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Brooklyn Blogger and Boutique
By admins | October 9, 2009
Besides being fashion industry professionals, fierce New York women, and avid shoppers, we have also become big blog readers. So when we found a site that combined all of these traits into one, we were delighted. If you haven’t heard of it you must visit Brook&Lyn.com ASAP! We became fans when Brook&Lyn was just a blog and instantly fell for her innovative personal style and charming blogger voice. But, she didn’t stop there, recently Brook&Lyn expanded to an online boutique, full of fabulous goodies like those pictured above. To get more scoop on how she did it we posed the following questions.
How did you get into fashion blogging? What made you take your site from a blog to a full online store?
The idea of Brook&Lyn boutique started loosely about two years ago. I was working as a graphic designer, but never found it as interesting as fashion. I first wanted to start a local Brooklyn fashion zine called “Brook&Lyn”. A play on words where two girls names made up the word Brooklyn. It was originally suppose to be a two sided zine where culture and fashion would merge. But due to a lack of financial backing, that idea was put on hold. I chose to start a blog as a cheaper alternative. My blog started mostly with shopping recommendations, but like most other blogs, my outfits and DIY projects got the most hits. Naturally its turned into a personal style blog. After months of diligently blogging, I decided to sell on my blog a pair of new Nina Ricci boots that I had bought in the wrong size. It sold within the first hour I posted. Naturally, my head started spinning to see what other items I can possibly start selling. But I wanted to do it right, which meant having an official Boutique site, with the best images and styling I could produce. It took about six months to launch Brook&Lyn Boutique from that point on. As of now Brook&Lyn Boutique is comprised of women’s new, preloved and vintage clothing, jewelry, shoes and more!
How do you choose your merchandise? Tell us a bit about how your shop works?
The boutique is a direct reflection of my evolving personal style. If I can’t see myself wearing it you won’t see it on my site. I’m not a huge trend follower, don’t get me wrong there are always a couple items every season that I fall in love with but there is nothing that’s really “trendy” about my boutique. As I get older I find myself drawn to more and more unusual things that I can really make it my own. People are constantly asking me what kind of style my boutique carries. There is no set style. It’s not a place you go to look for something specific you have in mind. You go on to find yourself surprisingly drawn to something that you couldn’t have even imagine existed.
Also like any average girl I like my bargains. When I find something special at a great price it makes my whole day! This is a side track but when I was a teenager my father use to take me on these massive week shopping sprees (divorce guilt) and at the end of the week I would grow numb to the new items I acquired. If you can buy everything then nothing is special. I don’t expect my customers to buy something every week, but to be able to treat themselves once in a while with something truly unique and not blow hundreds of dollars doing it. I gage my prices with what I would personally consider a good deal. My accountant would be furious to hear this but this is the only way I know how to create something that makes sense to me.
What is in the future for Brook&Lyn.com?
I’m constantly thinking of ways to improve the boutique. Right now I’m working on a small jewelry line that I hope will be ready in a couple of months. From there I would love to create a small women’s clothing collection. I have a ton of clothes I get custom made so this really got my wheels turning. Also I’m in the process of persuading my husband (who constantly says he doesn’t have good enough taste but really does) to collaborate on a men’s line. If all goes well then I would be ready to invite a couple of designers both local and international that I’m a big fan of.
What your favorite new splurge for Fall/Winter?
I’m not sure yet. But I think it might either be a few custom made pants or some crazy too-high-to-walk killer heels.
So make sure to check out Brook&Lyn’s blog as well as her online shop and support a local NYC fashionista.
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Topics: Blogs, shop | 4 Comments » 
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October 9th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Love this! Wish she would open a shop in Park Slope!
Great inspiration for unhappy graphic designers ;-))
October 9th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Wow. Her site looks amazing! I had been on it before, but didn’t realize she had opened a store as well. Great find.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Shout out for BrookLyn!! ha ha!
Lovely site, and I think the Brooklyn Fashion Zine is still a great idea and I would totally read it. Love the idea of an actual store here too, maybe a pop-up shop.
Thanks for featuring this, its so important to support local designers, good luck!
December 13th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Great post, amazing looking blog, added it to my favs!