Christmas Gift Ideas: Bookstores & Boutiques
Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today, I take you shopping with me and have Christmas Gift Ideas: Bookstores & Boutiques.
Once I began to visit Abilene’s small businesses, I knew I wanted to support them and select Christmas gifts in the community.
I did much of my Christmas gift shopping prior to moving and early in the move so I could send off the San Antonio Christmas gifts early.
That is my excuse for many of my gifts happening online.
But, there is still time to bless family with Christmas gifts from Abilene.
So, come along and perhaps you will discover some Christmas gift ideas in my shopping adventure recently.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS: BOOKSTORES & BOUTIQUES: WHAT I WORE
Everywhere I go since moving, I am observing what other women in my new community wear.
Many like the outdoor vest, long sleeved tee and jean look.
So, that is what I decided to wear for Christmas gift shopping recently.
Now, is the time to refresh your vests or jeans because many are on sale…so check out my SHOPPING LINKS page, find your favorite retailer, and see what the current sale prices are.
Today, my navy vest and tee were originally from and my current favorite jeans are from
My beautiful silk scarf was gifted to me from Sydney, the designer from Canada at LOVE’S PURE LIGHT.
Her scarves are stunning and original.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS: BOOKSTORES & BOUTIQUES: BOUTIQUE GIFT IDEAS
I knew my daughter would love a Christmas gift that supported her community.
Addie’s Boutique was the first small business spotlight I wrote about here and I love to go back and see what she is featuring.
She also does regular updates on HER FACEBOOK PAGE.
Note: I adore this nutcracker blouse! Wish I had seen it earlier in the holidays.
This is a boutique where just walking in the door is special.
Addie greets her customers with a smile, thoughtful questions that are specific and shows she knows who you are, and offering of hot tea.
She makes you want to grab a chair and sit for awhile.
But with so much fashion fun, it is difficult to just sit.
I did find a gift for my daughter…she reads the blog…so you will have to find out later what it is.
Earmark this look for moving into spring!
Local boutiques are where you will find the unique, special brands that cannot be found anywhere else.
Each boutique represents the taste and style of the owner curating the stock. That is why each one can be special to visit.
Of course, it does not surprise me to see this little thought hanging in Addie’s Boutique.
Go by if you need a smile and tell her I sent you.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS: BOOKSTORES & BOUTIQUES: BOOKSTORE GIFT IDEAS
Many have told me that there are two bookstores in Abilene I need to see.
Books-A-Million is one of those stores…I plan to visit the second one soon.
I was looking for an additional Christmas gift for my grandsons.
As long as I have had grandchildren, I have purchased books for them and encouraged reading…as I did with my own children.
I love that I can see the fruit of a family which loves to read in their lives.
When I saw the large reading department for kids in Books A Million, I knew I could find a Christmas gift..and probably many Christmas gifts.
My oldest grandson at age 11 is constantly reading, so I decided a book light for reading at night might be appreciated as a Christmas gift.
For the 8 year old, the latest release of the Dog Man series was the best option…he has read them all.
And the 6 year old is a huge fan of Bluey, so there were many options for a stocking stuffer.
This is now a place I will think of first as our birthdays begin in January.
I am also very excited to see the coffee shop area of the bookstore.
A nice place to meet new friends for a chat.
This was such a fun day of Christmas gift shopping.
I can repeat bookstores and boutiques by going to the lovely downtown area…and I will.
I love bookstores with coffee shops so much that I added one this year to my Christmas village scene.
I found it at Kohl’s as part of the KOHL’S ST.NICHOLAS SQUARE collection.
For Christmas gift ideas or even birthday gift ideas, think of your local bookstores and boutiques.
The support is so welcome and it is nice to actually be in-stores and not on websites for a change…though I will always do both.
Hope you are at the Finish Line with this year’s gifts…next year I will do more in the community.
Thank you for being here…the final countdown begins tomorrow…hope to see you then.
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
How lucky to have such a variety of boutiques. I love that pearl necklace! I need to check out Bluey and Dog Man to see if my grandchildren are reading them. I just bought them each books at an art museum. Love your cozy bathroom decor! Have a good day!
I am a huge fan of the jeans, tee and vest look, and have that vest from Talbots. They are so easy. I wear them over sweaters here even in the winter, as long at its above 20 degrees. Often I’m running errands, and they are perfect for dashing from the car to an overheated store. And while shopping, your arms and hands are unencumbered. This is exactly the casual look I like. The scarf and the nice cut of that Talbots vest (it’s my fave of all the ones I own) elevate the look and get us to that polished adjective we both share.
Thank you, Deborah!
Thanks Linda! I will be wearing this similar look often.
Oh, with my glasses, I noticed that necklace wasn’t made of pearls. I have a strand of those beads. I need to find a focal point piece anc restring them. Thanks for the inspiration, Pamela.
I love to play jewelry designer…I think it is fun. Let us know if you find that special piece!
Vest, long sleeve top and either jeans or slacks has been a staple look in my winter wardrobe since moving to California. My vest collection has grown so that I now have sporty vests and dressy vests. It’s the perfect layer for temperatures that often go from 50’s to 70’s. Books are always in the gift bag for my 4 grandchildren; if you are stumped for a title idea go to the library and talk to the librarians. As a retired librarian, I remember grandparents always coming in at this time of the year looking for the latest teen title to later purchase at the book store. I would love to see photos of a visit to your new, local public library, Pam!!
You would also feel right at home wearing that outfit here in Oregon. 😉🌲 Small as our town is, we do still have a cute packed-to-the-rafters book store with coffee counter and cozy seats strewn throughout. I’m off to the spa this morning, but a stop at the bookstore might be just the thing to round out my day. Happy Tuesday! 🌻
Happy to do that, Linda…I love libraries and the one here is actually in the mall!
Sounds like it would be a perfect way to round out your day, Connie! Enjoy the spa!
The nutcracker shirt is so cute, & I’m sure I could spend hours in that bookstore. My daughter collects those St. Nicholas Square pieces from Kohl’s. I bought her two pieces for Christmas. My 22-year-old granddaughter is a voracious reader, & I love that she reads real books & doesn’t use an e-reader. As a stocking stuffer, I bought her a lovely bookmark featuring one of Vincent Van Gough’s paintings. It’s lovely to see your new town.
I do like dressing in jeans, tees and vests. I Don’t care for jackets, but the vest makes my outfit feel complete. I try to add a few to my collection every year. I will look at the one you posted.
I loved bookstores a few years ago. We don’t have one in our town, just a used bookstore with paperbacks. My hands are so bad with arthritis that I no longer can hold a book or write. I use my iPad for all of my reading, writing and listening to Audible books. I just received two generous gift cards for Amazon so I will be getting some books on my wish list. I told my sons that gift cards from Amazon are still the best gift they can give me for my birthday. I’m grateful that I can still read as my best friend is going blind in her right eye. At this time of year, I have so much gratitude for my 80 years of life. You look lovely Pam. You always do. You glow with happiness and your smile is so contagious! I have our shopping done and I had to do it online. I used your links.
Thank you, Becky! I find so many fun things in my new town!
You might look for a reversible one! Then you have two vests!
Thank you so much, Sydney!
I’m also wearing jeans, a long sleeve tee & a vest today. And sneakers too since we are having a warm spell Its my favorite way to dress in the winter when its not terribly cold. Books are such a great gift for children and a book light is a wonderful idea. I use mine all the time so I’m betting your grandson will love it.
I think he will! Thanks Kathie!
I went into Border’s recently; it’s been years since I’ve been in the store and was thrilled to see selection after selection of books, calendars, writing equipment, etc., etc. Amazing. After my divorce, my budget was geared more toward books from the library; mine saves my reading history so I can always go back to see if I had read a book that looked interesting from blogs I read. I think I could live in a bookstore or a library! I’m still a book reader and do not use a Kindle or Nook, or ???. I prefer to hold the book; BTW, I bought a rechargeable light that clips onto my books when the light isn’t perfect; I love it! It was suggested by “A Well Styled Life” blogger and a perfect gift for a reader; I’m sure your present will be appreciated. Love reading about Abilene; sounds fun!
Hi Margie, I also want to hold a book in my hands and I also highlight quotes I like and new words or phrases I want to note. That’s why I prefer to own the book… but I do love libraries and I promise I don’t write in the books!