Dip Into the Holiday Season with Ella's Dips

Entertaining friends and family during the holiday season just got a lot easier with returning Holiday Boutique vendor Ella's Dips.

If you're like me, you try to keep a few staples on hand especially for this special time of year. Things like crackers, cream cheese, pepper jellies, sour cream, hard cheeses, olives, and items for an impromptu relish tray. This is the one time of year you never know when a last-minute party might materialize...or when Old Man Winter might make his first visit and snow us in with hungry family members.

Why not stock up on some dry dip mixes? Ella's Dips has a number of varieties that are holiday-ready, including savory dips like Cheesy Enchilada Dip and sweet like yummy Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip. Best of all, owner Joella Crouch displays a taste-tempting array of dips already mixed and ready for tasting. Just grab a pretzel stick, cracker, or chip and dig in!

Once you get a taste of these delicious hot and cold dips, you'll be hooked.

Ella's Dips also stocks a lovely selection of bowls and serving pieces, complete with coordinating spreaders. Paired with a dip mix, they're the perfect treat for those "hostess with the mostess" friends on your gift list.

The 2014 Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique is just four weeks away. Call now to get your ticket for this amazing shopping experience! (918) 343-1165.

Now This Is My Kind of Rehab...

Shopping addicts, take heart! We have retail therapy and rehab at the 2014 Holiday Boutique. Long-time vendor Image Rehab, a cute little boutique out of Catoosa, has everything you need to give your wardrobe a serious lift.

From darling costume jewelry that is priced affordably...

To these amazingly beautiful (and vintage-looking) crocheted vests from Martha Mae...

This amazing booth will keep you occupied for hours. Proprietress Linda Lewis (and her amazingly talented sister) always surprise us with the latest and best in fashion.

All of the 80s ladies will love this super-cute baseball shirt. Reach back in your memory to the days of Journey when Steve Perry fronted the band: "Just a small town girl/Living in a lonely world/She took the midnight train going anywhere..."

Imagine how different you could look after a visit to rehab...Image Rehab, that is. Come check yourself in at the 2014 Holiday Boutique, November 13, 14, and 15 at the Rogers State University Centennial Center Ballroom. Tickets are $25 for the Thursday night Exclusive Shopping Event and $5 for General Admission on Friday and Saturday. For ticket information, call (918) 343-1165.

Deck The Halls With Pryor's The Flower Shop

One of the cutest booths at last year's Holiday Boutique had to be The Flower Shop's booth. This little gem located in Pryor had the most amazing Christmas decor, like this precious gingerbread centerpiece above.

And this darling sled arrangement, which would be a perfect greeting on any winter porch...

The Flower Shop also brought a delectable assortment of holiday serveware, which would look amazing on any holiday table. Or, bake your favorite holiday treats and deliver them to a dear friend or neighbor.

The Flower Shop also carries an assortment of darling Christmas outfits for the little girl in your life. Imagine your little cutie-pie in this amazing clothing!

The Flower Shop is the place to get yummy holiday treats, as well. They carry a variety of yummy cookies, cupcakes, and other baked goods throughout the year, like this delicious red velvet cupcake.

Last but not least is a wonderful assortment of beautiful jewelry, perfect for gifting or for your holiday outfit.

The Flower Shop has expanded from one booth last year to two booths this year at the Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique. You won't want to miss their amazing assortment of gifts and holiday decor! Mark your calendar for November 13-15, 2014 at the RSU Centennial Center. Tickets are $5. For more information, call (918) 343-1165.

Christmas is About Children at Make It Special

Most of us can remember a special Christmas we spent as a child and the wonderful gifts we received. The children in your life will remember this Christmas for years to come...so why not Make It Special?

Back for a third year at the Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique, Claremore's own party store, Make It Special, will feature the high-quality Melissa and Doug line of toys.

What little girl wouldn't love this portable toy house and its accessories?

Or this precious Flip and Serve Pancake Set, complete with banana and blueberry pancakes...perfect for the budding chef in your life.

For the boys, there is this tote-and-go farm scene, which is sure to spark imaginative play, as well as wooden trucks, trains, and other transportation-related toys.

Popular last year were these Trunki riding suitcases, perfect for trips to Grandpa and Grandma's house...

And stocking stuffers abound, including this fun reusable sticker pad.

You won't want to miss Make It Special's booth at the Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique November 13-15, 2014 at the RSU Centennial Center. The little ones in your life are guaranteed to have a very wonderful Christmas!

New Vendor G Wear Offers Environmentally Conscious Fashion

New Holiday Boutique vendor G Wear began as the vision of Stanley Jackson, an eco-friendly fashion designer, and was acquired by Michael Wilson in late 2011. Along with maintaining an eco-friendly foundation, with organic cottons and recycling t-shirts, G Wear is always looking towards the future - creating new designs and developing new products throughout the year.

The “G” stands for “green” and represents G Wear’s commitment to the recycling of materials in order to keep our environment clean while looking stylish. Products feature hand sewn appliqués from recycled materials that lend each item a unique, one-of-a-kind feel. Products are easily identified by the stripes on the sleeves, and the G Wear recycled logo making them “authentically G Wear.”

With football season in full swing, Holiday Boutique shoppers will appreciate G Wear's collegiate line, including this offering for Sooner fans...

And this super-cute option for Oklahoma State fans. Welcome G Wear to the Holiday Boutique family and find green gifts for all of the environmentally conscious on your Christmas list!

Mark your calendars now for the 2014 Holiday Boutique, November 13 through 15 at the RSU Centennial Center. Tickets are on sale soon! For more information, call (918) 343-1165.

Something Great Is Always Waiting Down a Dirt Road

Living in the country, we've got plenty of opportunities to drive on dirt roads. Dirt roads promise many things. The way home. A great yard sale. A calm fishing pond. We think dirt roads are some of the best roads around.

There's another really great dirt road in Claremore - Dirt Road Boutique in the Ne-Mar Shopping Center - and best of all, your car won't need washing after you go there!

A relative newcomer to the Claremore shopping scene, this little boutique is full of wonderful treasures. A recent visit turned up home decor, lamps, clothing, jewelry, and high-end florals. Dirt Road recently received a shipment of cute boot cuffs that will be the perfect fashion item this fall. They also have a wonderful assortment of game-day gear for local high schools.

Co-owner Patty worked for over 10 years as a floral designer with Cohlmia's in Tulsa. She will have a lovely assortment of fall florals perfect for your Thanksgiving buffet and all sorts of wreaths, mantelpieces, and Christmas trees for Christmas decorating. If you don't see what you want in Dirt Road's booth at the Holiday Boutique, Patty can make whatever you want after consulting with you for just a few minutes.

Another fun (and very useful!) item at Dirt Road Boutique is the Poo-Pourri line of toilet sprays. Made with all-natural essential oils, Poo-Pourri covers up a multitude of smells and helps you leave the bathroom with your head held high.

Dirt Road Boutique is an amazing new gift shop in Claremore and you're sure to find something really great for a special someone there. They will have two booths at the Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique November 13-15, 2014 at the RSU Centennial Center. Patty says they will be bringing lots of holiday decor, including an upside down Christmas tree. We can't wait to see!

Find Something Charming at Vintique Charm

There is a bit of a resurgence on Main Street in Claremore. When our family first moved here, there wasn't much to choose from downtown. Many of the buildings sat empty and most, even those that were occupied, were long neglected. It looked a little sad and tired, to be frank.

Not so anymore. And one of the most wonderful places of all in downtown is a little shop called Vintique Charm. Tucked into the corner of Will Rogers Boulevard and Cherokee, in the Masonic Temple building, this gem is a treasure trove of hand-painted furniture, trendy clothing, affordable jewelry, home decor, and repurposed vintage items.

Featuring the popular Annie Sloan Chalk Paint line and milk paints, this cozy little shop houses a number of stunning furniture finds, including handmade farm tables that would look great in any kitchen. I recently stopped by and found the proprietress, Sheila, painting a jewelry armoire in a lovely shade of wedgwood blue. Let me tell you about Sheila. She is pretty wonderful! Just oozing with energy and customer service. Last year was her first year at the Holiday Boutique and our friends were charmed from their first glance at her booth. She brought the cutest assortment of hand-painted furniture, palazzo pants and leggings, pillows, signs, and much, much more. Her booth got barer and barer as the weekend came to a close.

The best part of the shopping experience at Vintique Charm is the price point. Sheila keeps her pricing affordable and refreshes her inventory often so that no two visits to Vintique Charm are the same.

There truly is something for everyone at Vintique Charm. You'll love the selection they will bring to the Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique. Mark your calendars now for the Holiday Boutique, November 13-15, 2014. For more information about the Holiday Boutique or to purchase tickets, please call (918) 343-1165.