CHRIS’MUS...With Gullah Gourmet

Gullah Gourmet Shrimp and Grits

     At Haj-Paj Boutique we just restocked our favorite comfort food from the extensive, delicious line of foods from Gullah Gourmet out of Charleston, South Carolina.  These foods have sold quickly each and every time we get new shipments.  This is the time of the year when you love to have good, hot foods in the house, but you don't have time to cook them.  These Gullah foods are so easy to prepare and can be thrown together at the last minute when friends and family gather.
     We last explored the Gullah traditions in our post back in March of this year. Read the post and see our other Gullah Gourmet products here: Flabuh...A history of the Gullah tradition The past blog posting told of how the Gullah history played a part in the creation of the company Gullah Gourmet. We have restocked all the old favorites and have added three new ones just in time for your holiday entertaining.

     Mornin' Glory is a black walnut syrup that adds that sweet, nutty flavor to your flap jacks, waffles, and french toast.  It would be such an awesome addition to ice cream, too! Yum, can't you just taste the sweetness right now?

      Lobsta Pasta is out-of-this-world great! The white sauce will make you "Slap Yaself Silly" and delight your taste buds.  The bag contains angel hair pasta and a wonderful cream sauce.

       Can't Miss Seafood Bisque is a white sauce based bisque that is "lip-smaking" good and warms you on those cold winter afternoons.  You just "can't miss" it!








     Stop in soon and join us in a tasting of all of these new delights!  And as always, Haj-Paj Boutique wishes each one of you a safe and warm Holiday Season!

Abilene Boots...New Styles just In!

     Since we started carrying Abilene boots at Haj-Paj Boutique in July, these boots have literally been running out of the store!  Our customers have been so impressed with the leather quality, the workmanship, the style, the comfort, and best of all, the PRICE.  All of us in the store own a pair...actually we all own the same pair...the 9027 and we have no problem wearing them all day without a complaint of discomfort (and some of our feet are older than others!).
     We wear them with a variety of looks...from straight-leg jeans tucked in to boot cut jeans worn outside to sassy little dresses...there is nothing that you can't wear with these boots.

The 4551

     We added two new boot styles to our stock that we just received late last week and we wanted you to be the first to know.  The 4551 is made of what Abilene calls "Brown Bomber Jacket" leather with a bronze leather cross and trim. The snip toe is adorned with actual bronze metal accents.  And just for a little height and walking comfort, the 4551 has a 1 1/2 inch heel.

The 9012

     The second style we received is the 9012.  This deep brown boot is made with a "Waxed Cowhide" and sports a hand laced detail on the 11" shaft. The sole of the boot is all leather as well and the boot features what Abilene calls a "covered wagon toe" which we think looks like a more rounded snip toe. Like the 4551, it also has the 1 1/2 inch heel.
     As all Abilene boots are, these boots are made in America with fine American craftsmanship. The Abilene Boot Company has been making boots for over 30 years and has developed a reputation for it's exceptional quality at exceptional affordability.  And don't forget its patented Air Ride Comfort System...all you can say is "AAHHHHH" at the end of the day!

     One last note concerning Abilene boots and some things we hear from customers.  When listening to our customers we sometimes hear that they think their "calves are too big" to wear cowboy boots...well, we say No Way!  We carry a short boot with a 9 inch shaft especially made for ladies with this complaint.  It is also kickin' hot! The 9151 is made with a Brandy-colored soft textured cowhide with an all leather outsole and a snip toe.
     So ladies, nothing is stopping you from coming to Haj-Paj Boutique today and purchasing a new pair of

The 9151

Abilene Boots.  Don't forget, they make an awesome Christmas gift for someone special on your list this year.  Make sure you drop the appropriate number of Holiday Hints that you too want a boot box under your tree this Christmas!  Call us at 336-940-5501 if you want to place an order or have any questions for us.  Talk to you soon...Happy Shopping!

 Check out our original blog posting when we first introduced the boots back in July July Abilene Boot Blog Post.

Themed Christmas trees...What's your style? Part Two

     In our last blog post, we learned about how the evergreen symbolized "everlasting life" to people as early as the Romans and Egyptians.  In the 16th century, Germany is credited with beginning the original Christmas tree traditions.  We know from reading that the popular Queen Victoria was instrumental in making the decorated Christmas tree a standard in homes and that just by copying her Americans quickly adopted the practice.  Today, the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree is steeped in many American households. 
     At Haj-Paj Boutique, we took the job of purchasing the perfect ornaments for your tree very seriously!  We spent many hours at the Atlanta market this summer choosing ornaments that will fit most any theme you have in mind. Part One of this blog outlined some suggestions for tree themes.  We hope you will take the time to consider what your theme will be and stop in and let us help you!  Here are a few more suggestions:

• Woodland or Nature Tree--how about a tree adorned with pine cones, grapevines, branches, and even "snow"!  You could add birds, owls, squirrels, and sprinkle it with "stars".

•  An Advent Tree--This is a fun and meaningful theme for a tree where children can get involved in counting down those long days until Christmas.  You could hang small "presents" on the tree that could be taken down one day at a time leading up to Christmas.  Kids will get a kick out of "un-decorating" the tree!

•  Vintage Aluminum Tree--Raise your hand if you remember the shiny, silver tree in your grandmother's house or your own house that had the color wheel that would throw red, green, blue, and yellow light on the tree?!  Well, those trees are making a come-back...all things old are new again!  Be the first on your street to take a trip back in time!

      Some other ideas for your tree might be using that deco poly mesh that has been so popular or how about a patriotic themed tree?  If you are an animal lover there are a myriad of ways to incorporate that theme into your tree this year.  Decorating a Christmas tree is a terrific way to express your own personal taste...a way to show your family and friends how creative and inspired you are at the holidays!
     Stop in the store today and let your Haj-Paj family set you on your way to create a new theme for your tree or to add to an existing theme.  We'd love to be a part of your holiday!

Themed Christmas Trees...What's Your Style? Part One

     Don't we all wish that we could hire an interior designer to decorate our Christmas tree each year?  Well, at Haj-Paj Boutique that is often a dream we voice out loud...really loud! But instead we focused all of our energy at the July market in Atlanta selecting just the right THEME for our store Christmas trees.  While you guys were on the beach, at Summer picnics, and riding roller coasters we were thinking winter, cold, and Christmas!  Don't get me wrong; it was fun and fruitful for us and we KNOW we've selected just the right ornaments for your tree.
     Let's step back in time for just a moment and explore why we decorate Christmas trees in the first place...'cause if you really think about it, why would you cut down a tree, bring it in your home, and hang things on it??  Thousands of years ago, the evergreen was symbolic to the ancient Egyptians, Romans, Druids, and Vikings as 'everlasting life' since these trees stay green all year round.

Martin Luther, 16th Century

     Fast forward to Germany in the 16th Century, which is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we know it today, found devout Christians bringing evergreens into their homes to decorate them.  It is widely believed that Martin Luther, the 16th Century reformer, was the first to add 'light' to the trees by adding candles.

Queen Victoria 1846

     By 1846, popular royals Queen Victoria and her German Prince Albert, were seen standing with their children around a decorated Christmas tree. Because Victoria was a popular Queen, everyone copied her...including the people on the East Coast of America...and so the American Christmas tree was born!  By the 1890's, Christmas tree ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise in America.
     The early 20th century brought electricity to trees making it possible for trees to glow day after day.  Lighted and decorated Christmas trees began to appear everywhere and having a Christmas tree in your home became an American tradition.(http://www.history.com)
     Back to Haj-Paj Boutique and the year 2012...believe it or not, but it's that time of year again...time to drag out all of our time-honored Christmas traditions, all of our time-weathered outdoor decorations, and all of our time-worn family Christmas tree decorations. How will you decorate your tree this year?
     Consider some of these options as you think of a theme for your tree:

All white and Gold

• Color--will your tree be monochromatic?  Perhaps an all red tree or all blue.  Maybe you'll select the traditional colors of red and green or spice it up with jewel tones. Or the dramatic effect of an all white tree...how fabulous!
• Children's Art Projects--every year our children bring us home their school-made ornaments and planning one of your trees around these treasures makes Christmas all the more special.

Childrens' Art Projects

• Beach Inspired--Here in North Carolina we are fortunate to have an entire coastline of beautiful beaches, so if you live in a state much like ours or if you'd like to dream of living in coastal state, perhaps a beach inspired tree will be just the one for you!

     As you think about these ideas, give us a few more days and we'll give you some more INSPIRATIONS!!!  Part Two coming soon!

In the meantime, stop by the store and check out all the 

ornaments we stocked just for your next themed tree!  

Or maybe you just need one fabulous ornament for a 

gift or an exchange...we got it!

Re-Post: Meet Danny K Handbags...Fabulous for Fall!

     We've just restocked our Danny K Handbags by introducing two new patterns.  We are also still stocking the two other patterns that have been in demand and selling strong since Spring.  Enjoy being reintroduced to Danny Kong, Handbag Designer, with this blog re-post from February 14, 2012.  Stop by and check out all the patterns and pick up a bag perfect for all your Fall outfits!
     February 14, 2012: Meet Danny Kong, or Danny K, the designer and handbag engineer we met at market in January.  His fabric handbags are a study in engineering like nothing we'd ever seen.  He laughed when we told him he'd have to come to the store just to demonstrate all the pockets, hidden zippers, the versatile strap systems; not to mention the gorgeous fabrics.  He amazed us with his ingenuity and attention to detail and had us laughing at his humor!

     Born in Thailand into a family of shoemakers, Danny Kong worked as a shoe designer in the family business while attending college.  After detouring into interior design he returned to his first love of accessory design. Adding to his early experience making shoes, Danny K. sought additional training in pattern making and has established a reputation for handcrafting the highest quality handbags. He meticulously hand cuts the fabric in every bag to highlight the beauty and design of the fabric. And to make this story the best ever...each bag is handmade in the USA!  How cool is that?!

Come by the store to see the actual fabrics we stock

      Danny K. has sent bags to customers in every state in the US and his bags have been sold at high end shops coast to coast...from the Luxor Hotel (the big black pyramid on the Las Vegas strip) to the National Gallery of Art (in Washington, DC). 

These are just a few of the styles we have!

       We couldn't get photos of the new fabrics for Spring or for the bag styles we stock in the store...sorry...that just means we'll get to see your smiling face when you come by and check them out for yourself.  Good deal for us!   

Coin Purse

Cell phone holder

Bathed in Luxury!

     "Fresh florals, Crisp fruits and Aromatic garden extracts"...these are the essential ingredients in fine soap making.  No one knows this better than Greenwich Bay Trading Company...another great Haj-Paj Boutique find!  Located right here in our fine state of North Carolina, Greenwich Bay Trading Company has been making exquisite toiletries since 1962.
     The Raleigh based company is a family owned and operated business that produces made-to-order items sure to meet all your bathing needs.  They supply some of THE most distinctive hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts, and boutiques all over the world.
     If you shop with us and follow our blog, you are well aware of our attention to details when we seek out new products.  These Greenwich Bay Trading Company soaps checked off all our boxes!  They are made in the USA and all of the raw materials are domestically sourced. Their ingredients all come from natural sources such as vegetable oils, olive oils, almond oils, and shea butters.  Their exfoliants come from oatmeal, bran, apricot seeds, and cocoa beans. Greenwich Bay Trading Company is environmentally sensitive stressing that all of their "products are free from animal testing" and they print with soy-based inks on post consumer recycled paper.  ALL of this goodness, all in beautiful packaging, and all so affordable!

     Haj-Paj Boutique is proud to carry a huge selection of soaps in some of the most captivating fragrances you've ever had the pleasure to smell!  The french-milled individual shea butter soaps are offered in a 1.9 ounce mini soap square making them the perfect teacher thank-you gift, an excellent choice for an add-on gift, a superb stocking stuffer (it's that time of year, ladies) and let's not forget ourselves...they make an ideal addition to our our guest and master bathrooms.    

We all deserve to feel luxurious, spoiled, and pampered . . . Greenwich Bay Trading Company knows this and Haj-Paj Boutique knows this.  You and your gift recipients will soon know it too!  Stop by and see AND smell these soaps the minute you can as we've already sold out of the Lavender Chamomile Botanic!  Call 336-940-5501 with any questions. 

Splish, Splash!

     As we've discovered in this business, many of our favorite vendors have owned gift boutiques of their own and Amy and Brent Bernard, of Beehive Wholesale, are no different.  After having the odd jobs of swimming instructor and watermelon "salesman" and college students, the Bernards found themselves in Nashville, Tennessee and far a way from family in Louisiana.
     So they packed up and moved home near Louisiana Tech and opened a gift boutique.  Their customers could rely on this young couple to "provide them with quality products at a low cost along with the friendliest service around".  They learned what worked in the gift business and what didn't.  The Bernards knew first hand what customers wanted when selecting a special gift, a unique item, or the perfect accessory!
     As they grew to be fantastic business people, they knew that they wanted to take the retail gift business to another level and sold the boutique.  In 2000, they started Beehive Wholesale and are providing retailers like us with the best products on the market and from around the world.  They know what we want because they've been there and done that!

      That gives us at Haj-Paj Boutique the opportunity to allow you to benefit from the expertise that the Bernards have cultivated. One of their fabulous accessories for this fall is their Rain Bops rain boots.  Not only are they cute and funky, but they are a must-have for those wet fall and winter days!  There's nothing worse that stepping in a cold rain puddle and wishing you had the right boot.
     We are currently stocking 5 styles of the Beehive Rain Bops.  We have these wildly colored ones to the upper left and these super sweet cowgirl rain boots in this awesome pattern. The other three styles are three colors in an embossed croc pattern; black, red, and brown.  These are in addition to the 2 styles of wedge boots we already are stocking.

     Brown Embossed Croc with a teal and brown hounds-tooth patterned lining with the treaded bottoms.







  Red Embossed Croc with black and white polka dot lining.  Nice treaded bottoms to keep you safe on slippery surfaces! 

     Black Embossed Croc with turquoise patterned lining and those perfect treaded bottoms! 

     We have two styles of the wedge rain boots; the plain, matte black and the faux Coach pattern.  Now not only can you keep you feet dry and warm, but you can look ultra stylish at the same time in these wedges.  And we all know how comfortable a wedge can be!  You'll be wishing for rain!

     One thing that the folks at Beehive do is think through the details!  What a girl needs when she stomping around in the cold rain puddles is socks inside her boots to keep her feet snugly warm.  In addition to our Rain Bops we are stocking the Fleece Bop Socks in 4 colors (pink, white, brown and black) and 2 sizes custom made to fit our boots.  How adorable are these?!  Stop by or call us at 336-940-5501 to try on all the combination of colors of socks with the functional boots.  See you soon! 

These Boots are Made for Walkin'!!!

     This week's post is a letter from Heather Martens, Founder and Co-Owner of Haj-Paj Boutique, about our latest, best find and one of our HOTTEST announcements yet!!

Now that's a pair of boots that will turn heads this fall!

Dear Friends,

     In case you haven't heard or noticed...Cowboy Boots are making a HUGE

fashion-comeback!

     However, as a Colorado native,

I've ALWAYS loved a classic pair of boots, whether worn with a casual summer dress, cutoff shorts, or a great pair of jeans.
     I have long wanted to offer Haj-Paj customers a fabulous boot line, but I am a tough customer myself, and I wasn't going to settle for a foreign-reproduction of an American Classic.  Unfortunately, almost all of the "BIG brand name" boot lines on the market today manufacture most of their boots in factories outside of the USA! 

     This breaks my heart.  The Cowboy Boot is an American Icon, and by golly, it should be Made in America...And that's just the way it is!   :-)

Great color!

     So, when looking for the PERFECT Boot for our customers, we made a list of "Must-Haves" and"Non-Negotiables". 

     Topping the list (to no surprise), the boot HAD to be MADE IN AMERICA. Next, it had to be REAL LEATHER, with all the elements of a CLASSIC boot, yet STYLISH and, dare we say it... even a little sexy. And finally, it needed to be of the HIGHEST QUALITY, and yet, MORE AFFORDABLE than all its "BIG brand name" competitors.

     Finding the PERFECT boot wasn't easy, and took longer than we expected, but we believe it was well worth the wait!  Abilene Boots is everything we wanted, and more!

     Their patented Air-Ride Comfort System makes their boots FEEL as good as they look.

Two tone...too cool!

Short and Brown

     So, we invite you to stop by and check out Abilene Boots.  We have 9 styles to choose from, including several CLASSIC shades of Brown, a GORGEOUS Black, and a HOT Red.  

Red and Black...what a statement!

A little bit worn and a little bit awesome!

 

    







     We told you it'd be our best announcement to date!  If you can't stop by and try on a pair, please give us a call at 336-940-5501 and we'll tell you what we have in stock!  If we don't have the size or style that you need, Abilene Boot company is waiting for our call!