Shopping and Buying Local

Though the weather might not remind you of Christmas, one glance at the calendar sure will. We pulled together a few of our favorite independent boutiques around the area to help you narrow down the search for the perfect holiday treats.

Allora by Laura

Owner Laura Dinning of Allora by Laura in Montecito, along with her daughter T.J. Breidenstein, create a non-intimidating approach to high-fashion through their desire to make each customer look and feel confident in their body. They sort of operate as personal stylists – a big reason why customers keep coming back for more. “I’m so honored to be here in my sixth year,” Laura says. “I’m grateful for our wonderful customers. It’s truly amazing.” Be sure to check out the website as T.J. incorporates photo journals from buying trips, a behind-the-scenes look at what makes their boutique stand out.

Describe your brand to someone who’s never visited your shop or website.

Our motto is “Captivating modern luxury,” though luxury does’t always mean “pricing.” It can mean exclusivity. I enjoying buying softer knitwear silhouettes and very clean looking designs. I don’t do a lot of structured or tailored looks, but I do incorporate them. I try to interrupt people’s thinking about what’s possible whether they’re career people or going to a black tie event.

What current products are you most excited about for the holiday season?

I love sequins because there are so many different ways to wear it. Pair it with dark jeans and it’s almost black tie. Or try a tight sequin skirt with a silk blouse and a crop sweater. I like pairing it with knits as well. Also, chunky sweaters that have a little extra texture to them. I think leather is all year round. It can look sexy and edgy or it can look sophisticated and Ralph Lauren-like. And you can make anything look magnificent with the right boot.

If you could choose anything from your shop, what item would you like to receive and what would you give to your best friend?

I would want anything from my fine jewelry collection, Kai Linz. I always gift a big, cream-colored cashmere long scarf with tassels and on top of that I would put a bottle of my Uma Absolute Anti-Aging Body Oil. So you can put on your body oil first then wrap yourself in cashmere. Doesn’t that sound great?

Do you gift wrap? 

We do! We love gift wrapping. Presentation is one of my favorite things.

1269 Coast Village Road, Montecito
(805) 563-2425
Instagram: @allorabylaura
www.allorabylaura.com

K. Frank

Walking into K. Frank is like walking into the closet of your very stylish friends who happen to be a couple. One side of the shop features menswear and the other side features women’s, which means K. Frank is a place everyone can enjoy. The shop is a perfect representation of husband and wife team Katie and Kevin Frank who, if you can believe it, not only run the independent boutique but a family of three kids under the age of nine as well. They complement each other in business, life, and family and it shows.

Describe your brand to someone who’s never visited your shop or website.

We have a focus on a casual sophistication. It’s really a confluence of up-and-coming designers and established global designers coming together for both men and women.

What products are you most excited about for the holiday season?

Katie: We have an incredible jewelry collection called Julez Bryant. It’s made entirely in Los Angeles from start to finish. We also have a vintage Louis Vuitton collection that is hand painted. Super unique and a way to get something luxury and yet unexpected for the holiday.

Kevin: Happy Socks is doing a cool collaboration with The Beatles album, Yellow Submarine. So we have a whole box set of socks that gain inspiration from the album.

If you could choose anything from your shop, what item would you like to receive and what would you give to your best friend?

Katie: I would love a blazer from Veronica Beard. They have beautiful blazers with a dickey insert. I would love to get one of those with a couple of dickeys to swap in and out.

Kevin: I would love to receive and give anything from Common Projects and Golden Goose, the two awesome shoe lines we carry that can really fit in any guy’s wardrobe.

Do you gift wrap?

Yes! We have a signature heavy stock box and ribbon that we always use. And if people desire to go beyond that, we are happy to gift wrap. 

Anything you’d like to add?

Given what everyone has been through in the last year, we’re feeling energized by how many people have supported local businesses on this street. We’ve been in Montecito for two years and we’re still so excited to be a part of this community. 

1150 Coast Village Road, Montecito
(805) 560-7424
Instagram: @kfrankstyle
www.kfrankstyle.com

Tidepools

All well-mannered guests know that holiday parties denote finding the perfect hostess gift. Let me introduce you to a special little shop that offers local, California, and U.S.-made products – arguably the go-to gifts for those who have it all. Family owned and operated for eight years, Tidepools was opened by Montecito born Jody Kester, a forty-year retail veteran of Saks, Nordstrom, and William Sonoma to name a few. She, along with her niece Andria Kester, offer quality merchandise presented in thoughtful vignettes throughout the store. No gaudy or touristy items here, this seaside curiosity shop is a treat for your eyes and your wallet offering a range of products from five dollars to fourteen hundred. Be sure to check out Andria’s small batch jewelry collection called Whitewater and sales associate Allison Van Wingerden’s jewelry found among the treasures in this specialty boutique.

Describe your brand to someone who’s never visited your shop or website.

A beached-themed decor with something for everyone. We focus on local makers or made in the United States.

What products are you most excited about for the holiday season?

Driftwood Christmas trees and jewelry. We have amazing, one-of-a-kind pieces.

If you could choose anything from your shop, what item would you like to receive and what would you give to your best friend? 

Jody: To gift and give, I would pick jewelry. I love Allison Van Wingerden’s collection. She uses real gems, some from the 1800s. 

Andria: I would love to get a soy candle because they smell amazing and you can use the melted soy wax to hydrate your skin, like a lotion. I would also give one of our pillows or blankets. 

Do you gift wrap? 

Yes!

Anything you’d like to add?

Andria: We’re a small staff. When we answer the phone, they’ll say, “Is this Andria, Jody, or Allison?” People know us by name. Also, customers come by just to visit our shop dog, Nala.

What’s your favorite part of working in a family business?

Jody: To me, it’s just fun. We always joke around with each other. 

Andria: She’s like my sister. I’m super thankful that she’s let me be a part of the shop.

619 Linden Ave, Carpinteria
(805) 684-2000
Instagram: @tidepoolscarpinteria
www.tidepoolscarpinteria.com

Make Smith

Step inside Make Smith to behold items that are handmade – on site – by owner Steven Soria and his small staff of talented craftspeople. He’s created well over one hundred designs, each made from one-of-a-kind leather hides, which are carefully hand picked by Steven himself. Gift someone a custom belt and you gift them an experience. Each belt comes deconstructed in a small box along with a note inviting the receiver into the store for a custom fit. “Sizing happens pretty fast. They’re in and out of here in five minutes,” Steven says. After that, it’s about a day or two turnaround time. Not bad for a personalized heirloom piece.

Describe your brand to someone who’s never visited your shop or website.

I’m a third generation Santa Barbara Leathersmith and everything is handmade. We make high-quality leather carry goods made with all U.S. domestic materials, including U.S. domestic cattle hides. Our style is American saddlery – not Western or John Wayne or Indiana Jones. More of a clean, American style.

What products are you most excited about for the holiday season?

The messenger bag. We only made nine of them. We made three pieces from three different color leathers and that’s all we’re making this year. You can see the documentary of how it’s made on our website. We also made a Field Notes Case. It carries a really nice pen, it’s got a place to refill notebooks, it fits a passport, credit cards, business cards, and has an area for cash. The whole thing fits in the back pocket, which is super important for people on the go. 

If you could choose anything from your shop, what item would you like to receive and what would you give to your best friend?

I’ve designed and tooled knife cases for friends for years. They’re more like trophy pieces and I just think they’re really beautiful. I would want someone to buy me the messenger bag that I made for myself. I ended up selling it because that’s what happens to me every single time I make something for myself. I say, “It’s perfect! Let’s sell this!”

Do you gift wrap? 

Yes! Everything has a special box, a ribbon, and a tag. It’s our Make Smith industrial wrapping.

Anything you’d like to add?

We have a lot of stocking stuffers this year. Small gifts with personalized initials on them have a big impact. 

135 East De La Guerra Street, Santa Barbara
(805) 699-6296
Instagram: @makesmith
www.makesmith.com

Giuliana Montecito

Have you heard? Giuliana Montecito (formerly Giuliana Haute Couture) is under new ownership and now features art, photography by Montecito local Dino Ohanian, and clothing collections including marine collagen-infused yoga wear and lines such as Joseph Ribkoff. Of course, Giuliana Montecito also features jewelry, such as .925Suneera. This jewelry line – handcrafted start-to-finish in the company’s studio located in the Jewelry District in Los Angeles – is the product of mother and daughter team, Suneera and Ana Swarup. The ladies created a young, accessible, and everyday collection so versatile, you can wear the cuff bracelets alongside your tennis bracelet, a cherished heirloom piece, or a casual watch. Anajoined her mother’s jewelry business four years ago (an 18-karat gold fine jewelry line simply called, Suneera) and the two spent a year on this collection alone before launching. The stackable and highly collectable designs are a go-to if you yearn to break from the norm.

Describe your brand to someone who’s never visited your shop or website.

Three words we use to describe the collection are edgy, classic, and everyday.

What products are you most excited about for the holiday season?

The initial line was cuff bracelets and that’s where it all began. I usually stack them in three. They kind of make your personal jewelry pop and into a modern, contemporary, and casual look. I think the cuff bracelets are great for everyone because they go with anything. Also the link bracelets. You can wear them all the time.

If you could choose anything from your shop, what item would you like to receive and what would you give to your best friend? 

Currently, I’m lusting over the cigar ring. All our rings are small but make a statement. I would gift our sterling silver earrings with diamonds. Because as far as gifts go, I think a ring becomes a little personal because of size. But earrings are easy. 

Do you gift wrap? 

Yes! We have a cotton drawstring pouch that is easy to carry. Also, each piece comes with a care card.

Anything you’d like to add?

In terms of accessibility, our prices range from $500 to $3,000 so it really is for everyone. You can start with one or two pieces and gradually build from there. It’s about celebrating that aspect of jewelry collecting. You can tell your own story with it. 

1485 East Valley Road Suite #3
(805) 969-5956
www.giulianamontecito.com