NINE ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMEN CREATE A HOT SPOT TO SHOP WHILE BUILDING BRANDS

What happens when nine women pool their resources and creative genius? One hot spot to shop for gifts, fashion, décor, beauty and accessories.


Nine women, most of whom were friends already, joined together one year ago to create their own shopping center by rehabing a building that had been sitting vacant for nearly five years and turned it into one of Orange County’s hottest shopping spots (as named by local lifestyle guide

Orange Coast Magazine). The Cove, a hip and newly re-purposed shopping destination on Newport Beach’s Mariner’s Mile, is home to local designers and lifestyle and retail brands focused on women, children, home décor, jewelry, beauty and fashion, including: Blend, Clarity RX Skin Wellness Boutique, Laura Matthews Designs, Little Relics, Little Stylings, MerMade Designs, Posey Couture, Studio Fringe, and The Hat Loft.

For jewelry and accessories designers like Laura Matthews, Caitlin Whelan (she’s only 20 years old!), and Paige Van Rensselaer-Kunkle is was a chance to have a shop to showcase their creations. For others like Beth Zehnder and Amy Rosten, opening a shop at The Cove fulfilled a lifetime dream of owning their own retail store. For Karla Keane, Merideth Fleener and Pam Terry, they already had established, successful businesses for years but wanted a headquarters and storefront that could be open to the public.

There is something for everyone at The Cove from fashionistas and beauty product addicts to gals-on-the-go, aspiring interior designers and the stylish, eco-responsible kid.

 
Blend (Beth Zehnder) – Contemporary women’s clothing with a focus on easy to wear weekday to weekend clothes for the gal on the go. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blend/160278977347077  


Clarity RX Skin Wellness Boutique (Karla Keene) - Skin wellness boutique featuring the owner’s unique, patented line of high quality cosmeceuticals, which have been formulated for results-driven benefits to the skin, resulting in a smooth, youthful, supple, toned and radiant appearance. http://www.clarityrxskinwellnessboutique.com/

Laura Matthews Designs (Laura Matthews) – Original, handmade jewelry with a funky edge, designer handbags, belts and accessories. http://www.facebook.com/pages/laura-matthews-designs/117112398324097

Little Relics (Caitlin and Donna Whelan) - Antique Jewelry and Found Objects; based jewelry line Of recycled repurposed antique pieces. http://www.littlerelicsjewelrystudio.bigcartel.com/

Little Stylings (Melinda Hovee-Harlan). Newborn - 16 years plus maternity, Little Stylings is a high end children’s consignment for moms to be economical, fashionable, and live a little lighter on the planet. http://www.facebook.com/pages/LITTLE-STYLINGS/186104404941

MerMade Designs (Merideth Fleener) – Sea inspired home décor and gifts - Coral, seashells, handmade treasures. http://mermadedesigns.com/merdesigns/index.asp

Posey Couture (Paige Van Rensselaer-Kunkle) – Pearls, Vintage & "Haute" Costume Jewelry, Sugar Factory Couture Lollipops, and all things bling. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Posey-Couture/110345382327146

Studio Fringe (Pam Terry) – A full service interior design studio, unique linen pillow collection, home furnishings, fine art and textiles. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Studio-fringe/158949867496990

The Hat Loft (Amy Rosten) – Designer hats, caps and fine millinery. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hat-Loft/102818689797486


The Cove To Host One Year Anniversary Party on October 7th

The Cove is our favorite local shopping find with nine stores filled with the coolest items for the fashionista, the lotin-obssessed, home fanatics, kids and more.  With clothing, jewelry, pillows, coral, skin care products and more, we always find something.  

The Cove is celebrating it's one year anniversary on Friday, October 7th.  Be sure to get down there to check it out for yourselves!  

Introducing Blend, A Contemporary Women's Boutique At The Cove

b l e n d


Blend is a contemporary women’s clothing boutique with a focus on easy to wear weekday to weekend clothes for the gal on the go. Blend is the brainchild of style maven and professional closet organizer, Beth Zehnder.
Q: What is behind the store name Blend?

A: The store is a blend of Orange County life with LA style. I grew up in LA, walking distance from Rodeo Drive in fact. So my aesthetic was shaped by city life and beautifully made clothes but even then I was always on the hunt for the little known designer, the cool bag, the funky necklace. Now that I have been living in Orange County for almost 15 years, I have adopted the laidback lifestyle here and appreciate a great T-shirt more than you know. So Blend is a small boutique for women who want a one-of-a-kind accessory or a stand out jacket mixed with great basics that can be dressed up or down.

Q: What is your retail focus?

A: At Blend, we are focusing on the gal-on-the-go who embraces casual chic. Our clothes and accessories will be a mix of contemporary lines and classic pieces that can be worn during the week or on the weekend. Our goal is to not only provide basics that you can live in but also carry lines that have an edge and uniqueness to them. The boutique will be like a curated closet with clothing you can keep for years like a great dress and jacket, others you can wear everyday like t-shirts, scarves and sweaters. But best of all, I am really trying to keep fashion affordable by carrying items ranging from $30- $300 with very few pieces over that.

Q: What is different and unique about Blend?

A: True to our name, style is best when you blend so we are featuring up and coming designers, popular brands and designers that are unique to Orange County. I’m always on the lookout for different pieces that are new to Orange County. A few of my latest favorites are Bless Lev, who makes really cool, handmade jewelry with stone and leather and comes with a blessing. I am also crazy about the amazing blouses and dresses in bright fun prints from Tucker that will give any outfit the punch of color that you need, scarves from a New York brand called We Are Owls that will make you yearn for a cold day and great jackets from Wren that will look great with a pair of jeans and your favorite pair of boots.

Q: What is your past experience?

A: I have always been visual and on top of the trends. For years, I worked at The Woods designing floral arrangements where I built a celebrity following, including Elton John, Bette Midler and Meg Ryan. This was the perfect place to indulge my creativity and eye for color. After being a mom and knowing how real women wear real clothes, I started a closet organization company called Smart Style where I organize and clean out clients’ closets, as well as help them buy pieces they need to make each outfit special. One of the fun things I do for clients is create a wardrobe book that lays out outfits, almost like a magazine layout, so you can have a reference on how to put together the outfit. It was really these clients, who are friends and family, that inspired me to start Blend.

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Blend/160278977347077

ADDRESS: 410 W. Coast Hwy, Suite C, Newport Beach, CA PHONE: 949-230-8252

HOURS: Tuesday - Friday 11-5 Saturday 11-3 or by appt.