As presented in Refinery 29

It seems counter-intuitive to need your favorite local shops (that you could easily go to) available through online channels, too. Isn’t that what weekends are for? Live-action shopping?! When it’s not the weekend, though, and you begin to miss your favorites, it’s nice to have them no further away than your laptop. Chalk Boutique in Evanston has recently launched an online shop on Taigan, and to celebrate they’re throwing in some added incentive: Shop between now and September 19 and get free two-day shipping! It’s basically the convenience online shopping, the fun of in-person shopping, and the joy of a freebie, all in one. But hurry—this news is sure to spread from Northwestern’s campus down to Soldier Field in no time. Your luxe fashion go-to just went viral.

Read full article: http://www.refinery29.com/the-new-online-shop-that-used-to-require-a-road-trip

“We are defined by who we say no to,” says Elizabeth Nichols, CEO of Taigan, an ecommerce site that hosts some of the most amazing boutiques from around the country–boutiques that might not otherwise be accessible outside of the brick and mortar store. When Taigan, appropriately meaning a breed of Canine from Kyrgyzstan “known for its tenacity to find the best game for its master,” launched in 2009, Nichols estimates that there was a three percent acceptance rate from all of the retailers who reached out to them.

Since then, the offerings on the site have grown to more than 100 vendors in 11 categories–from fine jewelry to cigars. “The small stores needed a big voice,” says Nichols, who draws her experience from 20 years spent developing shopping centers. “If you put one store in the middle of the world wide web it won’t get any more traction than if you build a little store in the middle of a field.” Now with their re-launch–including a newly curated landing page–they also plan on introducing 8-12 stores each month. Though no store makes the page without a rigorous evaluation, from combing through the stock to seeing how they are packaged and shipped. Nichols even physically visits every store and is constantly seeking out new locations on her travels. As she puts it: “We are on a hunt.”

http://www.wmagazine.com/w/blogs/editorsblog/2011/08/08/taigan-ecommerce.htm

As featured in KDHamptons.com

KDH STYLE ALERT!

Famed American fabric designer Quadrille has introduced a chic new women’s apparel and accessory line with their coveted fabrics! Check out their colorful tunics, swimsuits, shift dresses and swim trunks for the guys that Hamptonites will love. If you are already familiar with Quadrille fabrics you won’t be surprised that the prices aren’t exactly inexpensive, but KDH will definitely be hanging poolside in the Navy Nairobi tunic! LOVE!
*Shop the collection at www.TAIGAN.com

http://www.kdhamptons.com/love-quadrille-fabrics-for-your-home-now-you-can-wear-them-on-the-beach/

Life & Culture –> Food & Drink

Bits & Bites: News You Can Eat   THE MEAT – Pigging In

Rancher-butcher Preston Correll raises grass-fed, antibiotic-and-steroid-free cows, pigs and poultry (including eggs) on his Kentucky spreads. We were lucky enough to taste his livestock at a recent dinner party where chef Soa Davies made a divine pâté from the chickens’ livers, killer tacos from the ground beef and mushrooms stuffed with the pork sausage. The cuts came from Correll’s Marksbury Farm Market, a co-op slaughterhouse, processing facility and butcher shop, founded last year by the meat man, his wife and his like-minded collective. Sharpen your knives: As of this week, Marksbury’s juicy pork chops ($5 for each ¾-pound chop), and even a whole hog (from $850, artisan-eviscerated into multiple parts), can be purchased online. taigan.com

—Charlotte Druckman

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903520204576482644061592356.html

F. Correll's livestock - Martin Ramin for The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas Preston

September 2011

New+Next / Market

WEB WATCH                     taigan.com

A unique e-boutique

Less is more when it comes to this online shopping emporium, a collection of carefully chosen high-end shops available at one Web address. House of Lavande vintage jewelry, Ann Koerner Antiques, and Sucre of New Orleans are just a few of the specialty retailers (taigan.com).

THE BEST OF BOUTIQUES

“We are defined by who we say no to,” says Elizabeth Nichols, CEO of Taigan, an ecommerce site that hosts some of the most amazing boutiques from around the country–boutiques that might not otherwise be accessible outside of the brick and mortar store. When Taigan, appropriately meaning a breed of Canine from Kyrgyzstan “known for its tenacity to find the best game for its master,” launched in 2009, Nichols estimates that there was a three percent acceptance rate from all of the retailers who reached out to them.

Since then, the offerings on the site have grown to more than 100 vendors in 11 categories–from fine jewelry to cigars. “The small stores needed a big voice,” says Nichols, who draws her experience from 20 years spent developing shopping centers. “If you put one store in the middle of the world wide web it won’t get any more traction than if you build a little store in the middle of a field.” Now with their re-launch–including a newly curated landing page–they also plan on introducing 8-12 stores each month. Though no store makes the page without a rigorous evaluation, from combing through the stock to seeing how they are packaged and shipped. Nichols even physically visits every store and is constantly seeking out new locations on her travels. As she puts it: “We are on a hunt.”

http://www.wmagazine.com/w/blogs/editorsblog/2011/08/08/taigan-ecommerce.htm#ixzz1UTYZmHTp

City Chic New Orleans: The Best Spots for Your Weekend Getaway

Planning a trip this summer? We turned to our Rolodex of fashion insiders to give you tips on their cities’ high points. Stay tuned for a new destination each week.

The expert: Mimi Bowen, owner and buyer of Mimi.

What is your favorite part about living in NOLA? The amazing cultural opportunities and diversity, and believe it or not, the weather! Hot and humid is great for the skin (stay out of sun, of course!) or carry the quintessential parasol!

In your opinion, who are your city’s most stylish inhabitants? The Mardi Gras Indians, Olivia Manning, Julia Reed and my daughter, CeCe… Not necessarily in that order!

What are the essential places to go if you only have a weekend to visit? Tipitina’s for music, the whole French Quarter for the heartbeat of New Orleans, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the National World War II Museum for culture, Mother’s Restaurant for the best PoBoy sandwiches and Felix’s for the best raw oysters… Don’t leave N.O. without trying them!

Besides your own store, what are your favorite shopping spots? mac Maison for the most fab antiques, Hazelnut for amazing gifts and just about any little shop on Magazine Street — the most interesting shopping street in America!

What’s your favorite place to go for a quiet meal? A boisterous one? Quiet: Gautreau’s on Soniat Street, an uptown hideaway in a stylish, but unpretentious setting. One of New Orleans’ best kept secrets! Boisterous: Galatoire’s, a New Orleans institution. And if they know it’s your birthday, beware — the WHOLE restaurant will sing “Happy Birthday” to you, led by one of their great waitstaff!

What’s one thing you can only get in New Orleans? Mardi Gras

What is your favorite historical site? Lakefront Airport — an Art Deco gem that has just been redone after Katrina!

Where can you find the best…

Burger: La Petite Grocery. And don’t miss the truffle fries — to die for!

Cocktail: Cure. Imagine your own cocktail or let them entice you into something you never dreamed of!

Vintage clothes/Flea market: The French Market in the Quarter. You’ll never see the same thing twice!

Haircut/color/blowout: Jesse de Leon at the salon at Mimi. He’s a master of cut and color, an addiction that is impossible to break!

All-night dance party: F & M Patio Bar. Nothing like it on earth and the clientele runs the gamut from debs to truck drivers. Another example of the cultural diversity of N.O…

Outdoor activity Any activity at the Audubon Zoo and Park.

Spa treatment: The new Guerlain Spa at the newly refurbished Roosevelt Hotel… Not to miss!

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/bazaar-blog/weekend-getaways-new-orleans-062811?src=soc_fcbk

SLAVES TO FASHION | Daily Style Blog

Our Latest Online Shopping Obsession: Taigan.com

Have you ever traveled to a city and discovered a local boutique or shop that was so good you wished you could shop it online after you headed back home? Well, that may just be possible with shopping site Taigan.com. Get the lowdown and find out why we’re officially obsessed, after the jump!

Originally launched in 2009, Taigan is an online aggregator of the country’s best local boutiques; offering everything from men’s and women’s fashion to food and wine, home decor, antiques, and jewelry.

Shopping the site is fairly easy with the option to shop by category (i.e. apparel, food, health & beauty) or by boutique (easy for seeing if your local fave is present). Once you click on a shop, you’re given a quick rundown of its physical location(s) and contact info, and a “shop now” button that allows you to (you guessed it) start shopping the store’s goodies.

So what are our faves? My personal pick is 100% Capri, a store that I couldn’t get enough of on my honeymoon when I visited the island; now, looking through its e-store is like taking a mini-vacation! Other faves of mine include L.A. boutique Beige, and Miami store Curve Soleil—true STF haunts!

Ok ladies, take a peek around the site and tell us which boutiques are your faves. Is your favorite local store featured? Would you use Taigan to score one-of-a-kind finds?
Source: http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2011/06/our-latest-online-shopping-obs.html#ixzz1PM7QWOba

Blackberry Breakfast Collection from Blackberry Farm
For George Gustines, managing editor, Father’s Day celebrations involve food and the entire family. “A tradition our family has had in celebrating Mother’s or Father’s Day is for the five offspring — and assorted nieces and nephews — to take the appropriate parent out for breakfast,” Gustines says. “This year, my sister suggested a pot luck in Central Park. It was a hit with everyone: great scenery, wonderful weather and everyone pitched in with a dish. The Blackberry Breakfast collection would help us continue this new way of honoring our parents. Plus, I admit, I’m a sucker for apple butter.” Who doesn’t love a good breakfast?

Blackberry Farm Breakfast Collection, $95. Go to Taigan.com. Beall and Thomas Photography

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/fathers-day-gift-guide-part-2/?scp=4&sq=blackberry%20farm&st=Search