January 2006

January 19, 2006

Identi-tees

Somehow a little less smarmy than those "Everybody [Hearts] a Nerinx Girl" and similar shirts that Splash and Laurie Solet were selling like hotcakes are the darling "St. Louis Girl" and "Midwestern Girl" long-sleeve tees by Festa back on the racks at Lusso.

And while you're there, it can't hurt to look quickly at the big ole 50% clearance section. Whatever's still there by the 28th of Jan. moves on to 75% off...

January 11, 2006

Gettin' Fit Downtown

Former Mayor Clarence Harmon used to have a famous line, towards the end of his tenure, that he would know downtown was back when he could look outside and see someone walking her dog down the streets of downtown at 10 o'clock on a Wednesday night.

We've been watching for subtler signs of gentrification and population growth, and are here to tell you the moment is nigh: Downtown St. Louis has its first Curves, the wildly popular circuit-gym for women. It's next to Espresso Mod, on 9th St., so you can indulge in a gelato and then go huff it off.

But Curves is just one of several new developments (curiously, just in time for the New Year's crowd) in downtown's fitness frenzy: the Marquette YMCA just had its grand opening after more than $400K in upgrades, Gold's Gym moved from Wash Ave. into St. Louis Centre (hey, they've got the space!), and She's the One Fitness has morphed away from women-only to become coed and, in the process, acquire a way more testosterone-laden name: Ironworks Fitness. Hopefully soon their website will make the jump, too.

So. Now what's your excuse?

January 06, 2006

Well Shod

Early birds get the best selection of the bounteous new display at the revamped Shoe Stop in Brentwood, across the street from the old location, and occupying a hut-type building that was most recently one of those golf discount places. Now, ladies out there will know what I mean when I say you really cannot afford *not* to shop Shoe Stop: enormous selection, good brand names (Nine West, Santana for the flashy, Enzo, Via Spiaga, etc.), and their new location shows it all off to great advantage. Finally! The Brentwood location compares favorably to the other stores, instead of seeming like the red-headed stepchild*.

Of course, the best part of shopping at Shoe Stop is a near-guaranteed encounter with some smooth reggae sounds on the stereo, and the possibility of being rung up by the one and only Professor Skank himself, co-owner of the store. Sweet, mon.

*(no actual offense intended to blended families or the titian-haired....)

January 05, 2006

Do You Faru?

If so, you better hurry; and if not, you'd better hurry, too! Faru, the delightful importer of home and personal ornament (carved wooden boxes from Poland, masks from South America and Africa, textiles and candles and jewelry from all over), is moving its act way east at the end of April. Owner Helen Fabbri will be packing up for a move to Charlotte, North Carolina, closer to her home, and plans to open up shop somewhere in her new/old hometown. In the meantime, you should peruse her wares, because there's always lots to like inside.