Ninna Lu

Boutique Envy: Shoptiques

   Boutique Envy is a new series of blog posts within Ninna Lu that shares my five reasons of why I envy a particular boutique. Feel free to visit the blog series here. With Cyber Monday on November 26th, this boutique of boutiques can only be found online. This unique e-commerce platform called Shoptiques was newly launced in March 2012. Shoptiques provides a service for small boutiques that have no online presence from devising each boutique page online on their website to handling all the photography of the store and its merchandise. Starting this fall season, Shoptiques just added 20 partner boutiques from Paris on top of the 125 carefully chosen within the U.S.. 

New York [ B o u t i q u e ] finds

[Callalilai] a batwing sweater; [Tuttitrendy] a blue fringed suede leather handbag; [Monarch Boutique] a red bottom shoe necklace; [Ame Ame] a leopard fur scarf; [Darling] a gold narrow braided belt; and [Baci] classic stitch boots

 

 

 

 

Here are my five reasons of why I so envy Shoptiques:

1) Keeping fashion affordable. Most of the chosen boutiques within the U.S. have a price range of between $20 to $400.

2) It allows the customer to virtually experience boutique shopping in Paris, New York and Los Angeles without the extra travel expense.

3) Shoptiques handles all customer returns and also covers the return shipping charge.

4) A curated collection of pieces from all boutiques from local designers and most pieces are not mass produced therefore each piece is almost original.

5) Boutique shopping in Paris from the luxury of your home. A fashionable piece from a local French designer sounds intriguing to me.

 

Paris [ B o u t i q u e ] finds

[Cancan] cute color-block leather loafers; [Paperdolls] a turquoise clutch; [Corners-des-Createurs] a gold-played rabbit mask; and [Yaya Store] an adorable bi-color felt hat

 

 

 

Thank you so much for reading and happy cyber shopping!

~marissa

 

 

 

Boutique Envy: Evila

   Boutique Envy is a new series of blog posts within Ninna Lu letting you know my five reasons of why I envy a particular boutique. If you missed the very first post, you can read it here. Over the weekend, with my husband out of town, I had the opportunity to have lunch with a good friend. After lunch, we stopped by to do some window shopping along the town center at Evila - A Clothing Boutique in El Dorado Hills, California.

 

 

 

 

Below are my five envious reasons of why you should visit Evila - A Clothing Boutique:

a) Evila has a great collection of versatile statement pieces that can easily transition from day to night. A tribal print cotton top, floral embroidered light cardigans, crochet accented tops, rock star edge accessories, and a charcoal gray leather messenger bag makes me love to be a California girl. 

b) With the right variety of styles, from classic to edgy or vintage-inspired to casual, their beautiful selection was not at all overwhelming and the ease of boutique shopping (as opposed to the mass scale of shopping at a mall) quickly helped me decide what I really wanted to try on and even purchase.

c) The open and friendly shopping atmosphere definitely makes me want to be a returning customer. Thanks to Melissa's exceptional customer service from the floor, to the fitting room, and finally the closing of the sale.

d) Evila - A Clothing Boutique's location is so easily accessible and lucky for me as a shopper it's nearby! I'm envious because it's simply a great location, with only one other boutique on the town center strip surrounded with busy restaurants and other businesses makes walk in traffic not be an issue.

e) Lastly, the moderately priced merchandise can make any pocket friendly fashionista look forward to shopping at Evila. 

If ever in the area, please do make an effort to stop by, it's worth the trip! You can also find them online at http://www.evilaboutique.com and on Facebook under Evila Boutique. 

Thanks so much for reading and enjoy your week!

Marissa

Boutique Envy: Cuffs

   Yes, I admit, I am envious. But for a really good reason. It's always been a dream of mine to own a stand alone store. I wouldn't dare compare the amount of time, financial resources, and effort that it takes to run a shop or boutique. I'm sure there are many pros and cons to owning one as opposed to running a shop strictly online. I'm just not sure if the advantages outweighs the disadvantages or vice versa. So my quest to find out starts now.

  Boutique Envy is a start of a series of posts within Ninna Lu letting you know the five (or less) envious reasons why I envy a particular boutique. But for myself, learning from the experiences of others who are experts in the boutique world is a good way to get inspiration. Also, if you have a fascination for boutiques, why not add another lovely boutique as one of your go to places to shop.

   My first pick is my favorite. It's local and always fresh with new goods each time I visit. Below are the five reasons why you should visit Cuffs in Sacramento, California and why I envy them. By the way, if you like what you see, you can also shop online for men, women, vintage and sale items on their website here.

 

{1} Cuffs has an amazing selection of jewelry and accessories from vintage to modern in pocket-friendly prices. 

Note to self:  One can plan an outfit around one's jewelry. Having a stand out selection is key!

 

{2} Cuffs is very well-organized. Vintage and modern pieces are separated throughout the boutique. A great selection of vintage shoes are nicely sitting on each shelf above.

Note to self: Combining vintage with a pop of color like this bright yellow really enhances the look of the store and draws customers in. 

 

{3} Whether it's winter, spring, or summer, Cuffs always carries a selection for any season. 

Note to self: You never know where a person is from when they visit your shop.

 

{4}  Cuffs carries many different styles and looks from a casual outfit to date night.

Note to self: Having a versatile selection gives a person the ability to use it more than once.

 

{5} If ever in the area, please go to the back of the store and visit the array of vintage handbags and purses.

Note to self: A simple display can easily make a returning customer happy because of the easiness to shop there.

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend!

marissa