A shop girl day

Farewell Noda

2011-03-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

We are closing the BLVD at NODA on Tuesday, April 26th. We have enjoyed 5 wonderful and successful years in Noda. Why leave?

There are many reasons but its the cumulative effect that led us to this very difficult decision. Over the last 9 months we saw the bulk of the galleries close, with that the change or shift in crawl traffic. We are at the end of our 5 year lease which brought along much elevated rents. Put those two factors together with a different environment, we felt that retail was not the best business to find success in Noda. So that is why we are leaving.

We are not sure if we are going anywhere else. What we had in Noda was perfect. Great neighborhood with pedestrian traffic, great 'small town' feel, tourist traffic, summertime crowds, and culture that was ripe and amazing. Not sure where we will ever experience this again. We have our eyes open, but so far nothing has sparked our interest.

So, keep in touch with our website www.blvdnoda.com, facebook and twitter. We will be active, especially if something new and wonderful happens.

We loved being part of Noda and will miss it dearly, but at the same time, thrilled that Noda continues to grow in popularity and thrive.

Out of the 'Norm'

2010-07-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

I feel like I know and have seen a lot of women who are currently pregnant and expecting this summer. I guess love was in the air this past winter!

I know whenever I go to a baby shower, I never want to be in the 'ordinary' category when getting a gift. Of course I always want to be the one who gets the 'mommy to be' the gift that's trendy, echo friendly and unique. That way you can never go wrong.

The Boulevard once again can solve this dilemma of being ordinary!

There are so many neat things for babies here. Let me show you a few things that I love and that you just couldn't find at a department store.
This ECO Monster onesie is adorable! Not to mention the little felt monster toy that matches... It is sold as a set and it comes in a variety of colors.. not to mention the felt is made from 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles. Pretty cool!

These Short sleeve/shorts onesies are another one of my favorites. Perfect to get for a summer born baby! I love, love, love the frills and the pockets. Kind of reminds me of a trendy baby romper!

Okay, you cant forget the Mommy! I never want to go to a baby shower without getting the mommy to be a little something special.
These bath salts from Beautorium are perfect for a nice soak in the tub for her to relax. (I think she deserves it!) Not to mention it has all organic ingredients which is ideal for a pregnant woman.

All of these I have mentioned are sure to please any expecting mommy and are a promise to be out of the ordinary. Come check it out, we have so much more to offer!

Happy summer! xoxoxo- shopgirl

Tie Dye is Back

2010-05-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

We have a new vendor, Designs by Agi. I say new in that she has only been with the Boulevard at Noda for 2 or 3 months. Her work is half tie dye and half kids clothing with hand crocheted appliqués. Well...her tie dye work is amazing and folks are buying her pieces with zest.

To tell you that tie dyed clothing is cool just might sound a little too weird. Well, I am here to tell you her quality of the dying and the quality of the original garment is why this works. The colors are vivid, the styles are modern and feminine...so its a great new way to bring tie dye back!

Hey Charlotte...Noda ROCKS!

2010-05-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Boulevard is a hidden gem. I am of course, very biased since I work here. But I hear from just about everyone who walks in that they LOVE our shop...even guys tell us that! So why is it that so many Charlotteans stay away? Is Noda a scary place or are we just too far from the beaten path to take the drive?

Just about every business here in Noda has been featured in the news, front page in various newspapers, magazine articles including all the major travel magazines, awards and the list goes on. With so many businesses in Noda making the news...we still remain 'unvisited' by much of Charlotte.

The visitors bureau told me that Noda was the most requested area of town. So we definitely have a good thing going. So, if you have not visited Noda yet and you live in Charlotte. Make it a priority.

2010-03-09T08:57:00.001-08:00

Love this weather! I am still planning all my spring fashions and this week is all about the HAT. Spring hats are fun and feminine and make every outfit 10 times better. The only problem is what is my hat limit? I love my spring palate of natural fibers, bright colors and feminine cuts. So I have selected my top 3 hats for me personally. You will have to come in for your own three.

The first hat is my pretty yet natural girl hat that will be my 'date with hubby' hat. So when we dine al fresco...I am too cute for my sweetie.

The second hat is my 'hanging with the girls' hat. Flirty, fun and a punch of attitude for our hours of giggling and goofing off.

The third hat...this first one will be my Spring statement piece. You will see me at Derby Days in this beauty. I will of course adorn it with flowers, scarves and ribbon to ensure my 'hat win' at Derby Days.

Keeping it Local

2010-03-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

I have been more of a cocktails sort of gal but developing a taste for wine as I aged. Now as I enter my third childhood (aka...old age for the young at heart) I am developing a fondness for the boutique beers. But who doesn't' like a beer that you can toss a fruit wedge in??? Tasty and healthy, right?

Found out that in the past couple years a small brewery started our own backyard....Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB). This local brewery produces German style ales and lagers in their 15,000 square foot facility on Southside Drive in S. Charlotte. They are open to the public for beer tastings, but the Boulevard at Noda is going to bring the beer to 36th & N. Davidson. So, this gallery crawl...BLVD at NODA will have its own Biergarten set up for this joyous occasion. Must be 21 to enter and exhibit courteous and gracious behavior so that all enjoy this experience.

Details on our website www.blvdnoda.com

Punxsutawney Phil - you sly devil

2010-02-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Despite the temperatures outside...the Boulevard at Noda is going to get ready for Spring! We put our IT jeans on sale at 30% off and our winter fashions at 70% off because we need to make room for all our spring fashions. We have new dresses, shorts, skirts and tunics coming next month. This works out great since Mr. Punxs said six more weeks of winter and its week three.

I am ready to put away my winter scarves, hats and jackets. I want to see the 'Derby Days' hats come out. I want to look for my next favorite pair of open toe shoes. Not to mention, my legs need to see a little sunlight...not much, just enough so people realize I get my full value of Vitamin D.

So, if you are ready for Spring too....tell that sly devil, the groundhog, that we are going to move on. Because the day we see Spring emerge...I am going to be out dining al fresco and doing it with style!

Get Your Home Ready for Your Holiday Visitors!

2009-11-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

Isn't funny, how you are fine with your home all year long, and then its time for the holiday's and guests will arrive soon, and you start to notice that your walls are bare, your couch could use some decorative pillows, and so on... We can help you make your home a little more cozy for you company! First, you can fill any bare wall with original artwork by NoDa local, Mary Digby ($45-$75). Then, throw some decorative pillows on your sofa! Milkweed's throw pillows are printed with local artwork, so not only are they so cute, but they actually can become a conversation piece ($35)! Only one week left until Thanksgiving, so let the shop girls help you get your home ready for all of your visitors!!
XOXO,
Shop Girl

There is no Helping my Hair on a Day Like Today!

2009-11-11T09:02:00.000-08:00

I tried this morning to fix my hair, just like every other day. The rain and humidity won though, and I may as well just rolled out of bed without doing anything to my hair and I probably would have looked better. I highly doubt there is a hair product that is made to deal with today's weather, so instead of fighting this uphill battle, you can always have fun and throw on a fabulous looking hat. We have so many fun ones to choose from, and people will only notice the great hat and not the bad hair day! Plus, when it's sunny tomorrow, you will still look so fashionable wearing it!

XOXO,

Shop Girl

Speaking of Holiday Parties... What am I Going to Wear?

2009-11-05T10:58:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Suzie and Amy Weiler, from Cool Mom Boutique, we have plenty of choices to help! Whether you want to find a great-fitting pair of jeans, a fun tunic, or a cocktail dress, we have a wonderful selection.
With so many choices, it really is hard to decide on just one outfit, and of course there is one more problem... Cool Mom Boutique also has a great finds for the office and weekend wear as well. So, if you are looking for the perfect holiday party outfit, or just looking to give your wardrobe a winter makeover, I would definitely suggest you check out these hot fashions!
XOXO,
Shop Girl

The Gracious Guest

2009-11-03T09:18:00.000-08:00

Look at all of those wonderful holiday parties on your calendar! What fun! It's time to surround yourself with great food, cocktails, and good friends. Just don't forget about the hostess that made it all possible. The hostess that carefully planned the menu and drinks, selected the music, decorated the house, and made it all look effortless. A small token to show your appreciation for all of her hard-work would not go unnoticed. We love Natural Luxe's "Mudlark" recycled note cards and think they make the perfect hostess gift. The 25 note card sets are made with post-consumer content and soy-based ink. They even come in a decorative reusable box with great sayings like, "Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart," - Confucius. $15

XOXO,
Shop Girl

Let the Games Begin!

2009-10-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

Its that time of year...we play the game of 'what to get ____'. Its fun for some, but not all feel that way. So, the Blvd at NoDa has come up with a program....called Miracle on 36th Street. Its this simple. Fill out a wish list....then give us your man's name...we call him in for a happy hour with proper happy hour goodies and help him shop off your wish list. Yes...its that easy.

Boulevard Shop Girls have come up with a form that asks questions and helps understand what you like and why. That way when your man comes in to shop for you and your first pick was sold (this is common in a shop with one of a kind pieces of jewelry and pottery) we can steer him to the next best item with confidence you will be equally happy with your pick.

So, ladies...its easy...come in and fill out your wish list and we will do the rest. There...the game is over and won! Score is WIN-WIN

Fido FUN!

2009-10-02T08:28:00.001-07:00

Today, we host a trunk show featuring the handmade creations of Lois Touchette. She is the quirky mind behind My Pup Stuff, costumes & clothing for your 4-legged friend. Halloween and Holidays around the corner means photo opportunities abound. Don't miss out on getting your pup the perfect outfit.

From Halloween costumes, dresses and hats to Christmas finery, Lois crafts unique and pretty outfits that are sure to catch everyone's eye. So make sure your pup is the belle of the ball.

Show your Charlotte Pride

2009-08-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here at the shop, we are all crazy about Charlotte! We love where we live, work, and we love to give local artists an outlet to show off their talent! So, we are very excited about our two newest vendors: Trendy Charlotte and Photo Charlotte. Both Paul, the photographer of Photo Charlotte, and Johnny, the creator of Trendy Charlotte, have the same enthusiasm and pride for Charlotte that we have! If you are just as crazy about Charlotte as we are then you will definitely want to stop by and see our newest selection of Charlotte logo t-shirts and canvas bags, as well as our beautiful Charlotte photography!
XOXO,
Shop Girl

Trunk Show - August 7th

2009-07-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

We are having an amazing trunk show, Aug 7th, featuring framed mats by The Stella Collection. I am so excited because she has such whimsical and beautifully designed mats that can really compliment any framed photography or artwork. We are so lucky to have her at The Boulevard, and we know you will love her mats as much as we do. So, don't forget to mark your calendars, Aug 7th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m!

Woof Wednesday

2009-07-29T08:29:00.001-07:00

Sale of the Day!!!
Just a reminder that Wednesday is a great day to stop into the Boulevard to pick up a gift for your pet. Just for today, Meow and Fetch is offering 20% off toys and treats, so you can let your furball know how much you care.
xoxox,
Shop Girl

Cutiepperal Trunk Show

2009-06-04T15:18:00.001-07:00

Join us June 19th for Gallery Crawl. We are featuring Cutiepparel! Cutiepparel, by SeY Design Studio, LLC, designs cute and stylish little girl's clothes. She is going to have items to purchase during the event or you can custom order your cutie her very own outfit. With several high-quality fabrics to choose from, we are sure you will find something you will love!

xoxo - shop girl

It is easy being green!

2009-04-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hey there loyal blog followers! Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Tonight would be a perfect night for a stroll and dinner in NoDa. Our newest restaurant The Crepe Cellar is now open and ready for hungry customers! Come by The Boulevard and check out a simple way to "go green" this weekend with a super cute clutch by San Diego Hat Co. (see picture) It is very spacious and a perfect summer color! Check it out for yourself.

-XOXO Shop Girl

Rain, rain, go away...

2009-03-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

and it finally has! The sun is out and its a perfect day in NoDa for a late brunch and some afternoon shopping at The Boulevard. We have some great deals going on right now. Of course if you've been reading up on our blog you know about Milkweed clothing and the great prices. Lots of other vendors are having sales to clean out for new spring merchandise, we have jewelry up to 30% off, various pet items on deep discount, and some cute baby wear up to 50% off. If you're not rushing out your door right now to get here before 4:00 (first, shame on you) we will be extending these sales for a limited time. And don't forget about gallery crawl on Friday, April 3rd, The Boulevard will be open late!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Milkweed SALE!

2009-03-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

Our Milkweed clothing, a line designed by Allison Wolf, is all on sale! You can find everything from strapless dresses, wrap dresses, comfy pants, and even men's polo shirts. All of the prints and patterns were created by local artists and re-created on the clothing by Allison. The clothes in the Milkweed are very unique and you will be sure to get compliments every time you wear a piece. Stop by one rainy day this week and shop around The Boulevard!

-XOXO Shop Girl

You know what tomorrow is...

2009-03-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

Gallery Crawl! The neighborhood is gonna be on and poppin'! We are having a skirt party here at The Boulevard to honor Monique, owner of NoDa Kids. She has recently expanded her space and added new items (see pic). She's also in Skirt magazine this month, wear your favorite skirt out tomorrow night. I've checked the weather and it will be nice. Throw on a cardigan and you'll feel great.

Green Rice Gallery is having an opening for Kendra Baird and her Unclear Skies collection. You may know Kendra from the colorful prints she sells here (see pic). Stop by Green Rice and check it out!

We will also be hosting the Friends of the Greyhounds at The Boulevard. There will be plenty of friendly Greyhounds to meet tomorrow night.

-XOXO Shop Girl

Sale on collars and leads!

2009-02-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday blog followers! Its a sunny day in the 'hood and if you're planning on getting out, head over to The Boulevard for a great discount on collars and leads from Meow and Fetch (see pictures). The collar and the lead do have to match to be eligible for a 20% discount, but of course you want your pooch to match. We are right on the brink of March Madness so if your best friend isn't outfitted in his team's gear head to toe then how do you expect a win? Meow and Fetch has a wide selection of collegiate collars and leads and now jerseys!

Upcoming events:

-Friday March 6th, Skirt party honoring Monique of NoDa Kids. She's in a magazine y'all! Wear your favorite skirt over during gallery crawl and party the night away. I've already picked my skirt out! It s vintage and handmade. If you're in the mood for something new, Milkweed skirts are on sale for 70% off here!

-Also on the 6th, Friends of the Greyhounds will be here with some really cute dogs. Learn more here http://www.greyhoundfriends.com/ .

See you soon

-XOXO Shop Girl

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

Hi there loyal followers! It s Valentine's Day and hopefully you and your sweet thang are headed here right now to shop and hold hands! If you're not making it out to NoDa today, be sure to put us on your list. We have several vendors with great sales still going on. Lots of children's and baby items up to 50% off.
Go ahead and let's make plans for the next gallery crawl. Come on out to the 'hood, grab a sandwich at the Salvador Deli, and head over to check out our sales. Items are going fast!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Gallery Crawl and CHOCOLATE!

2009-02-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

Here it is! The first crawl of the month and the last one before Valentine's Day. Tonight we have special guests from the Charlotte Chocolate Factory from 6:00-9:30. Pick up some chocolate for your sweetie along with some beautiful jewelry and don't forget a tasty treat for your pet! The Boulevard will be open until 9:30 tonight so you have plenty of time to grab dinner and head on over. Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen is right across the street. We can't wait to see you. Sign up for our newsletter while you're here so you will always get in on the action in NoDa!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Love is in the air!

2009-01-30T09:10:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is approaching (two weeks)! Send your sweetheart to The Boulevard this year to pick up some reasonably priced handmade bling! As you may know, we have over 13 jewelry vendors here. One of our longtime vendors LB Lee (see picture) just brought in lots of new jewelry with pieces she acquired on a recent trip to Vietnam and Singapore. She has pendants with shards of porcelain dating back to the Ming Dynasty. All of her jewelry is made by hand with special attention to detail. Make sure to put this on your Valentine wish list. Stay tuned for more items to add to the list!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Who says I don't NEED jewelry?

2009-01-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

One thing I keep hearing over and over again these days is the statement "I don't really NEED it". True, jewelry, art, gifts for your home or your pet are not essential to your physical need to survive. What about your need to feel good? I know how I feel in a new a pair of earrings, or how I feel when I give a special gift to a friend for no reason. These are the little things we need to embrace to get our hearts through tough times and big changes! I'm personally buying some specialty treats for my dog today. Does he need them? No. Will it make us both happy? YES! You have my permission to treat yourself to a little retail therapy. We all need it!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Gallery Crawl, be a regular...

2009-01-16T10:58:00.001-08:00

Tonight's the night! Yep, its Gallery Crawl again. People often wonder if NoDa even has Gallery Crawl during the winter months and the answer is YES. I know the temperature is going to drop this evening, so make The Boulevard your first stop and grab a new hat, gloves, and a scarf!

I think a lot of folks are under the impression that if you've been to one crawl you seen everything. This is just not true! Vendors here are always adding new merchandise prior to the crawls (check out new Valentine's bottles from KayDeeKay, see pic), Lark and Key rotates artists frequently, as does Green Rice Gallery. There's always something to see and plenty of good places to eat in the neighborhood. (A Boulevard favorite: Cabo Fish Taco). Make yourself a regular starting tonight! Come by The Boulevard and meet the Shop Girls. Don't leave us hanging though, you have stop by for the next crawl too.

Let's keep NoDa's commitment to the arts strong and unique during 2009!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Resolutions and Winter hours

2009-01-04T10:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from The Boulevard! All the girls at the shop hope your holidays were relaxing and full of cheer. Have you made a long list of resolutions yet? I'm still scribbling down a few. In 2009 I plan to not forget to send my birthday cards to my friends (of course there is a never ending supply of good ones here, see picture). I will also continue my quest to support the local artists, local business owners, and local economy as much as possible. And always bring my re-usable bags to the grocery store!

Just a couple of notes for you loyal blog followers:

The Boulevard is now operating with Winter business hours as follows:

Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. We will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.

This will soon be updated on our website, please check our calendar of events for gallery crawl nights and other special nights. http://www.blvdnoda.com/

Check out this shop on Etsy and get nice grocery totes while supporting a small business: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5364229

-XOXO Shop Girl

Gallery Crawl and Santa Pics

2008-12-19T11:58:00.000-08:00

TGIF! Its finally not raining and its warm today in NoDa. The perfect night for a Gallery Crawl. As usual the girls will be here until 9:30 and we have lots of incredible sales going on. You will find jewelry from 15% off, ornaments 30% off, and some clothing 50% off to name a few. You may want to stop by the Boulevard first and buy a hat because its gonna be windy. Check out this write up on our San Diego Hats http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/klepto/2008/12/11/hats-off-at-the-boulevard/. I'm also attaching a great photo of some of our furry friends and Santa from our party last Friday!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Countdowns make me nervous

2008-12-14T11:07:00.000-08:00

So, I won't state the obvious how many days until Christmas because it just makes me nervous! We had a great party here on Friday night and I hope everyone was able to attend and make a big dent in their shopping needs. We had live music and Santa was here to pose for photos with our furry friends. If you did miss us on Friday night you still have plenty of time to stop by and visit us and don't forget about Gallery Crawl this friday. The Boulevard will be open until 9:30!

Just to update all of you dedicated shoppers our holiday hours are as follows:
December 24th from 10:00-2:00 p.m.
December 25th CLOSED
December 26th CLOSED
January 31st from 11:00-2:00 p.m.
January 1st CLOSED

Our regular business hours will change for the winter months starting in January:
Wednesday thru Saturday from 11:00-5:00 p.m.
Sundays from 12:00-4:00 p.m.

-XOXO Shop Girl

Hangin' in the 'hood tomorrow

2008-12-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will be a festive Wednesday in NoDa that you won't want to miss. Get comfortable because there are several events and I'm going to tell you all about them. Let's plan the evening, shall we?...
-NoDaRioty is presenting the All Arts Market at the Neighborhood Theatre from 6:00-10:00p.m. Its FREE to get in the door and inside you will find a plethora of local emerging artists with their treasures for sale.
Visit their website for more information www.neighborhoodtheatre.com

-We are going to extend our hours here at The Boulevard tomorrow evening so you can stop by and do some extra shopping until 9:00 p.m. We have some great sales going on with select vendors. Very worth it!

-For a little more late night fun head over to The Evening Muse and hear one of my very favorite bands Jukebox the Ghost, among others. The doors will open a around 8:00 p.m. for a look at their calendar visit www.theeveningmuse.com

So if you need to do a little catching up on your shopping, but (like me) refuse to go to the mall on a weekend in December, then use this Wednesday evening to leap ahead. Round up a couple of friends, grab a pizza from NoDa's newest restaurant, Revolution Pizza and Ale House (get the cucumber mojito, trust me) and then shop until you drop people!!

-XOXO Shopgirl

Get out, party, and SHOP on December 12th!

2008-12-04T15:46:00.000-08:00

Hello! I wanted to go ahead and get everyone prepared for The Boulevard's holiday celebration night. On Friday, December 12th from 6:00-8:30 the place will be buzzing with good cheer, live music, tasty refreshments, and Santa Paws. There will be a professional photographer on hand to take a picture of your friendly pooch or your kids, or YOU with Santa. This night is not a scheduled gallery crawl night, it is special for you. Please join us to celebrate and shop!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Relax this Holiday

2008-11-30T10:15:00.000-08:00

Whew! Thanksgiving is now past and its time to get serious about buying gifts. Some of you might already be finished if you stuck to my plan of buying gifts every week since September. I confess that even though I have done some shopping I did not quite stick to the plan. I'm not worried though because I can get everything here at The Boulevard and still continue my quest to support small business owners.

Of course you know that the holidays always involve lots of parties and dinners that in turn involves hostess gifts or maybe secret Santa. Look no further than The Boulevard! Our cutting board collection by Milkweed is the perfect option. We have tons of styles featuring original art work from local artists. So go ahead and relax this holiday. The Boulevard has every gift you need, a parking lot, and relaxing environment far away from the mall!

-XOXO Shop Girl

A blast from the (super) past

2008-11-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to the Pompeii exhibit at Discovery Place. I highly recommend it to people of all ages. What I found to be the most interesting thing was how much our modern day existence resembles the everyday life of Pompeians 2,000 years ago. They had fast food, dry cleaners, they wore make-up, perfume, and JEWELRY. To my surprise, the jewelry they wore looks a lot like what we would consider fashionable today. I was even comparing it to pieces we have in The Boulevard and some of the rings reminded me of the rings sold by Endia Ink (see picture). Endia Ink is a new vendor here and not only does she sell these classically beautiful rings that she designs herself, but also greeting cards of her original art work. Learn more about her at http://www.endia-ink.com/. I know you probably already planning to stop by during the crawl tomorrow night so make sure you have a look at what Endia Ink has to offer!

-XOXO Shop Girl

The Boulevard

2008-11-18T11:46:00.001-08:00

Photobucket Album

Funky Vintage Birdcages

2008-11-18T11:05:00.000-08:00

I've always wanted a bird in a rusty decorative cage. Everyone keeps telling me that birds are too messy so I keep talking myself out of it. I just think it would make me feel a little more like royalty when I came home. Of course the cage has to be pretty and in a perfect world someone else would clean up after it for me! Well, The Boulevard now has the perfect cages for this fantasy. There are lots of sizes and each one is unique. The prices are affordable too! I can imagine so many things to put in it (other than my Finches) like wouldn't twinkly lights look cool in there or a Barbie doll swinging in the middle? I could even put a fake bird in there and cover it with glitter! Oh the possibilities...

-XOXO Shop Girl

What to get a man for Christmas?

2008-11-13T09:44:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I have the hardest time picking out gifts for my dad! Its very tough to find just the right thing that isn't nose hair trimmers or a hot pink tie. Well, look no further than The Boulevard this year. One of our newest vendors, Ponel, sells the perfect thing...succulent plants in handmade planters. These are great because the maintenance is very low and some of them will even bloom flowers! The planters are all in very organic, earthy tones that will go with any body's decor. You also will not believe the affordability. Ask a shop girl to point these out next time you stop by. In keeping my trend of supporting small businesses I will be buying a couple of these so you better get here soon!

-XOXO Shop Girl

G Diapers at The Boulevard

2008-10-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

Two posts in one day! Gosh you are lucky. I just have so much to share. This Saturday (November 1st) The Boulevard and NoDa Kids will be hosting an event with G Diapers form 11:00-1:00. There will be demonstrations and lots of question and answer time. If you don't know about these earth friendly diapers that are all the rage with celebrities right now, then I will expect to see you there!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Nifty fabric use

2008-10-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

Next time you are in The Boulevard ask the shop girl to show you these fabulous bowls and vases by Vessel Vixen. They are bright, funky, and totally functional. These little beauts are such a great example of re purposing. Hope, the artist, uses a special hardening solution to make the pieces water proof and virtually unbreakable. Also, the animal print makes a bold statement! Who can't think of someone in their life who would LOVE this?

-XOXO Shop Girl

Friends and Family are more valuable than ever

2008-10-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

KaDee Kay, a popular vendor here, will be hosting a friends and family night at The Boulevard on Friday, October 24th. These hand-blown decorative bottles are just some of the products this mother daughter business has to offer.

Right now in America times are uncertain, but one thing you can count on is your family and your friends. The people closest to us are the most valuable thing we have right now. What I love about the KaDee Kay girls (Karen, Danielle, and Kelly) is their commitment to a quality product and to each other as family business owners! If you are supporting the emerging businesses this year, it doesn't get better than this.

-XOXO Shop Girl

Nest Bags Patio Show

2008-10-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

Stop by The Boulevard during Gallery Crawl this Friday and check out the patio show! Kim, the owner of Nest Bags will be showcasing her quality and original bags on the patio behind our building. I've personally had my eye on a few of these beauties and I can't wait to see what else she brings on Friday. Her line is not only purses, but also slippers, and make-up bags in bright colors and perfect sizes. The girls at The Boulevard hope to see you here supporting your local small business owners!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Robin and Daughters handmade jewelry

2008-10-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

I have my eye on this beautiful necklace from Robin and Daughters. The colors are great for Fall, but versatile too. Robin, the owner, makes all of her jewelry by hand with quality stones and metals. Make sure you stop by her booth on customer appreciation night or the next gallery crawl. I am making it a point during this unfortunate economic time to support people and artists who own their small businesses. The big corporations don't need our help. Join the shop girls and buy better quality from business owners who care about every customer. Stay tuned to the blog and I will showcase more and more of the fabulous things you can buy from The Boulevard's business owners! There might even be sneak peek of the door prizes for Friday night.

Ahoy Matey

2008-10-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

Did you think that red and white striped leggings were just for pirates? Think again friends. The Boulevard now carries this style (see pic). These aren’t average leggings though. They are called “Skids” and have many functions. They look cute, they protect little legs crawling on the floor, block out UV rays, and best of all they don’t have to be removed to change a diaper. Don’t believe me? Stop by the store and see for yourself.

-XOXO Shop Girl

Customer Appreciation Night and PRIZES!

2008-09-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

The Boulevard will be hosting an exclusive shopping event on Friday, October 10th from 6:00 until 8:30. If you are following my advice about getting your Christmas shopping done early then you will need to be here. A lot of the vendors have been generous enough to offer discounts and best of all DOOR PRIZES! (the picture above is just one of many things up for grabs as a prize). Just think about how many people you can cover in one night, if you win you should keep the door prize for yourself for being such a savvy shopper! You go!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Send a heartfelt Note

2008-09-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

I read somewhere that one of the keys to being happy is to send a heartfelt note to someone once a week. Sheesh! Once a week really? Well, I bend the rules a bit and send them when I think of someone or come across really beautiful cards (see pic) like we have at The Boulevard. Artists Mary Digby (a NoDa resident) and Kendra Baird keep us in good supply of blank cards so you have plenty of space to tell your roomie from college how much you miss her! Both artists use their original artwork, so it’s really more than just a card.

-XOXO Shop Girl

Go Team!

2008-09-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

New collars and leashes are here!! I don’t know if anyone else has experienced difficulty teaching their dog to sing along with their team's fight song, but I can’t seem to get my rascal to hit those notes! Here’s the solution: collegiate collars from Meow and Fetch (see pic). My team is represented in full force now from the flag in the yard to my dog’s neck. Stop by and grab your team soon so you can maximize season coverage. If you don’t see your school here, the owner will gladly do a special order for you. Go team!
-XOXO Shop Girl

Green to Grow in The Boulevard

2008-09-18T11:44:00.003-07:00

Okay, this is my last post for the day! I've got to get The Boulevard ship shape for the gallery crawl tonight. I'm just bursting at the seams to tell you about this cool product before I go. So my friend is having a baby and she doesn't want to find out if its a boy or girl until the little one makes an entrance. Well there goes pink frilly dresses and mini baseball uniforms. I've looked around for some really cool and different things that can go either way. If you are need of baby stuff for a gift or your own bundle of joy, look no futher than NoDa Kids here at the Boulevard. Not only does Monique (the friendly owner) have brightly colored clothing that looks good on every baby or child, but she carries a line of bottles called "Green to Grow". See picture. I'm going to buy the cute little 5oz with the purple fruit! Let me tell you why! The bottles are bisphenol A free and phthalate free. What?!! They sum it up best when they say "Just the milk, please. Hold the chemicals." Stop by The Boulevard and learn more about these bottles and other ways to keep your baby healthy! Thanks Monique.

-XOXO Shop Girl

Tonight is Gallery Crawl

2008-09-18T11:44:00.002-07:00

There's a gallery crawl in the 'hood tonight. The weather is perfect and people will be in the mood for Fall. I've had my eye on this wonderful and very user friendly Jack-o-Lantern (see pic) for a while now. I'm sure someone will snatch him up tonight. He's made by Girls with Glass, a collaboration of mosaic artists headed up by Millie Norris here in The Boulevard. Get here early if you want a shot at this no mess, use it again next year pumpkin!

-xoxo Shop Girl

Couldn't wait

2008-09-18T11:44:00.001-07:00

You know when you come across something really cool and there's only one and its your size and you know you should buy groceries, but you can't leave it behind? That happened to me yesterday in Lark & Key. I only meant to stop by and say "hi" and left with this awesome t-shirt by Supermaggie. See picture. It is very soft and I know I will wear it all the time!

-XOXO Shop Girl

Its not too late...

2008-09-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hi there fellow shoppers! Believe it or not Christmas is upon us. If you're anything like me when it comes to the holidays, then you do all your shopping last minute and always break your New Year's resolutions. Well, I have found a way to make up for lost time and re-claim my 2008. Its not too late to re-visit those goals and adjust a little. So you didn't actually go to the gym four times a day 6 days a week, but you can decide that for once you will do your Christmas shopping early. Start now and buy two presents a week. Don't you feel better? I have already picked one for this week, sparkle mice in Christmas colors from Meow and Fetch for my step sister's cat. See picture. (Yes, our pets exchange gifts). Well, I'm off to see who is next on my list. What a success 2008 will be!

-XOXO Shop Girl