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September 21">
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Houston Chronicle's Shop GirlSeptember 21, 2006Fashion is on the moveFashion is moving to the 'burbs. Styles, designers and experiences associated with inner-loop shopping
are expanding to the outer rims of the city, allowing style-savvy women
a chance to shop in their own backyard.
After years as a teacher, fashion lover Tammy Sweet opened her own boutique. Last May, she opened Sweet Chic, a certifiably girlie shop in northwest Houston. Its purple walls, white and purple furniture and the faint scent of candles transport shoppers away from the outside bustle -- a strip center off the Tomball Parkway. Downstairs, Sweet stocks the racks with contemporary sportswear from Samuel Dong, Bentley A (a line Sweet said tends to run big) and Dance in Paris (a smaller cut). Lily cocktail dresses and Sam & Lili denim are also part of the store's offerings. "I wanted to make this a place where women can come and relax and find clothes that make them feel good," Sweet said. Sizes at Sweet Chic run 0 to 14 and extra small to extra large. Prices are affordable, with most items coming in under $100; a few jacket styles hover around $130. Sweet also carries jewelry; early next year, pieces by Dian Malouf will be added to the mix. Brandy Divin, the owner of a new shop in Cypress, B. Ellen, has retailing in the blood. Her family owns the oldest general store in Texas, dating to 1920. Divin opened her boutique just off the Northwest Freeway in June. She stocks a contemporary and edgy mix that would be just as appropriate in an inner-loop location. The choosy Divin has items from Charlotte Tarantola, which makes perfect fit lightweight tops with minimal sparkle and just the right amount of stretch; Whish, a line of easygoing tops and dresses; and a playful line from Spain, Muchacha Barcelona. A soft, buttery leather vest with a toile back by Muchacha Barcelona for $158 is timeless. My vote for the most unique and wearable item is a brown mesh long sweater by Purple 7 emblazoned with a subdued, but still vibrant peacock on the back ($132); it could dress up jeans or be paired with pants. B. Ellen also carries Seven for All Mankind and David Kahn, with Joe's Jeans coming soon. Miss Me jeans for $76 fit the bill for affordable denim, and a pair of black rinse gaucho David Kahn jeans ($168) would carry well into the fall. The back of B. Ellen is loaded with bath and body products, scenting the shop nicely. For the person who has everything, look no further than the melt-on-your-body-soft after-shower wraps decorated with ribbon. "We try hard to be the place where people can find what they need. I am very picky, because my customers are very picky. This is what I love," Divin said. B. Ellen's sizing ranges from small to extra large, up to size 14. Divin said she looks for clothing that will fit her; and if something comes in a larger size, she is happy to order it for a customer. Both stores are certifiable boutiques, complete with limited amounts of a design, lines a shopper won't find in a department store and an attention to personal service. Although they are a drive for some, shoppers will find prices considerably lower than at many in-town boutiques. Details: Sweet Chic, 21542 Tomball Parkway. 281-251-8900 Details: B. Ellen, 25712 Northwest Freeway, Cypress; 281-304-7767
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