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What is the Boutique of the Week?

With a belief that everyone can use a little retail therapy, The Boutique of the Week helps guide you away from the New York City chains and expensive designers and directly to the most unique and affordable boutiques in the city. 

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Entries in Wallets (3)

Tuesday
Jun152010

ABK

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Location - 105 Henry Street (near Allen St)

This tiny leather boutique is filled with hand-dyed and hand-stitched leather goods of the highest quality displayed in a wonderfully cozy space. Owner and designer Alya Kazakevich opened the doors in November of 2009 and has created a unique environment of organic potted plants and rustic country charm of found vintage furniture and well-worn home decor to match the supple leather collection she creates in her studio in the back of the shop.

The collection consists of anything Alya makes in her studio, including totes, purses, shoes, sandals, wallets, laptop carriers, notebooks and belts. The rich leather is worn to perfection and comes in deep chocolates to honey browns. The shoes are sprinkled throughout the shop and are individually unique - from laced oxfords to slingback sandals - each has beautiful hand-stitched detailing and even the soles of the shoes have amazing craftsmanship ($375-$450). The wallets ($50-$175), bags ($250-$550), and belts ($95-$145) are sturdy, soft, and are created to age perfectly with use. 

The leather goods are not only beautiful, but the hand-crafted quality and time put into each piece would make anything in ABK a perfect addition to your wardrobe and would last a lifetime. You can even see where all the work happens with sheets of raw leather and dozens of bottles of dye lining the back studio portion of the shop. 

The shoes are display sizes in the store, so Alya custom-makes each pair to your specifications, and can even customize any piece in ABK if it doesn't fit your needs.  Allow 3-4 weeks for custom orders, and hours are Wednesday-Sunday, noon-7pm.

DateTuesday, June 15, 2010 at 8:34AM | CommentPost a Comment |
Sunday
Jun212009

NY Artificial

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Location - 13 Eighth Ave (near West 12th Street)

Be ready to re-define yourself - and your style - after entering NY Artificial.  With local designers, eco-friendly materials, and trendy designs topped of with an amazingly attentive owner, you'll not only walk out with a great find, but a boost in self-esteem.  In addition to the warm welcome, you'll get thoughtful suggestions and helpful tidbits of information based on what pieces you stop to inspect further.  With prices ranging from $75-$400+, you'll get to model all types of bags from oversized totes to small metallic clutches.  Many styles come in ranges of colors and are mainly made in Manhattan.

Jewelry and other accessories, including hats and scarves are scattered throughout the store.  Inexpensive bangles to locally designed precious metal necklaces and earrings are so easy to wear and enhance the new handbag you're sure to purchase.  Be sure to check out the sister store next door that has apparel and more accessories.

If the handbags and accessories aren't enough, the hidden gem found at the back of the store is the makeup made by the owner, Aaron Bond. Already used by New York 1 and featured on the Red Carpet at the Tony Awards, this all-natural makeup line is hands-down amazing. Aaron, a former model, is so knowledgeable and attentive to skin needs that his line feels like freshness on the face. He will educate you on how to apply and transform you face into a natural, beautiful you. Though a little pricey, it's definitely worth the extra bucks to know you're only putting natural ingredients on your face, and it will last forever. I would recommend the amazing concealer ($28) and the lip satin hydrator ($19).

DateSunday, June 21, 2009 at 8:03PM | Comment1 Comment |
Sunday
May172009

Blue Bag

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Location - 266 Elizabeth Street (near Houston)

 

Elizabeth Street is known for its charm - the beautiful pre-war buildings housing not only artists and cafes, but shops that can interest any personality.  The hard part is not the viewing, it's the choosing.

Blue Bag is one of those stores that makes it easy to enter.  With huge windows showcasing the entire store, the vibrancy of colors and openness of floor plan invite any passerby in.  The brick walls and wood floors create a cozy, lived-in feel, which contrasts pleasingly with the vivid colors of the bags.  Handbags, shoulder bags, clutches, wallets, and totes lure you to touch and leave you wishing you were bold enough to wear a purple-sequined cross-body.  No color of the rainbow is left unclaimed and are visualized in all textures.  Rich, go-to leather neutrals share a wall with bright, lemon-yellow extravagance.  

Clutches and wallets range from $75-200, whereas bags can be found from $125-500, with more on the less expensive end.  The prices were shocking (in a good way) to say the least, based on the prime Nolita location, and a spot that has neighbors such as Hayden-Harnett and Tory Burch, Blue Bag's range in both quality of merchandise and price make you feel like you've found a gem.

As Blue Bag boasts, they change out their entire stock every month to open up the ability for everyone to "have an addiction here," leaving room for both days of needed essentials and daring sequins.

 

DateSunday, May 17, 2009 at 9:07PM | CommentPost a Comment |