Our favorite local gifts: Boutiques

Apricot Lane is not a “local boutique” per se (they have locations all over), but they have recently taken the Triangle by storm opening one location in North Hills and another in Cary Towne Center. They also plan to open a third location in early 2013 at the Streets at Southpoint. I love this trendy boutique for its extremely affordable, stylish brand-name clothing, jewelry, handbags, accessories and home decor. Also, I cannot get enough of their 3Strands bracelets. These cute bracelets are fun to wear and their production and sale benefit survivors of human trafficking. Check out one of the Triangle locations now until Dec. 24 for 20 percent off everything in store! 

The Purple Polka Dot is a small yellow cottage in Cary with the tag line “where fancy meets fabulous.” This boutique is the perfect place to find hand painted vintage furniture, jewelry, handmade baby clothes, art, one of a kind lamps and much more. For the sorority girls on your list, or anyone who loves monograms, this is the place to shop! Warning: Following them on Facebook will cause you to want everything they add!

Midtown Olive Press in Raleigh is the perfect place to shop for the foodies on your list who love to entertain and cook. They have wonderful gift baskets, unique cookware, fun cook books and much more! I absolutely love their printed aprons and towels.

Fab’rik, conveniently located in Cameron Village, is another franchise boutique but it’s hard for me to classify it as a franchise. Step inside Fab’rik and you feel like you have hired a personal shopper. Their staff is extremely friendly, knowledgeable and style-savvy making it easy to shop for yourself or someone else, even if you have no fashion sense! Some of the unique items you can only get at Fab’rik include Savannah Rae clothing, items from their Fab’rik White Collection and their Fab’rik iPhone cases. Any girl would love to find these signature Fab’rik gifts under the tree. To make shopping this year even easier, they have put together a “Holiday Gift Guide” which has the top 10 things on everyone's Christmas list. From now until Christmas Eve, get 20 percent off of any of their “Holiday Gift Guide” options. The gift guide helps you buy for anyone - whether you are looking for a luxury gift (without the expense,) a fun gift, stocking-stuffers, or shopping for the girl who has everything, you won’t leave without crossing a chunk of names off your list. On my list, I have some of their adorable arm candy and a pair of their colored denim.

Fedora, located in Cameron Village, is a boutique where I know I can always find something. They have a wonderful selection of jewelry; I am in love with their bubble necklaces. They also always have a great sale section where you can find gorgeous clothes for $20 to $30. To get in the holiday spirit they have also added a 20 percent off rack full of great holiday gifts!

4 Lynn’s Boutique is a charming store that recently opened in Roxboro and has clothing for men and women of all ages. They carry everything from casual sweaters to gorgeous cocktail dresses to get you ready for New Year's Eve. They are also my go-to destination for game day dresses! They carry Vineyard Vines and many other name brands at affordable prices. For any dog lover, get one of their "Over Under" shirts that are dedicated to man’s best friend. On my Christmas list, I have a pair of their Aztec leggings which are so cozy and stylish. During the holiday season enjoy some of their special offers like 15 percent off Vineyard Vines for men and women and free gift wrapping. Also, if you spend $150 you will receive a $25 gift certificate to be used between now and Feb. 28.

Dress is one of my favorite consignment shops in Raleigh. This boutique is perfect for anyone who has a daughter who loves designer clothing, but you hate the price tags. They have tons of my favorite brand name clothing like J Crew, Cole Haan, Ray Ban and Chanel at amazing prices.

Whalebone Urban Surf Shop in North Hills brings the beach to Raleigh and is a great place to shop for guys, as well as gals, especially the active ones who love snowboarding, surfing, and other sports of the sort. Right now, they are having "buy one, get one half off" or "buy two, get one free" specials! 

Vestique is a trendy boutique in Raleigh that I feel is the one of the most affordable places to shop in the Triangle. If you have people on your list with expensive taste and your bank account is looking slim, this is the place to shop where you can save money without sacrificing quality or style! Grab one of their many adorable scarves as a stocking stuffer or one of their “Hippy Chic Tunics” to stay warm this holiday season. With a wonderful atmosphere and exceptional staff, it is easy and fun to shop at Vestique.

Kerry Catherine Jewelry is located in North Hills. If someone buys me jewelry, I love for it to come from Kerry Catherine. This one of a kind jewelry is the perfect way to show someone that you care. Anyone looking for last minute gifts for me? Hint hint!

Some of my other favorite boutiques in Raleigh include Madison, Bevello, Ivy & Leo and Moon & Lola.