a look inside...

So while the majority of the postings on here are of store exteriors and windows I felt the need to share these awesome interior pictures of Henri Bendel that match their window display for the season.


Where: Henri Bendel
When: Winter 2007
Idea: Fantasy/Winter wonderland

These interior displays are so whimsical and perfect for the winter season. I thought it was really unique and kinda risky to hang the mannequins from the ceiling like that but it definitely captured the attention of the consumers. The giant tree with crystals hanging off of them was also stunning.

XOXO Gossip Girl...

So you caught me, I LOVE Gossip Girl! I've been reading the books since I was in middle school and watch the show religiously! When I happened to find this window display online I knew I had to post it on my blog. 


Where: Henri Bendel NYC
When: June 2007
Idea: Gossip Girl

Apple...

Apple is known for their innovate and unique products, it's only fitting that their window displays are just as creative and awe inspiring. 


Where: Apple Store NYC
When: 2007
Idea: Shattered glass

Style meets technology...

Back in 2009 Sony came up with a "style meets technology" campaign. They came out with new colors and skins for their laptops and other computers in hopes of gathering more trendy followers.

Where: Sony store NYC
When: Feb 2009
Idea: style meets technology

H&G...

For our final downtown window display project my group picked H&G clothing. Unfortunately when we went back to get a picture of our display they had taken it down, however they still used the tissue paper flowers I made. Here is one of their earlier displays:


Where: H&G Clothing, Downtown Slo
When: April 2011
Idea: paper flags

Our window in progress...I made 20 tissue paper flowers, although they were easy it was a lot of work considering we only ended up using 8!

We ended up adding two of the yellow tissue paper flowers below the pink ones. Additionally we switched the blue purse for a black one and changed the shoes. I was pretty bummed they removed our display before we got to take a picture of the final project!

more downtown slo...

I never realized just how many stores are on Higuera Street. I guess you really do learn something new everyday.

Where: Banana Republic, Downtown Slo

When: April 2011

Idea: Traveling!

The sign says"Journey in Style" just in case you couldn't figure it out. I liked the way they used bamboo to display the scarves and pants.

Where: Lulu Lux, downtown SLO

When: April 2011

Idea: Chandeliers 

I really loved this display but the picture doesn't do it justice. It is very simple but elegant and girly. All the outfits matched perfectly with each other all using black and baby pink. 

Where: Gap, Downtown Slo

When: April 2011

Idea: Premium denim 

Again this display is pretty simple, most of the stores downtown don't go overboard with their displays and stick to simple (or what corporate tells them).

The bad...

All of the windows on here are pretty good, create windows, for the most part. I decided it would be a good idea to throw one bad one into the mix.


Where: Charles Shoes, Downtown San Luis Obispo
When: April 2011
Idea: lets throw a ton of shoes into a window and call it a day

Come on now, anyone can be more creative than that!

Back in slo...

Once I arrived back in Slo I realized I had a few photos that I hadn't uploaded yet from my trip to downtown SLO to look at windows. 


Where: Fanny Wrappers, Downtown San Luis Obispo,ca
When: April 2011
Idea: Getting ready for bed
(I saw the idea as night time/getting ready for bed because of the shelf with all different make-up and bath room products)

Where: Fanny Wrappers

When: April 2011

Idea: Sunflowers

Fifth stop Danville/Walnut Creek, Ca

Finally after 5 days of non-stop traveling, 5 flights, 2 long car rides, and 5 states I find myself back in the bay area relaxing with friends. We went to lunch in downtown Walnut Creek and then found out that a new Forever 21 opened up right across Urban Outfitters. Forever 21 is not on my list of favorites at all. The store in the Stoneridge mall is tiny and trashy, personally when I want to shop I like to go to a store that doesn't remind me of my room with clothes thrown everywhere in no organized fashion. However Walnut Creek is filled with more high end stores so I figured this new Forever 21 might be nicer given the location. I was right, the store was huge, the layout was open, and the merchandise was more organized. Still not top quality or the best store out their but I definitely enjoyed it. Since it was the middle of the day the windows had an awful glare, in the front of the store they had a display set up that was exactly like their window displays so I snapped a picture of that instead.


Where: Forever 21, Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, Ca
When: May 2011
Idea: Summer time/floral/garden scheme

Fourth stop Granite Bay/Roseville, California

After the trip to Nebraska/Iowa I arrived back at my parents house in Granite Bay, Ca. My mom and I went out to lunch at The Fountains and then decided to go shopping. 

Where: S.W.A.G, The Fountains at Roseville, Roseville, Ca

When: May 2011

Idea: Hula Hoop/Summer

What I really liked was the different mannequins used. I'm not sure if you can tell but the mannequin in the photo above with the teal dress is actually all little tile pieces, like a disco ball. I thought that was very different and edgy considering it's not everyday that you see a disco ball mannequin!

Of course it would not be a trip to The Fountains without a stop in Anthropologie. Like I've said before Anthro is my FAVORITE store without a doubt. Every time I go into the store they have some new, cool, creative way of displaying their merchandise. I decided to not only take pictures of the window but some of the interior as well.

Where: Anthropologie, The Fountains at Roseville

When: May 2011

Idea: Corks

What I really liked is that they carried the cork idea throughout the entire display, even making planters out of corks and not just using them on the strings. Thats dedication! On the inside I found these to be quite interesting. Different sizes of chairs and books stacked to make this display. I found it very mesmerizing, how do they come up with this stuff? Its so out there, I love it! 

Third stop Ames, Iowa...

I just wanted to take a moment and brag about my new school for a moment. The campus is absolutely beautiful! There is a lake (Lake LaVerne), home of two swans, the Campanile (which is played by a professor everyday at noon), fountains and beautiful architecture everywhere. What I loved is the amount of spirit and campus involvement. The weather was cloudy the day of the tour but rain or shine Iowa State University is undoubtedly a gorgeous school.


The memorial union: home to the student bookstore(which I hope to get a job in), bowling alley, food court, some offices, and visitors center.

The Campanile: Centrally located in the middle of campus, is one of the only non-mechanical ones left. It is played by hand every day at noon, during winter the professor will play the Harry Potter theme song, she even played Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" once. Very Impressive.

Pi Beta Phi: One of the many sororities on campus the majority of which our housed in mansions like this one. I plan on rushing at the beginning of the semester, I hope to get Pi Phi cause my cousin was one at UC Berkeley but I plan on rushing all of them and seeing where I fit in best. Going Greek is HUGE at ISU and I can't wait to participate in rush!

A newer dorm, the 3rd largest dorm in the nation, so big it has its own zip code.

The water tower, just another landmark on campus. I'm sure it would look prettier if the weather hadn't been so cloudy.

Inside one of the buildings, this is mainly offices for the president, dean, ext but some classes are located here as well.

The Campanile and the fountain of the four seasons (view from the front of the Memorial Union. Tradition says you aren't a true "Iowa Stater" unless you've been kissed under the Campanile. Cute traditions like helped make my decision to go to ISU.

The fountain and memorial union

The traditions, architecture, school spirit, and wonderful program all were contributing factors to my decisions, I would be lying if I said otherwise. All of these things "inspired" me to take that leap of faith to accept my offer and attend ISU in the fall. It's a HUGE life changing decision, especially given that I will be over 1000 miles away from home in a state where I know only one person. It will be an adjustment however, it will definitely be an exciting journey I am ready to take.

Second stop Omaha, Nebraska...

On my very long adventure to go visit Iowa State University the first stop I made was in Omaha, Nebraska. We had to fly in to Omaha and then spend 2.5 hours driving through literally nothing to get to Ames, Iowa home of the Iowa State Cyclones and my future home for the next 3 years. While we were in Omaha we decided to take advantage of our time there by roaming around the old market district and browse through their stores. I was very surprised at what I found, most of the stores were small businesses focused on local artists. The majority of the stores gave off a very bohemian/indy vibe, I even stumbled upon a store that sold belly dancing outfits and other interesting (to say the least) items. My favorite store had to be Nouvelle Eve, a more contemporary store selling bigger name brands along with a section of very nice gowns.


Where: Nouvelle Eve, Omaha, Nebraska
When: April 2011
Idea: large tissue paper flowers

(formal window)

(casual window)

First stop LA...

During my 2 weeks of traveling the first stop I made was LA. I went to visit my family and celebrate passover. If there is one thing my grandma loves doing its shopping so I told her about this assignment and the next thing I know we are in the car driving down Melrose. 


These first 3 windows are from Monique Lhuillier. The second dress was absolutely stunning, I wish the picture was better quality but that dress was amazing.


Where: Monique Lhuillier, Los Angeles
When: April 2011
Idea: Butterflies and picture frames

Our second stop of the day was to my grandmas friends store, LA&Joe, this store is pretty new and looks like an industrial warehouse. There were two french doors into the store and thats it, no windows. The inside of the store was very open and the had cute displays for their jewelry as well as had art from locals on the wall for sale. (One of the locals is my grandma)

Where: La & Joe, Los Angeles

When: April 2011

Idea: Using tree branches to display jewelry

Our third stop of the day was to the Westside Pavilion. Most of the stores had very drab, unexciting windows however I did really like BCBG's.

Where: BCBG, Westside Pavilion, Los Angeles

When: April 2011

Idea: Photography

After a long day of shopping we headed over to Westfield Century City for dinner at the best Italian restaurant, Toscanova, and passed Betsey Johnson on the way. Her display was pretty simple yet funky and unique.

Where: Betsey Johnson, Westfield Century City, Los Angeles

When: April 2011

Idea: Funky make-up

Next stop Omaha...

Oh snap...

I've been so bad when it comes to posting on here! I've been to the LA, the Bay, Sacramento and tonight I'm in Omaha, Nebraska. I have TONS of photos I need to put on here! I'm going to Ames, Iowa tomorrow to check out Iowa State University so I'll try and take some pics there and then post them all on here once I get back to Danville.

So...

I never got around to going to SF or even Walnut Creek but I did manage to get over to Stoneridge and browse. A lot of the stores were really laking in creativity but I did manage to find two I liked enough to put up here.


Where: Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton, Ca
Store: J Crew
When: April 2011
Idea: Cups and newspapers...time for some morning coffee!

Store: Michael Kors

When: April 2011

Idea: Clean and Simple

I just really liked the Michael Kors window because you are able to view the purses they display clearly and you can look into the store as well through the clear back round and view the other merchandise. I'm all about simplicity and this does it well without looking so boring.

Danville, California...

the greatest town on earth, located 30 minutes from San Francisco in the East bay area! I grew up here and all my friends and sister still live in the area. Right now I'm at my sisters house and I can't be more excited! I plan on heading to Walnut Creek and Berkeley...maybe to SF so I hope I can find some amazing windows to put up here! Just driving around the Bay makes me so happy, all the beautiful blooming trees and Mt. Diablo its absolutely gorgeous and could inspire anyone!

View from one of my best friends backyards