SoBo Loft Boutique and Gifts is hosting a grand opening celebration this weekend — and if you love to shop, you'll not want to miss out. The sheer amount of merchandise they have on deck, from gifts to jewelry to stationary and more, is enough to keep you perusing for hours on end. And that's probably why I have been putting off checking it out myself — I have no self-control.

Side note: CLT Blog has an awesome promo video of Sobo Loft up on their site. Check it out here.

Fighting breast cancer with home décor has to be one of the best ideas. Ever. And on Oct. 6-8, Cottage Chic, an eclectic home décor and clothing boutique, will show its support of Carolina Breast Friends, an organization for the awareness of Breast Cancer, by donating 10 percent of each item you purchase to their cause. It’s a beautiful thing.

Finally! You can all of a sudden justify buying that furry house robe that makes you look like a polar bear and feel like royalty. And to think, it’s all for a phenomenal cause.

Grab your girls, or your patient husband, and stop by for some eye candy because Cottage Chic will pull out all of the stops in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to exploring the establishment, whose architecture accurately reflects its namesake, you’ll also have a chance to look at some oil paintings by local artist Gaye Law. Speak with the artist in person on Friday from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nothing goes better with shopping for a great cause than some wine to cool your spirits. In addition to the art, this too will be complimentary. Law will also donate 10 percent of each work sold to Carolina Breast Friends and, on Saturday, a drawing will reveal the lucky customer to win one of her paintings.

Cottage Chic is located at 1232 East Blvd.

Social status is a state of mind, but looking the part just got easier. A new clothing and sneaker boutique, donning the name Social Status, will open its doors on Sept. 29 and introduce a new kind of shopping experience to the Charlotte area.

Plaza Midwood's new boutique will specialize in hard-to-find sneakers and feature streetwear by its store’s namesake, Social Status. Big-name brands like Nike, Adidas and Jordan will make appearances but for the die-hard fashion followers, there are also brands like Billionaires Boys Club, G-Star and Diamond Supply. While there are easily dozens of boutiques in the Charlotte area, there’s something particularly special about what this one has to offer.

“We make sure we’re ahead of the business,” says James Whitner, owner of Social Status. The store will feature tightly distributed sneakers that are sure to impress even the most fashion-forward sneaker enthusiast.

The inspiration for Social Status originated from Whitner’s desire for Charlotte “to have something fresh.” When it comes to the local fashion industry, “this will add a modern twist” he says.

Social Status was born two years ago as a denim brand that produced high-quality 5-pocket jeans but evolved into a larger platform for individualization and self-expression. Now, collaborations with leading fashion designers in the shoe game will help take the boutique’s streetwear and sneakers to a whole other level. “Any boutique is made by the people. Anything new and fresh is Social Status,” says Whitner, who describes the new boutique as having an “attention to detail that creates a unique customer experience.”

With over 20 brands in stock and prices points starting at $5, following the store’s mantra is pretty attainable. Social Status will be located at 1519 Central Ave.

Aw. Sad face. Black & Blue, men's and women's boutique in Morrison, is closing next week. Here's the e-mail owner Cheryl Little sent out today.

Dear loyal customers,

Black & Blue was a dream of mine that became a reality in March 2008. I have learned so much over the past 3 ½ years and I would not trade my experience for the world. However, the time has come to say goodbye to Black & Blue. I no longer have the ability to give Black & Blue the time and effort it requires, and with lingering economic uncertainty, continuing my business is not the best decision at this time. I now look forward to an exciting future, taking time to focus on my professional career and more importantly, the upcoming arrival of our baby boy!

I would like to thank all of my employees for their hard work and loyalty. A very special thanks to Christy Ward, the manager of Black & Blue. She has been a very dedicated employee since day one. I value all she has done for me and the store and wish her the absolute very best! Most of all I would like to thank my husband, Sam, for your love and never ending support.

Black & Blue will officially close on Wednesday, 9/14. All customer balances and gift cards will be honored through this date. The entire store will be marked down up to 90% off, and we would love your continued support in our final days of this location.

Thanks again!

Cheryl Little
Black & Blue

We send Cheryl and her team our best wishes!

North Charlotteans rejoice: an Apple store is coming to your neck of the woods. It opens this Saturday, Aug. 27.

Not only is it exciting to have another Apple store opening in Charlotte, but maybe now the store in SouthPark Mall won't be as crowded.

After months of construction and speculation, Apple has said when its new store at Northlake Mall in Charlotte will open: Saturday.

Workers have been building the store on the mall's second level, behind a black barrier with the silver Apple logo. But both the company and the mall remained tight-lipped about the opening day for the $1.7-million project.

Charlotte's first Apple store is in SouthPark mall. Apple also has North Carolina stores in Durham, Raleigh and Greensboro.

Saturday's 10 a.m. opening at Northlake will likely draw a crowd, and store officials have said the first 1,000 shoppers will get a free T-shirt.

Read more here.

Side note: Those of you who have been too stubborn to join AT&T or Verizon, here's your chance to jump on the Apple bandwagon. Sprint is supposed to be getting the iPhone 5 in mid-October.

Hmm. Maybe it's about time I broke down and bought myself an iPad.

This past weekend, another retail store opened up in South End — and I can't wait to check it out.

Sobo Loft Boutique & Gifts opened its doors on Saturday at Dilworth Courts (the same plaza that Pewter Rose and The Liberty are located in).

According to their Facebook:

SoBo LOFT will be a moderate to upscale boutique offering ‘out of the ordinary’ finds to customers on their way to a dinner at The Liberty or to a Bridal Shower at The Pewter Rose …or just out for a ‘Girlie Shopping Spree’ for the day. We want customers to have a total shopping experience by creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

They offer jewelry, handbags, apparel, gifts for babies, newlyweds, artwork, cards and so much more. Here are some photos I snagged from their Facebook page — does it remind you of any other shop in town?

SoBo Loft Boutique & Gifts is located at 1820 South Blvd., Suite 200.
704-333-3422
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

If you haven't picked up this week's issue of Creative Loafing — what are you waiting for?

Yes! Finally! Creative Loafing is covering shopping, fashion, home decor and more on a weekly basis — in print!

It's been a long time coming, but finally, ladies, here's a section you'll want to immediately flip to each week when you pick up the paper.

This week's issue features a story highlighting three local designers who are making big splashes in the worlds of jewelry, interior design and fashion: Laura James of Laura James Jewelry; Emily Clark of Emily A. Clark Interiors; and Tara Davis, with Flow By Tara Davis. Read it here.

Next up, we've launched a new Style Stalker column, where our writers seek out the stylish in the crowds of Charlotte. Davita Dalloway (pictured on the cover) was spotted at Amelie's, and she gives us a play-by-play of her outfit. Read it here.

We've also started another new column, focusing on home decor, called Creative Living. In this weekly space, we'll interview people around Charlotte who have really taken an interest in their home decor, whether it be funky and fresh or traditional and DIY. I interview my good friend Chad McClure, whose love of one-of-a-kind items provoked him to commission a piece of work by local artist Kelly Keith. See the photo of a man's tors0 — the painting, not the guy — here.

And finally, we've transitioned some of what we do here on Klepto, this fabulous blog you're currently reading, to print, with the addition of highlighting an "Item of the Week." Laura James so thoughtfully allowed us to show off one of her leather-wrap charm bracelets, perfect for summertime. Check it out here.

If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited about our new weekly section. So of course, if you have any questions, comments or ideas you'd like to share — or know of someone with the perfect living space to feature in Creative Living – drop me a line at kimberly.lawson@creativeloafing.com.

Are you a fan of reality TV? I certainly am; however, most often the shows I watch are, of course, fashion-related. Shows like Project Runway and the Rachel Zoe Project top my list of favorites.

In fact, Rachel Zoe is a celebrity stylist whose work I've followed and admired for quite some time, so it surprises me not that she would evolve into a fashion designer. And as the "it" stylist of the industry, only she would go right to the top by teaming up with luxury retailer Neiman Marcus.

Facebook fans of the mega retailer were able to get first dibs at the new collection. Starting just a few days ago, on June 28, the race for a chance to win a $2,500 gift card from Neiman's plus a private meeting with "the" Rachel Zoe began. But don't fret, you're not too late to enter. All you have to do is "Like" Neiman Marcus on Facebook to get started. It's such an exciting opportunity for any stylista because in order to enter you must put on your super stylist cape and create your own looks featuring shoes, handbags and apparel from the Rachel Zoe collection. Do I hear your fabulously manicured fingers logging on to Facebook right now? I'm so sure!

If you're one of those folks who's just ready to shop your little hearts out, you'll have to wait just a little while longer. The collection won't hit stores until the fall but guess which one of the 41 Neiman Marcus locations will carry the collection? That's right, you guessed it! Good old NM in SouthPark Mall. So, pull out the credit cards, save your cash and get ready to be styled by looks creatively designed by one of the best.

T. Strong is a TV personality, personal stylist and fashion journalist who contributes commentary on Creative Loafing’s Klepto blog in addition to writing for several other national media organizations. To learn more visit www.StyleMayvin.com or follow “therealtstrong” on Twitter.

Swimming into Southpark Mall this June is a pink whale with a familiar smile.

Vineyard Vines is opening its first retail store in North Carolina here in Charlotte. Among the list of locations including Boston, Memphis, and The Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla., Southpark Mall will welcome the fourteenth free-standing store.

The grand opening celebration will take place 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on June 29. Attendees will enjoy music, food, fashion and fun as well as other goodies from Vineyard Vines, as well as sponsors vitaminwater and Charlotte Magazine.

A portion of the proceeds from sales at the party will benefit the Junior League of Charlotte.

In a press release, Ian Murray CEO and co-founder of vineyard vines said, "We've always had a loyal following in the Charlotte area and are so happy we will now have our very own store making the brand that much more accessible to our Southern customers."

Sold in the store along with the popular and preppy neckwear will be clothing and accessories for women, men and children.

Inside the 3,817 square foot store, creating a focal point around the check-out area will a portion of a fishing boat designed by Jarrett Bay Boatworks. The boat will represent brothers and co-owners Shep and Ian Murray's idea of the "finer places and things life has to offer."

To order clothing and accessories outside of the store call 1-800-892-4982 or visit online at vineyardvines.com.