Buttery Soft + Unassuming = The Laidback Look of Hollywood Icons

We at Crush have some celeb fashionista favorites that walk the red carpet by night and strut their stuff down shopping pathways across the country the next morning. Glammed up goddesses they may sometimes be, but our favorite looks come when they're not even trying... or at least, trying to look like they're not trying.

Now, it's no secret that we'd love to sip cocktails and spill our inner-most-secrets with the cast of Gossip Girl, we live for Blair's gorgeous headbands and ultra fem looks, Serena's sky high heels and ahead of the trend ensembles, but this week we're crushing on a different cast, a breed unto themselves: the LA ladies that, like us, swoon for LNA and are stepping out to model their super soft, understated and yet, so sexy cotton duds.

While I'm always a fan of basics, LNA cleans up like no other. Stars like Kristen Cavallari, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, Megan Fox, Whitney Port, Kate Moss, the Olsen twins and Isla Fisher are fans of the 100% cotton basics that feel like a baby blanket and fit like a glove. From boyfriend tees to zippered leggings the cuts, even when oversized, drape the way they should. Our favorite cut though: the short sleeve deep crew neck tee with zipper pocket.

I have the azul. Kara has the azul. Come to think of it Kara also has petal. I'm currently in painful need of the black (my "azul" has been taken hostage at my parents house, perhaps by a little sister???). Rebecca has a bright red with exposed lace back. Actually, in reality, the entire staff are fans... well you know, all five of us. The scoop neck is flirty, the boyfriend length is ultra flattering, and the cast of colors brings to mind a certain Rolling Stones song-- She's Like a Rainbow, anyone?--.

Founded in 2007 (the same year as Crush!) LNA is the brainchild of Lauren Alexander and April Leight. After meeting on the Hollywood social circuit, the girls discovered their shared love of wearing their boyfriends' tee shirts for everything from day-to-day tasks to nights out at trendy hotspots. Taking a hint from themselves, the girls decided to work their new trend and together have built a brand that's soft as your boyfriend's tee, but falls like a cocktail dress. These girls can, and should, take credit for making cotton tee shirts cool.

And now, five ways you'll wear it:
1) ...with skinny jeans and a boyfriend blazer.
2) ...tucked into a high-waisted mini-skirt with patent pumps.
3) ...over your bathing suit!... well, someday.
4) ...as a tunic (size up), with leggings and boots.
5) ...fitted with boyfriend jeans and sandals... if you need help finding your inner west coaster, I suggest following @nicolerichie on Twitter.

Pop into Crush or shop online our online store for v-neck LNA basics, zipper detailed leggings and both short and long-sleeved versions of everyone's favorite Saturday look-- the zipper pocket scoopneck tee. 

Brianne

Helping Haiti, it's been an honor

There are times when I'm very grateful for the things and people in my life. Despite the growing pit in my stomach over graduating this May, I can honestly say that I have a great many wonderful things in my life. It is on these occasions that "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall plays in my head as I roll my Spanx tights up my legs and slide my feet into heeled boots, just the way that the cast of The Devil Wears Prada does during the intro. Surely you've seen the film, and therefore you know that the girls in the movie are said to have "the job a million girls would die for." And perhaps it's true, I get up each day to work for two women that are truly living their dream. I can attest to the pride they take in their work, as well as how hard they work behind the scenes for their achievements, but more than that even, just how grateful they are for the opportunities they've had to create, succeed in and share their dream with others. And so, when tragedy strikes others, it is an honor for us to do our part to help others to rebuild their lives, their homes and their dreams.

In an attempt to aid those less fortunate or in need, we try to take all opportunities to support charities, causes and those who make it their mission to help others. Just recently, an entire country was struck by tragedy when a natural disaster took many lives and destroyed countless others. Haitian men, women and children are coping with a loss that many of us cannot even imagine. Orphans are being uprooted and transported to other countries, out of the disaster zone and to safe, happy havens.

Those who remain though will struggle through physical and emotional pain and depend on the aid of neighboring countries and of the world's most powerful nations. In an attempt to do our part, 10% of this weekend's sales (Friday through Sunday) will be donated through the American Red Cross to victims of the Haitian earthquake.

Relief comes in many forms, and we are so very appreciative for those of you who in-store or online purchases this weekend for your helpinig us to help Haiti.

Thank you,

Brianne

Crouching Lion, Favorite Sales

If there's one thing Kara loves, it's a sale. I don't mean that she looks forward to sales, I mean she lives for them. She's a hunter. Kara knooows about sales. She prowls in the grass until she locates her prey and pounces. She's like a lioness... a lioness that eats sales.

And so it's fitting that come time to for the Crush Winter Blowout Sale I write about some of Kara's favorite sale pieces.

Kara's crushing on...

Shoshanna Bejeweled Black Strapless Mini (was $412, is now $330)
The bejeweled detail encrusting the bust draws attention to the neck and face, but I love that the tulip skirt is uber feminine and serves to balance the excitement of the upper half and while contrasting a fitted waist.

Parker Multi-dot Racerback Tank (was $144, is now )
The kind of tank that boyfriends love. Silky and sexy. Now with a boyfriend blazer, later with your boyfriend jeans.

French Connection Midnight Mist Strapless Dress (was $168, is now $100)
Kara's New Year's Eve dress, metallic and sultry with a fit that flatters while hugging your body like a pair of Spanx.

Shoshanna Military Coat in Grey (was $442 is now $382)
Timeless and classic, this investment piece will pay for itself from now through March... and for many New England Winters to come.

Alice + Olivia Painted Face Bow Tee, as seen on Laura below --with Becca and fellow Guilford, CT gals Kirsten and Allison McGlone-- (was $188, is now $140)
Laura loves this. She owns it. In fact, it might be one of her most favorite things to wear.
Oh how we love bows, I think it's our inner Blair Waldorf...

TWG Ruffle Cardigan in Charcoal (was $224, is now $156)
There's nothing like cashmere this time of year... need I say more?

Modern Amusement Vest (was $158, is now $108)
Savile Row meets boy-next-door, this cropped women's vest is the perfect final touch to any little black dress or white tee shirt ensemble.

<3
Brianne

Renew[year], Refresh, Resort... In Color.

There's nothing girls love more than something that is new, which explains why girls love things that are fresh... it's really quite re-fresh-ing. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, freshly applied lip gloss, freshly beach bronzed cheeks, freshly arrived look books for upcoming seasons... or maybe that's just us. Each of these things brightens our day and gives us that weak-in-the-knees, first crush feeling, but the one that really makes us over at Crush blush: fresh flowers.

Resort this year is anything but the safari-esque khaki shirtdresses that the name signifies, so you can imagine how in a store full of girls gaga for all things bold and bright we've turned up the heat and pulled out our shades in honor of this magnificent fun (in between using windshield wiper fluid to de-ice the store window, of course). Punchy colors and floral prints have us head-over-tea kettles. Crush has gone from winter wonderland to island oasis in a matter of days, and no one is complaining.

From BCBGeneration dresses to Parker halters, flowers are taking over, but the neon obsession remains in tact... thank gosh... and juxtaposed with the daisies, baby's breath and ranunculus are highlighter inspired Shoshanna dresses and a pair of neon cap toeMatt Berson ballet flats that have our hearts beating the way they do when Boston finally reaches a mild 52 degrees.

Oh summer, how I long for thee.
<3

Pictured: BCBGeneration V-neck Floral Dress, Shoshanna Shirred Bodice Strapless Dress in Urban Garden, BCBGeneration Cowl Pocket Top, Parker Keyhole Navy Floral Halter, Shoshanna Strapless Highlighter Dress, Shoshanna Hot Pink Dress and Shoshanna Blue One Shoulder Dress. Visit www.shopcrushboutique.com for a spoonful of sugar to help the snowflakes go down.

<3
Brianne

A New Years Inspiration Board!

In need of some New Years Eve inspiration? Be it black tie, dancing with the girls, or a quiet evening in with the boy, sequins and jewels add a little sparkle and make you look, and feel, both festive and fabulous.

We dolled up Brianne in some New Year's Eve looks from Shoshanna, Alice + Olivia, MM Couture, French Connection and Ali Ro and the result: the Crush Boutique version of a word splash.

Happy New Year!

xoxo.

Brianne, Laura, Rebecca and Kara

Another Auld Lang Syne...

In 2009, Crush drafted 50+ blog posts, held upwards of 20 events, tweeted almost 200 times, employed 4 girls, and helped a lot of women pick out a lot of dresses. There’s a lot to recap as we await the fireworks that will ring in 2010, but in an effort to make you all nostalgic, I’ll give it a go.

I’ll quick and dirty the beginning of the year, because this underground fashion lair wasn’t yet my home away from home... In January, the blogosphere helped to determine Laura’s birthday dress. In February, the lovely ladies of G2O Salon and Spa spruced up our friends and customers for their Valentine’s Day dates. March brought eco-friendly looks to CB and sent Laura and Rebecca to speak for the young ladies of Delta Gamma at Boston University. Then, in April, we celebrated our Second Anniversary! (Can you imagine what the party for year five will be like???) Next, Jess joined the team bringing a wave of west coast inspired summer styles along with her.

When I started in May, Laura and Rebecca were prepping for wedding season, The Sparkle II Charity Fashion Show, a Shop/Sip/Save event and rompers. While the girls hit the wedding scene, Jess, Emily and I held down the fort. We spent the summer playing sartorialists and concierges, taking in trends from the tourists and directing traffic to the patio at Alibi, the Esplanade for fireworks, Fashionably Lates at The Liberty, Sox games and the Boston Harbor Islands.

As the summer drew to an end, Jess prepared for Paris and Emily hung up her Crush shoes for a 9 to 5, but first, we held our own Fashionably Late for which Rebecca and Laura landed themselves on the Improperazzi page and were interviewed by NESN. All dolled up and so much to do, we watched our Crush models zip around the lobby at The Liberty, coated in stage lights and runway looks.

All good things must come to an end though, and summer did. The wedding season wrapped up just in time for Rebecca and Laura to head too Manhattan to buy for Spring (the pieces are just starting to arrive!), and place our first orders for shoes. They brought back boots, ballet flats and platform pumps, and with Kara onboard, we headed towards the Holidays.

Rebecca looooves Halloween, so at Crush, the Holidays start mid-October. Crush was decorated to the nines with pumpkins and skulls and candy galore. We threw a Halloween Party at the store that involved playing dress up with new clothes, as opposed to dressing up and some delicious apple cider from Wilson’s Farm in Lexington.

As the rest of the holidays approached, we pulled out the snowflakes and holly tissue paper and garnished gifts with cinnamon sticks and holly. The festivities at the store were bountiful, as was the fun, between our Finally Fridays with The Liberty Hotel and The Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll.

Wow, this is getting long… consider this an overdue Christmas letter. Ohhhhh, maybe next year we’ll send one of those!?

As we swing into 2010, here’s where we stand: Rebecca, who this year became our official online store photographer and maintained her position as lead light bulb changer, is preparing for a trip to New Orleans and longing for the days of silk blouses and sandals. Laura spent 2009 perfecting her internet marketing abilities and between http://www.shopcrushboutique.com/, our Google AdWords and learning Photoshop, she’s become a regular techie… but you know, with swanky clothes. Kara loves RAs and special orders more than anything, except maybe House of Harlow, and is expected to continue opening boxes of new merchandise like a kid on Christmas morning (too soon to bring up THAT holiday again?) Jess will return January 15^th and with her trends from Paris and LA ought to be trickling in. Me? Well, after I finish this post, I’m going to upload some photos of a snow covered Crush Boutique to Facebook and determine the appropriate bra to wear with the new Chelsea Flower top tomorrow...

Stay tuned for our upcoming resort post!

xoxo.

“Gossip Girl”

Everybody knows a little press and some mistletoe, help to make the season bright...

Nothing fills our hearts with holiday cheer more than holiday dresses... and the same can be said for Abby Bielagus and Tanya Pai of Boston Magazine. These cheery fashionistas and expert shoppers have listed two of the season's Crush favorites among their picks for Boston's Best Holiday Dresses.

The Audrey's Party Dress by Max & Cleo features a sweetheart neckline and a tiered A-line skirt that shakes like a bowl full of jelly when you spin around.

The vintage inspired Beth Bowley has all the class of a Princess Grace original in a cut that Charlotte York would envy.

I'm not sure there are enough words for the Alice + Olivia. You've seen it. I've blogged about it. We've all known it's THE perfect holiday dress and that our inner Leighton Meester would do just about anything to wear it on New Year's Eve. So wrap yourself in sequins and ribbon and give in to your subconscious Gossip Girl.

If you're like us, you've yet to finalize your New Years Eve plans, but are sure that you absolutely need, and by need I mean want, to shop for new party dresses with your girlfriends this weekend and while gabbing about the holiday parties and work deadlines you've been swallowed whole by this month... so, see you Sunday?

<3
Brianne