Lamar Park Blog

Everyone knows Market is one of the premier boutiques in Corpus, but do you know how Morgane got in to the fashion business?  Or what her favorite trend of all time is?  It’s ok, neither did I, but read on to see what I found out from this gorgeous fashionista!

Morgane (left) and Elizabeth Fieldcamp of Gypsy Collection

Why Lamar Park?
Lamar Park Shopping Center understands great shopping. I love how everyone works hard to keep The Center looking beautiful and to fill it with the best shops Corpus has to offer.

Are you originally from Corpus?
Yep, I am originally from Corpus. I lived in Houston for five years and Los Angeles for two years before I decided to move back home.

How did you get in to the fashion business?
I have always loved fashion.  As early as 4 I was putting outfits together and could distinguish between what matched and what did not.  In college I majored in Art and developed a great creative eye – I knew fashion was my calling.  When I moved back to Corpus I opened a small boutique inside an Art Gallery and after six months it was doing well, so a good friend and I decided to get our own space.  We opened Market in March 2006 and the rest is history!

Who are your top 3 style icons?
Lucia Moreira Salles, Edie Sedgwick, Coco Chanel

Who rocks your favorite celebrity style?
I love people who take fashion risks – playing it safe with fashion is so boring. Fashion is an art and I appreciate people who treat it as such.  Ashley Olsen, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Chloe Sevigny are a few celebs who think outside the box!

What is the best fashion advice you’ve ever received or heard?
Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. -Coco Chanel

Your favorite trend of all time?
Bohemian Hippie Chic

What was your very own fashion faux pas?
Wearing clothes that aren’t flattering for my body type but loving them or the style so much I have to do it anyway  (me too, sister, me too.)

The worst fashion faux pas you’ve ever witnessed?
Oh there is so many I have seen lately! I don’t want to be rude. LOL.

What are your 3 favorite pieces at Market right now?
Oh, there are so many I love right now! Here are three of my faves!
1. The Wendy Kaitlen dress with multi colored skirt
2. The white Cover tunic with black trim
3. The navy Zoa tunic with Gypsy Collection accessories

Describe the perfect summer BBQ / Pool / Party outfit:
This black strapless dress by Indah would be great to wear to an outdoor Party! It’s lightweight, cute, and oh so comfortable.
Another great summer party look is our yellow strapless Wendy Kaitlen dress with the Gerard Yosca blue bib necklace and matching bracelet.
I am also in love with the long ruffle skirts by Indah. They are perfect for an outdoor party or to throw on over your bikini for a summer pool party.

Well, you heard it straight from the source, folks!  I am posting early for a reason this week – get your bums over to Market for a cute Memorial Day Weekend outfit!  You have NO EXCUSES now!  Even better?  Mention this blog and receive 15% off all new merchandise (excludes Gypsy Collection), WOO!  You’re welcome, my devoted readers ! Feliz Memorial Day Weekend!

What are your daily duties?
We are always working hard to ensure exciting new merchandise is coming in to the store, so there is a great need to stay in touch with both our customers and sales reps. And who could forget the internet? There aren’t enough hours in the day!

How did you develop the idea for opening Pilar?
Actually, I didn’t open Pilar. Three wonderful ladies had a plan in 1976 to travel to Mexico and bring back pots (ahem, that’s pottery) for both themselves and to sell to friends; the store grew from there and so did the travels. I came onboard twenty years ago and never looked back. 

Are you originally from Corpus?
Yes I am. Great city isn’t it?!

How long have you owned the store?
I purchased Pilar four years ago from my mentor, Ruth Josephs.

What do you love about Lamar Park?
Lamar Park is a friendly, classy shopping center with wonderful merchants. There really is something for everyone here.

What’s the best part about owning Pilar?
I enjoy getting to know our customers and sharing the excitement of our store with them. Every day is a new adventure and a learning experience here at Pilar.

What are your favorite things in stock right now?
Hmm, that’s tough. I just returned from a two-week buying trip in Mexico, and I have to say I am in love with everything I brought home. I did buy a beautiful collection of embroidered dresses and blouses as well as jewelry from designers Federico Jimenez, David Perez and Darla.

Is there anything you would especially like to see in the store?
I am always looking for more Fair Trade products to introduce to our customers.

What do you do on your trips to Mexico?
Smile. A lot! I look for color and excitement in the things I buy. I really enjoy meeting the artists and being invited into their family homes and learning about them and their handwork. Mexican culture is so fascinating; I am always so intrigued by everyone I meet. And the food…Incredible!

Where do you go and how often do you travel?
I travel through Guatemala and Mexico. How often you ask? Not often enough.

Are there any upcoming events or sales at Pilar?
March 8th – Gorky Gonzalez pottery
March 11 – 13 Ayala Bar Jewelry Trunk Show
March 22 – Textiles, woodcarvings, and pottery arrive from Mexico, yay!

Check back for pics from Terry’s recent trip to Oaxaca!

Mamamia!  Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Corpus’ hottest mommy and baby boutique?  Read on to hear what Sarah Graf and Stephanie Graf-Harrison have to say about owning a store and being a sassy, stylin’ Mom with a cutie patootie tot.

How did you two meet?
We are sisters, and we are the older two of four girls.

How did you decide to become business partners?
Stephanie: I opened the store selling maternity clothing in 2006. Sarah: I was helping her out in the store while she was on maternity leave and kept hearing people ask if we were ever planning on carrying children’s clothing. So we came up with the idea of partnering and moving to a larger location to carry maternity, infant and children’s clothing.

What are your daily duties?
We spend our days looking for new brands and products and trying to find as many choices as we can for our customers.

Why maternity/children’s clothing?
There was a real need for both in Corpus. Stephanie: I opened the store when I was 6 weeks pregnant with my daughter, who is now 3. Corpus had a real need for a maternity boutique that carried chic clothing with the mom-to-be in mind. Children’s clothing was an additional need we discovered over time.

Are y’all originally from Corpus?
Sarah: Our family moved to Corpus when I was 18 months old and Stephanie was 4.

What do you love about Lamar Park?
We love that the shopping center feels like a neighborhood. All of the shop owners really work together and support each other. We love how excited everyone in the Center gets before a big event like Lighting of the Park and Le Garage Sale. Plus, all of our favorite stores to shop at are in the Center.

Do you have children of your own?
Stephanie: I have 2 little redheads of my own. James is 6, and Hannah is 3. They are the main reason we started carrying children’s clothing.

Already mini fashionistas in 1985!

What’s the best thing about owning the store?
Our favorite thing has to be when we have a customer who shops for herself during pregnancy and then for her child when they are born. We have a few customers who are now on their second, third and even fourth babies and have shopped with us through each pregnancy. We love seeing those babies grow up and become big brothers and sisters themselves!

What are your favorite mommy/baby trends (current and all time)?
Stephanie: I love how maternity clothes don’t look like they used to. Moms today don’t have to lose their sense of style just because they are pregnant. Also, the diaper bags are amazing! Brands like Petunia Picklebottom and Timi & Leslie have everything you could possible need, from bottle warmers and changing pads to dirty clothing pouches all inside a stylish bag. Sarah: Right now we are loving coordinating outfits for siblings like those from Zutano and Lilly Pulitzer.

What are your favorite things in stock right now?
Stephanie: Belly Bandit, Hooter Hiders and the During & After nursing wear from Japanese Weekend. Sarah: All the new colors of tutus from Oopsy Daisy Baby are so much fun! The Michael Stars MaterniTees looks great on everyone, and I really love all the new patterns from Swankie Blankie.

Best advice for new mothers?
You really can get by with just a few key quality pieces of maternity clothing. But, you can never have enough burp cloths! Also, be sure you make time for yourself, nap while the baby naps and realize that load of laundry can wait.

Worst pregnant fashion faux pas you’ve ever witnessed?
Women who spend those entire 9 months living in their husbands sweat pants and t-shirts. You can and should feel beautiful the whole time!

Anything else you’d like to add?
We love hearing from our customers. If you come across an unique brand or item elsewhere you would like us to carry, please let us know. We love your feedback!

Name: Tiffany Foster

Title: Co-Owner, Goosefeathers

Why Lamar Park?
Well this is obvious – because it is THE shopping destination in Corpus Christi!

Are you originally from Corpus?
I was born in Abilene, TX, but I moved to Corpus Christi with my family when I was 5. I have been here since!

How did you get in to the fashion business?
Like many other teenagers, I began working various retail jobs at 15, and I just fell in love with merchandising and selling clothes. There is no better feeling than sending a happy customer on his or her way with the perfect outfit. After my husband, Ben, and I got married, we decided to open a store together…15 years later, here we are!

Top 3 style icons:
I adore the styles of Rachel Zoe, Trina Turk and Audrey Hepburn. Rachel Zoe has the most amazing ability to make any outfit look to die for (or, “totally bananas”, as she might say)…her knack for pairing items together is inspiring. I can always count on Trina Turk to provide the perfect Spring and Summer dresses – her vibrant prints and textures create the perfect outfit for any occasion. Last, but not least, who couldn’t love Audrey Hepburn’s classic style? She had an air of elegance about her that every girl strives to embody, and no one (and I mean no one) has ever made the Little Black Dress look cooler.

Favorite celebrity style:
I love Eva Mendez’s effortless style. She’s got curves, and she’s not afraid to show them off – who wouldn’t love that? When she wore that white silk Dior dress to the Golden Globes last year, I almost died. And with the vintage Van Cleef turquoise? Oh my! From the red carpet to a night on the town, she always looks flawless, and when Rachel Zoe styles her, no one could look better!

Best fashion advice you’ve ever received or heard:
I live by these words spoken by her fashion majesty, Coco Chanel, “A girl should be two things…classy and fabulous!” Never were truer words spoken!

Favorite trend of all time:
I am completely obsessed with skinny jeans! So many women are terrified to try them, but they really are the most flattering cut on everyone. They completely change the look of an outfit and give you so much versatility. And – Everyone gets to see your adorable shoes! (Insert plug from Cassie: I was terrified to try skinny jeans, but since I bought my first pair 6 months ago, I haven’t even worn my flared jeans!)

Your very own fashion faux pas:
I’m so mortified to admit this, but I wore an electric blue dress to prom circa 1989. But in my defense…it was prom, and it was the 80s!

Worst fashion faux pas you’ve ever witnessed:
Pajamas in public. Come on people, I’m all about comfort, but no one needs to see what you sleep in out on the street!

Top 2 favorite pieces at Goosefeathers right now:
I am just in love with the True Religion boyfriend jeans and our Johnny Was Mexican embroidered shirts. Together they create the perfect laid-back, ready for anything outfit!

Describe the perfect party outfit:
While I love a good cocktail dress, I think a great and very sassy spin on party attire is black sequined leggings and jewel tone silk tops – so pretty, so flattering and best of all, so versatile! You’ll surprise everyone with the unexpected legging sparkle and jewel tones look fabulous on every skin tone. It’s a win-win for sure!

How lucky are we to have one of the premiere jewelry designers in Texas right here in Lamar Park? This year, Peter Barr celebrates his 10-year anniversary, and what a remarkable 10 years it’s been. I was fortunate enough to speak to Peter about his jewelry and what he sees for Peter Barr Designing Jewelers in the future… Read on to find out more!

This is the 10-year anniversary of Peter Barr Designing Jewelers – What were you thinking 10 years ago?
The jewelry I am designing today is a little more of what I want to design. You always hold back a little in the beginning because you worry about whether your work will be liked by other people. Although, participating in design competitions certainly helps to keep you out there on the cutting edge.

What has changed about Peter Barr Designing Jewelers throughout the past 10 years?
Well, we are trying to be greener. Our gold, for example, is recycled and refined gold – nothing is coming from the earth. Also, many of our customers will have us use some of their existing gold pieces to create new ones, so of course, new designs are always evolving.

How did ya’ll (Peter and his wife, Jo) decide to go into the jewelry business?
I have wanted to design and make jewelry since I was 16. It is an art form I love dearly and am very passionate about.

What are your favorite pieces to create?
My favorite pieces to create are rings, followed closely by pendants.

Where does your inspiration come from?
The inspiration just comes. It is a gift, but you have to look and listen for it. It is similar to creating music or writing – we all have it in us, but you have to be quiet to hear and see it.

Where do you see Peter Barr Designing Jewelers 10 years from now?
With today’s technology, what I do is a dying art. So, over the next 10 years, I hope to mentor someone to help keep this art form alive. I would like to give to someone what has been given to me.

Can you tell me a little about the most recent competition you participated in?
In October, I won three design awards from the Texas Jewelers Association – one first place and two second places. They were awarded for design and craftsmanship.

Is there any inside scoop on the anniversary party you can give me?
The scoop is: It’s a Party! Wear your favorite Peter Barr piece and show it off. Carmen Dy from Cuisine to Dy 4 will be here with some tasty treats while we all listen to the international music trio, Mundo. We will have a tent set up outside, so there will be lots of room to mingle and plenty of time to take a look at some of the new designs we have for this season.

Well, you heard it straight from the source – It’s a party! Mark your calendars for Peter Barr Designing Jewelers 10-Year Anniversary Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12th. To all the boyfriends and husbands out there, I hope you’re reading because any Peter Barr piece would be the perfect gift…and Christmas is rapidly approaching!