6 Years of SHOES!

This month marks the 6 year anniversary of Poppy & Stella! We still cannot believe it has been this long since we first opened our doors in 2008! For the last 6 years, we have striven to provide the Baltimore girl with fabulous footwear and stunning accessories, and added the Annapolis girl to our radar along the way. In celebration of 6 years of shoes, let's take a trip down memory lane to see how we've grown!

Poppy & Stella started off as a modest sized store in the heart of Fells Point, closely located to other locally-owned small businesses.  The shop quickly became known for having a great selection of beautiful, high-quality shoes, including styles from well known brands such as Frye, Miz Mooz, and Poetic Licence.  

 In November of 2009, we made our first expansion by adding a second store in the Annapolis Towne Center. Having both locations allows us to carry even more stylish shoes, and reach even more amazing women!  Customers love that we can transfer items from store to store with ease for a broader selection. We emphasize customer service in our small store atmosphere-- we value our close relationships with our customers more than anything! Whether this relationship lasts an hour with an out-of-towner, or years with our locals, we love helping people find their new favorite pair of shoes!

In 2012, the space next door to our Baltimore location became available and we jumped at the opportunity to double our floor space. The expansion included adding clothing to the mix as well as more amazing shoes. Poppy & Stella is still know for carrying our customers' favorite brands, but now we are able to truly have something for everyone! Whether you are looking for a practical flat, pointed toe stiletto, or a casual day dress, we've got it! Still a favorite brand of our customers (and staff!) is FRYE. Our Frye bar currently holds the largest selection of Frye handbags, shoes, and boots in Baltimore with over 40 styles to choose from! We now also carry over 40 additional shoe brands including Clarks, Jeffrey Campbell, Kelsi Dagger, Kork-Ease and more!

Our most recent venture was acquiring a neighborhood favorite in Fells Point called Babe. (a boutique), which carries fashion forward brands like Charlie Jade, Splendid, and Ella Moss. Babe has been open since 2007, with a great selection of unique merchandise from casual Splendid tops to elegant floor length BCBG dresses.  In the last year we've brought in brands like Olive + Oak and Knot Sisters, only adding to the eclectic and stylish (yet wearable) vibe of the store. Have the hottest outfit in Baltimore by pairing a Babe ensemble with stunning shoes from Poppy & Stella!

Our original location in Fells Point

Inside our original Fells Point location

Chie Mihara, Spring 2010

Inside our Annapolis store

Our 2012 expansion of our Fells Point location

Pour La Victoire, Spring 2014

Our newest addition to the family, Babe. (a boutique)

Thank you to all of our customers who have had made these last 6 years a blast!  We love you guys as much as we love SHOES!

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Have your classic pieces taken a backseat to your trendy pieces this season? They are classics for a reason, but that doesn't mean you always have to use them in the same way.  Consider what combining the two could do for your wardrobe, how does it all come together?

The Cure: Contemporary Classic Combo

Spice up your basic trench with color. Red denim radiates against khaki. Top with a neutral and go wild with accessories.  Pull in another bold color with a clutch, go for a patterned shoe, and bold jewelry. You don't have to be matchy matchy, this eclectic style pulls it all together.

Mini Menswear

Menswear still has an influence in women's fashion today but it seems to have taken on a more minor role as feminine silhouettes and flowy fabrics have taken center stage.  By incorporating one specific piece into an uber girly look you can give it a "girl meets boy" performance.

Add a vest to a super feminine dress of an unexpected look and  a blazer creates a sharp contrast with structure when paired with  a fluid dress.  When wearing lace and pumps a plaid hip-length coat hits the mark for balance and a grandpa cardigan can help tone down the attitude of a sexy leather skirt.  Finally a neck tie creates a playful yet preppy look.

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Looking to add a little bit of sparkle to your laid back shorts or maxi dresses??? I've got just the solution!  The Loeffler Randall Mignon Knotted flat sandal is a twinkling "10"! The metallic leather sandal has multi-straps knotted across the vamp and ankle with a zip back for easy wear.  What isn't a "10" about this shoe is the price, $325.

Loeffler Randall, $325

I do have another "10" in mind, perhaps it is even an "11"!  The Kelsi Dagger  Kassa flat sandal provides pure panache.  Instead of knots this multi-strap sandal criss-crosses across the vamp.  Straps delicately wrap around the ankle and a back zipper allows for easy on and off. Like the Loeffler Randall, a sliver wedge offers a little lift.  What makes this sandal an "11"?  The price!!! At just $84 you get a lot of bang for your buck!

Kelsi Dagger, $84

Merry in Marigold

"If you're drawn to marigold, you are high-spirited and idealistic," says Kate Smith, the expert behind Sensationalcolor.com.  "You live life with optimism."  Sounds about right, to me this shade just shouts and showcases a sparkling and sunny disposition.
According to InStyle this shade is so great because it's "Richer than lemon but less in your face than taxicab yellow, the tone in surprisingly easy to adopt, even in a sheath."

Go for a dress, pleated skirt, bathing suit, sweater, this is an easy color to pull off.  Pair with a neutral gray for a clean modern look, with white for an "innocent vibe" or black to make it edgy.  Accessorize with texture, woven brown leathers or geometric wooden shapes.  Let your sunny disposition shine through!