showcase magazine | fall 08
BOUTIQUECRAWL Recently, after a visit with out-of-town guests, I realized that we don’t always take advantage of the opportunities available to us in the area we live in. I love finding a boutique that can show me the way to great style for myself and my home. So I decided it was time to expand my horizons and explore the South Sound area like a newcomer, looking for opportunities for interesting and hip shopping. Who would have imagined that the South Sound would offer so many choices! In Tacoma, one of the areas I explored was the Proctor neighborhood. Located in the north end, this is a great little area with plenty of places to browse. Two standout women’s boutiques right next door to each other kept me busy for over an hour…. Envy, and Julia Ellen. It was interesting to find these shops next door to each other could both have a great, hand-picked selection of season-appropriate unique and colorful tops, dresses, and an amazing selection of highend jeans but still be so different. Envy also has a great sale rack out front and Julia Ellen also carries some shoes and a great variety of Brighton accessories and handbags. I was surprised at how much I wanted to take home from both of these shops… self control was necessary. Other Proctor highlights included Choye Boutique. This boutique made me crave a whole new wardrobe for my daughter. Choye offers many of the upscale European children’s clothing lines that previously I thought I couldn’t find anywhere but online, such as Catimini™ and 3 Pommes™. Many other items caught my eye, such as stylish raincoats for kiddos and “accessory” slings for mom. The prints are all unusual and the colors pop. Great design is for kids too! Next in Tacoma I headed to Rocky & Coco’s. From the moment you walk into this sleek store you get a sexy, contemporary vibe. They have a wide range of the most cutting edge jeans, tops, dresses and a few shoes. Labels include Joe’s, Seven for all Mankind, Julie King, and New Collective. I was even able to turn up my husband’s hip 29
escapes
story tracey stewart