By Meaghan Casey
Entering Diana James’ Living Swell boutique, customers are transported into another world — a world in which they can almost imagine being whisked out to sea, likely on one of the beautifully captured sailboats or yachts staring back at them from photographer Cory Silken’s work.
Interior designer and Swampscott resident Anita Clark.
By MEAGHAN CASEY
Gingham may be fashion’s go-to print for spring for designers like Prada, House of Holland, Dolce & Gabbana and Carolina Herrera, but it’s a fabric that interior designer Anita Clark has embraced for years.
By MEAGHAN CASEY
All eyes will be turned to Bermuda’s iconic Great Sound this spring for the 35th America’s Cup, where the world’s best sailors will battle for one of the oldest and most prestigious sporting trophies. Racing starts with the qualifiers on May 26 and the top challenger will meet defending champions — OracleTeam USA — in the final match presented by Louis Vuitton, beginning on June 17.
Year after year, “it” colors are hailed as the “new black,” but as trends come and go, one thing remains constant: black is always an in fashion choice. However, too much black, too often, can get a bit drab, especially as nature’s colors begin to emerge with spring’s warmer weather.
Jewelry designer Sandra Gronstra sorts sea glass outside her Swampscott studio.
By STACEY MARCUS
It seems like Sonja Grondstra was destined to be connected to the sea. The Swampscott jewelry designer collects pieces of sea glass from the nearby shores to create stunning handcrafted necklaces, bracelets, rings, pendants, earrings and pins that are featured in more than 60 boutiques throughout the country. Locally, you can find her work at Kats Boutique on Humphrey Street—just a few steps from where she finds her treasures, before transforming them in her Ingalls Terrace studio.
By SANDI GOLDFARB
Each year, scores of savvy shoppers are doing well by doing good at Big Blue Bargains, the thrift shop created to support enrichment activities at Swampscott’s five public schools. Founded in 2012 after two years of planning, Big Blue Bargains has already generated more than $100,000 for age-appropriate performances, panels and programs.
The “no white after Labor Day” rule may be well-known, but it’s also well … very outdated. Trade cottons for cashmere and wool in shades such as ivory, ecru and cream to carry the hue into colder months. And who needs snow? Create your own winter wonderland with these seasonally-appropriate whites we spied at shops around Swampscott.
One of the season’s biggest trends in women’s fashion is simple to spot: Leopard. Whether it’s sprinkled in as a subtle trim or a purr-fectly bold statement piece, leopard print is a sassy classic that makes a comeback every couple of years (just beware of going full-on jungle cat or it can get tacky).
