The sun is shining. The daffodils are blooming. Spring has finally arrived in Baltimore, and there’s no better time to spruce up your wardrobe or home. The Village of Cross Keys includes some of the best specialty shops in town with everything you need to jumpstart the season.
Rebecca Myers Collection
Baltimore jewelry artist Rebecca Myers celebrates the beauty of natural forms with her own exquisitely crafted jewelry pieces and her exceptional eye for the curated pieces she chooses for her gallery/boutique/jewelry studio.
Bring the outdoors in and support local artisans with a sculpture by the nationally recognized husband-and-wife duo of Ken and Julie Giardini of Giardini Design. For nearly 30 years in their Sykesville studio, the Giardinis have been creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Working mainly in cold rolled steel, they mix metal with glass, brass, copper and other materials into fine and functional art – vases, furniture, and more – celebrating the beauty of nature.
Animal prints are hot this spring (when aren’t they?), and Myers’ handcrafted animal-inspired bangles are perfect for a garden wedding, graduation party, or backyard barbeque. Made onsite in her store’s studio, the bracelets are a marriage of metals. She cuts patterns in high karat gold then fuses it onto a silver band, oxidizing each piece to create a black silver (another spring trend) that’s beautiful and durable. Myers then adds a dusting of diamonds to accentuate the organic designs.
Create a buzz this season with Christina Goodman’s jewelry featuring miniature honey bees and birds meticulously hand-painted onto 22k gold-leafed wood or cast resin. Inspired by Renaissance painting and manuscript illumination, Goodman’s work celebrates all things miniature, which means big compliments when you wear her artwork.
14 Village Square
800-575-4569
Rebeccamyersdesign.com
The Pied Piper
Long a destination shop, The Pied Piper has been outfitting Baltimore’s babies and children for over 50 years. Chockful of traditional favorites and lots of new selections, the nationally lauded store has your kiddos covered for sunnier days outside.
Poolside, your tween daughter wants cutting-edge fashion. You want quality that will last for months of Marco Polo. Maaji’s line of swimsuits (sizes 8 to 16) meet your demands for high quality and age-appropriate design, while she will love a reversible swimsuit in cool prints with loads of style. (Swimsuits are a spring must-have because smart parents know to buy early before pickings become very slim come Memorial Day Weekend.)
He’s not afraid to go in the water. Neither are Appaman shark-themed swim shorts and rash guard (sizes 4-12). Cool design and tough enough for cannonballs from start to finish. Cue the Jaws soundtrack (and the eye roll from Junior).
Yes, The Pied Piper has adorable smocked dressers and rompers for your wee one. But the new player in the traditional children’s wear market is Southern upstart, Beaufort Bonnet Company, founded in Lexington, Kentucky in 2012. The designs for this mini-must-have line of clothing and bonnets (six to 24 months, boys and girls) are traditional-yet-fresh, very well-made and very popular.
32 Village Square
(410) 435-2676
http://www.piedpiperchildrenswear.com/
Chezelle
Color and bold pattern. If you’re looking for these two hot spring trends, Chezelle has you covered. For three decades, this women’s boutique, specializing in sizes 14-24, has offered fashionable clothing and funky accessories for everyday and special occasions.
Designer Love Kayla lets the color and pattern flow in this scarf-inspired print tunic blouse. It’s silky, fun, colorful and will carry you through just about every occasion this spring.
Vertical stripes are back and bigger than ever! This easy-care linen-cotton-poly maxi dress by Israeli designer Alembika is breezy, bright and will be perfect for backyard barbeques and the beach.
Chezelle carries a large selection of necklaces and earrings by mother-daughter design team Sylka, a fair-trade company with South American roots. Working in resin and wood, Sylka skillfully creates muted and brightly colored pieces that pop.
22 Village Square
Octavia
For Preakness and racing season in Maryland, discerning women turn to Octavia for that essential race-day ensemble element: the hat or fascinator. Octavia’s selection of toppers and up-to-the-minute fashion have been popular with Baltimoreans since 1965.
Your Preakness checklist: One-shoulder Frank Lyman jumpsuit – a trend reaching supernova this season – in stunning black and white? Check. Equally bold chapeau by Perky Plumer? Got it. An even-money favorite in the big race? Fingers crossed!
This Samuel Dory floral dress with its larger-than-life graphic print and tie-front and coral Perky Plumer hat will have you grandstand ready.
Fascinators, that clip-on hair accessory all the rage at Harry and Meghan’s nuptials last spring, are still going strong for women this side of the pond. Fun for weddings, the races, even prom, a stylish pop of color always makes a statement.
94 Village Square
