It seems like our beach dreams go in two totally different fashion directions.  Either we’re thinking west coast surfer, island-girl, jams & sarongs, cut-offs and bikini’s on top.  Or we’re all hepped up on a crisp East Coast lilyP, madras, seersucker, jack rogers, topsiders, nantucket reds vibe.

Both styles work just fine for us.  But for this July Fourth, the new Vineyard Vines store at South Park Mall is luring us to The Atlantic with a slew of adorable, super-preppy Red, White & Blue dresses, skirts, shorts, and tops.  And the matching and companion little girls and boys pieces.  Really, really cute if you like that look. (Although if you dress your entire family in matching outfits, we will pretend we don’t know you when we see you out & about).

These are just a few pics of what we saw in the Vineyard Vines store on Friday.  Don’t forget, you’re invited to attend their Grand Opening Party this Wednesday evening from 6-8 pm.  You do need to rsvp though, and you’ll find the invite here.

Two Dilworth shops have recently begun to offer annual discount cards for a small upfront fee.  Good to have if you are a frequent shopper of either Laura James Jewelry or I.C.London stores.

In the I.C.London program, you pay $40 upfront and get 20% OFF every purchase you make at either store for an entire year.  IC London is known for a pretty much perfect selection of bras, underthings and sleepwear.  Two stores – one on East Blvd in The Shops at Twin Oaks in Dilworth and one in Ballantyne Village.  You can read about their summer basics for slimming, trimming and coverage in our recent post here.

Laura James Jewelry sells out of her Dilworth studio on East Blvd above I.C.London and Sloan as well as online at LauraJamesJewelry.com.  Her affordable, unique pieces are often featured in magazines both here in the QC and national publications - You can check out just how famous her stuff is here.  In the LJJ discount card program, the 15% Savvy Shopper card is $42 for 15% off every purchase you make at Laura James Jewelry for the rest of the year.  The 20% Savvy Shopper card is $62 for 20% off every purchase you make at Laura James Jewelry for the rest of the year.  In store or Online.  Email LJJ for more details or to order yours today.

Swung by Seventy Two Shoe Boutique in Blakeney yesterday to see what I could find that would be new & casual-cute for me this summer at less than $100.

These Coral flat sandals by Nicole are brand new at 72, perfect for a pop of summer color and priced right at $79. (more…)

Stopped by the new Nordstrom Rack at Carolina Pavillion last week, after the Grand Opening crowds had cleared.  Still quite a few shoppers about – hopefully they’d at least gone home to shower since the March 31 G.O.  I did see plenty of deals to be had, mostly in the 50% off range. (more…)

Lots and lots to shop at Cottage Chic for the mom’s in your life, and we suggest you FAN them on Facebook to find out what’s in store each week. Here, we’re going to talk up one of our favorite Mother’s Day gifts ever. The Heather Moore Personalized Necklace.

Mostly, we at scoopcharlotte find things with initials too groovy, whether our initials or someone else’s.  Just not a fan of the well-logo’d life, even if the logo is our own.

But for Heather Moore, we make an exception.  This is one of the most unique and finest personalized collections on the market.  Hundreds of possible personalized charms, hand-crafted to commemorate your life, loves and  achievements in a stylish, well-made and long lasting piece.  Mixed together with your selection of add-ons, semi-precious stones, diamond bits, and fun or memory charms.

Not a piece of trendy, inexpensive fashion jewelry, these necklaces and bracelets are 14K gold or sterling silver with diamonds, pearls, semi-precious accents.  (The necklace shown here would be about $4,900 at Cottage Chic).    You can start more simply and add-on over the years,  perhaps with a sterling ($150) or gold ($450+) chain and add a single charm and a few tiny beads.  The possibilities are endless and the ladies at Cottage Chic can help you peruse and choose to your heart’s content.  For a better look, check out the Heather Moore website here.  But we really suggest you visit Cottage Chic for their help and advice.  They actually will retail a bit lower at CC than on the Heather Moore website and besides, the options could be just overwhelming!

At Cottage Chic, you can pick out what you’d like and they’ll help you get it for Mother’s Day any way they can…..they’ll email your husband with the deets, they’ll keep a record on file at the store in case he stops in, or you can send your family in for a gift card for you to use and choose later.

It almost makes me wish I had a few more kids to add to my necklace!  Not.

If you’re thinking white jeans now that spring has finally sprung, look no further than Scout & Molly’s in Morrison. The best boutique selection I’ve seen this week from AG, Seven, JBrand and Joes in skinnies, crops, flares and even the new wide leg.  Pick up one of their new Tolani silk tunics ($100-$140) and you’re set.  Lots of new Milly, Jade, Joy Joy, Susana Monaco and Beth Bowley. (more…)

If you love French fashion, quality and style, and are willing to pay a bit to get it for your children, then you already know about Bonpoint. Their  children’s fashion, from newborn through young children is classic, chic, stylish and sweet all at the same time.  And they have a wonderful “mother – daughter” line “YAM” if you want to get the Bonpoint style for yourself or your older girls.

Poole Shop and Capitol will be hosting  a large Bonpoint trunk show exclusive to Charlotte next Monday & Tuesday, March 21 & 22.

Bonpoint’s Upper East Side store is a mecca for monied moms, and on my shopping trip must-do list, even if just for sight-seeing.  (As with most boys, my son pretty much put his foot down on anything remotely stylish at about age 8).  You can see their latest collection on the Bonpoint website here.

If you love the look of your little one in a Panthers’ jersey & brightly colored Gymboree, this is not the store for you.  However, if you would like something a bit preppy with a French Twist, you should check it out.  Please rsvp to let them know you’ll be there here at pooleshop@aol.com.

Charlotte’s newest boutique is on East Blvd, right next to the Starbucks.  You can’t miss the CORAL sign and the coral door.

If you love fashion like I do, you want to make a stop there soon.  Like, this weekend.   CORAL houses a collection of contemporary designers most of us only get to see in mags and shop for online.  Rachel Comey, Vena Cava, Thread Social, What Goes Around Comes Around, Camilla & Marc, Sass & Bide.  If you don’t know these names, don’t feel out of it.  Owner Sormeh Hafezi has made a point to seek out well-priced, well-made contemporary fashion that you won’t find at the boutiques you already shop here in Charlotte.

(What would be the point of another store with the same stuff, really?  Props to her for this and for executing it beautifully.)

Not to say these are unknown designers.  You’ll find them online at Net-A-Porter, Intermix, Barney’s Co-op, Shopbop, Revolution, Oak.  The price range is basically $200 – $800, with some shoes by Matt Bernson that are a style steal at $187.  Just try to get those before I do.

Style-wise, I think the clothing, like the store itself, is modern, casually chic and unique.  And do-able.  While there are some fashion-forward looks, there is plenty for those of us who aren’t particularly trendy or 25.

Denim by SIWY, MiH, Blank, Genetic Denim.  And great fashion jewelry by Wendy Mink, Melinda Maria, Shashi, Heather Benjamin.  Scarves and wraps by Leigh and Luca.  Bags by jadetribe and moyna.  Again, refreshingly new and different.

The store is well stocked for opening and, of course, boxes and boxes are arriving daily.  I hope you’ll stop by soon and see for yourself.  If you are there Friday afternoon, I’ll be trying on shoes, so say hey!

CORAL
1405 East Blvd.
Charlotte 28203
(704)-817-9440

Find Coral on Facebook here.