As some of you know, I recently moved to Arizona! The weather is perfect…sunny all the time…need I say more! While my days consist of working out of our Alixandra Collections Phoenix location and endless hours on the phone conferencing with all the other locations, I am exploring my way around town looking for unique places to eat and shop. I will be posting my “Favorite Arizona Finds” as I come across them here! While I have found tons of great places to eat, I wanted my first post to be about a favorite “gift-y” shop. 

My new favorite local store is The French Bee. Its located in Central Phoenix by The Biltmore. They carry these simple yet gorgeous faux flowers in tiny vases filled with epoxy. The quality of the faux flowers are FABULOUS!! I had to touch them to figure out if they were real or not! The sales person checking me out tied the richest, black & ivory ribbon around the nape of the vase giving it an added touch of class. I bought 4 of them! They are scattered all over the little nooks of my home and bring me so much joy. 

Q: How long have you been with Alixandra Collections and how did you get started within the corporation?
A: I started working at Alixandra Collections in August 2005 when she was in a space the size of a closet above Hinsdale Furrier, I was a loyal customer coming in once a week to check things out, became addicted and started working there!

Q: Which store do you work at most often and what do you love about it?
A: I now manage the LaGrange store but have worked at all 3 Hinsdale locations over the last 7 years! I love the LaGrange location, it’s such a quaint store and it embodies the best of what the AC brand is all about. The customers are super friendly and they love the intimacy of this store and the personal attention they receive while shopping here.

Q: What are some of your favorite brands here at AC?
A: I’m a big dress person and I have quite the collection thanks to AC, I love Beth Bowley, Bailey 44 and Susana Monaco. I also love the Tai bracelets for their uniqueness and layering options. I’m also a big fan of the Michael Stars line which is exclusive to the LaGrange store, both the basic and novelty pieces are great and so versatile! Lastly, I love the Lexi camis and have them in every color, I have 2 teenage daughters who also wear them religiously, we have quite the collection at our house!

*If you get three of the regular long tanks, they’re $18 each!

Q: What are some trends that your AC clients are asking for?
A: A great pair of fitting jeans, tops for going out and dresses, dresses, dresses. They are also looking for reasonably priced accessories and have really caught on to the stacking trend, colored jewelry and statement pieces.

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Q: What are you looking forward to next season?
A: I love Fall clothes, who I am kidding, I LOVE all clothes for all seasons. I am however looking forward to crisp Fall days, skinny jeans tucked into boots and good cozy sweaters.

Q: What are your “life’s little joys”?

A: I am blessed to have three great kids and a wonderful husband. I love to spend time as a family and go out with good friends. When I’m not with them I spend my time reading and of course doing anything “fashion” related like shopping (which is usually at any AC store) and giving my friend’s fashion advice when they ask for it. My oldest child, Lauren has also been working at AC since September and I couldn’t be prouder, I am sure that my other daughter will follow her Mom and sister someday into the AC family! I really love what I do and am grateful to be part of the AC team!

*All of the girls are photographed in AC, Alixandra Blue, and Hollis dresses.

Alexis Bittar is one of those designers that  has changed the way people look at costume jewelry, from his taxidermy animal displays in his stores to his iconic ad campaigns. Bittar has captured an audience of all age groups from first ladies all the way to gossip girls and rock stars.

Bittar started out his career in his early 20’s where he found inspration in the NY club scene and his parents love of vintage.  Bittar’s signiture material is lucite, he became aquaninted with the material while selling vintage jewels and with a little experimentation he figured out lucite could be sculpted.  

The rest is history……Bittar is now one of the most celebrated designers in his industry.

Check out the line at Alixandra Collections(Lake Forest, IL or St. Louis, MO)Locations

or call (630)-789-0022 for more information 

As September is full of the new fall issue magazines and exciting buying trips for winter/spring, this month seemed only fitting to feature our very own Nikki. She is truly a gem as she handles all of the accessory operations for AC. She’s the first one to buy you candy from the News Agency or run to the fruit store with you for lunch. Her work ethic keeps the AC train going and we all love the collage of pictures above her desk of her pup. 

Read on to find out more why Nikki is a true asset to the AC team…

Q: How long have you been with Alixandra Collections and how did you get started within the corporation?

N: I have been with Alixandra Collections for about four years now.  Prior to Alixandra Collections, I owned my own boutique in Michigan for about five years.  After closing our store, I moved to Chicago to either pursue a career in education or continue a career in the fashion/retail world.  As I searched for a job I worked part time for a clothing brand called Charlotte Tarantola.  The rep that I worked with during this time had a good relationship with Alix and passed my information along to her and that is how I joined the AC team!

*Nikki and Alix on buying trip at Tai jewelry. (They’re obviously in heaven)

*Nikki featured in the spring ‘color’ issue for The Doing of Western Springs

Q: What is your role at Alixandra Collections and why do you love it?

N:  Over the years my position has grown at Alixandra Collections.  I am currently the buyer and manager of operations.  The best part of my job is that I love to come to work each day! I work with a great group of women and truly love what I do…I don’t think it gets much better than that. :) 

Q: What are some of your favorite brands here at AC?

N: This is a tough question for me because there are so many that I love!! I love Joie for their effortless silk tops that always look so chic when you wear them.  I am also a fan of their cashmere sweaters for the fall & winter.  I have an obsession with pants and have found the perfect fitting jean for me, which are DL1961.  Their 4Way Stretch X fit makes it the perfect stretch yet won’t bag out on you an hour after putting them on.  I honestly can’t say enough good things about these jeans!!  

Since working here my jewelry obsession has also increased.  You will always find me wearing a chan luu or tai bracelet! These brands are the core pieces to get that layered look.  Every time we receive a shipment of these brands, there is always something I MUST have!!!!  Deepa Gurnani is another favorite brand of mine.  I have acquired many headbands from them over the years.  They have made my life much easier when it comes to being lazy and doing my hair.  Even a messy pony looks chic if you put one of these on!!

Q: When your picking a new vender to carry for AC, how do you go about choosing?  

N: When it comes to choosing new vendors to carry at Alixandra Collections, we are always constantly looking.  We want to find new, interesting brands that are not found at every boutique you walk into.  I believe this is what makes us stand out from other stores.  

Our customers also play a big part in our buying process.  As buyers, it is important for Alix and I to have interaction with our customers.  That is why you will find us out on the sales floor.  By working with our customers, we get a lot of information on what they like and need which helps in the buying selection.  Whenever we select a brand, we always have our customers in mind!

Q: What are some trends that you’ve noticed on your buying trips?

N: One of the biggest fall trends I have seen for this fall/winter is the use of leather.  We are seeing everything from full-blown leather pants to sweaters with leather trim detail.  If you have ever wanted to indulge in the leather trend, now is the time to do so.  We are still seeing a lot of color going into fall as well.  This time the color is geared towards jeweled tones.  The two colors you will be seeing the most of this fall will be cobalt blue and maroon.

Q: What are you looking forward to this season?

N: Fall is my favorite season of all!!! I mentioned my denim/pant obsession earlier, so I will be indulging in coated denim, which if I may add is a good way to get that leather look for less than what you would spend on a real pair!!  I also want to purchase a pair of leggings that have some sort of leather detail on them.  With my pant purchases, I will be choosing to layer on the top.  My go-to will be a comfy thermal with an oversized sweater and appropriate jewels to match.  

*Leather trends like style blogger, Blair Edie from Atlantic-Pacific

*The new line Waverly Grey at Alixandra Blue also carries items with leather details like this gorgeous fall top.

Q: What are your “life’s little joys”?

N: What I love to do most is to spend time with family and friends.  My family all still lives in Michigan, so this has been the hardest part about moving to Chicago.  I try to make it back as often as I can to visit so that I don’t miss out, especially because my nieces and nephews seem to be growing up so fast! My friends here in Chicago have easily transitioned into my family.  My girlfriends and I commit to what we call a “dinner club” once a month.  One of us picks a restaurant in Chicago that only a few if any of us have been to and we drink good wine, eat great food, and catch up on life! Lastly, I can’t leave out the pure joy, my little ‘nugget’.  As many of you already know, my little nugget is Petey my french bulldog.  Him and I spend many nights watching reality TV on the couch, talking long walks, and hanging out at the dog beach!! His personality constantly keeps me laughing and makes me smile everyday. :)

Pinterest has no doubt been an inspiration to us and helps us figure out what looks you are all loving! Not only do we support STAX with your bracelets but why not copy the look for your stunning neckline? The trick is to pick 2 to 3 necklaces that are different lengths, dimensions, and textures. For example, the photo below is inspired by the color green yet the delicate necklace, the spikes, and then the rustic beads all coordinate with each other. Yes, it is a little out there but depending on your outfit, you can pull of this seriously accessorized look. 

Here are some photos to help all of you get more stacking ideas for your jewelry!

*Or wear it long!

Here are some pinterest inspired looks that showcase layering chunkier necklaces together for a much more three dimensional look. 

Some other options are to pair much more delicate pieces together. Our Peter & Gabby line which specializes in sterling silver and gold jewelry have smaller detailed pieces that are beautiful when layered. 

Here are more pinterest inspired looks with delicate, smaller necklaces.