Another Great Day at the Holiday Boutique!

There's just one more day left of the 2013 Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique. You really must come and shop all of the vendors! There are four remaining to feature, and I will attempt to fit it all into this one last blog.

This cookbook caught our eye in the Tiffany's Gifts booth. Everyone has a favorite chef or cook in their lives who would love a gift like this. Tiffany's also carries Wind & Willow dip mixes as well as fun platters. She can help you put together a gift bag full of goodies for the Kitchen Goddess in your life.

Tiffany's also carries a large selection of home decor items. This darling "Welcome" sign lets visitors to your home know that they can step inside and get cozy. Made of a painted mesh, this door or wall hanging is a lovely touch for any home.

If you're in the market for some new Christmas decor, Floral Creations is the booth to be in at the 2013 Holiday Boutique. This perky little snowman is just waiting to welcome your holiday guests, complete with a carrot nose and a jaunty red bow tie.

This ribbon Christmas tree crafted by the decorating geniuses at Floral Creations would be a perfect decoration to display in a dining room, bedroom, or bathroom. The Junior Ocieleta Home Tour is coming up December 7th...who knows...you might see this little beauty in one of the homes you visit!

New vendor Crabarga, owned by Claremore resident Barry Cramer is offering these really darling Santa and Mrs. Claus decorations for sale. Santa is making his list and checking it twice!

Barry also has a nice selection of handcrafted jewelry for sale. Stop by her booth to see cute earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. These would make perfect gifts for girlfriends, hairdressers, and all the fashionable women in your life.

Last, but certainly not least, are the ladies of Beacon Hill Ranch, who make lovely hand-crafted jewelry.

The ladies of Beacon Hill Ranch design and handcraft jewelry from natural stones, leather, and pearls to complement business and casual clothing. For the holiday season, they will also have handmade items for home and family to make gifting fun and unique in 2013.

The Beacon Hill Ranch booth also features layette and decorative burp cloths for the special little ones in your life. Designed by Miss Judy, these lovely items are perfect for new moms who want something unique for their babies.

There is so much to see and buy at the Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique. Here are just a few of our favorite things:

- Karen Didion Santa figures in the J&J Pharmacy booth

- Light-up watches in the Designer's Choice booth

- Cute painted picture frames at Tinsel & Tulle

- A yummy candle called "Sueded Tobacco" in the Nesting Necessities booth

- Pretty chevron insulated casserole carriers monogrammed with your name at the Personal Expressions booth (try the lime green/gray carrier with lime green monogram!)

- A "house divided" decorative plate in the Eden Glass and Garden Art booth

- Too much bling to mention in the Premier Designs booth!

- A precious orange and white chevron print of the state of Oklahoma on a sweatshirt in the Rock-N-Mama booth for the OSU Cowboy fans out there!

- Darling stamped and personalized necklaces by Carter's Designs

- Ruffled and frilly leg warmers for little girls in the Kynleigh's booth

- The "butter rum" flavored body scrub from Stonebrook Day Spa

- A Melissa and Doug Farmhouse from Make It Special

- Organza infinity scarves in the Besito's Peruvian Gifts booth

- Cute Santa mug floral centerpieces from The Flower Shop

- Warm, cozy sweaters from Savannah's

- All of the jewelry and fun 60's-styled tunics in Image Rehab's booth

- A laundry sign from Vintique Charm with clothespins to attach lone socks that says, "Clean, Single, and Looking for a Mate."

Only one more day of shopping left...tomorrow, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RSU Centennial Center. Tickets are just $5.

It Has Begun...

Tonight was the VIP Event opening the 2013 Holiday Boutique. We had lots of wonderful ladies shopping with us tonight and enjoying delicious hors d'oeuvres, wine, and lots of catching up with friends and neighbors.

We welcomed Carter's Designs to the show this year. This vendor offers hand-stamped jewelry like the heart and pearl piece featured at the top of the page.

And this cute mixed-media piece with precious charms and stating love for that special someone (to the moon and back and to infinity and back!) That's a lot of love, right there. We hope you will come out and select a customized piece for that special someone in your life. These necklaces make wonderful gifts for mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and friends.

Speaking of personalizing a gift, join us in welcoming Personal Expressions to the show. Linda Palkowski, the owner, has brought an assortment of wonderful gifts for young and old alike. We're loving these chevron patch pocket t-shirts that can be personalized with someone's name, initials, or a favorite team's name.

Linda also carries a stock of these cute insulated casserole carriers that are perfect for the Potluck Princesses in your life.

And, while we're on the subject of princesses, who wouldn't look royal carrying this lovely gold satchel from Holiday Boutique vendor Designer's Choice?

Or this bag, which is completely on-trend and perfect for whatever outfit you might select for the holidays.

General Admission hours begin tomorrow at 10 a.m. at RSU's Centennial Center. Tickets are just $5 and available at the door. And, don't forget the free gift wrap!

See you there, shoppers!

Yet Another Triple Shout-Out To Our Awesome Vendors

The absolute latest in home decor is painted furniture, especially anything painted in chalk paint. The Holiday Boutique will feature a local furniture and antique vendor, Vintique Charm. Sheila, owner of this wonderful boutique, is a skillet painter with lots of knowledge of how to apply chalk paints and make them look good. She uses Annie Sloan Chalk Paints exclusively.

Every attempt has been made to bring you the latest styles and trends in home decor, clothing, jewelry, and accessories. You'll love the vintage "shabby chic" look of Vintique Charm's furnishings and antiques.

Back for a return engagement at this year's Holiday Boutique is Make It Special, a staple for party planners throughout Rogers County. Just a few years ago, the store began offering Melissa & Doug toys like this wooden train set. Not only are the toys well-made, they are very affordable and will be the treasured toy of the special child in your life.

What little princess wouldn't love a stunning doll house like this? Find these toys and much more at Make It Special's booth at the Holiday Boutique.

Also returning this year is Premier Designs, a jewelry vendor that was one of the most popular booths at last year's Holiday Boutique.

Premier Designs features lovely and affordable pieces that will accentuate any holiday outfit. Enjoy looking through all of the beautiful pieces and selecting just the right accessories for yourself - or as a special gift for a friend. Vendor Cindy Rickard plans to bring a wide selection of styles.

Don't forget that we offer free gift-wrap at the front desk in the Centennial Center. Helping with the gift-wrap station this year is Claremore High School's SPARK volunteer group. This wonderful organization encourages high school students to get involved in their communities and to be the "spark" that ignites a difference. Thank them for their service by tipping them generously. All proceeds from SPARK will be donated back to the United Way to help the 26 agencies who are helping neighbors in need.

General Admission tickets are still available for Friday and Saturday. You can purchase yours at the door or from any United Way agency for just $5.

Just Days Away From Shopping Fun!

It's Holiday Boutique Week! Are you getting excited? Is your wallet primed and ready for action?

Cash? Checks? Plastic? IOUs? Just kidding! The last one won't work at the Holiday Boutique! But the other three will!

The Boutique Blogess realizes she is running out of time, so in an effort to fill you in on all the cute stuff you'll have to choose from, the next several posts will be grand-slam shout-outs featuring several of our wonderful boutique vendors.

First up is Eden Glass Garden Art. Isn't the little bird plate in the first picture precious? We realize the time to garden is nearly past, but wouldn't the Green Thumb in your life love to have something like this waiting for warmer spring temperatures? We think so.

Here are some more of artist Teresa Smith's perky plates...perfect for those little garden spots that need a little sparkle. You won't want to miss her booth of clever creations for the beloved gardener in your life.

Speaking of cute, the Holiday Boutique is welcoming KynLeigh's Designs back for its second year at the Holiday Boutique.

Master embroiderer Tania Crawford is bringing back her precious custom onesie's and toddler outfits. Wouldn't this one look so, so cute on your little pumpkin for his first Thanksgiving?

Indeed...who needs Santa when you've got Grandma, Grandpa, and KynLeigh's Designs outfitting you for the holiday season. We love this cute onesie and the matching hair bow! Tania also has a stunning selection of leg warmers and other accessories for the beautiful babies in your life.

Another new vendor to the show is Jennifer Garcia of Rock-N-Mama. This wonderful booth will be chock full of all of the spirit wear you can handle for area high school teams.

Here are some cute girls sporting Rock-N-Mama spirit wear in Okmulgee with KTUL Channel 8's Kristin Dickerson. Speaking of, thanks to KTUL's Good Day Tulsa for featuring the Holiday Boutique this morning on your show! We had so much fun with Laura!

We're loving this darling hat, too! Let everyone know who you shout for as you enter the stadium or arena (or as you run all your Saturday errands!) Jennifer will have lots of Claremore Zebra attire on hand this weekend, so come out and get your Rock-N-Mama gear. You can even personalize it with your favorite player's name and number! How cool is that?

Tickets are flying out the door fast with all of this publicity and excitement. We only have four (4) VIP Event tickets left for Thursday night (call Angela Henderson at 918-637-4129 if you want one of the remaining four!) or you can get your General Admission ticket (just $5, what a bargain!) at the door Friday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Saturday, November 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RSU Centennial Center.

Don't forget the gift-wrapping station at the front desk!

See you at the Boutique!

Peruvian Delights Await You at Besito's

Looking for a way to spruce up your wardrobe without something unique but affordable? Then make your way to the Besito's Peruvian Gifts booth at the 2013 Holiday Boutique.

Scarves, jewelry, woven purses, and hats await you...like this lovely salmon-colored, sequined infinity scarf:

Or these beautiful cocktail rings created from natural stones from the Andes Mountains in South America...

And this woven purse would make a nice statement piece for your holiday outfits...

For the friend who travels frequently, this gorgeous hand-embroidered cosmetics case would make a perfect gift:

"Besitos" is Spanish for "little kisses," and these gorgeous items will give your wardrobe just the right kiss of color for a beautiful holiday season.

Tickets to the Holiday Boutique are available now for $5 at J&J Pharmacy, from any United Way Agency, and at the door. Hours for the Holiday Boutique are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, November 15 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 16 at Rogers State University's Centennial Center Ballroom.

For more information, please call (918) 343-1165.

Find Your Perfect Holiday Outfit and Hostess Gift at Savannah's and The Orange Owl

The holiday season is upon us and that means parties, events, and holiday happenings. You'll need something to wear...and a hostess gift or two.

But, you're busy. How can you shave a minute or two off of your errands? Try a one-stop shopping experience at Savannah's and The Orange Owl in the heart of downtown Claremore.

This lovely fringed sweater would look great paired with tomato-red jeans or a pair of black tuxedo pants. You could dress it up or dress it down. Best of all, it doesn't scream "holiday" like that awful reindeer sweater we all wore back in the early 1990s.

Savannah's also carries a full line of jewelry, perfect for wearing or for gift-giving.

While you're at Savannah's, restock your hostess gift supply with one of their fun printed aprons, a cute "Be Joyful" plaque, or this delightful sleeping owl doorstop. Holiday hostesses will be grateful for your thoughtfulness.

We couldn't resist showing off these little owl mittens. There's got to be a little one in your life that would give a "hoot" about these.

Another way to shorten that to-do list is to get all your shopping done at the 2013 Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique November 14-16 at RSU's Centennial Center. You can even get it wrapped and under the tree...all before Thanksgiving. Then, you can spend December snuggled up with your sweetie in front of the fire.

Need tickets? Call the United Way Office at (918) 343-1165.

A Moment of Blissful Peace Awaits You at Stonebrook Day Spa

If the traffic, crowds, parking, and your mile-long to-do list are making you feel like the Grinch this holiday season, shouldn't you treat yourself to a relaxing massage or a stress-reducing mani or pedi? We say, "Yes!"

A new vendor to the 2013 Holiday Boutique is Stonebrook Day Spa, a wonderful business located in Catoosa, will offer an oasis of calm and peace in the middle of the Holiday Boutique. Take time out for a soothing chair massage. Treat yourself to a manicure or a pedicure. Allow yourself to be pampered while you check off those Christmas shopping lists.

It's okay. You totally deserve this.

Stonebrook Day Spa employs a professional staff of pamperers who use the best possible products to create optimum results. For example, for dry, cracked feet, give this Honey Heel Glaze from Farmhouse Fresh a whirl:

Stonebrook Day Spa will also offer pre-made baskets of soaps, lotions, and other body care items. These little baskets make great gifts for teachers, friends, people who are feeling a little under the weather, and anyone else you can think of who might need a perky little pick-me-up.

You can't enjoy this experience without getting a ticket. A $5 General Admission ticket gets you in both days of the show: Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16. Call (918) 343-1165 for your ticket today.

Conceivably, you could have a chair massage both days...which can only be a good thing!

Don't Get Your Tinsel (and Tulle) in a Tangle!

Adorning a door with a lovely wreath of freshly picked posies, gorgeous evergreen and berries, or trendy burlap has long been a tradition in homes where guests are warmly welcomed. New to the 2013 Holiday Boutique is a purveyor of all kinds of wreathy goodness, Tinsel and Tulle. 

Tinsel and Tulle specializes in all kinds of wreaths and door decor, using such trendy and unusual media as grapevine, ribbon, burlap, felt, fabric, and other adornments. What is created is something unique and one-of-a-kind, which will have visitors to your doorstep asking, "Where did you get that?"

Who wouldn't want to welcome spring with this gorgeous mix of multi-colored hydrangeas, burlap, and the trend-current letter in yellow chevron? These are the custom looks you will find only at Tinsel and Tulle.

Tinsel and Tulle also has a lovely assortment of other items, including felt flower adorned napkin rings, perfect for a baby shower buffet; bulletin boards like this one to hang notes (or jewelry!) on; and lovely picture frames.

You won't want to miss their booth at the Holiday Boutique. You're sure to find something for a friend (or yourself)!

Need a ticket? Call the United Way Office at (918) 343-1165. Tickets are just $5 for General Admission. Hurry and get yours now before they're all gone!

The Flower Shop in Pryor...Offering So Much More Than Flowers

When I think about Christmas, my mind immediately turns to florals - bright red poinsettias, glorious pink Christmas cactus, heavenly scented paperwhites, and the fresh smell of evergreen wreaths and boughs. And you can find all of this and more at virtually any florist in the area.

But stepping into The Flower Shop in Pryor is an altogether different experience. Do you have a sweet little girl in your life who needs a little diva Christmas outfit? Look what we found in the store...

Or perhaps you have a devoted Sooner fan in your life whose door needs a little football inspiration in the form of a hand-crafted burlap wreath:

Maybe you'd like some vintage-looking Mason jars to arrange holiday flowers in...or to contain forks, spoons, and knives for your holiday buffet...or to corral crayons, markers, and other art supplies for busy little hands trapped indoors this winter...

We just can't wait to see all the lovely goodies the talented staff of The Flower Shop plans to bring to their booth at the Holiday Boutique November 14-16, 2013 at the RSU Centennial Center.

Haven't gotten your tickets yet?? Call (918) 343-1165 or (918) 637-4129 to purchase now!

Feather Your Nest (And Your Closet!) At Nesting Necessities

An explosion of new retail businesses have roosted in downtown Claremore recently and at the top of the list is Nesting Necessities, owned by Susan Todd and Cari Bohannan.

There is much to love about the store. It's chock-full of unique and beautiful clothing, home accessories, boots, scarves, cute jewelry, pillows, and so many more things well-dressed ladies give a "hoot" about.

Take for example this darling gray geometric print tunic. Not only is the cut current and the print fashion-forward, but the price is right. Nesting Necessities offers their clothing at a price point that won't break your budget and that's something to "crow" about.

Nesting Necessities carries a line of beautiful cowboy boots perfect for sprucing up any outfit. And who wouldn't love to have a pair of cute kicks like these in her closet?

If you're looking for the perfect gift for your "bestie," why not give her one of these precious signs with sentiments we couldn't agree with more. Friends are, indeed, God's way of apologizing for your relatives. You can pick your friends...but your relatives? Not so much.

You won't want to miss the Nesting Necessities booth at the Holiday Boutique. So many cute gift ideas to be found here, shoppers!

Do you have your ticket for Thursday night's VIP event? Hurry! We're just about to sell out. Call Angela Henderson at (918) 637-4129 to get yours now.