Parking was at a premium in Montecito’s Upper Village on one of the last shopping days before the holiday, and I was glad to see I wasn’t the only one waiting until the 11th hour to finish off my list.

You might say it was kismet, but KISMET Montecito was my actual destination. The new women’s lingerie and intimate apparel shop took over the lease of Glamour House at 1470 East Valley Road, Suite J, next to the post office.

Lined up for a special holiday sale, customers sipped hot chocolate while they chatted with owner Lindsay Eckardt and her staff.

In addition to shopping for intimate indulgences, customers were able to get complimentary monogramming from Phillip Rodriguez and their ears pierced if they selected 14-karat stud jewelry earrings.

I was there to shop for my daughters and daughter-in-law, but I waited my turn to partake in the hot chocolate and personalized gifts, and even added an additional stud earring to my collection.

Eckardt, a married mother of a 4- and a 2-year-old, told Noozhawk “I have my hands full in the best way.”

Like many during the COVID-19 pandemic, the entrepreneur pivoted when her Bay Area luxury hair salon business came to a halt.

“I’m a creative-holic,” she said. “I can’t turn my brain off to branding projects, KISMET being one of them.”

While kismet means “destiny,” Eckardt felt it was the perfect rebrand since she found the Montecito location by fate. 

Although she’s aware that much of her merchandise is available elsewhere, particularly online, she believes that having a team to personalize her customers’ experience sets KISMET apart.

“These events,” Eckardt said of the special sale, “can also bring in new client. The camaraderie and the community make us grateful to be here.”

KISMET’s selection ranges from sexy lingerie to practical loungewear and robes, luxurious slippers and a sprinkling of fine jewelry. Bodysuits can be worn with a beautiful pair of silk pants or a comfy pair of sweats.

Brands include Fleur du Mal, Eberjey, Stripe & Stare, Cosabella, Aviator Nation and Joah Brown to name a few, with an emphasis on the transition from lounge to work and back.

As a curator, Eckardt said, she chooses merchandise with one question in mind: “Would I feel pretty in this?”

Her evolution as a new mom drove her sense of style for the shop. At the end of the day with toddlers, she explained, a new pair of pajamas and cozy socks made her feel as if she was taking care of herself.

Eckardt is aware that Nordstrom’s departure — as well as Glamour House’s shift to online sales only — left a void for customers missing a large selection of undergarments. In fact, she said, bras are her most requested item, and she already has plans to expand lines of underwear and shape wear.

Bridal showers and engagement parties are popular gifting events at the store, and every item is gift wrapped with KISMET’s branded material for an unforgettable delivery.

KISMET Montecito is a fun, fanciful intimate shopping experience, with a small shop ambience and stellar service that are destined to appeal to a new generation of Santa Barbara women.

The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.