Upcycle and Recycle... Making Smart Chic! Part Two

"Recycling a single ton of corrugated cardboard saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 462 gallons of oil and approximately 3 cubic yards of space in a landfill" according to PaperTrail.com.

Learn more at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/159194-why-should-you-recycle-cardboard/#ixzz1nPDhDW5R

     Yesterday, we talked about our commitment to reducing our waste footprint on the Earth that we all share and the Earth that we leave our children. At Haj-Paj Boutique we do this by recycling our own waste, i.e. packing materials and personal trash, at the store as much as we can. Further, we strive to purchase items from companies that also embrace our Eco-philosophies.  Previously, we introduced you to Whitney Howard Designs, artists and Eco-jewlery designers of a fabulous recycled pewter line made in the USA that we stock, and Silly Yeti, an upcycler of fabrics into super cute clothing and bags from Nepal.  Now we'll meet two more unbelievably wonderful, Eco-conscience products that we are proud to carry:

EEKO Chic: Style that Matters to the Earth

This style is not available, but many others that are similar are in stock today

     EEKO Chic's handbags and totes are making a bold Eco-fashion statement all around the country!  These stylish bags are constructed from recycled international fashion magazines. Each bag is a unique, one of a kind, work of art. The interior is also lined with colorful fashion print and only recycled poly-plastic is used. Each bag easily wipes clean with water. We have laptop totes, cross-body clutches, wallets, over-night totes, and great evening shoulder bags. Make your stylish, green fashion statement by checking out this new line!

SHAINS:  Say it, Wear it, Mean it

     The name SHAINS originally began as an acronym meaning - State How Action Is a Necessary Solution - but when developer, Ewa Martinoff, realized that was not going to be easily remembered, she revised it to one that summarizes her philosophies quickly; Say it, Wear it, Mean it.  That was the birth of the SHAINS product line.

     Ewa believes that everyone should have a chance to have a voice and make their own statements. She started with these bracelets and the interchangeable elements that you can push into the bracelet to allow you to express your mood, celebrate a friendship, or just plain allow you to be silly!  And here's the best part of all:   SHAINS products are made of recycled and recyclable parts and everything SHAINS produces is certified lead free. SHAINS packaging is also recycled and recylable.  They are dedicated to producing eco-friendly products and donate a percentage of net profits to environmental organizations.  SHAINS are recycled accessories that encourage and empower people to make their own statements and change them whenever they want...could it get any better than that! 

Upcycle and Recycle... Making Smart Chic! Part One

     At Haj-Paj Boutique we take recycling very seriously.  As a business that receives daily shipments of new and exciting gift items, you can only imagine the amount of packing materials we need to dispose of.  We strive to be sure to recycle as many of those materials as we can.  From the packing peanuts to all the corrugated cardboard, we personally haul it to designated recycling centers.  We are very aware of what we put in the landfills in our community here in North Carolina. We want to reduce our waste so we can be kind stewards of this Earth that we all share and that our children will inherit.

     When choosing the products that we stock in the boutique we are constantly seeking out those products that also share our deep interest in our Earth.  Here are just a two of the fabulous, fashion-forward and Eco-conscience products that are available right now in the store:

Howard Whitney Designs: Accessorizing Life's Journeys

Heartfelt and Made in The USA!

     These cuffs with heart-felt inspirations are made from Recycled Pewter...great way to save the Earth and express yourself. We also have equally wonderful necklaces from the same artist that makes the cuffs. All are made in the USA! Gotta love this jewelry!

Promise Rings "I Promise to Count my Blessings"

     Married artists and Eco-conscience jewelry designers, Howard and Whitney Schwartz, share a unique sense for creating “heartfelt art objects” out of recycled pewter. They are grateful to be able to express themselves as artists and designers of products that touch peoples’ lives. Their entire collection is inspired by the desire to bring joy, peace, love, healing, and gratitude to those who give and receive them.

Silly Yeti   /   Give:Green

This style and one other is available at the store today

     These fabulous, fun and flirty sundresses are not only super cute, but up-cycled from silk and cotton fabrics from Nepal.  As it states on each tag, "the product is handmade.  The individual craftsmanship of the artisan will create variations in color, size, and pattern.  Since no two are exactly the same, slight differences will occur from piece to piece."  Silly Yeti artisans also use recycled jute to make several different totes that we stock.  And they hand embroider a gorgeous fabric backpack.    

Jute Messenger Bag

     We fell in love with Silly Yeti (and their fun name) while at market in January.  We just knew that their commitment to upcycling and recycling fit right in with our ecological philosophies not to mention our LOVE for a great look!

    Tomorrow we will feature two more Eco-conscience products that we currently stock at Haj-Paj Boutique. 

    See you soon! 

"Change your Look... Not your Sole" -- Lindsay Phillips

     There may be snow on the ground here in North Carolina, but Spring is not that far a way...in fact it's going to be 50 degrees tomorrow, so make your pedicure appointment...It's Sandal Season!

     Meet Lindsay Phillips and her mother, Liz.  Lindsay is an energetic, young, on-the-go entrepreneur who, out of her high school art project, created a line of sandals guaranteed to make you say "Why didn't I think of that!"  Her idea evolved when she realized that by using hook-and-loop fasteners (velcro) she could create one shoe with many straps–unlimited choices with minimal effort. This simple, yet brilliant innovation was the birth of SwitchFlops. Lindsay applied for a patent on her idea even before she graduated high school.  

      During college Lindsay perfected her interchangeable design.  After her patent was granted in 2004, she joined forces with her mother, Liz, to start her business. SwitchFlops made its retail debut in January 2007.  Since then, the Lindsay Phillips line has grown from the flip flops to wedges, sandals, scarves, and handbags.  Haj-Paj is proud to be supporting the efforts of this fabulous young lady by stocking the SwitchFlops in two different colors; black and brown.  We also are stocking tons of the interchangeable straps.

This is the Lulu (available in Black AND Brown) and the strap that comes with each pair of SwitchFlops.

     

      Just a quick pull and off goes the strap.  Choose just the right one for your outfit and with one easy movement...great new look!  As Lindsay says "Change your look...not your sole!"

     Now on to even more exciting Lindsay products featured at Haj-Paj--the Missy which is a gorgeous low-wedge sandal that also uses the interchangeable straps from the SwitchFlops.  Again, just one quick movement and a whole new look!

This is the Missy.  Isn't she beautiful and so, so versatile!

The Evie

     Just when you thought that this can't get more exciting we also have a special offering on one of Lindsay's most popular wedge...the Evie!  The Evie employs Lindsay's system of interchangeable snaps.  Much like the interchangeable straps, the snaps give you the the same fabulous versatility and infinite possibilities for style and fashion this Spring!

Shoe + Snap = Fabulous!

     Stop by Haj-Paj today and explore the possibilities for YOUR Spring shoe wardrobe!  To learn more about Lindsay Phillips and to hear her tell you her story personally enjoy this video!

Handbags and Engineering... How does that make sense?

     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

Love, Lips, Wine... the Perfect Valentine!

     Did you know that your lips contain a mere three to five cellular layers and that their red color is attributed to blood vessels appearing through the skin? Because these blood vessels are so close to the surface of your lips they are the ideal place on your body to absorb healthy nutrients. Haj-Paj has found the perfect lip shimmers that are not only beautiful, but 100% natural and are made with Resvertrol and Red Wine Polyphenols...DeVine Lip Shimmers!

     Resvertrol and Red Wine Polyphenols?! What the heck are those?! At the January market in Atlanta, the folks at DeVine told us that wine grapes contain Polyphenols, which are known to fight free radicals and help prevent cell damage. They also explained to us that Resvertrol, a powerful antioxidant derived from red wine and grape seed oil, was treasured by the Egyptians and praised by Greek philosophers making it a truly ancient beauty secret. Further, they informed us that Resvertrol has been shown to work at the cellular level to naturally enhance your youthful look. Those crazy smart people have taken the science of timeless beauty and the benefits of wine and unleashed it into DeVine Lip Shimmers... and we thought that wine was only good for you when you drank it!

     When we found out that it was made right here in the USA and that it carries the USDA's Organic certification, we said “sign us up!”

 

DeVine Lip Shimmers feature the finest quality ingredients available for a truly natural balm for beautiful and healthy lips!

Available today at Haj-Paj Boutique in these intoxicating flavors: Vanilla Spritzer, Champagne, Bordeaux, Rose, and Merlot

Valentines Day and Dark Chocolate... a match made in Heaven!

     What could Colin Cowie, Event Planner to the rich and famous, and Haj-Paj, boutique to the discriminating shopper, possibly have in common??  We've both chosen Toffee to Go as a "fantastic find"!  This fantastic handmade toffee has a delicate crunch with an unbelievable buttery flavor and is made with only the finest ingredients with no added preservatives.  As with all of the gourmet products that Haj-Paj stocks, Toffee to Go has been chosen for its attention to excellence, stunning packaging, and outstanding reputation.  

     Toffee to Go is still made in small batches by first blending sweet creamery butter with pure cane sugar to create a rich, bubbling aromatic mixture. It's poured over an abundance of pecans and later a thin layer of decadent dark chocolate sprinkled with pecans finish it off before it's packaged in a beautiful box.  It makes the perfect gift for a best girlfriend, a favorite teacher, a valued client, your sweet mom, and, of course, YOURSELF!
     Be sure to drop the appropriate number of hints this Valentine season...your Valentine will appreciate any direction you can give!  Stop in today for a sample!!

Creamed Raw Honey... Deliciousness from Haj-Paj to You!

     Haj-Paj is proud and excited to be stocking Vintage Bee Creamed Honey from Busy Bee Apiaries in Chapel Hill, NC.  When we met Laura Tapp, head beekeeper or as they call her "Queen Bee" at Busy Bee Apiaries, she was so enthusiastic about her bees and her honey that she got us fired up too!  We knew immediately we needed to "spread" the word about honey and we wanted to make sure our customers had the best honey available.
    Making Vintage Bee honey is a meticulous process that takes raw honey and makes it into an extra smooth and creamy, spreadable honey.  Never altering the pureness of the honey...it stays in its raw, unheated state...as delicious as it is right from the hive. Then just at the peak of creaminess, organic fruit and other delectable flavors such as chocolate or cinnamon are stirred in to create a spectacular taste and to preserve the wholesome nutrition in every jar.

      The honey is shelf stable and needs no refrigeration. Moisture has been reduced to less than 17%, therefore it will not spoil.  Haj-Paj is currently stocking 8 oz. jars featuring these flavors:  Plain, Chocolate, Raspberry, Cinnamon, and Pumpkin Spice.  Please stop in soon for your own tasting! 

Special and Unique Store Event! Clay Rice, nationally known silhouette artist and author, coming to Haj-Paj!!

     Clay Rice, a nationally known silhouette artist and author of the award winning children's book The Lonely Shadow, will be in our store on February 21, 2012 to lovingly hand-cut your child's silhouette and to sign his books. Silhouette artistry and storytelling has been in the Rice family for over 80 years.  His grandfather, Carew Rice who was described by poet Carl Sandberg as "America's Greatest Silhouettist", handed down this unique talent to Clay over 30 years ago.  Clay Rice has families nationwide flocking to him to have him create these family keepsakes and to sign his book.  Haj-Paj is proud to be hosting Clay in our store.  He has few appearances in the state of  North Carolina so we are honored to be a part of his latest book tour!
     Award winning Southern author, Pat Conroy, has said that Clay Rice is "a great talent who combines soul and passion" and in only minutes can create a treasured art piece to be admired for years to come.  Clay's work has been featured in Country Living magazine, The Washington Times, The Atlanta Constitution, and most recently in the December issue of Southern Living magazine.  His work has also appeared in the television series, Army Wives.
     Clay Rice will be available on February 21, 2012 by appointment only.  There are still spots left, but don't delay!  Give us a call at 336-940-5501 soon to reserve your spot.  Clay will amaze you at how swift he can cut your child's silhouette.  He will have copies of his book which received the "Oscar" of independent book publishers, the IPPY award, for Children's book of the year as well as the Moonbeam Children's Book Award.  Amazon.com's independent reviewers raved and have rated it with its highest 5-star rating.
    This will be an unforgettable gift for Mother's Day, birthdays, and Grandparents Day!  Don't delay with your appointment for this once in a lifetime artistic experience!
    Take just a few moments to hear parts of the book narrated by Clay himself in the following video.  You will fall in love with the story and the author just as we did. 

Just Arrived! The Best of "The Gullah Gourmet"

 

 

Lindsay-Phillips' Spring Line is here!

Lindsay-Phillips... the shoes with endless possibilities!

The Spring 2012 line just arrived, and I'd like to introduce you to the "Missy", an adorable new style by Lindsay-Phillips.  These stylish, versatile sandals feature an interchangeable strap that can be swapped-out to create a whole new look.  Come check them out, and see for yourself why Lindsay-Phillips is one of the fastest growing shoe lines in America!

New Arrivals!

Now Available at Haj-Paj Boutique: Lindsay-Phillips Shoes

Lindsay-Phillips... the shoes with endless possibilities!

LOVE the "Evie": an adorable sling-back espadrille by Lindsay-Phillips.  The bow is an interchangeable snap that can be traded out for a whole new look!
This is the first of many Lindsay-Phillips shoes to arrive at Haj-Paj, and because the NEW Spring 2012 line is on its way, the Evie is available at a VERY special price... Just $29.95 (originally $54)

They're going fast... get yours today!