Clyde Davis-El of Main Street Hats

Courtesy What Weekly - In the world of fashion there are many different pieces to the wardrobe and most people of style have the basics covered.  Casual, formal, and professional looks each have their place. There is always room to improve the quality of your ensemble, however, with the tasteful addition of a timeless, functional and fashionable hat.

For hat expertise, I turn to Clyde M. Davis-El, Jr. of Main Street Hats at Greenmount Ave. and Thirty-First Street in Waverly. Clyde provided dozens of hats (an entire van full, to be exact) to complete the looks at the Delta Sigma Theta centennial celebration fashion show at the DC convention center a few months back. He makes sure that anyone in need of a hat for any occasion is well equipped.

I paid Clyde a visit to learn a little more about hats. My knowledge extended to only a few types like the Fedora, the Porkpie, and the Hamburg. At his shop, he met me with a genuine smile and the kind of laugh that could easily defuse a bad day. Read More →

Between the cheetah print carpet that lines the floor and the pink-hued walls that create a feminine feel, The Little Shoebox in Ruxton is the ultimate shop for shoe-loving women in Baltimore. Read More →

Walking into Ellie, the first overwhelming sensation one has is, wow—this is fun. The second is whoa—where do I start? The Ruxton boutique offers such a great variety of clothing, accessories, and gifts that unless you came in looking for something specific, you’re likely to find yourself heading for the dressing room with a pile of clothing so high that you can’t see over it. Read More →

Linens & Lingerie‘s straightforward name belies the stylish sophistication that awaits within: bespoke linen, pretty lingerie, smocked dresses for little girls, cashmere throws, monogrammed towels and more fill the shelves. This is no Bed, Bath and Beyond: the distinctive products promise decadent comfort not found in a strip mall chain.   Read More →

Anthropologie on the circle in Harbor East

The new Anthropologie in Harbor East is just what you’d expect: fresh and funky.  The store is a chain of over 100 stores across the U.S. and each one is pretty similar, but this one is huge, much larger than the Towson Town Center store.  Read More →

The new J. Crew in Harbor East opened yesterday and my teenage daughter and I thought it might be fun to take a peek inside.  I like the sign on the window. Read More →

We sent our intern Daisy Strudwick, rising sophomore at Ole Miss and RPCS Class of 2011, to check out the new Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium at the Inner Harbor.  See below what you’ll find inside.  (One of the best attractions: air conditioning!) -The Eds.

The Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium opened last month at the Inner Harbor, next to the Urban Outfitters at Harbor Place. Many exhibits really do shock and amaze, like the Mini Cooper covered in Swarovski crystals, Read More →

Do you ever marvel at those people who live way out, I mean so far out that it takes 45 minutes to get to the grocery store? I often tease my friends who live way out on Reisterstown Road, or way out on Falls Road or out in Howard County, about living in another state and spending so much time in their cars. That is until I get there, of course.  The lush serenity, the stillness, the communing with nature — there is something stunningly beautiful about the Maryland countryside. Read More →

Tile, wrought iron, beamed ceilings and stone inside this Woodbrook house evoke a Mediterranean feel, but with a distinctly Baltimore (the couple who own it grew up here) interpretation. The house was bought a few years back by one of the most laid-back and fun families I know.  The architect Donald Ratcliffe and his wife raised their six children in the house,  so it is big and roomy enough for the two adults, two teenagers and pre-teen who live here today.

Although he did not build the 1920′s house, Ratcliffe left his mark on it and many of the best design elements are attributed to him. In the front hall, wrought iron railing, tile floor, an antique drop leaf mahogany table and an antique rug combine for a stylish mix. The owner used seagrass on the staircase, which looks fresh and modern.

The living room is light-filled and open, with wall-to-wall seagrass.  Love the copper fireplace hood!

The living room sits opposite a wall of windows that looks out on a lovely, lush yard. Read More →