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Talkin' bout regeneration

Liza Weisstuch — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:45:00 GMT

Old goods find new life at Magpie

They say one gal’s junk heap is another’s treasure— or something like that. If that’s the case, Magpie (416 Highland Avenue, Somerville, 617.623.3330) is a treasure chest, a glimmering Xanadu of would-be rubbish repurposed and reclaimed for the sole purpose of improving your accessory collection or coffee table. In addition to racks of T-shirts and a smattering of baby onesies for that punk-rocker-in-training nephew, you’ll find shelves crammed with clever crafts created by resourceful types. “Repurposing is a big part of the small-scale craft community,” says Leslie Dunn, a manager at Magpie. “I’m seeing more and more interesting stuff. There’s a big market for the raw material.”

A) Lock your photographs (yes, some of us still take real pictures) into the banks of your memory with picture frames rimmed with polished old bike chains ($38).

B) Circuit boards transmit information when they’re plugged in. Once they short out, the sturdy boards can have a long life span when they take on a new identity as bound book covers. Motherboard Gifts produces nifty three-ring binders ($26).

C) We love everything about vinyl — except tossing it into landfills. Crafters these days are taking the grooved material and transforming it into all things, well, groovy. One of Magpie’s owners, Dave Sakowski, reworks old LPs into neat bowls. Other innovative types turn them into coasters ($20), wrist cuffs ($30), and earrings ($14).

D) Those keys on your computer are used to make words and nothing else, right? Some crafters think outside the board. Check out the collection of reconfigured plastic squares. Wear your inner nerd proudly on your sleeve when you don a pair of letter key cufflinks ($20), or pick up dangling earrings ($10) and a matching pin ($8).

Hot and frugal: Sale racks on Newbury Street

webteam — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:27:00 GMT

In this city full of an increasing number of highend shops (and an increasingly bad economy), we worried that we’d never find a bargain again. But the boutiques lining Newbury Street have sale racks, and according to store owners and shoppers, they’re better than you’ll find in any city. One of our favorite artsy boutiques, Stel’s (334 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.262.3348), swears they have the best designer duds at the lowest prices. Walk a little farther and you’ll find dozens of half-priced but head-turning dresses at Betsey Johnson (201 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.236.7072), and you can get jewelry to match at Aldo Accessories (184 Newbury Street, 617.266.2189), where the entire back wall is covered with purses, clutches, and shoes on sale for almost nothing. Or head over to the bargain basement at Urban Outfitters (11 Bolton Street, Cambridge, 617.864.0070). You’ll probably spend more of your paycheck playing their vintage Pac-Man video game than you will on a pair of neon sunglasses and flats to match.

Set Sale, July 15, 2008

Erica Corsano — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:56:00 GMT

Alo (58 JFK Street, Cambridge, 617.576.0948): ongoing, 20 to 70 percent off all labels. Diseño (35 Fay Street, Boston, 617.423.2008): through August 31, 20 to 30 percent off all furniture and rug floor models. First Date (28 Chestnut Street, Andover, 978.247.8999): ongoing, 20 percent off summer items; 50 to 75 percent off clearance items. Leokadia (667 Tremont Street, Boston, 617.247.7463): through August 16, 30 percent and more off shoes and accessories. Shake the Tree (67 Salem Street, Boston, 617.742.0484): July 15 through 31, up to 40 percent off select spring and summer clothing. Stel’s (334 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.262.3348): ongoing, 60 percent off select merchandise. Email sale news to style@stuffatnight.com.

Now hear this

Liza Weisstuch — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:09:00 GMT

Amplify your style with hip headphones

When it comes to accessorizing, few details escape your attention: belts, bangles, bags, eyewear, earrings, and shoes all factor into your personal style. You even carefully selected the perfect iPod case, so why would you listen to your music collection on generic headphones? The folks at urban clothing boutique Karmaloop (160 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.369.0100), who recently remodeled their shop, understand that your constant stream of music is as life-sustaining as your morning coffee. The store’s selection of headphones, displayed amid wallets and jewelry as though they’re just another accessory, are as much eye candy as they are sonic delivery systems. “People come in and buy a couple of them, just like sneakers,” says manager Chris Earhart. “I think people match them to their sneakers.” Karmaloop carries several brands preferred by DJs, including a few designed by WeAretheSuperlativeConspiracy, a Stockholm-based streetwear company that branched out into the headphone realm several years ago and signed up an assortment of DJs, music-industry insiders, and artists to collaborate on the designs. Here are some samples from their collection; plug them into your iPod and amplify your style.

A) Bassheads, crank down the noise for a second and pay attention. The Bongo ($85) has a gold-plated plug for ultimate audio performance. The sound is as vivid as its colors.

B) The Oboe ($55) has a retro look that evokes the early days of hip-hop. Rev up the sound with comfort and old-school style.

C) There’s more to earbuds than just black and white. The compact Harp headphones ($32) are tiny in size and huge in delivery. They’re available in a spectrum of bright hues, including lime, aqua, and orange.

Hair today: Wake up blah, boring tresses with these fun-to-use products

Heather Bouzan — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:26:00 GMT

We like the sound of "cotton-infused shampoo" - it evokes images of soft, full tresses lightly mussed by a gentle breeze. Leave it to the folks at Fresh to harness the power of the fluffy stuff with Fresh Cotton Shampoo ($26), which its works magic on both normal and color-treated hair. Cotton powder lends texture, while cotton-seed extract conditions and smoothes; other ingredients - including sunflower-seed, carrot-root, and linden-bud extracts - add shine, protection, and strength. Pick it up at Fresh (121 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.421.1212).

Four products, a flat iron, and a brush that costs more than our cut-color-and-blowdry later, our hair is perfect. Our hands, however, are a sticky mess. But not so after using the revolutionary Hands2Hair ($16.50) from DuWop, a cream that's equal parts hair goo and hand lotion. Active ingredient squalane smoothes skin while leaving locks shiny and lightly texturized. Simply work a decent-sized dollop into damp hair and massage the remaining sweetly-scented film into hands. Stock up on this two-in-one treasure at Sephora (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, 617.262.4200).

When our hair needs serious treatment, we turn to a cult favorite: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer ($42), available at www.philipkingsley.com. Work the slippery paste into wet hair for about a minute, then shampoo and condition as you normally would. The formula makes a beeline straight to your hair's cuticles, delivering intense moisture for strong, silky tresses with plenty of movement. And Kingsley's Elasticizer won't weigh hair down. You'll notice a difference immediately, and results improve with regular use.

We're all about low-maintenance hair, but shiny locks are an absolute necessity. For that, we rely on Oscar Blandi's Luce ($25), a rinse-out gloss that conditions, brightens, and restores shine to hair with grape-seed extracts and other vitamins. It also protects hair from damaging environmental elements. Evenly apply the gloss to towel-dried hair, relax for three to five minutes, and rinse with warm, then cool, water. Find Oscar Blandi at Sephora.

Forgive the fact that the name is a bit wordy. Depth Charge Seednoir Prewash Hair-Therapy ($40) by Molton Brown, available at Neiman Marcus (5 Copley Place, Boston, 617.536.3660), is formulated with a blend of essential oils perfect for sprucing up dry, damaged 'dos with shine, silkiness, and plenty of body. In fact, seednoir (a/k/a black-seed oil) is traditionally used in India for its hair-conditioning properties. Once a week, comb the oil through dry hair, give it 20 minutes or so to marinate, then shampoo and condition according to your normal regimen. Added bonus: it's good for scalps, too.

We've been hearing stylists rave about the Davines brand for so long, we had to investigate firsthand. Our pick? The line's Alchemic Shampoos ($20) and Conditioners ($24), which embellish fading hair color (natural or colorist-applied) while adding shine, moisture, and sun protection. Formulated with milk proteins, vitamins, and olive-oil derivatives, the products are available in shades like red, copper, golden, chocolate, and tobacco. Take your pick at
I Soci Salon (8 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.867.9484). @

Kir royale

Heather Bouzan — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:29:00 GMT

Ever found yourself wishing that the owner of your favorite housewares shop would come over and outfit your entire place for you? We've often entertained such fantasies about Beacon Hill gem Koo de Kir (65 Chestnut Street, Boston, 617.723.8111). Lucky for us, founder and creative director Kristine Irving is making that dream a little bit more realistic. Though she's operated a design business out of the shop for years by referral only, Irving recently acquired a space around the corner and is launching a design studio, Koo de Kir Design (45 River Street, Boston, 617.723.8117). Focusing on high-end residential, boutique, and restaurant design, the studio, at its inception, already had 13 projects in the works, including a revamp of North End eatery Pomodoro and several home-design projects. Anyone who's browsed through Koo de Kir has a sense of Irving's aesthetic; she describes it as "elegant, modern, and carefully considered" in a warm, unfussy way.

[Photo by Joel Veak]

Shoes or lose

Heather Bouzan — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:03:00 GMT

When you step into new South End shoes-and-accessories boutique Leokadia (667 Tremont Street, Boston, 617.247.SHOE), the first thing you'll probably do is recognize owner Jessica Lynn. Actually, scratch that - the first thing you'll do is admire her stylishly shod feet. Then you'll remember that you know her from Beacon Hill's Moxie (51 Charles Street, Boston, 617.557.9991), which she ran for three years. When she decided to venture out on her own in January, she stumbled upon a former flower shop and outfitted it like a luxe living room. She's brought in a number of high-quality, hard-to-find European shoe lines - including Betta Carrano, Maria Arellano, and Repetto - and some more recognizable names and lower-priced options. Lynn also stocks sunglasses, bags, coats by her sister's line (Coffee Shop), and, coming in the next few months, a few premium denim brands.

[Photo by Joel Veak]

Style Spy: Keeping an eye on Lisa Proulx

Erica Corsano — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:40:00 GMT

I'm an observant girl. I love to people-watch, and I’m always checking out the outfits on just about everyone around me. No, I don’t do it in a nasty “Oh my God, did she really wear that out in public” kind of way; I’m usually just looking for a little inspiration. One of my favorite spots to people-watch or (in my case, style-watch) is my salon, I Soci. And one of my favorite subjects is stylist Lisa Proulx. Every time I go in for a treatment, something she’s wearing catches my eye. Whether it’s a pair of Costume National pumps I’m drooling over (I drool even more when Proulx tells me she got them for 80 percent off!), a colorful silk Pucci-inspired print dress, or a vintage-inspired top from Marc by Marc Jacobs, her clothes always beg the question: “Where is that from?” I managed to catch the beautista-meets-fashionista just before she jetted off to Paris. We talked style, guilty pleasures, international shopping, and, of course, hair.

Q: Tell me a little bit about your style.
A: I would say that I like classic looks with a little bit of edge. But it also depends on my mood. Sometimes I like being comfy and relaxed, and other times I really like to glam it out.

Q: Is there anything about your style that might surprise us?
A: Well, I rarely wear jewelry. Rings and bangles get in the way of cutting hair, and if I ever wear earrings or a necklace, it’s something simple, precious, and classic. I never wear costume jewelry.

Q: Beauty and fashion go hand in hand. How do you feel one industry influences the other?
A: Hairstyles are definitely inspired by the end of the [fashion] season. When looks are more tailored, hairstyles are more tailored. This season, with a return to more feminine looks, we are seeing glamorous, tailored looks including bobs, structured bangs, and loosely structured up-dos.

Q: What are your guilty pleasures?
A: Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales! I love department stores. And also Stil. I can go in there and buy an outfit that is such a guilty pleasure. But I’m drawn to Stil because their clothing is unique and they don’t fit into one specific trend and they aren’t pieces you will see everywhere.

Q: Any other favorite shopping destinations?
A: I love to shop when I travel. Whether I’m in Burlington, Vermont, or New York City, I love to peek into little stores or boutiques and find interesting and unique pieces. I guess that’s how I build my wardrobe and find a lot of my favorite pieces — randomly in my travels.

Q: Speaking of travel, you’re off to Paris tomorrow. Any big shopping plans?
A: It’s my first time visiting Paris and I’m really excited about the shopping! I’ve already mapped out my shopping route. I definitely have to stop into Collette, maybe to buy a really fabulous outfit or to get some inspiration. But I think my real inspiration will come from sitting at cafés and people-watching. I can’t wait to sit back and watch the people pass me by and check out what they’re wearing.

Q: Any other cities you love for shopping?
A: I love shopping in Rome. I have things that I bought five years ago [there] that I still wear. Shopping in Rome is easy: most stores are carrying the latest trends that everyone is wearing, so it’s easy to find pieces to update your wardrobe — at any price. I think Boston is tough to shop in. In San Francisco, Rome, and other cities, you can find random boutiques with a great mix of high-end and affordable things. Here, if you shop cheap, you get cheap.

Q: What has been your biggest splurge and biggest save?
A: My biggest splurge: Marc Jacobs suede boots. I love Marc Jacobs anything. My biggest save is the sale shoe rack at Bloomingdales! I’ve picked up Fendi shoes, Costume National shoes, all for 40 to 80 percent off! Their footwear sales are incredible.

Q: What is the one thing in your wardrobe you really can’t live without?
A: My Loro Piana cashmere scarf. I absolutely adore it.

Q: Do you have any style icons who inspire you?
A: Audrey Hepburn and Kate Bosworth.

Q: What’s the best accessory to any outfit?
A: A great haircut! I’ve said this to so many clients before: someone can have a $1000 suit on, but if their hair looks bad, then it completely ruins the look. @

[Photo by Joel Veak]

Set Sale: Alo, Boutique Fabulous, Firefly Jewelry & Gifts, Runway Salon, and more

Katelyn Harding — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:07:00 GMT

Alo (58 JFK Street, Cambridge, 617.576.0948): ongoing, 25 percent and up off select Nicole Miller dresses; up to 75 percent off all shoes. Boutique Fabulous (1309 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, 617.864.0656): through May 6, up to 75 percent off select jewelry. Firefly Jewelry & Gifts (270 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.375.5885): through April 30, 40 percent off select jewelry. Runway Salon (11 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.375.0002): ongoing, $25 haircut for first-time clients. Twilight (12 Fleet Street, Boston, 617.523.8008): through April 30, donate an old evening gown and receive 15 percent off one item. Velvet Fly (424 Hanover Street, Boston, 617.557.4359): through April 30, 25 percent off all spring jackets and outerwear. Wish (49 Charles Street, Boston, 617.227.4441): through May 6, buy one pair of jeans, get a second pair half off.
E-mail sale news to style@stuffatnight.com.

Set Sale: Alo, Betsy Jenney, Ku De Ta, Twilight, and Velvet Fly

Katelyn Harding — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:15:00 GMT

Alo (58 JFK Street, Cambridge, 617.576.0948): ongoing, 25 percent off select Nicole Miller dresses; up to 75 percent off all shoes. Betsy Jenney (114 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.536.2610): ongoing, 75 percent off everything in the "Betsy Jenney Bargain Basement" sale room. Ku De Ta (663 East Broadway, South Boston, 617.269.0008): through April 22, mention Stuff@night and receive 10 percent off entire purchase. Twilight (12 Fleet Street, Boston, 617.523.8008): ongoing, up to 50 percent off select merchandise. Velvet Fly (424 Hanover Street, Boston, 617.557.4359): through April 30, 25 percent off all spring jackets and outerwear. E-mail sale news to style@stuffatnight.com.

Talent Scout: Bless Mazarura of Bless by Bless Couture

Erica Corsano — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:44:00 GMT

VERY SELDOM does a clothing line inspire. (By "inspire," we're not referring to the rush that some of us get after purchasing a fabulous new handbag or viewing our favorite designer's latest runway show, but rather true inspiration.) But local designer Bless Mazarura takes the concept of clothing to a higher, almost karmic level. His Bless Couture collection, he says, goes "beyond fashion," adding, "Every garment is designed to inspire and is created as an affirmation to instill hope, faith, and love - the greatest of all."

After escaping poverty in his homeland of Zimbabwe, Mazarura came to the United States to start a new life, leaving his sick, poverty-stricken mother behind. According to Mazarura, fashion was her salvation: "As a child, I saw my mother suffer. She would sew cheap clothing with a 1975 Singer machine for a living, and it saved her life." Today his mother still lives in poverty in Zimbabwe, but Mazarura hopes that the profits from his line will help "save" her and others suffering in her region.

Part rapper-meets-rocker, part urban fashionista, Mazarura's line consists of high-end T-shirts, tanks, and sweatshirts emblazoned with emblems of hope, love, and faith. Each design is part of a limited-edition collection of only 50 to 100 pieces, and 10 percent of the company's profits are donated to help AIDS orphans and poverty victims in Zimbabwe.

We recently caught up with the local talent to find out more about his life, his work, and his inspiration.

Q: When did you first develop an interest in designing garments?

A: At six years old, I often sat beside my mother while she worked on her sewing machine. I would pick up all the leftover material and make my own creations, which weren't much, but I fell in love with creating clothing then.

Q: What inspires you to design your collection?

A: I am inspired by hope, faith, and love. Hope that I can give my mother, who still lives in poverty in Zimbabwe, a better life. Faith that I can make a difference in this world. Most of all I am inspired to design by love: my love for fashion and my love for the gift of life.

Q: How would you describe the type of person who purchases/wears your line?

A: A highly fashion-conscious individual who is brave enough to make a statement for love and social awareness. My line is also worn by many people who don't want to see their outfit on a mannequin or on others around them. My collection is limited edition - meaning no mass production.

Q: The fashion scene is often criticized for being superficial. How do you feel about the world of fashion as a whole?

A: That's a sensitive subject, but sometimes a fair criticism. I feel fashion should be supporting the millions of cotton farmers and laborers who make it what it is. We need to honor and compensate them. That is why everything in my collection is made under ethical trading and fair labor. However, on a whole, I think fashion is beautiful, positive, and empowering. It speaks of who we are as individuals.

Q: How do you feel about the fashion scene in Boston?

A: I think we really need to step the fashion scene up in Boston. We're only four hours away from what is arguably the world's fashion capitol, New York, but we are so behind. I think if we put the politics aside, in unity we could be unstoppable. After all, we have all the fashion lovers and resources a city could ever need.

Q: You say that your line is created to inspire and send a message of hope and love. Can an article of clothing really do that?

A: Yes, it's easy. My clothing communicates through the inspirational affirmations of hope and love printed on every single article. I also purposely include unique detail and noise that makes my clothing great conversational pieces, and in that conversation message, the story of love and hope will be discussed. Everyday I get a call or e-mail that starts with "I just love . . ."

Q: Where do you see yourself and your line in five years?

A: In five years my line will have changed the lives of hundreds of orphans. It is my mission and failing is not an option. I will be doing everything I love - including fashion and music. In five years I will have made a mark in the fashion world and people will be saying, "I remember reading about him in Stuff@night!"

Q: You donate 10 percent of all proceeds to charity. Which ones?

A: Mainly a charity called Mother of Peace in Zimbabwe. It's an orphanage for kids who lost their parents from AIDS. HIV kills a person every minute in Zimbabwe, and one in five children will be orphans by 2010. I can help change that. I also started my own charity called Bless By Blessing in Zimbabwe, which buys books for schoolchildren in rural areas.

Q: What does "fashion for life" mean to you?

A: I believe fashion is very powerful; it turns people into walking billboards of who we are and what we represent. My goal is to use the fashion medium to give life and hope to children, especially orphans, by spreading a message of love.

Q: Where can people find your line?

A: My line is currently available on my Web site at www.blessbybless.com, and I will be launching at local and national boutiques this summer. @

[Photo by Andrew Swaine]

Mirror, Mirror: You’ll be the fairest of them all with these stunning compacts

Heather Bouzan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:38:00 GMT

CONSIDER YOURSELF warned: if you stop by Luna Boston (205 Newbury Street, Boston, 866.910.3900) to pick up these gorgeous Bellissima mirrors (just minor splurges at $24 to $26 apiece), we can't promise that you'll leave without a slightly pricier bag to match. But we love that the mirrors themselves rotate out from inside, keeping their breakable parts protected within an acrylic, rhinestone-studded shell. They're perfect for adorning makeup-cluttered bureaus, stashing inside evening bags, and for the ever-important lip gloss touch-up. @

Grab bag

Heather Bouzan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:36:00 GMT

What's the fun in breezing through a department store in search of this season's It Bag? Sometimes we prefer the intrigue of an eBay browse, a sample sale, or the second annual "What's in a Bag?" handbag auction at the Boston Harbor Hotel (70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, 617.439.7000). The luncheon, taking place on April 17 from noon to 2 p.m., benefits the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. (Last year, the bag-obsessed doled out nearly $60,000 at the event.) Up for grabs are purses straight from the closets of local and national celebrities - including a gray cashmere number from Ugly Betty actress Vanessa Williams and two Chanels from weather diva Mish Michaels - plus coveted new styles from the likes of Kate Spade and Michael Kors. Of course, not everyone will score the bag of her dreams - but to soothe the sore losers, there are yummy handbag cakes courtesy of Amazing Cakes by Joanne. For tickets ($125), call 781.595.7570, ext. 19, or visit www.mahomeless.org. Those anxious to place their bids can also visit www.mahomeless.cmarket.com to track the auction's progress online.

Set Sale: Boutique Fabulous, Crush Boutique, Float, and more

Katelyn Harding — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:23:00 GMT

Boutique Fabulous (1309 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, 617.864.0656): through April 1, 25 percent off select jewelry. Crush Boutique (131 Charles Street, Boston, 617.720.0010): through March 31, 50 to 70 percent off all winter merchandise. Float (267 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617.277.7222): ongoing, 50 percent off all winter merchandise. First Date Boutique (28 Chestnut Street, Andover, 978.247.8999): through March 31, up to 50 percent off select designers. Injeanius (441 Hanover Street, Boston, 617.523.5326): through March 31, up to 50 percent off denim, tops, and sweaters. Parlor (1248 Washington Street, Boston, 617.521.9005): through March 25, mention Stuff@night and receive 20 percent off any one item. Tesorino (70 Charles Street, Boston, 617.742.0061): through March 31, 30 percent off select Peter Kent handbags. E-mail sale news to style@stuffatnight.com.

Sacked Out: Put that fall handbag away and start fresh this Spring

Erica Corsano — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:54:00 GMT

WHEN IT comes to swapping out your fall handbag for a spring one, there seem to be two distinct schools of thought. One believes in exchanging a statement bag for a statement bag - meaning that your spring handbag should be as important and luxurious as the trusty leather satchel, tote, or hobo that has seen you through winter. The women in this camp are willing to make an investment and opt for luxe leather in white, tan, light brown, or a pale shade that adds a hint of color while still working with just about any outfit.

The second group is more adventurous and prefers purchasing a few spring bags at lower price points, rather than replacing their statement Chloe, Gucci, Dior, or Prada. Come spring, these ladies want to experiment with fabrics, prints, and colors that may have not been suitable for fall.

Betsey Johnson manager Nicole Curtis loves this time of year, when, she says, stores like hers do especially well. "Some people really only carry leather handbags year-round, but in the spring, we see the more conservative Boston shoppers switching to fabric, patterns, and prints, but buying more," she says. "A handbag becomes more of a fun novelty versus a wardrobe staple."

Dress co-owner Jane Schlueter agrees. "Spring closets transition from being filled with tweed, fur, and cashmere to being filled with light cotton, linen, and silk," she notes. "And some women feel it is the right time to try something new."

If you're anything like me, you might be feeling slightly overwhelmed with choices. Relax: We pranced around town and did all the work for you (drooling over every handbag we laid eyes on). Here's your handy handbag shopping guide.

Luna Boston (205 Newbury Street, Boston, 866.910.3900): this local handbag haven is a great go-to when you need a little guidance. Their staff is helpful but not pushy; price points are high but not outrageous. It's also an impeccably well-edited space, and chances are you're not going to spot their goods all over town. From large daytime hobos to flat envelope clutches, they carry dozens and dozens of lines, shapes, colors, and sizes - including new arrivals from Hayden-Harnett, Badgley Mischka, and Cynthia Rowley.

Nordstrom (Natick Collection, 290 Speen Street, Natick, 508.318.2600): this bag department is worth the trip to Natick. They too boast a helpful but not overly aggressive staff, and they offer a wide variety of styles at many different price points. Investment picks include Marc by Marc Jacobs, D&G, and L.A.M.B. They also carry a selection of bold-print fabric bags, tons of brightly colored leather, metallics in every shape under the sun, and a decent selection of patent leather.

Betsey Johnson (201 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.236.7072): Betsey Johnson is known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embellished, and the over-the-top, and not everyone can pull off her girly-girl-meets-punk-rock-star look. If you can get past the super-frilly factor, you'll definitely have fun with zebra prints, embroidered florals, cheetah punk nylon, rosette-studded hand bags, and much more.

Rafe New York "Coco" canvas printed bag, $285, and Rebecca Minkoff "morning after" mini bag, $550, both at Luna Boston.