Glamour Girl
Even though Glamour Girl’s feet are terminally damaged and she’s spent the past four years in ugly orthopedic shoes (yes, it does put a damper on one’s outfits), that doesn’t mean she’s lost the desire to, ahem, shoehorn her hooves into something beautiful and sophisticated. And colorful! So she jumped for joy (if she could still jump) when she came across these glorious, positively blooming boots at an unassuming little shop in Annapolis:
They’re hand-embroidered in Turkey, have a low, podiatrically correct heel, and can fit my orthotics. The shop is called Karavan. It’s a tiny little thing at the bottom of Main Street and carries eye-popping authentic Turkish goods: rugs, ceramics, jewelry, purses, shawls, scarves, the aforementioned boots, and shoes. Having been to Turkey, I can attest that Karavan is the real deal. Actually, I had to take myself out of there because I was tempted to buy a lot more than just boots! Plus, I was waited on by the most charming sales"man” I’ve ever come across—a 13-year-old sweetheart who speaks Turkish and English (his father owns the store) and has the most gentle, polite, yet thorough sales technique I’ve ever witnessed. His name is Timur Önder, and if you go on a day when he doesn’t have to be in school, you’ll be lucky to get him.
There are other local finds in our area (should we christen the Balto/Washington/Annapolis region as something more desirable than “Devil’s”? How about “Treasure Triangle”?) as well. A new shop in Ruxton called Ellie Boutique carries women’s luxury clothing and accessories and is the third Ellie to open in the country. If you’re like me and get dizzy in department stores, you’ll appreciate this intimate space, designed by Jackie Ivy, whose experience includes creating the retail dreamscapes of Anthropologie. In such a setting, who wouldn’t want to buy a new frock by Trina Turk or Nanette Lepore?
And surely you know about Vasarri in Pikesville. Two floors brimming with glamour. And easily the most comprehensive collection of evening gowns anywhere in the Triangle. I’m sorry, but Saks Jandel and Rizik’s in DC have got nothing on this place.
Tiny Jewel Box in Washington has long been known as the go-to place for high-end jewelry. Well, now, beginning in November, it will be carrying a line inspired by Baltimore’s Carolyn O’Keefe—or, more accurately, by her mother and grandmother. O’Keefe remembers a beautiful Stieff silver repoussé cuff her grandmother used to wear, and wondered why such bracelets weren’t around anymore. She teamed up with a designer in New York named Michael Izrael, and voilà! American Estate Jewelry was born. Look for cuffs such as this, called American Daisy, lined in gold, to go for $525 and up:
Speaking of jewelry, don’t miss the three-day Jewelry Fair at the Walters, November 20-22. Lectures, a raffle, breakfast, and cocktail party will supplement the dozens of jewelry designs on display from 20 different workshops around the country. It’s sure to be one of those events that stretches the credit card. Get your tickets while you can!
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