Wear Your Love on Your Sleeve
Designer Diane Williams of Lovelike
Winter Warm Up
Nothing brings warmth back to the frigid winter weather like all things soft and snuggly! Whether you’re curled up by the fire or braving the great outdoors, cozy pieces like these are sure to make the doom and gloom of the colder months a little more…
City Filter
Magazine Filter
Fairhaven’s New Hub for Fashion
Quinn + Foster
Leather at the Intersection of Function and Elegance
Sarah Larson of Sage to Sea Designs
How to Avoid the Mid-Life Denim Crisis
A Guide from Betty Be Good Boutique
A Local Beauty Empire
Zorganics
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 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 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 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: 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 Craft Clay Earrings
GG Clay Co
Intimates Made Cozy… and Local
Tush & Bush Underwear
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 Matthysse
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 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…
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&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 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…
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…
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)…
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 your home.” After hearing the buzz surrounding Bellevue Square’s popularity, Z Gallerie made the move to build a new store. “The location is the hottest in the area right…
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…
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 incorporate the words bird, joyful, and happy into the name],” Beard said. “I thought I could be a happy gal as…
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, a smartly dressed, sunglasses-clad couple laughs and cavorts, while a man in a navy blue blazer steers Baker’s Boat. The scene is awash in the turquoise haze of vintage film. This is the sun-kissed video loop on the splash page of Ted Baker’s website for U.S. customers. It is emblematic of Ted…
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 entrepreneurship with bright red shoes and paint on her skirt. “There’s nothing I own that doesn’t have paint on it,” she confesses. “I can’t control myself sometimes.” When the daily need to paint furniture strikes, Chhuon dives in no matter the outfit. This joy-centered creative enthusiasm permeates every square inch of The Vintage Company…
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….
Bothell Furniture
THE SHOP Since 1985, Bothell Furniture has been a mainstay in downtown Bothell. Its salespeople have distinguished themselves by their knowledge and expertise. They buy carefully selected…
Digs
I remember shopping at Digs when it was located on Holly St. in downtown Bellingham. The showroom’s furniture, housewares, decor, and…
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…
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…
Purpose Boutique
What if you could combine giving back and empowering women with shopping for clothes and accessories? Here in the Northwest,…
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 the store. “There’s always something unexpected when you come in here,” c’est la Vie’s…
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 wonderfully cluttered used bookstore is to boxes of lonely books in your attic, Ragfinery is to those bags of clothes, jars of buttons, and McCall’s bell-bottom patterns you stumble over while trying to reach those boxes with the books…only without the clutter, musty smell and paper cuts. Ragfinery, located downtown at…
Rogue Boutique
THE SHOP The picturesque town of Edmonds, with its quaint stores and sidewalk cafes, recently welcomed the chic fashion boutique Rogue to…
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 in their used clothes and receive credits toward future purchases, which can be used at either Find Your Fashion Again or their sister store Find Your Fashion. This innovative…
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 and versatile, and the price tags are just as attractive as the clothing. Well-spoken and engaging, designer Monjazeb is clear about her…
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 is new to the downtown Bellingham area, and is located in the old Merch-Bot space. Naked Clothing has been open since October 31, 2013. ATMOSPHERE Bright and relaxing oasis. KEY PEOPLE Jeff Kraus created Naked Clothing in 1999. The store’s mission is to provide high quality clothing…
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…
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…
Lorna Jane
It was ironic to dress up for the opening of an activewear store. After all, activewear is my typical daily work uniform. Yoga or running pants? Check. Comfortable lightweight hoodie or tee? Check….
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…
Pipe & Row
Pipe & Row’s tagline is “Not your average staple” and that certainly fits. Owner Kayla Boehme said, “We want to push someone to the edge of their comfort zone, but not over it.” The boutique, which opened June 17 in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, aims to make high fashion accessible to everyone. The store carries brands like Miista. Ampersand as Apostrophe, Wren and Sam & Lavi. “You might walk in and see some bold prints or a really different style of…
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 only recycled metals and her signature flat stone rocks. “I have been making jewelry for as long as I can remember, but professionally for three years. I used to make my jewelry in a red barn…
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…
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 is also a mother of two young children — a five-year-old daughter and a…
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…