Shopping Local

Since I've been procrastinating writing about my teenage years and life beyond that, I wanted to touch on the amazing things that I've found in small business stores, made by Alaskans!  With big cities, you don't have to seek it out as much.  In fact, when living in D.C., I rarely shopped anywhere but Tysons Galleria in McLean, VA.  Beautiful high-end stores (Neimans, Saks, Chanel, Versace, Bally, Burberry, Cartier, Tory Burch, Gucci...etc.  Hermes and Louis Vuitton were a mile away.  Beautiful items, but rarely original or one-of-a-kind.

Since arriving, I have found some great places to go for fashion and home.

Some of the businesses I support regularly -
AK Outerwear http://www.facebook.com/akouterwear?fref=ts  They have amazing hoodies and lots of items for winter sports (and my personal fav, fishing).  Their logo is so rad, that it makes a great gift  (even my dad in AZ wears it)!  Dimond, West of King - Anchorage, AK

Bella Boutique - all items handmade. http://www.shop-bella.com  The owner has made several sets of earrings for me, and is very talented.  On Spenard, North of Northern Lights - Anchorage, AK.

Sheritt Fine Arts Gallery - a small, well thought out gallery, ran by Fayrene and her husband.  http://www.facebook.com/SherrittFineArtsGalleryGifts?fref=ts  She does a lot of jewelry, while he does a lot of the artwork.  2nd St - Hope, AK

AK Starfish Co. - you would think with just a few designs (starfish, salmon, raven) that this store would be boring.  HARDLY!  www.akstarfish.com  They carry these few designs in t-shirts, hoodies, tanks...for men and women.  I visited the one on the Homer Spit, in Homer, AK.  However, there is one right next to Bella Boutique (above) on Spenard.

Sevigny Studio - gallery and lots of home items.  http://www.katiesevignystudio.com/  Beautiful store, and you leave wanting everything.  4th Ave & F, Anchorage, AK

Her Tern - best and one of the most expensive indie boutiques in Anchorage. www.herternboutique.com  They have so many great brands that they carry - Patterson J. Kincaid, Prairie Underground, Alternative Apparel, Jeffrey Campbell, Mink Pink, Frye - the list is long!  7th Ave & H - Anchorage, AK.

Bells Nursery - don't let the name fool you, this is not just a nursery. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bells-Nursery/119990414707247?fref=ts Not only do they have plants for your garden, they have high-end cookware, fine china, the whole Swarovski line, and seasonal gifts. They also boast a full coffee shop on the patio.   Le Creuset and Stonewall Kitchen are some of the brands I've walked away with.  Specking Rd & Rabbit Creek, Anchorage, AK

Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge  www.moderndwellers.com - went in the first time today, and walked out with a gift for someone...jewelry!  So there's chocolate, local artist jewelry and artwork.  It amazed me.  Will be back for more!!!  You would not fail finding a gift here.  36th St & Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK

My all time fav is Plain Jane consignment.  Melinda has THE best items to consign.  High-end, reasonable prices and she has great taste about what she takes.  I consign there, and like to use my credit on something new.  Brands I've purchased in clothing, just to name a few - Prada, Missoni, Helmut Lang, Burberry, Nanette Lepore, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Theory...she has everything.  Northern Lights & A St. - Anchorage, AK  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Plain-Jane-Consignment/161142813902848?fref=ts

So get out and shop local - you wont regret it!!!

Pics of some of my wares -

Handmade earrings from Bella Boutique

Alaska Outerwear (Original Logo) Hoodie

Earrings from Sheritt Fine Arts Gallery (made by Fayrene)

Shoes from Her Tern (Seychelles and Jeffrey Campbell)

Raven hoodie from AK Starfish Co.

Handmade hand-warming mug from Sevigny Studio

Lets start at the very beginning...a very good place to start.

Me and the Kenai

It has taken quite a bit of courage, but here I am, writing my first blog.  I've always had strong opinions and normally have a lot to say.  No better time than the present to document my thoughts.

As you may have read in my introduction, I live in Alaska.  I relocated to Anchorage from our nations capital on June 15, 2011.  A series of events have led me here, but I'd like to call it fate.  I will get around to discussing the last 31 years, but I'm just asking for your patience, please!

I admit to being a true Pisces...I live in a fantasy world and have an artist's mentality.  You get me or you don't.  You love me or you hate me.  There is no in-between with Crystal (I'll try not to speak in third-person).

You will hear me discuss fashion and the outdoors more than anything.  I have other interests, but these subjects will dominate the most...in that order.  I also have a handful of truly amazing people in my life, that inspire me, so you will hear about them as well.  I am a freelance artist for a major cosmetic label, and have worked on and off in the field for the past decade.  I'll try not to talk about work much. :)

I admit to not being eloquent, so this should get interesting.

Just a list of things to start out with (that you may know or not know about me) :

I am a former fatty, and 115 pds smaller than I was around 5 years ago.
Erdem, Viktor & Rolf and Alexander McQueen are my favorite labels in 2012.
Halloween is by far the best day of the year.
When I was a teenager, I was in a Broadway play.
I went off to college on a Music scholarship.
I'm addicted to creating sets on Polyvore www.happycrystalb.polyvore.com
I've found the love of my life.
I've had an amazing fishing year - one of the luckiest.
I could listen to Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones all day.
I'm spiritual, but not religious.
I'll never discuss politics on my blog.
I have the most amazing parents.
I am a die hard animal lover.
I thrive in the dark and snow, the summer and sunshine depresses me.
I can sniff out the most expensive item in the room - I have good taste!
And yes, that is Betsey Johnson in my profile picture with me.