Janelle Diamond's picture
May, 21st 2010

Shine Shutters

So my day started at the luxury wing of Towson Town Center and I slipped into Martin + Osa—one of my favorite stores—and was delighted to see that everything was an additional 30% off. I love Martin + Osa because it's American Eagle for the over 30-crowd. Great stuff, reasonably priced, and always amazing customer service—which I've written about before. As I was checking out the guy told me that everything was final sale because THEY ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. What! The nice manager told me that parent company American Eagle is moving on to other ventures, mainly 77kids by american eagle—a new clothing line that he told me is somewhere between Janie & Jack and Crazy 8. (And sticking with aerie.) Then I check my e-mail when I get home and find out from Examiner.com that Shine Collective will "shutter their retail operation in order to focus on doing films under the moniker Shine Films; a joint venture with Shine Collective and Drury Bynum...

8:57 pm Tags: Uncategorized
Janelle Diamond's picture
May, 19th 2010

Kingpin

Looking to combine their two favorite things, fashion and fitness, husband and wife team Charles and Jennifer Wiseman have opened Kingpin in Fells Point—a clothing store with a gym in it or maybe a gym with a clothing store in it. Either way, there is stylish active wear in the front and  personal training sessions in the back. There is also an on site nutritionist and a DJ that spins in shop. The décor—loud and bright—reflects the couple’s charismatic and outgoing personalities—which is also evident in the international brands they chose like British menswear line Psycho Bunny and Margarita, from Israel. 1924 Fleet St., 443-388-8796, kingpinbaltimore.com. —Nikki Reese (intern)


10:27 am Tags: Uncategorized
Janelle Diamond's picture
May, 19th 2010

Ask the Expert—The Suit Master

Christopher Schafer, Tom James Company

Christopher Schafer is a creative clothier and a passionate musician that was born and raised in Baltimore. He is a married father of two boys and  drummer for the instrumental group To The Moon. He grew up in a family of five boys—with parents married now for almost 50 years. His career in fashion began in 2007 when Chris and his wife moved to London and was hired by the Tom James Company, the world's largest manufacturer and retailer of custom clothing. While in the UK, Christopher became a student of fashion in a city that is known for fine gentleman’s clothing. He has been back in home in Baltimore building his client base for a year and a half.

How did you get started with Tom James? I moved to London in the summer of 2007 and was recruited by the Tom James Clothing Company. I was always interested in fashion and the opportunity to learn the art of measuring and designing custom clothing...

10:05 am Tags: Uncategorized
Janelle Diamond's picture
May, 18th 2010

A Catwalk—Sort Of

Here's the schedule for Saturday's "Fashion Hound" at Mt. Washington Mill:

Whole Foods Market will be grilling and selling hot dogs from 11 AM - 3 PM. All proceeds from the hot dog sale will go to B.A.R.C.S., a local animal rescue shelter. The fashion show begins at 12PM. Local models will flaunt the latest spring and summer fashions from Holly G boutique. Joining them on the catwalk will be our four-legged friends dressed in the fanciest dog clothes and collars from dogma-life with your pet. After the fashion show, stop by Mt. Washington Wine Company for wine tasting. From 12 PM to 3 PM, try delicious wine featuring adorable dogs on the labels. Visit dogma - life with your pet to meet local author Michael Paul. From 1PM to 3PM, he will be signing his book "The Adventures of Tiller and Turnbuckle." Stick around until 1 PM when the winner of the raffle prizes will be announced. Holly G, dogma - life with your pet, Mt. Washington Wine Company and Whole Foods Market will all auction individual gift baskets. The proceeds from the raffles will go to B.A.R.C.S.

2:12 pm Tags: Uncategorized
Janelle Diamond's picture
May, 18th 2010

Shine Sale

Jamie sent me the link to the big Shine sale going on now ... including Iosselliani. http://shopshinecollective.com/_catalog_60488/Sal I'm loving ...

11:51 am Tags: Uncategorized
Janelle Diamond's picture
May, 18th 2010

Belvedere Square

I was sad to see that Sweet Papaya was closing and even sadder to see a Subway was moving into the spot. Belvedere Square is one of my favorite spots but it hasn't fully recovered since losing Bratt Decor, Lilac Bijoux, and maybe even Raw Sugar. I'm not knocking Subway—it just doesn't seem like the right place for it to pop up. There are still so many strong stores at Belvedere—Simply Noted, Nouveau Contemporary Goods, The House Downtown,  Cloud 9—maybe once the economy is officially recovered some new shops will pop up. (And while I'm talking about Belvedere Square—how about some Atwater's love in Southeast Baltimore?) —JED

11:44 am Tags: Uncategorized
Janelle Diamond's picture
May, 11th 2010

LL Bean Signature

A great catalog landed in my mailbox this week—L.L. Bean's new Signature line. It's young and hip and promises "handsome tailoring and contemporary silhouettes." It's still very New England but with an uptown feel. Model Maggie Rizer with her blonde hair and sun kissed face is totally adorable in her twill camp skirt and chambray pintuck shirt. I love the Rebecca Fabric Wedge and all the resin jewelry, the madras camp shirt, and mariner leather tote. The men stuff is great too—still rugged but refined including a plain weave blazer and sportsman dress shirts. llbeansignature.com.

2:34 pm Tags: Uncategorized
Janelle Diamond's picture
April, 16th 2010

Tibi Trunk Show

The Little Shopper and I will be stopping by the Tibi Trunk Show later today (12-8) at Urban Chic. Shop Tibi and receive 15% off, a free Tibi product, a free pair of designer denim (while supplies last), plus food and drink specials after the show at Talara until 11 PM. —JED

8:09 am Tags: Uncategorized
Janelle Diamond's picture
April, 16th 2010

Baltimore Retail Week

... as if you needed an excuse to shop. But, tax-free  Baltimore Retail Week runs from today until Sunday, April 25th. All participating retailers—more than 50 in four different shopping districts—are offering a minimum 6% off all purchases, with some offering up to 80% off. You can find a list of all the retailers here. But include: Red Canoe, Phina's for the Home, Nouveau Contemporary Goods, Form, Squidfire, Bratt Decor and Amaryllis. Just mention Baltimore Retail Week when you are checking out. —JED

7:57 am Tags: Uncategorized
Janelle Diamond's picture
April, 15th 2010

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival

This weekend is the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Timonium. It's a great chance to see more than 250 artists from around the county (including 30 locally known talents) showcase their jewelry, photography, pottery, scultpures, glass, home decor, furniture, fibers and weareable, home accessories, plus stuff for the garden. Local artisits participating include:

Elizabeth Shaw (Columbia, MD): Collecting fallen branches of local hardwoods, Elizabeth creates chairs and furniture that embrace the organic shape of her materials. She leaves the knots and imperfections, twigs, and curvature of each branch intact, allowing them to dictate the design for each of her unique pieces.

Jill Stern (Frederick, MD): Jill uses an unexpected canvas for her paintings – clothing and shoes. She adds whimsical flair to basic clothing, using bright colors and her...

11:52 am Tags: Uncategorized
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