Spree Boutique and General Eccentric – Kristen David / Katie Blair

Kristen David and Katie Blair
Seriously Fashionable Hautemommas! Not to mention major business savvy!

General Eccentric
www.generaleccentric.com
535 S.Upper – Lexington, KY 40508
1600 Bardstown Road – Louisville, KY 40205

Spree Boutique
www.spreeboutique.com
490 E. High Street – Lexington, KY 40508
1561 Bardstown Road – Louisville, KY 40205

With not one - but two - fabulous places to shop, these hautemommas have plenty of great pieces to choose from.  Read below to find out more about Katie and Kristen – find out their Louisville Haute spots and Derby favorites! 
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Interview with Kristen David:
Favorite Louisville restaurant? 
It is so hard to choose in Louisville!  I have favorites for different meals/moods, but definitely Toast for Brunch and Havana Rumba for Mojitos & Empanadas!

Favorite Louisville bar? 
The bar at Proof or Brendan’s
 
Favorite Louisville hotel?
21C

Cocktail of choice?
Tanqueray and Soda or Bourbon!

Favorite pre-Derby Day event?
Oaks!
 
Going to Oaks / Derby 2008? 
Not sure yet.  I have gotten tickets to the Oaks the past couple of years and that has been a blast!  So, I’m thinking I will have to try to do that again this year. 
 
Who / What will you be wearing? 
Definitely something from Spree or General Eccentric (my other store).  We both carry limited quantities ordering no more than 3-6 of an item so that is a plus.  We also carry a great selection of affordable basic hats, so I always like to get one and then make it my own somehow with an added extra!

Where would you find the perfect Derby hat?
There are some great hat designers here in Louisville that always showcase their hats this time of year.  So I always like to check out the new lines.

Favorite designer?
Chanel is my all time favorite.

Style icon?
Depends on my mood.  There are always the classics like Grace Kelly and modern day I really like to see the red carpet looks of people like Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon and the everyday style of Kate Bosworth.

Top of your wardrobe wish list?
Day dresses in fun prints.  I like classic cuts like a tube dress with a gathered waist or a strappy sun dress with an a-line.

How do you define style? Any style advice?
Confidence!  Whatever you feel great in that gives you the confidence to be yourself and have fun, is what you should wear every day.

What is in your beauty bag? 
I love playing with makup.  I have fair skin so I always use a sunblock and I like bare minerals powder because it’s lightweight and has an spf.  I also like to use Tarte cheek stain or Benefit Dandelion blush. Waterproof black eyeliner is a must too!

What do you love best about owning a clothing boutique? 
Finding new lines for our customers and being able to stock the store with great finds from clothing, to jewelry, to handbags.  I also love the display side of having a store.  Moving fixtures and clothing around to create eye catching displays as well as doing the front windows.  It’s just fun!

Any advice for those wanting to start [create] their own venture? 
Be prepared for the long hours and be dedicated to your customer.  You really have to know them and listen to what they want to guarantee any level of success.
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Interview with Katie Blair
Favorite Louisville restaurant? 
Havana Rumba in St. Matthews thus far, but there are so many fabulous locally owned restaurants I’ve yet to try!

Favorite Louisville bar? 
Brendan’s in St. Matthews

Favorite Louisville hotel?
21C

Cocktail of choice?
I’m more of a beer drinker (Bell’s Oberon or Miller Lite!) but I’ve been known to drink a Kettle One & Sprite on occasion!

Favorite pre-Derby Day event?
Thunder Over Louisville.  I just like going downtown to people-watch!
 
Going to Oaks / Derby 2008? 
TBD, but I’m only going this year if I have actual tickets, standing in the Paddock for 7 hours last year in 5 inch stilettos and not seeing one horse isn’t exactly my idea of Derby fun!
 
Who / What will you be wearing?
Whether I go to Churchill Downs or a friend’s Derby party, I’m sure I will be looking fabulous in something from Spree Boutique!  Spree splits it’s size runs between our Louisville and Lexington stores, so that means there are only two or three of a given style in each city, greatly reducing the likelihood that you cross paths with (gasp!) someone wearing the same thing as you to Derby!  I’m not one for dressing down, so I’m more than happy to throw on a dress whenever possible.

Where would you find the perfect Derby hat?
I would prefer something handmade by a local designer so it’s likely one of a kind.  Several local boutique owners stock their own handmade hats this time of year, so its always fun to see what they’ve created.The owner of Stiletto Boutique on Frankfort Ave made some very classy Derby hats this year.  The wonderful thing is that she made them to match her current stock of Derby shoes and handbags, so she’s taken the scavenger hunt out of coordinating your outfit!

Favorite designer?
My favorite designer I dream of wearing is Zac Posen, but unfortunately I’m on a Jovovich-Hawk for Target type of buget!

Style icon?
I was born in the 80′s, so anytime I get the chance to channel Madonna through dress I jump at the chance.  But I’ve really admire Cate Blanchett and Gwen Stefani.  I think style icon’s are people who dress ahead of the fashion curve, but look natural and effortless doing so.  Their style doesn’t seem forced.  If the “it” Hollywood stylist is dressing you head to toe in stuff from Kitson, you are NOT a style icon!

Top of your wardrobe wish list?
I really crave fabulous vintage finds the most, so I want fun vintage boots to wear with spring dresses, a unique full circle skirt wedding dress with petticoat (if I ever get married!) and little vintage shift dresses in fun, retro prints

How do you define style? Any style advice?
Style to me is wearing what makes you happy.  It isn’t about fitting into a certain mold, or over doing it.  Having a signature style that let’s your personality shine through is my best style advice. 

What is in your beauty bag?
I don’t wear a lot of makeup or use too many beauty products, but I must have my eyelashes curled even if I’m not wearing any other makeup, so my shu uemura eyelash curler travels everywhere I go.  I also use Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer daily because it fights breakouts while moisturizing.

What do you love best about owning a clothing boutique?
I love going to market and hand picking what we’ll be selling in our stores.  It’s my way of directing the flow of fashion.  I also feel warm and fuzzy inside when I’m out and about and I see women wearing items they purchased at our store.

Any advice for those wanting to start [create] their own venture?
I think now more than ever people are striving to shop locally, so its important to have a special niche that sets you apart from corporate chains.  People really appreciate that.