Santa's Little Helper - First Chapter

Notice is located in Lake Geneva, WI,
and Highland Park, IL.

Since I currently work at a boutique that prides itself on having products that are ahead of the trends, I thought I would share some gift ideas for this holiday season - specifically from their store. I know some people have had all of their presents bought before Thanksgiving, but I know there are still a lot of us that aren't that efficient! For those who enjoy the hustle and bustle, I present the first chapter to a great giving guide for our loved ones.

I love shopping at boutiques - as opposed to department stores and shopping malls - because there is usually a lot of thought that goes into each product they carry. After all...it's the thought that counts. Shopping at boutiques won't ensure the best buy, but it will ensure that your gift recipient will feel special. Chances are you will be giving them a gift they hadn't even heard about yet, which is always exciting. At Notice, you are guaranteed to find a great gift for anyone on your list.

For women with style, and a flare for the up-and-coming, I would suggest any of the following designers. All of the mentioned products and designers can be found at notice-this.com.

Freshie & Zero is a jewelry line that is "made with love and a hammer." I'm serious! The metal of choice is often molded to the chain in this manner. She purposefully leaves the marks from the hammer in the newly shaped metal - it is her signature look.

My mother owns a Freshie & Zero lariat necklace and oval-shaped earrings that she absolutely adores. She cannot count all of the times that people have complimented her on them. This is the perfect jewelry line for every type of woman. Even women who are self-proclaimed "not big jewelry people" end up loving this line. The design aesthetic is clean and simple, with an artistic edge.

My favorite is the blue clutch.

Next we have the recycled-chic handbags from Escama Studio. These purses are handmade by women in Brazil from recycled pop tops. Not only are they unique, but purchasing them supports their economy and craft. People often remark that they could do the same, but forget to consider the great artisanship and quality that is given to each product. They're durable, flexible, and the aluminum will never tarnish.

I have to admit that I didn't have the love-at-first-sight reaction, but I sure love them now! They're different, but that is why they make such great conversation starters. Women who own them usually come back to get another for themselves, and their friends. They are handwoven with a variety of vibrant and earthy colors to choose from.

When it comes to fine leather goods, MyWalit is the one-stop shop. Known for their use of color, MyWalit has the brightest and best wallets on the market - in my opinion, of course. Depending on how much you are looking to spend, there are a variety of leather products that are suitable for anyone on your list.

One of my favorites is the Credit Card and I.D. Holder, which is a thin sleeve with just enough slots in it for a night out. There are definite times when you don't want to have to carry a purse or chunky wallet with you, and the many variations of the MyWalit sleeve is the perfect solution at a reasonable price! This particular product can be found under their 'men's wallet's' and 'ladies wallet's' sections of their website. Their extensive and eclectic color combinations are sure to match your recipients particular style - or yours, for that matter.

For the environmentally savvy consumer comes a handbag line made completely from recycled plastic bottles. Mosey is not only adorable and functional, but you are supporting Mother Earth by carrying these bags! I just bought the Convertible, their most popular bag, which is an over-the-shoulder bag that can be converted into a backpack. I love it! I mostly wear it as a backpack, which is much more comfortable when shopping than having to worry about a purse. There are so many different places to store all of your things, thus remaining organized, and you can avoid the difficult search of digging around in a bottomless pit!

Isn't that dog adorable?!

A lot of the women in my family own their own Mosey bags now, too. My grandma and my aunt have the Gadabout, while my mom has the Walkabout - pictured on the left. The Walkabout is great because it can be converted into either an over the shoulder handbag, clutch, or fanny pack. I know you don't think fanny packs are cool or acceptable, but trust me, this one is! Their is something so effortlessly chic about all of their handbags, as well as overnight bags. They have surely thought of a bag for every occasion, and they meet the many diverse needs of women on-the-go. They have a very sporty, down-to-earth look that is fit for most women. When visiting their site, pay close attention to the interesting color combinations of each bag - especially the lining.  

I will continue to post great giving ideas throughout the week, to help during this festive and busy time. For those who cannot make it out to boutiques, now is the ideal time to shop online. I encourage everyone to visit notice-this.com, while continuing to search for the perfect presents. They also have a page dedicated to great gift ideas. Happy shopping! (All of the pictures were provided by their given website.)