House of Cramel

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 .

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!

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!

Sometimes accidents are the best things! Here's what I mean. One of my best girlfriends and I met to go to lunch at Yeah! Burger. As we were walking the strap on my shoe broke! As you can imagine I was horrified! I loved that shoe and further more, how was I going to walk to Yeah! Burger with one shoe?? I told my friend "I need to find a store! I need a shoe! There has to be a boutique or something around here!" She said "There's a boutique right up here" She was referencing a store in her building. This is how I found Demure Boutique of West Midtown. I walked in to this beautiful store and the sales girls was ready to help. I informed her of my shoes crisis and told her what I needed. She led me to the CUTEST flip flops.

These are the shoes that saved my life on Howell Mill Road, cute huh? I know! Demure is a trendy boutique that sells unique women's clothes, shoes, and accessories. Honestly I haven't seen my shoes anywhere else yet and they were a pretty comfortable price. Two things that stood out to me about Demure during the short time I was there were 1) The accessories: The bags they have in there are "haute"! 2) The graphic tees: Snappy phrases, quality shirts. They also have a nice collection of sundresses right now. Based on the short time I was there I received some great service, saw some great items, and bought some great shoes. To top if off the place is set up really nice, they have a chandelier that gives the store ambiance something special.

Demure Boutique has two locations, these the location at 1016 Howell Mill Rd Suite B Atlanta, GA and there's also a location at 1230 Caroline Street Suite 110 Atlanta GA (This location is in the shopping center on Moreland Ave, just before you get to Little Five Points). You can also visit Demure at www.demureclothing.com , not online shopping available but it does showcase some of the clothes. Demure also has a facebook and follow them on twitter @DemureAtlanta.

On the eve of Easter I was so graciously accepted by my hair stylist for a much needed hair appointment at Keka's Hair Boutique ( follow her on twitter @KekaHairMUA I love her!!) During a conversation about my desire to open my own boutique, she told me her sister had a boutique right upstairs. So you know I had to check it out for all my boutique freaks!! Sherane's Vintage Closet sells, you guessed it, vintage fashions for males and females but mostly females. Sherane Heron is the owner, she was onsite the day of my visit. She was very sweet and hospitable. She offered me a snack and beverage as I shopped (food always warms my heart!).

Sherane's reminds me of a big lofty closet, well that is pretty much what it is. But its pretty great, there are about five racks of one of kind vintage clothing, a corner of hot vintage hats and purses, and this wonderful vanity that I was drawn too full of beautifully handmade hair accessories.

Top Three things that differentiates Sherane's Vintage Closet from not just other vintage boutiques but other boutiques period: 1) She has an in house seamstress that does custom alterations on site! 2) Sherane's only sells one of each item 3) A portion of all proceeds from Sherane's Vintage Closet goes to the To Be Free Campaign, an anti-human trafficking campaign

Sherane's Vintage Closet is located at 1016 Howell Mill Road Suite 3207 (10th street entrance) Atlanta, GA 30318, while your there make sure you book an appointment with Keka at Keka's Hair Boutique! You can also visit Sherane's online at www.sheranesvintagecloset.com 
for online shopping and updates on the boutique. Oh yea, they feed you on Saturdays!!! So if your looking for that one of kind piece, check out Sherane's Vintage Closet. Tell them Boutique Freak sent you!

I was in the West Village area in Smryna and while I noticed Plush Boutique was now closed I also noticed a new comer to the area. The "Plus Size" sign in the window is what got my attention. So I took a little visit for my Boutique Freaks! This boutique is called Heavy Chevy & Lucy Lou's (reminds you a the title of a Big Boi album right?) As I walked in the first thing that I noticed were all the colors everywhere. There was a variety of everything from what I can remember. What caught me off guard was the lack of interest by the salesperson that someone had just walked in. I looked around at clothes and the very attractive boutique and tried to figure out how everything was organized...but I couldn't. I didn't know if these clothes came from previous owners, whether it was a special vintage shop, so I just asked. I asked the young stylish fellow if this was a vintage boutique and he said no, but the owner does sell vintage. He didn't volunteer any other information, but I did ask him if the owner was here and he informed me she was not.

I took this really nice flyer with me with the hopes of being able to find out more information on this new boutique, but after a couple of attempts at trying to visit, I kept being led to some other site that had nothing to do with the store. They do have a facebook page, but at this time it isn't that informative. I'm not going to rate this boutique because everything seems to still be in infancy. I do plan to go back and I will give you guys an updated posts. What I will tell you is that there is a wide variety of clothing there for men and women, and they also have plus size clothing avaiblable (for my thicker than a snicker chicks lol, love you guys muah!) In the mean time you an visit Heavy Chevy & Lucy Lou's for yourselves at 4500 West Village Place, suite 4015, Smyrna, GA 30080, same area as Kandi's TAGS boutique. Tell me what you think!

Okay well, while iKandie Clothing boutique is hardly the last store standing in the East Atlanta Village, it is one of the last boutiques, its neighbor House of Bling recently emptied its racks and closed its doors. One would think there was a curse on trendy boutiques that settle into the eccentric community of East Atlanta Village. While restautants like the Graveyard Tavern, the East Atlanta Restaurant and Lounge (affectionately refered to as The EARL), and Grant Central Pizza have had great success in the East Atlanta Village, most boutiques such as the trendy children's boutique Blah Blah Boutique and House of Bling haven't had the same luck. Perhaps the secret lies in the real estate. iKandie boutique has been arround for atleast 2 to 3 years, could be more, but before iKandie made its debut, that very same space was that of Pieces of Adrene. Pieces of Adrene was the most successful boutique I'd seen in East Atlanta and probably stayed around the longest. Adrene moved her boutique over the Castleberry Hills area in Atlanta in a larger space and in an area she felt was her market. Then along came iKandie! iKandie does live up to its name. No particular labels sold in the store but the clothes are fabolous just the same. The prices are really affordable, most of the pieces are unique and under $100 and the accessories are under $25. Watch the window for sales as well, iKandie just recently had a sale for 50% off all the clothing store! Can't beat that! I give iKandie boutique an over 4 pumps up! Great prices, great mix of cloting and accessories, and pretty good customer service. Love that combo! Visit iKandie Boutique at 493-A Flat Shoals Ave Atlanta, GA 30316

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)

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Cramel Edwards. I love fashion and all things beautiful. I'm not rich but like most women I love to shop! I've worked in retail for over six years. I didn't always know I loved fashion but when I fell in love, I FELL HARD! LOL! Enough about me, let get to my first entry. I was visiting family this summer in Miami. And of course I had to visit the one and only DASH Miami! I was so excited! After all, this was the fabulous Kardashian store. Nestled in the mist of the South Beach retail/restaurant strip people flocked in. But Dash.....lets say it seemed for like a tourist stop.

They get a B- for decor, it was a very attractive store decked out with "Kardashian" art, and a lovely black and hot pink color scheme. There were two Dash Dolls visible and for those wondering, yes, the girls working in the store were actual girls from the TV show, no facade there. As far as the shopping experience, I give it a D-, aside from the parade of people that were walking around the store just to "see it", there weren't many clothes AT ALL, not even by boutique standards. And the few pieces that were in there were pretty expensive. I didn't see anything in the store that I felt like any of the Kardashian sister would wear! My sister and I felt bad for just coming in to view the boutique so we decided we'd buy some souvenir water (a bottle of water with the Kardashian sisters faces on it, much like the art that is displayed about my head in the picture) but the young lady told me the water was $10. So we left it there, I mean its not like it was Fiji. I'll give them a little credit, maybe the shop was like that because the series was actually running on TV, but I would think they'd want to try and capture some sales otherwise they're going to have to start charging people to get in the store to make some money. Maybe when the TV series isn't running the boutique is alot better....I don't know. You be the judge.