shopping with sara
By Sara Thompson
I am your monthly guide to all sorts of fun, fabulous new things from all around
our fair city. I bring you the latest in fashion, tasty treats, new entertainments
and the best deals I can find.
Lighting the Way
Have you been reading about the benefits of soy candles?
Cleaner burning, great smell, all that jazz. Buy a Black Dog
Candle and you’re not only making a healthy purchase,
you’re supporting local arts and local animals. Black Dog
Candles packages and distributes soy candles right here in
Louisville and $1 per every candle sold goes to the Animal
Care Society, a no-kill animal shelter. If that doesn’t sell you, the scents will. Choose
from luscious Caramel Pecan, Chestnuts & Brown Sugar, or the delightful Pink Bubble
Gum. (Spree Boutique, $16 for 9 oz. jar candle)
Cut and Paste
Think of Preloved clothes as your old high school sweatshirt
meets Project Runway. Specializing in the redesign of vintage
clothing, based in Toronto and founded by a former fashion
model, Preloved takes old clothes and reinvents them via a seam-
ripper and a sewing machine. You will not see yourself coming and
going in one of these sweaters since each piece is truly unique.
(Spree Boutique, $78 and up)
Wood you like some sunglasses? Featured on the pages
of such mags as Vogue and Martha Stewart’s Blueprint,
these sunglasses are made of exotic wood veneers such
as teak and tiger (the tree, not the golfer), plus nickel-free
Italian temple pieces and UVA/UVB blocking lenses. They are surprisingly comfortable,
and won’t warp or get hot in the sun the way traditional metal or plastic frames will, and
come in styles for men and women. The wood comes from sustainable forests, and the
sunglasses are crafted with the environment in mind. (iWood, $350)
Wood Never Looked This Good
Hand-crafted in Louisville, iWood’s custom wooden jewelry is
subtle yet funky. Embellished with Swarovski crystals, turquoise
and wire, there are many one-of-a-kind pieces to choose from,
everything from pendants to bangles and earrings. (iWood,
$45-$100)
Halter! Who goes there?
Besides the shoes, bangles and beads, a girl’s got to have the
foundation – the Little Black Dress. Rubber Ducky’s 100 percent
silk dresses are as luxurious as they are affordable. Featured
here is a sexy black halter number. Look for its sisters in florals
with lace trim. (Spree Boutique, $94)
Lip Service Ok, ok, you caught me. I can’t
resist lip gloss. It’s cheaper than clothing and
it’s always the right size. I’m so excited to share
locally owned Tallulah Cosmetics with you.
Tallulah’s debut product is “glossary” super gloss, a luxurious gloss
and wash of color for the lips. Seven kissable shades to choose from
include My Yacht or Yours, a shimmery champagne that stands
alone or slicks up your favorite lipstick. Another fave is Brazilla, a
brownie-pink flecked with gold, and Mouth of the South, a hot salsa
orange that will be great on your next trip to the beach. See website for ordering
details and retail locations. (Tallulah Cosmetics gloss, $16)
I’m No Angel
Local artist T.J. Combine mixes cotton and crystal to create one-of-
a-kind t-shirts. The art/shirts feature her own angel wing design or
stamped words, and come in long- and short-sleeved variety.
They fit the bill for comfort and style. Look for new designs
seasonally. (girltalk, $39.95-$49.95)
Karma Girl Devoted to spreading some
positive energy in the world, Dogeared
Jewelry’s famous Make a Wish necklaces
feature teeny weeny charms on delicate
brightly colored threads. Popular among the celebrity set, you
make a wish when you put it on and when the thread wears
through, your wish comes true.Choose from hearts, fleur-de-lis,
ribbons and more. (girltalk, $24.95)
find of the month Pucker up
That’s right, it’s called Chicken Poop. And it is hands-down
pinkie-swear smack-your-mama the best lip balm you’ll ever
try…if you can get past the name. Chicken Poop comes from
creator Jamie’s grandpa. His cure for her constant dry lips?
Rub some chicken poop on ‘em so you won’t be lickin’ ‘em.
There is NO actual poop in this product, but there are good
things like all natural 100 percent soy, jojoba, sweet orange, lavender, and beeswax.
Even my husband is hooked. This stuff just sinks into your lips – no stickiness, no
mess. It’s also a great conversation starter. (Walgreens, $2.69)
GIRLTALK
Best friends Ingra Krebs and Tara Dickerson were tired of not being able to find things.
“We’d see things in Vogue or In Style and you couldn’t find them in Louisville,” says
Ingra. She and Tara turned their longing for hot baubles into a business and called it
girltalk. The shop opened in 2003 in the Middletown Plaza and moved in October of
2006 to its new digs at 2040 Frankfort Avenue, (502) 893-2225. The hot pink Clifton-
area boutique is dedicated to bringing sizzling trends to Louisville, as well as promoting
local vendors and artists. There’s even a girltalk junior corner, devoted to the younger
set and featuring items such as quilted overnight bags and glittering hair bands.
TALLULAH COSMETICS
The brainchild of Bowling Green native and lover of all things lip gloss, Tallulah
Cosmetics started glamming up the scene in November of 2006. Founder and Head
Lip Glossier Amy Wheeler is making her own dream come true with a line of gorgeous
ultra-wearable lip glosses. Wheeler is planning more products to add to the lineup,
including Tallulah’s cosmetic brushes. www.tallulahcosmetics.com
SPREE BOUTIQUE
When Clodhoppers vacated its previous location on Bardstown Road, it left some
pretty big suede platform shoes to fill. They’ve only been open a few months and
Spree Boutique is holding its own, wowing the crowds with quirky and hip offerings.
Owners Katie Blair and Kristen David felt there was a need for a shoe boutique in the
Highlands so the emphasis here is on shoes and other accessories such as scarves,
tights, lots of jewelry, hats, and lots of handbags. The shop also carries handpicked
items from contemporary lines: Kenzie Girl, Sugarlips, and Young At Heart, shoes by
Naughty Monkey, Pink Studio, Delicious, and more.
Best of all, you can look hot without burning up your credit card. 1561 Bardstown
Road, (502) 458-8117.
IWOOD
My first trip to Mellwood Arts Center was to visit iWood.
I wasn’t sure what to expect – these guys are front-page news, fashionwise. But Steve
McMenamin and Mike Jaeger were totally helpful and friendly and glad to show me
their amazing designs. Check out the shop and you’ll see magazine pages featuring
iWood’s signature sunglasses and shots of runway models wearing sunglasses at
2006’s Fashion Week in Bryant Park on the walls. If you get a chance, pop in next door
to A Little Peace Café for a bite to eat. They have a large selection of sandwiches,
daily soups and desserts. I recommend the California Supreme sandwich – three
cheeses, avocado and Dijon mustard sauce. 1860 Mellwood Avenue, (502) 515-3273.
By Sara Thompson
I am your monthly guide to all sorts of fun, fabulous new things from all around
our fair city. I bring you the latest in fashion, tasty treats, new entertainments
and the best deals I can find.
Lighting the Way
Have you been reading about the benefits of soy candles?
Cleaner burning, great smell, all that jazz. Buy a Black Dog
Candle and you’re not only making a healthy purchase,
you’re supporting local arts and local animals. Black Dog
Candles packages and distributes soy candles right here in
Louisville and $1 per every candle sold goes to the Animal
Care Society, a no-kill animal shelter. If that doesn’t sell you, the scents will. Choose
from luscious Caramel Pecan, Chestnuts & Brown Sugar, or the delightful Pink Bubble
Gum. (Spree Boutique, $16 for 9 oz. jar candle)
Cut and Paste
Think of Preloved clothes as your old high school sweatshirt
meets Project Runway. Specializing in the redesign of vintage
clothing, based in Toronto and founded by a former fashion
model, Preloved takes old clothes and reinvents them via a seam-
ripper and a sewing machine. You will not see yourself coming and
going in one of these sweaters since each piece is truly unique.
(Spree Boutique, $78 and up)
Wood you like some sunglasses? Featured on the pages
of such mags as Vogue and Martha Stewart’s Blueprint,
these sunglasses are made of exotic wood veneers such
as teak and tiger (the tree, not the golfer), plus nickel-free
Italian temple pieces and UVA/UVB blocking lenses. They are surprisingly comfortable,
and won’t warp or get hot in the sun the way traditional metal or plastic frames will, and
come in styles for men and women. The wood comes from sustainable forests, and the
sunglasses are crafted with the environment in mind. (iWood, $350)
Wood Never Looked This Good
Hand-crafted in Louisville, iWood’s custom wooden jewelry is
subtle yet funky. Embellished with Swarovski crystals, turquoise
and wire, there are many one-of-a-kind pieces to choose from,
everything from pendants to bangles and earrings. (iWood,
$45-$100)
Halter! Who goes there?
Besides the shoes, bangles and beads, a girl’s got to have the
foundation – the Little Black Dress. Rubber Ducky’s 100 percent
silk dresses are as luxurious as they are affordable. Featured
here is a sexy black halter number. Look for its sisters in florals
with lace trim. (Spree Boutique, $94)
Lip Service Ok, ok, you caught me. I can’t
resist lip gloss. It’s cheaper than clothing and
it’s always the right size. I’m so excited to share
locally owned Tallulah Cosmetics with you.
Tallulah’s debut product is “glossary” super gloss, a luxurious gloss
and wash of color for the lips. Seven kissable shades to choose from
include My Yacht or Yours, a shimmery champagne that stands
alone or slicks up your favorite lipstick. Another fave is Brazilla, a
brownie-pink flecked with gold, and Mouth of the South, a hot salsa
orange that will be great on your next trip to the beach. See website for ordering
details and retail locations. (Tallulah Cosmetics gloss, $16)
I’m No Angel
Local artist T.J. Combine mixes cotton and crystal to create one-of-
a-kind t-shirts. The art/shirts feature her own angel wing design or
stamped words, and come in long- and short-sleeved variety.
They fit the bill for comfort and style. Look for new designs
seasonally. (girltalk, $39.95-$49.95)
Karma Girl Devoted to spreading some
positive energy in the world, Dogeared
Jewelry’s famous Make a Wish necklaces
feature teeny weeny charms on delicate
brightly colored threads. Popular among the celebrity set, you
make a wish when you put it on and when the thread wears
through, your wish comes true.Choose from hearts, fleur-de-lis,
ribbons and more. (girltalk, $24.95)
find of the month Pucker up
That’s right, it’s called Chicken Poop. And it is hands-down
pinkie-swear smack-your-mama the best lip balm you’ll ever
try…if you can get past the name. Chicken Poop comes from
creator Jamie’s grandpa. His cure for her constant dry lips?
Rub some chicken poop on ‘em so you won’t be lickin’ ‘em.
There is NO actual poop in this product, but there are good
things like all natural 100 percent soy, jojoba, sweet orange, lavender, and beeswax.
Even my husband is hooked. This stuff just sinks into your lips – no stickiness, no
mess. It’s also a great conversation starter. (Walgreens, $2.69)
GIRLTALK
Best friends Ingra Krebs and Tara Dickerson were tired of not being able to find things.
“We’d see things in Vogue or In Style and you couldn’t find them in Louisville,” says
Ingra. She and Tara turned their longing for hot baubles into a business and called it
girltalk. The shop opened in 2003 in the Middletown Plaza and moved in October of
2006 to its new digs at 2040 Frankfort Avenue, (502) 893-2225. The hot pink Clifton-
area boutique is dedicated to bringing sizzling trends to Louisville, as well as promoting
local vendors and artists. There’s even a girltalk junior corner, devoted to the younger
set and featuring items such as quilted overnight bags and glittering hair bands.
TALLULAH COSMETICS
The brainchild of Bowling Green native and lover of all things lip gloss, Tallulah
Cosmetics started glamming up the scene in November of 2006. Founder and Head
Lip Glossier Amy Wheeler is making her own dream come true with a line of gorgeous
ultra-wearable lip glosses. Wheeler is planning more products to add to the lineup,
including Tallulah’s cosmetic brushes. www.tallulahcosmetics.com
SPREE BOUTIQUE
When Clodhoppers vacated its previous location on Bardstown Road, it left some
pretty big suede platform shoes to fill. They’ve only been open a few months and
Spree Boutique is holding its own, wowing the crowds with quirky and hip offerings.
Owners Katie Blair and Kristen David felt there was a need for a shoe boutique in the
Highlands so the emphasis here is on shoes and other accessories such as scarves,
tights, lots of jewelry, hats, and lots of handbags. The shop also carries handpicked
items from contemporary lines: Kenzie Girl, Sugarlips, and Young At Heart, shoes by
Naughty Monkey, Pink Studio, Delicious, and more.
Best of all, you can look hot without burning up your credit card. 1561 Bardstown
Road, (502) 458-8117.
IWOOD
My first trip to Mellwood Arts Center was to visit iWood.
I wasn’t sure what to expect – these guys are front-page news, fashionwise. But Steve
McMenamin and Mike Jaeger were totally helpful and friendly and glad to show me
their amazing designs. Check out the shop and you’ll see magazine pages featuring
iWood’s signature sunglasses and shots of runway models wearing sunglasses at
2006’s Fashion Week in Bryant Park on the walls. If you get a chance, pop in next door
to A Little Peace Café for a bite to eat. They have a large selection of sandwiches,
daily soups and desserts. I recommend the California Supreme sandwich – three
cheeses, avocado and Dijon mustard sauce. 1860 Mellwood Avenue, (502) 515-3273.
