Archive - August 27, 2014

101 N Indian Hill Blvd
Claremont, CA 91711
PH:(909) 625-2380
YELP

I was strolling in historic Claremont village one lovely SoCal day and found this gem of a vintage shop called, The Grove Vintage. This place has a plethora of goodies for the vintage connoisseur – from sequin dresses to 80’s floral pants, handmade rings made from vintage earrings and hand-beaded Mary Frances purses. Let’s say you’re somewhat fatigued from all the overwhelming racks of clothing, there’s a comfy sitting area with 70’s era couches and a plasma TV in the back to take a breather.
What began as a burgeoning eBay business a couple years back, has become so popular, that owner-Donna Daniel needed to open up shop in Claremont. She chose the location because she felt it would be the perfect market. It was so perfect that due to the high-demand of her vintage pieces, she also brought on two of her friends, Kim and Rhonda, to sell their vintage and jewelry on consignment. They each bring their own “eye” to the shop; Donna is into the Anthopologie style, while Kim caters more to the street wear portion and Rhonda sells her handmade rings made from vintage earrings. Having grown up in the era of shoulder pads, scrunchies and sequins; Donna is still a die-hard fan of the 80’s. Which is probably why she has such a vast collection of 80’s (and 90’s) apparel. Visitors to The Grove Vintage will find very affordable pricing, as nothing is over $30, except for maybe five percent of the merchandise (like a jacket or dress). Every visit is bound to be another shopping adventure, as she brings in new wares all the time and tries to stay true to every season and trend. I can guarantee one thing, and that is: when you visit this quaint little Claremont store, you won’t leave empty-handed!

** Please Note: They moved! Check out their new location! **

216-A E. 9th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
PH: (213)988-8899

Amidst the plethora of fabric shops and mom n’ pop retailers stands Virgo- a shop that offers a fresh take on reworked vintage apparel, while also offering some untouched vintage pieces, as well as accessories and shoes. What drew me to the store were the clothes (lots of color and fun prints!), the bohemian looks that are featured on the mannequins, the eccentric mix of jewelry, purses and accessories; and lastly…two words…Jeffrey Campbell…enough said. The store owners- Rana Shoar and Alejandra Hernandez are also designers for their apparel and accessories line, Boos and Besito, which makes up 95 percent of the store. They have been selling vintage since 2006 at the Rose Bowl and it was recently in 2009 that they decided to open up shop in LA’s Fashion District. They had just gotten back from a recent buying trip to Peru and the evidence sits proudly on the center table in the store. Jewelry, purses, denim, you name it… is adorned with tribal prints and vibrant colors. Virgo’s prices are reasonable, compared to other vintage stores (that might sell reworked pieces), for example, you might find a reworked dress for $40 or a silk tank top for $20. Due to high demand of some of their pieces and that they only have limited runs for some product, you may want to hurry and grab your favorite Jeffrey Campbells, fringe tee or reworked 70s floral-print dress. For more information and to get the latest 411 on sales and newest merchandise, check them out on Facebook or Twitter.

142 N Glassell St.
Orange, CA 92866
PH:(714) 538-SHOP
WEBSITE

I’ve heard about Laurenly through the grapevine… fellow blogger, Holly in Heels had raved about Laurenly and I wanted to check it out as well. I finally stopped by the shop one Friday, on my down to La Jolla. Laurenly Boutique opened in June 2010 and is nestled in the heart of historic downtown Orange and is owned by Chapman University grad- Lauren Miller. The name “Laurenly” is derived from the combination of Lauren’s first name and her middle name being “Leigh.” It’s a small space, but very welcoming. When I was there, Lauren’s mother was manning the store and was very friendly and helpful. I wanted everything in the store, one thing in particular being the gold sparkly TOMS slip-ons (coveting!). She carries a lot of unique and handmade brands, as well as popular brands that include: Free People, Wildfox, Alternative Apparel, 31 Bits and Collective Concepts. Lauren also has merchandise that are current to her favorite trends, such as 60’s and Boho-inspired pieces, cut-off shorts, maxi dresses, anything with feathers, lace, prints and fringe. Good news for those of us on a budget, nothing in the shop is over $200. Here is a small break-down of the price points: basic tanks start at $12, tops start at $20, dresses from $30/$40’s and up, jewelry ranging from $10-$110 and denim starting at $68 and up. The next time you find yourself wandering around Orange, Laurenly is a must-stop! There’s also lots of FREE parking around the area! You can also find out more info on her website. If you want to be in-the-know for the latest merch, contests, promos, etc., become a fan on Facebook and Twitter.