Great Lakes Boutique carries up-to-the-minute fashion accessories designed to turn heads
By Patricia Nugent
It’s tough to argue with that wisdom. And who would want to after a shopping spree at Great Lakes Boutique in Mentor? They’ve got you covered on the precious little baubles front. Whatever your age or jam—earthy Boho-chic beads, charming charms, glamorous bling-y jewelry or a bevy of chic handbags—the boutique offers unique lines you won’t find in other stores.
The Must-Have Bag for Summer
“One of our hottest new lines is La Chic handbags,” says Angel Mastandrea. “They are flying out of the store.”
The high-definition designs are, in a word, exquisite. Woven with colorful beads for a variety of effects on the rectangular cross-body bags, darling elements include bumble bees, animal prints, leaf motifs and ethnic patterns.
“Since they are only beaded on the facing side, the side that sits against your body doesn’t catch on your clothes,” says Angel. And priced at $30 for the small size and $48 for the medium, there’s no reason why you can’t jazz up your summer wardrobe with a few of these bags.
“Paired with a simple white shirt and jeans, this bag is a game-changer for everything from date nights to everyday,” she says.
La Chic joins another new line, Bed Stu—a natural leather collection out of Los Angeles known for its authentic craftsmanship as well as the Papaya luxe screen-printed bags and totes that are both roomy and artsy.
Vidda Strikes Elegance, Sophistication
“We just brought in Vidda as a higher-end line with close-to-sterling-silver composition, handmade pieces that are made for pairing with each other,” says Angel. “Their credo, ‘Don’t be unseen,’ says it all. The necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings are gorgeous styles, with dazzling coins, cut crystals and a glamorous spirit.”
Summer Jewelry Trendcast: All About the Layers
This summer, Angel reports the top trends are:
- Love that Layering — “Wearing two or three necklaces or bracelets at once, whether they complement one another or contrast, is hot right now.
- Boho Chic — “The hippie looks, keeping things real with earthy and ethnic pieces favoring a colorful Bohemian influence. Eclectic mixes of textures and elements make for a fun and flirty look.”
- Gold Standard — “Move over sterling silver, because gold is having a moment. We’re seeing more gold chains and jewelry, which is nice because it complements more people’s skin tones. People are mixing their metals, too, which is cool.”
The Perfect Mother’s Day Gifts
Why not kidnap your mom and sweep her away to Great Lakes Boutique to customize her own piece of jewelry? The Waxing Poetic line, which is hand-made in Bali, celebrates the journey of life through keepsake charms and pendants. (Hint: don’t miss the Mother Bird Charm necklace or newest release, the Mother of Pearl sunflower bracelet.)
To tug at Mom’s heartstrings, look for the inspirational line My Saint, My Hero bracelets, necklaces and rings. These faith-filled keepsakes bring meaning to your thoughtful gift. They are beautifully presented on an inspirational card she will cherish.
“One of our most-popular lines over the past several years has been Scout Curated Wears,” says Angel. “I literally sell pieces from this line every day. People love it that 10% of their sales go to women’s charities. The new sterling-silver-dipped Moonstone Collection features colorful, stackable bracelets that let you be you.”
Great Lakes Boutique is located within Mentor Corners, at 8920 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. Hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 440-266-8900 or visit GreatLakesBoutique.net for more information.