Nourishing Transitions

Anne's daughter Kelly in her Kelly Lane dress

Transition is in the air so sharing two updates on women who are taking charge and making changes is just what we like this time of year.  Both are named Kelly so it seemed even more appropriate. As some of you may know our beloved Anne has moved to Florida to help her daughter, Kelly, as she sets out on her own for the next phase of her life. Actually, "on her own" isn't exactly the right word. Anne, Kelly and her two children have set up a multi-generational home and are loving being close to the ocean and each other. What a concept to bring three generations together under one roof! Yet another "nourishing tradition" worth exploring.

The other Kelly is Kelly Lane. One of the very first designers we carried at Wildflower, Kelly Lane's dresses became and remain a favorite of many many Winston-Salem women. But lo and behold, and unfortunately for us, Kelly has decided to take a break from dress designing because she's had a child. Felix was born just before the launch of her Spring '13 collection, which is her last for awhile. Staying home to tend her garden and raise her infant son is Kelly's new focus. Transition and tradition are in the air and we're liking it.

Street Peep Achilleas

This is Achilleas Boutis! We don't know much about him except that he's 5-years old (at least he was in this shot taken in October), he dresses himself, and with a name like Achilleas Boutis and a face like that he's destined for the runways of New York.

Street Peep Kristin

 

 

 

Anyone who knows Kristin is in the know about her wit, beauty, generosity and all around positive vibe. We love it when she walks in the door at Wildflower. She would truly give you the shirt off her back, even this super cute one, if you were in need. XOXO to you sweet Kristin.

Street Peep Keira

 

Keira is a Wildflower old-timer. She definitely doesn't look like it but she's an old soul and she's been one of our favorite customers since way back in her high school days dancing at NCSA. Now she's blowing us away with her smarts at Swarthmore College, and, even more impressive, she spends her weekends dancing the Argentine Tango. See we told you...an old soul and a cool chicka!

A Bunch of Street Peeps

We rarely capture five "Street Peeps" in the same post but it is springtime, it has been raining a lot, they do just keep popping up and they're all wearing clothes from a store called Wildflower! "Analogies prove nothing, that is true" wrote Sigmund Freud, "but they can make one feel more at home." 

Hopefully Kim, Annie, Lee, Claire and Carolyn feel right at home together because together they really do epitomize what Wildflower Boutique is all about. Our mission has always been about creating beauty and inspiration for EVERY woman regardless of age, height, size, or whatever else makes her unique. We love, love, love that our customers resemble a beautiful bundle of mixed wildflowers!!! And this bunch is especially special.

• Kim (looking awesome in her Charlie Jade dress) was one of the very first Wildflower Girls! She remembers when the shop was filled with April Cornell and when Lluvia was simply a momma of one. Her long lasting, kindred friendship with Lluvia (they met while Kim was shopping at Wildflower) is proof that we're about way more than just fashion.
• Annie (with her prom date) is another long time customer. Her mom, Noelle, started bringing her to Wildflower with her twin sister, Hallie, when they were both super small. Now they're super old (kidding!!!) and about to graduate from Reynolds High. Annie is as sweet, kind and smart as she is beautiful in her Veronica M gown.
• We've known Lee a long time too. She's simply inspiring. Over the years we've envied her handstands and her master baking skills. These days she's selling Worth clothing through her own home-based business but she still makes room for Wildflower in her closet. Beija-Flor, Top Secret, and Kersh should be as glad as we are that she's wearing their clothes (cause she looks good!)
• Claire (rock'n her Tulle dress and Seychelles boots) is sister to Jane who is best friends with Carolyn. So it's always fun when they run into each other at Wildflower (like in this photo). Claire should also meetup with Lee since they both love to cook. We're pretty sure she'd have something in common with Annie and Kim too because that's just the way Claire is; friendly and easy-going with lots of interests (including cute fashion:).
• Carolyn bought her Weston Wear dress from us this spring but her necklace is from years back. It's one of the things we love about her and her mom, Julie. They find treasures and treasure them. She's in New Zealand right now and we can't wait to see what she brings back. If nothing else, we know she'll have some great stories to share in her eloquent and joyful way.

Street Peep Monica

Someone needs to tell Ego Hour that orange is the new black. Monica (one of their loooooong time Stratford Road stylists) looks gooooood, don't you think? She found her Free People poncho the first time she stopped by our clearance sale and deciding to wearing it with her fushia skinnys by Blank (another Wildflower find) was an awesome choice!

Street Peep Anne Meade

Ahhh, yet another customer we love. Anne Meade stopped by on Friday (after a day of teaching at Downtown Elementary) and picked up some teaching duds. Personal style isn't something that can be taught, but if it was, we'd be signing up for Anne Meade's class. She's got a knack for the little things that make you wish you'd "thought of that".

Street Peep Rachel

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Rachel looked so super cute (as always) last Friday; we just had to take a snap. Besides she picked up her Petit Pois pants at the big Sidewalk Sale and isn't that what Street Peeping is all about; how you all are wearing your Wildflower finds. Goddaughter to Jennifer Kaye Design's owner, Jennifer Kaye, Rachel takes head (a.k.a her hair) to toe (a.k.a her shoes) cuteness to the HNL every time we see her. Come back soon Rachel, we always need the kind of inspiration you're offering.

Street Peep Shannon

If Street Peeping were a contest, Shannon would be our 2011 winner (at least so far). We haven't had a Street Peep since little Stella way back in December. Must be that this year's awful weather has kept everyone's Wildflower duds covered up. So when Shannon walked by yesterday in two of our most tried-and-true pieces (XCVI ruched skirt and Lilla P origami wrap), we knew Spring had finally arrived and Street Peeping was back on!!!

Shannon is one of those woman to admire. We love that she is the dedicated owner of Home Instead Senior Care, and a mother to two little ones and her teenage sister. She's willing put herself smack dab in the middle of the Sandwich Generation from sunup to sundown AND manages to always look this great and this happy:)

Street Peep Stella Carmen

If you know Wildflower, you know we love our vintage remade clothing. So it was a natural for Lluvia to dress Stella in this little number by Zed+Zoe. Not only does it bring back long lost memories BUT, even better, it's the creation of one of our long time customers, Tracy.

Five years ago it was so exciting to get a big 'ol box of uniqueness. The store was filled with one-of-a-kind creations from Fresh Karma, Super Lucky Cat, and (who can forget) our very first upcycled designer eve*lynn. Yum, we're salivating just thinking about it. But now all of these designers have sadly closed shop for one reason or another and Preloved is our lone upcycled survivor (which isn't shabby; their stuff is awesome).

All this to say that Zed+Zoe is just our style. Keep up the good work Tracy. We're all loving it, especially Stella!!!

Street Peep Bonnie

Bonnie is a teacher. She also looks a lot like Sharon Stone. She's pretty much who we want to be when we grow up. We absolutely 100% love her style, especially when she's wearing Wildflower shoulder to ankle (like here). She'd just come from seeing Alison and was looking especially glamorous so Street Peep she had to be:) Plus her three grandchildren (mentioned in Emilie's post...oh the fabulous web we weave) are back in Germany and we could think of no cooler way for Bonnie to reach out across the sea and say "Hallo, Wie geht's?"

Hello Hollywood

Last time we saw Olivia Mitchell she was bringing us a frittata from Whole Foods. It was August, our Consignment Sale was in full swing, and Olivia was working on her karma delivering the girls of Wildflower some much needed sustenance (we have the best customers!).

Cut to November. Olivia's living in Los Angeles, attending USC as a high school senior (who knew they had a program?!?) and making music videos on the beaches of Malibu. Proof that good deeds pay, don't you think?

Our favorite line from her latest video, "Celebrities there are really here"!!!

Street Peep Carla

We peeped Carla on the streets of Facebook in this amazing photo shot by Stacey Lynn. One thing that's great about "the book" is seeing our customers wearing their Wildflower finds. While Carla looks like a super model and her much loved pups and babe-alicious beau are extra stunning, we especially noticed her Idylle tee from the shop. Gorgeous!

Street Peep Lori

Lori in her BlankNYC tunic, textured tights, and water colored cowboy boots is yet another example of urban comfort wear. Or at-the-office comfort wear. Or out-to-dinner comfort wear. Or in today's case, going-grocery-shopping comfort wear. Lori stopped by after hitting Whole Foods and proved our point (as she always does) that looking cute and feeling comfortable is always an option.

Street Peep Cayce in JC Boots

Cayce's getting married draped in Wildflowers* . When she stopped by the shop for some last minute wedding accouterments she was wearing the very same Jeffrey Campbell boots we'll be getting in for Fall (she and they looked so stinkin' cute you know it was hard for us not to suggest she wear them down the aisle!). So we thought we'd share, tempt, tantalize, and preview what can also be yours. Bet you can't wait for yours to look just as loved as hers.

*clothes from Wildflower that is:) Congrats again and again to you and your man.

Street Peep Jessie

We've been saving this photo of Jessie Williams until we got in more of her "stuff" (a.k.a her beauteous feathers all the way from Wilmington, North Carolina). It's so nice supporting a local girl and it's even nicer that her earrings are so great! We spotted her in Las Vegas at the Pool Trade Show (she was there buying for her boutique). So great to put a face with some feathers, don't you think?

Ansley's Adornments

Today is a big day for Ansley! She's becoming a shop keeper, small business owner and an entrepreneur extraordinaire. Her new place is called Adornment Needlepoint Boutique and her mission is spark our crafty side. Need some stress relief, a social club, or to work on your creative self? Stop by and grab a canvas and some thread. Ansley offers all you'll need to make a belt, pillow, bag, or even some shoes. This is the kind of stuff family heirlooms are made of!

Adornment Needlepoint Boutique
117-B Reynolda Village
adornmentneedlepoint@me.com

Street Peep Shannon

Weston Wear does it again! The consignment sale does it again! Shannon does it again! She's one of our biggest out-of-state fans. Could be because she's Amy's niece, but it might also have to do with how great she looks in Wildflower duds.

Memories and Milestones

(click on collage to really check out the photos)

Wow, it's been six years since Lluvia cut the ribbon and opened the door to Wildflower as the new owner (thanks Robbie for letting it go). That month (Sept '04), we had our very first Trunk Show to celebrate (with these candid snaps to prove it).

Before baby Stella there was baby Charlie (hanging around and flirting with all the customers). Before Anne Maynard (oh, how we love you Annabanana) there was Anne Campbell (we loved her too!). Before skinny jeans, feathers and moccasins, there were baby doll tops, low low low rise denim and lots of sequins (and we mean lots).

Here's to six years of life, six years of the best customers and employees ever, and six years of fashion!!!

Street Peep Alison 2.0

Miss Me tee and De La Luna vintage bag from Wildflower

Alison's had a super full year. Since she last made an appearance as a Street Peep, she's been to Puerto Rico (to live) and back. Now she's settled in as a stylist at VanDavis Aveda and works at Wildflower as our favorite guest employee.

We heard she's been playing kickball lately. With her super hot Nike sneaks, and now some Bellaviahair Hair Glitz (more on this later), she has no choice but to be a power player. Run Alison run!