The store appeals to college gals and young professionals, but a $59 white blazer looks good at every age.

Owned by a couple of Dallas-raised besties, y&i is perfect for upcoming graduation gifts. Most of the goods are priced under $200 (with the exception of a few special pieces). Owners Robin and Robyn (now do you get the y & i?) graduated high school and college together in Texas before heading their separate ways, one to Goldman Sachs and another to an extensive retail career. After a few years and the desire for more flexible lifestyles, the girls combined their finance and clothing backgrounds, and boom, opened up shop in San Fran. Their next stop was Austin (don’t pout about it), followed by the weeks-old West Village location. In it you’ll find pieces edited for young shoppers, like trendy blouses, silk dresses, and flowing maxi dresses that are perfect from office to happy hour, and colorful shorts, sunnies, and bikinis for summer weekends. A selection of lightly padded neon and neutral bandeaus (perfect for wearing under just about anything) ring up at $5 a piece, and the inexpensive jewelry, handbags, and Voluspa candles make wonderful gifts.

Gifty goodies include Love + Toast lotions and potions, beautiful, trendy jewels at even more beautiful prices (like geode earrings for $24), Kris Nations Zodiac sign necklaces, and simple clutches.

y&i's ready for summer with a handful of Bikini Joy swimsuits for $40 and sunglasses all over the store.

photography courtesy of French Connection

Starting today and ending Saturday, May 5, Hemline is hosting an in-store French Connection “pop-up shop.” The latest arrivals include a lemon yellow maxi dress with pleats, lots of flowy silk chiffon, and statement-making cobalt blue. There’s apparently a free gift with French Connection purchase, too.

If you make it over to the Lovers Lane, boutique today, pop in at Lou Lou next door. They’re hosting a jewelry trunk show with the goods of Kristen Richards. Her Living Gemstones line features colorful stones and ornate beading on charm bracelets and dangling earrings. Mother’s Day gifts, perhaps?

photography by Matthew Shelley, design by Charlotte Tobin

Remember when StyleSheet paid a visit to Blinc to spend some quality time with stylist Ali Burks, Blinc’s general manager and buyer? It was then, among the translucent, sorbet-hued hangers and her studded booties, that I knew we had to have her in to spill her purse. I suspected the contents would be as cool as she is, and, as you can see, they are. We laid it all out on her blue snake scarf by her all-time favorite scarf line, We Are Owls. (Carried at Blinc unsurprisingly.) Take a look.

Vin Baker bag. "I love the handles."

1. Prada makeup bag.
2. Earbuds. “These are the best ever. They’re guaranteed not to fall out. I have two pairs.”
3. Apple charger.
4. Thinning the Herd book by Cynthia Ceilan. “It’s kind of a morbid sense of humor.”
5. Tickets to Rain.
6. Nature Valley Granola Thins. “I love chocolate, and this is my way of making it a little bit healthier.”
7. Kilian “Love” perfume. “It’s easy to keep in your purse.”
8. Splenda packet as a reminder of boyfriend’s grandfather’s mantra: Be sweet and don’t talk ugly.
9. Advil.
10. Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas name tag for volunteer work. (“To honor the memory of my brother, 2nd Lt. Peter Burks, KIA 11/04/2007.”)
11. Business card case. Reads: I like my money where I can see it, hanging in my closet.
12. Hollywood Fashion Tape.
13. Kevin Murphy Sticky Business hair texturizing paste. “For my wavy, curly hair. Or, if I want to do it straight, it works for that, too. It’s nice to have a product that does everything.”
14. Mikal Winn earrings (top) and bangles (below). Gold nail bracelet from Scoop NYC. “I love to mix the metals.”
15. Tylie Malibu wallet. “It’s so easy and everything fits.”
16. (from left) Essie in “Lollipop” (“It’s my favorite red”), Bliss Lemon-Sage Body Butter, Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm, Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, and MAC lipstick in “Girl About Town” (“One swipe instantly makes me feel so chic.”)

Peek into more purses.

This coral knit top looks great with white, but it can easily be thrown over tailored capris for work and jean shorts on the weekend, too.

Alongside my wonderful Cicada safari, I stopped in Pieces to say hello and scope out the latest merchandise. Sister owned and operated, the colorful boutique outfits young moms and professionals looking for unfussy threads under $200 that can carry them from the office to errand running to happy hour to date night. On-trend separates can be paired with jeans or tailored trousers and flirty dresses can be paired with jackets for a more conservative look, flats for picking up the kiddos, and heels for cocktails. Check out some of my favorite, well, pieces in store now.

See more photos after the jump.

Greylin white tank with black beaded stripes, 525 America bow-tie blouse, and 213 colorblock dress.

I love this sheer Greylin tank for $127. Wear it over black denim for drinks and with a blazer for work. The snakeskin print cuffs are just $72 a piece.

Level 99 jeans have a flattering fit and are made with super soft fabrics that will work with the summer heat. This taupe-y gray version is incredibly versatile. Turquoise earrings, right, are only $46 and can brighten up basics.

I could take a decorating cue from the crisp white furniture and pops of colorful accessories. (photography by Alex Ham)

Take a photographic journey through CABANA with photos from Alex Ham. It’s not hard to see why the purple-doored oasis made April’s top 10 shops list, is it? (Or why it made the cover for that matter.)

Jump for more photos.

Shelves of sandals and Hampton-worthy hats? Yep, we're ready for summer. (photography by Alex Ham)

It's hard to relax when you're excited about shopping. (photography by Alex Ham)

Subtle shades for out-of-the-ordinary colored denim. (photography by Alex Ham)

Original Octane (photography by Alex Ham)

I think the one of the best perks of being the shopping editor here at D Magazine is finding out about little boutiques hidden along the streets of mega shops. Yes, yes, online shopping is fun, too (and occasionally less expensive), but nothing compares to the glory of opening a shop’s doors into the sunshine and heading back out into the world with your bag full of new clothing wrapped in crisp tissue paper. I’m pretty sure it’s the same take-on-the-world feeling Bradley Cooper gets in Limitless. In any case, Kristin and I were thrilled to share with you our favorite under-the-radar shopping hot spots. They probably won’t be quiet for long, so shop now and shop hard.

info (photography courtesy of Fancy Pony Land)

You may already know that Marfa, Texas is a bit of a hot spot for its off-the-grid cool factor. Fancy Pony Land, a funky boutique in the town, even made a top 20 shopping list for Vogue.  New art-inspired accessories have just hit the shop. You might not be taking a road trip this weekend (you should add it to your to-do list this year), but you can buy the jewels over the phone at 206-890-7658. Check out chunky metals by f. is for frank, cotton rope accessories from Seth Damm, etched copper gems by Alexis Babcock, and resin pieces with crystals by Miles Glyn. Perfect for making a statement this spring.

Merge is unpacking and hanging up new spring merchandise everyday, so feel free to stop in more than once.

(from top) Locally designed python wallets and iPad cases, pastel skinny leg jeans, a sale rack of denim from white to dark wash, more python iPad cases and clutches, House of Harlow 1960 black resin necklace ($145),  Bella Dahl white blouse ($97), Ttee taupe jacket ($142), and Jamison sweater ($148), House of Harlow 1960 studded bangles ($138).

*If you deal with shin splints, your workout life isn’t over. I see Dr. Jason Rowenhorst at Premier Sports Chiropractic, and I’m healing. I can actually hit the treadmill again. (For, like, a minute before I’m out of breath.)

Rory Asthon "Slice" Geo Agate Collection (photography courtes of Rory Ashton)

And I love them.

Locally jewelry designer Rory Ashton, crafter behind the cluster earrings we’re always raving about, has released “Slice,” her new line of colorful geo agate pieces, which you can find at Melanie Gayle in Snider Plaza.

So Crisp and So Clean: A slimmed down collection of women's wear right before a rush of fall shipments roll in!

His and hers included.

Yes, Piermarini Boutique, named for 20-year-old owner John Piermarini. Now, don’t get all smug on me. I know it’s not new news. But today marks first time I personally set foot in the crisp State-Thomas shop and I. Am. In. Love. Menswear, womenswear, and jewelry have all been edited into organized, on-trend, very wearable collections. Each of the three rooms contains everyday pieces with a twist. (Not just office-friendly shorts, but silver, triple-tiered shorts; not just basic silk dresses, but sheer versions in chartreuse; and basic, neutral-colored sweaters but with drape details and midriff cuts.) John is a fashion designer, too, so he knows the trends for each season and the shapes that are “in.” That means everything in the store is pretty much guaranteed to make you look cool and in-the-know. His clothing is selected during scouting trips in New York, where he shops for designers no one else in town carries. When a line gets picked up by a big department store, great, but he’ll move on to lesser known labels. Prices are affordable. You pay for quality, not name brand. (A full suit might cost you $400 and a dress, $200.) Peruse the sale racks RIGHT NOW. Spring clothing (that will easily will transition into fall) is at 40 percent off. That chartreuse silk dress I mentioned? Yeah, it’s now mine. Looking for underthings? Check out his collaborative line with Abi Ferrin called Abi & John. Tanks and slips come in pink, black, and nude and feel like they’re quilted from clouds. Jump for more photos. (Just do it.) WARNING: John would want me to warn you that the shop’s very slimmed down right now pre-fall!

Abi & John tanks and slips, left, and men’s shirts, suits, and even boxer briefs.

Accessories include locally designed jewelry and funky clutches, left. A sale rack with drape shirts, silk dresses, and bandage skirts made me lose my mind.

Women’s spring merch still includes white blazers, shorts in sweet, high-waisted cuts, and maxi dresses. Men’s spring merch still includes great blazers and suits, and button-downs in bold, bright plaid prints. (Plus, undies, don’t forget. I bought two pairs for the boyfriend.)

Thom Faust (photography courtesy of 4510)

From the press release:

Dallas luxury retailer Forty Five Ten has consistently set the benchmark for offering the best of the best. With this week’s announcement that Thom Faust will join the decade-old retailer as General Manager, the store’s legacy of excellence continues.

Faust, a veteran in the luxury industry, comes to store with vast experience in top retail positions. His past experience has included executive-level posts at Neiman Marcus (Dallas, Atlanta), Chanel (Dallas and NYC), and most recently, St. John (Irvine, California).

Owner Brian Bolke says, “Thom truly personifies the Forty Five Ten ideal. Not only he is masterfully skilled in the realm of operations, he also has a great eye and a genuine spirit. We are thrilled to have Thom be a part of the Forty Five Ten team.” Faust officially assumes his new role this week.

A solid pre-fall look from St. John

I once had a friend that complained that all her mom wore was St. John. If you ask me, it’s no reason to complain. A woman adorned in St. John must be a class act. If your momma, too, is a class act, bring her to the St. John open house happening this weekend at Highland Park Village. The pre-fall 2011 collection will be available, and you and your maker can shop with complimentary champagne and hors d’oeuvres in hand. Plus, if you’re digging deep into the wallet on Saturday (like, $1,295′s worth), you’ll get a free St. John charm bracelet to wear with your purchase. Saturday, May 7, from noon to 5 pm.

photography courtesy of Bobette New York

Bobette Cohn, famous for styling fashion on the pages of Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, and more, is making a stop at Nest this weekend to share her vintage collection with us in a two-day trunk show. On top of assembling the clothing for celebs like Molly Sims, Tilda Swinton, and Ralph Fiennes, she has a refurbished vintage clothing line. That’s what we get to peruse this weekend. Bobette shops around fleas and estate states for pieces that have “potential,” and then she redesigns them into modern, wearable items by altering hemlines, sleeves, and necklines, and adding accessories like feathers, beads, and more. Each piece is truly one of a kind. If that isn’t exciting enough, jewelry designer Fruzsina Keehn will be on hand with her vintage-inspired baubles. You’ll need pair of earrings to go with your new, vintage dress, right? Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, from noon to 6 pm.

Nest is up for best shop for children’s furniture, best shop for home accessories, and best gift shop. Think it deserves to be the winner of any of those categories? Go vote for it!