Originally posted in August 2016.
The intoxicating air that hugs you upon arrival to Nantucket Island could quite possibly be the memory that will prompt a quick return. However, after spending time on this magical and historical island, you will quickly realize there is so much more to entice another visit. In fact, there is so much more it makes it pretty hard even to say goodbye!
Nantucket has done an incredible job of keeping not only its beaches pristine but also its business community. You won’t find any big box stores on the precious little island!
The unique little specialty shops that line the streets of downtown Nantucket are one of the many things that will pull you back to the island. We fell in love with one fashion shop, in particular, called The Lovely Boutique. You can find this gem of a boutique on Washington street. Just look for the charming store frontage with the lilac signage. Inside, you will find a welcoming staff ready to style you in chic and unique clothing that will not disappoint!
The Lovely is 100% Nantucket. Store owner, Julie Biondi, has always had Nantucket and fashion in her heart. She grew up working in clothing stores on the elegant island. But, when starting her career first in fashion PR and then as a stylist, she headed away from her beloved little island and made her way to the big island; Manhattan.
After some time in the big city, Julie realized she was actually a small town girl with champagne tastes. (We love that description, Julie!) So, she decided in her heart of hearts that she needed to be where her friends and family were, and the one place that fits the bill for a chic yet small town girl- Nantucket.
Shop Owner Julie Biondi
Julie believes the island she loves so much has always been about experiences. So, she combined her eye for fashion and love for her community and opened The Lovely Boutique. Five years later, she has succeeded in creating the perfect island shopping experience! She is the go-to-girl for locals and vacationers to find the perfect outfit for any occasion.
Some locals call Nantucket the ice cube island, meaning there is never a shortage of social gatherings and ice clinking in cocktail glasses. Julie is known for her dresses and ability always to deliver the perfect ensemble when a woman needs something special to wear out on the town to these breezy and swank events.
Any good girls’ trip includes a little bit of shopping. So, when we needed outfits for our sunset cruise, we decided we had to meet Julie and have her work her magic! She immediately made us feel welcomed and she knew just by watching us browse the store what our personal tastes were. It truly became one of those Nantucket experiences about which Julie spoke when we started playing dress up and the champagne was being poured. Seriously, what more could a girl want! We became instant friends and as you can see from the photos, supermodels in our own minds! The hazard of drinking champagne while shopping and playing dress up!
Kimberly is wearing a silk dress by Tylho
Jessica is wearing Lavendar Brown Silk Playsuit
Kimberly is wearing a long navy botanical print maxi dress with gold tread detail by Tryb 212
Jessica is elegant in this white lace dress with gold side zip by Saylor
We loved getting to know Julie and the services her store offers. Looking for a perfect summer hat? Let Julie and her staff know what you need, and they will custom make a hat just for you! Not on Nantucket? Give the ladies a call, and they are happy to ship that customized hat to wherever you are! When we asked Julie how she came up with the name for her boutique, she said she has always loved the word lovely. We couldn’t agree more! Julie, you have created a lovely shopping experience that will bring people back to the island. It is clear how much you love what you do. Without a doubt, you are living The Haute Life, and we love you for it!
A special thank you to THE LOVELY beautiful boutique owner Julie Biondi and her staff for making us feel so welcome in their store. We had so much fun talking fashion, all things Nantucket, and playing dress up! It was a memorable part of our girls’ getaway!
Make sure you follow their Facebook page for fun events and fashion.
XO Kimberly & Jessica
Thank you to Todd Mazer for the wonderful photography (as always)! Enjoy the gallery!
