Shopgirl – Memphis Flyer

Giving props to the bumper-sticker mantra that the best recovery plan for global economic blight begins at home, all of the products in play this week are of the home-grown variety. Some of these items are available at Memphis-area retailers; others can be purchased easily online. All are très fabulous.

ROCK SOFT: Grand Leader owner/creator Margo Wender Gruen believes in T-shirts. She also believes that great rock lyrics, such as “just a kiss away,” are lodged in our pop-cultural subconscious like time-capsule triggers, with the power to flood us with memories and emotional responses. Marry the two and the result is Gruen’s line of vintage-style rock T’s. This one is 100 percent cotton jersey, garment-dyed, and washed with more than just a kiss of attitude. The number on the back denotes the year the song was recorded. $72. Available at grandleaderonline.com.

SAFE TRAVELS: Not a “travel lightly” person? Neither was Janie E. Sims. After growing weary of spending a disproportionate amount of her vacation time de-tangling her jewelry, she created the perfect solution. Called the JJ, this travel pouch keeps 20 pairs of earrings and other jewelry untangled. $33 and up at Bella Vita, 3670 Houston Levee.

LOVE-MATCH: As a mother, Marilyn Kosten’s love for tennis began when her daughters first took to the court. As a designer, that love became a thriving brand and stylish clothing line. One of Kosten’s early designs, a tennis dress made for Tracy Austin, hangs in the Tennis Hall of Fame. Now her court gear can be found hanging in the closets of stylish tennis kids all over the country. Kosten’s line, Little Miss Tennis, features clothing for girls and boys ages 3-14 and is sold at several Memphis locations, including The Racquet Club, 5111 Sanderlin. Pieces start at $39.

PRIZE WINNER: Joanna Lipman is half of the design genius that is Femme Sud, whose handbags and clutches offer much more than a place to store your lipstick or cell phone — they’re mad-darling, OMG conversation starters. The county-fair inspired “Grand Prix” comes in two sizes and five colors. Meanwhile, the bookish “Ex Libris” bags resemble hard-cover novels, with winning titles such as Fame & Fortune. Bags start at $225. Visit femmesud.com to order.

All economic meltdowns aside, shopping is not life or death. There’s nothing inherently highbrow or meaningful about the exchange of cash for a new pair of must-have shoes, a spiffy new coat, or a lush new sofa. On the other hand, shopping responsibly (defined as locally and within one’s budget) is good for the economy and the soul. So, in the mutual interest of slowing the slowdown and forging new relationships with local retailers, shop well, shop smarter, shop this.

• Anyone who’s read a recent issue of Vogue, or Memphis magazine for that matter, knows that black is, well, the new black. That’s right, black’s back in everything from clothing to makeup. (Beyond mascara, Yves Saint Laurent is showing a classic black lip-gloss this season.) Not quite ready to go all black? Then try this dress from Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent. Royal blue and basic black strike the perfect balance. Available at Isabella, 4615 Poplar. Twelfth Street dress — $350

• Big bang, little buck. Oversized and bold, this ring makes quite the statement without making much of an impact on your wallet. Acrylic ring, $9 at Francesca’s, Avenue at Carriage Crossing in Collierville and Saddle Creek in Germantown.

• Black has long been the gold standard of sports watches — at least since the Timex Ironman first hit the streets in 1986. Sports watch technology has no doubt advanced a few light-years since, but the classic black watch remains very much in fashion. The basic, steadfast Ironman can still be had for 40 bucks, but this one comes with a 50-lap memory, two interval times, three alarms, AND it controls your iPod (if only it could program the TiVo). It retails for just under $100 and is perfect for the serious runner who wants to look seriously cool. Outdoors, Inc., Midtown, 1710 Union; East, 5245 Poplar; Cordova, 833 N. Germantown Parkway. Timex Ironman — $99.95

• Black Sheep? Hardly. Downtown’s newest shoe boutique carries L.A.M.B., Vince Camuto, oh Deer!, and more. These gorgeous Betsey Johnson pumps will definitely elevate one’s style — and the gold buttons make them far from basic. Found at Strut, 524 S. Main. Betsey Johnson pumps — $395

Shop This is compiled by Shopgirl. E-mail shopgirl@memphisflyer.com with tips and suggestions for items to be promoted. Please send a daytime phone number and print-quality digital images for consideration.