Forget bringing sexy back, Boudoir is bringing pretty back. The new boutique in the heart of Yaletown, makes shopping for that girl’s-night-out ensemble stunningly simple. With sweet in-store touches like crystal chandeliers, and velvet ottomans, to racks full of celebrity approved lines, oh come all ye shopping faithful. As the ultimate gals night out approaches (hint, Sex and the City movie and martini’s), The Style Spy sat down with owner Susan Vu, to learn her Cosmopolitan way of deciding what pieces make it in-store.

What's in a name?
For me, a name should tell a story and set a mood. The word 'boudoir', says feminine, pretty, intimate, special. This is my take on a modern day boudoir. It's a place where girls come to browse for a special find that will make their day.

Take us behind the scenes...why did you open Boudoir?
Working as a graphic designer for the past 7 years, I felt it was time for me to branch off into a new creative field. Fashion was always an inspiration in my design projects. What basically started with, "Wouldn't it be cool to open a boutique?" ended with actually opening a boutique. There were a lot of highs and a lot of lows throughout the process. It took about 8 months to pull everything together, but we're extremely happy with the result.

Who’s style do you look to when picking pieces for the store?
I don't have anyone in particular I look to for fashion inspiration, but I always have in mind that girl who's sitting on a patio in Yaletown enjoying a martini with her girlfriend. I think, "What would she be wearing".

Tell us what you got?
Boudoir's focus is on pretty, social attire, so everything has a touch of feminine. We cater to what I like to call the 'feminista' [or the] feminine fashionista. We carry a lot of dresses, pretty tops, denim, clutches, jewellery and accessories.

Boudoir girls are crazy about?
Our dresses. Whether for a stag or wedding or birthday, we have something special for every occasion. [Boudoir girls] love the unique styles and that we only carry a few of each, so the chances are very slim another girl will be wearing the same dress.

Staff selects?
At the moment, my favourite would be our long goddess dress by Pathway ($148) available in ivory and deep purple. It’s made of modal jersey which feels so yummy on. Dress it up with a pair of heels or dress it down with a pair of gladiator sandals. It’s very casual chic.

What do you like about Boudoir that separates it from other boutiques?
The atmosphere is definitely special. It’s small, intimate and feminine and brings out the pretty in all of us. The style of clothes offered and price point is what everyone really appreciates here.

Steal of a deal?
All of the lines we carry are extremely well priced ranging from $50 to $250. For casual attire, we have Covet that girls absolutely love. Nu Collective is by far my favourite for social attire. All of their dresses and tops are made of 100% silk (charmeuse, chiffon and tissue) and retail for under $250.

Boudoir, 102-1230 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, 604-676-7281

Heidi Hofstad, The Style Spy
heidi@thestylespy.com

Wanna look as fresh-faced as our beloved fashion-obsessed idol Carrie Bradshaw for your last Sex & the City girls night? It’s all about luminous skin, dewy cheeks, juicy lips and underdone eyes that somehow still manage to pop!

For a quickie makeover that will get you to the premiere on time, try a few of our favorites from Stila Cosmetics. Start with the illuminating liquid foundation. It’s as if you just got air-brushed in the makeup trailer! Pop a little convertible color (dual lip and cheek cream) on your cheeks, of course, and your lips if you like. We suggest the much-coveted shade, “gerbera” for naturally soft and flushed cheeks. For eyes that will catch the attention of your very own Mr. Big’s attention, skip your predictable brown and try a more fashion-forward shade of the multi-purpose convertible eye color. The purple shade called “berry” is double-ended for eye shadow and eyeliner all in one. And, to achieve a slightly sultry look, there is an oh-so-clever smudge brush as well!

In case Mr. Big swoops in for one last smooch, well, we suggest you prep your pucker with Stila’s lip glaze in “starfruit”, you perfectly polished little starlet.

If you haven’t been bitten by Stila as of yet, strap on your Manolos, hail a cab and head straight to Sephora.

1. Illuminating Liquid Foundation
2. Convertible Color & Gerbera Shade
3. Convertible Eye Color
4. Lip Glaze & Starfruit Shade

Nicole Harvie, The Style Spy
nicole@thestylespy.com

Check out Nicole’s “Diary of the Week” coverage for Vancouver in HELLO! Magazine!

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the summer trend of (purposely!) wearing thin braided headbands or scarves across the forehead, which has been adopted by Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan, Sienna Miller and the like has been popping up everywhere. While I admit that sometimes it can look just plain wrong (i.e. MKO’s take on the trend), I do think the hippie/Grecian-esque headband trend can be cute and appropriate when wearing a more laidback outfit – imagine denim cutoffs, a slouchy blouse and some chic gladiator flat sandals. My picks - the Double Braided Headwrap ($12 at Urban Outfitters, shown above), the Flower Headwrap ($5.80 at Forever 21, shown above), or take a DIY approach – any thin silk scarf lying around in your closet will do the trick!

Priya Chendke, The Style Spy