"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!