When it comes to cashmere, the more cash you can spend, the better.

“I hate to say it, but usually the higher-end brands are the best quality,” says self-described “cashmere junkie” Amber Ortoll of Delray Beach. “Generally, you get what you pay for.”

Ortoll’s most-trusted brands of cashmere include Autumn Cashmere, TSE and Neiman Marcus. “I actually still own and wear a few of my mom’s old cashmere sweaters that she bought at Neiman’s back in the ’70s and ’80s,” she says.
Read the full story

Every week here at Shop Smart Central, we receive sleighfuls of books about style.

They tend to blend together – sorta like Dasher, Dancer and Prancer. But occasionally one stands out like a red-nosed reindeer.

The title that most recently pulled a Rudolph was A Life of Style, written and illustrated by designer Rebecca Moses, whose Heart Soul Style collection is available at Macy’s in The Gardens Mall and Town Center at Boca Raton.

“Style is a reflection of who we are and what we want to say,” Moses says. “It is our voice.”

The book is loaded with inspirational advice on finding that voice. And the illustrations – delightful! A Life of Style is like a box of top-shelf truffles: You’re torn between inhaling the whole thing in one sitting and savoring it over several days.

An American who lives in Italy, Moses recently provided a little more food for thought by answering a few questions via email:

Read the full story

Mannequin on left: Oasis shirt ($29.95) and One Urbano shirt ($32.95). Mannequin on right: Saint Geiser shirt ($36.95), skirt ($32.95). (Bruce R. Bennett/The Palm Beach Post)

Alejandro Eric Macias, owner of tru, opened the store in the Mall at Wellington Green in mid-October.

The merchandise: Handmade designer clothes for men and women, all of it exclusive nationwide, including the jewelry, for shoppers ages 18 to late 40s. “We believe little on age limits for style,” says owner Alejandro Eric Macias. “If you like it, then it was made for you.”
The clothing is made from super-soft, high-quality cottons, and prices start at $17.95, with an average price of $45.95. Read the full story

Kourtney Pulitzer in her boutique store in West Palm Beach. (Taylor Jones /The Palm Beach Post)

The store: Kourtney Pulitzer opened her eponymous women’s clothing boutique in Lake Worth in 2007 and moved last fall to West Palm Beach, just south of the Norton Museum of Art.

The merchandise: Premium denim, party dresses by Voom and Jenny Han, T-shirts, yoga gear, handbags, Lily Holt shoes, Jen Scoz and Sasha Lickle jewelry, plus Votivo candles and home decor.

Almost all the apparel lines Pulitzer carries are exclusives. “Once lines reach a larger type of boutique and/or a department store, I am done with them,” she says, “I am going for what is either a constant classic or what is new and fresh in fashion, not so much trends.” Read the full story

Betty Wilson opened West Palm Beach's Craft Gallery because she 'wanted to sell items I really enjoyed having around,' she says. (J. Gwendolynne Berry/The Palm Beach Post)

The merchandise: Art, candles, jewelry, collectibles, furniture, home décor, glass, gifts and paint-your-own pottery. Upstairs, you’ll find Dixie Art Loft, home to rotating exhibitions — and massage therapy.

The don’t-miss-it item: Trapp candles, lead-free, cruelty-free and $18.95 each — shoppers who purchase 12 Trapp candles at Craft Gallery receive one free. “They are like a bottle of perfume in every candle,” says Craft Gallery owner Betty Wilson. “They are all about fragrance and excellent price.” Read the full story

Tish Accardi with daughter, Amelia who manages the PBG store. (Taylor Jones / The Palm Beach Post)

The merchandise: The cakes and pies in Candles by Mimi’s Daughter look good enough to eat, and granted, they are made from a soy blend. But they aren’t for biting — these candles are for lighting.

And what you see is only a portion of what you can get. “All of our scents are available to be hand-poured in the color and jar of your choice,” says owner Tish Accardi. “You name it, we have it, or we’ll make it special for you.” The store also sells handmade clothing, jewelry, cards and art.

The legacy: Accardi named Candles by Mimi’s Daughter after her late mother, Emily. “My children called her ‘Mimi,’ ” says Accardi. “She was my best friend and always encouraged me to follow my dreams.”

About three years ago, Accardi began missing her mother’s baking. “That memory inspired me to create candles that look and smell just like the pies and other sweets Emily would bring to the table,” she says. “I received such positive feedback from friends and family that I decided to open up a specialty shop.”

One of her daughters, Amelia, manages the store, while the other, Nikki, helps Accardi pour candles. “My dream is they will carry Candles by Mimi’s Daughter from generation to generation. My mom would be so proud!”

Candles by Mimi's Daughter in Palm Beach Gardens. (Taylor Jones / The Palm Beach Post)

The promotion: Visit Candles by Mimi’s Daughter this week and receive a free votive. And, each month, the store spotlights one scent that’s 20 percent off — during October, it’s Candy Corn.

Colleen Murphy, Manager, Eau Spa bEAUtique at the Ritz Carlton in Manalapan. (Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post)

The shop: Steps away from the spa’s wishing well, the boutique features fashion items such as Jordann Jewelry, dresses, skirts and tunics by Seneca Moss, and Dorit Sharon’s casual chic Q collection; beauty products such as spa emergency kits, mineral makeup by LadyLash and Kerastase hair care; handcrafted jewelry and hand-embroidered apparel. Read the full story

Carol Wright wears a 1950s Emma Domb dress from her private collection at her Tequesta boutique. (Libby Volgyes/The Palm Beach Post)

The owner: Carol Medina Wright, a former flight attendant who loves fashion, opened Circa Vintage a little over a year ago.

The store: With chandeliers overhead, leopard carpeting underfoot, and walls painted tangerine and amethyst, Circa Vintage is not your typical consignment store. Instead, it’s a marriage of current, designer consignment and vintage.
“Women today want to pay less and yet have high-end designer wardrobes,” Wright says. “We offer that luxury.” Read the full story

Sophia Young at her Lucx Boutique in Boca Raton (Richard Graulich/The Palm Beach Post)

The store: Sophia Young opened Lucx Boutique, a contemporary women’s specialty boutique, in Royal Palm Place in July. The unusual name? Young explains that she wanted something that sounded “synonymous with ‘luxury.’ “

The merchandise: Women’s clothing and accessories, including several brands headquartered in Los Angeles. Labels include Ark & Co., Blaque Label, Olive and Olivia, Collective Concepts, RYU and Esley — “clothes for fun and fashion-forward women,” says Young. Read the full story

Lindsey Potter

The Frugalista invited 5 local fru-gals to scour the Internet, consignment and thrift shops, boutique and department stores to assemble the most stylish ensemble with the lowest price tag.

The winner of the $100 prize: Lindsey Potter of Palm City. She spent $5.50 and looks like a million bucks!

THE CONSIGNMENT COVER GIRL
Lindsey Potter
Age: 30
Profession: Child portrait photographer, www.lindseypotter.com
Lives in: Palm City

Her ensemble: Abstract floral print dress, tag removed ($10), Colin Stuart peep-toe pumps ($10), red leather belt ($6), Ann Taylor cardigan ($14), all from Plato’s Closet consignment boutique in Stuart (www.platoscloset.com for other locations) Read the full story