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In August of 2013, when the high end women's clothing retailer Anthropologie announced on Twitter, they were coming to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Twitter user Alyse Neal responded with a request:  "@Anthropologie next stop... Spokane, WA! #pleeeeease???"

A year and a half later, it looks like Neal's about to get her wish. 

A lot of speculation has floated around about the Cowles company plans for several of their downtown properties, with Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie leading the speculation. Yesterday, a permit was issued for tenant improvements (TI) to the Mobius Science Center space in order to do demolition work for a job called "TI for Anthropologie,"

That's about as close as we're going to get until Official Press Releases are issued. 

Anthropologie is a yard stick by which other boutiques are measured by.  In 2010, we praised Lolo Boutique in our Best Of issue by saying "Lolo has all the taste and artsy flair of ultra-trendy Anthropologie, minus the elitist attitude and exorbitant price tags."

In an era over-saturated with inexpensive costume jewelry from stores like Forever 21, Claire’s, Icing and Charming Charlie, it’s easy to think the art of local jewelry making is all but extinct.

This week, we delved into the Spokane fashion scene to prove that stylish jewelry is made and can still be purchased locally. Here are a few local artists you should check out. Of course, these are only a sample of the many local jewelry makers.

1. Finders Keepers II

Nestled in a cozy office behind the front desk, Rebecka Anderson — artist, crochet master and Finders Keepers jeweler — can be found constantly dreaming up and crafting new creations.

Known as Artesian Fox, Anderson is refreshingly enthusiastic about her art, trendy jewelry pieces and quirky pet squirrel, Earl Grey.

From a young age she was crafty. Growing up, she and her grandmother would get together every Sunday and work on a new project whether it was painting, crocheting or jewelry making.

“I obviously couldn’t decide which one is my favorite because I still do them all,” Anderson says

Anderson specializes in wire weaving, an intricate art form that involves bending wire into unique artistic designs like swirls, flowers or lines. From earrings to bracelets to necklaces, she makes it all.

Her jewelry prices range anywhere from $5 to $200, depending on the intricacy of the pieces (see pictures below for pricing examples).

She is also available to do jewelry repairs and custom orders. Her jewelry can be purchased in Finders Keepers II or you can contact her on her Artesian Fox Facebook page. You can also find Artesian Fox creations at Hopped Up Brewery’s annual event, Hopped Up On Art, Music and Beer, on Sept. 6.

2. Calamity Jane’s Boutique

The first things you experience when you walk into Calamity Jane’s Boutique are the soothing John Mayer-esque ballads, the fresh scents of an always-burning candle, the perfectly aligned racks of stylish clothes, and the large table and hanging fixture filled with modern jewelry designed by Donna Hauck.

Donna Hauck, the grandmother of Calamity Jane’s Boutique owner Sam Grimm, has been in the jewelry making business for three years. Her jewelry line, Repurpose Jewelry, is modern, affordable and stylish.

“Jewelry making is her hobby. She has always been crafty and loves making presents for friends, so she turned this excitement and her ideas into a jewelry business after she retired three years ago,” Grimm says.

The name Repurpose Jewelry comes from the supplies she uses; buttons around the house and new jewels she picks up from the store constantly inspire her. She loves taking beautiful supplies and finding a “repurpose” for them.

Donna Hauck also offers a more personalized shopping experiences, hosting jewelry parties upon request. The parties are similar to Cookie Lee jewelry parties — she sets up her jewelry supply at your venue so that you and your guests can shop and enjoy each other’s company. She also is available to create custom wedding jewelry.

Calamity Jane’s receives new jewelry weekly and prices range from $10 to $40. Donna Hauck can be contacted at dOnnabOb@comcast.net.

3. Mel’s

At its new location in Wandermere, Mel’s is an eclectic boutique carrying a mix of clothing, furniture, giftware and jewelry. Following its spirit of diversity, Mel’s carries a large collection of jewelry ranging from pieces purchased in jewelry markets in Atlanta, Seattle and Vegas to pieces created by local designers here in Spokane.

“We usually find our local designers just by them walking in. If we like their pieces, we sell them in our store,” says Jennifer Griffith, Mel’s sales associate.

Two of their top-selling brands by local designers are Leather Cuffs, by Laurie Hamblen and Mishakaudi “Build-A-Necklace," by Marissa Lewis. Because of their popularity, Mel’s orders more of these brands every two to three weeks. Prices on most local brands range from $5 to $99.

To purchase some of these great local pieces head into Mel’s Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 7 pm and Sunday from, 11 am to 6 pm. For more information, contact Marilyn Brink, Mel’s jewelry buyer, at the store during weekdays. 

With an abundance of trend-focused gyms popping up in the region, it’s evident the latest national fitness trends have made their way here. From CrossFit and hot yoga, to spinning and barre classes, there are so many options to stay in shape. Along with this workout culture comes another type of trend — fitness fashion.

With the presence of high-end (i.e. $80 yoga pants) fitness apparel brands Lululemon and Athleta in downtown Spokane, these stores are also now influencing local trends in fitness fashion that have become popular outside of the gym. But what do active, fashion-conscious people wear if they’re trying to look on-trend while maintaining a budget?

We shopped around the city to prove that it’s possible to find stylish and affordable workout wear. Check out our list of finds below.

1. Target

Target is an obvious destination for affordable clothing, and it always carries essential staples for any workout wardrobe. Target’s athletic clothing line, C9 by Champion  is made by the acclaimed exercise brand Champion. This means the clothing is well made and trendy enough to rival other high-end athletic brands without breaking the bank. The brand’s fitness clothing can be found in store or online, and prices max out at about $40. For additional discounts and coupons at Target consider downloading their mobile coupon app, Cartwheel. You never know what daily discounts will be offered.





2. TJ Maxx

This popular bargain chain is constantly circulating new products and top workout brands ranging from Reebok and Adidas to Nike and UnderArmour at up to 60 percent off. Also, a summer sale is currently running both in stores and online, with merchandise at up to 75 percent off. TJ Maxx is also new to the online world, launching its shopping website last year for those customers who hate the hassle of digging through disorganized racks.



3. Plato’s Closet

The next (and sort of unlikely) destination was Plato’s Closet. For most of the year, Plato’s Closet is a fabulous place to sell and find gently-used clothing by popular youth-oriented brands such as American Eagle, Hollister and Express. During the summer months, though, the store switches things up and accepts more active wear. The franchise's store on North Division has an athletic clothing display right now with brands like Nike, Adidas and Danskin. Prices range from $10-$15.


4. Costco

When you think of Costco, most shoppers probably think of food and free samples. But in the middle of the store Costco is always displaying many top workout-wear brands. Tanks, jackets, pants, sports bras, shorts and socks of brands like Nike, Puma and Reebok can often be found. Costco also has its own Kirkland brand of trendy exercise apparel. With Costco, you never know what you'll find when you stop in since its stores are always bringing in new brands. When we stopped by, Costco had Puma workout wear for men and women.


5. Northwest Christian Thrift

Last, we decided to challenge ourselves and see if it’s possible to find trendy workout wear at local thrift stores. Surprisingly, after a bit of digging, we found that it is. Northwest Christian Thrift on North Ash at Five Mile has an entire rack dedicated to workout wear. Even though most of it screams 80’s, with a little bit of perseverance you can find a few pieces, with prices ranging from $1-$3 per item. Northwest Christian Thrift also offers 15% off student discounts on Wednesdays.


While our shopping trip offers several examples of affordable workout wear, you can find reasonably-priced exercise clothing just about anywhere, especially when keeping an eye out for sales. Other retailers with great workout apparel lines include Gap and Old Navy, Athleta’s sister brands. Also check department stores, like JC Penny. By signing up for higher-end store's email lists, it's also easy to find coupons and updates about online and in-store promotions.

Also watch for discounted summer workout wear, as many stores are already starting to clear out merchandise to make way for fall clothing. 

In our fashion issue earlier this summer, we highlighted a some of Spokane’s talented clothing designers who all happen to design for women. So we thought we’d do a follow up for all of you fashion-savvy men — you have not been forgotten.

When you think of men’s summer fashion your mind might drift to thoughts of traditional jean shorts, bro-tanks or simple cotton T-shirts. Although some men rock these looks, we want to open your eyes to the variety of summer trends available for men to switch up or enhance your look.

We created our list of six trends based off of what we notice local men are wearing (see our six prominent summer trend picks for women here), check 'em out below.

1. Boat shoes

Boat shoes are a summer staple in men’s fashion, they are breezy and act as the middle ground shoe between sandals and tennis shoes. Sperry has created a new addition for their men’s line you might want to check out. The new line is called “Cloud Logo.” On the bottom of these shoes “Sperry TopSider” is creatively written and indented in the shoes so that when you walk in the sand your shoes imprint this pattern. The “Cloud Logo” shoes come in flip flops, tennis shoe style, traditional topsiders and new mesh topsiders. You can wear them with shorts, pants or even swimsuits.


2. Colored laces

Colored shoelaces might sound a bit crazy, but you should give them a try. Stores are starting to sell Oxford style shoes with different colored laces. But if you want to ease your way into this trend, try switching out the laces on your favorite pair of shoes for a colored pair that matches or even clashes with your outfit to create a subtle statement.

3. Statement sunglasses

Sunglasses are an easy way to make an impact on your look. A few contemporary styles are the aviator and Ray-Ban looks. Though these styles have remained classic for years, men are revamping the look this summer by purchasing these traditional frames with colored lenses.  Whether they are light blue, forest green or even mirrored, this simple switch adds a fresh perspective to these popular styles. These can be found at most stores for reasonable prices and worn with any look from swimsuits and flipflops to dress suits.

4. Colored pants and shorts

Solid colored pants and shorts are making a huge appearance this summer. Whether you choose red, blue, green or even salmon, these solid colored wardrobe pieces provide an easy way to bring personality to any outfit.


5. Summer suits

“Summer suits” does not necessarily mean you should wear traditional suits during the summer. It means you should break up the suit pieces you already own and wear them with outfits you normally wouldn’t. For example, try wearing your suit jacket with a light dress shirt and a pair of shorts and boat shoes. Or sport a pair of linen suit pants with dress shoes and a dress shirt. Summer is all about feeling light and breezy, and this look achieves that.

6. Tiffany blue colored clothing and accents

Tiffany blue is trending in both men and women’s fashion. It is the color of summer because it is bright, clean and reminds people of the ocean. Clothing pieces ranging from tennis shoes to T-shirts are starting to incorporate Tiffany blue accents. One way you can incorporate this accent color or others into your wardrobe is by purchasing T-shirts with pockets on the front. Most pockets incorporate patterns or accent colors.


Although there is not the same availability for men’s fashion to be found locally at boutiques or fashion trucks, this does not mean that men’s fashion is underrated.

As you continue to soak up the sunshine of summer, keep these trends in mind and remember to re-invigorate your personal style through subtle changes. As designer Ralph Lauren once said, “Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about something else that comes from within you.”

When Hoopfest rolls around each June, there are always two types of “Hoopfesters”—the players and the fans. This year we thought we would offer a different perspective by focusing on Hoopfest street style.

Traditionally, Hoopfest teams of three try to bring their A-game in three categories: athletic skill, team unity and costume. But as the tournament continually grows and changes, so does the costume aspect of the team trifecta.

For the 25th anniversary of Hoopfest, both players and fans were on point with their street style. Most teams went with the sporty versus costume look. There was an abundance of Nike, Under Armour and Adidas apparel.

The overarching trends worn by fans were aviator sunglasses, Strideline socks, as mentioned last week, and summer festival attire similar to Coachella and Lollapalooza. You might even say this year’s street style could be referred to as “Hoopchella.”

Editor's Note: Keep checking back for Spokane fashion watch blogs all summer.

Socks, yes socks, are currently dominating the fashion world. From Rob Kardashian’s sock line, Arthur George, to the eclectic LittleMissMatched stores, these two-feet wonders are helping athletes, business professionals and everyday fashion connoisseurs create a personal statement. However, a Pacific Northwest company, Strideline Socks, is helping bring the national trend right here to Spokane.

With Hoopfest around the corner, we thought we should focus on the fashion sock trend. Each year, Hoopfest teams pre-game the tournament by trying to outwit each other with the most creative names and costumes — this year even with socks.

An innovative Seattle company, Strideline Socks, has made an appearance in the Spokane area. The noteworthy Strideline City Socks line features mid-calf socks colorfully embroidered with major city skylines. Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle and even Spokane are some of the cities featured in this line.

These socks made their way out here because of Spokane native Sam Talkington. He connected with the Strideline Socks co-founders Jake Director and Riley Goodman while attending the University of Washington.

“After I saw the sock line I knew it would be perfect for Spokane,” Talkington says. “I had to do a lot of fighting, pushing and advocating to get these socks created. Spokane has such a sports culture and I knew the people here would be receptive to the brand. It has been a huge success so far.”

Strideline-Spokane is doing a #Hoopfest25 giveaway and your team could win four pairs of socks. To enter this contest, “like” the Strideline-Spokane Facebook page, share the #Hoopfest25 giveaway post and leave a comment with the name of your team. The contest ends June 23.

Strideline-Spokane socks can be found at Kimmel, Sports Town and will soon be carried at the EWU and WSU downtown bookstores. They can also be found at major Spokane events including Bloomsday and Hoopfest — they’ll have a booth in River Park Square. The cost per pair of socks is $13.95.

Sephora, the latest big chain to stake out a spot in Spokane, opens tomorrow at River Park Square. The makeup-and-beauty giant already has a presence at local malls, but this is the first full store in the area. The store is located on the second level, where part of the Abercrombie & Fitch store used to be.

Sephora stores carry more than a hundred brands, as well as the Sephora label, for wall-to-wall lipstick, blush, nail polish and more. Name a color visible to the human eye, and they’ve got the matching eyeshadow. (Recently they’ve been promoting a Disney Jasmine Collection with 15 shades of eyeshadow pulled directly from scenes in the 1992 movie Aladdin. Rumor has it the Little Mermaid-inspired set is coming this fall.)

Doors will open at 10 am. It’s hard to know whether there will be a line of eagerly waiting customers, but Spokane has a history of giving chain stores an enthusiastic welcome.

People went crazy for the grand opening of H&M last fall, and camped overnight for the opening of Trader Joe’s, too. Chipotle opened in north Spokane last year after fans demanded it on Facebook. In 2011, hundreds of people lined up for the opening of the Apple Store.

Why does Spokane love its big chain stores so much? In 20 years of Best of the Inland Northwest results, readers frequently picked new national arrivals for the year’s Best New Business: Restoration Hardware in 2001, Old Navy in 2002, Cabela’s in 2008, Trader Joe’s in 2012.

Here at The Inlander we try to encourage shopping local, but it’s impossible to deny that bigger chains make us feel like a bigger city. Even if you don’t really want chain stores here, you want chain stores to want to be here. And businesses that employ people are always better than empty storefronts.

Later this year, we’ve got Buffalo Wild Wings coming to the Valley. But what some Spokanites really want, though, is a Whole Foods and an IKEA.

When it comes to shopping local, two locations are the first to pop into the heads of Spokanites — the Monroe and Garland districts.

On Monroe, you’ll find the stores from purchasing-past. While many people love getting ahold of a classic flapper dress or the most awesome ’70s puke-green sofa, the store that provides the perfect preservation of time is 4000 Holes. Selling records of the best genres, this little store has been a staple around the neighborhood for ages.

But iPods and mp3 players and smartphones have led to the decline in sells at 4000 Holes. It's been apparent this Spokane landmark needs a little help.

A bit north of 4000 Holes, you’ll find the Garland District. At the heart of the block is Mark’s Guitar Shop. For years this business has allowed musicians to thrive. Everybody loves Mark’s. But the harsh winter caused a slow economy at the store. Something needs to help them get out of the slump.

That’s where Spokane Cash Mob comes in. Less secretive and choreographed than other trendy mobs, this type is all about shopping. Coming off of the success at Glamarita last year that brought in $8,000, the folks behind SCM are hoping to make this music mob the biggest cash mob in the country. Both targeted businesses were nominated last fall.

Here's how it works:  

Promoters ask people to head out to these shops on March 23 — that's today — between the hours of 1 pm and 4 pm.

No dance skills are required. Instead, spend $20 at either 4000 Holes or Mark’s Guitar Shop, and get admission to an after-mob party for buying locally.

"Two of our beloved Spokane Music icons are experiencing financial difficulties and are in danger of closing," event organizers wrote in an email to supporters. "YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!"

Check out 4000 Holes at 1610 N. Monroe and Mark’s Guitar Shop at 918 W. Garland and help them stay in business. 

The holiday season is over but that doesn't mean you have to stop giving. Or receiving, for that matter. Besides, it's getting, chillier which means your skin is probably getting dry and scratchy. Why not treat yourself with some inexpensive spa treatments and help the YWCA's fight to end domestic violence at the same time?

This weekend the Health and Beauty Spa Show hits the Spokane Community Community College Lair with 90 booths and over 20 sample treatments including massages, skin care, airbrush tanning, brow waxing, mini facials, anti-aging treatments, laser, manicures, mini makeovers and a whole lot more. $5 single sample spa treatments will also be available.

Make sure you keep your entry ticket if you'd like to purchase spa treatments inside. And if you don't get enough fabulousity on Saturday, go ahead and come back on Sunday; the hand stamp you'll get when you first enter the show is good for both days.

The Health and Beauty Show will be in the Spokane Community College Lair, located at 1810 N. Greene St., from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is $7; $5 with the donation of any non-perishable food or hygiene item to the YWCA shelter. Visit healthbeautyshow.com for more information.

Well we'd heard about it and heard about it and reported on it (then other people reported on it), but the buzz around the Apple Store in downtown Spokane has a glassy finality to it. On the plywood facade erected around the old Eddie Bauer location (710 W. Main Ave.), the computer and lifestyle corporation has finally branded itself.

No official date has been set for the launch.

Several friends and acquaintances of The Inlander have been interviewed for positions at the new store, which is a good sign, though a peep in an open door last week showed an interior that was still really rough.

Given the company's mostly impeccable control of buzz and consumer demand of its products (love the iPhone/iPad/iPod or hate them, Apple is invariably seen as the company to beat in smartphones/tablets/mp3 players), we're going to wager a guess that the Apple Store will be open in time for Black Friday. 

Anyone gotten hired there yet? Email me at luke[at]inlander[dot]com.