New Year, New Opportunities, New Possibilities

According to the internet (so it must be true), 45% of us typically make New Year's resolutions.  (Whereas, 38% percent of us never do.)  The bad news is that only 8% of us actually succeed in achieving our resolutions.  The good news is that people who explicitly make resolutions are ten times more likely to achieve their goals! 

Many of the most popular resolutions concern better self-care and improved quality of life (e.g., lose weight/get in shape, quit smoking, get more organized and spend more time with family and friends).  Achieving any of those resolutions would improve a person's life in one or more ways.  For example, losing weight has many benefits: better health, improved appearance, enhanced self-esteem, and more energy - which can then be channeled into other things that are important to the person, whether that's their job, their family, or their other activities and relationships.  At AEB, we know that looking and feeling your best go hand-in-hand.

At Aw Else Boutique, we have resolutions for 2013.  We have many plans in the works for improving our services and product offering this year.  We'll be kicking off the New Year with a four-day trip to the Big Apple where we will be meeting vendors and selecting new products.  Where else can LA, Paris, and NY come together in a giant fashion explosion?  We can't wait to learn more about 2013 style trends and to connect with new vendors of hangbags, jewelry, shoes and other accessories. 

We'll likely polish off the trip by sneaking off to grab a carriage ride through Central Park, as my business partner is now also officially my fiance!  Yes, 2013 promises to be a very big year for us, indeed!

In addition to our hopes for Aw Else Boutique, we also want to support you in your efforts to create a "new you" this year - we want you to look and feel your best every day.

First, we're hosting our New Year, New You Event January 3rd, 4th, and 5th.  We're hoping that you're resolving to invest in yourself this year, and we'd like to help.  Call us to set an appointment with our staff for a FREE accessories consultation.  Wear or bring a new or favorite outfit, and we'll help you accessorize it so you'll feel your very best in it!  (Check your email for a money-saving coupon to be used during this three-day event, too!)

Getting organized is also one of the most popular New Year's resolutions.  Not surprisingly, January is national Get Organized Month.  When you're organized, it frees up your time and energy (both physical and mental) to focus on the things that are really important to you.  To go along with that New Year's theme, Aw Else Boutique wants to help you get organized with our three-day special on Pouchee.  Visit un January 10th, 11th, and 12th and take $5 off any Pouchee $29.99 and up!  If you're not already familiar with Pouchee, HERE is a cute, informative video that demonstrates how they help contain and organize personal items in your purse.

Finally, gettting out of debt or otherwise spending more wisely is consistently among Americans' top 10 resolutions.  For this we will be offering our Annual January Clearance Sale, January 21st through the 31st.  Take advantage of great seasonal deals! Save up to 50% on fall and winter accessories, including select handbags, candles, jewelry, shoes and more. (Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Available while supply lasts.)  Come in for great deals on seasonal merchandise!  Stay tuned for more details.

So do YOU have resolutions for 2013?   We hope you have chosen one or more resolutions that include investing in yourself in some way.   If you are among the 45% who set resolutions, be deliberate about it. Write them down. Share them with others who will hold you accountable. You can beat the statistics and succeed.  Good luck!

Happy New Year - and Happy New You!

 

All I Want for Christmas Is....

Maybe you're that person who picks up gifts throughout the year and has her Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving.  If you're not, then you surely know that woman who sits back to chill while the rest of us scramble to finish our shopping and other holiday prep.  For the rest of us, holiday shopping often takes us to to the last minute to check everyone off our gift lists.  Men are often particularly prone to the last-minute shopping habit. 

Rather than try to change their habits, we at Aw Else Boutique attempt to accommodate the men who shop for their ladies at our boutique.  If you haven't already heard (are you living under a rock?  Just kidding!), this Friday, AEB is hosting our Annual Men's Shopping Night from 5:00 to 9:00 PM.  To further help them out, we have gift list forms in the boutique that you can complete so they can shop on their own and still get you just the right gift this year. 

And although we're about all things feminine and fabulous at Aw Else Boutique, we know how to make the shopping experience not just tolerable but enjoyable for our guys, too.  Not only will our expert staff help them pick great gifts for you, men can relax with a beer and some man food (subs and wings).  We've further sweetened the pot for them with the assistance of our friends at Greensburg's premier men's clothing store, Lapels.  All men who attend our Men's Night on Friday will be entered to win a Lapels gift basket, featuring Tommy Bahama®, worth $150.    

This year, men's night will feature our jewelry from Sorrelli, Sade Designs, and more - with select styles offered at 50% off the retail price.  Plus, they can take 20% off ALL other, non-sale, merchandise in the boutique!

Do yourself a favor and "strongly suggest" that the man in your life attend our Men's Night this Friday.  It's a win-win situation for the both of you!

The courtesy of reply is requested.  For those planning to attend, please RSVP by calling 724.420.5236 or emailing us at rsvp@awelseboutique.com.  We can't wait to treat our guys to a shopping event they'll enjoy and to help them wow the women in their lives!

Let's Take Care of Those Who Can't Be Home for Christmas

We’re supporting Rooting for a Reason and accepting toy donations for Children’s Hospital!

 

This year, Aw Else Boutique is taking donations of Christmas toys for children who can't go home for the holidays.  Too many of us know first-hand how hard it is to spend time in the hospital beside a sick child.  But many have also experienced the warm feeling that spreads through our hearts when someone comes to our sweet child's hospital room with a gift.

Now through, December 18th, we'll collect toys to donate to patients at Children's Hospital.  Bring your donation in on Monday (17th) or Tuesday (18th) and we'll give you $10 off any purchase of $40 or more.

Certain factors, including the risk of infection, prevent the hospital from accepting certain types of items.  Please view these gift suggestions from Children's to ensure that your donation is something the hospital can share with a child.   We appreciate your support and know how meaningful this gesture will be to patients and their families.  We'll be rooting for hope and spreading joy to those not able to be where they should be for the holidays...home.

A Holiday Greeting from Aw Else Boutique

‘Twas the month of December and all through the store, our staff was abuzz,
To share with our customers some holiday love.

The scarves are all hung from displays on our wall,
In hopes of making women feel fabulous, y’all.

The jewelry is nestled all snug in our cases,
With visions of Christmas sparkle to light up your faces.

And the handbags on hooks and the gloves on the shelves,
For helping you accessorize, we’re better than elves!

And then out on the floor, there arose such a clatter,
We ran in our chic shoes to see what was the matter.

With cries of, “She’s special! I need something unique!”
People poured in with gift lists to shop our boutique.

And our friendly staff, so lively and quick,
Said, “We know how to accessorize; we know all the tricks!”

More rapid than reindeer, our staff, we all came,
We made recommendations, we shouted brand names;

"Try Chocolate! Sorrelli, Bridgewater or Pouchee!
Big Buddha, John Wind, Cinda b or a Fumi!"

All the year through, AEB answers the call,
Helping create phenomenal looks for women – one and all.

But this month, especially, we’d just like to say,
Thanks for supporting us, day after day.

Our staff would like to offer you much holiday cheer,
And say “Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!”

 

 

Holiday Gifts for Her - Staff Picks

Accessories make fabulous gifts for all the women on you list for a couple of reasons.  For one, girls never really out-grow the desire to play dress up.  It's just less "play" and more serious business for us these days!  Accessories are those little things that can make a big difference - often the difference between looking nice and looking fabulous.  Women can never have too many accessories, so you can't go wrong.  Another reason they're great as gifts: You don't have to worry about getting her something in the wrong size.  A handbag, a scarf, a piece of jewelry will always be the perfect fit!

We have lots of fashionable accessories for women - with more arriving every day - but here are a few of our staff members' recommendations for great gifts.

John Wind Charm Bracelets

 

Charm bracelets from East Coast, jewelry-designing sensation John Wind come with the charms you see in the bottom of the photo above.  From there, the bracelets are easily customized to fit the receiver's unique personality with addtional charms that simply clip on and off (no need for a trip tot he jewelers!).  Shown here are the Eiffel Tower and a mini key charm, but we have many others to choose from.

 

Strappy Watches

A fun twist on your typical time piece.  These watches make great conversation starters.

 

Hand Warmers / Fingerless Gloves

These fingerless gloves provide a fun and different solution to gloves that work with a touch-screen mobile device.  We have them in several colors and patterns and they've been one of our most popular items this month.  Get 'em while they're hot!

 

Big Buddha Wristlets

Wristlets are a must-have accessory for women these days.  We need to keep our stuff handy, yet it's not alway practical to carry a bigger bag.  These styles from Big Buddha are simple enough for everyday use and "bling-y" enough for evening wear - and they're just big enough for holding essentials.

 

Handbags from Chocolate New York

There's a reason Chocolate New York commands you to "wear your addiction" - women who have a bag from Chocolate do tend to come back for more.   These sleek little numbers also transition well from day to evening and they have plenty of pockets for staying organized.  This particular style includes the option to carry it as a satchel or as an over-the-shoulder bag.

 

A Scarf and Metallic "Tie"

 

 

Scarves are a great way to change up the look of an outfit, but we often hear women say that  they just aren't sure how to "pull it off."  NEW at AEB this month, we have decorative, metal "tubes" that create a stylish way to "tie" on a scarf without having to know how.  (But if you do want to know how, there are dozens of options and we can help!)  This accessory not only dresses up any scarf, anyone can "pull off" this simple look.

Aroma Decor Fragrance Diffusers

And for the home, these fragrance diffusers are gorgeous accent pieces for any room.  They gently diffuse fragrance oils throughout your home, and they're verstile in that they can be refilled with a variety of scents.

 

 

 

 

 



'Tis the Season for Giving and Giving Back

As you've likely read on this blog earlier in the year, own co-owner Danielle Shaffer had the honor of being selected to travel to Honduras with the Bridgewater Candle Company to learn first-hand about the company's partnership with Rice Bowls, which helps to feed children living in poverty. It's an experience that has changed Danielle's life and cemented her dedication to the cause of addressing world hunger. Her efforts and her trip got the attention of the local media, and they covered Danielle's story in the Tribune Review earlier this week.

Click HERE to read the full story.

Stop in to AEB to buy a Bridgewater Candle - each har feeds one child for a day. Or simply drop some spare change in the Rice Bowl located near the candle display. Every little bit counts - you CAN make a difference!

New Purses Arriving Just for Y. O. U.

Okay, did anybody get that "Y. O. U." reference back to the previous "Eenie Meenie Miney Mo" post? 

Thanks to everyone who replied, both here and on our Facebook page, to the last post about which purse line we should carry.  Your input was invaluable.  But here at AEB, we decided that handbags are like potato chips - you can't settle for just one! 

We not only have added two, new purse lines, we already have them in the store for you!  Without further ado, allow us to introduce you to....

Big Buddha

Big Buddha offers "your daily Zen in a handbag."  Sounds good, right?  The designs were inspired by founder/designer Jeremy Bassan's travels to Thailand and the beautiful, exotic bags he discovered there.  To Bassan, the "enlightened" bag both stands out aesthetically and is loaded with practical details - lots of pockets, top zippers, adjustable shoulder straps.  Those elements are important to the designer because he creates the styles for "today's woman" who might be managing home and family plus work and/or school.  According to Bassan, "Our bags are made for girls on the move - you can stuff your life in these bags."  The designs run the gamut from polished and classic to playful and sassy.   Big Buddha is verstile, fashion-forward, animal-friendly and attractively-priced.  Find your inner peace in the bag that has it all!

One of several Big Buddha styles you'll find now at AEB, with more on the way.
Love the contrast interior and the vast main compartment!

Chocolate New York

This line wasn't actually on our eenie, meenie list, but the addiction that you don't have to feel guilty about is back by popular demand at Aw Else Boutique!  Chocolate New York is a brand of carefully constructed bags that also combine the latest trends in fashion with supreme functionality.  Their goal is to increase the wearability for their clients, satifying your needs from day to night.  These eye-catching bags are also both animal-friendly and sold at very enticing prices.  According to Chocolate New York website, the brand "is not quiet; rather we represent the confidence and individuality of today's fashionista."  Three other descriptors from the brand's website that we've found to be accurate:  trendy, classy, and clean.  These bags are for women who appreciate fashion and unique design details - and you know we're all about finding your own uniqueness at AEB!  The brand is a perfect fit for us and our loyal customers.  Stop in to see how you can "Wear Your Addiction."

Just a few examples of the gorgeous Chocolate New York bags
now appearing at Aw Else Boutique. 

More to Come...

Not only are we expecting new styles of both Big Buddha and Chocolate New York to be arriving routinely over the next weeks and months, AEB anticipates soon adding yet a third new line of bags that you'll love.  So stay tuned!