Sparkle is the New Black

Upscale and sparkly boutique, check. Pittsburg, Kansas has a new store front specializing in upscale children's clothes and accessories. Sassypantz Boutique opened its doors this past Saturday at the Meadowbrook Mall Commons and Wendi O'Rand, the savvy business owner, spared no short cuts for this venture. She surrounds herself with a pretty talented team whose specialties are fashion merchandising and social networking. Given the fact that Facebook, and our circle of former co-workers kept the store a buzz all week, customers were coming and going in the short time I visited Wendi. The aisles, she proudly points out are stroller friendly and the fitting room is roomy for the parent and children."

Among the tutus and the sparkly headbands, I gravitated towards the boy's Beatles inspired t-shirts, the felt party hats, and, of course, the basketball blanket. School colors were available for the area and Sassypantz also specializes in embroidery. My sidekick, Lisa, being of sound mind and committed that she already has bought the special girl in her life her 1st birthday present, couldn't resist the embroidery service and some "sassy" looking diaper covers. After checking out the embroidery display, it was clear that the this week's Obvious Fashion Tip is that sparkle is the new black.

Sassypantz Boutique is located at Broadway and Centennial at the Meadowbrook Mall Commons next to Urgent Care. The hours are 10-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10-5 p.m. on Saturday. "The late hours during the week," said Wendi, "is to accommodate the working parents."