July 18, 2007

Trick or Treat

Treat Boutique Opens

Things you find soothing: a full-body massage at a seaside spa, meditating at a hilltop Buddhist monastery. Things you find not so soothing: shopping a sample sale.

Until now, that is, with the opening of Treat, a new boutique that carries discounted clothing, shoes, and accessories in the serene setting of a lovely old row house.

The charming green and blue shop stocks a manageable amount of well-placed pieces with enough room so that you can see everything. Don’t worry about baring it all for the masses — they have three large private dressing rooms.

You’ll find steals on lines like Abaeté, Alvin Valley, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Geren Ford, Milly, and Robert Rodriguez at 40 to 50 percent off. Shoes from Delman, Hollywould, and Bettye Muller are up to 75 percent off.

They will update inventory continually but are open only on weekends. So you can’t go overboard.

Which gives you more time to recite your mantra.

Treat, 114 South Royal Street, Alexandria (703-535-3294 or shoptreat.com).