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Archive for the ‘About Us’
It’s a plane! It’s a bird! It’s the Nudie superman!
Come check him out at Azalea!
New store sneak peek
Azalea just expanded …. next door! We are carrying more new brands and extending our selection for you. We are super excited to get all our new stuff in. We have beautiful collections coming this Spring and Fall from new and favorite brands. Come check out the space and let us know what you think.
BFFAE
Best Friends Forever And Ever
Growing up on a cul-de-sac in the East Bay definitely had it’s perks. Moving in to a developing part of town, meant that playing “Harriet The Spy” on the new neighbors without seeming like a little creep was totally possible. It meant that my best friend and neighbor, Heather, and I could cruise up and down our street for blocks and blocks in her Barbie Power Wheels Jeep without getting lost. It meant that our backyards were huge, we had fireplaces, and we could stay out all day–from morning ’til dinner. This was the perfect time for Best Friends.
I no longer fit in to a Barbie car but new, grown-up friendships are made through other, more grown-up experiences. Friendships these days mean that BFFs go for drinks. We vent to each other about those pesky 5lbs. that won’t budge. We’re allowed to wear makeup whenever we want. Most importantly, we get to ditch our Claire’s accessories (love ya, Y-necklaces) and hand braided friendship anklets for something a little more substantial– a little more, well, gold. In God We Trust’s Best F*ckin Friends necklace fits the bill.
In God We Trust- Best F*ckin’ Friends | $180
And now, for some of our fave BFFs:
Daria & Jane + Mary-Kate & Ashley
George & Brad + The Cruise/Beckham Clan
Bert & Ernie
Bololicious
Bololicious
A Jenni Witt Story
One of my first jobs was Store Manager at The Bead Shop in Palo Alto in the mid-90s. I remember looking at this dusty wall of colored woven leather rope, tarnished conchos and rusty bolo tips and saying to the owner, “Janice, it’s time. We have to mark down the bolo ties.” And she was like, “But… they used to sell so well! We used to sell yards of this stuff…” And I had to show her how when I moved the end of the leather over, there was a dark spot where the sun had faded around it and ruined the yardage.
It was 1995, the year the Bolos died. And now they have been resurrected! Sexily! And questionably, as gay lego men.
Acne
Left: All For The Mountain
Right: Fortune Favors The Brave
Best of Sale
It’s that time again! Time to get it while the gettin’ is good. We just marked down a TON of awesome Fall goods at 50%off!!
Here are our fave pieces for Men and Women:
1. Mike Gonzalez Ethen Sweater Wrap in Caviar | $387 $194
2. A.L.C. Scarlett Dress | $396 $198
3. Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair Mixed Melton Wool Coat | $1,000 $500
1. Billy Reid Delta Lug Boot | $525 $263
2. Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair Super X Shirt in Grey Pinstripe | $175 $88
3. Rachel Comey Caper Padded Boot in Leather and Black Canvas | $363 $255
XOX
Q&A With Anna Korte
To get the year started off right, we’re sharing an interview from I X ASHLEY with Anna Korte from A.K. Vintage.
Anna, a Portland based jewelry designer, ensures that all of her pieces are handmade from vintage, local, and sustainable materials in Portland, OR. Since 2002, her collection has drawn inspiration from nature’s geometry, literature, history, and the styles of eras past. (source)
Q & A
X: How would you describe the AK aesthetic?
AK: AK Vintage has a clean architectural aesthetic. But, the style and vibe is mixed- I think it’s about one part ancient civilization and one part modern.
X: What is the concept behind the line?
AK: It’s design-minded first, sustainability second and affordability third. In other words- AK offers a stand-out but, on-trend look while using authentic vintage metals and recycled leather with an approachable price tag.
X: What sets you apart from other jewelry lines?
AK: It really doesn’t look like anything else out there!
X: Who or what is you greatest design inspiration at the moment?
AK: I’m super into interiors. And, at the moment, I’m getting lost in inspiration within this book called ‘Handcrafted Modern’ by Leslie Williamson. It. Is. So. Good.
X: What is your personal favorite piece from your current line?
AK: I love the Patterns in the Sand necklace! I’ve been wearing it with EVERYTHING!
X: When can we look forward to seeing new unique pieces from AK?
AK: The next AK collection launches in February 2011!
X: Any exciting projects or collaborations currently happening?
AK: I’ve been dabbling in fiber art for the past year on the side. I’ve installed several of these works in public and private spaces. They’re large, geometrical and abstract installations that are made with string and nails. And, I LOVE creating them!! My friend Emily Baker of Sword+Fern, a gorgeous and magical treasure shop here in Portland, just posted about my work on her blog. Check it out here.
X: Any advice for young aspiring designers?
AK: Don’t hesitate, just do it! There’s this great quote I read early on that brought me relief and really helped me make my first leap toward my dreams as a working designer. It’s by Martin Luther King- ‘You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step’.
(interview sourced from I X ASHLEY)
XOX
This Year’s Top 5 TOMS
It may be raining cats and dogs in San Francisco today, but that won’t stop the die-hard TOMS fans from braving the wet sidewalks in their canvas slip-ons. For the last few years, TOMS have been a Bay Area mainstay and it seems to be catching on. We receive orders from all around the country for these feel-good shoes. In a full range of patterns, colors, textures, and styles, it seems that there’s a TOMS shoe for everyone.
Do you have a pair of TOMS? Which ones are your fave? I’m eying the Highlands Botas!
Check out this year’s bestsellers:
Gilded Herringbone Classic Slip Ons | $54
Highlands Botas in Brown | $79
Pink Glitter Classic Slip-Ons | $54
Men’s Grey Wool Fleck Botas| $79
Stay Hot & Keep The Cold Out
I am cold. When November rolls around, I buckle up my navy coat with the fur-trimmed hood and pretty much leave it on until April. Sometimes I’m too cold to get in my pajamas, so I’ll just sleep in my coat. I could be wearing an Ed Hardy bikini and a belly chain trimmed with sparkly dice charms underneath for all you know, because that coat remains on my body from morning ’til night. I spend my winters looking like a cartoon character who has an entire closet full of one outfit, and that outfit closely resembles the one belonging to the Eskimo Pie mascot:
Recently, a kindly co-worker brought it to my attention that there are actually several different kind of cold, each requiring a different type of coat! So I decided to try on every coat in Azalea to see if I could break the mold this winter diversify my wardrobe.
Amazing! This Billy Reid coat is extremely soft for being 100% wool, and very figure flattering. It nips in your waist and has an exaggerated lapel and cuffs that elevate it way beyond your ordinary peacoat. The tailoring is impeccable and it will last for years without looking dated. Perfect for one of those San Francisco days where the sun is shining but the air feels like a wall of ice cubes, this investment is well worth the cost.
Sometimes you have to walk the dog or change your boyfriend’s Iroc-Z tire in the rain, and you don’t want to muss your fine tailored coat or endure any more Eskimo comments from passersby. That’s where Spiewak comes in. This company really knows their way around a jacket, as they’ve been making them since 1904. Many of them are waterproof and despite their practicality, they are styled to fit the shape of your body and look super cute! Prices range from $100 – $170, so they are a wintery bargain. Sold.
I am now the proud owner of three coats. Hooray! Now if I could only do something about my uni-jeans…
XOX
Makin’ A List, Checkin’ It Twice…
We know that one night’s sleep has you scratching your head, trying to remember all of the fab prizes we’ll be giving away this month… Check this list TWICE and don’t forget to come in to Azalea Boutique to enter to win!
XOX
Hayes Valley Holiday Fun
With Christmas right around the corner, we warmed up our shopping muscles at the Hayes Valley Block Party on Friday night. PBR came through and sparked our holiday spirits with free beer, DJ Bruce of Kor Karaoke brought the party and everyone was having a great time. This year was definitely one to remember.
Tasty PBR!
Customers getting some holiday shopping done.
Richie and friend, gettin’ down with some Karaoke!
This girl had everyone mesmerized with her amazing singing voice… Can you say, American Idol?
Meat Loaf is ALWAYS a great karaoke choice.
Our vote for cutest Hayes Valley Couple. <3
Azalea’s Corey, doin’ it all for the nookie.
A tradition: Corina belting out Livin’ On A Prayer!
We were smitten with this Nudie sweater but, this guy was in it to win it. Holiday love! <3
Hope to see you next year!
XOX
What’s In Your Bag?
The next time you find yourself reaching for your plastic or cold-hard cash, think about the state of your most used accessory… Your wallet. Does it hold a candle to your cross-body handbag? Is it frayed around the zipper and packed to the zip with receipts and Frequent Shopper Cards? Then, be honest and admit that, no, it doesn’t compare to that awesome bag you snagged on Gilt Groupe. Yes, it’s a little beat up, well, a lot beat up and these receipts have got to go.
Treat yourself to the best with a Comme des Garcons wallet this holiday and reveal the best you. Hey look, you’re organized. Have your nails always been so perfectly manicured? Wow, is that your natural hair color? (ok, you get my drift)
XOX
Meet the Staff: Christopher
Lovers and Friends,
After years of serving as your one-stop shop in SF, and getting into your living rooms with this blog we think it’s time you met the staff here at Azalea. We love being here to answer your questions and help you feel like a million-bucks in our designer duds but, we’ve taken some time out of our stylish lives to answer a few silly questions… Read up!!
Our man, Christopher, Purveyor of all Operations:
Fave Celeb/Style Icon:
The entire cast of “LOST”
Wanna know more about our man Christopher? We know you do…
