Shopping ATL 3: Virginia Highlands + YBF Fashion Fab

Happy March!
So for my last day in the A, I decided to check out Virginia Highlands...



...a strip of cute stores located off West Ponce de Leon on North Highland Avenue.
The area has a lot to offer(including a Ben & Jerry's and Starbucks!), but I'll of course relay the shopping lowdown.
Visit Alternative (774 North Highland Avenue):

For light and fun tops and hoodies that are slightly more inspired than American Apparel Ware. The prices are also very affordable. Everything I touched seemed to be $24...
Take a little walk and stop into sister stores Mitzi & Romano (1038 North Highland Avenue)...

Mitzi's Shoe Box (1104 North Highland Avenue)

And M III (996 Virginia Avenue)

The main store, Mitzi, carried a large selection of contemporary brands like Ella Moss, Velvet, and Susana Monaco. The leather bags in Mitzi's shoes had me dealing with a cocktail of emotions: longing, confusion, elation. I seriously contemplated how I would pay for a $600 Botkier bag (It was a beaut!). Mitzi's shoes also carried shoe brands like Seychelles and JC. And lastly, drop into MIII for men's clothes, and a huge selection of women's t-shirts and jeans by Rock & Republic, Paige, and Habitual.
My favorite store of the strip would have to be Melrose (772 North Highland):


Take a look:






Cute, huh? They stocked shoes by Carlos, and unique tops and dresses by labels like Splendid, Love by Ya-Ya, and T-Bags. Plus the sales staff is super nice.
Definitely check it out!
And that does it for my shopping in ATL review. Now I'm thinking that I have a lot more shopping investigations to do once I get back home to NY.
Smootches!

PS. I did a 'Fashion Fab' for celeb blog Young, Black, and Fabulous. If ya missed it, here it is in all it's Fashion Bomb glory. Get a jump start on spring trends with colors and bold prints for girls, and preppy looks for guys. Take a look:
For ladies, bright, vibrant colors are the rule.
Nic from ANTM...

rocks a bright yellow top under a jacket.
Mary J. doesn't mess around...

And bathes herself in blue.
Naomi C...

...channels the trend with a bright orange bag.
And Jennifer Hudson...

looks sultry in her lemon shrug.
Bright colors look smashing on dark skin tones, but if you wear them...

Make sure they don't clash with your hair. Yes, I'm talking to you Kelis!
The Fashion Bomb's bright ideas?

Clockwise from left: Mossimo Flap Pocket Tote, $27, www.target.com; Baby Phat Flutter Sleeve Crochet Dress, $64, BabyPhat.com
; Color Block Tunic Dress, $58, www.ardenb.com; BCBGirls Library Pump, $98, www.nordstrom.com; Lux Short Sleeve Swing Jacket, $68, www.urbn.com; French Connection Swift Suede Flats, $98, www.frenchconnection.com; Cole Haan 'Village Soft' Ruched Satchel, $395, www.nordstrom.com; Susana Monaco Gather String Halter, $91, shopbop.com
Center: Color block Babydoll Cami, $17.50, www.wetseal.com.

Next? Up your wow factor with graphic prints.
Put on a little bit with a scarf like Mary J.

Or go all out like Venus in black and white...

Or Mya in a colorfully bold print...

Prints are all good, as long as they're in a soft fabric...

... not pleather/leather!
Also, try to keep in classy...

...and leave your disco boots at home!
My print picks?

Clockwise from left: Emilio Pucci Cupola Satin Ballerina, $169, www.eluxury.com; Cap Sleeve Large Swirl Printed Tunic Top, $20, Fashion To Figure; O Della Foil Top in Purple Zebra, $174, CoutureCandy ; Catherine Malandrino Printed Shirt Dress, $295, shopbop.com
; T-Bags Printed V-Neck Long Sleeve Dress, $172, shopbop.com
; Nautical Print Scarf, $20, www.urbn.com; BCBG Matte Jersey Floral Print Dress, $152, www.macys.com; Loop Printed Hobo, $48,www.urbn.com. Center: Francesca Giobbia Glitterblock Sandals, $528, www.anthropologie.com.
Now on to the fellas...
For guys, the classic preppy look always works for me.
Pop on a polo like Kanye and Pharrell...

A bright v-neck like Luda...

Or even a striped rugby like Andre 3000...

Wanna be a super stunna? Top it all off with a Fedora a la Diddy:

Hot.
My Preppy Picks:

Clockwise from left: Rocawear Basic Stripe Polo, $52, www.drjays.com; Nike Men's Court Force Premium Low, $85, www.footlocker.com; Lacoste Pique Polo, $72, www.saks.com; Gap Straight Fit Khakis, $50, www.gap.com; Thompson Oxford Sport Coat, $225, www.polo.com; Rock & Republic 'Floyd' Low Rise Jeans, $207, www.nordstrom.com; Atlantic Argyle cotton-cashmere sweater, $78, www.jcrew.com; Phat Farm Gallery Prep Shoes, $50, www.phatfarm.com. Happy Spring!