Dallas’ ShopSeptember Online Boutique Offers Two Shops in One

Laura Petter, Fashion Institute and Design and Merchandising grad and Lakewood dweller, launched this new dual-personality online boutique named for the most exciting month in fashion. Shop The Showroom side for “hard-to-find fashions by rising star designers” or head over to The Street to find affordable, trend-heavy pieces. The Showroom currently houses a Julie Michel asymmetrical watercolor print top, Love, Zooey leather panel pencil skirt, and cheeky Bidbi canvas totes (all under $300). Each item offers a short bio on its up-and-coming designer. The Street is currently peddling lots of green (St. Patrick’s Day, perhaps?), a lace cut-out mint high-low dress, a colorblock bustier, and a cross print kimono, all under $100. Via press release, Peter says, “In LA, I was surrounded by so many undiscovered fashion-forward designers that were talented and had a great eye for style, so I started creating a list of my favorites. ShopSeptember is my fashion designer diary.”  As for favorite ShopSeptember journal entries as of late: I’ll take this cozy Phoebe long-sleeve top from The Showroom and this girly, sunshine yellow lace panel dress from The Street.

Blinc Has a New Online Shop

A few of my favorite things. (photography courtesy of Blinc)

One of our favorite local spots, Blinc, is now online. In addition to the Park Cities and Plano locations of this contemporary boutique, you can now browse the merchandise from the comfort of your own computer screen. The site showcases a limited number of pieces–if you’re searching for denim, you’ll only find a few pairs–but this edited selection is true to the store’s style. And if you’re in need of something more specific, you can always stop by one of the physical locations.

Jessica Mitzner is a ShopTalk intern.

Local Shops Move Online

The telescope necklace by Love Nail Tree at Relativity Outdoors

My job is to cover the local shopping scene. My mission is to be a wealth of knowledge on where to shop (for just about anything), who’s having a good sale, which local designers are making exciting things, and what new stores you have to visit. That being said, I won’t pretend I don’t occasionally shop online. I love hiding Zappos.com behind my inbox. But nothing beats walking into a store, running your hands over the racks of clothing, trying things on, finding the perfect fit, and walking out of the the door with your goods wrapped in crinkly tissue paper, ready to be worn that same evening.

These days, you can have the best of both worlds. Local shops are doubling up and moving their wares online, too. New to the web world from Dallas, Demerara, a men and women’s shop in West Village, and Relativity Outdoors, the absolute coolest and most stylish outdoor boutique in town. Shop them online, visit them in person. Go crazy.

Krimson & Klover is Now Online

The Uptown shop is now doing some e-business, too. Welcome, Krimson & Klover online boutique.

New to the Must-Have List: Les Amis’ Baubles, Bangles, and Bold Jewels

Beautiful jewels come from England, India, Italy, Singapore, Thailand, and Turkey (photography courtesy of Les Amis)

I have to have this tri-top ring with vintage Rajastani patchwork fabric.

Dallas based fashion e-tailer, Les Amis, is founded on the principal that luxury should be as responsible as it is beautiful. In that spirit, headed up by Dallas gals Ami Doshi and Amisha Patel, the newly launched website peddles colorful, exotic artisan accessories that give back to charity-of-choice Global Fund for Children. Silk and leather wrapped bangles, bracelets with South Asian gemstones (called Kundan), funky, eclectic necklaces from Singapore, and patchwork three-top rings are just a few of my new favorite things. Along with resumes boasting a healthy dose of humanitarianism (Ami for United Nations and Amisha’s extensive volunteer work), both women appreciate the joy in beautiful things. (Ami was once a buyer for Neiman Marcus and Amisha owned a cosmetic laser skin-care center.) Shop the glorious goods by country, designer, price, or by product, and enjoy knowing 10 percent of every purchase will benefit The Global Fund for Children.

Dallas’ Pocketful of Pearls Girls

High-waisted shorts.

Dallas girls got moxie. I meet women all the time who tell me about how they took clever ideas they woke up with in the middle of the night and turned them into businesses. (I am neither clever nor brave enough for this, so I write about other people’s ingenuity.) In my job, and I say this as kindly as possible, I see a lot of “meh” ideas, so when I see local girls like Michelle Parker and Lindsay Jenkins, who have launched a pretty cute online consignment boutique, I’m totally impressed. I’ll admit I was skeptical, checking out PocketfulofPearls.com. It’s not easy to make buying used clothing feel cool. (It didn’t help when I saw the clothing was divided into categories: jaded, important, controversial, etc. Hmm…) BUT, somehow these ladies do a really decent job of selling $26-a-pop clothing. The pieces up for grabs are right on trend (notice the ladylike animal print wrap dress, leather vest, and pussybow blouse above), sizes run the gamut, and prices are bottom-of-the-barrel. (Like, often under $30.) Part of the fun here is checking back every couple of weeks, when the site’s reloaded and ready for action. Check out the work of these Big D girls.

Happy Cyber Monday, Y’all

If you’re bored at work today (or still too full of tryptophan to think about work) go stimulate the economy by doing some online shopping in celebration of Cyber Monday. Not sure where to start? Check out this roundup of e-commerce deals.

The Wives of Henry VIII Now Have Nail Polish

If the Tudor ladies could see themselves now...

Rescue Beauty Lounge made that happen, and in honor of Anna Bolena playing at the Winspear, I thought I’d show you. The four polishes created for King Henry VIII’s Queens, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Catherine of Aragon, and Catherine Howard, are for history buffs and polish lovers. You can order each one for $18 a piece on rescuebeauty.com. That may sound like a lot for one bottle, but trust me, these polishes apply smoothly and last long. They’re worth it.

Neiman Marcus Makes a Move Online

Ladies and gentlemen, empty your e-shopping carts, Neiman Marcus Last Call online is here.

Nest is Serious About Getting Rid of Stuff

Case in point: this sale and, now, their 24-hour sale. Starting now, and running through tomorrow morning at 9 am, take 10 percent off anything on the Nest website using the code “Nest2410″ in the checkout.

Twenty Percent Off Shu Uemura Products Online

Shu Uemura redesigned its website and is celebrating its launch. From today until Friday, May 14, enjoy free shipping AND 20% off on Shu Uemura online when you spend more than $50. We suggest these $20 Slant Black dramatic-but-natural lashes (because Shu’s lash bar is the best in the world, you know), this stunning Pearl Pastel Sea Green shadow from the new Gem Glam collection for $20, and this classic eyelash curler for $19. With the discount and comp shipping, we’re talking an easy $48 for a great set of products. But it’s just a suggestion. To take advantage of this deal, plug in “HAPPY” at the checkout. How appropriate.

Peacock Plume Makes My Week Complete

As Raya mentioned earlier, we try to keep it local here on ShopTalk. But, I feel I would be neglecting my moral obligations as a fellow shopaholic if I didn’t share this fabulous new shopping website I stumbled upon yesterday. (Yes, while I was supposed to be working. But sometimes, as in this case, a little wandering on the web does a girl good.) It’s called Peacock Plume. As cute as the name suggests, the clothes are adorable, and it’s got everything from fun weekend wear to trendy work attire that can head straight to happy hour. And the accessories. Oh, the accessories. I’m in love with this gorgeous statement necklace that is only $28! I can’t even get a tank of gas for that. And that is perhaps the best part: I couldn’t find anything over $75. Apparel, accessories, shoes, belts… all at way reasonable prices. So do your closet – and your wallet – a favor and take a peek. You deserve it.

Free Shipping from ASOS Online

I know we try to stick to local. It’s our favorite way to go. But I can’t not tell you about this great thing happening on ASOS.com. (It’s one of my favorite online shopping sites.) Right now, with the ashes overhead their shipping center clearing up overseas, they’re offering free shipping to the United States. That’s us, guys, and it’s happening until Monday. I’m thinking about this Love Milly Chain tee, left, for $20.29. With no shipping fee? Not bad. Not bad at all. Take a click and look around for yourselves.

Xen-Tan Sale Going on Right Now

Forgive me for not getting this news to you earlier.

Locally based Xen-Tan has got a 35 percent-off deal going on until 11:59 tonight. You should definitely take advantage if you read this. Xen-Tan is, without a doubt, one of our very favorite sunless tanning options. The faux glow comes out olive-based, not orange. Promise. And although the creams have still a bit of fake tan after-smell, the Transform lotions are subtle enough to wear to work every day. (Even sandwiched in a cubicle setting, don’t worry.) The Deep Bronze Luxe gives a solid burst of color and the genius $6 tanning mit is the perfect way to apply all the products without getting a single stain on your hands. It doesn’t hurt that Xen-Tan was established here, in Plano, either. To get 35 percent off your order, just enter “xentansweeps” at the checkout. This sale is only going on today, so head to the Xen-Tan site asap.

I Fell in Love with an Online Shopping Site Today

Ever fall so head over heels for a shopping site you have to share? Well, I have, and I must share. It’s called ModCloth, a retro-inspired indie clothing and vintage site. The prices are phenomenal and the pieces are darling. Look at the “I Like Coffe, I Like Tea Dress” left. Cute, right? There are great gifts in the “apartment” section, too. Check out the Hello Kitty iPhone case, the bento lunchboxes, and this gorgeous floral wall clock. And yes, ladies, there are shoes, too. www.modcloth.com.