Blue Eyed Girl

So this brown eyed girl has been living in a haze and NOT EVEN REALIZING that an incredible Blue Eyed Girl boutique with four locations across Southern California actually had one right in her backyard.  BACKYARD.  To make it all the more silly, she has actually driven RIGHT BY it NUMEROUS times without realizing it was there...FOR 10 YEARS.  This is all madness I tell you. Fortunately for her, she has discovered it and that it really only takes about 5 minutes to get there.  In fact, if her car wasn't working, she could just run there.  Good news for her, bad news for the bank account.

Tucked away in San Juan Capistrano, Blue Eyed Girl offers an incredible mix of classic pieces from collections such as Bailey 44 and Joie, with whimsical and bohemian pieces from collections such as The Odells and Free People.  I slowly walked the store, filling an entire dressing room of dresses, skirts, tops and jackets.  And that was just the clothes.  Add an incredible shoe collection, lingerie, beauty products, jewelry and all sorts of little goodies and you have a perfect one-stop-shop boutique!  Each location carries some of the same yet some different items specific to their location, catering to their clientele and ensuring there is something there for anyone who walks through the doors.

It may have taken me some time to find Blue Eyed Girl in San Juan but it is definitely not going to take me much time to go back.

Along with their San Juan Capistrano location (located at 31103 Rancho Viejo Road), there are also Blue Eyed Girl boutiques located in Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach and Santa Barbara.  If you are not local, you can also shop on their website here.  

16th Colony

When it comes to my personal style, I tend to carry two very different extremes.  On one hand, I can be very conservative.  I love clean lines, structured pieces and will very often fall to the color scheme of white, black and grey.  You will see these looks most often while attending meetings, formal events and dinners.  It is the classic simplicity that I love about these looks.  

And then there is the other side of my style.

The other side loves to be laid back and worry-free.  That is the Orange County way isn't it?  Beach days.  Drinks outside with friends on a warm summer evening.  Casual afternoons on Balboa Island.  Weekends in Santa Ynez.  Out goes the blazers, pencil skirts and heels and in comes the ponchos, cut offs and booties.  I am always on the look out for lines that offer this laid-back lifestyle.  In comes 16th Colony.

Created by Renee Rogers, 16th Colony is an Irvine based line which focuses on outerwear for the chic bohemian.  Her line of ponchos is absolutely stunning and you can see the amount of detail and care she takes in designing each one. 

After following Renee's instagram for a bit I couldn't help but fall in love with her pieces and decided I must visit her studio to see how they all come together.  Renee and I met on Monday to talk design, business, and a little peak at what was to come with 16th Colony.

Renee was incredibly welcoming and it took only a minute for us to get chatting about EVERYTHING.  Don't you love meeting someone you can picture yourself having a glass of wine with at Happy Hour?  She explained how 16th Colony was developed, a concept that she created after attending FIDM and working as a designer for a number of labels.  She recognized a need for that classic, wear-all-the-time piece that women love to live in.  And she nailed it.  Her fabrics are divine, the fit reaches all sizes (she is petite and I am a giant...amazingly they fit us both extremely well) and she takes care to ensure all products are of the highest quality.  I got lost in all the pieces and instantly began imagining them being worn with cut offs for a BBQ, as a cover up at the beach, or thrown over skinnies and a white tee for dinner.  Each piece offers so much versatility that everyone will find their favorite way to wear them.  I was also able to preview the Fall collection, which will be available in August and it is AMAZING.  No photos were allowed but you will want to keep an eye out for it.  I already have my order in.  

16th Colony is currently available in a number of boutiques through out California, Hawaii and the UK.  Even better, they are currently conducting an online Flash Sale from now until Sunday, offering 40% off the entire collection online with the code "FLASH40" at checkout.  The perfect time to pick up some pieces for summer!  Click here to begin shopping.

Thank you Renee and 16th Colony for having me.  

I am looking forward to spending some summer days in 16th Colony.

Waxing Poetic

The final stop of my retail therapy in Los Olivos was Waxing Poetic, a jewelry, charms, candles and housewares boutique.  You may have heard of Waxing Poetic as they has been mentioned in a number of publications and is not only available in their two boutiques (Los Olivos and Summerland) but also in numerous boutiques across the country.  The last time I was in Los Olivos they were in a different location so I was excited to visit the new store and of course, peruse all the dainty treasures.

When you enter the store, you immediately feel as if you are in someone's living room.  Books line the walls, there is a beautiful writing desk and you are surrounded by intricately designed charms, jewelry, scarves and candles...just to name a few.  I found myself getting lost in the store as I immediately began thinking of all the sentimental gifts that I could pick up here.  Something for the bride, for your pregnant sister, your mother, a first communion.  Truly, they have embraced the moments of life and created opportunities for you to give something that is just not a gift but something that will be held on to forever.  I may have also started my own "wish list" for the hubby while I was inside.  As with all the boutiques I visited while in the valley, the customer service was phenomenal and even though I have discovered all the locations Waxing Poetic is available in Orange County, there is still something special about being in this store in Los Olivos.  It is a very special little place.

You can visit the Los Olivos boutique at 2477 Alamo Pintado Ave. or click here to find where Waxing Poetic is sold near you.  

I also recommend following them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with their new pieces.

Wendy Foster

Nestled next door to my favorite coffee house in Los Olivos is Wendy Foster, a boutique that exudes classic sophistication with a relaxed country feel.  The walls are filled with art representing the Santa Ynez Valley while the tables and racks are filled with simple yet chic pieces that fit right into the Los Olivos lifestyle...or any lifestyle for that matter.  With designers such as Vince, Joie and Current Elliott alongside local designers such as Emily Rosendahl, there was just too much goodness in one place for me to handle.  The staff was extremely friendly and I had a wonderful time chatting with them while I shopped.  Just like I said with yesterday's visit, I will definitely be back.      

Wendy Foster is located at 2928 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos, Ca. with additional locations in Santa Barbara.  I highly suggest following their Instagram account to see all the new merchandise they receive, along with shots from their life in Los Olivos.   

Plenty Boutique

A few months ago I began following the Plenty Boutique in Santa Ynez on Instagram and knew instantly that they were a "must stop" the next time I was up there.  The pieces they showcased and the travels they took gave me the sense that I was going to like this place.

It was better than I even expected!  I adore their ability to bring the ethereal and wonderlust feeling of the valley that I love so much into a beautiful boutique filled with all sorts of treasures.  It was a bohemian paradise.  Everywhere I looked their was something that caught my eye.  The boutique began from two friends who make their own jewelry and you could spend hours looking through every piece.  Racks are filled with Free People, Stone Cold Fox, J Brand, Bella Luxx and many other brands that share in the laid back yet sexy feel you often see in Orange County.  If you are not in the mood for clothes or jewelry, there are a number of bags, bath products, hats, scarves and numerous other accessories scattered throughout the boutique.  It was cozy, welcoming and fun to shop.  It was such a lovely experience and I will definitely be back.

Plenty Boutique is located at 1110 Faraday St., Santa Ynez. California.  

I highly suggest following them on Instagram and liking them on Facebook to preview their incoming merchandise and events. 

* No compensation was provided for this post.  When I see something I love, I want to share it!

Bardot

Nestled on the corner of Irvine Blvd. and 17th Street in Newport Beach is one of my favorite shopping destinations in Orange County.  Yes, online shopping may be convenient, but it cannot compare to the experience of trying on clothes, chatting with the salespeople and simply making the entire process of shopping fun.  The first place I think of when I want to step away from online and enjoy the boutique experience is Bardot.

Bardot is one of those boutiques that truly epitomizes the Orange County woman.  Dana, the owner, has done an incredible job of balancing lines that are extremely recognizable (A.L.C, Vince, Trina Turk) with smaller lines that you cannot find everywhere (Clover Canyon, Heidi Merrick, Flyne Skye) or perhaps have not heard of.  You can also find some beautiful jewelry lines such as Ceek and Nan Fusco.  This is one of the reasons I nominated them for the Orange Coast Magazine 'Best of Orange County 2013'.  Every time I make a visit I have the best time chatting with Dana, discussing what is coming in, what is selling, and of course, trying on my own pile of clothes.  The hardest part of visit Bardot is simply having self control.  

If you live in Orange County, you would be crazy not to make a stop at the boutique.  If you are out of the area, I highly suggest following Bardot on Facebook and Instagram.  Dana is always posting pictures of new merchandise and would be happy to help you get a hold of the items you love.  Truth be told, I follow her so that when something I love comes in, I can call and have her put it on hold for me before she sells out! 

My last pile of clothes I tried on.  Fortunately for the hubby I had some self control because I loved everything but only came home with the red jumpsuit.

Bardot is located at 2043 Westcliff Drive, Suite 103, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660