In business: Euro chic at child's boutique In business: Euro chic at child's boutique (March 12, 2003)

By Jane Knoerle
Almanac Lifestyles Editor

Parisian style and Italian flair define the children's clothes at the new Angels boutique at 889 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park (entrance in parking lot).

Christina Luiz of Menlo Park, who is also a real estate agent with Cashin and Company, says she opened Angels because: "This way I can get my baby fix. I get to hold them all day long. Besides, I was spending so much money on baby gifts I thought I might as well open my own shop."

Although this is her first retail venture as an owner, Ms. Luiz was a buyer for the now defunct J. Magnin in San Francisco. The clothing at Angels is chosen by the buyer at Heaven, a sister store in Carmel, who travels to Europe on frequent buying trips for both stores.

The shop, located in the former site of Mikado Japanese Imports, is light and spacious. "I wanted room for moms with strollers to come in," says Ms. Luiz. The walls are pale yellow. The primary colors of the red, yellow and blue lights are reflected in a whimsical contemporary oil painting by Jaya King of Menlo Park.

A large round pouf sits in the center of the upper room. "Everything here was designed to be safe for children," says Ms. Luiz. "All the corners are rounded, there is carpeting on the floor and a basket of toys."

Clothing, guaranteed to make an expectant mother or a grandmother melt, is tastefully displayed on the shelves.

Bringing baby home from the hospital? Consider a cotton knit outfit with applique saying "hello world" on pink or blue satin.

A six-months-old trend-setter would be enchanting in moss green and lavender leggings and top with flower applique, worn with a lavender bonnet with ruffle brim. Matching moss green sneakers trimmed with pink rosebuds have satin laces.

There are several shelves given over to tiny leather shoes from Italy: pale green decorated with orange pompons, red suede accented with shocking pink, lime with burgundy and wine with peach trim. It's enough to start a baby girl on a life-long shoe fetish.

Angels features boys and girls clothing from infants to size 10. "We feature boys' clothing from Europe; most other shops carry only girls'," says Ms. Luiz. A first-grade boy could make the best-dressed list in khaki cargo pants and a chocolate brown faux leather jacket.

Party dresses abound. A red taffeta dress with matching tulle overlay is scattered with rose petals. "One mother bought it for her daughter for Chinese New Year's," says Ms. Luiz. A pale blue faux fur jacket is matched with a full tulle skirt embellished with white roses. One of the most expensive ($230) and exquisite dresses is pale pink organza with matching satin applique from Italy.

Handmade silk and satin pillows decorated with feather angel wings, bunnies with fluffy tails, or birthday cakes are a big hit as gifts for adults, as well as babies, says Ms. Luiz.

Angels, which opened February 1, has received a "warm welcome," says Ms. Luiz. "People come in and say 'I'm so glad you're here.'" She adds that mothers who used to go to San Francisco for Italian shoes for their children now say they can find them at Angels.

Angels is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.