Photography by Kirsten Beckerman
What a Babe!
Lisa Ponzoli’s babe is our first stop this winter for actually affordable, cutting-edge fashion. A retail vet who put in 10 years as pro merchandiser and buyer, Lisa says, “I want to bring together the versatile nature of today’s trends, well-priced basics, premium denim and eclectic jewelry—so everyone will find something...” Lines include BCBGirls, Nick and Mo, Habitual Denim, Rich & Skinny, Raven Denim, Interlud and more. For chill months, Lisa loves the BCBGirls angora blend sweater dress with cowl neck in pale blue ($88)…and the Miss Me khaki jacket (shown $92). “The fun details, like half-length and double buttons, make it a one-of-a-kind in a sea of basic khaki…”
910 S. Charles St. 410.244.5114 http://www.babeaboutique.com
New Kid on the Rotunda
Gallery G at the Beveled Edge offers pretty much all services artsy: professional art and custom framing, art and framing restoration and conservation, and art crating and shipping. Owner Nancy Graboski and her small staff rotate a group of 25 artists, many local and a few international, hanging regular shows of prints, paintings, textiles, ceramics and sculpture. Through the end of November, check out paintings by Lois Borgenicht; December welcomes artist David Simon; coming in January, photographs by Howard Korn. A live music open mic happens on the third Monday of each month and a poetry-writing workshop on the second Monday of each month. Ground Control Café is set to open in November, within the space. Sip espresso while you view art, frame and dream. The Rotunda 711 W. 40th St., 410.235.9060, http://www.thebevelededge.com
Code Fantastic
Inspired by the popularity of her dazzling collections of timeless jewelry for women, British ex-pat Gita Chowdhury, who logged time at both Paul Smith in New York and Brown’s in London, has extended her invitation-only enterprise to the general public with a new permanent location in Cross Keys, dresscode by gita. In addition to her collections of glass, silver, gold and diamond jewelry for the ladies, dressode by gita now offers a little something for the boys. The store also carries a fun mix of clothing, accessories, skin care products and an assortment of gifts that Gita has crossed the globe to discover. Her extraordinary finds: Mercury’s wings trouser clips for cyclists, mother-of-pearl peace sign bracelets, gold bullion, a magazine stool that straps together your collection to make a seat. With lines like Jack Spade, Paul Smith, Jade Jagger, Florian and Kotur, expect dressode to crack the code on Baltimore retail. dresscode by gita, 36 Village Square, Village of Cross Keys, 410.323.9009, http://www.dresscodebygita@mac.com.
Oh, Baby!
Entrepreneurial moms Dana Kunzelman and Lauren Kean launched Danajill Designs online apparel company earlier this year and began filling orders double-quick. Featuring oh-so-cute baby clothes stitched by Dana herself and handpicked items by cool kid labels like Laura Ashley, Jack and Lily, Mud Pie and Max Daniel, this site’s worth bookmarking! Dana stitches onesies, tops, bottoms and dresses with colorful, spirited messages: “shop girl, “Crabby,” “I Love Daddy” and “little angel,” to quote a few. Lovely ribbon jeans with cuff and belt fabric adornment ($40) are standouts. Design your own baby outfit today—choose a category, select an appliqué and go… Dana will sew it for your styling tyke ASAP! Available at: Jack In The Box 1809 Reisterstown Road, #150 Pikesville; Tummies Maternity 3765 Old Court Road; Morgan Truesdell Gifts 10431 Stevenson Road, Stevenson, MD 21153 and http://www.Danajilldesigns.com, 800.735.3124.
Walk on the Style Side
This season, be sure to hot-foot it over to Annapolis to glam up your tootsies at Saucy. Owner Sarah Goodall opened her fashion-forward shoe boutique this past September in the tony Park Place complex, giving high-stepping ladies of fashion a great reason to run, not walk, to Annapolis. Great designer names like Kate Spade, Hollywould, LuLu Guiness, Pedro Garcia, Bettye Muller, Rafe, Salpy, Missoni and Stokton. Handbags and jewelry by Felix Rey, Alex Woo, Anna Beck, Sydney Evan, Double Happiness and CC Skye. Saucy, One Park Place, Suite #3, Annapolis, 410.263.3435, http://www.saucyshoes.com
Once Again, With Feeling
Thanks to Earth Alley, being green just got a little easier. Owner Eva Khoury describes all of the eclectic and funky wares in her shop as “eco-friendly, refurbished, recycled or fair trade.” Great gifts include Tree-Free cards, distinctive messenger bags made from old bike inner-tubes, hand-blown glass ornaments made from recycled bottles and charming jewelry made from unredeemed coupons. At Earth Alley, everything old really is new again. Earth Alley, 3602 Elm Street, Hampden, 410.366.2110, http://www.earthalley.blogspot.com
Just Our Luck!
London’s Boutique opened on July 7, 2007—the luckiest day of the century! But even a quick stop into this Charles Street boutique and you’ll know that the smart modern collection of women’s and men’s fashion was not assembled by chance. Owner Kevin Davis, fashion specialist Kelly Carter, and manager/buyer Lauren Washington shop the shows in NYC with customers in mind. Cool (and affordable) lines like French Connection, BCBGirls and Buffalo by David Bitton are the staples of this spare but lovely shop. Top it all off with a great leather coat and you’ll know you’ve hit the jackpot. London’s Boutique, 318 N. Charles Street, Mt. Vernon, 410.244.1288
Underneath it All
Romance is in the house at Bella Sorpresa, Charisse Paige’s exciting new lingerie boutique specializing in European and designer collections. Slip into delicate laces, comfy cottons, decadent silks…and an extensive range of sleepwear and loungewear, as you treat yourself like a diva for the hour. “We are a boutique devoted to re-affirming every woman’s desire for an inspired life of luxury and unadulterated sex appeal,” Charisse says. Customers’ current fave lines include Aubade, Belabumbum and Cosabella. Glistening holiday gift idea: the Hanky Panky Vintage gift-box ($50), packed with three easy-to-wear yet barely-there undies. 339 N. Charles St., 410.962.2121, http://www.bellasorpresaboutique.com