Chic Christian Louboutin Boutique

Since we have a few inches of snow on the ground in New York, I thought this might be a good time to post about warm and sunny Miami!  After the cruise docked, Stefan and I headed to the Design District in Downtown Miami.  In addition to furniture showrooms, the Design District is home to some very chic boutiques.  One that impressed me the most was Christian Louboutin at 155 NE 40th Street.

Miami's beautiful climate means that they can have flowers and greenery all year long.  The store was designed by Eric Clough of 212box architects in New York who created a growing facade wall of orchids that stopped me in my tracks from across the street.   

A peek into the Christian Louboutin window.

The flowers extend into the store as well.

Many of the walls are made up of custom tiles that the architect inscribed with unique hieroglyphics, symbols and braille.  Perhaps this is an homage to Christian Louboutin's home in Egypt.

Miami is also known for its love of art and in the window and entrance are installations by artist Madeleine Berkhemer.  She has created spiderweb like designs using ladies hosiery which is a great compliment to the shoes.

Of course the store was filled with pretty shoes too!  I am loving the stripes and gingham prints for spring.

Not sure who made the bubble glass sculptures but they looked gorgeous next to the colorful shoes. The red carpet also matches the famous red soles of the shoes.

The patchwork furniture is by Bokja and is another interesting complement to the shoes.  

I found the Christian Louboutin boutique immensely inspiring and it's just another great example of how art, design and fashion are all related.  Looking at these photos also makes me wish I was still in warm Miami!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Bastian of Chic

I don't attend any men's fashion shows but if there was one I did decide to attend, it would be Michael Bastian.  I love his modern take on preppy male clothing.  His chic style also extends to his West Village apartment.  You might remember it from the September 2008 issue of Domino magazine.  It still looks just as good more than two years later and he is often still photographed at home.  Most recently for Esquire magazine who has profiled the debonair designer for their March 2011 issue.  There is even a blog dedicated to the designer entitled My Affair with Michael Bastian.  It's one thing to write a blog.  It's quite another to have someone write one dedicated to you.  Wonder if the author attends the fashion show. 

Photos by Melanie Acevedo for Domino and Ian Allen for Esquire

Sponsor Spotlight: Creations by Kage

Please welcome our newest chic sponsor Creations by Kage.  Designer Kristin Holstein creates vintage inspired bags and clutches that are modified for the modern woman. I especially love the Embroidered Tucker Clutch that would be perfect for spring and summer.  Kristin is also generously offering Habitually Chic readers 10% off any order.  Just use code habituallychic11 at checkout.  Happy Shopping!

P.S. It's not too late to advertise for March.  Contact me for sponsor rates!

Chic and Cozy Cottage

It's a long holiday weekend and that means many people will be getting away.  Designer Stephen Shubel's chic fisherman's cottage in Sausalito looks like a chic yet cozy place spend some time off.  He describes it as being "like Marie Antoinette in a t-shirt...the past recreated for today."  He mixes French furniture with nautical touches that refer back to the cottage's seaside location.  Definitely makes me wish I was getting away again this weekend!

Photos from Stephen Shubel Design