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if it barks You pride yourself in keeping up with fashion trends, but have you left your dear sweet dog in the fashion dust? if it barks is the ticket to your dog's state of coolness, offering collars and leashes in preppy stripes and plaids, hip patterns and funky textures. www.ifitbarks.com Get your barker in style.
Villa Consegna Chic fashion treasures circa then and now. This Five Points House of Consignment has gems and accent pieces that are sure to be your next outfit-maker. A wonderful assortment of designer labels but with the added bonus of character thanks to a bit of history. After all, what Hollywood fête would be complete without some vintage shopping? 2003 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 (corner of Glenwood and Fairview); 919-828-3737
Swing Bags The sassiest, the sweetest, the most breathtaking beaded bags on the planet. And don't we love the beads... A wonderful compliment to the cocktail attire or the jeans and cashmere crew. All make for the perfect gift for your girlfriends, sisters and yourself come holiday season. (And priced just right, too!) Check out their complete collection online. Or to contact the designers directly, email them at info@swingbags.com.
Monkee's Face it: when it comes to shoes, you really shouldn't be too practical. That's why we've invited an oh-so-chi chi shoe salon to return to Tinsel Town. She's bringing boots and mules and heels and flats, and you're just not going to know what to do when you see her collection. Dyn-o-mite, I tell you. With brands like Donald J. Pliner, Kate Spade, Icon, Isaac Mizrahi, and Beverly Feldman -- it's doubtful you'll go home empty-handed. Visit their shop in Meadowmont in Chapel Hill, NC to view their entire collection of shoes and accessories or call for special orders (919-967-6830). The shop girls are really chi chi and always ready to help.

Blue Water Spa The girls of she she me can't get enough of this place and if you want to be good to yourself this holiday season, you will give it a go as well. Their facials will take you to a dreamy dream land that is just too good to be true. A gift certificate for one of their services is the perfect gift for your sister, mom, dad or brother. And their signature line of products allow you to take the spa experience home with you. Aromatherapy candles, soaps, bath salts and the like are perfect stocking stuffers (or self-indulgences.) The spa is owned and operated by a board-certified plastic surgeon. (For further insight into the spa, its services and its owners, check out this article. 10941 Raven Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC; 919-870-6066 www.bluewaterspa.com

Balboa AS FEATURED IN NOVEMBER ELLE. You've never seen such yummy gems. Seriously, you just may drop your jaw. The designers sell their chic jewelry in Barney's NY and other specialty boutiques across the country. We highly recommend starting your holiday wish list here. All pieces are one-of-a-kind, making them instant signature pieces for your fall and winter wardrobe. We love their vintage pendants on chains! Oh my goodness! Do you think we can have more than one? Visit their website to get a glimpse and feel free to contact the designers directly to order via email.
Bennie Carol You have to see it to believe it. These hand-painted canvas bags look like they belong in New York. At once bold and sassy, the totes and clutches bring a bit of elegance to the practical. (We all oo'ed for the clutch pictured here.) Wonderful gifts for aunts, sisters, mothers and girlfriends. Really, you can't go wrong. And the best part of it is that this designer is brand new. Practically no one has seen her wonderful wares, leaving you prime to make the fashion statement on your own. You can contact the designer via email at benniecarol@hotmail.com.
Bryce Harris This new designer is going to change the holiday season entirely. Seriously, if you get to show up for a party in this hot little number, the season will be a jolly one indeed. We love her sleek designs as much as her flirty and we've never been so excited to show our backs in the dead of winter. She's bringing a full collection and setting up inside she she me, so come prepared to get dolled up! To contact the designer before the event, you can email her at bryce@bryceharris.com or visit her website.
BOOTS & TODDI There's no end to what you'll find in this fave Five Points store. We love the Vintage Image Mirrors, the monogrammed Pillow Shams and Scarves and the decorative designer silk and woolen pillows. (Shop Girl takes home a new pillow every day, it seems.) But every she she girl needs and must have one of their marvelous felt boas. Your winter ensemble will thank you for it, we promise. And for those of you decorating your abode, you just can't go wrong with their delicious bedding. All in all, it's a must-stop-in. Visit their store at 2012-B Fairview Road Raleigh, NC. www.bootsandtoddi.com

A PROPER GARDEN This little gem of a store stocks my favorite gift item of all time: the narcissus forcing kit. It has everything you need to force beautiful paper white bulbs: forcing jar with halo (so the bulb won't flop over), two bulbs and instructions. The whole kit comes in a gift bag for $10.99. It's my yearly give-to-my-ten-best-friends gift. (For the do-it-yourself-types, they stock lots of fresh bulbs straight from Holland.) Aside from that, we adore her "tinsel" ornament sets (of course). They're solid pewter and very very sleek for your chicest of friends. (Not to mention the perfect tinsel town souvenir.) Then there's the Ling Chang watercolor calendars and refills, beautiful terracotta pots, urns and bulb planters aged with real moss, and the beaded glass votives that will make your house sparkle. Visit the store at 2012-A Fairview Road in Raleigh, NC. or check out the website www.apropergarden.com for a sneak preview.
Aloma Crenshaw Antiques Every chi chi girl starting her home needs to pop in here to meet Aloma. A kindred spirit who's been there and decorated it all, she's bound to get us all started on the right foot. With a bit of everything in her chic antique boutique, a girl's mind can do flips as she daydreams of sophisticated rooms to come. (We highly recommend taking your mom with you to guide the way -- and possibly help with the funding.) It's a must-stop-in, as you'll leave feeling a bit more grown-up, a bit more aware, and possibly (just possibly) a bit more fabulous. 2010 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC. 919-831-1888

Mary Phillips Designs These frames, cocktail napkins and notepads just may be every girl's answer to gifting. With her very wide range of very clever quotes, there is a product for everyone and then some. Our newest favorite, "Put your big girl panties on and deal with it." A good solid runners-up, "If the shoe fits, buy one in every color." All products sell at wonderfully reasonable prices and you just may get all your girlfriends gifted in this one stop. To place orders via email, feel free to contact the designer directly. beth@maryphillipsdesigns.com

NOFO Given the success of our last event, Spring Fling, and the plethora of young and sassy females shopping and cocktailing about, NOFO has taken it upon themselves to tend to our better halves. They are making their front patio area THE MALE OBSERVATION DECK. With such accoutrements as binoculars and bourbon, your man is sure to be aptly entertained while we girls frolic about. They're calling it SHE SHE SEE. How fitting. And for those of us shopping, Nofo has just launched its new recipe binders -- one called Eat In (for your easy eating-in recipes), and one called Take Out (for a quick reference of all your fave take-out menus.) Very clever and an easy gift for the holidays. 2014 Fairview Rd. Raleigh, 919-821-1240 www.nofo.com
Jessica Thomas Jewelry We are all itching to own her chandelier earrings. But that's not all -- this Raleigh designer's collection has grown to include fabulous necklaces, bracelets and earrings that every chi chi girl is going to want to call her own. To place special orders or to receive a catalog, contact the designer via email. Otherwise, make haste to Tinsel Town because her jewels are too good to last for long.
Acquisitions For years the antique stores of Five Points have been thought of as scary, daunting and otherwise not-approachable to the likes of us girls. And I'm here to tell you that that's just not true. To the contrary, Acquisitions makes you want to pull up a chair and soak in the richness of all their exquisite treats. I'm thrilled to report that they will have fourteen trees decorated to the hilt with fabulously unique ornaments. And is there a more perfect present? Of course, you'll find other magnifiscent temptations as well -- but there's too much to do it justice here. So make a point to stopping in. 2003 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC. (919) 755-1110
The Kat's Meow There are many reasons to take note of this gift boutique, but we here at she she me are ga-ga goo-ga for their Vineyard Vines collection. We've made sure that the owner will have plenty of ties, boxers, belts and 'bunds available for all the she she girls to buy boys presents for the holidays. (For those of you unfamiliar with this line/label, it's the toast of all the magazines and a veritable 'must-have' for your beau.) Beyond these gems, Kat will bring along a slew of darling baby bibs, onesies and other baby gifts, as well as a taste of what makes her cottage-come-boutique purrrr... We're thrilled to have her under the big tent and can't wait for you to view her wares. For those of you who can't wait until Tinsel Town or would like to place orders over the phone, feel free to contact her. 2511 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC.
Whitnee's An antique shop specializing in painted furniture and unique home furnishings, it's a slice of pie from the good ol' days. There may not be a nicer group of folks working anywhere in the country, and people flock from near and far to see the sought-after and beloved owner Robert Corprew. Seriously, he's a local fixture (and favorite). So if nothing else, stop in to meet him for yourself. Beyond that, I'm a sucker for their neat furniture that somehow looks like it was made for your home - even if it's already lived a lifetime in someone else's. I've already warned them to expect a flock of girls, so don't let me down. 2003 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC. (919)829-9998

My Flat in London she she me is about to wet her pants for the "faux mink Kelly bag", Shop Girl might cry if she can't have the "Black Doggie Bag", and everyone wants to take home the faux mink clutch. It's all just too prisspot perfect for words. Lucky for us, the website does all the bags and accessories justice so she she girls nationwide can have access to these chic designs. As for local girls, make sure you find My Flat in London in Tinsel Town. Otherwise, you'll be pea green with envy when they're gone. www.myflatinlondon.com

The Girly Girl Boutique For every new mom to a girl or every expecting mom of a girl, you'll be thrilled to learn about The Girly Girl Boutique. With preppy little gems like these dresses, to the monogrammed gown for newborns, to all the bibs and blankets in-between -- you'll be armed and ready for any baby girl shower or birthday for months to come. Fortunately for all, these items are all available online so you can shop from wherever your computer is docked. To contact the designer with questions, email her at customerservice@thegirly-girlboutique.com.
Whimsy I don't know what's cuter: their wares or the owners themselves. (Possibly the most bubbly pair I've come across.) That said, I'm in love with their stained-glass stars and am already planning to hang them from my windows for the holidays. Beyond that, they have fabulous pj's, holiday stockings and Christmas tree ornaments that are sure to round out your holiday shopping lists. All the perfect solution for the chi chi mom/mom-in-law who has everything. I could keep gushing about the French silk scarves, but I won't. You'll just have to come see for yourselves. To contact Whimsy, call 252-367-1535.
Regency Antiques & Fine Art Gallery They call this diamond of a boutique "Raleigh's secret art gallery", and after browsing through the store, I concur. With a wonderful collection of fabulous artwork dating back to the 1850's, I'm all of a sudden wondering if it's time to grow up and start my own collection. After all, why pay $100 + for a poster to be mounted and framed when you can have the real deal? Aside from the art, the antiques are divine, and we're tickled to announce that the prices are completely affordable. Wonderful gifts for just about anyone on your list with the added luxury of knowing that it's unique, it's classic and it's a "keeper" piece. So, my twirty friends, pop in and tell Claire and Ed I sent you. They're delightful. 2006 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC. (919)835-2646
Kerry Catherine Jewelry We are all positively ga-ga for her pendants. Hung from ribbon, leather or silver, these elegant-yet-fun pieces are sure to be the next big thing for the holiday season. (The snowflake pendant is positively perfect! And you're going to be dangerously tempted by the Christmas tree. Who knew holiday accessorizing could be so chic?) Beyond that, she has her ever-popular spiral earrings in silver and gold that are always instant sell-outs and perfect gifts for all the women in your life. She's camping out under the tent and will be open in her shop around the corner on Glenwood -- so make sure you stop by! For those too tempted to wait, her store is located at 1809 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC. (919)831-2277

Davenport's Florist This is a must-stop-by destination for everyone, as you'll just shoot yourself for passing up on their chic wreaths. All are available for order so that you can pick them up just after Thanksgiving. The wreaths just may be the most stylish things you've ever seen. And to top that, they will take orders for your holiday mistletoe. (Who doesn't need some extra kisses during the holidays?) It's a hard-to-find necessity come December, so be smart and place your order at Tinsel Town. And while you're there, check out the fabulous Christmas ornaments and beautiful poinsettias. 2007 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC. (919) 834-0336 www.davenportflorist.com
Tallulah And just because no evening is complete without a lipover, Tallulah will be there with superbly elegant Take-Out Pouches. Each comes with a lipstick, eye-shadow and a blush. The combo makes for the perfect smoky look for your holiday soirees. She and her band of assistants will be on hand to teach you the tricks of the trade. (Even if you're not in the mood for the purchase, at least you can enjoy the make-over.) 2011 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC. (919)839-8333.
The Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood This wonderful organization is a vibrant mix of a mental health treatment facility, a school for young children, and an educational and training center for parents and professionals - all focused on the one goal of maximizing the potential for healthy and social development for children from birth through age eleven. The Lucy Daniels Center will provide mental health services to over 400 familes throughout the greater Triangle area during 2003. And they have a very easy way for you to get invovled -- shop. Easy enough. All you have to do is buy a Lucy's Card. This card is purchased for $50 and offers 20% discount to over 200 of the Triangle's finest merchants November 1 - 8th. (Some restrictions may apply.) With the way we shop, we'll spend our way to savings in no time. You can buy the Lucy's Card online or order by phone. Visit www.lucyscard.org or call 677-1400 x107.