Spring Cleaning: Revive Your Winter Selves
April 4, 2008
Now that the weather is finally getting warmer and spring is upon us, many of us may need to do personal “spring cleaning” to revive our winter selves and get into flip-flop shape.
Get Pampered! House ridden.
The chic Newbury street hotspot G Spa is the perfect spring-conditioning oasis for all winter-ridden Jumbos. Known for its prime location in the heart of Boston’s hippest shopping districts, G Spa provides a range of services to refresh you after a long day of boutique hopping. Not all of us have time for an entire day at the Spa, or the money for a day of high-end pampering. At G Spa, all you need is 30 minutes or less to feel relaxed and rejuvenated from a long winter. Offering a wide selection of “Quickie” services that include 15-minute massages for $25 and manicures for $15, G Spa makes pampering a reality for those of you with the busiest of schedules. Your tired soles or tense shoulders will thank you!
If you want to stay closer to the Jumbo bubble, the Square Nail Studio in Davis Square is a sure way to revamp brittle and colorless nails. Located at 11 Holland Street, this smaller, funky nail boutique has a small-town air that will make you feel right at home. Its design is unique, bordering on the fusion of country cottage and old-fashioned urban chic. Two antique-inspired comfy chairs will make pedicures and manicures nothing other than a heavenly experience. Its services are exceptionally personalized, and although prices are not particularly cheap, the expense is well worth it. Thirty-minute manicures for $20 and 60-minute pedicures for $40 will prove to be utterly blissful. With a wide selection of trendy and classic shades, the Square Nail Studio provides the perfect way to step into spring with happier feet and hands.
Spring Shoe Trends
Flats and peep-toe heels never go out of style. But this season, cast your staple black or metallic flats aide to make way for brighter colors and flowery prints. There is no better way to celebrate the coming of spring other than with its flora. Flats with floral patterns are the perfect way to jazz up bold colors up top. Not afraid of heights? Floral appliqués can be found on many of the high-fashion heels of the season, which add a unique, artsy flair to your footwear.Transition seamlessly into spring by adding bright pops of turquoises and greens to your shoe collection. Any shiny or natural fabrics will do! After all, if the shoe fits, wear it! There are many nearby trendy boutiques and shops from Harvard Square to Newbury Street. Head over to JFK Street in Harvard Square to find the quintessential spring flats at Berks Shoes, which has it all, from classy to trendy, at reasonable prices. My pick for spring — Michael Kors Spring Moc flats in lime green for $109.
If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for at Berks, hop on the T and visit Nahas Shoes in Boston’s historic North End. Located on 285 Hanover Street, this smaller shoe haven boasts the latest styles in footwear but unfortunately also higher price tags. Be selective: it is usually better to invest in one or two special items for your wardrobe than to buy a bargain handful on impulse. Nahas Shoes also has a nice selection of cute rain boots, an essential for rainy spring afternoons.
Go shopping
Why not? Shed the bulky layers because winter temperatures are (cross your fingers!) behind us…Shirt dresses and dresses with full skirts are the go-to wardrobe pieces for those seeking a comfortable yet put-together look. Think I Love Lucy meets the new millennium.
What else is trendy this season, you may ask? Bold colors like aqua or turquoise as well as blues, greens, and corals are a great way brighten up dark winter hues. Floral patterns and sheer fabrics are also a way to escape from the heaviness of the cold winter months. If you don’t want to make the trek to the Pru or CambridgeSide, stray no farther than your own Davis Square. Cibeline, a five-year veteran of the Davis Square retail scene, is the ideal spot to find all things professional, trendy and chic. Full floral skirts or pleated skirts with tulle, high-waisted sailor pants, and wrap dresses are just a few of the designs you can find in this hip boutique. However, be prepared to spend at this store because prices for pants, skirts, and blazers sport price tags of $118 and up. Storeowner Cibeline Sariano designs most of the store’s fashions herself, adding class and playfulness to the styles of spring. In addition to creating a collection for her shop, this NYC fashionista has even designed for well-known comedian Lisa Lampanelli, who has appeared on the Jay Leno show and has recently visited Tufts.
Though prices may seem slightly steep to college students, Cibeline offers moderately priced individual pieces that can spice up any wardrobe. And remember, each piece is inordinately well crafted and built to last. But if you can’t afford to splurge on clothes, spice up your wardrobe with cheaper accessories. At Cibeline, the colors and patterns of spring can be found in accessories as well. Bold and colorful jewelry ranges from $28 to $48 while a number of belts are a mere $15 and up. When paired with a floral skirt or dress, the shop’s thick plastic bangle bracelets in tangerine, lemon, or hot pink are a steal at $28. All clothing designed and sold in Cibeline is manufactured in the United States, which gives this Somerville gem an authentic, unique flair. The atmosphere is high-end yet unpretentious, providing customers with a warm welcome. Bubbly and knowledgeable employees make any shopping experience at Cibeline an enjoyable one. Cibeline is located at 85 Holland Street and is open Monday-Sunday.