As the summer heat approaches, stay cool with these 10 new places to shop, along with some of our favorite Father’s Day specials around Houston.
Araya Chocolates focuses on premium artisan chocolate creations made from fresh ingredients without any preservatives, additives or artificial flavors. Marrying the culinary and packaging arts using chocolate as a bridge that aims to take customers to new gourmet boundaries, Araya invites local and foreign artist to contribute with their art to packages, running limited editions for each of those box covers.
Check out the newest location in Uptown Park and pick up a Bundle Box for Dad.
Banana Republic/Milly Collection
Fan favorite Milly is launching a limited-edition capsule collection inspired by the summer sophistication of the Hamptons. The women’s collection is a natural extension for Milly, with the men’s styles representing Milly designer Michelle Smith's first foray into menswear — a unique innovation for the design partnership.
The capsule collection is available exclusively at Banana Republic Highland Village, and includes maxi dresses, mini-skirts, poolside totes, scarves, as well as menswear separates, bright polos, woven tees and shorts. The best part about is the price — the collection ranges from $39.50 to $175.
Houston’s fastest growing bike shop not only offers stylish European style commuters and cruisers, but also everything from 3-speeds to 10-speeds for the amateur racer. While you wait for them to fix any problem your bicycle comes across, stay, relax and enjoy a coffee or brew and peruse a great selection of books, small leather goods and top-notch bike accessories.
Bring Dad in this month and enjoy 15 percent off any bicycle and 10 percent off any accessories for Father’s Day.
Just in time for summer, JCPenney’s newest collection launch offers customers an affordable selection of high-quality fashion jewelry from top designers, including Kenneth Jay Lane, Kara Ross, Lana Bramlette, Dominique Cohen, Doris Panos, Rodrigo Otazu and Diego Massimo, among others.
Debuting in JCPenney stores across Houston and jcp.com, the Bijoux Bar collections feature each designer's signature aesthetic and range in price from $30 to $395.
West University menswear boutique, The Class Room, bridges the contemporary menswear gap, introducing new, wearable menswear lines to Houstonians that are perfect for the Houston heat. Stay on trend without looking like an adult hipster with such lines as GANT Rugger, A.P.C. and Naked & Famous.
Be sure to check out the 25 percent off sale this month just in time for Father’s Day.
Isabel et Noa recently opened its stylish doors in Uptown Park location offering high-end European designer and footwear for children. With more than 25 years of experience, owner Simone Lizmi will personally assess your child’s feet and advise you on brands and styles to help your little one find the perfect fit.
Expect to see such labels as Deux Par Deux, Ralph Lauren, Naturino, Puma, Lacoste and Sperry for stylish casual apparel. 713-960-6099.
Melissa shoes are a hit with trendsetters around the globe in more than 80 countries, and now Houstonians can purchase the collection at the new Melissa Pop Uptown Park boutique. Melissa is the iconic Brazilian jelly brand famous for its stunning collaborations with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Jason Wu, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, Zaha Hadid, Thierry Mugler and Gareth Pugh, among many others. 713-629-4444.
Owner and interior designer Deanna Breaux Gathe’s home décor store has recently opened in Uptown Park. Peek inside to find rare finds from her travels all over the world as she continuously updates her new selections of antiques from France, re-purposed items, one of a kind upholstery pieces, decorative accents, unique light fixtures and an abundance of colorful custom pillows and throws. 713-447-0555.
What’s made close to home is better for you. This women and menswear boutique specializes in American brands and designers, curating a selection of some of the best and most forward-thinking companies that still produce consumer goods in the United States.
Lines include Gitman, Raven Denim, T.S. Pink Corp, and Dirty Librarian. Shop now and get a jump-start on the store's annual Independence Day Sale.
WildBloom is the newest edition to Rice Village's list of "must visit" boutiques. Nestled on Rice Boulevard, WildBloom is filled with eclectic pieces perfect for casual outings, cocktail events, or summer weddings, including lines from Naven, McGinn, Corey by Corey Lynn Calter, Line & Dot, Pink Stitch, tbags los angeles, Charlie Jade, Greylin, W118 by Walter Baker, Keepsake and findersKEEPERS.
There's also a unique collection of jewelry, handbags and eco-friendly candles. Mention "CultureMap" at checkout for $15 off your purchase until June 30.
WildBloom is the newest edition to Rice Village's list of "must-see" boutiques.
Texas-based artist Kyle Steed adds to the local appeal of the new Highland Village store. Photos courtesy of Lululemon 
