Bungalow, Home of Scout's Blog

Fashion and Style from Deb Johns, creator of the Scout Collection by Bungalow

Concept Stores in Europe: Merci (Paris) February 28, 2012

Filed under: design,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:14 am
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Yo Deb readers and SCOUT brand fans… Today marks our 500th blog post! Thanks to all of our frequent readers, our blog subscribers, and all the shoppers ‘just passing through’ the Bungalow site. We couldn’t have reached this milestone without you!

“The concept store is dominating trendsetting…

pushing the boundaries and raising the bar across categories of fashion, home, cosmetics, gifts, and dining. The most dynamic and concentrated version of a ‘department store’, the concept store takes point of view to new heights, blending established brands with rising stars. The best feature – high and low market finds side by side that offer the customer a refreshing retail experience. Fashion rises up around concept stores!”

SPOTLIGHT ON

Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais 01 42 77 00 33

“From the iconic French style family who brought us Bonpoint, Bon Ton and the Swildens, this is a slightly ‘rustic’ take on the concept store. It currently features a cycling theme as well as pared down home, RTW and gift offerings. Featured labels include Isabel Marant, Edun, Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, Wantanabe and a wide range of denim designers – the overall look is retro but so ‘now’.”

NEIGHBORHOOD MUST-SEES

“While in the neighborhood be sure to visit the Marais*, right around the corner from Merci – stops we suggest include Autour de Monde, COS, Swildens, Izrael Epicerie, Maje, The Collection, and Antoine & Lili. Great eateries include two cafes located within Merci, a number of brasseries on Place des Vosges, and also traditional falafel stands in this neighborhood that is steeped in Jewish culture…”

*Any day but Saturday – the Marais is closed Saturdays!

 

Concept Stores in Europe: Colette (Paris) February 27, 2012

Filed under: design,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 7:51 am
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“The concept store is dominating trendsetting…

pushing the boundaries and raising the bar across categories of fashion, home, cosmetics, gifts, and dining. The most dynamic and concentrated version of a ‘department store’, the concept store takes point of view to new heights, blending established brands with rising stars. The best feature – high and low market finds side by side that offer the customer a refreshing retail experience. Fashion rises up around concept stores!”

SPOTLIGHT ON

Colette, 23 Rue Saint-Honore, 01 55 35 33 90

“Surrounded by outposts of the top luxury brands in the world, Colette manages to stay fresh and original in its contemporary mixes of men’s and women’s fashion, accessories and must-have kitsch. Featured labels include Pucci, Azzedine Alaia, Reed Krakoff, Smythson, Nike, Lanvin, Balenciaga, Limited Edition Longchamp, Gucci and a rotating range of celebrated designers.”

NEIGHBORHOOD MUST-SEES

“While in the neighborhood be sure to check out Place de Victoires (for Hartford and Victoire), Galerie Vivienne (for Yuki Torii and Gaultier), and Palais Royal (for Didier Ludot and Maison de Vacances, Pellini Bijoux). Great eateries include Le Grand Colbert, A Priori The, le Grand Vefour, Willi’s Wine Bar.”

 

Spring 2012 Color Preview Week: Navy, Hot Pink and White January 27, 2012

Filed under: fashion — Deb Johns @ 8:21 am
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This week is a preview of the SCOUT Spring/Summer 2012 color stories… Dive into two-color and multi-color stories accented with standby seasonal neutrals like white and off-white and classic navy. This spring, SCOUT is all about color – for your spring wardrobe, let there be bright.

TRAVEL OUTFITS:

In conquering the challenge of dressing for travel, we recommend a nice, comfortable pair of jeans in a not-so-tight and not-so-heavy fit and fabric. This way you can transition easily state to state or country to country… also consider jeans in a hot pink hue a ‘neutral’ for the season.

Top row, from left to right: Marni Cashmere Cardigan; Burberry Brit Cashmere Cotton Cardigan; D&G Dolce & Gabbana Off-White Cotton-Blend Top; Theory Lerea Side-Slit Stretch Cotton-Blend Shirt; Moschino Cheap & Chic Faux Pearl-Embellished Wool Cardigan; Madewell Topnote Cardigan.

Middle row, from left to right: J. Crew Vintage Straight Jean in Old Faithful Wash; Weekend by Max Mara Emmy Jeans; Epice Grace Floral Scarf; Jil Sander Cashmere Scarf; Etoile Isabel Marant Adam Skinny Jeans; Rag & Bone Skinny Jeans.

Bottom row, from left to right: Banana Republic Ashley Bow Ballet Flat; Prada Patent Polka-Dot Bow Ballerina; H&M Solid Scarf; H&M Striped Scarf; J. Crew Classic Leather Ballet Flats; Tory Burch Patent Carrie Ballet Flat.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Shop, Gifts & Home November 18, 2011

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:26 am
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IN PARIS: Maison de Vacances has custom cashmere and leather pillows and throws, located in the Palais Royale; for an exotic/old world spice and kitchen store, try Izrael Epicerie du Monde in the Marais area; Jamin Peuch for the ultimate over-the-top accessory – no doubt a collector’s item – located in on Rue Vieille du Temple; Fragonard began as a perfumery and now sells amazing linens, scarves, travel bags… perfect for gifts, located on Saint Germain down from Café Flore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN: Fornasetti has a beautiful new location on Via Bazzina and features a range of homewares and gifts – from pillows to ceramics – and also houses an impressive collection of Fornasetti work from the last 50 years; the basement of Rinascente Department Store (also open Sunday) has become the Design Supermarket, which features a wide range of international homewares and gifts; Laduree has a brand new location in Milan, on Via Spadari, and while it is great for breakfast and lunch it is also perfect for gifts… their gift boxes of macaroons are the perfect small treat for friends and family. We should note that Milan is the capital for contemporary and innovative furniture design, and many outposts are located throughout the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: Begin at the basement of Selfridges department store, conveniently located on Oxford Street, a shopping ‘Mecca’, featuring a carefully edited spectrum of home and gift pros from around the globe; Conran’s, located in South Kensington, still offers some of the best furnishing to gift options in the city… stop in at Bibendum Oyster Bar; Designers Guild on the Kings Road has two shops, one featuring upholstery and wallpaper, the other home furnishings, linens, and gifts… if you need a little sunshine on a rainy British day, this is your destination; Villandry, a ‘restaurant, bar, and foodstore’ is not to be missed, and is conveniently located in Soho/the theatre district.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Shop RTW November 17, 2011

Filed under: fashion,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:16 am
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IN PARIS: Colette is still the most avant garde fashion concept store in Paris… visit especially to have a ‘museum’ experience, as you may do more looking than buying; Merci is a fashion/home store with two cafes that was started by the owners of Bonpoint and is conveniently located near the major shopping streets in the Marais; for the epitome of salon or atelier shopping, Dries van Noten is the destination… as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the fabulous clothing, and they’ve recently opened a men’s shop next door; Victoire, located at Place de Victoire as well as the Left Bank features contemporary very wearable fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN: Corso Como 10 is still the best concept store for fashion, gifts, and home in Milan and features a café and a restaurant… added bonuses: it’s a great walk from the Brera area, and it’s open on Sunday – rare in Europe; another one of our favorites is Aspesi which is an outerwear resource for men and women, and they’ve recently added RTW collections… located in the heart of luxury shopping on Montenapoleone (rarely available in the US – a must-visit!); a new player in the edgy fashion realm is Wait and See, located on a quaint ‘spider web’ street, Via Santa Marta, it is a must see for young and old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: London is a very spread out array of boroughs, each of which features its own shopping district and unforgettable gems. A few of our favorites include: for the best overview of European and British fashion, Liberty of London is your destination (connects with Regent Street and Soho, two standout shopping areas)… also includes great home and gift options, as well as a fantastic café; Dover Street Market continues to be the ultimate concept/fashion store in London, owned and run by Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, she features her sister-in-law’s café Rose Bakery on the top floor (located near Bond Street, a luxury brand shopping area); Jeffrey, with locations around the city (including Westbourne Grove near Notting Hill and South Kensington), looks great again as a blender of high end European, Asian, and American brands for women. Be sure to check out stores in these areas we’ve recommended and find your own favorite – these are all strong browsing areas of the city!

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Eat Dinner November 16, 2011

Filed under: Local Flavor,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:12 am
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IN PARIS: Frenchie has classic French fare in a hip atmosphere; Spring, as the name suggests, has a market-menu that features the freshest pick or catch… make your reservation early!; La Societe off of Boulevard Saint Germain is a hot destination for an international crowd – the place to be on a Saturday night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN: Obika is a casual yet hip mozzarella bar located on top of Rinascente department store, where you can dine al fresco for a great view of the Duomo; Clandestino Milano is a restaurant at the hotel Maison Moschino serving food from chef Moreno Cedroni; after a day of luxury shopping, try one of two restaurants conveniently located in the Grand Hotel et de Milan, the Caruso and the Don Carlos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: Le Trois Garcons in Islington, a feast for the eyes and the stomach; located in the center of Mayfair, the Greenhouse is luxury dining at its finest, “where creative European cuisine emerges from a classical French background”; Arbutus and the Sugar Club are terrific before or after theatre meals.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Eat Breakfast/Lunch November 15, 2011

Filed under: Local Flavor,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:38 am
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IN PARIS: Laduree for not only tea but also lunch, visit the Left Bank location, at 21 Rue Bonaparte; try Les Deux Abeilles Salon de The, for refined French ladies who lunch with their daughters in a contemporary yet warm setting.

 

 

IN MILAN: low-end is Princi for amazing Foccaccia pizza; high-end is Bagutta, for great people-watching and fabulous Italian; the Corso Como Café has great smaller bites and even better people-watching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON: Madsen on the Old Brompton Road is a light and airy loft space that serves up healthy continental food with a twist; Ottolenghi is a market/restaurant with irresistible fresh offerings and the largest meringues on the planet.

 

Three Cities, Five Days: Where to Stay November 14, 2011

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 8:48 am
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IN PARIS:

Mama Shelter, designed by Phillipe Starke… amazing deal, though location is not ideal, since it lies outside the center of the city; a great price and awesome location in the midst of renovation is the Hotel de l’Universite; for the total hipster, Hotel Thoumieux is located in the 7th arondissement and features creative use of color and pattern throughout the building, delicious food downstairs and to die for baked goods next door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN LONDON:

St. Martin’s Lane is still one of the quintessential yet contemporary London hotels… plan to shop at Saville Row, also the theatre is a must-see nearby; the Zetter is a very affordable, very hip young hotel in Clerkenwell, near Islington… look for edgy shopping and cheap eats, the real bohemian kind of look; Number Sixteen has just been renovated yet again… always a new facelift, always looking fabulous, as is the area surrounding it, South Kensington.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN MILAN:

The Four Seasons is the epitome of luxury and location… embedded in the luxe shopping ‘Mecca’ of Via Gesu, the building is a ‘reborn’ 15th century convent, which lends to its overall modest setting when compared to other Four Seasons locations; for the fashionistas, Spadari is right across from Laduree and in a great eating and shopping location; a hidden gem is 3 Rooms, at Corso Como 10, which is comprised of three individual suites.

 

Paris: The Best of the Rest May 7, 2010

Filed under: Lifestyle,Travel Log — Deb Johns @ 10:05 am
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Hotel de L’Universite-  my favorite understated French hotel with a shabby chic attitude, great location,  and friendly staff. 

Musee Maillol- features unique collections rotating through constantly, great location on Rue Grenelle on the Left Bank. Last time I was there, I attended the Skull Exhibit. 

Graine de Beaute- fabulous haircuts to stylings, known for natural hair dyes for Parisian fashionistas. 

 

 

 

THE BEST OF THE REST

 

Best Haircut: Graine de Beaute,  ask for Babette. 

   Best Power Walks: Left bank through the Tuileries  

to Place des Victoires  

to Etienne Marcel  

to Merci at Rue Beaumarchais.  

Best Market: La Grande Epicerie 

 

 

On the Streets of Paris, Milan, and London: Florals IV April 6, 2010

Filed under: fashion — Deb Johns @ 11:11 am
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Looking back never looked so good! Cabbage roses to peonies in bold to painterly styles explode for Spring/Summer RTW and accessories.  Dramatic on black grounds to feminine on pastel or neutral grounds, maxi scale florals create dramatic impressions this season.

 

 
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