Someone’s Trash Is Someone …

Someone’s Trash Is Someone Else’s Fashionable Fit | Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County Trashion Show

Vibrant sparkles, radical acceptance, flamboyant creativity, safety in expression, unbridled joy—these are just a few phrases that describe this year’s Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County Trashion Show. The show was created six years ago by Hillary Pritchard, Habitat’s operations manager, as part of Habitat’s annual auction in support of repurposing and reusing materials. Now the Trashion Show has blossomed into…

Expression, Connection, and …

Expression, Connection, and Ink: Meet Me at the Con | Chibi Yeti

In a world where designs of peaceful PNW landmarks are king, Chibi Yeti is a different kind of screen printer. Founded and operated by artists Ahnnawake “Wakey” Nelson and Megan Peeples, this Bellingham-based brand produces unique designs that are cute, creepy, and geeky. Nelson and Peeples have been friends since they met in high school, where they…

Looking and Feeling Your Best …

Looking and Feeling Your Best at Any Age

No matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in, we all want to look and feel our best. Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a rut or feel boxed in by what you’re ‘supposed to’ wear or do, but…

Don’t Wait for Perfection, …

Don’t Wait for Perfection, Follow Your Dream Now

GROOVY, VIBRANT, HAPPY, and funky! These are the words Ellē Nicole uses to describe her line of colorful and floral loungewear, inspired by her surroundings in the Pacific Northwest. The young entrepreneur has always been inspired by any and all things creative: drawing, painting,…

Wear Your Love on Your Sleeve

Designer Diane Williams of Lovelike

Fairhaven’s New Hub for …

Fairhaven’s New Hub for Fashion

Quinn + Foster

Leather at the Intersection …

Leather at the Intersection of Function and Elegance

Sarah Larson of Sage to Sea Designs

How to Avoid the Mid-Life …

How to Avoid the Mid-Life Denim Crisis

A Guide from Betty Be Good Boutique

A Local Beauty Empire

Zorganics

Handcrafted Jewelry as Unique …

Handcrafted Jewelry as Unique as You Are

Erin Heydenreich of Betina Roza

Jewelry to Tell a Story

Copper Canoe Woman

Spring Blossoms

Styled Shoot

Bringing Mexico’s …

Bringing Mexico’s Artesanía to Bellingham

Artesanías El Alebrije

A Mile in the Best Shoes

Beck’s Shoes

A Bohemian Dream Come True

Soul Sisters Unique Boutique

From Hobby to Heartwarming …

From Hobby to Heartwarming Business

Isola Handmade Originals

Valentine’s Date Night

If you need an extra dose of style inspiration this Valentine’s Day, our numerous local shops and boutiques should be your first port of call. With their help, we’ve put together three date night looks that are versatile enough to suit any occasion.

Yes In A Dress

Q&A with Ashley Fullenwider, owner of local activewear brand Nuu-Muu

Style Q&A with Jennifer …

Style Q&A with Jennifer Mann of Tides of Anacortes

Looking to spruce up your Winter Wardrobe? Check out this Q&A!

Holiday Shopping Guide 2021

Check out these holiday deals from local retailers!

Socks that Spark Conversation

Cute but Crazy Socks

Fall-to-Winter Fashion

As we begin the transition from autumn to winter, the days might be dreary, but your wardrobe doesn’t have to be! With the help of local boutiques, we’ve picked out some pieces that will help you step into the new season with style.

Fall Fashion Q&A: …

Fall Fashion Q&A: Bellingham Alive Office Edition

It’s officially Fall! Here’s a look at what our staff here at Bellingham Alive loves about Fall Fashion.

Community Connections through …

Community Connections through Craft Clay Earrings

GG Clay Co

Intimates Made Cozy… and …

Intimates Made Cozy… and Local

Tush & Bush Underwear

Fashion Q&A with Kenna …

Fashion Q&A with Kenna Balvanz

Summer Fashion Q&A

Pack It Up, Bellingham

Pack Northwest

Put Some Spring in Your Step

Fashion Q&A with Jody Proctor at 12th Street Shoes

Skating in Style

Attack Cat Bags

Barn Cat Creations

Eco-Friendly Middle Ground

Holiday Shopping Guide

Shop local this holiday season with the Holiday Shopping Guide from our November/December 2020 issue!

Hair Q&A with Brooklyn …

Hair Q&A with Brooklyn Matthysse

How to Shop Vintage

Fashion Q&A with Sarah Dunbar, vintage buyer and owner of Pretty Penny

Leather Bags Built to Last 

Bellingham native Julie Simon creates leather accessories, capturing the DIY spirit and beauty of the Pacific Northwest all in one.

Spring Hair

Beauty salons may be closed, but you can still take care of your hair and get a fresh spring look. Check out this Q&A with Guerrero Hair Salon’s owner and stylist Nick St. Mary.

Travel Packing 101

Going on vacation and need to pack light? Check out this Travel Fashion Q&A with Seattle-based blogger Autumn Sorelle.

Honey Salon Brings Beauty to …

Honey Salon Brings Beauty to the Granary Building

Late afternoon sunlight streams through the windows of the Granary Building in Bellingham, illuminating Honey Salon’s new location. People in various stages of haircuts and blowouts laugh, lounge, and sip on complimentary tea and coffee. Honey Salon occupies the fourth and fifth floors of the building, looking out onto downtown Bellingham to the east and the San Juan Islands and the sparkling sea to the west. The entry areas in the salon are graced with bouquets of colorful…

Redhead Makeup Myths

Be brave and give yourself permission to experiment. In the end, the only person in charge of telling you what–and what not–to do is yourself.

Spring Trends: Fashion Q&…

Spring Trends: Fashion Q&A

Spring is coming soon (hopefully). Here’s a look at this season’s trends with Seattle-based blogger Autumn Sorelle.

For the Love of All Things …

For the Love of All Things Sparkly

Designer jewelry gallery Whimsey brings unique, locally made creations to Bellingham’s Historic Fairhaven District.

A Passion for Style

After inquisitive clients kept asking hairstylist Janet Horton where she found her trendy threads, she realized she could combine her passion for hairstyling and fashion in one place. As…

The Art of Feeling Pretty

For those looking to revamp their look, check out Pretty Penny Clothing and Guerrero Hair Studio—owned by Sarah Dunbar and her husband, Nick St. Mary, respectively.

Betty Does Good

A new Betty Be Good location, which sits directly beside Woods Coffee on Front Street, joins the Birch Bay store in aiding the victims of human trafficking.

Attack That Closet

The New Year is a time to refresh! Fashion blogger Autumn Sorelle shares her tips on how to clear away the clutter and re-organize your closet.

Feathers & Fur

Styled by Lisa Karlberg and photographed by Katheryn Moran, we bring you Feathers & Fur (faux fur!) paired with beautiful clothes from local shops for our annual fashion shoot!

Joyworks

The Shop Most North Ender’s know the charm of strolling along Snohomish’s First Avenue, and if you haven’t been, you simply must take a few hours to experience the delight. Darling seems to be the rule in Snohomish, and Joyworks fits right in. With seven…

Fly into Oiselle

“Born and raced in Seattle” is the motto prominently announced on a wall in Oiselle’s flagship store in Seattle’s University Village. Founder and CEO Sally Bergesen launched Oiselle (pronounced wa-zell) in 2007. The flagship store opened in July 2015 just two miles away from its headquarters. This is a homegrown, local company fittingly named after the French word for bird. Oiselle wants women to soar. It specializes…

Z Gallerie

Z Gallerie opened its doors to its 63rd location in Bellevue Square on April 9. The furniture gallery aims to bring fashion forward decor to customers at an accessible price point, said public relations manager Gordon Andahl. “We want to make sure we are the authority for chic, on-trend fashion for…

Mount Vernon’s Chicest …

Mount Vernon’s Chicest Newbie

Situated in the heart of historic downtown Mount Vernon, Ryann Michele & Co. is the chicest newbie in the Pacific Northwest. A home decor and clothing boutique run by a mother-daughter duo, Ryann and Michele provide their customers with a stylish variety of clothing, accessories, skin care, and home decor. Imagine visiting a close, well-styled friend: welcoming, warm, and a visual treat, that’s what it’s like in Ryann Michele & Co. These stylish ladies make customers feel like close friends,…

Ray of Sunshine

In London, the word “bird” can also mean “gal.” That is what inspired shop owner Adrienne Beard’s new women’s clothing store, The Chipper Bird. “I wanted to…

Here Comes the Sun

Watch as a slender cigarette boat cuts a brilliant path across the Atlantic leaving a trail of frothy sea foam in its wake. At the bow,…

The Vintage Company No. 7

Sandra Chhuon, owner of The Vintage Company No. 7, is sure spoken and wise beyond her 29 years, a vision of passion-driven…

Sassy Babes Boutique

THE SHOP “Rad” and “cozy” are two words Olivia Hanson-Hostetter uses to describe her clothing business Sassy Babes Boutique. “I’d also use the words ‘innovative’ and ‘unique.’” The shop, located in a Chevy 3500 bus, opened in December 2013. Complete with hardwood flooring, vibrantly colored drapes, and loads of locally-inspired products, the big blue bus has been cruising around town for the last…

Bothell Furniture

THE SHOP Since 1985, Bothell Furniture has been a mainstay in downtown Bothell. Its salespeople have distinguished themselves by their knowledge and…

Digs

I remember shopping at Digs when it was located on Holly St. in downtown Bellingham. The showroom’s furniture, housewares, decor, and gifts always made me feel a little weak in the knees, as if I might swoon onto a Gus* bed upholstered in tweed and dressed in a DwellStudio duvet. Modern design does that to…

Maple and Moss

Just off of Snohomish’s bustling First Avenue is a picturesque storefront painted in serene tones of blue and green. Above the door, a sign announces in cheerful cursive and delicate capital letters: Maple + Moss Boutique. Inside, the fashions that owner Kortney Rasmussen carefully curates evoke the quaint exterior with their warm colors, soft draping, and inviting fabrics. But the on-trend styles are youthful and pretty, giving the clothes a freshness that is…

Bellingham’s Newest …

Bellingham’s Newest Heroine

Whether you are hunting for
a statement piece, a winter coat, a perfectly fitting
sweater, soft comfy t-shirts, jeans, intimates, or
accessories, Heroine has a wide selection of items
for women of all ages.

Found: Leather

The bags are made from high-quality leather and have a very nice hand-made look about them without looking overly done or too rough hewn. They strike a balance.

Bramble Furniture

THE SHOP A playground filled with stately furniture for any preference, Bramble Home Store offers endless possibilities of elegant, handcrafted pieces to transform a home into a refined yet cozy haven. With three large stores scattered throughout Snohomish and Everett, Bramble entices prospective buyers with quality products and customizable statement items at agreeable prices. ATMOSPHERE The Everett showroom is reminiscent of a prodigy painter’s museum. Whimsically oversized chandeliers loom overhead and cast a…

Purpose Boutique

What if you could combine giving back and empowering women with shopping for clothes and accessories? Here in the Northwest, you can. Purpose Boutique in Kirkland (and Bremerton) has a powerful mission to outfit local women in beautiful, accessible clothing while donating 10% of net proceeds to fight human trafficking. They also partner with socially-conscious companies that empower and employ women. CEO Christie Johnson is living her passion. She is able to…

Shopping and Sharing Life at …

Shopping and Sharing Life at c’est la Vie

The first words that come to mind when walking into Edmonds’ c’est la Vie (pronounced Say La Vee) are colorful, eclectic, and fun. The entry walkway and surrounding walls are artistically lined with quotes that range from the funny to the heartfelt, setting the perfect mood for what you’ll find in…

Betty Lou’s Downtown …

Betty Lou’s Downtown Emporium

What I first notice when stepping into Betty Lou’s Downtown Emporium, other than the flowing skirts and cozy sweaters, is a feeling of being transported to somewhere calm, mature and a little bit exotic. To my left are displays full of dresses, skirts, sweaters and tops in warm earth tones with occasional bright colors.

Ragfinery

Beauty & Function Picture a vibrant new store that takes Bellingham’s collective passion for reusing and repurposing in a new, untapped direction. What a…

Rogue Boutique

THE SHOP The picturesque town of Edmonds, with its quaint stores and sidewalk cafes, recently welcomed the chic fashion boutique Rogue to its charming Main Street on March 8th. Visitors can find the shop in an appealingly old-fashioned white house built by the local blacksmith in the 1890s. Inside, however, the modern styles offered by owner Kimberly Koenig provide a spirited contrast to the…

Find Your Fashion Again

THE SHOP Find Your Fashion Again is the new kid on the block. Located in the Grocery Outlet Center in Ferndale, Wash., this 6-month old consignment shop offers a new twist on an old shopping favorite. Shoppers can bring…

Jaleh Boutique

All of the clothing in Jaleh Boutique is designed and manufactured locally in the Puget Sound. Designer and Jaleh boutique owner Jordanah Monjazeb’s pieces are effortless…

Naked Clothing

THE SHOP Located on West Holly Street and shaded by the trees and nearby shops, Naked Clothing is home to a new type of clothing—clothing with a conscience. The shop…

Dear Zara

Just utter the name “Zara” and you will have the attention of every fashionista in the Pacific Northwest. The Spain-based fast-fashion paradise opened its 49th U.S. store in Seattle this February and the buzz it is causing may be infinite. Ask anyone who has already paid a visit to the Westlake Center Zara and they will say that it’s more than 8,000 square feet of…

J & J Jewelry

THE SHOP Within the Bay Street Public Market is J & J Jewelry, a hidden gem. The owner is owner Jaime Pyshny, long-time jewelry expert. J & J is named after Jaime and her daughter Jayda. “I love all types of jewelry. I’m trying to offer a wide range of some things that are less expensive and affordable and…

Lorna Jane

It was ironic to dress up for the opening of an activewear store. After all, activewear is my typical daily work…

Sound Styles

The Shop On the corner of 5th Ave. and Main St., in downtown Edmonds, stands Sound Styles, a fashion institution in Edmonds. Originally, the boutique was bought by two families with the intention of having…

Pipe & Row

Pipe & Row’s tagline is “Not your average staple” and that certainly fits. Owner Kayla Boehme said, “We want to push…

Retro Remix – A Styled …

Retro Remix – A Styled Shoot

This year for our style feature, we were inspired by the ornate ironwork, rich woodwork and majestic atmosphere of Lairmont Manor. Taking a cue from the Lairmont’s vintage charm, we gathered some favorite looks from the past and updated them with a decidedly modern twist. We sourced local clothing and props to create our unique blend of old-world charm and the latest trends. Photography: Stacy Jacobson with Love Study Photography Models: Jade Shallcrass, Kelsey Wilmore,…

Red Barn Jewelry

THE SHOP Nestled next to Bayou on the Bay, on the corner of Holly and Prospect in downtown Bellingham lays a hidden jewel called Red Barn Jewelry. Owner Stacia Davis makes bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings using…

J. Jill- Philanthropy Meets a …

J. Jill- Philanthropy Meets a New Prototype

J. Jill’s new retail location in Bellevue has elevated the shopping experience to be a modern day escape for those who seek simplicity. The completely redesigned space opened late April under the brand’s new platform with a fresh philosophy–“uncomplicated.” Chris Gayton, the Vice President of Brand Marketing, gave an in-depth tour…

Betty Be Good

Betty Be Good — a contemporary fashion boutique in Birch Bay Square — offers attractively chic clothing, shoes and accessories at affordable prices. “The printed leggings are our most popular selling item, they sell for $14.50,” said owner Suzanne Smith. Betty Be Good opened in October 2013 and truly is one-stop shopping. Aside from being a business owner, Smith…

Bringing Two Arts Together

It could be the open environment, the gorgeous furniture, or the large oil paintings hanging on exposed brick walls — whatever it is, owner and showroom manager Sharon Kingston has finally found her place in Bellingham at Modern Classics. Originally a virtual company started by her husband Curt, Modern Classics is now, as of April 4th, a store in the Chicago Fine Arts Building on…

The Premier Resort Spa Experience You Deserve | T-Spa, Tulalip Resort Casino

City Filter

Magazine Filter