House of Cramel

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!

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!)

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!

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!

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!

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 taken by me

Hello Boutique Freaks! Hope the holidays were good to you. Now New Years Eve is upon us and I feel like you guys need something different. I think you need something one of a kind. The best way to get something "One of a kind" is to go VINTAGE!! Today I visited Poor Little Rich Girl vintage shop located at 3393 Main Street in College Park, GA. The moment you start driving down Main Street in Historic College Park its like driving through time. The strip of shops look as if they might have been frozen in time from the '60s. What an appropriate area of town for this boutique.

Picture taken by Me

Walking into the shop is like walking into you affluent and fashionable 55 - 65 year old Aunt's fabulous walk-in closet. The set up is awesome. Co-Owner Kenny showed me around the store. I told him I was afraid to even touch some of the clothes but he told me they encourage customers to try on the clothes. Wouldn't that be a fun time for you and your girlfriends? This shop gets an A for decor. The light blue paint on the walls and the hardwood floors give the shop a comfortable, homey feel. The outfits that are displayed on the walls are great and there are even vintage props displayed around the shop like luggage and books. I also give the shop an A for shopping experience. Kenny did a wonderful job showing me around the store, showing me pieces they'd just gotten in, and answering any questions I had. The prices are pretty cool too, I eyed some cute accessories as low as $8 and I really had my eye on some gorgeous blouses than ran $16 and up. There are definately some unique pieces in the shop. I'm sure that patterned jumpsuit or the red beaded and sequin dress displayed in the window would be FAB on someone for New Years Eve. And you wouldn't have to worry about anyone else having your outfit if you shop here. While everyone else poors into the malls to find their New Years outfits, make your way to Poor Little Rich Girl and get Retro Glam! You will LOVE IT! You can also shop online www.etsy.com/shop/plrg or learn more about the shop at www.plrgvintage.com .

Hello Boutique Freaks! Today I'll be telling you about my experiences at TAGS, Co-Owned by Real Atlanta Housewife Kandi Buress. Yes I said experiences, I've been about 3 or 4 times. Each time after my first time I brought someone else (that wasn't my sister) back with me.That in itself says alot. Tags offers some really great selections. One other thing I really like about Tags is that there is a great selection of men's clothing and I'm not talking a little corner of the store selection. I'm talking one entire side of the store is dedicated to menswear. Great right?

When you set foot in Tags you will more than likely see Peaches. She's also Co-Owner of Tags Boutique. On the weekends you may even see her daughters (I assume those were her daughters) helping out. On my visits to Tags I've never seen Kandi but that not to say she's never there. I've certainly seen Kandi around other parts of the city (we went to see Precious at Midtown together, she doesn't know that though because I was sitting with my friends and she was sitting with her friends lol) so I'm sure she's frequents the store. I'm not sure if she still does this, but according to an episode of Atlanta Housewives she'd began recording her 'Kandi Koated Nights' web show there.

The Big 'O' Otis Redding Foundation Presents An Evening of Respect

For Shopping experience I give Tags a B+, they offer a great selection at really down to earth prices! Exclusive fashions for great prices, enough said! You can also "Tag" yourself by purchasing a Tags graphic tee. Peaches does a great job with interacting with customers, I even recall one I went in she had refreshments set up for shoppers. For decor, I give it a B, the shop is pretty simple, the are a couple nice furniture pieces and the fitting area is very lounge like. The store does a great job of not letting the store outshine the clothes, but the store still looks great. Am I making any sense? Either way, Tags gets a solid 4 out of 5 pumps. Go check it out online at www.tagsatl.com or in Smyrna, GA at West Villiage Place.