WELCOME TO: Our Brick + Mortar Shop in Cleveland!

While this post is long overdue (we have been open since November, haha) I wanted to share some info about all things shop in this space. Instagram has been getting the most up to date info and behind the scenes – but this deserves its own post here!

Many of you who have been longtime readers or customers might know that opening a physical space has been a dream of mine for quite some time. I had some plans in motion a few years ago, and then — surprise — 2020 showed up. It was frustrating to pause everything indefinitely (as with everything else in our lives), but I prepared myself to pick it all back up when things stabilized.

As we slowly crawled out of the peak of the pandemic, I still had doubts about what the year ahead could look like, what challenges we might face, and how I could level up my commitment to the business while already wearing so many hats. With the support and encouragement of family, friends, and collaborators, I knew it was worth the chance to see this come to life and time to say YES, LET’S DO IT!

Located in the Hingetown neighborhood in Ohio City, we’re in a highly walkable, densely populated area – full of great places to eat and drink, lively patios, and the cutest neighborhood dogs! Because of that, our shop is dog friendly – so if you stop in, be sure to bring your furry friend up to the counter for a cookie (or two). We’re located next to Him & His, another new shop full of stylish decor, vintage pieces, and home accessories. Our shops are connected with an interior entrance, too, so you can shop freely between our spaces!

We are excited to offer FREE in-store pickup of your local orders – simply shop online as usual, and select the pickup option at checkout.

When you stop in, free street parking is available in the neighborhood – usually we have spots open on Detroit Ave. or nearby on W.29th or Church Ave. There are also paid parking options at the Transformer Station and in the Church + State parking garage.

If you haven’t visited yet, I hope to see you soon! We’ve been adding more new arrivals and partner brands to the shop every few weeks, so stay tuned to our social channels for the latest product launches. I can’t wait to enjoy all of the seasons in the shop in the year ahead. We wouldn’t be here without all of your support – and for that, I am so grateful!

Spring Decor: Planters + Vases

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 

As stated in my last post, one of my favorite ways to refresh my space for spring is with flowers and plants. I also have a very bad, bad addiction to shopping for vases. I impulse buy vases like it's my job. So, at least I can make myself feel better about my purchases by sticking some beautiful flowers inside them!

I didn't shop for planters much until we moved into our house, and realized we needed more plants around our outdoor hangout spaces. Having potted plants on your patio, steps, or porch add depth to your landscape and make the space more welcoming. Plus, it's a great excuse to get a cute watering can (holla)! Right now I'm really digging these utilitarian concrete slanted planters from CB2.

A wide, glass vase is my go-to favorite for spring flowers, especially tulips. They spread out so perfectly and droop over the edges...it's a great look. Crate and Barrel has THE BEST basic vases. You can't go wrong, and they're so affordable.

Are you a vase addict like me? What decor just gets you every time?

Spring Beauty Picks

1) Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, 2) OPI Nail Lacquer in My Vampire in Buff, 3) Chanel Chance Eau Tendre, 4) NARS Blush in Sex Appeal, 5) Library of Flowers Hand Creme in Linden, 6) St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse, 7) Tarte Matte Lip Stain in Lucky, 8) Stila Eye Shadow in Cloud

When it comes to spring beauty, I like to keep things fresh and light. Although I hate letting go of fall and winter colors (I'll miss you, burgundy lipstick!) I think we're all ready for everything to be all flowers and bunnies and sunshine. I know I am.

I always switch out my usual foundation for a tinted moisturizer (this stuff is the best) and add a weekly faux-glow with this St. Tropez bronzer. It lasts for days and has no sketchy orange undertones. As Midwesterners we're all coming out of winter looking like ghosts, so bronzer is the only way I allow myself to start wearing t-shirts! Nude nails look especially great with a little color on your skin.

I save shimmer for summer and opt for a matte blush instead, and pretty peaches are my current favorite for cheeks. I also love the look of a soft neutral or gray eye shadow, paired with a pretty pink lip. This lip stain is like a crayon, and goes on just as easily. I have it in a hot pink color and love how simple it is to use. My hands are always still dry from winter, so I keep a hand creme on hand (hah) at all times. This one from Library of Flowers is divine– it smells like a garden (in a good way). Not to mention the packaging makes it such a visual treat.

What do you change about your routine in the spring? And are you as pale as I am right now?

Friday Links

Between the freezing weather and catching the flu, this week's been a bit of a doozy. I'm looking forward to recharging this weekend and starting fresh next week. I'll have some fun Valentine's DIYs and printables coming up — I can't believe February is around the corner! Enjoy this week's links and have a cozy weekend!

1 | This recipe for make-ahead steel cut oats has been getting me through the morning. (The Kitchn)
2 | True that. (They All Hate Us)
3 | What I wish winter fashion actually looked like...it's zero degree here right now. (Print by Garance Doré)
4 | Love this uber cool side-diamond ring. (Free People)
5 | My second macaron attempt will be these vanilla bean and dulce de leche buttercream ones. It better go well because they sound damn good! (The Culinary Chronicles)

Friday Links + Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone for entering the Pattern Pod giveaway! The winner was chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, and the winner is Emily! Please email me at novak.rachael@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Here are some of my faves for the weekend—hope you are all staying warm out there!

1 | Stamp your correspondence with a clever "vintage email" stamp (Wit & Whistle)
2 | This DIY faux bow clutch is the perfect for holiday parties! (I SPY DIY)
3 | Wishing you all Happy Alcoholidays! (Scout Mob)
4 | These bite-sized holiday bark treats look like an awesome snack. (Happy Hour Projects)
5 | Stella & Dot has released some swoonworthy new arrivals – loving the citron! (Stella & Dot)

Black & White

Clockwise from Prada sign: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Claude Monet said, "Color is my day-long obsession, joy, and torment." In working with color on a daily basis, I can't help but think, dream, and obsess over color. Choosing paint colors for our house was a love/hate situation—only made worse by the pressure to make the final call once we narrowed down our choices ("the slightest hint of green will ruin it!")

So sometimes, the mind needs a break. Black and white provides a duality that few combinations can produce: a sense of simplicity and peace while conversely shouting for attention. The contrast is stimulating; the minimalism restful. I love it as the single statement in a room, or as a graphic addition to an already colorful space.

I'm absolutely obsessed with this graphite loveseat – the pencil-drawn lines are a less graphic take on black and white – it would look so cool in a gleaming white office!

I recently did a DIY of the Prada Marfa canvas shown here, so I'll be posting that soon – likely next week. It came out so well and cost a fraction of the price – win/win. Can't wait to share it!

Vacation Time + Giveaway Winners

Hi everyone! We're headed for Kennebunkport this morning, so I'll be taking a short break from the blog for the next few days. Until then, I'm here to announce the winners from the Alaina Marie giveaway. I've tallied all of your entries across comments and social media, and used a random number generator to choose the winners.

The winners are:

#21 Charity H.
#48 Abby L.

Please email novak.rachael@gmail.com to claim your prize! First one to email gets their first choice of color (pink/green or teal/coral). Please include your mailing address, and I'll have these shipped out to you as soon as I get home. Thank you all so much for participating! I'll be back next week with updates from our trip. Have a great weekend!

Nauti Giveaway: Bait Bag Clutch by Alaina Marie

Happy Monday, everyone!

It's the start of a new week, and I'm a bit more excited than usual — we're taking off for our trip to Maine this week! Ever since we booked the trip I've been daydreaming about whale watching, riding Vespas, and eating enough lobster to require an elastic waistband. You know it's serious business when you pack a bag of cornstarch in your luggage—to remove butter stains. I wish I was kidding.

Since I can't pack you all in my suitcase, I'm bringing the Maine love to you today, with an awesome giveaway from Alaina Marie. Alaina is based in Portland, Maine, and hand crafts these bright and adorable clutches inspired by lobster bait bags.

The marine-grade materials make the bag splash-proof for those days on the boat or at the beach, and she hand-silkscreens the patterns on the bags. I absolutely adore their subtle nautical charm, and the workmanship is beautiful. They make the perfect companion for the summer, and you better believe I'll be taking mine along on our trip!

The giveaway begins now, and runs until Thursday, 8/8 at 11:59 pm. To enter, you can do one or many of the following - each item counts for one entry. Leave a comment below with what entries you've completed. Two winners will be randomly drawn to receive one clutch each (pictured, one pink/green and one teal/coral, valued at $58). Winners will be announced here on Friday 8/9 at 9:00 am. Choice between colors is first come, first serve when the prizes are claimed.

Each item counts for one entry:

1) Follow Shore Society on Twitter or Facebook
2) Follow Alaina Marie on Facebook
3) Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter, using the tags #mainelovegiveaway and @shoresociety
4) Leave a comment telling us whether or not you like lobster, and if so, what's your favorite dish?

Thanks for entering - good luck!

*Disclosure - I was provided with three clutches by Alaina Marie, with two to give away. All opinions are my own, as always!

Back for Summer: Lake Erie Love Tanks

Happy Monday, everyone! Welcome to summer — I'm so glad we're here!

I'm even happier that my Lake Erie Love tanks are back just in time. This year I brought them back in two new colors, and mixed it up with a marbled fabric and some metallic ink. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. 

Each tank is capped off with a little anchor on the back for extra cute factor.

The gray tank is a charcoal heather with metallic gold ink — I've been wanting to try this combo for a long time, and it's as cool as I expected. 

I love both colors and seriously can't wait to wear mine for some 4th of July boating! And patio drinking. And biking. Basically all the time.

If you didn't get a chance to grab one last year, now's the time! You can find them over here in the shop, or enter for a chance to win one over on the style letters. The giveaway starts today and ends Thursday 6/27 at 11:59pm. Good luck, and hope to see you all spreading some Lake Erie Love this summer! If you're sporting your tank around town, share a photo and use the tag #lakeerielove on Twitter. I'd love to see how you guys rock your tanks!

the style letters' Re-Launch Party

Last Sunday was the ever-so-awesome Madewell party to celebrate the redesign of the style letters! Not only was it a really fun shopping experience (how can it not be – the clothes are amazing) but everything down the flowers and the macarons complemented the design of the blog. Talk about attention to detail!

The blogger herself, and me — how cute is her map dress? Her dress, necklace, and my chambray top are all Madewell. 

Pink lemonade and pink blooms

A tray of treats – salted caramel and raspberry chocolate!

An array of Madewell's signature piece: the chambray shirt

One of many fitting room shots — I am obsessed with this skirt! They didn't have it in my size, or I would have definitely walked out with it. The two-tone chambray shirt was a definite keeper.

The loot I decided on — some brights, some stripes, some lace, and a few casual pieces

I could seriously shop here all day — I always find something unique, and the quality never fails to impress. It was even better to have a store full of shopping buddies — from Maria's friends and fans, to the amazing Madewell staff, there was someone there to give advice and/or enable your shopping habit.

You can see even more photos of the details and outfits over on the style letters. Congratulations, Maria, on being a super great client, having a brand new blog, and on a successful debut party!

The store we visited was located at Beachwood Place, so if you're local, be sure to stop in and say hello to Jen, Liz, and Bethany!