Newly added to our site Vanessa Bruno Athé

We just added some of our Spring Vanessa Bruno Athé pieces to the site. We're excited to share with you -- no matter where you are. Enjoy!

New Spring arrivals

Paul & Joe Sister Arabesk tunic (167)

Hope everyone is having a great afternoon!

New in Vena Cava Spring!

Lonely Planet tank (275)

Grace Jones blouse (299)

Stray Cat dress (175)

Mmm boots

To wear with dresses, pants, skirts... everything.

photo: anywho

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!

Enter Anna Sui

We love Anna Sui's designs. Her prints, fabrics, cuts and detailing are truly amazing. Her clothes are definitely one of a kind. For Spring and Summer we've brought in lots of dresses, tunics and blouses. We even have a cute drawstring mini skirt in khaki. However, we also have cotton t-shirts. This really excites us. True to form, they are appliquéd, embroidered, and pom-pomed out! The best part is their price! For a bit of luxury treat yourself and enter into the world of Anna Sui!

Left to right:, rosebud plaid tee (119), embroidered argyle tank (88), circle venise tee (75)

Just in: Anna Sui Spring group 3

Happy Friday everyone! Yesterday 3 new Anna Sui Spring pieces arrived. In the group are the Constellation dress (pictured), Ombre Violets dress, and the Circle Venise tee in black. We love the black, cream, violet and royal blue colors of the group, really rich for late Spring and early Summer.
Also, we're making great progress on the Menlo Park space and are on time for its late May opening. Have a great weekend!

Katie Holmes in Wren

Katie Holmes was photographed yesterday wearing a Wren dress and cardigan. We love Katie's style, especially when she's dressed casually and running around town with Suri. Shop our selection of Wren Spring and Summer clothing to master your casual style like Katie. Happy Friday, it's going to be hot this weekend. Try to stay cool.

Photo: justjared.buzznet.com

Josef Spring 09 Look Book

Click image to view

Spring 09 at Josef

Hi again! Our brief hiatus was due to our online update for the new Spring items. We hope you enjoy our selection! Coming soon Spring 2009 Josef Boutique Look Book.

Catherine Holstein Spring 09

We're delighted to introduce our selection of Catherine Holstein Spring 09 clothing to you through our online store! Included in the group are her Long Sleeve Striped Shirt in a blue and cream stripe, Floral Jersey Top in tan with lavender, purple, and golden flowers, and tan linen High Waist Shorts (belt not included). We love the classic cuts and refined style of each piece. All items are made in the USA.

Wear the Striped Shirt with the High Waist Shorts and brown leather sandals around town or to dinner with friends. The Floral Jersey Top looks fantastic with our Found Symone Skinny Jeans and ballet flats. As Clinton Kelly advises, buy in outfits so you feel like you always have something to wear. These 3 pieces really do follow his rule! We're such big fans of Catherine and are very excited to share her line with you!

Dressing for warm weather

Anna Sui Spotted Horses Dress available at Josef Boutique, San Mateo

With the warm weather in full effect, we wanted to share some summer dressing tips to keep you cool and looking stylish. If you're in an office, a summery skirt made of linen or cotton in khaki or navy will do the trick. We like full minis and straight pencil cuts for skirts. To complement your skirt, invest in an embroidered or floral tunic blouse and wear it tucked in or out. For more casual occasions try a sleek pair of skinny jeans and a perfectly relaxed fitting t-shirt. Embellish the casual outfit with a stack of bracelets, thread or metal, your favorite pair of sunglasses, and studded or metallic sandals. On those really hot days, your best bet is a knee skimming, thin-strap sundress or a mini sheath style dress. You can wear either dress with ankle wrap platform espadrilles - they're our latest obsession. The outfits in this post would also make a very good mini wardrobe for a spring or summer excursion to a destination of your choice. (We're thinking Barcelona!)

Photo: style.com

Twinkle by Wenlan: lover's haze top

Today we're featuring one of our newest tops from Twinkle by Wenlan. It's a silk halter blouse in a black and white graphic print with a tie at the neck. Although, it is worn with the matching shorts in the picture, we think it'll look just as great with our Twinkle With Ease Shorts. For nights out to dinner and drinks with friends, you can wear it with either skinny or wide leg jeans. It looks really good either way. Since it's still chilly, throw your favorite cardigan or leather jacket on over it. To round out the outfit wear your highest alluring sandals and grab your trusty clutch bag.

New at Josef Yoana Baraschi group 3

Just in time for Easter! Our third group of Yoana Baraschi Spring arrived today. In the group we have the golden origami cami, lilac peasant blouse and haute hippie slip dress with drawstring waist. Still looking for your Easter outfit? These pieces are sure to fill the void. They're also fanastic pieces for Spring and Summer traveling to the mediterranean or tropics. All pieces are made of silk and have the signature Yoana detailing her clothes are famous for. Stop by before Easter to get some inspiration or to treat yourself to a special piece of clothing for your Spring celebrations. Happy Thursday everyone!

Oh Abilene

Although it's raining today, it's almost that time of year for beach-going activities! We adore these Found Denim Abilene wide leg jeans with front patch pockets as your bathing suit cover up, and they're available in store now! We admire the silhouette and how they make you look long and lean, especially when worn with wedge espadrilles. The waist is flattering at low to mid rise. The finish is very summer like - worn denim. We can't wait to pair them with our Anna Sui Confetti Floral Tunic, which is on sale now! Get into the summer mood with broken in denim wide legs and a floral blouse. Mix luxury with practicality. It'll be your favorite outfit of the season!

New at Josef Twinkle Spring group 3

Yay, we love the new pieces that came in today from Twinkle by Wenlan. In the group are 2 tops and one special dress! We have the Circus Act top, a cinder colored jersey knit with a scoop neck and button detail on the fronts of the sleeves. It'll go perfectly with our Found Denim Agatha Jeans or our new Grey Ant Plain Front Bell Jeans. Next is the Lover's Haze Halter Top. Ladies, if you've been looking for a slinkly appealing top, this one's for you. The sides are constructed with overlapping fabric. It has a v-neckline and a tie in the front. The hem of the top is blouson. Wear our Lover's Haze with a black pencil skirt, skinny or even wide and bell leg jeans with killer heels. Our third and favorite piece, we love dresses, is the Hour By Hour Dress. Yes, you can wear it from day to night. At work pair this stunning beauty with a heather grey cardigan and black pumps. For the weekend pair it with your flowery flat sandals, and for night wear it with sky-high strappy sandals or platform oxfords and your favorite beaded or metal mesh evening clutch. All pieces are no fuss and very easy to wear, made of luxurious fabric and have superbly flattering cuts! Don't stay away too long, this group has something for everyone.

In Anna's words

Our Spring collection of Anna Sui is still going strong. Today we got in a peacock inspired sleeveless dress, colorblock tank top and a drawstring hemmed khaki mini skirt in silk. Anna describes her collection the best:
My collection this season is inspired by the work of mid-twentieth century American textile designer, Alexander Girard (1907-1993). I love the way Girard always found inspiration in the traditional folk arts of the world and interpreted their whimsy into charming- yet totally modern designs, patterns and graphics. The look for Spring 2009 is sunny and optimistic. The theme is summer vacations to warm-weather holiday locations; Mexico, Egypt, Spain.
We invite you to stop by the shop to see her beautiful pieces in person. Have a great weekend!

Wren spring fashion week party

Wren designer and founder, Melissa Coker, with models during Spring Fashion Week

We thought that this is a very relevant picture since we just received Wren's Spring line. We love to see how girls wear the clothing we have in the store out on the streets in their everyday lives. Melissa is actually wearing our black Full Mini in this picture with a purple top, blue cardigan and black flats - so cute!
Also, on the right a model is wearing the Sepia Full Mini we have in the shop. Pairing the skirt with a golden cardigan, white tee and white oxfords is genius. We're inspired by the color palette of the clothing - true to Wren form elegant and intelligent. For more of Melissa's pictures click here.

One of Spring's new silhouettes

Josef strives to keep you current and remain on the cutting edge of fashion. One of the newest bodies that we love and have in the shop is the Chameau Blouse by Paul & Joe Sister. It's like the one pictured above, but in a slate/brown color. We love how it's styled with the paperbag-waist pants and strappy wedge boots. For Spring, choose relaxed pieces at the same time keeping them refined.
If the tie-waist pants aren't something you'd normally wear, try the blouse tucked out with dark jeans and gladiator flats. Accessorize the outfit with a luxuriously big bag, gold bangles and a men's-size watch. Along with the great cut, the Chameau Blouse has a must-have price, it's $88.00 and made of a Lyocell and Cotton blend. The weather seems to be warming up, so treat yourself to a little bit of luxury for a basic price! Have a great afternoon.

Wren Spring 09 at Josef

Hello there! We are so excited to share our new Wren Spring pieces with you. Clockwise from top left are the Sepia Skirt in white and brown, the Ink Blot Tee in white and black, the Anorak in khaki, and the Button Front Shorts in navy blue. The tee and anorak look great with the skirt and the shorts - 4 pieces yield 2 outfits.
Our favorite piece is the anorak because of its versatility. Wear it in the rain and then on crisp Spring days. You can also wear it with jeans casually and then with cute summer dresses and skirts. It's super lightweight and easy to pack when you're traveling.
Check out our new Wren pieces during our shopping event benefiting the Family Service Agency of San Mateo County and receive 10% off only on Saturday, March 14th. See you soon!

Twinkle Spring: group 2 at Josef

We're happy to present group 2 of our Twinkle by Wenlan Spring collection. In this group from left to right, we have the Full Bloom Skirt with front scallop detail and 2 back patch pockets. The fabric is a light summer tweed of black and white cotton and is fully lined. It would go great with the Twinkle Ariel Tank and summer flat sandals.
In the middle is the Desk Set Top in 100% cotton with contrasting black collar and tie at neck. The collar is sewn down to create a trompe-l'œil effect. Pair this cute cotton tee with the Found Agatha Wide Leg Jeans and gold drop earrings for the perfect summer go-to outfit.
On the right we have the Paraplus Dress in cinder, which is mushroom taupe in color. The fabric is a rayon lycra blend and has a banded hem, puff sleeves and sash belt at waist. The front pleating and 2 slit pockets makes this body unique. Try wearing it with black ankle wrap sandals and delicate jewelry to create a casual and comfortable everyday look.
All the pieces from Twinkle's group 2 are wonderful entry level pieces that will allow you to dress casually, but to the nines.
We hope to see you this Saturday for our Shopping Event benefitting the Family Service Agency of San Mateo County. If you attend from 11am to 6pm, these pieces will all be 10% off. We'll have mini cakes, music and a fun day of shopping!

Grey Ant will melt your heart

We got in 2 special pieces from Grey Ant's Spring Summer 2009 collection. In store we have the black Airbourne Mini Dress and if you're not a dress person, the black Tank. Both pieces are 100% cotton and made in the USA. They have a very relaxed fit and are super easy to wear. The ethnic pattern on the dress and tank is purple and celtic in design. Try the dress with a corset belt if you prefer a defined waist. To accompany these stunning pieces, we also got in 2 Grey Ant Denim items.

Pictured above are the Plain Front Bell Jeans in miners blue and the Taft Skirt in railed blue. Ladies, these jeans are GOOD. They sit at your natural waist and bell at the bottom creating a very long leg line. They look so fantastic with the tank. The skirt has wonderful detailing in the 2 front pleats, little front patch pocket, belt loops and 2 back pleats. To show what a tiny waist you have, wear the skirt with a tee tucked in or a sweet blouse tucked in as well. We like this skirt with our new Catherine Holstein tan floral tee. As always these pieces are of superior cut and construction. All are made in the USA. They're all extremely nice pieces, your heart will melt when you see them in person!

The season's hottest trend in accessories

There's something very luxurious about snakeskin. Whether genuine or stamped, snakeskin in accessories has been redone for Spring and Summer. If you're like us, you buy one great high quality accessory each season. It can be a bag, wallet, watch, or shoes. So when you look, keep snakeskin in mind.
Once you've found the perfect snakeskin accessory, let it stand out in your outfit. Pair flats with a t-shirt and jeans. Wear a belt with a navy blue pencil skirt and milk-colored blouse. A snakeskin watch band, similar to the one pictured above, in a neutal color will go with both a dressy and casual outfit. We've been obsessing about pairing snakeskin gladiator sandals with our Paul & Joe Sister Paisley Sundress.
The best part about snakeskin is it brings texture to your look, and texture adds richness. Remember, wear just 1 snakeskin piece at a time!

Spring's sprung at Josef

Spring deliveries made their way to the shop today. It was quite a busy day receiving deliveries from Paul & Joe Sister, Catherine Holstein, Anna Sui and Yoana Baraschi. There are definitely more separates in these spring shipments. We have a diverse selection of tops from Paul & Joe Sister, 2 t-shirts and 1 pair of high-waist shorts from Catherine Holstein, the Spotted Horses Dress along with some great spring blouses from Anna Sui, 2 golden dresses and an elegant taupe top with lace detail from Yoana Baraschi.
Stop by the shop this week to browse our new Spring collection. All of our Pre-Spring and Resort wear will be going on sale!

Steven Alan Spring 2.28.09

Here's a sneak peak at our selection of Steven Alan Spring! From right to left: Paige Top - steel blue/gray double gauze body, with crochet straps and racer back; McCarren Dress - violet/white stripes, shirt dress style; Kensington Shirt - rainbow stripe and tie at neck; Double gauze reverse seam shirt - gray oxford style. When the clock strikes 12 (EST), be sure to visit the site and click the Steven Alan link on the left. You'll find full descriptions, pricing information and our standard 3-shot view of the front, back and side. Our favorites from this group are the Paige Top and the Reverse Seam Shirt! See you at midnight.

Crazy for Mad Men

Since hearing Matthew Weiner, creator and producer of the television series Mad Men, on NPR's Fresh Air last summer we've been hooked and eagerly awaiting the third season. Mad Men follows the lives of highly competitive men and women on Madison Avenue in New York during the early 1960's. The story is intriguing, complicated, and at times amusing. We were dedicated viewers after Episode 1. In the show, the men, women and families lived a much more sophisticated and elegant life. Women dressed up and men wore suits.
Mad Men has not only influenced home and office interiors with authentic Mid-Century Modern furniture and housewares, but it has also influenced the revival of the hourglass shape. The dresses and silhouettes of Peggy, Joan and Betty remind of us our new Twinkle by Wenlan Nicely Tied Dress. See our model Ashley in the Twinkle dress below. Very Joan, no?


Top photo: blogs.mysanantonio.com and Photo of Ashley: Edward Ho

Coming Soon: Catherine Holstein Spring 2009!

We've been eagerly awaiting our Catherine Holstein Spring delivery! It's in transit as you read this. From her Spring 2009 collection, we selected the long sleeve blue/white striped top, the tan floral t-shirt, and the linen high-waisted shorts in flax. The pieces are simple and elegant; relaxed but refined. Both tops will look great with our Found Denim Agatha and Symone jeans, and since it's still cold and rainy they'll go perfectly with our Paul & Joe Sister Paris Trench Coat. If you're as excited as we are, read up on Catherine on the New York Times web site.

Paul & Joe Sister Spring: in-store now!

Hope everyone's weekend is going well. We just wanted to share our new Paul & Joe Sister Spring clothes with you. From left to right: navy paris trench, phoenix print gwen blouse, and beige zeph sweater. The paris trench is fully lined and would look great with the gwen blouse, jeans and flats. We really love the fit of the zeph sweater. It's long, and we suggest wearing it loose to get that boyfriend sweater effect. Both tops look fantastic with the Magic Shorts*. Mix and match these great seperates from Paul & Joe Sister, and you'll be set for the entire duration of Spring and even Summer!

*The Magic Shorts are called so because we've discovered, through the help of Tiny and Tasty, that they look really good with every top we have in the store. Now isn't that amazing?

Yoana Baraschi Spring: in-store now!

What a fantastic start to the weekend! Yesterday we got 3 new Yoana Baraschi dresses from her Spring 09 collection. From Left to right: black fairie gardern shirt dress, cranberry red supernature column dress, and regal purple origami ruffle zip dress. We're working on getting them on our online store, but if you can't wait, do come for a visit!

The fairie garden shirt dress can be worn dressed up and casually. We'd love to see the dress paired with Matt Bernson's black leather gladiator flats for a casual look. The perfect shoes for the supernature column dress, we think, are demure espadrille wedges that tie at the ankle. The cut of the origami ruffle zip dress reminds us of a fancy cargo dress with the added bonus of the ruffle embellishment. Proper pumps or bold sandals will do the trick!

The dresses should be online soon. Next week keep an eye out for our selection of Steven Alan Spring clothing! They'll be available online on February 28th. Happy shopping and have a great weekend!

Spring's a comin'

I hope all is well. Today is a big news day. I was glued to the TV this morning and then on my way into work I listened to NPR the entire commute. We have some news of our own here at Josef. We're excited to announce that our second newly added designer for Spring is Steven Alan. In case you are unfamiliar with his collection, he is known for his slightly rumpled button down shirts, and has described the aesthetic of his clothing as having a "certain schoolboy sloppy look". Since the mid 1990's, he has evolved his line creating sleek pieces for women, but staying true to his relaxed roots. We'll be getting in tops and dresses made from cotton and other summery natural fabrics. Keep checking back!

Yippe yahoo domino!

We're big fans of Domino Magazine here at Josef, so when we got the new February issue and saw Zooey Deschanel in that gorgeous navy and mustard Catherine Holstein dress we jumped for joy. OK, kids, the cat's out of the bag. One of the new designers we're bringing in for Spring is Catherine Holstein! Although our pieces aren't as formal, we made sure they could take you through the entire summer. We're very excited, hope you're getting excited too!

Photo by Steward Shining for Domino Magazine February 2009

Coming soon to Josef...

I'm enthusiastically awaiting my Spring deliveries! They'll start arriving at the end of the month, and I'm pleased to announce that I've added a couple of new labels to the shop's offering. Just within the last week or so, I've been planning Spring outfits and Easter attire for my wonderful customers. Here's a sneak peak at what will be arriving! From left to right: Wren khaki anorak, Twinkle red/white geometric print blouse, and Anna Sui spotted horses dress. Keep checking back to see the new designers! There's going to be a great mix of casual and dressy clothing. Happy Sunday!

Anna Sui spotted horses dress - photo by Maria Valentino

Twinkle woven top for winter through summer

This white viscose top from Twinkle by Wenlan will be amazing for Spring and Summer. Imagine wearing it with dark skinny jeans and sandals or with a cute mini skirt and flats. The woven detailing is exquisite. It has a relaxed and flowy fit, so if you're going to start with one summer basic, this white shirt will do perfectly. Too cold to wear now? Nonsense. Where it with dark jeans, your wool peacoat and knee boots. Wear it now and then later!

Twinkle woven top ($330) worn with Twinkle cuffed shorts ($242) and Alisa Michelle "It will happen wait for it" silver necklace ($50).