House of Cramel

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 :-)

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!

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!

Picture from In Her Shoes Blog Website on the Remodel Your Life Article

Okay, so if you don't know this woman you should! This is Ms. Adrene Ashford. Celebrity Stylist and Owner of House of Adrene boutique located in Castleberry Hills in Atlanta. 264 Peter Street Atlanta, GA 30313 to be exact. Why do I bring her to you to do, because I KNOW SHE'S FABULOUS! I've shopped with Adrene since her Pieces of Adrene days in East Atlanta up until she relocated to the Castleberry Hills area and opened Adrene Boutique. She's been around for quite and awhile and knows how to keep her boutique alive and relevant even through the toughest times (Recessions, Burgulary, yep she's been through it) My only regret is that I haven't gotten the chance to visit her latest evolution that is House of Adrene. But I already know its fabolous.

I give her a A for customer service and shopping experience. Not only can you find her in her store on any given day but she and her staff are always willing to help and go above and beyond. Plus, there are some excellent fashion options in the store both popular and emerging designers can be found in her store. So you know I will definately be paying her a visit soon. You can also catch some pretty great events happening in the boutique as well. Go visit her, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. I'll definately be back to give you my insight on House of Adrene! But so far she gets a 5 "pump" rating from me! (Get it? pumps? shoes? okay if you don't you will)