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!

Burgundy...the new Black

Well if you haven't heard it already, this season burgundy/oxblood is the new black!  This deep, rich, red hue took the runways by storm with designers from Jason Wu, to Tory Burch embracing the impact of this shade! According to Elle magazine,

"And it's official: The color of the season is seductive oxblood. More cerebrally sensual than its tarty firetruck-red cousin, the muddied burgundy works as a statement accessory or wear-everywhere pieces."

Wear a little, wear a lot, pair it with black or other neutrals, heck it's the new neutral itself! No matter how you do to it adding this riff of red to your wardrobe this season is a fashion

Bejeweled Blitz

Even the most modest fashionista's love a little sparkle now and then. Glints from gems certainly have a way of bringing out a special glow.  Designers like Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, and Dior have caught on to the power the sprinkle of glitz and glam can have and incorporated strategically placed shimmer and shine into their fall collections. What makes this look so great? According to InStyle,

"Marked more by resplendence than flash (sequins play only a minor role), these pieces make over-the-top brilliance come alive. It's an elegant, intentionally baroque look. "

Can it be pulled off during the day or is this a trend tailored to evening wear? It can be done both ways, but looks best with the bejeweled piece as a standout and the rest of the look restrained.  No need for accessories as the clothes sparkle on their own.  My advice, the more adorned the look, the later in the evening it should be worn.

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Occasionally you may find yourself looking for a shoe that is simple and elegant but also has that little something special that sets it apart from a plain black pump.  Gianvito Rossi has a shoe that does just that.  This winged pump have an extended back and sides that frame your foot in a sexy black suede.  They are like a hybrid pump/boot, almost like a shootie but not quite, classic but modern, all melded together with just the right balance.  Of course I wouldn't want to balance my check book after buying these, they will set you back $635.

Gianvito Rossi

If you are still looking for that shoe with a certain something and not ready to shell out so much cash, consider the "Red Alert" by Poetic Licence.  You have similar framing with the extended sides, but this one also gives you a little glitz and glam with a jeweled broach adorning the toe.  Best of all they are only $120.  They are the perfect pair to give your look a little je ne sais quoi.

Poetic Licence

Fall Collection: Poetic Licence

Poetic Licence typically pushes the boundaries with fun and funky color combos and accents of gems and feathers! This season check out their take on the classic oxford, "shootie", and pumps full of pizazz!

Jewely Jade

I can't avoid it any longer, as much as I would love to extend the summer season, fall fashion in making its presence known.  Your first glimpse? Rich jade.  According to InStyle,

"Vibrant and fresh, this color makes the perfect transition between spring's flora-inspired pastels and fall's more opulent, jewel-like shades".

 A color like this looks fab on every skin tone, so if you're looking to add color this is a go to shade.  It is easily paired with cool neutrals like navy and chalk, eggplant compliments it as well.  For an edgier match "clash" it with a blue-green teal.

NeOn

Summer sales are in full force as Fall fashion starts to make its debut in a store near you, but I'm not ready to say goodbye to Summer styles just yet, so let's go out with a bang.  Have you tried NEON this season?

I realize what you might be thinking, didn't neon die with the 80s, yes it certainly did, but there is a method to my madness, neon can be modern!  Just a hint of these bright hues can highlight your fashion savvy and is a great way to celebrate the Summer season. There bold and brights and the perfect compliment to navy and neutrals. If you're hesitant, choose a piece that has a neon accent like and orange cuff, or a pink belt. Whether big or small, any bit of neon is sure to make an impact!

Broaching on Baroque

While scouring my vast collection of fashion magazines I came across a story that I absolutely must share.  Elleuk.com previously posted the following for Spring/Summer trends and I couldn't keep it to myself, so without further ado...

"Once upon a time a baroque print was solely synonymous with Versace, but its decadence has filtered into spring summer 12’s trend bill.The print plays out in a number of guises with varying degrees of intensity. For the bold, flashy chain prints on leopard spots intertwine with ropes on bomber jackets, elsewhere strikes of swirling black fauna adorn pencil skirts, while baroque tops with softer, ornate rococo swirls flow gently across jersey. The baroque trend isn’t restricted to clothing; with shoes and accessories getting in on the act too and ingenious devore on shoes make for a pretty introduction to the print."

                                                                                                        --ElleUk.com

South Beach Sexy

It's vacation season, which means an escape to a place where you can really step outside your fashion box and explore a little.  If you're heading to a place like South Beach, Miami you're looking to pack bold prints, body conscious silhouettes, and anything that's going to show some skin!

Stock up on shorts and mini's, but go for bright colors and patterns, and don't be afraid to mix and match a little.  Max out your maxi with a bold print and while you're at it, look for a statement sandal that's sure to turn heads.

Flower Power

So maybe you aren't the type of girl who goes for the dainty, girly, floral print; you're more of a standout, you like bold pattern and color.  You might change your mind about florals once I fill you in on a hot spring trend!  Bold florals are storming the runway, according to InStyle,

These prints "are a far cry from romantic, these standout prints can punch up your most basic outfit.  They may be inspired by nature, but their graphic allure makes them city-friendly. Some are even nightclub-worthy"

Sound like this is more your speed? To effortlessly pull these prints off look for streamlined shapes and pair the print with something clean.  Make sure you keep the colors vibrant and add as little or as much floral to the look as you like!

Nature Made

Spring is only days away and we've barely scratched the surface of fashionable possibilities for the season. Prints have had quite a presence on the runway, from mad and bold to soft and flowery, with so many options to choose from you can easily pick the one that fits your style.  Nature inspired prints are this weeks focus and they are positively precious.

There is more that just flowery fullness here, but nature-scapes including jungles, forests, landscapes, and horizons.  With so much going on in one of these prints, choose a fabric that is light and airy so the print doesn't weigh you down, but choose a shoe that's a little heavy to keep you grounded.

Avant Garde Glam

The romantic look of fashion isn't a reflection of the past this season, but of the future with it's more modern approach.  How is this being acheived?  According to InStyle,

"Take classic elements like ruffles, florals, lace, and peplums and apply them to shapes that are lean, geometric, and exaggerated.  It's a gutsy yet glorious idea.  The result is femininity that replaces dainty with drama."

photos courtesy of InStyle

Drama is definite and this is not a look for the faint of heart.  Even for the most daring of divas, one statement piece is all you need.  By combining so many elements into one, there is no need for added accessorizing.   Stick to neutrals with shoes and depending on how wild your wear, the simpler the better.

Shine On!

All of the sparkly goodness from last night's Oscar awards reminded me of how much fun a little (or a lot) of shine can be! Alas, such things are not so ready-to-wear...or are they?!?  Perhaps not to the extent of being red carpet ready but designers from Chanel, Armani, Theory, and Reed Krakoff have exhibited a subtler sequin Spring look this season.

According to InStyle magazine the sea seems to be a major influence with an abundance of iridescent and opalescent fabrics, so take your cues from that, choosy pearly colors and simple, flowing lines.  Stick to the "less is more" mantra, one shiny piece is enough.  Most importantly,remember that while shimmer is acceptable 24/7, what you wear, where is still important.

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

So you've recently been invited to a dinner party but are unsure of the dress code. You are in a Goldilocks situation, you don't want to over dress and you don't want to under dress.  So how do you approach the situation?

The Cure: The Just Right Option

A simple shift dress is the place to start, black is certainly safe, but sometimes comes off as too formal, if you choose a bright color you can be playful.  Continue to play up the look with accessories, contrast your dress with a statement shoe, tie together with a sparkly clutch and embellish the ensemble with a more formal choice in jewelry.  The look combines dressy and casual in a balance that is just right!

Voulez-vous porter...

I'm not going to lie, one of the trends I'm most looking forward to this Spring is the tres chic look of French Charm! Delicate laces, vintage florals,scalloped hems, and chambray are fluently and fashionably d'insperation fraçaise.

Everything about this look says subtle, sexy, and soft sophistication.  The flow of the fabrics caress any figure with grace and the ease at which they're worn make the look effortless.  Can't you just picture yourself, sipping a latte at a sidewalk cafe with the Eiffel Tower in the background?

Go Gaga for Grape

Traditionally purple is the color of royalty, but who say's you can't share the wealth.  While it was reserved for those with power due to it's scarce nature, today this powerful hue is all over the runway.
According to InStyle,

"With its blend of warm(red) and cool(blue) hues, grape complements the undertones in every complexion. 'It's lavish and sensual,' says Angela Missoni, who made liberal use of it in her recent resort collection. Elegant yet never predictable, it works equally well on a sexy zip-front dress or sporty anorak."

It's easy to wear as it can stand on it's own, or can be used as the neutral in your ensemble. It can be combined with the likes of coral, teal, and ivory, strengthening either the red or the blue hue, or dare to contrast it with a spot of yellow.  Metallics are always an easy pairing. However you choose, wear this bright shade with your head held high!

Party Perfection

With so many of falls trends bleeding into the holidays it's hard to misstep when choosing your perfect party dress.  Bold gemstone colors like ruby, emerald, and sapphire, touches of lace, sparkle, shine, and a little bit of blocking are all fool proof choices!

Choose your accessories wisely, choose a daring and desirable pump  to go with a simple dress, or something more subtle to pair with a metallic print. Any festive frock is going to be a winner and you will surely be the toast of the town.

Let me see your Peacock...

Peacock blue, what a magical and mesmerizing hue, and certainly one to love, InStyle magazine explains why,

"Neither as business like as navy nor as regal as royal, this ultra-saturated shade lends a feeling of relaxed opulence to body-hugging dresses and office-appropriate separates."

With a description like that I just want to bathe in the beautiful color.  According to Kate Smith from sensationalcolor.com, those who love the color are curious, intuitive, and kind.

The color is complimented with cool neutrals like silver and gray, but consider adding a dark purple or orange-tinted red for intensity.  This look can be pulled of monochromatically but don't be afraid to play with separates.

Merry Metallics

With gold having been a hot trend this fall it makes sense that metallics would carry into the holidays. Sequins, metallic knits, matte, and shiny all put the luxe in luxurious.  Shine on this holiday season.

Silver, bronze, and shades of color are all welcome to this metallic party.  I recommend choosing one bold piece, or muted coordinating pieces, a little shine goes a long way!

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

With Thanksgiving less than a week away you are probably pondering what to wear to the most festive dinner party of the year. While wanting to dress to impress you also want to be comfortable enough to maybe have that second piece of pie at the end of the night. So what to wear?

The Cure: Thanksgiving Trend-setting

Now normally I would probably suggest a shift dress, something cute and stylish but also flattering for the expectant expanding waistline, but this year I'm thinking of taking a risk. How luxe are these velvet leggings ?!? They are the perfect substitute for the shift. Pair them with an embellished silk blouse and pretty pumps for a flawlessly festive look.