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Manhattan Boutique in Kirkland.

New shops, new products — fall is getting off to a great start.

EASTSIDE BOUTIQUES

Now there are three more good reasons to cross the bridge:

Manhattan Boutique
Rachelle Richardson's sunny little Euro-style boutique on Lake Boulevard is the newest addition to downtown Kirkland. She's got all the must-have brands for fashionistas, but hers is the kind of boutique where anyone can walk out with something they love. One wall is dedicated to denim, featuring brands such as Joe's Jeans, Chip & Pepper, Salt Works, La Rok and others. A vintage wardrobe holds silky, sexy cocktail dresses in pastels, prints and jewel tones. Against walls painted a buttery yellow, racks are filled with independent designer clothing such as Michelle Decourcy's must-have silk brocade jackets in rich colors, Milly velvet ruffle jackets and feminine dresses, Catherine Malandrino designs, Tracy Reese skirts, tea dresses, and tops, and Trunk Ltd. vintage rock and roll T's. There's also a selection of jewelry by local designer Willow LeTellier and beaded scarves and embellished belts by Chan Luu.

Prices are in the standard boutique range. Jeans average $168-$188 and more than $200 for embellished styles; knit tops with interesting details can be had for $70; and cocktail dresses by the likes of Bianca Nero, Laundry, Nicole Miller and Tocca range from $170 to $400.

Richardson has also instituted monthly specials and other incentives to visit her new shop (not that you need them!). This month, all Red Engine jeans and corduroy pants are 20 percent off. And, just like your latte punch card at your favorite coffeehouse, she's offering a denim punch card. When you buy five pairs, you'll get the sixth free. Struggling students will be happy to know they'll receive a 10 percent discount when they show a valid ID.

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A velvet jacket, tank and skirt by Lyn-Linn are available at Laura B.

Laura B
There's something subterranean Soho about Laura Morrill's new boutique, which is just off old Main Street in Bellevue. Morrill has a penchant for feminine, sparkly things, and her spacious shop is filled with them. She has everything from casual wear to party dresses and a few select accessories, such as the rhinestone-studded B.B. Simon belts. Among the racks, you'll find lacy Kay Celine tops, great basics with edgy style by Theory, Lyn-Linn burgundy puff-sleeve velvet jackets and 3-J Workshop hand-embroidered blouses from Europe. There are plenty of wardrobe staples (also known as trendy jeans) from David Kahn, Jelessy and Steven Shaul. Of the latter, Morrill assures me it's the "couture jean" of celebrities.

For Morrill it's all about having fun clothes and it shows — romantic sheer skirts, beaded bohemian dresses, funky shrugs and satiny cami tops in unexpected colors are all well represented. She strives to carry brands you won't find elsewhere and that you'll just plain have fun wearing. The aspiring designer even carries a few pieces in her own budding line.

Most prices range from $60 to $500, but special items such as Funky East coats are $1,000.

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Red satin ankle-strap shoes by Mink at Gotta Have Shoes!

Gotta Have Shoes!
Erica Asahan's new shop reminds me of the classic ladies' shoe salons my grandma used to take me to in downtown St. Louis — but in an updated way. It has that same ladylike vibe, a mirrored wall so it looks like there are thousands of purses and shoes, and a big, puffy fringed ottoman in the center so you feel very fancy trying on pointy-toed shoes.

Current stock at Asahan's shop on Main Street in Old Bellevue includes everything from affordable Franco Sarto shoes for under $100 to Mink, an exclusive vegan line handmade in Italy that comes with a sexy little apron (!) and a spendy price tag of $500-$600. She's focusing on brands and lines such as Cindy Says Couture that the competition (aka Nordstrom in the behemoth Bellevue Square looming a few blocks away) doesn't carry. She also has a wide array of handbags, from business-like Lodis leather totes to glittery evening bags. There's a display case loaded with sparkly rhinestone jewelry for adorning ears, necks and wrists. For spring, she's ordered even more upscale designer brands such as Pucci and Givenchy footwear and Isabelle Fiore handbags.

NEW VENUE IN BALLARD

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Red Delicious knitting accessories bags by Emma Marl at Venue.

Diane Macrae just opened Venue, a combination retail shop/artist studio. The creative designer wanted permanent digs for her whimsical line of quality handbags, but also wanted to promote local artists and designers as well. Macrae spent a considerable amount of time planning her shop and it paid off. The result is a very hip bi-level space with retail and artist studios on the lower level, and additional artist space on the upper level. The "Zen-dustrial" interior features minimalist, sleek and peaceful elements including concrete floors, an open staircase and shoji screens so artists have the option of privacy.

Macrae expects to freshen the offerings frequently. Currently she has ceramics, prints, paintings, dimensional art, fused glass, greeting cards and baby items. Some of my favorites are the sterling silver necklaces by Julie Charles that feature elbow macaroni, Charles's mosaic covered "Magic 8-balls" with sassy predictions, hand-painted silk pillows by Diane Kappa, Larry Halvorsen's ceramic vases and mugs, and Glamscience screen-printed organic baby T's jazzed up with pretty glitter.

Classes for artists and clients are in the works, with everything from creating art to marketing it. This upcoming class will be hard to pass up: Chocolate and truffle making on Oct. 26.

LUSH BUTTER CREAMS & JELLIES

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LUSH

Lush's new butter cream is definitely yummy in the shower.

Bath and beauty emporium Lush has made a BIG splash in its new digs at Bellevue Square. The grand opening party attracted 900 Lush lovers, according to busy PR girl Brandi Halls of the Vancouver, B.C-based business. Not only does it seem that everything is nearly edible (or at least looks and smells that way), but it's always quirky and unexpected — solid shampoos and conditioners, shampoo bars, Bio Fresh face and foot masks that require refrigeration, etc. The newest concoctions: Lush butter creams and jellies. The butter creams debut this week and aredisplayed on platters and hand-rolled in flower petals and chocolate. They have a high cocoa butter and botanical oil content and leave skin slippery smooth after the shower. Prices for the butter creams range from $7.25 to $9.95.

The colorful gelatinous jellies will be available in a few weeks. These jiggly creations contain seaweed gel you crush between your fingers, and the blubbery mass can be applied on body as well as hair for foamy fun. I recommend the lemony Lemslip butter cream and the candy scented Sweetie Pie jelly. Jellies will cost from $5.45 to $5.95.

Kathy Schultz is a free-lance writer who lives in Seattle and loves to shop. If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, e-mail her.