Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

How many of you flip through fashion magazines, check out the looks of your favorite celebrities and say to yourself "I wish I had their budgets", or "I could totally rock an outfit like that", but chances are you don't have the same shopping options as celebrities do.  One of my favorite things is seeing a picture of a celebrity and KNOWING that the look is totally in reach.  That is in fact what happened when I saw this picture of Ashley Green.

Ashely's grunge chic airport style is made complete with the Lucille boot from Timberland, which we totally have in stock!!! The military inspired two toned look has that little bit of extra to give your look an edge.  For a luscious leather boot this is totally budget friendly, at just $297 you too can give your style some grunge chic!

Timberland "Lucille", $297

Charity Shopping Event!

Poppy and Stella's    2011 Charity Shopping Events benefiting CAF Triathlon Challenge  "Changing Lives, One Athlete at a Time"   Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is an amazing organization that provides funding and opportunities for individuals with physical challenges to allow them to participate in sports and lead healthy, active lifestyles. In 2010, Poppy and Stella raised over $4,000 for   CAF Triathlon Challenge.   We intend to beat last year's success with   Five Days of Charity Shopping for CAF.    From Wednesday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, October 2: Donate $1 to $10, receive 10% off your entire purchase,     $11 to $20 donation....15% off, $21 to $30 donation....20% off,                $31 to $40 donation....25% off,    Anything over $41 donation....30% off!* Beat the weekend crowds & join us for bubbly on these special extended hour evenings!  **Wednesday, September 29th - Fells Point** 5 pm til 9 pm **Thursday, September 30th - Annapolis**    5 pm til 9 pm *Tax deductible donations can be made with cash, check or credit card.  Poppy and Stella - Fells Point 728 S Broadway Baltimore, Maryland 21231 410-522-1970 Poppy and Stella - Annapolis Towne Centre 1910 Towne Centre Blvd.  Suite 123 Annapolis, MD 21401 410-224-0157

Lovely Lace

Lace and ladylike are loving fall again this season! Whether it's a little or a lot you can't go wrong incorporating this staple into your wardrobe.  Pair with sequins and go glam or pair with leather and walk on the wild side.

  This season it's been given a slight more Victorian feel with higher collars and is present in everything from stockings to skirts and blouses.  It's sexy, feminine, and elegant and a must have for the season.

A thousand thank you's to City Paper...and to all our loyal customers who've shown us so much love these past 3 and half years!  P.S. Have you seen the shoes City Paper is referring to?

Best Women’s Shoe Store  

Poppy and Stella

PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

28 S. Broadway, (410) 522-1970, poppyandstella.com

Made with leather, suede, canvas, cork, wood, buckles, satin, patent, and bows, shoes are covetable by most women, right? We adore $300 leather Frye boots like we eat salad—it’s stupid simple—and Frye’s super-high clogs in the sweetest gray leather are on our fall desire list. There are all sorts of giant places to buy shoes at a discount, but to shop the latest and local is totes fun, so we hit up little Poppy and Stella for the prettiest, toughest, flattest, highest, cutest, and most wearable shoes for the season—whatever season—and for whatever occasion. It always carries the nicest tall boots, chic booties, comfy ballet flats, strappy sandals, and sexy heels along with a tight collection of cool work-worthy loafers and stacked heels. Plus, the sales rack is meant to move shoes.

-Courtesy of City Paper

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

It's fall festival time. Apple picking, hayrides, pumpkin patches, so many of the things that make fall great, but what is a girl to wear! On one had you want to be practical, but let's face it, how often does function win out over fashion?

The Cure: Hayride Hottie

Gingham patterns might be farm favorites, but instead of putting it on under overalls, pair it with a pair of your favorite skinny jeans.  Layer it with a cardigan with a pleasing pop of color and add contrasting accessories with a skinny belt and necklace.  Then of course, the quintessential fall must have, a pair of Frye boots.  Talk about farmhouse chic!

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

So boot season is finally here!!! I kicked it off by wearing a pair last weekend as I was on the hunt for a brand new pair. Shopoholics anonymous here I come.  On my quest I did find an absolutely astounding pair of Prada riding boots.  This slip on style with a round toe and ankle buckle in gold that compliments the warm brown leather was like butter and I was ready to slather it all over my feet until I saw that these beautiful riding boots cost $1,350. The hunt continues...

Prada, $1,350

I did not lose hope for I found another great riding boot with a price that leaves me with cash to spare!

Timberland's Bethel Buckle is a bit more rugged in its styling but the added bonus is that this shoe is made to be environmentally friendly.  I just love the buckle around the ankle (the key accent) and the notched strap at the top.  Gold and brown blend together beautifully making this a great affordable choice, just $186!

Timberland, $186

Baroque Bohemian

Do you ever have those days where you want your darker side to show but you don't want to dress in all black?  Lucky Magazine might have a look for you to try.  Pucci, Anna Sui, and Tory Birch showed off this opulent style on the runway. Baroque Bohemian is a look drenched in "flamboyant shades and rich textures...decadent fabrics" with a slight 70's influence and rocker flare.

Key pieces to pull this look off include stretch velvet pants, velvet blazers, embellished blouses, and over the top, voluminous coats.  Keep it consistent with wide-brim hats, antique jewelry, vibrant and interesting shoes, and chain strap bags.  Wearing this look might feel like eating a piece of the richest dessert you've ever had, it's ok to take just ONE piece to go Baroque!

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Cooler temps are creeping closer and your autumn apparel is arriving!  While fall fashion is easily embraced outside the office is it possible to warm your workspace with fall fashion flavor?  You bet, let me show you how to spice things up!

The Cure: Office Chic

One of falls hottest trends is the midi length skirt, which is totally appropriate for the work place.  Find a pattern that is pleasing and maybe a little provocative, spicing it up with the wonderfully warm shades of fall.  Go neutral with your top, accentuate your waist with a belt, and instead of sexy stilettos, choose a more appropriate oxford style bootie. Work your cubicle as if it were a runway! You are definitely dressed to impress!

Caution: Runway walks in the office may lead to unwanted distractions and side effects.

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Ok so now that it is officially well after Labor Day, I am going full force into Fall Fashion.  One of my basic necessities for fall is a fab flat and boy did I find a truly fabulous one.  The Jimmy Choo "Wigmore" is more than just a flat, it is the be it and end all of cute, coquettish, ballerina street-wear.  The patent leather is perfection and the cap toe complete with logo adds just the right amount of contrast.  Of course I'm not sure any amount of contrast is worth $450.

Jimmy Choo, $450

On the other hand, Me Too has an similar style that doesn't make you a walking advertisement.  Instead of a cap toe, this flirty little flat has a great braided chain to break up the patent leather.  Best of all, this price is a huge contrast to those pricey Jimmy Choo's, for just $88 I get my ballerina street-wear for running around town without running out of cash!

Me Too, $88

Fresh Faddish Fiftiesesque.

One of the many moods for fall combines lady like pieces with palpable prints and a little bit of quirk. Things like feathered skirts with a peter pan collared shell are both feminine and innocent in charm, while walking slightly on the wild side.

Give a floaty dress structure with a tailored jacket with pairing just about anything with polka dots gives it a sassy tone.  Add ruffles and bows to your menswear pieces and feel glam with long blousy sleeves and a short hemline.

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

It's that time of the year again...FOOTBALL!!! You've got a tailgater coming up this weekend and you want to dress to impress, but you think to yourself...it's a football game.  I've got a cute and casual cure to ensure that you score a touchdown in the style endzone!

The Cure: Football Fashion!

Grab your cropped boyfriend jeans to start, a no muss no fuss pair is perfect for game-day.  Grab a simple fitted tee (possibly represent the color of your favorite team) and dress it up with a great chunky, geographical necklace.  Grab a neutral cardigan in case in gets chilly and a neutral flat to dress it up just a tad.  A cross body bag in a contrasting color is a great way to finish off the look.  You're ready to enjoy the game! Go Team!

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Could you really ask for better when you combine kitten heels, pointy toes, red suede and a bow??? Isabel Marant has a shoe that is to die for.  I'm not the only one who hasn't been won over by this particular Parisian like pair, Anne Hathaway, Hilary Duff, Lisa Snowden, Elle MacPherson, Katie Holmes, and Kate Bosworth are also smitten.  Of course they won't keel over at a glace at the price.  Surprisingly this low heel with a high price is currently sold out! Time to find an alternative.

Isabel Marant "Poppy" $620

To the rescue is Madeline's "Tashi" with a true kitten heel, pointy toe and side bow. So I may not be able to go as bold as red, but the dark taupe or black suede are necessary neutrals for fall. The best part, at just $59 I can definitely buy both!

Madeline "Tashi", $59

Madeline "Tashi", $59

Haute Heels

Coco Chanel said it best, " A woman with good shoes is never ugly!"Short, tall, stacked, thick, stiletto, or kitten, one thing is for sure, we've got a prime pump for you.  Glam up your gambs with a duo of delight!

$82

$82

$106

$124

$99

$159

$159

$106

$104

$59

$59

$94

$84

Westward Bound

Look #3 in Lucky magazine's guide to fall trends presents the potential of print, specifically tribal print.  Designers like Matthew Williamson, Isabel Marant, and Proenza Schouler have played around with print in their fall collections.  Lucky Magazine recommends the following tips, make the print sexy by wearing it on a formfitting minidress, "elevate cozy, familiar knitwear with skinny white jeans", if wearing fringed boots, play them up by pairing them with the same color pant, balance pattern with minimalist pieces, and "keep the shoes sexy and strappy when wearing printed pants."

Seems like a lot to keep in order, but here are the key pieces you'll need if you want to incorporate this style into your wardrobe:
1. Multi-hued sweater dress
2. Tailored short shorts
3. Print Racer back tank
4. Tapestry print mini
Accessorize with embroidered belts, cross-body bags, fringe and more pattern.

Fashion's Night Out

Join Poppy and Stella in Fells Point to celebrate Balimore's evening dedicated to fashion and fun! We'll be showing off our amazing Fall collection, pouring drinks and helping you find the perfect shoe!  If you're lucky you may find a half-off Summer shoe in your size.  It'll be on additional sale for that night only!

Our fashionable neighbors Cupcake and Babe will be hosting events too, so head on dow to Fells Poing on Thursday, September 8.

When: September 8, 2011 6-9pm
Where: Poppy and Stella Fell's Point 728 S. Broadway, Baltimore

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Ok so it is finally September, I think I am finally ready to share something with you...I am sooooooo ready for boots and jackets, sweaters and leggings, I mean come on who doesn't want those cooler temps to creep in so you can break out some of your favorite fall pieces?!? Are you currently working on building your fall wardrobe, if so you may not be as excited as I am, but you will be once you see what classic pieces you MUST have that will last you a lifetime...the best part of it is, I'm STILL using stuff from summer!

The Cure: Falling for Fall

So I grabbed that blue and white striped top that was great all throughout summer and instead of pairing it with white bottoms, I paired it with my favorite ankle cropped skinnys.  I added a bold gold chunky braided chain and a timeless leather messenger bag.  Kicking it up is an outstanding lace-up heeled oxford (L-O-V-E) and to top it all off, the quintessential trench. Smart and sweet style!

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

I spy with my little eye a new shoe trend popping up in Hollywood!!! Gracing the feet of stars like Katie Holmes, Selena Gomez, and Kate Bosworth is the suede bootie, a fall shoe they are embracing now!  They've dressed them up and dressed them down pairing them with cocktail dresses and shorts.  Isn't it great to see this fall staple make an early appearance?!?

Courtesy of People.com

Now while I don't know the exact lines these starlettes are sporting I do know that we carry a shoe that looks awfully similar if not exactly like what these gals are wearing.  Say hello to Sam Edelman's "Petty" a short suede boot taking luxe to new heights.  The short heel and slight asymmetrical styling give this shoe sophistication that can be added to any ensemble.  The best part is you don't need a Hollywood salary to have Hollywood style!

"Petty", $149

Fetish Femme

Here's a look for a girl that is looking to mix and match feminine and fatale pieces to get a style that says something.  Lucky Magazine describes it as "Fetish Femme" and says the key is to " Girly up this subversive look with a prim and delicate white collar."  Also important is to consider just the right amount of skin, if it's form fitting, go for a longer skirt.  This look is all about the mystery, if you show off your legs, cover your arms and vice versa.  Break up the black with "heavy gold accents" and dare to be primly playful.

What you must have, a cut out black dress, textured mini, lace blouse a la peter pan collar, and a peplum skirt.  Add some irony with a cat-ear hood, and accessorize with platform lace boots or mary-janes, and cat eye glasses.

Flirty Flats

Fall would not be complete without a fabulously fantastic flat!  We've got oodles to choose from and you can never have too many!

$88

$88

$99

$99

$84

$120

$122

$89

$89

$128

$64

$89

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again, I can't wait for fall, mainly so I can start wearing all of the wonderful sweaters and boots that I have.  *Sigh* But really who's to say I have to wait for sweaters and boots until the weather is cool enough, can't I start my transition now?!?  I certainly can and here's how!

The Cure: Seasonal Shift

As summer is drawing closer to the end it's perfectly acceptable to start mixing in your fall pieces.  Obviously your cable knits will stay in the closet until it's quite chilly, but there's no reason you can't wear your lightweight layers now!  A lighter sweater perforated with pointelle diamonds is purely practical for this time of year, especially if it's in a bright and vibrant shade.  Layer it with an equally bright, contrasting cami and pair it with those white hot denim ankle skinnys.  Here comes my favorite part, BOOTS! 

Side Effects: Fashion Purists may frown post Labor Day, but if you look good and feel good then flaunt your fabulousness!