Santigold's new album, 99 Cents, was released today. The cover art is perfect.
Indego Africa
Lately, I've been discovering little online shops that really speak to my love for textiles, colorful bits for the home, and fun patterns for the wardrobe — like all the items on Indego Africa.
I'm always looking for more. Do you know of any other online stores that I should check out?
Jewelry on Ship & Shape
Online store Ship & Shape is stocked with tons of goodness from independent artists and designers. Here's some gorgeous jewelry I've been eyeing from their curated collections.
Dish Boutique
Pretty and airy looks from San Francisco based clothing store (and online store), Dish Boutique.
Fly Favorites on Lydali's Blog
I'm so excited to share some of my favorites from this wonderful online shoppe, Lydali; which is a brand that collaborates with global artisans to create beautiful one of-a-kind pieces for the home and wardrobe.
With highly curated hand-crafted items and a rich range of pieces at affordable prices, Lydali is totally a brand to watch.
Check out the Lydali blog to see what I had to say about the items I chose as Fly favorites and also meet the talent behind the designs.
The Saturday Social: An Oak & Abbey Pop-Up
On my way to AIGA Baltimore's Ink & Pixels Student Design Conference this weekend I passed by a store-front with two dress-forms adorned with brightly colored necklaces. Driving around Baltimore I find it rare to see really cool retail spaces so it totally caught my eye. I drove by quickly trying not to be late but made a mental note of the intersection so I could GPS my way back later. And later I did.
Coming from neighborhood browsing I made my way back to the Howard St. and West Monument intersection hoping that this place would be open and open to the public, because at a closer look it appeared to be a studio versus a boutique.
Upon entering the space I learned that this was a weekly pop-up shop created by Melise Johnson, the owner of OAK & ABBEY, which is a Baltimore-based fashion accessory retailer. Every Saturday Melise sets up shop at The Paper Supply Co. (a studio space owned by her photographer husband) selling colorfully unique accessories designed and made by women.
For me it was such a great encounter because as I am making plans to move to Baltimore I am always on the look out for meeting cool and interesting folk.
Meeting Melise, her husband, and beautiful children and chatting about the creative energy bubbling in Baltimore was reassurance that there are indeed stylish things happening in the Charm City. I haven't seen an abundance of boutiques and independent spaces in Bmore (although I'm sure they are there) so seeing this pop-up shop was such a breath of fresh air.
Melise has a good curatorial eye for pieces that are fun, rich with color (as you know I love), textures and materials. I purchased a pair of neon pink earrings that I've already worn three times since Saturday. I will definitely visit again to pick up some bangles or statement necklace.
If you live in the Baltimore area and love fun jewelry be sure to make your way over to Oak & Abbey's "The Saturday Social" every Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.
The Paper Supply Co
700 N. Howard Street
every Saturday
10 am - 6 pm
Fly Spotting: Wake Up!
Fly Spot: Wake Up! Brussels, Belgiam
Wake Up! is my favourite shop in Brussels. Packed with technicolor goodies, Afro/urban mash ups, funky designs by Nuo herself (Wake Up!'s owner, Noemie is also a designer), beautiful notebooks, cute jewelry and generally creative clothes I always find something I like. It is also a hub for Cut Up Collectif, a trio of two stylists and one make-up artist, who are always up to something cool whether it's creating album covers, parties or fashion shows. It is a vibrant splash of colour in this nice, grey city — a little sartorial oasis. Drop by and check it out!
Written and submitted by singer/songwriter Desta Hailé.
It's Vintage Darling
Fab styling and photos from It's Vintage Darling, a retail space (and online shop) based in DC.
Fly Spotting: Violet Boutique
Fashion blogger Naseya Minor takes us to a fly boutique in Washington, D.C.
Fly spot: Violet Boutique in Adams Morgan
Boutique shopping is one of my favorite things to do. There are tons of boutiques in D.C. but when I stumbled upon Violet a few weeks ago I immediately fell in love. The shop owner was extremely nice and welcoming. The pieces were high-quality, trendy, and most importantly affordable. Violet has become one of my go-to shops.
Check out more from Naseya's Violet visit on her blog here.
Written and submitted by: Naseya Minor (thanks, lady!)
Want to submit a fly spot in your town? Click here to learn how.
Fly Spotting
Getting a local's perspective on the fly happenings and hot spots in a city is always the best way to go, which is why I want to hear (and see) from you what's fly in your town.
I'm looking for your favorite independently owned spots in whatever city you're in; boutiques where you and your girls find the best accessories, fleamarkets you browse on the weekends, cafes with the best lattes and pastries, or hangouts with the most delicious happy hour margaritas. It can be any spot you think a fellow fly reader would like to check out. I wanna see and I wanna share with all Fly readers!
Here's how to submit: Send 2-3 high quality photos (shot like the ones above) to flygirlblog[at]aol[dot]com. In the email include: the name of the fly spot and web address if appilcable, the city it's in, and a little blurb on why you love going there. Don't forget to ask permission before you take photos, and say you're submitting them for a possible Fly Spotter feature on Fly.
To make it even more fun, the first five people to submit will receive a Fly Doodle Book.
So submit soon! I can't wait to see the places where you all like to hang.
Esther Woo Vintage
Lately I've been on a vintage browsing (and thrifting) kick. I always love seeing what and how vintage lovers curate pieces for their shop. Like these fun items from Esther Woo Vintage. Those peppermint flats from Escada are too fun.
Do you have a favorite vintage shop, online or in your town, that you love to visit? Do share!
Betsy + Iya Shop
Here's a sweet peek into the lovely shop/studio space and latest collection of Betsy + Iya, a jewelry brand based out of Portland, Oregon. I'm loving how the super cute space is designed for work and display, and it's so warm and bright with all those windows.
Check out the new collection, Origins, which features earrings and necklaces that dangle with chains, hand-engraved brass, or African-trade beads accents. See more of the beautiful collection here.
NyMag's Boutique Feature
Photos by Melissa Hom
I have a thing for boutique features and photos. I always love seeing how shop owners lay out their stores and create inspiring vignettes with clothes and accessories. So naturally I was drawn to this feature of Brooklyn boutique Harlow in Chains on NYMag.com. The photographer captured the essence of the store and definitely leaves me wanting to check it out on my own. I adore those little tops and romper from Chandi. See all the photos on NyMag.com. Also, click here to see Fly's boutique features.
- Fly is a resource for everyone to enjoy, but please notify me before using images and other information from this blog. Just shoot me an email and be sure to add a credit line if you plan to use anything you see on Fly. Thank you. ©FLYGIRLS.TYPEPAD.COM
