Clean out the closet-then fill it up again.
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Fabulous new halters and board shorts by Trina Turk have sprung at Unity Fashions. The Sheana halter top ($150) is available in soft, sky-blue cotton with gathered pleats that finish with a flat bow at the neck and a zip-up back with tiny neck buttons. The Hank board short ($200) is a cotton/linen blend with wide cuffs and a drop waist that has the cutest shiny oval buttons. The back pockets have rounded corner edges, finished with an open pleat.
Unity Fashions, 604 N. Guadalupe St., 946-0464.
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We love this combination of garden goodies. Weeding Glasses ($22) are tinted reading glasses, hand-painted with lively flowers and polka dots, and are quite useful for careful weeding in these early spring-cleaning days. The FoxGloves ($27) come in regular and grippy varieties and are made of durable Supplex so they feel like a second skin. They come in asexual colors, are super-soft and can be worn alone, under thicker gardening gloves or for hiding hideous cuticles.
Tropic of Capricorn, 86 Old Las Vegas Hwy., 983-2700.
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Beaded necklaces and bracelets from Guatemala are all the rage this season. Various beading practices are put into action using quartz, tiger's-eye, amethyst, glass beads and macramé. The look is expensive but the prices are within reach ($10-$56), and all the proceeds go directly back to the village where the jewelry is made.
Body, 333 Cordova Road, 986-0362.
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Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we use this DIY Garden Spider Web kit ($12.99) that comes complete with hexagonal frame and garden stake. Just set it out in your garden and wait for the spiders to come weave a new home…unless you have agoraphobia
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arachnophobia, in which case you should leave it in the box. What's the last thing a bug sees before you pull its wings off and burn it with a magnifying glass? Mystery solved! The Buzzerks ($10.99) is a collection of eyewear with compound vision so you can see through the eyes of a fire ant, praying mantis or hornet and feel their pain.
Toyopolis, 66 W. Marcy St., 988-8994.
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This Trench Dress Coat made by Beaubois ($124) is not necessarily outerwear, but it passes muster by mixing up different styles to create a gorgeous spring look. A bubble-skirted bottom surprises this classic style with the requisite tie waist and classic khaki cotton. Vintage buttons with a swirly, Bakelite feel make this trench a cute addition to any coat closet.
Chimera, 537 Old Santa Fe Trail, 989-8777.
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Strange big-eyed dogs and drunk-looking babies illustrate Pep Ink soaps ($5). These sweet-smelling soaps come wrapped in weird packaging and make great gifts for all your weird friends. Couple them up with the Crabtree and Evelyn Shower Flower ($7.50), a scratchy little gadget that softens when you soak it in water and lathers up to festival of suds.
Soap Opera, DeVargas Mall, 982-8066.
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Celebrate Easter with a tree, predecorated eggs and cookie cutters from one of Santa Fe's premiere kitchen stores. The Easter tree ($26.99) has twisted branches and is ready for fancy ornaments or to use as a centerpiece. Easter eggs are lightweight, rolled in brightly colored glass beads and packaged by the dozen ($5.99). Have some fun making spring-themed cookies in bunny, egg and flower shapes (99 cents) and decorate with colorful Indian Tree sugars ($6 and up).
Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe, DeVargas Mall, 988-3394.
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Portuguese shoemaker Elect has crossed the pond and landed at Indigo with its unusual line of washed leather shoes ($179). Spring colors are a plus since the worn-in texture and cushion-forming insoles add to the charm of these slip-ons and lace-ups.
Indigo of Santa Fe, inside the Santa Fe Arcade, 982-7600.
Santa Fe Reporter