Spring is officially here, and we all know what that means: warmer weather and shorter hems. This season, we’re ready to strut our stuff in the latest and greatest trends. Nostalgia is in the air with the revival of ’80s prints, ’90s nonchalance, and Y2K favorites.

We asked a few of our go-to Baltimore boutiques what must-haves will be stored in their closets this spring, and how we might put our own spin on them.

PALAZZO JEANS
A Style Studio

“Our favorite trend this spring is palazzo jeans,” says Lauren Rutkovitz, owner of A Style Studio in Pikesville. “I love the versatility and comfort of these jeans: Dress them up or down, day or night with a heel or a sneaker. The point of these jeans is to show off your waist! Wear them with a tucked-in blouse or a cropped sweater.” 25 Hooks Ln. # 111, Pikesville, 410-484-1115

GEOMETRIC JEWELS
House of Muse

“One of my favorite trends happening in spring 2022 is the use of unique geometric shapes in jewelry,” says Alex Dekowski, owner of House of Muse. “You’ll begin to see a lot of chunky rings and earrings in fun atypical designs. We saw a huge trend of mixing metals that is still going strong into spring, with pops of color being added into the mix.” Online.

CORSET TOPS
Brightside Boutique

Paige Hamburg, marketing manager at Brightside Boutique, says that “Y2K looks are back!” Their style advice? “Look out for micro-mini skirts, baggy and low-rise denim styles, and corsets. We’re styling corset tops with low-rise denim and heels for nights out grabbing cocktails.” Multiple locations including 915 W 36th St., 410-814-0595

SATURATED HUES
Keepers Vintage

“I get excited about trends that are revisited and reimagined. I encourage my customers to repurpose vintage pieces for creative, on-trend wardrobes,” says Erica Bentley, owner of Keepers Vintage. “My favorites I’ll be adding to both my closet and the shop are saturated hues from the ’70s and ’80s.” Two locations including 229 W Read St., 443-421-3757

It’s safe to say that 2020 wasn’t a banner year for fashion. Fashion week was a bust, and the best most of us could muster was cozy chic. But this year, we’re planning to make a splash back into the social scene. Our inspiration? Anything bright and airy from our favorite Baltimore boutiques. Here are a few pieces to add to your mood board:

Rob Reese was ready for a career change. After spending most of his professional life in digital marketing, he wanted to use his skills to breathe new life into a business he could call his own. It turned out Alternate Worlds, the Baltimore County comic book store where he’d been shopping for the past 10 years, was listed for sale. When Reese saw the posting, he thought, “This is perfect, this is the kind of stuff I love!”

In October of 2019, Reese closed the deal on the store. He was excited to make changes to the shop—developing a logo and branding, expanding its offerings of toys, reconfiguring displays, and building up the store’s website and social media presence—and slowly saw his business progressing. He knew there was still a lot of work left to be done in order to grow. But there was one thing he couldn’t have predicted.

“I didn’t know a pandemic was coming,” he says with a chuckle. “I wish I would have put that into the equation.”

Much like restaurants, retail stores have had to adapt on the fly since March, after local governments ordered non-essential businesses to close their doors in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and later allowed them to reopen with capacity restrictions.

Nationwide, only 45 percent of small retailers reported that their businesses were in good health, compared with 65 percent of small manufacturers and 67 percent of professional service businesses, such as law offices or accounting firms, according to a July survey conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and insurer MetLife.

While that number improved slightly in a survey taken by those companies during the winter holidays, 64 percent of retailers said they thought the worst of the pandemic was still to come.

The landscape is dotted with local institutions that, faced with sharp declines in sales, decided to close for good.

Unsurprisingly, the five area retailers we spoke with saw business decrease significantly during the time they were limited to curbside pickup or online orders. But with creative ideas, a renewed push online, some new merchandise, and strong community support, several have recovered and are staying afloat as the pandemic drags on. Others are still behind. Here are their stories.

→ ALTERNATE WORLDS

When Reese bought the business, the number of customers who would stop in every week to pick up their regular orders of comics was about 300. That fell by roughly 100 once the pandemic hit, he says, with so many people losing their jobs or some form of income.

A decision by some major publishers in the spring to pause new releases until struggling shops could reopen ended up being a lifeline. Under ordinary circumstances, orders for new titles are placed with a distributor months in advance and stores must pay for the number of issues they requested, whether they sell them or not. At least now, Reese wouldn’t have to pay for merchandise he didn’t move. (Disclosure: Baltimore magazine publisher Stephen A. Geppi owns Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest distributor in the industry. His company halted shipments of new comics in March.)

Meanwhile, Reese turned to social media to try to drum up business, hosting livestreams to talk about new lines or to unbox items and posting giveaways and raffles. He also offered shipping deals and put together mystery boxes filled with an assortment of comics, toys, and other products.

“People still want entertainment, whether it’s something to read or a game to play or some kind of toy that goes with The Mandalorian,” he says.

While those tools have been effective, foot traffic is down about 20 to 40 percent and sales during the final months of 2020 were down 30 to 40 percent compared to the same period last year, Reese notes.

The lack of customers has been particularly felt in the upper level of the store—now a ghost town—where there are tables and chairs set up for patrons to play games.

“That was a huge source of stress for me,” Reese says. “I know I’m paying rent for all this square footage I’m not even using.”

Reese’s landlord has been flexible on the timing of rent payments, but he knows the money will be due at some point. In the event of another shutdown, Reese says he will have to seriously think about reconfiguring his business and finding a place with less square footage. “I think I could survive in a smaller location focused on online sales and with less staff, unfortunately—that would be a possibility,” he says. “I still don’t think it would be easy.”

He laments, “If you had talked to me in October, November, December of [2019], I would’ve told you about all these amazing plans I had. Now I’m just happy if I can pay my rent each month.”

→ SANKOFA AFRICAN & WORLD BAZAAR

Esther Armstrong had big plans for 2020. After years spent planning, fundraising, and finding an ideal space, she relocated her beloved 26-year-old boutique, Sankofa African & World Bazaar, from Old Goucher to Park Heights and opened an adjoining nonprofit museum to teach children about African culture.

The museum launched on February 3, months after Armstrong reopened her shop, which sells clothing, jewelry, fabric, and art from the African continent, at its new location on Pimlico Road. By March, both were temporarily closed.

“I had no idea it was going to affect everything the way it has,” Armstrong says. “When we had our grand opening, we had a nice-sized crowd, nobody was thinking COVID.”

The store returned in July, but the museum remains closed. Customers have been slow to come back, Armstrong reports, with sales down by more than half. The store was briefly buoyed by the passage of the first federal relief package, the CARES Act, when people receiving unemployment benefits got an additional $600 per week, making it somewhat possible for them to splurge every now and then after taking care of basic needs. But once that added payment ended, Armstrong says, sales at Sankofa dropped again.

“Nobody is wearing the kind of clothes we carry because they are not going anywhere,” Armstrong says. But she and her husband, Jim Clemmer, who run both the store and museum after retiring from other careers, remain even-keeled.

“We’re going to keep putting one foot in front of the other and hope we survive and get to the other side in one piece,” Armstrong says. “And keep a smile on our face.”

→ KARMA

Teresa Blatchley has been in retail her entire adult life, starting with the Mount Airy jewelry store where she worked through high school and college. She opened her own store in Cockeysville, Teresa B. Gift & Home, but she sold that after three-and-a-half years. Still, retail was in her blood, so when an opportunity arrived in the form of a vacant storefront off Seminary Avenue in Lutherville, she couldn’t resist.

Her idea was to combine gifts and accessories with a well-curated selection of high-end consignment clothing.

“The concept inside the store was to not make you feel like you were in a consignment shop,” she says. “You would walk in and feel more like you were in an Anthropologie.”

She opened Karma in 2017. Business was humming along, then COVID-19 changed everything, eventually causing Blatchley to scrap her original vision altogether.

Even before the coronavirus was on anyone’s radar, she went into 2020 knowing Karma needed a working website, a task that was made more urgent as news of the outbreak spread. Blatchley decided to close the store in mid-March—days before Gov. Larry Hogan ordered non-essential businesses across the state to do the same—and launched the site.

Orders soon started flowing in for Easter, Mother’s Day, and school graduations, with customers now able to have their items shipped to their homes or available for curbside pickup. Staffers also put together bundles of gifts and personal care products, including care packages specially designed for front-line workers, that sold quickly.

High-end consignment, however, was hardly moving. “Nobody was going anywhere,” Blatchley says, echoing Armstrong’s remarks. “Nobody wanted to buy used clothing.”

As she moved to reopen the store with capacity limits in June, Blatchley looked at the amount of floor space taken up by consignment clothes and decided to pivot.
She reached out to dozens of vendors and quickly secured orders for the attire of the work-from-home era: joggers, hoodie sets—anything comfortable.

“I don’t have anything dressy at all right now. It’s just comfy casual loungewear,” she says with a laugh.

The change has been successful, Blatchley says. And with the recent closings of longtime favorites Stebbins Anderson, Watson’s, and Greetings and Readings, people looking to buy gifts for friends and loved ones have found their way to Karma, she notes.

Foot traffic and sales have actually picked up in 2020 compared to the previous year. Some people have told her they didn’t bother visiting Karma before this year because they thought it was just a consignment shop.

Of course, nothing about this has been easy or stress-free, particularly when you pile on the task of helping two of her three sons navigate virtual school.

“I am constantly worried,” Blatchley admits. “Every time I hear Hogan is going to speak, I think I’ve got to shut my doors again, or it’s just a matter of time.

“I’m always stressing that we have an extra person in the store, there’s too many people, or we didn’t sanitize a basket. And my mind is constantly thinking, when does this end?”

→ BRIGHTSIDE BOUTIQUE

Since opening in 2012, Brightside Boutique has been one of the more notable success stories in local retail. Brightside has expanded from its original Federal Hill store to Fells Point, Hampden, and Annapolis. Earlier this year, owner Christie Vazquez was at the opening of Brightside’s fifth location, in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C., when she heard about Italy’s shutdown due to the coronavirus.

Vazquez founded her business to introduce the work of up-and-coming designers from New York and L.A. to Baltimore shoppers and to create an in-store experience worth the visit. Even before state officials shut things down in March, Vazquez noticed fewer customers were coming in as they braced for the spread of the virus in the U.S.

Once the shutdown was ordered, Vazquez recalls telling her employees, “Moving forward, we are an online store now, we’re no longer a brick-and-mortar.”

Vazquez and her staff found creative ways to market and sell the cold-weather items still in stock. Then they had to figure out what their customers would want to buy online during the lockdown. Out with the dresses and rompers they would normally order for spring and summer, in with athleisure and loungewear.

Compared to 2019, sales will be down overall, but Vazquez says business has rebounded since all five locations have been able to reopen, despite caps on the number of people inside.

She now has more employees than she did before COVID in order to keep the web operation humming along.

“I haven’t woken up in a relaxed mood since [last] March,” says Vazquez. “I wake up every day scared, and I don’t know what’s going on and I don’t know what we’re doing. But if you continue to show up, and you continue to work extremely hard, and you don’t give up, your customers see that, and they show up.”

In the event of another wave of government-ordered closures, Vazquez feels confident that she has found a strategy that works.

“I’m not going to say it wasn’t challenging—this has been an emotional ride for everybody,” she says. “But we kept that positive attitude, and I think that’s how we made it through this year.”

→ NORMAL’S BOOKS AND RECORDS

Just before lockdown, Normal’s co-owner Rupert Wondolowski drove to New Jersey to check out a record collection owned by a longtime customer who didn’t want to have to sell each album on Discogs or some other site.

“I knew how good his taste was, so I said, ‘I will happily drive to you and work out a really good deal,’” he recalls.

After local governments issued lockdown orders, the timing proved fortuitous. Wondolowski was able to sort through the records and sell titles through social media during the end of March and April.

“That record buy definitely saved our March,” he says.

The staff at Normal’s, a mecca for independent art and literature, was set to celebrate its 30th birthday this year with music and other festivities. Instead, they’ll have to wait for the 31st. But a T-shirt marking the big 3-0, designed by local musician Owen Gardner, allowed people to celebrate the milestone and support the Waverly mainstay. The shutdown from March to June is the longest period of time that Normal’s has been closed since its opening in 1990.

During that time, Wondolowski also curated “mystery boxes,” an idea suggested by a friend in Albuquerque and inspired by another friend who PayPal-ed $100 to Wondolowski, sent a list of artists and genres she likes, and simply said, “Surprise me.”

The mystery boxes were a hit. Normal’s sold a couple hundred and, as part of a website overhaul, is adding a button for people to order one of their own.

Even with those successes, revenue was significantly down in March and April, and there was concern about falling behind on rent and utilities. Business has picked back up since Normal’s reopened in June, first by appointment only and then gradually five days a week with a cap on the number of customers in the store.

Luckily, buying trends have helped Normal’s survive. Vinyl records have been surging in popularity for a long time, and Wondolowski says he’s seen a similar spike in interest for physical copies of books, years after e-readers were supposed to make them irrelevant.

And with people no longer able spend money on nights out, Baltimoreans are sheltering at home with a good book or album. The customers who have shopped at Normal’s throughout its three-decade run have made sure to show support, too.

“I’ve felt very loved and appreciated through COVID,” Wondolowski says. “It really felt like people stepped up and made sure we knew that they cared.”

Wondolowski, an author and musician himself, currently performing with Liz Downing and Greg Hatem in the avant-garde folk group Mole Suit Choir, used to describe his writing style as “absurdo-miserablism.” Not exactly optimistic, in other words.

But he recalls a recent conversation with musician and Normal’s co-owner John Berndt, who pointed out that Wondolowski’s response to the pandemic has been uncharacteristically upbeat.

“I have to say, it kind of has,” Wondolowski acknowledges. “I feel like I’m definitely stronger than I thought I was.”

With the mandated stay-at-home orders still in place, it looks like Mother’s Day is going to be a little different this year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your loved ones from afar.

In fact, local shops have come up with thoughtful presents to make contactless gifting easy. We’ve put together a handy gift guide to help you celebrate the important women in your life while supporting local businesses. These shops offer online ordering for delivery or contact-free curbside pickup, making for a seamless transaction while still practicing safe social distancing.

B. Willow

The storefront might be closed, but that hasn’t stopped B.Willow from staying true to its Mother’s Day tradition. Owner Liz Vayda has packaged two options: a seasonal bouquet or tropical potted plant—both of which come with a dried-flower card and a half-dozen rose shortbread cookies from Bramble Baking Co. Curbside pickup is available Monday-Friday from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. and local delivery with a minimum order of $50 is available on Monday, and Wednesday-Friday.

Becket Hitch

We all know these times are stressful, so why not gift mom a calming, self-care package? Becket Hitch’s Old Whaling Bath Co. Kits include body butter, salt scrub, and a bath bomb in an array of scents like coastal calm, magnolia, and “Sea La Vie.” To top it off, add an all-natural sea sponge, candle, or pajama set from their extensive Mother’s Day gift section. Free delivery is available within 10 miles of the Baltimore County shop.

Brightside Boutique

Offering gift packages for the new mom, the young mom, and the best-friend mom, Brightside Boutique has options for ladies in any stage of motherhood. The various boxes include products such as mugs, candles, lotion, and trinket trays. To make the gift even more special, they are offering handwritten notes so you can leave a loving message to your gift recipient. Shipping is free when you spend more than $50.

CF Interiors

The interior design experts of CF Interiors have gone into full mask-making mode so you can give a timely package that includes two adult tailored face masks, a Dog Lover notepad, and a candle. Local delivery is available in the Baltimore-Metropolitan area, as well as curbside pickup. Call 410-583-8086 or email info@cfinteriors.org to place an order.

Hon’s Honey x Wight Tea Company

The “Healing Hive” partnered with Wight Tea Company this year to bring a wellness-inspired gift package for all moms who enjoy their tea time. The package includes locally-sourced, handcrafted honey and tea, a mug, and a tote. Not only will you be making mom happy, but you’ll be supporting a women-run social enterprise that gives at-risk women steady, reliable work and hope for their future.

Trohv

Build your own Mother’s Day gift package with a few of Trohv’s mom-inspired products. From witty cards and trinkets, to a prayer candle dedicated to Saint Exhaustia—the Patron Saint of Tired Moms—Trohv’s gifts are sure to make your mom laugh. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on their online store, send a direct message on Instagram or contact hellobmore@trohvshop.com to place your order.

As shops around the city remain closed, many have struggled to sustain business in the interim, causing them to shift their models. Some have created full-fledged online stores, while others have developed curbside delivery options. And the shoppers? Well, chances are you’re one of them. We all miss our regular hangouts, getting brunch with friends, and maybe checking the latest inventory at our favorite shops on the way home.

Among the creative solutions that local boutiques have come up with are care packages. (Or self-care packages depending on who you’re shopping for.) Whether ordering a box of hair supplies or a basket of home décor treasures, here are a few options to support Baltimore’s small shops while keeping calm at home.

For The Pick-Me-Up

A sweet mix of stuck-at-home goodies, the “limelight” package from Hunting Ground is a box packed with all of your self-care needs. They’re free to ship and the contents bundle price of $88 comes to 20 percent-off retail costs.

For The Hair Care Refresh

Just because your salon is closed, doesn’t mean you have to forgo regular upkeep. Thanks to Ash & Oak salon, hair care kits are being made to help you keep your locks at bay in the meantime. Smaller kits range from $56-$75, while larger “quarantine kits” have been offered for limited times.

For The Manicure Mayhem

The horrors of broken nails, chipped gel, and overgrown manicured polish are no joke. If you’re missing your manicurist, fear not—Melly Mani is delivering gel/dip removal kits. You’ll receive a box of all the necessary tools, as well as some polish to maintain your nails from home.

For The Distraction

Isolating at home gets old. To keep yourself occupied, or cheer yourself up, check out the “quarantine kit” items at Brightside Boutique. Various items include home organization, greeting cards, and cocktail mixes. Whatever you’re needing to get you through these lonely times, they’ve got you covered.

For The Local Supporter

Show some love to Baltimore makers with the help of The Codex Club. Stock up on candles by Knit Soy Metal or refresh your home with some handmade wood pieces by Jon’s Design Company. If you’re interested in building your own kit, just reach out to the shop through social media.

For The Ones You Miss

Canton gift shop Best Day Ever is offering an assortment of items for all the special people in your life. Send a friend a birthday care package, or one to your child’s favorite teacher. They’re simple gestures to tell those you miss that you’re thinking of them.

Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus, several small businesses battle with the prospect of having to close. After several closings and social separation measures were announced across the U.S. earlier this week, vintage home store Wishbone Reserve in Hampden posted an announcement online that it would remain open and increase sanitary precautions. This spurred reactions from boutique owners around Baltimore.

Brightside Boutique has since echoed a similar sentiment, vowing to remain open and keep events scheduled as planned, “We will be closely monitoring government updates and guidelines, and will keep customers informed. We hope, if you are healthy and able to do so, that you continue to join us for the upcoming events, shop, and support small businesses,” reads an online post.

While some stores have shut down their brick-and-mortar doors, others remain open, and many have provided avenues to shop virtually. Here is a roundup of boutiques that have formally announced their opening status so far:

OPEN IN-STORE AND ONLINE:

• Brightside Boutique *Offering 15-percent-off and free shipping.
• Match Made Stores *Open by appointment only and offering 15-percent-off online purchases using code: spring15.
• Plantacea *Only two customers allowed in shop at a time, offering curbside delivery.
• 2910 on the Square *Reduced hours Tuesday-Friday 12pm-6pm, Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm as well as offering delivery.

ONLINE ONLY:

• A Style Studio *Offering free shipping on all orders.
• Arrow Clothing *Continuing their online-only operations as usual.
• B.Willow *Options for pickup or local delivery within 20 mins of the shop and waived $15 delivery fee.
• Becket Hitch *Offering online shopping and in-store private appointments.
• Best Day Ever
• Bottle of Bread
• Boutique W
• The Codex Club *Offering free shipping.
• Domesticity *Offering curbside pick-up and same-day delivery.
• Doubledutch Boutique *Offering 20-percent-off sale items and free shipping or curbside pick-up for online sales. In-store private appointments are available.
• Found Studio Shop
• Get Shredded Vintage
• Hunting Ground
• Ma Petite Shoe
• Milagro *Offering free shipping.
• Milk and Ice Vintage
• Mint & Major *Offering 20-percent-off online using code: MAJOR20, free shipping on orders over $25, curbside pick-up and drop-offs.
• Poppy & Stella
• Raina Dawn *Offering curbside pick-up and in-store private appointments.
• Six2Six Society
• South Moon Under
• Wishbone Reserve

OPEN IN-STORE ONLY:

• Amaryllis
• Forward Moda
• Keeper’s Vintage
• Matava Shoes
• Panache *Reduced hours 10am-4pm with in-store private appointments, curbside pickup, and free delivery available.
• Pandora’s Box
• Wee Chic *Reduced hours 10am-4pm.

CLOSED:

• In Watermelon Sugar *Offering in-store private appointments or curbside pick-up.
• Ruth Shaw
• Sassanova *Offering in-store private appointments, drop-offs, curbside pick-up, and free shipping.
• Shops at Kenilworth
• Tortuga

Valentine’s Day might not be your favorite holiday, but, if nothing else, it’s a reason to dress up and celebrate. Whether you’re spending the evening with your partner, gathering your crew for a night out, or honoring the occasion with a bottle of wine at home, the holiday is a great excuse to get yourself a brand new outfit. We’ve gathered pieces to make you look and feel fabulous this Valentine’s Day, regardless of how you spend it. Casual, chic, or cozy—you choose your vibe:

Galentine’s Day

Maybe you’re single and not ready to mingle, but you want to take advantage of the season of love. Grab your closest pals and hit the town! Dinner, drinks, and dancing await you. What to wear? Simple. Something bright, young, and beautiful.

ROMANTIC DINNER

Though Valentine’s Day might not be your anniversary, it’s a momentous occasion for couples nonetheless. A nice dinner for two requires a look that is elegant but not over-the-top fancy. Heels, a new dress, and a smoky eye are all it’ll take for this type of date.

CASUAL DATE NIGHT

Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone, but it might be hard to ignore the many restaurant and bar deals. The perfect look for this means decking out your go-to jeans and booties outfit with a stylish twist like pleather pants and statement shoes.

CHILLIN’ AT HOME

Need an excuse to buy that pajama set you’ve been eyeing up? Now is your chance. Loungewear is the easiest way to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day. Something soft, trendy, and totally worth spending the evening at home is exactly what this Valentine’s vibe is all about.

OPEN

Skincado Expands to Baltimore: One of Washington, DC’s top organic beauty brands has finally made it’s way to Baltimore. Owner Sara D’Amelio began her beauty journey back in 2013 after revolutionizing her beauty routine to include only natural ingredients and training as a holistic esthetician. In 2018, she brought organic beauty to DC with Skincando. This year, she announced her plans to join Baltimore’s beauty scene, exclusively selling her products at Mint & Major.

Brightside Opens New Location: This just in: one of Baltimore’s beloved boutiques is branching out. Brightside Boutique’s humble beginnings as a small shop in Federal Hill is now a nostalgic memory. The boutique then expanded to Fells Point in 2014, Hampden in 2017, Annapolis in 2018, and now, in March 2020, a fifth location will open in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. “Shaw is one of the last neighborhoods in D.C. that has a local, neighborhood feel to it,” says Rachel Cooper, Brightside’s director of operations. “It’s home to so many up-and-coming breweries and restaurants with emerging chefs, craft-cocktail bars, and amazing venues like the 9:30 Club and Howard Theatre. We’re really excited to be a part of it.” Stay tuned for more from Brightside Boutique’s own brand Brightside The Label, as well as upcoming events.

EVENTS

Boxing & Beauty Event @ Knockout Fitness: Need an reason to workout and an excuse to splurge on beauty products? This might be the collaboration you’ve been dreaming of. Knockout Fitness is hosting Boxing & Beauty, an event that offers a one-hour workout followed by an afternoon of all things beauty and style. Shop for spring essentials with Arrow Clothing, experience The Loft’s newest Nanofusion treatment, and even try botox from Belcara Health. And if this isn’t enough, there’s also going to be makeup demos and styling from Manty Makeup and Corbin Salon. Perhaps the best part? It’s the day after Valentine’s day—a perfect way to treat yourself.

Self-Care Sundays @ The Loft: One thing we love about The Loft? There’s always something new going on. This time it’s a can’t miss weekend series: Self-Care Sundays. One the first Sunday of every month, customers can indulge in champagne, light bites, and 20 percent-off all skincare services. Though known for her stellar lash and brow treatments, owner Natalie Sams has been a licensed esthetician for more than 15 years and has introduced some of the hottest skincare treatments out there—including hydrafacials, dermaplaning, and nanofusion. If doing more for yourself is among your New Year’s resolutions, this is your chance.

SHUT

Bishme Announces Move + Gala: It’s a bittersweet goodbye saying farewell to local designer Bishme Cromartie. After watching his designs lead him to the final four of Project Runway to kicking off his label here in Baltimore, it’s with sadness but even greater excitement that Cromartie has announced his relocation to Los Angeles. “I’ve had the pleasure of constructing a lot of magic while working out of my hometown and my work will forever have a piece of Bmore in it,” Cromartie posted onInstagram. As a last hurrah, fans will have a chance to celebrate the designer and say “Bon Voyage” at The Bč Exhibition Gala on February 8.

Attention, menswear lovers! Fall is here, and you know what that means: a fresh seasonal style guide. Stay hip with the trending styles and take note of these latest looks from your favorite local shops.

Step aside, diamonds! Sparkling blue and dazzling purple gems are sweeping jewelry stands across the nation. Rough-cut and bright, geode jewels are all the rage.

Take in the outdoors while the sun is still warm and the days are long; it’s the perfect time to unwind with a picnic.

Let your closet truly blossom this season as we move away from predictable pastels and toward more neutral tones. Combining classic florals with bold snakeskin prints and subtle gold accents, this trend welcomes growth with a new spin on spring fashion.

Ruby Shoo amaris russet shoe ($90) at Ma Petite Shoe. Summer wallet ($12.95) at Doubledutch. Jasmin Precieux hand cream ($17) at Curiosity. Sascha Macrame bucket tote ($56) at Trohv. Floral socks ($17) at Ma Petite Shoe. Lovoda ponytail holder ($8.95) at Doubledutch. Rifle Paper Co. x Corkcicle tumbler ($33) at Becket Hitch. Yochi bee pearl bracelet ($75) at Sassanova. Loup Simone Jean ($150) at Hunting Ground. Astoria snake boots ($90) at South Moon Under. Jangles 3 angles cement planter ($35) at Doubledutch. Rifle Paper Co. recipe box ($38) at Becket Hitch. Rails kate shirt blush butterflies ($198) at Sassanova. Chronicle Books Terrarium ($24.95) at Brightside Boutique. Succulent garden metal catchall ($12) at Su Casa.

Row 1: “Less Monday More Coffee” mug ($15) at Brightside Boutique. Violet and Brooks hair clips ($16) at Punch!. Desperately Seeking Bowie ($16.95) at Trohv. Voluspa Persimmon and Copal candle ($28) at South Moon Under. Voluspa rose petal ice cream candle ($13) at Anthropologie. Studio Oh! animal water bottle ($35) at Su Casa.

Row two: Lavender Stardust Face Body Hair roll on shimmer ($10) at South Moon Under. Thacker Le Pouch suede blush crossbody ($138) at Sassanova. Slant Collections “Hot stuff” lunch taker ($16.95) at Punch!. “Girlgang” straw ($10) at Punch!. Votive Holder ($17) at Poppy and Stella. Rosé All Day baseball hat ($28) at Brightside Boutique.

Row three: “You are Magic” card ($5) at Poppy and Stella. Toucan shot glass ($6.50) at Punch!. Illume candle ($28) at Su Casa. Quay Australia x Desi Perkins sunglasses ($65) at Brightside Boutique. Fringe Necklace ($16.95) at Punch!.

Row four: Corso Como suede flats ($119) at Poppy and Stella. Mignonne Gavigan flamingo earrings ($325) at Sassanova. Austin Apothecary illuminating body oil ($18) at Doubledutch Boutique. Three Potato Four change holder ($6.50) at Trohv.

While tiny frames seem to be having a moment, they are not for everyone. Stay on-trend this summer with a fun pair of colored lenses or translucent frames. Offered in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, you are sure to find the perfect pair to complement your wardrobe.

Black sunglasses ($18) at Poppy and Stella. Green sunglasses ($15) at Doubledutch Boutique. Light pink transparent sunglasses ($16) at Bottle of Bread. Retro blue sunglasses ($16) at Bottle of Bread. Quay Australia Harper gold cat eye sunglasses ($29) at South Moon Under. Navy sunglasses ($18) at Poppy and Stella. CRAP The T.V. Eye sunglasses ($60) at Brightside Boutique. Black and red sunglasses ($15) at Doubledutch Boutique.

Eric Michael sandal ($108) at Poppy & Stella.
Brilliant Ideas journal ($10) at In Watermelon Sugar.
QRTZ watch ($30-$40) at Poppy & Stella.
Bloomingvale palm plate ($12) at Su Casa.
Crap Eyewear sunglasses ($58) at Brightside Boutique.
Mama mug ($13.50) at Trohv.
Miya mini plate ($7) at Curiosity.
Mother’s Day Card ($4.50) at Bmore Babe Design.
Canteen bag ($165) at Bosom Buddy Bags.
Turkish towel ($29) at In Watermelon Sugar.
Instax mini pink camera ($57.95) at Service Photo.
Blush No. 2 ($11.01) at Boordy Vineyards.
Apricot Jam ($16) at Trohv.
Miya mini plate ($7) at Curiosity.
Beatle dish ($4) at In Watermelon Sugar.
Palm Server ($34) at In Watermelon Sugar.
Aromatic Savory Salts ($13.50) at In Watermelon Sugar.

With more than 50,000 followers on Instagram, Dayna Bolden documents her day-to-day life for the masses leaving us feeling completely inspired. From fashion and beauty to travel and family, she has all of the bases covered and offers heartfelt advice, aspirational goals, and attainable fashion tips and tricks in a truly genuine way. We caught up with Bolden to talk about how she got started blogging, adventures in motherhood, and where she likes to shop in Baltimore.

What made you want to start blogging?
I really wanted to create a platform for myself where I could share my lifestyle as an entrepreneur, a mother, a wife, and just document all of the things I love. 

How is being a mother impacted your posts?
I love showing my readers the beauty of motherhood and how I am still able to follow my dreams, while still being an amazing mother. I feel that a lot of women feel that once they become mothers and have another little life to take care of, that everything else has to stop and that is definitely not the case. I believe that being a blogger mom also really inspires my daughter to know that she can do what she loves as she gets older. 

Where do you love to shop in Baltimore?
I love Brightside Boutique—they have amazing clothes and great quality stuff. I also recently discovered another cute store called Poppy and Stella, I haven’t had the time to shop there as much as I would like too but I’m definitely planning on it. There is also an online clothing company I really love called Mess in a Bottle, sadly there so no real store yet, but my friend owns the company and she sells really cute t-shirts online. Those are probably my go-to places in Baltimore.

What do you like to do outside of your blog?

I’m an entrepreneur. I own a business called Bolden Creative Media, where I brand consult and work with brands on creative directing, functions, and strategies. I also love spending time with my family and traveling. I don’t have a lot of hobbies because blogging was always my hobby when I was younger and I turned that into a full-time career. 

Any style tips for the summer?
I love a cute dress, and I feel that you can never go wrong with a maxi dress. The perfect maxi is always going to look chic and is really easy to dress up or down. Also a nice pair of shorts, that aren’t too short. I don’t like super tight or super short shorts, but a nice fitted pair of shorts are essential for your summer wardrobe. 

What is your go-to outfit?
My everyday go-to outfit right now is sweats, a cute T-shirt, and just pairing that with some sneakers. But If I’m actually going somewhere and need to look cute, I love nice tapered pants, a cute blouse, and a statement heel as my go-to.

Rainbow Rex pin ($10) at B. Willow. Fight like a girl pin ($10.75) at Trohv. More Coffee Please ($10) at Brightside Boutique. JTbeezwax pin ($12.50) at Trohv. Heart candy pin ($10) at daniellesylvan.etsy.com. Rainbow pin (set of 3/$18) at Wee Chic. Vibes pin ($10) at Brightside Boutique. Pizza pin ($8) at Brightside Boutique. Boring pin ($10) at Brightside Boutique. Terrarium pin ($10) at B. Willow. No pin ($10) at daniellesylvan.etsy.com. Beer pin ($8) at Brightside Boutique. Green haired girl ($10) at Doubledutch Boutique. Vintage Elvis pin ($5) at Bottle of Bread. Vintage ram ($5) at Bottle of Bread. Roses pin ($10) at Trohv. Herbivore dinosaur pin ($10) at daniellesylvan.etsy.com.

Sit back, relax, and allow yourself to be transfixed by the swirling color explosion and amazing smells of these bath bombs—guaranteed make your bath time much cuter, calmer, and cleaner.

Da Bomb Bath Fizzers Earth Bomb ($4.99) at Target

Sparkle bath bomb ($5) at Katwalk

ME! Bath Pomegranate Mini Ice Cream bath soak ($9.99/12oz package) at Target

Pink shimmer bath bomb ($6) at Brightside Boutique

 Barr Co. Lemon Verbena bath bomb ($7) at Poppy and Stella

Sex Bomb ($7.95) at Lush

ME! Bath Cucumber Melon Mini Ice Cream bath soak ($9.99/12oz package) at Target

Blue and gold bath bomb ($6) at Brightside Boutique

Intergalactic bath bomb ($7.95) at Lush

Da Bomb Bath Fizzers “F” Bomb bath soak ($4.99) at Target

There are only so many ways to keep your skin healthy and moisturized during the cold winter months. Bitter winds dry out our skin, and no matter how much we try, or reapply, we can’t help feeling, well . . . scaly. Enter essential oils. While most people associate oils with clogged pores or a greasy leftover film, the truth is that natural oils—like the ones found in the products below—are lightweight, and more easily absorbed into the skin, leading to a more even complexion and fewer breakouts.

Rosehip
Full of vitamins and antioxidants, this oil is known to correct dark spots and hydrate dry skin while reducing fine lines and scarring. This oil also contains smokey quartz, which is said to be a clearing stone and the protector of negative emotions. Anxiety Sucks Energy gemstone infused essential oil blend ($20) at Brightside Boutique.

Coconut
Known for its hydrating properties, coconut oil is beneficial to every part of the body. Add to your skin, hair, face, or anywhere that is feeling dry. This spray also includes aloe, great for improving skin’s elasticity and strength. Anese.co Gotta Peace Out coconut neroli hydrating body and hair elixir ($26) at Brightside Boutique.

Lapis
This facial oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory tool that miraculously aids in reducing redness and balancing your complexion without clogging pores or drying out the skin. Herbivore Lapis Facial Oil ($72) at In Watermelon Sugar.

Frankincense
Frankincense oil is a powerful astringent that helps to reduce blemishes, prevent wrinkles, and tighten skin to slow the signs of aging. Use this oil wherever the skin begins to sag. Celestial face serum ($30) at celestialbodycare.com.

Orchid
Orchid extract is lightweight and draws moisture to the skin while also fighting against free radicals and premature aging. Herbivore Orchid youth preserving facial oil ($24) at In Watermelon Sugar.

Lavender
Lavender oil is known to treat acne by fighting bacteria that causes breakouts and improving the appearance of scars, cuts, and burns. Ode lavender body oil ($35) at In Watermelon Sugar.

1. Multi-color burst earrings ($195) at Sassanova. 

2. Magenta long tassel earrings ($58) at Becket Hitch. 

3. Layered multi-color tassel earrings ($52) at Sassanova. 

4. Rose gold wing earrings ($225) at Sassanova. 

5. Orange ball drop earrings ($18) at Brightside Boutique. 

6. Gold wood block earrings ($14) at Poppy and Stella. 

7. Aztec round beaded earrings ($14) at Poppy and Stella. 

8. Blue round tassel earrings ($18) at Brightside Boutique. 

9. Pink and and grey pom earrings ($18) at Brightside Boutique. 

10. Bright orange fringe earrings ($38) at Becket Hitch. 

11. Jeweled pink tassel earrings ($16.95) at Punch! 

12. Rose gold painted earrings ($74) at Trohv. 

13. Gold tassel earrings ($9.95) at Punch! 

14. Gold circle tassel earrings ($14) at Punch!

Dayna Bolden
@daynabolden

The Store: Poppy and Stella. Her Look: All black is so classic and chic. I love the tailored look of the culotte pants paired with the cardigan style blazer. Trend Watch: Sparkly statement jewelry is definitely my favorite trend for the holidays. It can easily take any outfit up a notch. Style Tip: I always like to wear one element that is unexpected. Either layering a scarf, wearing a fun coat, or adding an accessory.  Think outside of the norm!

Alice Joy Thomas
@alicejoythomas

The Store: Sassanova Her Look: This outfit is both cute and comfortable. The dress is flirty and girly, while the boots make it comfy, casual, and add a little edge. Trend Watch: Bring on the velvet! Velvet is a huge holiday trend and I can’t get enough of it. Even crushed velvet is adorable! Style Tip: Comfort is key. If I am not going to be comfortable then what’s the point? No heels that are too high or jeans that are too tight. If you’re uncomfortable it will show.

Ashley Clayton
@neverbeenso

The Store: Brightside Boutique Her Look: I love pairing trends. I’m a huge fan of jumpsuits, so I paired this black jumpsuit with a lumberjack-style kimono to incorporate holiday flare while keeping it casual. Trend Watch: My favorite holiday trend this year is solid metallic. It says holiday glam, rather than yelling it. Style Tip: Style your look around one piece. This will allow you to keep your focus rather than being all over the place with a ton of different options in mind.

Rose gold is the soft, glowing obsession that just won’t go away. From tech gadgets and office supplies to clothing, accessories, and even hair dye, this hue will continue to add warmth to our day-to-day lives for months to come.

Christie Griffiths starts her day by checking her phone. And then she checks it again. While her behavior might not sound that different from any other millennial, she is actually working—obsessively monitoring the social media accounts associated with her store, Brightside Boutique. 

“I’m on my phone constantly; it just never ends,” says Griffiths, who opened her store in 2011. “I’m always apologizing to everyone I know, but if you want to have a successful business you have to do it.” 

In the world of retail, gone are the days of just sitting behind a cash register and throwing together a window display. Owning and operating a store now demands that you are in constant contact with your customers, which means meeting them exactly where they are physically and digitally. Griffiths—who opened her third Brightside in Hampden in March—has mastered the delicate balance of reaching a wide swath of customers while also keeping her service very personalized. 

“It’s important to know your customer,” Griffiths says. “I know it sounds weird but I know how my shopper talks, I know how she thinks, I know where she is going this weekend, and so does my staff.” 

Griffiths’ strategy? She treats Brightside more like a pop-up shop than a brick-and-mortar store. On top of her permanent locations in Federal Hill, Fells Point, and Hampden, she has Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat accounts, a website, a strong presence at local events such as festivals and outdoor markets, and ongoing collaborations with local style bloggers. Recently, she launched her own private label brand. Having three retail stores in the Baltimore area is basically unheard of, but Brightside’s formula is clearly working. 

“I think the change in retail is affecting everyone,” explains Griffiths. “You really have to be connected.” Her suggestions for budding boutique owners? “Look at stores and brands that you idolize. Look at their social media and web presences. Take notes to get inspired and do it your own way.” 

The needs of the modern consumer have become more complicated over time. People want to know more about the products they are buying, they want to know who made it and how, but most of all they want to feel good about their purchases. Consumers today are exposed to so much noise that it takes a multitude of methods to make a shopping experience seem meaningful. This idea—of keeping inventory fresh, the experience interactive, and the marketing message targeted—was pioneered by pop-up shops and is now being applied to brick-and-mortar stores. Though pop-up shops are certainly not a new concept, the model can serve as a good trial run for future stores. 

Consumers today are exposed to so much noise that it takes a multitude of methods to make a shopping experience seem meaningful.

“With a pop-up shop, you have low investment,” says Holly Lentz-Schiller, assistant professor in the fashion merchandising department at Stevenson University. “You can be very nimble and very quick to move and make changes to your business. There is not the overhead and the commitments so you are able to go where your consumers physically are.”

Having a temporary place to sell your goods—whether it is a one-time, monthly, or bi-monthly event—feels safer to those just starting their businesses, giving them a chance to test out ideas while beginning to understand the target market. 

Vanessa Milio started Taken, a pop-up shop exclusively featuring Maryland-based items, in 2015 because she loved the concept and wanted to showcase items people may have never found on their own. “I just really felt strongly about the idea of bringing the product to the people,” says Milio. “I love the idea of the mobility—even if I am representing the same 35 artists, we are in 14 different locations.” Milio has set up her shop everywhere from a brewery in Laurel, to a coffeehouse in Hamilton, to the nonprofit Second Chance. “It is always a different atmosphere and presentation,” she explains. 

Amy Fresty and Ellen Lunay, the founders of Here. a pop-up shop, took a Social Media 101 class when they first started out in 2013. “E-commerce and social media play a large part in our business,” says Lunay. “I have seen a number of shops, both small and large, close in part because they weren’t consistent on social media.” Fresty and Lunay take a very personal approach to Here.’s social media accounts, posting so many pictures and videos from their own lives that they’re often recognized as the “Here. girls” around town. The pair, who host their pop-up in Annapolis monthly, also sell a select amount of their own private label items that they make in conjunction with vendors and artists. They have also hosted seasonal online pop-up shops, which are time sensitive sales to create demand on their website. 

Laura Layton, owner of mobile boutique Tin Lizzy, agrees that a store’s social media presence must work in conjunction with its “real world” existence. “I think it is super important to be online and have that presence,” says Layton. “The business model is so fleeting—at one place one day and somewhere totally different the next. I see so many sales in my online shop the day after a big event. And I know exactly who the customer is! I can remember that woman looking at a necklace she left without and then see her place the order the next day.” 

Of course, pop-up shops are inherently flexible, able to react in real time to their customers’ tastes and needs. But lately, brick-and-mortar retailers seem to be catching on, applying pop-up techniques to their marketing. “The real trend in retail is omni-channel retailing,” explains Lentz-Schiller. “Bringing all of the pieces of retailing together—the e-commerce, the brick and mortar, catalogs, social media—to put out a consistent message.” 

“I don’t see brick and mortar ever being completely gone, but they will need to reimagine what they are used to and be willing to change and evolve in order to survive.”

Because the daily media consumption of the average consumer has increased, retailers need to be social media experts, finding potential customers on places such as Instagram, Pinterest, and crafty e-commerce site Etsy. The ultimate goal is to create the kinds of relationships in which clients feel so comfortable online that they want to visit the store in person. “I don’t see brick and mortar ever being completely gone,” says Lentz-Schiller. “But they will need to reimagine what they are used to and be willing to change and evolve in order to survive.” 

Brightside has found inspiration in national companies—Free People, for example—that are also doing things to keep their brand relevant to their consumers. Not only does Free People have an official Instagram account filled with dreamy, ethereal photos that totally encapsulate the brand’s overall feel, they have local Instagram accounts in different parts of the country. They use these accounts to speak to their consumers directly in their areas, with pictures of weather appropriate merchandise and posts about news and events in their town. 

“Something I’ve really tried to do with Brightside is to be very [Baltimore] branded,” Griffiths says. “If you visit the page of a Free People store in Texas it’s full of desert and cacti, but if you look at California it’s all beaches and palm trees. They are so intentional with whom they are targeting.” 

Another way retailers are promoting their brands is through collaboration. For instance, Brightside teams up with local bloggers and people who have prolific social media followings, helping to expand the brand’s reach and have it associated with these trusted tastemakers. Other forms of collaboration are found through markets and craft fairs and even in other stores throughout the city. 

And for those pop-up retailers who want the stability of a permanent store but can’t afford it? Collaboration is once again key. Erica Bentley of Keepers Vintage in Mt. Vernon moved her store into a space shared with maker Letta Moore of Knits, Soy, & Metal last fall. “It’s very cliche, but there is strength in numbers,” Bentley says. “The idea of sharing a similar work ethic, expanding your customer base, and having someone to bounce ideas off of is helpful.” 

The two businesses officially converged into a brick and mortar shop on Read Street last November after many years of doing pop-ups. “The limited amount of time you are given for pop-up shops can be a disadvantage,” explains Moore. “Once that opportunity is gone, there isn’t a physical place for customers to get your products unless you have an online presence. Being in a brick and mortar, anyone can walk by at any time and come in to make a purchase.” 

Both brands have tailored their business models to include in-store events and workshops to make shopping with them more of an experience. Says Bentley, “We both did a lot of popping up in the past, but the difference for me is really comparable to going on vacation. The fun, excitement, and headache of traveling versus actually getting home. This space is like being home.”

Printed and punny mugs have taken over the shelves of our favorite boutiques and gift shops. If these don’t make you want to purge your overcrowded kitchen cabinet, nothing will.

Clockwise from top left: Where the Wild Things Are mug ($9.99) at The Sound Garden. Ban.do BFF mug ($14) at Brightside Boutique. “Too Legit to Quit” coffee mug ($18) at Becket Hitch. Jac Vanek Personally Victimized mug ($19) at Brightside Boutique. Seltzer Goods cacti mug ($16) at Brightside Boutique. “Just Add Coffee” mug ($14) at Brightside Boutique. Rainbow mug ($9.99) at The Sound Garden. Laura Zindel raven mug ($45) at Mud and Metal.

Looking for a simple way to elevate your wardrobe? The tassel is this season’s go-to embellishment, effortlessly taking any outfit from bleak to chic. Long gone are the days of only seeing tassels on graduation caps or your grandmother’s curtains. This fun fashion add-on is hanging—literally—on everything from handbags and apparel to jewelry and footwear.

Marvey Le Pen ($2) at Trohv

South and West by Joan Didion ($21) at The Ivy Bookshop

Designworks Ink cactus journal ($14) at Poppy and Stella. 

Treason the Biddle backpack ($125) at Treason Toting Co. 

Bronze water bottle ($24) at Su Casa. 

Bettye Ace sling back pompom slides ($69) at South Moon Under. 

Heart shaped sunglasses ($20) at Brightside Boutique. 

Marvey license plate key chain ($9) at Trohv. 

Ursa Major traveler’s skin care kit ($48) at Trohv. 

Auto Bingo ($2/each) at Shananigans Toy Shop. 

The 3rd Dimension ($7) at Shananigans Toy Shop

Free Play Magnatab ($25) at aMuse Toys. 

Instax Mini 8 ($70) at Service Photo. 

Through the Past Darkly by The Rolling Stones ($20) at The Sound Garden. 

Bobino cord wrap ($6) at Su Casa. 

Precious metals have been in high demand since what seems like the beginning of time. Add metallic shades like gunmetal and silver into your personal color palette for a more dramatic look.

Is your medicine cabinet inspiring? No, we’re serious! Step away from those generic drug store products (or at least shove them to the back row) and fill your medicine cabinet with items to soothe, cleanse, beautify, and, yes, inspire.

Top Shelf (from left): Pharmacy jar ($18) at Trohv. Zeolite ($12) at Trohv. Everything mist ($19) at Priya Means Love. Barr-Co. soap ($10.50) at In Watermelon Sugar. Herbivore body polish ($36) at Brightside Boutique. Pomegranate eye serum ($25) at Priya Means Love. Mixed salts ($16) at Priya Means Love.

Second Shelf (from left): Herbivore soaking salts ($18) at In Watermelon Sugar. Matches and strike pad ($16) at In Watermelon Sugar. Deep blue jar ($16) at Trohv. Herbivore soap bars ($12 each) at In Watermelon Sugar. Herbivore Hydrating mist ($32) at In Watermelon Sugar.

Third Shelf (from left): Hayride perfume ($45) at Priya Means Love. Soap & Paper hand creams ($10 each) at Trohv. Garden scrub ($14) at Priya Means Love. Lattice container ($15) at In Watermelon Sugar. P.F. Candle Co. candle ($12) at In Watermelon Sugar. Fresh Sugar lip treatment ($24) at South Moon Under. Odeon nail polish ($11.50) at Trohv. Barr-Co. bubble elixir ($31) at In Watermelon Sugar.