Ribbit! New Vendor Iris Frog Hops Into the 2015 Holiday Boutique

Have you ever met someone and just KNOWN that this person is your spiritual sister? For me, that person would have to be Claremore's own Kimi Pranger. I think the thing that draws me to her is her absolute love of children.

That, and Kimi has way more style and chutzpah than I do. This is a woman who isn't afraid to add bright color to her hair, who effortlessly pulls together an amazing outfit, and who speaks to you as though you are the only person in the room with her.

Kimi has started a home-based business called Iris Frog, specializing in handmade attire for children and adults, some knitted, some sewn. Iris Frog got its name from Kimi's two favorite things: iris flowers and frogs. I'm loving the chapeaus above. The gray hat with the ears is so precious.

For years now, Kimi has taught school, mainly at The Mustard Seed, a wonderful local preschool. I've had the honor of working with her at Vacation Bible School before. Seeing her interact with little ones will make your heart smile. And I can see her love for children shining through in her clothing designs.

These mother-daughter, grandmother-granddaughter aprons are just precious, and an acknowledgment that one of the best things we can do with the children who come into our lives is to spend quality time with them, such as teaching them how to bake or cook a favorite family recipe. These aprons would make a great gift for the new mother or grandmother in your life.

These animal print jackets are simply amazing. What little girl wouldn't look Paris runway ready in these one-of-a-kind creations?

Kimi also sews little boy shorts and trousers. I love these - especially the pants with the monkey pocket and cuff!

These ruffled skirts once again demonstrate the style genius of Kimi Pranger. Cute, cute, cute!!

You will not want to miss the Iris Frog booth at the 2015 Holiday Boutique. Go by and say "hi" to Kimi. You will be very glad you did!

Tickets are on sale now for the Thursday night VIP preview! Call (918) 343-1165 to get your tickets now. They're just $25. But hurry! They won't last long.

They Tried to Make Me Go to Rehab and I Said, "No, No, No"

Image Rehab is a precious little shop in Catoosa tucked into the side of a salon. It's been a staple of the Holiday Boutique from the very beginning. 

I'll never forget the first Holiday Boutique I attended. I'd brought along my girlfriend, Julie, and as soon as we hit the doors, we divided and conquered. She went one way, I went the other.

I was sampling some lovely wassail at a local drugstore's booth when I felt a hand on my arm.

It was Julie. "You have to come with me...NOW."

"But, I'm having a Zen moment with this wassail," I said. "Surely this can wait."

"No. Come now."

Only one of three things could have caused my friend to interrupt my cinnamon-and-nutmeg-induced coma: (1) a pillar of our community had shown up in a Hillbilly Harlot getup; (2) flames were licking out of the top of the building; or (3) there was a 75% off sale somewhere in the vicinity.

She led me to this lady...

This is Linda Lewis, the proprietress of Image Rehab. And, her booth was (and ALWAYS is) to-die-for! Julie foisted two shirts in my direction. "Ohmygosh! These are just $15 dollars. We both have to get one."

Indeed, the shirts were fabulous and silly girls that we are, we purchased matching ones. But this booth - it was amazing. It was a treasure trove of clothing, purses, scarves, and jewelry galore. I couldn't stop looking at all there was to see.

Things like this amazing outfit, which Linda so effortlessly helps her customers put together in mere seconds. She has such a fabulous eye for what looks good on which people. I'm loving this long tunic over these beautiful blue leggings.

The past several years, Linda has brought along her amazingly talented sister, Cindy, who makes the most amazing things like these old-fashioned coin purse necklaces, perfect for the shopper on the go. Seriously, in addition to being a statement piece, it's useful. You can stick some cash, your license, a lipstick, and an emergency cigarette and lighter down inside this purse and be good for the day. Brilliant!

And the jewelry...well, it's amazing. I regularly knock out most of my girlfriend's Christmas gifts in the Image Rehab booth at the Holiday Boutique. This beautiful necklace is engraved with a familiar Irish blessing: "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rains fall softly on your fields."

Something tells me that Amy Winehouse would have loved this rehab equally as much as I do.

Ladies, if you're feeling like you need a little "retail therapy," then the 2015 Holiday Boutique is the place you need to be. Mark your calendars: November 12, 13, and 14, 2015 at the RSU Centennial Center. There are just a few booths left if you're a vendor. If you're lucky, you'll get to reside next to Linda and Cindy for three days. You'll thank us later!

Call the United Way of Rogers and Mayes County for more details on booth space and tickets: (918) 343-1165.

We're Baaaaaack...Holiday Boutique 2015 Coming Soon

You've got to love a good goat joke. We're baaaaack... Get it? No, I'm not planning on launching a comedy tour anytime soon. You're secretly glad, I know!

Ladies, grab your calendars and hold November 12, 13, and 14, 2015. These are the dates for the 2015 United Way of Rogers and Mayes Counties Holiday Boutique. You won't want to miss this opportunity to SHOP UNITED!

Back by popular demand is vendor Grayslland Acres with popular goat milk soaps, lotions, dog shampoo, beeswax-based lip balms and lotion bars, as well as really cool recycled feed sack tote bags, backpacks and satchels.

Last year's booth was extremely popular. Yours truly tried a friend's lotion bar and when I went to buy one - it was really lovely stuff - they'd completely sold out. Insert sad face...

I settled for a jar of goat milk lotion. I wasn't disappointed. It soaked right into my skin, wasn't greasy or tacky like some lotions can be, and kept my poor crackly dry hands smooth as a baby's bottom last winter.

They also sell these generous bars of goat milk soap - with or without exfoliation. If your skin is like mine and needs a little tender loving care in the wintertime, Grayslland Acres booth is definitely a stop you'll want to make on your tour of the 2015 Holiday Boutique. So many of their items would make a good stocking stuffer or gift for a beloved teacher.

I must admit that I was skeptical about the recycled feed sack bags...but then I saw them. These are so darling! Just imagine carrying bottled water and trail mix in them for a morning hike or tickets, paperwork and a great novel for an impromptu trip home for Thanksgiving. Whatever you use it for, it will most certainly be a conversation piece, and so tremendously environmentally conscious!

Yes, indeed, the Grayslland Acres booth is a treasure trove of skin-friendly, earth-loving goodies. Best of all, you're supporting a local business. Grayslland Acres is a working farm located northeast of Pryor, Oklahoma and is home to four llamas, 13 Nubian goats, four dogs, 10 chickens, two cats, a canary, an African gray parrot, and two humans - Steve and Myra Grayson.

I know it's just September 4th, but those amazing holidays are just around the corner!

Here's a reality check: there are just 111 days until Christmas. Before you know it, we'll be downing pumpkin spice lattes and eating turkey.

If you're interested in booth space in the 2015 Holiday Boutique, please call (918) 343-1165. There are just a few left!

Ho, Ho, Ho-My Goodness!

I'm just back from the Holiday Boutique at RSU's Centennial Center and what an amazing show this is, friends. There are so many reasons to come to this show this weekend, not the least of which is new vendor, Stainless Steel Rings. You can get someone's name etched on a ring and hang it from a chain or wear it on a finger. Genius!

Perhaps there's a special word or saying you and your beloved share with one another. Get it etched on a ring for them for Christmas.

Stop by and see the nice people at Stainless Steel Rings. These would make great (and meaningful!) stocking stuffers.

There are so many reasons to support the Rogers County United Way Holiday Boutique.

1. Your $5 ticket helps 24 agencies of the Rogers County United Way, who in turn help neighbors in need throughout Rogers County. It's a win-win for everybody involved.

2. There are 25+ boutique-style vendors in the show and so many lovely things to choose from, including Christmas decor, jewelry, children's accessories and clothing, toys, home decor, coffee, gift items, and books.

3. We offer free gift wrapping. Yes, you heard that right. FREE gift wrap.

4. The show is open tonight until 6 p.m. and tomorrow (Saturday, November 15) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

5. Make a list of items you love, leave it at the front desk, give your husband or significant other the ticket for Saturday, and let them come back and shop.

6. Get in the holiday spirit by listening to the music and looking at all of the beautiful Christmas decorations.

7. No-hassle parking and it's a one-stop shop for all the people on your holiday gift-giving list.

8. You could get all of your shopping done and wrapped this weekend - BEFORE THANKSGIVING! Now, that's a deal!

9. You will be shopping local and supporting small businesses in our area.

10. While everyone else is standing out in the cold at 4 a.m. waiting for those Black Friday sales at the big box stores, you will be snuggled in your pajamas checking out the insides of your eyelids, safe (and warm!) in the knowledge that your holiday shopping is done!

See you at the Holiday Boutique...

Make Any Holiday Outfit Sing With Boot Cuffs and Socks From Angels La Boutique

The latest trend of the moment is lace boot cuffs and socks. We think this trend is spot-on and we hope it sticks around for a while. It's just plain girly, feminine, and cute. New Holiday Boutique vendor, Angels La Boutique, will be bringing their cute selection to the show today, Friday, and Saturday.

The detail on these cuffs is exquisite. Beautiful lace and antique buttons make them pop.

With boot weather here to stay, these beautiful cuffs provide multiple accessorizing options.

You'll want a pair in every color!

And, I am loving this gorgeous cuff from Angels La Boutique. I love the edgy zebra print with the lace accents and the darling cameo in the center. These would be perfect to tuck down into a stocking or two this Christmas season.

The Holiday Boutique starts tonight with the VIP Shopping Event. Sorry! We're already sold out of tickets for this event. However, General Admission shopping begins Friday morning (November 14th) at 10 a.m. and continues on Saturday morning (November 15) at 9:00 a.m. at the RSU Centennial Center.

General Admission tickets are just $5 and are good for both days. Come shop with us!

GraysLland Acres Brings Made In Oklahoma Products to the Holiday Boutique

If using all-natural products is your goal, do we have a sweetheart deal for you! New vendor, GraysLland Acres is coming to the 2014 Holiday Boutique, and they're bringing their all-natural, handmade products along with them, like these goat milk exfoliating soaps.

Owned by Steve and Myra Grayson, GraysLland Acres is a 20-acre llama and goat farm. Myra makes goat milk soaps and lotions, lotion bars, and lip balms that are beeswax-based. The Grayson's share their farm with miniature horses, Great Pyrenees dogs, chickens, a poodle, a papillion, two cats, two parakeets, an African Grey Parrot and a Quaker Parrot. This is a family that cherishes animals.

The wintertime in Oklahoma can be cold, blustery, and downright bitter. Tender skin is always in danger of drying out, flaking, or worse, chapping. Stock up on GraysLland Acres Honey-Flavored Lip Balm to keep your lips smooth and unchapped.

Myra also reuses and recycles feed bags into really cool tote bags and messenger bags - perfect for a computer.

And I think these garment bags are just about the coolest thing I've seen in a long time. If you or someone on your shopping list travels frequently, this is a great gift idea.

The Holiday Boutique is ready to open tomorrow, November 13, at 5 p.m. for the VIP Shopping Event. Sorry, but we're all sold out of those tickets.

However, there are plenty of General Admission tickets left for shopping on Friday, November 14, beginning at 10 a.m. at the RSU Centennial Center. You may purchase your ticket at the door. We sure hope to see you there!

New Vendor Earth, Wheel and Fire Brings Hand-Made Christmas Items to Holiday Boutique

Who can resist the allure of a hand-made pottery bowl? Here at the Holiday Boutique, we've fallen in love with these beautiful crocks made by new vendor Earth, Wheel and Fire.

Pictures cannot truly capture the beauty of these amazing pieces. And, they are a perfect Christmas gift for that hard-to-buy-for friend who has everything. I could see a mass of pink tulips hanging out in this turquoise blue bowl on my Easter table. The marbling is exquisite.

This candleholder appears destined for a Thanksgiving table somewhere. Perhaps yours?

This dish is reminiscent of Frankoma pottery for me. Growing up, my Mom and Gram had Frankoma everywhere, and I still remember those pieces with such fondness. This piece would make a lovely candy dish, spot to park your keys and change each night, or a place to store your cosmetics in a bathroom. Really the possibilities are endless.

Looking for a perfect gift for your favorite Claremore Public Schools teacher? Look no further! Fill one of these mugs with an assortment of tea, cappuccino mix, or apple cider packets for a lovely presentation. Or, fill it with colored pencils, a skinny notepad, or ruler. Or, fill it with gift cards to Starbucks, QuikTrip, or any number of other options. What teacher wouldn't appreciate that as a gift?

Ladies, the Holiday Boutique starts tomorrow. We are officially sold out of the VIP Shopping Event tickets, but there are still plenty of General Admission tickets for Friday and Saturday. Remember, the Holiday Boutique is Friday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, November 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tickets are $5 and you can get them at the door. Also, we offer free gift wrapping!

It's supposed to snow a little on Saturday, ladies, but don't let that dampen your spirits. The ground is too warm for anything to stick for long. Come shop with us!