What we're loving now

* Vampire Weekend
* Denim, chambray and light wash finishes for jeans
* Nashelle initial rings
* Flat ankle boots or ballet flats
* Long hair, no sign of bangs
* Caesar salad
* Home by Tom Dixon
* Collages
* Watching The Tudors on Netflix
* I heart my Mac

Parking lot closure

The Draeger's parking lot will be closed this Thursday and Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Josef will be open on these days during our normal business hours, which are 10:00am to 6:00pm. The sidewalk will be open, so you can access our main entrance. Otherwise, from the front side of Santa Cruz Ave, you may enter 883 and use our hallway entrance, the last door on your left walking toward the parking lot.

Thank you for your patience.

In our Netflix queue

I got a chance to catch part of a talk given by Gary Hustwit and Scott Kirsner this weekend at SXSW. The title of the talk had "Creating Your Own Cult" in it, so I thought it relevant to the store. Anyhow, I was blown away by the under-2-minute trailer they showed. I'm going to watch the documentary this week.
Watch trailer

Meet Ally

Ally's the newest member of our little family here at Josef. Help us welcome her by stopping by and saying hi!

My name is 
Ally
My favorite restaurant is 
Juban, Menlo Park
I’m currently reading 'Mercy' by Jodi Picoult

My favorite movie is 
The Notebook (no matter how cliche it may be)
Iphone or Blackberry? Blackberry :)
My favorite place I have traveled is Pinecrest Lake, CA
Netflix or Blockbuster? Netflix

My favorite TV show is 
Grey's Anatomy
I am inspired by the smile of a stranger

Photo: Paul & Joe tunic and Ada leather wrap belt

Progress

It's the littlest details that make people notice. Have a great weekend!

Internet overload

This weekend we spent a lot of time online, and found some really cool things. Build a muppet in your own likeness. Visit FAO Schwarz Muppet Whatnot Workshop for details.


Dylan Patrello on YouTube is pretty amazing. Watch her do a cover of Lady GaGa's Poker Face.


This bag is insane! Vivienne Westwood Ebury Bag made of printed floral leather.

Big Winter Sale

online and in store

Happy New Year!

Josef will be closed December 31st - January 6th. Regular business hours will resume on Thursday, January 7th at 10:00am. Check back then for our online and in-store Winter Sale! We hope you have a safe and happy New Years!

Please note: Online orders placed between December 31st and January 6th will be shipped on January 7th. Thank you for your patience.

Best of 2009

We've had some great moments this year. If 2010 is half as good as 2009 was, then we've got it made. Thanks to you, our dear readers, for following us. We love it when we hear from you, so keep it coming! Here's a list of what we thought was spectacular this year.

• Daily reads: fashiontoast, Anywho and Jak & Jil
  
• TV: 30 Rock and 24/7 Pacquiao v Cotto
  
• City: New York
• Boutique: Pas de deux
  
• Dessert: Crack Pie
• Comfy shoes: fleecy crocs
• Fierce shoes: Rupert Sanderson platform booties
• Designers: Twinkle by Wenlan and Wren
• New designer: Vena Cava
• Jewelry: anything oxidized silver
• Bag: the ones with long shoulder straps
• Watch: Rolex Daytona
• Editors: Carine Roitfeld and Kate Lanphear
• Fashion inspiration: street style, Copenhagen
  
• Flats: black calfskin leather ballerinas
• Jacket: leather biker
• Scarf: A Peace Treaty Capra Collection
• Business owner who did it his way and made it: Thomas Keller
• Toys & Games: Buckyballs
• Accessory: belts
• Hair: Emily at Bladerunners
• Flickr photostream: desireecherisse
• Athletes to watch: Manny Pacquiao and Baby J
• Beats: Jay Z x Alicia Keys
  
• Splurge: Dries Van Noten Mohair Jumper as worn by Tara Vasev on Jak & Jil
  
• Bangs: grown out and braided to the side
  
• Beverage: Shiner
  
• Consistent local dining experience: Aziza
  
• Dance genre: popping and locking
  
• Peeps: you!

Have a Happy New Year!

We heart Sofia

We've been following screenwriter and director, Sofia Coppola, for the better part of a decade now, and we really admire her understated style. When she glams it up for the cameras we are completely joyful. She's adorable in this Anna Sui frock, the same body as our very own Psychedelic Floral Dress. Long time fan of Anna Sui, Sofia embraces the line's bohemian, rock-and-roll aesthetic, and we love it too! Check out more Anna Sui here. Psst, and if you're in the know, you'll use promo code: peacelove20 at checkout for an additional 20% off your purchase! (offer expires Dec. 31, 2009)

Photo: nymag.com

Wonderful lace bunny ears

Christmas gift? Hmm... yeah

Newly added to the site

We added a bunch of recent arrivals to the site. This is just a small preview. Click to shop!

Happy Holidays

Now that we're all in the spirit of the Holidays, Josef is now open on Sundays from 10am - 4pm. We also offer complimentary gift wrapping, so you don't have to worry about it.

Josef's top gift picks*:

• Tsesay Fine Gauge Cashmere Sweater
• CB I Hate Perfume Fire From Heaven
• Sunday's Best Knot Necklace
• Twinkle By Wenlan Movie Starlet Coat
• Wren Metallic Motorcycle Jacket
• Ada Thin Bow Belt

*All available at Josef Boutique, Menlo Park

A few more hours to go!

I'd like to give a shout out

Good luck Manny!

Photo: Steve Marcus/Reuters

We wish we could be there to see you fight. Josef fans stop by the store to receive 25% off all Fall and Holiday today and Saturday. Have a great weekend!

Things we're loving now

• Jay Z - The Blueprint 3
• Last 3 episodes of Mad Men Season 3
• Cardigans (long, chunky, fuzzy, any kind)
• Ballet flats with tight black pants/ jeans/ leggings
  
• Short dresses with tights and sky-high heels/ wedges

Photo: fashiontoast.com

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday and happy November to all!

Photo: Paris Made by Hand, Pia Jane Bijkerk

Shop and Dine Out on October 17th

In honor of World Anti-Poverty Day, shops and restaurants in Menlo Park are donating a portion of sales to Village Enterprise Fund. On October 17th show your support by shopping and dining out. We hope to see you on Saturday! Some of the local participants include:

Dining

• British Bankers Club
• Cafe Barrone
• Left Bank
• Marche

Retail

• Josef Boutique
• Milana C
• Pink Tangerine
• Reclaim

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Photo: designspongeonline.com

Another shoe conversation

Yes, that's right. This is a shoe. It was sent over to us last night, and we're pretty amazed. We think this is a stunning example of design over function. Read more.

Back from New York

We had a great time in New York this past weekend. It was so much fun visiting all the different neighborhoods. We had an even better time visiting the showrooms. While there, we saw 2 new lines for the store. Stay tuned to see who we picked up for the Spring and Summer 2010 season!

Bella on the sea of beige

Yesterday a customer came in with his amazingly well-behaved yorkie, Bella. Isn't she a cutie? She's a sharp one -- responds promptly when her name is called, sits and lies down when told and best of all poses for pictures. Thanks Bella and owner for visiting the shop!

Right?

click to watch

Who dat ninja

Photo by Michelle Le/The Almanac.

Things we're loving now:

• 30 Rock
• Faded skinny jeans
• Plaid flannel button downs
• Sunday's Best jewelry
• A Peace Treaty story
  

Last days of summer - Sale ends on Monday

Sale ends on Monday, August 31st

Oldie, but goodie

Check us out on our fan page

Hmm, posting pics is still on the fritz. Please check our fan page for daily musings. Have a great weekend!

Menlo Park Block Party on Santa Cruz Ave

Tomorrow is Menlo Park's second Summer Block Party. We'll be participating, so come visit us in front of 892 Santa Cruz Ave in Downtown Menlo Park. Since Santa Cruz Ave will be closed to traffic, we suggest you park on Menlo Ave or Oak Grove and walk to the festivities. At our table we'll be holding a raffle for a gift bag containing goodies from the store valued at $130. Stop by our table in front of 892 Santa Cruz Ave from 6pm to 9pm tomorrow, August 12th. See you there!

Photo: ClatieK on flickr

Rae Dunn pottery in store!

Beautiful packaging

Clockwise from top left: Pourer (52), Amour Dish (16),
Pig + Stitch Dish (28), Faux Wood Dish (16)

For more information on Rae Dunn Wares, please check out her website, www.raedunn.com.

Sneak Peak: Josef Summer Sale

Happy Friday! We wanted to give you a sneak peak into tomorrow's sale. Yoana Baraschi Belle Lace Top on sale tomorrow (149). Have a great work day and see you tomorrow.

Josef Summer Sale starts August 1st

Hope to see you at the sale!

Loving these looks

Highwaist Shorts and Leopard Print Bag

Keds Champion CVO Canvas Chukka

Foley + Corinna Dyed Mid City Tote

Top photo by Hanneli Mustaparta

Arranging by color

We tried something new today. We arranged the store by color. It seems soothing to us.
Yay or nay?

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing you a Happy and safe 4th of July weekend! Josef Boutique will be closed on Saturday, July 4th. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 6th. Have a great weekend!

Photo: marthastewart.com

Shop improvements

This week we worked a little on our wrap counter. We added the paper we bought from the Maker Faire and then protected it with a piece of glass, and are very happy with the results!
Stay tuned for more shop improvements and have a wonderful weekend!

Goodies for the shop

Yesterday we did a little shopping for the store. The picture above shows our denim selection from Found. The popular cuts for the season are the boyfriend, straight, skinny and leggings. Look for the new styles to arrive in the store in August and September. We also had a great time visiting our friends from Twinkle, Anna Sui and Paul & Joe Sister!

Nohohon-Zoku

Many of our customers have inquired about our Nohohon-Zoku, so we wanted to let you know what they're called and where to find them. Nohohon-Zoku are fist-sized bobble head toys manufactured by the Japanese company Tomy. These ones are solar-powered. It is said that the purpose of the figurines is to relieve their owners of stress. We found a web site that sells them, however, we do not take responsibility for your orders, and we urge you to do your research before you buy. We hope this makes it a little easier for your to track them down. Happy hunting!

A place to rest

The weather's been so nice this week that we thought about getting some kind of outdoor seating for the front of the store. We're really liking these cute Tiki Stools. We did consider traditional benches, however, the pop of color would really brighten things up. Bench or stools? The best part about the stools is their weight. There wouldn't be a problem carrying them in at night, and their modern shape is a little offbeat. We like different. Have a great weekend and a wonderful Father's Day!

Things we're loving now

• The Scavengers Series 2 by Kathie Olivas
• Delicate gold necklaces
• Anything Catherine Holstein
• BBC - The No. 1 Ladies Dectective Agency
  
• Incredibly grippy tires for Pearl
• Distressed jeans
  

Hey ladies

Since we opened in November of 2008, we've had some amazing customers. Truly dedicated in their cause to finding happiness within themselves. Clothing and shopping are not about status or one upmanship, they're about feeling great and loving who you are. How about finding the perfect pair of summer jeans or that amazing t-shirt you wear 3 times a week? We want you to feel fantastic, and we're here for you.
We've had some exceptional customers. M from Washington - we texted the order in to arrive in Las Vegas, NV the next day; C from Menlo Park - it was literally a drive-thru experience, her car was still running; and L from Menlo Park who biked to the mall to get the proper under fittings for the Twinkle Final Bow Dress, and then biked back. We got you and many thanks!

Photo: Edward Ho

Amazing

jewelry by Blue Wild Indigo and Alisa Michelle

center of the store

hutch

Our first day was action packed and filled with excitement. Thanks to those of you who visited and shopped. We heart MP!

Almost there!

Happy Friday everyone. We really appreciate everyone's patience with the set up of the new location and the infrequent updates to the blog. It's been quite a month for us. We'll be ready to open our doors at the Menlo Park store next week, and then it will be business as usual. We urge you to come visit us and check out our new summer clothing from Anna Sui and Yoana Baraschi. As always, we're amazed by each and every piece. We got in some really special dresses from both designers. We're happy to have our Internet up and running - this is our first post from Menlo Park. Hope to see you next week!

Josef Memorial Day Weekend Sale

Take an extra 10% off your online purchases. Use promo code TAKE10OFF.
Offer ends Tuesday, May 26, 2009. Sale items are Final sale.

Progress

Josef Boutique | 883 Santa Cruz Ave | Menlo Park, CA
entrance in rear facing Draegers

Hi there! Today we planted a mix of semiannual and perennial plants in front of our new Menlo Park space. We'd have to admit it was pretty scary before this afternoon. Our favorites are the lavender and boxwoods. Notice the windows are still covered up. We want to keep the boutique a surprise until we open late in May. Please mark your calendars for our opening, and see you soon in the MP.

We're moving!

Josef's new location, boutique entrance in rear.

Josef Boutique will be moving to a new location and opening by the end of the month! Our new location is 883 Santa Cruz Avenue in Downtown Menlo Park, CA. Our new location is comfortably nestled along boutique lane. The main entrance faces Draegers. While the new space is under construction, please do continue to shop online at www.josefboutique.com. We look forward to seeing you in Menlo Park!

Don't make me over...

Happy Mother's Day! We hope you're enjoying your day with family and friends. Here at Josef we've actually been hoping for a makeover - a site makeover, and so we're happy to announce the launch of our redesigned site! The new colors, logo, flourishes and nature friends are compliments of theforeststudio. Thank you Anna, we heart the new look and feel!
Have a great Sunday everyone.

Kudos to you who caught the Dionne Warwick reference. That one's for you mom :)