 Photograph courtesy of Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary Aubrey Elizabeth Stephens’s soap-making hobby began the way so many great endeavors do: on the advice of her mother.
“My mom always said, ‘A homemade gift is better,’” she says. Stephens started crafting adorable handmade soaps — shaped and scented like s’mores, waffles, and fresh-baked bread — as presents for family and friends, who encouraged her to try making some cash with her suds.
Stephens opened her Etsy shop in November and now spends 10 to 15 hours a week churning out customizable soaps, scrubs (like the sugar lip scrub pictured at right), and creams, which she packages by hand, decorates with labels of her own design, and ships to locations as distant as Australia and China. In between, the Connecticut native runs a real estate company out of her Watertown home, which works out well for her: “I can make soap and answer the phone at the same time,” she jokes.
Stephens hopes to turn the Etsy shop into a full-time business at some point — but even though it’s currently a part-time gig, she admits that in her house, “soap stuff is everywhere; my boyfriend is about to flip out.” On weekends, she hits the SoWa market to sell her wares and brainstorm ideas for new products. Her favorite finds? “I usually get excited about holiday stuff, since I’m a holiday junkie,” she says. To that end, she recently debuted several Halloween-appropriate soaps shaped (though thankfully not scented) like severed fingers.
Snag Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary goods at the SoWa market, Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October, 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, sowaopenmarket.com; or on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/aubreyeapothecary.
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 This past Sunday I visited the first installation of the Port Davis vintage fair at the George Dilboy DFW Post in Somerville. Walking in was like being transported to a chic mid-century modern garage sale, complete with a Mad Men–style cash bar. Because who doesn’t like a little martini therapy while channeling their inner Joan Holloway?
Although I opted to forgo the cocktails — seeing as it was only 10:30 a.m. — the soundtrack of classic hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s piped through the loudspeakers overhead kept me in the spirit as I perused the 10 vendor stands awash in shades of orange, olive green, and brown. I strolled past a variety of shag rugs, bulbous ceramic table lamps, crates of vinyl records, and a hot dog sofa playfully dubbed the “wiener couch” (a nod to a certain present-day political scandal?) before spotting a rack of clothing that looked like it was wheeled in straight from Betty Draper’s closet. Jackpot.
Among the nearly mint-condition duds — all from the same estate and dating back to the ’50s and ’60s — were an elegant off-white Anne Fogarty tea-length dress for $175, a structured tangerine-and-teal linen dress by Bonwit Teller for $75, and a precious peach cardigan with a matching white polka-dot belt for $35. Not only were the clothes in great shape, but they also came in sizes made for the 5’3” and under crowd — a rarity, I’ve found, in the world of vintage clothing. I walked away with a lovely $38 navy and white striped bolero. Not bad. Best of all, the fair’s vendors accept credit cards. At the next table, statement-making costume jewelry (think vintage Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent necklaces) flashed and twinkled. A thick blue Larry Vrba necklace, made from re-purposed mid-century baubles, was on sale with a pair of matching earrings for a mere $950. Hmm, maybe I could use a drink, after all. Luckily the fair offered a variety of items priced to fit any budget, including furniture, kitchenware, books, handbags, artwork, and collectibles.
If you missed the fair this past weekend, don’t fret. The Port Davis Vintage Fair promises to return the second and fourth Sunday of each month this summer through September at the same location. But a word to the wise: Get there early to avoid the devastation of seeing a ”sold” sign on, say, your favorite Ballpark frank–inspired davenport.
Every second and fourth Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 371 Summer St. (VFW Post 529), Somerville, 617-304-4978.
Stephanie Horst contributes to Boston‘s online fashion and lifestyle coverage.
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By: Sarah Burns
Rag & Bone is bringing its laid-back, hipper-than-thou style to The Tannery’s Boston outpost for a shopping event that rocks. This Thursday, April 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., stylists from the brand ― along with a specialist on all things denim ― will be on deck to create cool spring looks for men and women. The Upper Crust and Narragansett will provide pizza and beer to fuel your spree while DJ 7L of the Bladerunners spins sweet tunes. Get there early and score a free scarf with purchase (while supplies last).
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Don your most dashing cocktail outfit this Saturday, March 12, for the 20th annual Casino Royale event to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Sponsored in part by the Boston Bruins Foundation, the bash will include hors d’oeuvres, live music by The Pulse of Boston, and a silent auction offering goods such as weekend getaways and Celtics tickets ― and, of course, Vegas-style gambling.
Don’t like to chance it with your cash? Don’t stress: CFF has been lauded as a charity that “won’t waste your money” by SmartMoney Magazine. A percentage of your ticket price is tax deductible, and proceeds from the event will fund research and clinical trials to help find a cure for the disease, which affects 30,000 children and adults in the U.S.
General admission tickets are $70 in advance and $75 at the door. If you’re feeling extra ritzy, the $150 VIP party pass includes entry to a private reception and casino, chow from assorted food stations, and complimentary beer and wine throughout the night. A good cause, a great time, and a chance to break out your favorite LBD? That’s a deal we’ll take. Because no matter what Bond says, you only live once.
8 p.m.–1 a.m., Seaport Hotel, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston, 617-385-4212, cff.org.
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By: Anne Vickman
 Jewelry junkies rejoice: Boutique jewelry designer Alex and Ani has just set up shop on Newbury Street between Pierre Deux and Kate Spade. Rhode Island–based designer Carolyn Rafaelian — who named the company after her two daughters — is the force behind the brand, which is known for its adjustable gold, silver, and beaded bangles. We’re fans because the company uses recycled materials and makes all its products to order in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Continue reading “Store Opening: Alex and Ani” »
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When it comes to spinning, “no pain, no gain” seems to be the operative mantra. But taking a spin class at your gym often means enduring the barks of an instructor channeling a drill-sergeant while migraine-inducing techno pounds from the speakers. Enter Recycle Studio, Boston’s first dedicated indoor cycling facility, now open in the South End. Owner Cate Dwyer offers calorie-torching spin sessions in a space that’s more yoga studio than boot camp – what Daily Candy referred to as a “holistic environment.” The studio is decorated with images of bicycles and cheery fabrics from a New York–based textile company Dwyer used to work for. Even more intriguing, all the classes are taught by candlelight. “We want you to enter this space mentally and feel the mind-body connection,” she explains. “The candlelight transports you so you have a different mentality toward workouts, where you’re able to get into it and push yourself physically.”
Continue reading “Store Opening: Recycle Studio” »
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By: Alexandra Hall
Plenty of people look forward to the holidays as a time of meaningful authenticity. Me? I’ve been faking my way through the season since college. Not on the emotional front; on the contrary, I go all waterworks just watching the Grinch have his epiphany, every time. What I’m talking about is all the other expectations that come with Christmas: the hyper-cute, straight-from-the-heart-because-it’s-homemade crap that supposedly defines the holiday. These Martha Stewart–mandated gifts and crafts and food and doodads and decorations are supposed to warm our souls but actually just make me feel guilty for not having the time to make them. And yet admittedly, there’s no denying that the season just isn’t the same without it.
What to do? Fake instead of make it.
Exhibit A: The “from-scratch” chocolate-drizzled macaroons I slaved over for hours, which were actually born of an ultra-easy mix from Stonewall Kitchen and, in fact, took me 20 minutes to make. No one will recognize them (in spite of Stonewall’s ubiquity), because I doctored their chocolate blanket with cardamom and cinnamon — which lends an unusual spice to their sweetness, not to mention an oh-so-inventive luster of originality. Continue reading “Merry Fake Christmas” »
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 By: Caroline Jones
Think holiday shopping has to be a drag? Think again. This Wednesday, December 8 from 4 to 8 p.m., your favorite South End boutiques will spread some cheer at the fourth annual South End Holiday Stroll. A dozen stores along Shawmut, Waltham, Washington, and Union Park streets will offer extended hours and great discounts. Participating businesses include Lekker Home, Looc, Skoah, Turtle, and Aunt Sadie’s. Two of the events coordinators, Megan and Moira Flynn, will be offering 20 percent off all jewelry and accessories at the sparkly Faire La Fete at M. Flynn.
Continue reading “South End Holiday Stroll” »
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 By Anne Vickman
Hipsters, rejoice! Today, Converse opens its first retail store, and it houses the largest collection in the country. The new Newbury St. shop has an exclusive line of apparel, customizable kicks, and 40-plus shoe styles that can’t be found anywhere else. Although Converse has its roots in basketball (and 20 pairs of limited edition Pro Leather ’76 shoes — the ones Larry Bird used to rock — to prove it), the North Andover-based sneaker company has expanded its line to include a high-low collection of street-ready pieces: leather moto jackets, denim, t-shirts galore, skate bags, unisex accessories, etc. Anticipated best-sellers? All of the Boston-tagged shirts and shoes, especially ones that plug neighborhoods like Allston, Southie, Brookline, and SOWA.
Continue reading “Store Opening: Converse” »
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By Allie Vasilakis
Boutique Week, a semi-annual event bringing together America’s boutiques, is officially coming to Boston. From October 24 to October 31, a variety of stores will celebrate by offering discounts of at least 25% off of their merchandise to benefit Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that helps under-privileged women acquire the clothing and coaching necessary to get a job. Check below for some of the participating locations in our area.
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