in Miami. I actually eyed this boutique when I was in Miami last year in 2010. So I made it one of my missions to get back to this place when I discovered I would be making another trip to Miami. Its called U-Rock Couture. There are a plethora of different shops on South Beach but U-Rock Couture stands out amoung many. The overall theme of the store seems to be to sell anything fabulous and over the top! I loved it. The store decor itself was quite over the top and extravagant.

 

Needless to say I was in complete awe as I walked through the store! Everything is so blingy, so over the top, so glam, with a Cuban or Hispanic flair. My most favorite part of the store were the shoes! I can't say this enough, if you know me you know I love most things with sparkles, glitter, and sequins. Glam :-) The shoes were all these things and more.

These babies run around $150 to $200 a pop. They seem pretty well made, so I'd say they're worth it. The other reason I feel like they're worth it are because the Gianmarco Lorenzi shoes that these beauties are inspired by cost around $2,750 to $3,000. You make the call. U-Rock Couture is also fill with other glams clothes and accessories, like the completely necessary blinged out Dwayne Wade jersey the mannequinn is holding below, rhinestone rimmed shades, and glamerous belts

 

U-Rock Couture is definitely the place to find all these glamerous, blingy, and over the top! So if your ever your ever in Miami and your looking for some pieces that will set you apart from the competition, stroll on down Ocean Drive and visit U-Rock Couture Boutique. Their located exactly at 928 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139. Tell them the girl that they told to stop taking all the pictures sent you there! You can also visit there facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/U-Rock-Couture/130807413647414#!/pages/U-Rock-Couture/130807413647414 .

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Dash Miami: Revisited!

Hello Boutique Freaks! This past week I was in Miami. Even though I was there under unfortunate circumstances I couldn't help but do the two things I love to do..1) Shop and 2) Window Shop! (What'd you think??) So needless to say I visited some stores while I was there. Now, if you've followed Boutique Freak from the beginning or took the time to read all the post you'll know I've done a post in Miami before; it was on the very popular Dash Miami boutique. The first time I went Dash seemed to be merely a tourist stop on Washington Ave for people to take picture in. Well I'm happy to report that that is not so anymore! It actually looks like a store. Unfortunately I couln't take a picture of how full the store looked and the very nice pieces they had to offer (security was watching me hard!) but I did take two pictures of myself there, you tell me if you notice anything different....
                                                                                                                                                                                  
  To take a look at my first post on Dash click here ~~>Dash Miami otherwise read on for all the new things I have to say about it. I'm not sure how often Dash changes their decor but they did. It was cute before, but I really like the change in the whole vibe of the boutique. I mean it actually felt like a boutique! They even decorated for halloween :-) As far as the clothes. not only did they actually have clothes in the store (unlike last time I went) but they had some great pieces. There was one designer that really stood out to me that they seemed to carry alot of called Alice + Olivia and I fell in love with this dress
  Isn't she lovely???? Anybody that knows me well knows I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE SEQUINS!! Anyways, thats just a sample of the fabulousness that Dash has "in store". As far as prices go, Dash is what I'd like to call moderately expensive. The dress that I loved so much cost about $600. So if you plan on shopping in Dash make sure you bring your big girl wallet! Otherwise you can fill your shopping bags with bottles of Kardashian water, candles, and other knick knacks they have to sell to people that want to come in the store but not leave empty handed...
So if your ever in Miami go ahead and stop by, hopefully the store remains consistent in their offerings. Its located at 815 Washingston Ave Miami, FL 33139, or you could just walk the streets near South Beach and stumble upon it. Apparently visiting the store is the only way you will have access to the clothes because I've searched the internet far and wide and have not been able to come up with an official website for the store itself. Maybe for exclusivity?? I don't know. But if you stop by tell they Boutique Freak sent you and told you they actually have clothes in the store!

Monday, October 17, 2011

The Lucky Exchange

Hello Boutique Freakers! Well it October and I know alot of you guys are starting to look for one of a kind pieces for upcoming costume parties, events..so of you just love finding new places to hunt for one of a kind pieces. Well all know Vintage is the way to go when your looking for price savy exclusivity! Well, my sister and I were on our way to grab dinner at Little Azio on Moreland (try the Tortellini entree, its awesome!), and I saw a new store in the same plaza.

 

Its called the Lucky Exchange. There are two locations, theres the new location I visited at 749 Moreland Ave Atlanta, GA 30316, and theres the original

location at 212 Ponce De Leon Ave Atlanta, GA 30308. The Lucky Exchange reminds me of a smaller version of The Clothing Warehouse. It is very

organized and easy to shop vintage and modern clothing and accessories. They have some cute accessories, I questioned the quality of some of the

pieces but there were some cute things there.

   

There is something else that makes the Lucky Exchange different and its all in the name. They specialize in the resale of Men's and Women's clothing and accessories. They offer cash and store credit for unique or name brand apparel and accessories. Lucky Exchange asked that the clothing is clean, free of stains, and needs no repair. For any other details give them a call. So if your interested in shopping for something new and different pieces, try the Lucky Exchange. Or if you interested in transitioning your wardrobe, bring your fabulous fashions in to Lucky Exchange and get something new!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

My My My: MY MY MY!!!


Hello Boutique Freaks! So this wasn't originally suppose to be my next post, BUT I had such an amazing time here I had to share it! My partner in crime and I were taking a leisurely stroll down Peachthree Street. We were headed CB2 (Crate & Barrel and lkea married each other and created CB2) and I saw this boutique and literally ran across the street. I was put on to My My My a little while ago by one of my friends. Shout out to Kudzi, follow him on twitter @SirGarde (He's one of the dopest people I know) I think he does work at a another boutique called Coposhi. Look for a future post on Coposhi as well! But back to the story. So I walk in and its like I walked into an enchanted world. Don't believe me? Look.
 
 
Enchanting right??! My My My! Atlanta marries vintage and modern apparel and accessories. I love it! And associates there are just as appealing as the boutique! All of them were soooo nice! They were also very informative and they made it a point to make sure my friend and I knew that all their prices were negotiable. Another really special thing about My My My are the accessories they have available. There is a line of what I like to call "Sparkly" Shoes there made by designer and Atlanta Native Erica Jones. There is also an AMAZING line of crystal jewelry and accessories by designer Princess Brandy. Princess Brandy's designs have been featured on episodes of VH1's Single Ladies. One particular piece I remembered that I saw in the display case at the shop was a silver and clear crystal clutch carried by Stacy Dash's character Valerie on the show ( I want to say it was the first episode). Some of the clothing at My My My was also used to dress the ladies of VH1's hit show Single Ladies. You can find My My My! Atlanta at 900 Peachtree Street NE Atlanta, GA 30309. The store is open Tuesday - Sunday 11am - 7pm and Monday by appointment or "chance". I really feel love with this place and I'm sure you can find many one of a kind and get custom pieces here! Stop by and tell them Boutique Freak sent you :-)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

CelebBoutique.com: "Celeb style at high street prices"

Today I'm going to do something a little different. Sometimes the greatest finds are right at your fingertips! While looking through some of my favorite blogs I ran across a link to this site called Celebboutique.com. This site takes the looks of your favorite fashion foward celebrities and finds designers that create fashions that are inspired by them. I use the term inspired loosely as these clothes and accessories pretty much imitate them. But lets be clear, these are "inspirations" not "fabrications". CelebBoutique.com does not claim to sell the real thing for unbelievable prices. CelebBoutique aims to provide clothes, shoes, and accessories that align with the looks of your favorite stars like Beyonce', Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, and others. What I really like about CelebBoutique is that you can shop their products by "celebrity".

Once you click on your celebrity of choice, the site puts together a collection of clothing, accessories, and shoes that are inspired by the looks that particular celebrity has worn. One of my personal favorites is the hooded glitter dress pictured above. That dress is inspired by a dress created by designer Brian Lichtenberg. I love him and WILL own a dress of his one day :-) Have I shopped with CelebBoutique yet? No. But I'm open to the idea of it and I do like the concept. So visit www.CelebBoutique.com, let me know what you think!

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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Junkman's Daughter: In the midst of "junk", there is treasure :-)

Okay, don't be alarmed! I know some of you are like "Where are you taking us??" But have no fear, there is fabulosity here! I do have preferences but I also have an open mind. If you want to find one of a kind pieces you have to visit one of a kind places! Junkman's Daughter is definitely one of a kind. Self proclaimed as "Atlanta's Alternative Superstore", Junkman's Daughter definitely stands up to its name. You'll find all kinds of things here, everything from costumes, gag gifts, and some rather interesting home decor items. Aside from all that, there are also clothes, shoes, and accessories. And believe it or not, styled the right way, a lot of it is very cute! Look at these items I spotted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not convinced? Well let me show you the real treasure at the Junkman's Daughter. Right after you pass this:

You go up the stairs and you will find yourself in somewhat of a shoe heaven (literally because its at the top of the store). If you want a unique, one of a kind shoe visit Junkman's Daughter. Be brave enough to walk in and you'll be glad you did because your probably walking out with something no one in your circle has. They also have a great selection of what I like to call "stripper" shoes, military boots, and other interesting footwear.

Junkman's Daughter was actually started by a real junkman's daughter. Her name is Pam Majors. Believe it or not she started this store back in 1982 with an accumulation of her own parents "junk". Majors store has attracted the likes of celebrities like Bono, Betsy Johnson, Usher, Lenny Kravitz, OutKast, Cee Lo Green and more! So dare yourself, in the name of FASHION, to visit the Junkman's Daughter! It located in Little Five Points of Atlanta. Exact address is 464 Moreland Ave Atlanta, GA 30307. There is also another store in Athen, GA affectionately named the Junkman's Daughter's Brother. You may also visit the website for more info at www.thejunkmansdaughter.com .

 

(I forgot to mention I discovered after I got upstairs that I wasn't suppose to take pictures for fear of negative press on the internet. So Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but I do this for my BOUTIQUE FREAKS!! Enjoy! XOXO!)

Friday, July 15, 2011

Bill Hallman Flaunt

Alright BFs (Boutique Freaks) I've got to admit I was a little off my "picture taking" game ( it's not photography because I'm HARDLY a photographer!). But I'm going to post the pictures I did take anyway. I was actually very distracted by 1) the chandelier 2) the clothes and 3) the young lady that helped my friend and I. The picture of this beautiful chandelier is in Bill Hallman Flaunt at Little Five Points in Atlanta. Chandeliers and boutiques just go together, but I digress! Bill Hallman has three boutiques in Atlanta that sell Women's and Men's Apparel and Accessories. However this particular location only sold items for women. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience there. The sales associate greeted my friend and I when we walked in. The minute she heard us gawking over some of the dresses she offered us a fitting room to began trying on the clothes. So it was only natural that I tried on a couple things :-) I like Bill Hallman because the merchandise flows with today's trends, but at the same time they've chosen pieces that can still be worn from one year to the next. They seem to focus on not just what hot for today, but rather just on what's hot! Period! You can find some of the latest designer collections here as well as Bill Hallman's own collection. Here's a quick shot I took of some necklaces I liked. I really like the woven chains on the right!

As we were about to leave my friend was suddenly "shoe struck" by a pair of some of the hottest wedges we'd seen this summer! Needless to say she snatched them right off the mannequin! Aren't they cute?

Like I stated earlier, Bill Hallman has three locations. There's, of course, Bill Hallman Flaunt in Little Five Points, Bill Hallman Original in Virginia Highland,and Bill Hallman Studio in Buckhead. For specific addresses to these locations you can visit http://www.billhallman.com , you can also shop there! But I recommend you go in the store!  You can look forward to great clothes(in design and quality), pretty reasonable prices, and great service (you know I love great service!). So stop by Bill Hallman, tell them Boutique Freak sent you!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

La Bella Vie Boutique: Jason Scott Cares :-)

So as you guys know I just did the post of La Bella Vie. I was actually gutsy enough to share the post with the owner Jason Scott via twitter. Well when I went back into my page and clicked on my mentions I found this:

I actually teared up! (Yes I am very sensitive) Like I said in my earlier post, I really do value great guest service and this small gesture of a reply on twitter speaks volumes. Also, as I stated in the earlier post about La Bella Vie, I will be revisiting the store. I'm sure I'll have great news for all my Boutique Freaks and as well as a haute new fashion find, stay tuned :-)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

La Bella Vie Boutique: La Bella Boutique, Pas Bella Service...

 

I really wish this was a more positive post...but its not. A friend and I were shopping in the growing art district of the Castleberry Hills area of Atlanta. We decided to go into La Bella Vie Boutique. Upon entering this establishment, I saw the Sales Associate seated behind the checkout counter. I don't know what he was doing behind the counter but whatever it was must have been important because he didn't take a second to greet me or my friend when we came in. We were the only customers in the store. So my friend and I looked around on our own. The clothes were actually very very beautiful, and the visual merchandising was on point as well. I can alway appreciate great visual merchandising. But I was so underwhelmed by the "customer service " I was receiving that it put a damper on my entire experience. The sad part is the store is so nice, they had an awesome shoe display wall, there is even a table of custom made accessories by the owner, Jason Loren Scott.

I am very critical of customer service, or what I like to refer to as "guest service", especially in specialized establishments. In my opinion, in a boutique great guest service should be a given. Your level of service could be the difference in you making not just a sale, but in converting a guest or customer into YOUR CLIENT! Let me step off my soap box, as I continued to look through the racks I found a damaged piece I called the associate over to let him know. It wasn't until then that I knew he could talk! He happily took the merchandise of the floor, but sadly thats the only interaction we had. A couple minutes later a group of people came in. They must have been friends with the associate because he spoke to them and one of them sat comfortably in a seat near the accessories table. This actually made me uncomfortable because I was looking at the accessories and I felt the person in the chair looking at me.....I sincerely hope this isn't the case all the time at La Bella Vie, they've been open since 2010 so they have to be doing something right over there. La Bella Vie Boutique does have a website, you can visit them at www.labellavieboutique.net . They also have tumbler, facebook fan page, and twitter accounts. If you'd like to visit, you can find them at 309 Peters Street  SW Atlanta, GA 30313. Hopefully you'll have a better experience than I did. I do plan to visit again and hopefully get a better guest experience. And when I do, I will happily post again with better news. Until then, go down to La Bella Vie Boutique and see for yourselves! Let me know how your experience was. Jason Scott, I know you have to be fabulous because your store is beautiful, but talk to whoever is running your store when your not there!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Clothing Warehouse: "Red" in the Middle of Little Five Points

If you ever visiting Little Five Points, you can't help but see a bright RED building in the center of everything. You can't help but walk past and say to yourself or someone else "What's that red building?". Well I went in. Its called the Clothing Warehouse. The Clothing Warehouse is a vintage shop, but that's not the first thing I noticed when I walked into the store. I couldn't help but notice how open, organized, and thoughtfully merchandised this place was. In previous experiences in vintage stores I've always gotten what I like to describe as a homey or "really big closet" type feel. This isn't a negative thing, most of the time this is the fun in shopping at vintage or consignment shops. Searching through the racks, waiting to uncover a lost treasure. However this is not the case at the Clothing Warehouse.

The merchandise in the Clothing Warehouse is all organized by style and color blocked. In my opinion this is a nice change for a store that specializes in vintage. Don't get me wrong, I still love the setting and ambiance of vintage shops like Poor Little Rich Girl, thats what makes it unique. The experience is part of what makes shops like those special. But the exact opposite is part of what makes the Clothing Warehouse great. You'd never know that this business was started by a "a skinny farm kid from Ohio" named Jim Buckley. There are still hints of decoration throughout the shop that remind you that you are shopping classic vintage. There are the styled mannequinns over head around the store and the aged art that decorates the concrete walls.

Aside from their approach to merchandising, there is another thing I love about the Clothing Warehouse. The ACCESSORIES! Above is an example of a funky approach they've taken to show off the accessories. But in the middle of the store there is an island full of bangles, necklaces, and sunglasses that would make any accessory queen freak! Below is a picture of the piece I purchased, it was love at first sight. This necklace and I are now in an exclusive relationship as it was the only ONE in the store (Ahhh, the beauty of shopping boutiques!)

The Clothing Warehouse has locations in four other states. For more information about the store visit www.theclothingwarehouse.com or visit their facebook page. The location I visited is at 420 Moreland Ave Atlanta, GA in the popular part of town called Little Five Points. Go see it for yourself, tell them Boutique Freak sent you!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Wish Atlanta Boutique: "What Lies Beneath"

Every once in a while you come across something that just blows the competition away, something that takes what you thought was "on the level" and totally ELEVATES it. Let me explain. The picture above you see is of Wish, an urban shopping experience located in Little Five Points of Atlanta. The building use to be a Public Library which is historically noted on a concrete slab on the side of the building (Sorry Rae, it wasn't a bank but you were close). If you have any ounce of appreciation for art of any form, be prepared for those emotions to be provoked when you walk through the doors of Wish. The architecture is amazing, and the interior design is just as incredible, yet it manages to be understated enough to bring the focus to the merchandise. I read that the mission of owner, Lauren Amos, was not just to create another retail space, but an iconic destination. I'd say, mission accomplished.

One of things I found to be the coolest at Wish were the glass display cubes in the floor. My picture doesn't show them very well because photography and a vertically challenged person don't alway mix, but I did get a great picture of the standing display case. You'll find that Wish carries a selection of fashions by both reputable and emerging designers. Popular brands like Cheap Monday and Married to the Mob sit along side rising and unique brands like Cult of Individuality and Hellz Bellz. Wish also carries their own line of apparel and accessories. Wish appears to pride itself on exclusivity and originality. But, in my opinion, there is something a little more special about this place. Let me show you.

Downstairs in the belly of Wish is a sneaker head's paradise. Nestled in the walls of what looks like a tribute to the former public library is a selection of men's and women's shoes that would excite even the most judicious sneaker head. Displayed on lighted counter tops and shelves are brands such as Nike QS, Adidas Consortium, Android Homme, Vans Vault, Supra, and Jordan.

So if your looking for shoes that seem to be just short of an urban legend, you'll probably find it at Wish, unless your just too late. True exclusivity means its LIMITED! My suggestions? If your taking "sneaker-head 101", like myself, start by visiting Wish's website, there is a blog dedicated to products they will be and are currently carrying in the store and online. You can also follow on twitter @WishATL.  But if you want to dive right in, go for a visit and see what lies beneath the surface of this store. Wish Atlanta Boutique is located at 447 Moreland Ave Atlanta, GA 30307.

For those of you who take your shoe game so serious that you find yourself waiting for Footlocker to open a the strike of midnight for those Jordan's or scouring internet pages to find those kicks that everybody's already talking about, take your shoe game to the next level and try Wish. Your friend's aren't talking about some of these shoes because they're just not up on it. SHOW THEM WHAT THEIR MISSING! Then you decide whether or not to tell them where you got them :-) I've got to admit, I've had a few memorable impressions when visiting new stores. But by far, Wish is probably one of the most fashionably stimulating experiences I've had. I have to start making sure there isn't more than one level to any other place I visit!

 

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

House of Adrene: My first boutique love <3

Ahhh! House of Adrene. Its great to see some one evolve from one place thats already amazing to something even more amazing. I told you guys about House of Adrene in an earlier post (http://boutiquefreak.onsugar.com/House-Adrene-12725468). So you already know I've been shopping with her since her original boutique Pieces of Adrene. Here stands Adrene's evolution, literally from "pieces" to a full blown "house", House of Adrene. As soon as you walk in you are greeted by a white runway that displays folded merchandise, and there are racks on either side of the runway are adorned with Men's and Women's fashions. On this particular trip I snagged these long peacock feather earrings.

Ladies AND gentleman if you want to experience a great boutique with a great selection of popular brand as well as unique brands from local designers, stop in. You can also look forward to some great service. It always flatters me when she remembers me and affectionately refers to me as one of her "piece customers". House of Adrene is located at 264 Peters Street Atlanta, GA 30313 in the Castleberry Hills area. Also when you stop in remember to put yourself on the mailing list. The boutique hosts some great events, which is fitting because her space is so amazing. Don't miss out!