Lu Lu Boutique and Gallery - A Cozy Cottage of Clothes

LU LU Boutique and Gallery - Costa Mesa, Orange County Boutique Pique

By: Erin Hall @Boutiquing

Set the Scene: Just to the side of the stomping grounds of 17th, LU LU Boutique and Gallery is set back from the street in a cozy little cottage that befriends boutique shoppers with its warm and welcoming ways. Fresh flowers add to the feeling of walking into your favorite friends house, only better because this friend has racks of clothes where the couch should be! Vignettes of vintage and picturesque paintings add to the overall feel, and don't fret if you fall in love with the decor...everything is for sale! Make your way to back of the boutique, where the kitchen door gives way to a garden - complete with a shed that serves as this well stocked boutique's sale room.

Labels We Love: Free People, Parker, Fate, Beata, Alternative Apparel, Allen Allen, CP Shade, Recycled with Love, Chaser LA, Paper Heart, Elizabeth and James Jewelry

Prepare to Pay:
TEES: $12 to $30
DRESSES: $32 to $160
DENIM: $54 to $169
SWEATERS: $49 to $250 (for a great piece of cashmere)
TOPS: $30 - $150
JEWELRY: $12 to $275
VINTAGE ACCESSORIES: $40 - $120
ANYTHING UNDER $80? Tons of great casual pieces and accessories, and even some of their denim!

Summed Up in Sentence: If you need an escape for an hour or two, skip down the path to LU LU Boutique's front door, fawn over the fashion and frolic through the rooms of this cozy cottage of clothes.

LU LU Boutique and Gallery

1724 Tustin Avenue @ 17th)

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

www.luluboutiqueandgallery.com

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The Collective Boutique and Showroom - Indie Designers Unite

The Collective Boutique - San Clemente, Orange County Boutique Pique

By: April Madigan @Boutiquing

Set the Scene: Some of our favorite boutique shopping experiences happen when we stumble upon an unknown designer with that "it" factor. The Collective Boutique brings together 4 independent designers with lots of loveliness filled to the brim with "it". Blending the beautiful bags of Moda Viajando, sultry swimwear by Kai La Mare, updated vintage from Kult, and precious knit accessories from Purl, this boutique left me with that satisfied, "look what I discovered" feeling that I was eager to share. Oh, and did I mention that these collections all retail for well under $100? Enjoy the coastal breeze blowing in the front door, the cool serene surroundings, and stock up on treasures for yourself and your best buds who are impossible to shop for!

Labels We Love: Totes, clutches, and cross body bags by Moda Viajando, Colorful bikinis by Kai La Mare, renewed vintage pieces by Kult, and hand crocjeted headbands, sun hats (made from paper!), and booties by Purl.

Prepare to Pay:
TOPS: $24 to $50
DRESSES: $19 to $50
DENIM: $24 to $34
JACKETS: $24 to $40
PURSES: $28 to $90
HOME DECOR: $11 to $42
SWIMWEAR: Tops $38 Bottoms $42
KNIT ACCESSORIES: $18 to $40
JEWELRY: $4 to $12
ANYTHING UNDER $80? Practically the entire store - in fact most is under $50!

Summed Up in Sentence: If you are always the first of your friends to find a fab designer, fly down to The Collective Boutique and have a field day getting your fashion fix while supporting a cool new crop of local designers.

The Collective Boutique

907 S. El Camino Real

San Clemente, CA 92672

www.thecollectivesc.com

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Nicolette - Everyday Style and Staples

Nicolette - Laurel Heights, San Francisco Boutique Pique

By: Erica @Boutiquing

Set the Scene: Clean. Crisp. Casual and cool.  Words keep rolling to the tip of my tongue when I wander into Nicolette on Sacramento Street because the style is so perfectly defined... and so perfectly me.      The owner owns casual chic like it's her job - oh yeah, it is.  Even the layout says "effortless cool" as it guides you around the well-lit space and bright white walls.  But, like any master of trying-to-look-like-you-didn't-try-at-all, there is a perfectly poised accent to every ensemble: they change up the tissue paper to match a highlighted color on the racks! The stars aligned on this day as the vibrant wrapping mimicked the neon yellow Ali Ro anorak I had already gushed over.

Labels We Love: From everyday dresses to the lightweight layer you never even knew you needed until Shakti (sales goddess extraordinaire) slips it on you, Nicolette has your familiar faves and unexpected unknowns.  Monrow, Theory, Joie, Twelfth Street and Vince are no-brainers and Haute Hippie, Elizabeth and James, Mara Hoffman, Kain and Minnie Rose add some flirty flair. J Brand and Current/Elliott provide the backbone of everyday ease.

Prepare to Pay: 
CLOTHING: $44 layering basics from Isda & Co up to around $500 for fabulous dresses/jackets
HANDBAGS: $200 to $450 for phenomenal Foley & Corinna
ACCESSORIES: around $65 and up for hats, scarves and
ANYTHING UNDER $80? Tees, tanks, and outfit toppings of all kinds.

Summed Up in  Sentence: If your dream digs are tailored tees and cozy cardigans but you don't want to sacrifice your style, Nicolette needs to be your new best friend.

Nicolette

3375 Sacramento Street

San Francisco, CA 94118

415.563.5400

Nicolette (Marin)

499 Magnolia Street

Larkspur, CA 94939

415.927.0226

www.nicoletteboutique.com

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Hey Gorgeous! Boutique - Girly Glamour at Gasp-Worthy Prices

Hey Gorgeous! Boutique - Newport Beach, Orange County Boutique Pique

By: Erica Hahn @ Boutiquing

Set the Scene: I hear, "Hey Gorgeous!" but there aren't any cat-calling workers in sight, just a friendly face telling me there is no need to be humble in this happening boutique on Newport Blvd. The bright boutique reflects owner Valerie's bubbly and personal approach to shopping with vibrant turquoise walls, gold accents and homey decor. Amidst ornate mirrors and an over-flowing vanity (reminiscent of every girl's dream dollhouse), Hey Gorgeous! is the perfect place to play dress-up with your gal pals.

Labels We Love: Valerie values quantity when it comes to her closet, so she scours fashion districts across the country to find lesser known labels with big style and puny price tags so you can easily walk out with two outfits for under $100. Don't miss the flirty feminine designer she found through etsy, Rachael Broussard, and her frilly party frocks.

Prepare to Pay:

CLOTHING: $25 to $100

DENIM: long, lean and only $44

SHOES: sky-high heels for under $60

HANDBAGS: $25-$60

JEWELRY: stock up with $5 earrings and necklaces under $25

UNDER $80? Pretty much everything.

You're Invited: Don't miss the Hey Gorgeous! Sex and the City party this SUNDAY! SEE DETAILS>>

Summed Up in a Sentence: Hey Gorgeous! Boutique delivers fashionable finds to savvy stylistas who want to buy now and buy often, without worrying about wearing down the wallet.

Hey Gorgeous! Boutique

1808 Newport Blvd.

Costa Mesa, CA 92727

949.307.2602

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Baby Babaloo Boutique - A Happy Hangout for Moms and Munchkins

Baby Babaloo - Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County Boutique

By: April Madigan @ Boutiquing™

Set the Scene: Filled to the gills with cute, colorful collections of clothing, Baby Babaloo brings the best new baby designers to a sweet little spot right across from Starbucks. This boutique seems like a play room fit for the offspring of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale- think elegantly eclectic, filled with patterns, and piled high with practical yet punched up clothing. Owner Helen is like a hawk when it comes to new emerging designers, and in addition to hounding the highest quality lines at happy prices, her jewelry selection is just genius.

Labels We Love: For the kids - Okkies (absolutely the best pants for boys), Tea, Isabelle & Chloe (adorable soft cotton dresses), Kicky Pants, Egg and Avocado, Pura Vida, Angel Dear, Mud Pie, Kushies, Beba Bean bamboo blankets (they feel just like cashmere!), and The Tunes Company vintage rock tees.

For You - Voom, Hazel, Monoreno (LOVE!), and Piko 1988.

Prepare to Pay:

GIRL'S DRESSES - $30 - $75
KID'S TOPS - $20 - $50
KID'S PANTS - $30 - $50
KID'S SHOES - $20 - $40


WOMEN'S DRESSES - $50 - $150
TOPS - $30 - $75
JACKETS - $75 - $100
JEWELRY - $20 - $150


ANYTHING UNDER 80? Pretty much everything in the store, plus plentiful gift options for new parents! (Good luck limiting your spending to under $80...!)

Summed Up in a Sentence: When you are sick of seeing the same old stuff everywhere, head over to Baby Babaloo and experience boutique shopping in it's purest form - unique finds, perfectly personalized attention, and the proud feeling of supporting a locally owned business.

Baby Babaloo

22441 Antonio Parkway

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

949.709.2500

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Elizabeth Charles - Sophisticated Shopping like Nowhere in the US

Elizabeth Charles - Fillmore Street, San Francisco Boutique Pique

By: Erica Hahn @ Boutiquing™

Set the Scene: In the words of the revolutionary rockers Led Zeppelin, "a whole lotta love" went into this sleek and chic boutique in the prestigious Pacific Heights of San Francisco.  From the minimalist decor that doesn't dare dominate the designer dresses to the oversized hangers allowing apparel ample real-estate on the racks, you can instantly see the care and consideration put into selecting each and every item in the store.  Elizabeth Charles filters through fabulous foreign designers for an entirely unique collection of exclusive fashion finds.

Labels We Love: Since Elizabeth Charles' forte is unusual, hard-to-find brands in the US, you may encounter some unfamiliar names, but we know you'll fall in love with the modern lines, phenomenal fabrics, and stellar style of designers like Isabel Marant, Rika, A 'Detacher, Katy Rodriguez, Demylee, Elise Overland and Jasmine de Milo.  Don't miss Comme des Garcons, VPL, Freda and sky-high pumps from Camilla Skovgaard.

Prepare to Pay: 

CLOTHING - $150 to $1,000 (don't be intimidated by big-ticket items, but do check their sale rack for steals!)

SHOES - $300 to $500

HANDBAGS - $400 and up

JEWELRY - $75 to $500

ANYTHING UNDER 80? Demylee tees and tanks, select jewelry, Votivo Candles and Lipstick Queen makeup

Summed Up in a Sentence: For the ultimate experience in sophisticated shopping like nowhere in the US, follow the lead of stylish, savvy celebrities and strut into Elizabeth Charles' Fillmore boutique.

Elizabeth Charles

2056 Fillmore Street

San Francisco, CA 94115

415.440.2100

www.elizabeth-charles.com

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The M Collection Boutique - Edited, Easy, Everyday Style

 

The M Collection - Encinitas, San Diego Boutique Pique

By: April Madigan @ Boutiquing™

Set the Scene:  Peeking out from behind a lush landscape of greenery, The M Collection Boutique waits with doors flung wide open, to fulfill wild fantasies of a well rounded wardrobe.  Once inside this oasis of style, expect to be treated like a long lost family member.  Owners Nancy and Mercedes are obsessed with finding the best lines for your everyday life, and their passion and pickiness truly pay off.  Dive into displays filled with denim, dresses, and dangerously habit forming footwear.

Labels We Love:  Ella Moss, Paige Denim, Hale Bob, C&C California, AG Jeans, Velvet, Elliot Lucca, BC Footwear, James Perse, Hobo International, Seychelles, Bernardo, Havaianas, Steve Madden, and Michael Stars.

Prepare to Pay:

CLOTHING - $40 - $200

SHOES - $58 - $128

DENIM - $98 - $220

JEWELRY - $48 - $200 (great unique selection of local designers!)
SUNGLASSES - tons of cute styles for $12! 

HANDBAGS -$98 - $198

ANYTHING UNDER $80? Tanks and Tees and Hip Havaianas.

Summed Up In A Sentence:  Worth the detour off the beaten path, The M Collection Boutique delivers daytime duds in a tranquil and trustworthy treasure filled location.

The M Collection Boutique 
466 N Coast Highway 101 No. 8

Encinitas, CA 92024
760.436.1206

Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 11:00-5:30,

Sunday 11:00-5:00
Monday-Closed

www.themcollection.com

The M Collection Carlsbad
2971 State Street
Carlsbad, CA 92008
phone: 760.720.1252

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Beyond the Alley - Countrified Oasis of Cute, Affordable Fashion

Beyond the Alley - Chesnut Street, San Francisco Boutique Pique

By: McKenna Sweazey @ Boutiquing™

Set the Scene: Somewhere between log cabin and shabby chic, Beyond the Alley is a brightly lit and inviting boutique filled with soothing music, laid-back sales girls, and even a few deer antlers. Right smack in the middle of Chestnut street, it's a little slice of country with wood floors, rustic chalkboard dressing room labels, a vintage chandelier and the occasional tree branch - but it's the clothes and accessories that steal the show. The distressed copper racks are neatly organized with a superb selection of gently-priced, adorable separates and party-perfect frocks. Cute shoes, bags, and jewelry round out the full but well-edited selection.

Labels We Love: Rich and Skinny jeans, Interlüd, Trinity, Elise M belts (Love!), Collective Concepts, French Connection, Dolce Vita and Aryn k

Prepare to Pay:

CLOTHING - Almost all apparel in the store is at or about $100

SHOES - $100 to $200

DENIM - around $100

JEWELRY - $20 to $100

HANDBAGS - $100 to $300

ANYTHING UNDER $80? Terrific selection of jewelry in the under $20 range- fab finds!

Summed Up In A Sentence: This airy boutique is filled with adorable separates and dresses at a unique price point for it's Chestnut street location, making it a welcome addition to it's more expensive neighbors.

Beyond the Alley

2176 Chestnut Street

San Francisco, CA 94123

(415) 346-0106

www.beyondthealley.com

Store Hours:

Mon-Sat 11am to 7pm

Sun 11am to 6pm

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