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Exclusive interview with Bunny Fayne of Circle & Square

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Handbags / Jewelry / Local Designers / Shopping  tagged circle and square sf / interviews / online shops by

Bunny Fayne is the founder of Circle Square; which happens to be one of the hottest boutiques in San Francisco. Circle Square, which is located on tony Presidio street in San Francisco, offers new and emerging designers which are highly sought after by celebrities and Fashionistas alike.  Circle Square also happens to have been the winner of the 2011 Bay List “Women’s Accessories” category! Bunny took the time to talk to me and share with our readers her inspiration and forward-thinking vision.

Cathy: What inspired you to open a shop dedicated to new designers?

Bunny: In no particular order…A respectable fear of failure. The desire to use whatever gift I have for seeing unique ways to interpret individual style. The breaking of rules is a very liberating thing, it allows you to make mistakes…the talent… comes in knowing which ones to use. And lastly… I’m a little crazy.

Cathy: What do you feel the must-have trend for summer is this year?

Bunny: Lace, Patchwork Designs, Chokers, Bibs, Big Earrings, Cuffs, Clutches, Shoulder Bags,Gemstones, Jewelry with Quotes, Retro to Minimalist.

Cathy: What have you found to be the hottest selling style this season for jewelry and for handbags?

Bunny: In Handbags: Fringe, Tribal, Stripes, Bucket Bags. In Jewelry: Drop Earrings, Bold Cocktail Rings, Statement Necklaces, anything with Feathers….Birds Beware!

Cathy: Is there one color that customers are flocking to this season?

Bunny: We live in San Francisco so Black Rules…but vivid jewel tones: Emerald, Rubies, Amethyst, Sapphire, going from water colors to desert. Metallic is Huge.

Cathy: What types of items do you have in-store that are not featured online?

Bunny: Prive Cashmere Vests, they are “Haut Eco” since they are parts of previously committed elements that are redesigned and Neckpieces made of 100% Egyptian Cotton, miniature curios, woven together to create a beautiful Necklace – Did I mention Pearls?

Cathy: How do you find so many amazing emerging designers?

Bunny: Various and sundry sources i.e. Fashion Indie, SFIndie, trade magazines such as Accessories, WWD, Schools, The Academy of Art, Fidm, going to student shows and constantly asking and reading everything pertinent to it! Always searching and listening. And of course, Cheap Luxury Handbags Store!

Cathy: Do you have designers that are high in demand from your customers?

Bunny: Without question: Susana Speidel, Adriana Castro, Aki Kano, Dareen Hakim, Jeanine Payer and David Heston.

Cathy: Do you have anything you would like people to know about Circle and Square that I haven’t touched on?

Bunny: I have such a warm spot in my heart for this Store…it takes on the personality traits of each person who shares that love for it. If the Store were a person…it would be described as possessing great Flair, Intelligence, Character, Charm, Independence, Style, but mostly… a Sense of Humor. We laugh a lot around here. “Living your Passion is what makes you Authentic”.

Circle Square has a website where shoppers can find some of the latest and hottest items of the season. Shoppers can also order over the phone if an item they are looking for is in-store and not online. To learn more about Circle Square, please visit circleandsquaresf.com. 

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Photo: Bunny Fayne-Founder of Circle Square

Photo courtesy of Circle Square

Santana Row Poolside Soirée raised money for charity and showed fabulous fashions

 in Bay Area Fashion / Events / General Fashion / Men's Fashion / Shopping  tagged fashion shows / runway / santana row / spring 2011 / summer 2011 by

Santana Row held their Poolside Soiree on Saturday May 14, 2011 and it featured an inspirational speech from Taylor Armstrong, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as well as amazing looks from Santana Row retailers. Before the fashion show, Santana Row did not hold back and treated guests to an enticing “Style Boutique” and appetizers from many of the appetizing restaurants on “The Row.”

Santana Row retailers showed hot and on-trend ensembles from BCBG, Franco Uomo, Pink Stripes Boutique, Brooks Brothers, Cole Haan, Ted Baker, Oakley, Penelope Boutique, Beau Bijou, Blues Jean Bar, Donald J. Pliner, Jest Jewels, Free People, Big Buddha, Tommy Bahama, San Francisco Shirt Company, Furla, Boutique Harajuku, Anne Fontaine, Eli Thomas for Men and Priscilla of Boston.

Taylor Armstrong was on hand to help raise money for the Family Violence Protection Fund. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star gave a heartfelt speech to kick off the event and then posed for pictures with fans during the after-party.

The show was filled with some of the summer’s hottest trends including bright colors of blue, lace, sheer fabrics, wide leg pants, florals and fabulous  handbags.

To view a slideshow of the event, please visit our Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/BayAreaFashionista. You do not need a Facebook account to view the photos.

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To view more photos from the Santana Row Poolside Soiree, please visit our Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/BayAreaFashionista
All photos ©2011 Cheap Luxury Handbags Store

Hand creams that work in every price range

 in Beauty / General Fashion / Shopping  tagged hand cream / tips by

There are so many hand creams on the market, that when it comes to choosing one, the task can be daunting. Many hand creams claim they will absorb and not be greasy; but most of those claims fall short when the hand cream IS greasy and does nothing for dry hands. So, in the quest for the perfect hand cream, Cheap Luxury Handbags Store tested several lines in varying price ranges and picked out the best, non-greasy hand creams we could get our dry little hands on. 

Luxury Hand Cream:

It is well known that La Mer creates some of the most coveted creams on the market. The reason they are so highly coveted is not because Jennifer Lopez can attribute her glowing skin to Crème de La Mer, it is because the company’s products actually work.

La Mer The Hand Treatment comes in a slim tube which is surprisingly long lasting. A tiny little drop of hand cream moisturizes and heals dry skin. Although the hand cream is $70 for a 3.4oz tube, the high concentration makes this hand cream last longer than expected; easing the $70 price tag.

Verdict: Best healer of severely dry hands.

La Mer The Hand Treatment can be found at Nordstrom.

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Mid-Price Hand Cream:

Sometimes it is not the price that tells you how well a product can work. Laura Mercier has created a hand cream that comes in the sweet, sugary scent of Crème Brulee. Laura Mercier’s hand cream is also highly concentrated, just like La Mer’s. This helps the small; 2oz tube last longer than expected since you only need a small drop to rub into your hands.

Laura Mercier’s hand cream actually creates a barrier against daily tasks which can dry hands. Wash dishes without gloves? We found if you apply Laura Mercier’s Crème Brulee hand cream first, the drying dish soap will not be able to ruin your skin. We also found that it works well on hands before lifting, playing tennis and swimming; all activities which can dry out hands.

Verdict: Best protector against daily activities which ruin hands.

Laura Mercier Crème Brulee hand cream comes in a 2oz bottle for $15 and can be found at Nordstrom. 

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Drugstore hand cream:

Burt’s Beas Shea Butter Hand Cream is a classic drugstore find that contains the always famous Shea butter; known for retaining moisture in skin. Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Cream has a nice scent and is only greasy for about three minutes after application. The hand cream eventually absorbs into the skin and provides a nice and soft barrier to the elements. At $12.99 for a 3.18oz tube, who can complain?

Verdict: Most “bang for buck” hand cream. Does the job without the grease.

Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Cream can be found at Target stores.

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Do you have a favorite hand cream? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Happy shopping and stay fabulous