Splash Guard
Dry cleaners may not be happy about this, but aprons are back in vogue. Those floral-print symbols of 1950s housewifery went out of style when women embraced careers. In place of those feminine cover-ups, we got hideous barbecue bibs — mostly for men brandishing grilling tongs.
Now the sensible kitchen wear is back, and looking fashionably fetching. Jessie Steele has created an entire wardrobe of protective pinafores in pretty patterns, often with matching towels and potholders.
About $30-$33. For area retailers, visit jessiesteele.com.
Breezy
It helps when a fan looks as cool as it makes you feel. Add in the financial relief you get from relatively low electrical drain and you may never break a sweat. At 45 watts, Swiss Style’s OTTO fan is ecologically minimalist — especially when compared with the fossil-fuel demands of air conditioning. OTTO gets its good looks from a twice-oiled African sapele wood frame.
$200. swizz-style.com.
Hindsight
In addition to contemporary eyewear fashion, Optik Birmingham carries a wide range of never-worn, one-of-a-kind vintage sunglasses for men and women. Dr. Joe Ales’ stylish boutique also carries a small selection of vintage fashion and décor items, including 1920s Art Deco necklaces, ’40s-era silver cigarette cases, and limited-edition Swatch watches.
Prices on request. 245 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-646-6699, optikbirmingham.com.
Read My Lips
Priss Cosmetics, founded and created by makeup artist Jon Lieckfelt, may send buyers to the dictionary. “In naming the products, I wanted to use words that we don’t often utilize or hear,” Lieckfelt says. Priss products bear such names as “Weka” and “Vituperate.” Lieckfelt says he selected words that “have a lot to do with emotion and beauty.” Given the vocabulary challenge, it’s appropriate that $1 from the sale of each product goes toward ending illiteracy in Michigan. His “Puppy Love” lipstick also has a charitable component.
All proceeds from the $16 sale benefit the Michigan Animal Rescue League. Priss Cosmetics, 2225 Cole St., Birmingham; prissmakeup.com.
Brush with Fame
Ever wonder how Jennifer Lopez, Christy Turlington, and Cameron Diaz get their tresses so luxuriant? They all have something — and someone — in common: hairstylist Oribe (OR-bay) and his hair-care line. Now you can get that Hollywood look at Luigi Bruni Salon, where the products, in jewel-inspired containers, are sold exclusively in Michigan. (Early in his career, Bruni trained with Oribe.)
Pictured: Magnificent Volume Shampoo ($36). 706 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham; 248-723-1500, luigibruni.com.
Trendy Totes
Lululemon Athletica shoppers leave with yoga apparel tucked into bags so popular they’ve developed a following on eBay and flickr.com. The eco-friendly totes are used for all manner of carrying tasks. And, as Flickr has chronicled, Lululemon bags are being spotted on the arms of travelers from Hong Kong to London. The 100-percent polypropylene bag is constructed of 30-percent post-consumer recycled material.
Bring your bag back to the store, and earn 50 cents off your next purchase. Lululemon, Somerset Collection South, Troy; 248-649-6267, lululemon.com.
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