dresses

Ladies - this is the perfect dress. I've tried it on, and truly there is not one better. Flattering ruffle bust with a high denim waist (vertical pinstripe - we love that). Ties into a bow in the back. There are only three dresses left - get one and you will be one of the three happiest women on the planet right now. I promise, just try it on.

This dress is so stunning it's hard to believe it sells for less than $100! This reminds me of something I'd wear to an amazing summer brunch or a book signing or tea at the Phoenician!
I *heart* this next dress because even though the color suggests fall, the print is so summery that it actually works for right now - day or night! It's modest enough for any event, but hugs you enough that's it's even great for a date!
I love it paired with this "glass slipper" rhinestone necklace for evening - now all we need is prince charming!

-pEaCe, LoVe AnD oLiVes!

Chic equivalent of sunshine

Let some sunshine in your closet this week with olive's new contemporary collection of chic dresses from another Australian-born designer.  (what do they feed those Australians?!)  This designer started her own line after working with the impressive labels Jill Stuart, Helmut Lang and Donna Karen.  Her clean and beautifully-tailored silhouettes are effortless and wearable all the while making the wearer look and feel chic and stunning.

She brings together the best of downtown edge, surfer chic, and vintage nuances.

If we had an audience, we'd applaud her.

good fashion, good karma

Our dream clothing line would:

1. one that feels great on our bodies while complimenting them.

2. have a price tag that wouldn't force us to eat spaghetti for the rest of the month.

3. do good for others. after all, what goes around comes around.

Lucky for us, we found all this when we purchased these vibrant (they acheived this color with vegetable dye - a great environment saver!) garments handwoven in India.

Not only are the clothes absolutely darling and oh-so-flattering, everything you see is under $100!

What's best, they are made by women's cooperatives that pay employees a living wage while provide a safe and fair working environment. This in turn allows women to empower themselves and their children by providing them with an education instead of forcing them into child labor. Yay!

Feel good cause the dress looks great on you. Feel even better knowing you helped a family in India do better for themselves.

You should know that none of these prints are done by machine - this line preserves the art of hand block print methods done by hand. They are proud that their clothes contain a history and a level of artisanship that is being lost in today's world of mass production.

We think that is just lovely - just like the dress.

-pEaCe, LoVe, KaRmA aNd OlIvEs!

tread softly

Our hard-working olivette and dear, dear friend Krista turned another year older last week, and we threw a surprise party complete with a homemade umbrella, hand-numbered linens tied with picture tags (a collage of family photos), and a even a paper-flower garland (made by her daughter).

The dinner was set in Bev's backyard, and with all her flowers in bloom and the candles lit, we felt inspired to wear light, flowy dresses for the warm evenings to come.

We adore this new line we found - we think you will too! The dress on the left is from an LA designer. She makes all her tops and dresses with feminine cuts and flowing materials. Inspired by French imagery, romantic writings and 16th century Goth designs, this line is classically feminine with a hint of rock-n-roll.

The dress on the right is reconstructed from vintage found fabrics - each dress is unique!

The next two dresses are from a line that was born when the designer began sewing dresses in her sister's garage. The dresses she began selling in her backyard and out of a suitcase have now evolved into a nationwide craze for all who follow her line. The dresses are all simple. classic. feminine while leaving something to the imagination. perfect.

a little wild child

We always say it's better to have more than one opinion in life. With shopgirl's daughter on board in the buying process now, we have a fun, young take on what we already love. It's so nice when you're under 20 and a t-shirt can still be paired with a pleated skirt and a flower in your hair.

Those of us over 20 (or over 40 shhhh) can still enjoy these cheeky shirts paired with jeans, flats, and a great beach tote for summer.

Kiss me...you'll love it top paired with a 100% silk print skirt.

After all, girls really do just wanna have fun - no matter what age!

-pEaCe, LoVe, AnD oLiVeS!

"Sweet Kara-Line"

We definitely agree with this statement, which is why we ordered this celebrated line of individually handcrafted trays and platters that are prized by collectors around the world.

Oprah's O-List, Instyle and House & Garden are just a few of the publications these designs have been featured in. Brought all the way from Oyster Bay, New York right into our happy shop.

Moms love a great saying for Mother's Day!

Waves on the ocean, a summer breeze, and fresh laundry hanging out to dry are just a few things we think of when wearing this gorgeous top from a line that is a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow.

She picked this jumpsuit as a 2009 must-have for your wardrobe.

Also in, the long-awaited Kara-line collection! For those of you who have waited months for this collection, it is finally here! For those of you who don't know the line, you will fall in love.

This line truly embodies "handmade" with vintage found fabrics that change every month. Each dress is handsketched and brought to life with the different fabrics - no designs or fabrics are ever repeated! As a retailer, we never even know what is coming! It's like opening presents each time we receive a package from her! The dresses are named after Kara's girlfriends - each dress comes with a name but not a size. Come find your one-of-a-kind frock today!

After you twirled around in your special flowy frock, take comfort in soft cotton tees with the motto "live with no regrets".

Fun designs include peace signs, crosses, even longhorns!

Also grab her satchel and get to where you need to go! Great diaper bag, mom bag, school bag or everyday bag!

-pEaCe, LoVe, AnD eXtRa OlIvEs!