Couture: Spotlight on Whatcom County Boutiques

One of my favorite day trip destinations is Bellingham. This Whatcom County city is as picturesque and quaint as can be. From the local restaurants and coffee shops to the many city parks and trails, there is much to do during a day in Bellingham. Ever the shopping enthusiast, one of my favorite ways to spend a day in the North Sound is to visit my favorite boutiques where I'm sure to find fashion inspo and coveted pieces that I can't find in Seattle.

Sojourn
Sojourn is one of those shops that truly reflects its environment. The vibe of the store is free-spirited, boho chic. Owner Peggy curates a selection of in season, wearable pieces, offering a little something for every occasion and every age. You can find basics like jeans, tees, and sweaters, while also finding of-the-moment pieces like jumpsuits with cut out details and denim jackets in this season's ultra-in color: yellow. The prices at Sojourn are reasonable, and you can almost find pieces on sale. The rustic exposed brick, clever displays, and refabbed mirrors and chalkboards give Sojourn a bit of an antique feel. As I found the perfect jumpsuit with palm trees and monkeys, yep, I said it... monkeys, Bob Marley tunes wafted through the dressing room. A special thanks to Greer who was super friendly and equally helpful on our recent Saturday visit.

Here's a link to two previous posts on Sojourn: One and Two.







Loved this easy deep V backed Free People dress. With a colorful bra underneath and a pair of espadrilles, this is the perfect day dress for summer.



Betty Be Good
I am late to the party in discovering Betty Be Good. Launched in 2012 by owner Suzanne, Betty Be Good is for the cost-conscious shopper and features hand picked boutique styles for $60 and under. In addition to being friendly to your pocketbook, Betty Be Good donates 2% of gross sales to the survivors of human trafficking, so you can feel good about getting a whole new wardrobe at a fraction of the price, all while giving back. Betty Be Good has two locations, Bakerview in Bellingham, and Birch Bay Square in Blaine, the latter of which I visited last weekend. 

Betty Be Good is the perfect place to take some fashion risks. Because of the incredibly fair price point of each item, you can try the latest trend without breaking the bank. Because who wants to spend a fortune on something that might only be in for a brief moment? Check out this cute fruit stripes gum inspired romper I snapped up! 

I loved the feminine feel of the clothing and space, and the store was organized by color/pattern which made it easy to see how pieces would mix and match in your wardrobe. A special shout out to Jasmine, the super cute salesgirl/model, who was attentive and welcoming during my recent visit.










Bellingham Farmer's Market
The Bellingham Farmer's Market is located at the end of Railroad Avenue and is open every Saturday April through late December. You can find a variety of farm stands boasting the season's bounty, such as this weekend's abundance of asparagus, rhubarb, and many late spring blooms, as well as craft beer and cider breweries, food stands, and artisan tables. One of my favorites, Sown, features fine leather accessories that are handmade by Bellingham desiner and artist Shelby Sneva. I love the leather cuffs and layered earrings, each of which is accented with metallic paint to make the color pop. Sneva prices her Sown pieces reasonably, especially considering the high craftsmanship of the pieces. Be sure to stop by Gathered Confections on your way through the market. Their vegan salted chocolate chunk peanut butter cookie was divine.

Sown handmade leather jewelry and leather goods






Giant radishes from a local farmstand






Craft cider from a local ciderhouse

Baked goods from Gathered Confections.