a better view from work: h&m at cityplace.

it's almost here and downtown west palm beachers will soon rejoice...h&m is a few bolts closer to opening at cityplace.

after working - and shopping -  there every day, hearing the construction and peeking in the doors to see the progress, waiting for h&m to open is like waiting for paint to dry. i feel like a girl whose mom just told her she can get that monster high doll...but not today.

but now with these big, bold and beautiful models staring at me every time i walk past, i can better imagine pretend i'll look like them when i wear the clothes myself. ahh, just another addition to the never-ending hole i'm burning in my wallet from my weekly (sometimes daily) lunch break trips to anthropologie, francesca's, gap and the free people section at macy's.

i heart ny...and h&m

i heart new york, but h&m is my true love of the city (which could be because i haven't been there for longer than 24 hours since i was nine years old, but that's another story).

so obviously i was excited when i arrived in nyc for a conference tuesday, and the girls in my office and i made it to h&m within the last hour of being open. until the gardens mall store opens, living in south florida only gives me a few chances to shop at the cult-like retailer, so i was as happy as a kid in a candy store.

out of everything in the packed three-story shop, i walked out with three military-style pieces, a style i didn't even realize i liked before, and i was still very happy with my choices as i put on my khaki michael jackson-esque top to go to work this morning.

i guess this was all just practice for what's to come at the upcoming opening of the gardens h&m...can't wait, even though i'm sure my bank account can!

cityplace gets fruity: apricot lane now open

cityplace has gotten a little fruity for fashion since new retailer apricot lane opened its largest store to date in its 6,000-square-foot space across from the plaza this week. the shop will hold its grand opening event this weekend, with special discounts throughout the store and complimentary food and beverages for customers all day saturday and sunday.

if you're not familiar with apricot lane, don't worry, you will be soon. it was named one of nine "hottest retailers" in 2008 by the international council of shopping centers (icsc), and one of entrepreneur magazine's top 500 franchises.

the store is filled with edgy and earthy apparel and accessories from miss me couture, pink polka dot, signorelli soul revival, salvage and other up-and-coming designers, as well as shoes from naughty monkey and sergio zelcer, but it's the premium denim lines that have me excited. i'm hoping to shop for a new pair from joe's jeans, 7 for all mankind, dylan george or frankie b. soon.

and guys shouldn't feel left out - besides being the first apricot lane location to carry a full selection of shoes, it's also the first to have a section for men's wear.

from the photos i've seen it looks like a great place to shop for gifts too, which is convenient because i have a few friends' birthdays coming up soon...plus the fringed maxi dresses above have me a little excited too (like i need another one!). i'll check it out next week to give you an update!

* chance to win * apricot lane's apparel debuted as part of the silent auction at cityplace uncorked earlier this month, and now you can enter to win some of the pieces at tomorrow night's sparkle party at blue martini...which should be hot for some and tacky for others, but nonetheless a lot of fun!

update: wellington gets all american

saturday i gave the initial scoop on american apparel coming to the mall at wellington green, but yesterday i actually did my research and found out a little more...

i saw that american apparel will be opening next to delia's - a good match - in the lower level of the nordstrom court. it just says "coming soon" on the storefront, and the mall's web site has no mention of the store's upcoming opening. anyone with any details, please let me know!

until then, get your american apparel fix online, at the town center at boca raton, or if you're in a summer traveling mood, on duval street in key west.

wellington gets all american

in honor of independence day today, i thought i'd let you in on a little local and somewhat patriotic retail gossip. the other night i heard that american apparel is coming to the mall at wellington green. though i haven't read any other news stories about it yet, there are a bunch of job postings - or "open calls" as the company calls them - posted on the aa web site and others for a store in wellington that is "coming soon." no details on the date yet.

though i have been known to boycott the provocative brand in the past (mostly-nude, drugged out looking models in scandalous poses, paired with claims of ceo dov charney holding meetings in the buff - among other worse accusations not to be mentioned here = not the ideal company i'd like to hand over my money to), i actually think adding this is a good move for the wellington mall. the mall i called my own in high school has severely gone down in the past few years and the only reason to go there over cityplace or gardens anymore is the giant forever 21. a hip brand like american apparel will put it back on the style map around palm beach county.

adding the store to the mall mix is good from a fashion sense, but especially on a day like today, i can think of a few other reasons to bring it to the area. the shop known for it's comfy tees and other knits sticks to its name and is 100 percent all-american, with all garments completely created in its downtown la facility. the company also offers workers pay rates above minimum wage, as well as esl classes, company-subsidized lunches and affordable healthcare for employees and families. with pro-america standards (and pro-earth since they do not abuse labor systems in other countries), it's hard not to appreciate american apparel.

so while celebrating the fourth of july today, consider outfitting yourself in red, white or blue from american apparel. here are a few festive options that will make you cause fireworks:

polyester micro-fiber tulip skirt, $28

sheer jersey bandeau dress, $43

nylon spandex micro-mesh long sleeve mini dress, $42

(use as a coverup, or create a bandage-style dress by wrapping white ribbon or thin pieces of fabric around, as seen on mystyle.com. add red shoes and you're ready to go).

piqué cross-front jumper, $38

stear clear of the gold leotards though (or any leotards for that matter). the 80s might be back in style, but there are certain things that should be left in their place at 25 years ago and not brought to the fourth of july picnic.