Local Spotlight - 3House Boutique

3House Boutique is a new, indie designer haven located in Leawood, Kan. The boutique houses a carefully curated selection of clothing, jewelry and shoes that have a laidback, West Coast feel to them. Brands that are carried by the shop include: Jeffrey Campbell, Lovers + Friends, Dolce Vita, Myne, Mink Pink, Kill City and Gentle Fawn, plus a few more. 

I became aware of 3House's existence after a good friend of mine started working part-time at the store and raved to me about the various items that she wanted. She invited me to the grand opening party, but I couldn't go, and was thereby forced to watch beautiful Instagram pour in one after another which documented the fun-having that was going down.

Finally, I was able to surprise visit said friend when I was able to leave early from my internship one afternoon. When I walked in, Aviici was streaming from the speakers and a slideshow of photos from editorials and backstage at runway shows was streaming from the flatscreen TV located on the wall behind the register. The ambiance was right on cue.

I was able to talk with one of the 3House partners, Mary McCarthy, about the background of the boutique. Mary and her business partner (and best friend) Cassi McKeachnie launched the store after successfully opening a 3House in Springfield, Mo. Cassi had the idea to found 3House after launching and managing a wildly successful high-end designer boutique in Park City, Utah, where celebrities would swarm during the Sundance Film Festival.

The placement of 3House inside of Town Center Plaza, a well-known outdoor shopping center, has no doubt been integral to the store's success. The sign outside only says '3House', which is compelling enough for anyone to want to walk up to get a closer look. And that is when you get sucked in by the chic outfits framed in the windows.

Once inside, there are rows dedicated to coats, to dresses, tables of t-shirts, and other groupings. Some are a hodgepodge of everything where the fun lies in rifling through to find the covetable item for which you are searching.

 (See those cognac-colored flats on the second shelf? After trying them on, I promptly ordered a pair in black. They are Dolce Vita's Lucca, and one of the most comfortable and attractive pairs of flats that I've ever worn.)

 (See that chair? The back is made to look like the nose of an airplane. In other news, it was very comfortable.)

Some of the pieces in the store that I took a liking to:

(Though it looks structured, this blazer was soft and lightweight. Another plus? That vibrant blue lining.)

(What drew me to this boucle blazer was its versatility. I kept picturing the myriad of styles that I could piece together with this as the staple. The sharp cut of the shoulders and the color spectrum keep it appropriate for a business casual look while the surprisingly breezy material and sliced midsection keep it decidedly informal and low-key.)

(Aside from its gorgeous color that initially drew me in, this Myne dress had plastic tubing inside of the upper bodice that lent it structure without a need for straps or a too-tight spandex hug of the chest. Very pretty.)

So if you are in the area, stop into 3House and take a peek at the selection. Say hi to Mary and Shayda for me.

My search for the perfect black leather flats

Like dark, well-tailored jeans, a fitted black blazer, and a good handbag, black flats are on the priority list for things that every woman should own. Black flats are my go-to shoe as they are a staple that makes everything classy by association.

I've worn flats by numerous brands, provided that the shoes are unadorned, are comfortable, and are made of leather. If each of these three stipulations has been met, then we're in business. I always dread the moment when I notice wear and tear on my current pair of black flats, because this means that a new replacement purchase is impending. And while browsing around for new shoes is usually a fun endeavor, my search for new black flats is usually a daunting task. This is due to the fact that I want simple, well-made shoes, and I find that many brands choose cheap fabrics and use a lot of decorative accents to make their flats stand out WHEN ALL THAT IS WANTED IS A PLAIN, SLEEK STYLE.

Basically, anything close to this Lanvin ballet flat would be the ideal shoe.

 (photo c/o lanvin.com)

I remember becoming mildly obsessed with this style when I kept seeing photographs of Angelina Jolie running around town in these babies, and I loved how the flats weren't clunky, but rather made a seamless transition from legs to shoe. I already know that a pair of these flats will be my first big shoe purchase for myself, and I can't wait for that day to come. It hasn't come yet, but I will use the style for inspiration toward other purchases. Therefore, whenever I look for shoes now, I ask myself, ''Will this give you the 'Lanvin effect'?" If the answer is yes, then I've got a new pair of shoes.

After six months of searching both online and in stores, I found the best flat in the form of Dolce Vita's Lucca style. Leather? Check. Unadorned? Check. Nice, pointy toe? Check. Comfortable? Check check. 

 

Should you be in the market for a wonderful pair of black flats, I can attest that these would be a lovely addition to your wardrobe.