Shinzi, my Shinzi

Oh, it's here! in the store and online! Hooray for Shinzi Katoh! Here are a few niblets of what we have, but you'll have to come to the store or go to the website for more.... onigiri case $17.00 (and going fast!!)

 Short Tote $25.00

 Opp tape $6.00

Sneak Peek!

Oooh, guess who ran into a treasure trove of vintage (brought to her by her lovely customer Jax)? I did! And now you get to benefit! I'm giving you a few teaser pics of what we have--everything from adorable $25.00 shirtwaist dresses, to fancy velvet dresses to fabulous coats!

Yee Ha!

Ding Ding! New stuff!

New Loop bags and wallets--combining my favorite things: vinyl, felt and flocked animals! Tra La! There are 3 different animals (lion, giraffe and sheep) the bags are $56, the wallets are $45.

Seriously, it's been liking pulling teeth to get these shoes--they were supposed to be here mid-August! Not to mention that we are still waiting for 3 other styles. However, all is forgiven when I saw the magnificence of these shoes. The beauty. The splendor. Ahh. $179

More smencils! in regular pencil form and COLORED pencils! Hooray! It's like society has finally reached perfection, making such a wonderful item & it's out of recycled newspaper! $1.75

Come in and see for yourself, or check the website--if they aren't on there yet they will be soon!

We have a whole slew of new stuff and it is making us giddy with excitement!

Giant Ice Creams to Giant Spiders

Saturday was a big craft/display day here at the store, I took down (sadly!) our ice cream cone window to install a fun giant spider window! Look, it's legs are made with our legwarmers, and it has shoes on it's feet! If it wasn't on a web it would be a tap dancing spider!

Sorry about the glare--I'm a crappy photographer.. come see it in person!

Here are some other pics of E and I crafting away--she making knit hats for fall, myself making a flag/banner for my friend's baby shower! (by the way--banners are adorable, especially if you cut out the flags with scallop scissors. The down side? Scallop scissors will mangle your hand! ouch!)

E loves her Jimmy Johns drink! Why does she always make me put stuff on my head? And. why do I always do it?

Bird and Banner

So, I'm loving Bird and Banner's invitations today. I've seen them before and always liked them, but as I was browsing their samples today I realized how truly awesome and innovative they are! I love how they use different materials to make truly one of a kind invitations. If I got one of these in the mail, I would definitely RSVP Yes!
I of course like anything stitched, especially this card!

I love how they hand printed on linen, giving this invitation a cool tactile quality

This is awesome--not only did they make a "vintage" postcard, but they also printed some of the invitations on hankies--all part of a Paris flea market theme. Awesome!

Tee hee, this came with a lobster bib!

Eley Kishimoto

So, if you read most of the blogs that I read, than you probably have already seen this--however, if you don't, I felt like it was my duty to share such fabulousness....I present Eley Kishimoto Spring/Summer 2009

These pictures via Fashion is Spinach--I must have those tights!

Green with envy

I am green with envy as I look at this adorable blog of Betty, who lives in Paris. But not envious in a snarky way--she is too cute for that! Check it out, I think you will see what I mean...

Ahhh, shiny wallpaper!

If any of you have been to my home and have seen my bedroom, you know my love of metallic wallpaper. If you take a quick look at my bookshelf you will see my love of the British store/brand Biba--so imagine my delight when I saw that Barbara Hulanicki (the founder and designer of Biba) has come out with a range of metallic wallpapers. It is as if I have found my spiritual (shiny) home. Now, if only I didn't rent a house, I could wallpaper everything! Hmmm, Dining room?
Living room--wouldn't that be cool and lovely?
Foyer perhaps? It would lovely w/ my piano..
Bathroom definitely--does anyone else dream of a black-shiny-walled bathroom? Maybe it's just me...
Bedroom--even better if I could have that chair--otherwise known as my dream chair (someday!!)

Windows Galore

I feel like I've been in a whirlwind of window decorating. Not only are their plans to start the Halloween window this weekend, but I've just put the finishing touches on the Holiday window plans. And of course, there was the (disappointing) window challenge last night on Top Design. (although the episode was totally made worthwhile by Jonathan Adler's totally looks of confusion and disgust as he looked at the windows). And then this morning on the lovely Designsponge they are featuring Zoe Bradley, who makes these amazing paper installations for windows and exhibits. I love anything that is so giant and totally over the top! Check out her Zoe's website for her amazing portfolio, and if you are in New York head over to Kate's Paperie and check out her installation there!

Cooking Cute

I can't wait until this book comes out~

COOKING CUTE*written and illustrated by La Carmina
Perigee Books / Penguin Group USA - release date TBA* book title is provisional
Hello Kitty, Pokemon, Super Mario, Astroboy… American pop culture has been invaded by big-headed, dewy-eyed characters from Japan. The cult of kawaii (ka-why-ee, or all things cute) has spread to every aspect of living – including food. Japan’s wackiest new trend: school lunches dolled up as adorable creatures. They’re feasts for the eyes, but the natto and nori don’t exactly sit well with Western stomachs.

Cooking Cute thinks outside the bento box. Using familiar foods, La Carmina turns mundane meals into squeal-worthy sensations. A risotto ball becomes a dewy-eyed hedgehog; a cheeseball is transformed into a Nintendo blowfish. In additional to original recipes and entertaining ideas, the author's anime drawings will appear on every page. The photo-packed, four-color paperback will come out in 2009 or 2010.

See more here

(via rock'n roll bride)

(via lacarmina.com)

Polka Dot Pipettes

I am a big fan of 60's girl-groups. There's something about the cute matching outfits and choreography that always get me, not to mention the music--I mean, hello, Leader of the Pack? Can it get any better than The Shangri-Las? Well anyway, for quite some time now I have also been a fan of the British girl group The Pipettes, who are adorable! They have the cutest look about them, and where a lot of polka-dots (which is always a good thing in my book) and of course, I quite like their music. Anyhoo, here are some pics and if you go to their website/myspace/facebook page you can here their music. Enjoy!

Toast

This morning I was doing a long overdue rooting through the Toast website, and thought that it had such lovely images (not to mention products) that it would be rude of me not to share. Of course, all of their lovely shops are in Britain, but you can shop online, as well as get a catalog, so we are not totally cut off! Also, look at their ethical policy, I wish all companies would focus on being as environmentally/socially friendly as this!

the happiest shop on earth!

Hello bon bons! It so happens that it is time for The Pitch to start the voting for their Best Of issue! We thought we would not-so-subtly suggest that if you feel inclined we would be honored if you would vote for us for Best Boutique! And, because we don't want to just have fun stuff, we try to make You have fun shopping with us, write us in for The Happiest Place to Shop (at the end of the ballot where there is a place to write-in) Thanks! Oh, and here is the link....http://pitch.com/polls/bestof2008/

Vintage Vacation

Hello bon bons! I just wanted to let you know that e & I will be zooming off to Chicago tonight for a weekend of vintage shopping for the store. So, we will be closed tomorrow (Friday) but sweet Annie is going to babysit the store on Saturday, so we will be open then! And of course, we will be back in action on Monday with our regularly scheduled programming.

We are hoping to find some great finds for the store, but if you can't wait until we get back, check out Ballyhoo vintage, where I found the following frocks!

Stephanie James Couture

So, I know I should be waiting with bated breath to see what everyone will be wearing next spring--but that seems so far away! So instead I was searching vintage-y things online (in honor of e & I's trip to the vintage show in Chicago this weekend!) and I found these 50's inspired wedding dresses by Stephanie James. How cute are these? And you can customize them as well, in case you say, want a big red tulle underskirt with your white dress!

Spring 09

So fashion week has begun in New York and although I debated with myself this morning whether it was even time to get the fall stuff out, we are already looking forward to Spring/Summer 09. Where does the time go? Anyway, here are some shots of Marc Jacobs line, which was lovely. I liked his hobble-esque skirts, vaguely oriental influence and the Poppins-ish hats the models wore. The collection didn't knock me down with excitement, but it definitely had some good pieces and lines.

Obsession...(not the Calvin Klein kind)

I am obsessed. There are images burned in my brain that are never far from my eye and when I see them I want!!They are the knit dresses (and tights) from Rodarte. I could look at them all day. In fact, yesterday I did. I pulled up the pics on their (beautiful) website and stared at the details in the dress trying to figure out if is possible to make something even remotely similar (as I do not have Rodarte in my budget). And the tights, I'm desperate for them. But where could you find such a perfect spiderweb knit that is pre-run?

Is it the delightful knitti-ness of it? Is it the graceful ballerina-esque quality? I don't know--but Oh! Rodarte how you have cast a spell on me!

(this one is my fav...)

( ooh, chiffon action)--nice
Lust, lust, lust after the black knit tights and I love the sleeves/neckline.

These two dresses are examples of the perfect tulle/fluff skirt. (especially the shorter one on the left) If there was an encyclopedia entry on short fluffy skirt there should be a picture of these. I love the colors, although I am 95% sure that that particular fleshy tone would look horrendous against my own fleshy tone.