By Elizabeth Leva, scoopFASHION blogger

During this season of giving, why not accomplish twice the good-doing by giving gifts that are made in the good old USA?

These companies brave the higher production costs and fees to support the industry, economy and employment in our country, which is no easy task. These products are popular enough on their own that you might be already supporting this wonderful cause without knowing it!

City Art Works in Park Towne Village carries almost exclusively American-based products. You’ll find candles, jewelry, home goods, artwork and bath and body products and MUCH MORE from all ends of the country at all ends of this boutique.

Love Heals is one such jewelry line carried at City Art Works. For every piece of Love Heals jewelry purchased, the mother and son designers produce the items in Ojai, California and then fund the planting of 10 fruit-bearing trees in Ethiopia.

Mix and match their necklaces, wrap bracelets and charms or try their pre-assembled pieces for a gorgeous gift and wonderful cause.  (Love Heals is also carried at Neimans).

Then there are the amazing Capri Blue jar candles in the ever-popular Volcano scent. Made in Mississippi and also available at City Art Works, these candles make the perfect gift because EVERYONE likes this scent.

Another fabulous City Art Works find is the fantastic Kerry Brooks pottery collection. These stunning coasters, bowls, platters and more are made of glass from recycled car windshields and, of course, in the USA.

Cottage Chic boutique on East Blvd. is another mecca for American-made gifts and accessories.

Among the selection is this amazing brown sugar flavored lip scrub by Sara Happ. Acclaimed by Oprah and adored by celebrities male and female, this product banishes dry, crackly lips for good- and it’s made in the USA. Talk about a great stocking stuffer.

Also available at Cottage Chic are the wonderful Ella B candles, which are produced in America, smell incredible and come in a precious little bow-adorned box.  Simple gifting doesn’t get much easier than that.

And to continue on Cottage Chic’s roster of American aromatic goods, the bath and body products, such as this “Bath Fizz” set, by San Francisco based designer Elizabeth W would be gifts enjoyed by any recipient.

The Pink Hanger in Cotswold carries another great option for an American gift- the Mini-emergency Kit. These little pouches are assembled in Illinois and contain about anything and everything and girl on the go could need from a sewing kit to an itty bitty hair spray.

The Boulevard at South End is a one stop shop for the whole family with mostly locally made finds. In a big, bright space with free parking in a lot around the corner on Summit.
Meow & Fetch for the cutest pet presents in town.  Natural Luxe for ecofriendly and handmade gifts.  Mantown for unique and affordable guy gifts.  Paper goods and stationary by Pretty Bird Papers and A Drop of Golden Sun.  Jewelry and accessories by cloverleaf creations, Uptown Uniques and moondoonie.  Plus tchokes you didn’t even know about but now must have like the handmade Moravian stars from Lancaster SC.

Another well-known candle manufacturer, Votivo, produces their deliciously fragrant candles right in nearby Spartanburg, SC. Available at Sloan boutique, the popular “Red Currant” scent always makes an excellent gift.

So as you do your last minute shopping for this holiday, and all year round, keep these items in mind and don’t forget to ask for help with selecting a gift from an American company. The boutique owners and associates will be more than happy to help you.

Yeah.  Not actually trying to get you cougars some new talent, although that would be a fun blog to research…..

This is about trying to find a decent gift for the young men in your life, i.e. your sons, godsons, nephews and neighbors.  Little boys are easy to buy for, but once they get into high school and college, gaaaaah.  Who knows, right?  We’ve done our best to help you out at the local spots.

If your boy is preppy and traditional, the easy answer is Vineyard Vines at South Park.  Made even easier this week with a 20% off coupon on their flyer here.  You can get him a tie promoting his favorite sport (lacrosse, golf, tennis, sailing ties), his favorite team (NFL. MLB, NHL), his college, his hobbies, even his dogs.  We like the gift of a VV cummerbund set as a unique thought for a young man in his 20′s.  Or a holiday tie under the tree to wear to church and the day’s festivities.  Vineyard Vines has boys ties for $49.50, men’s ties for $75 and the cummerbund sets for $110.  All 20% off this week only when you present THIS FLYER.

If your boy is less of a prep, try Urban Outfitters, Revolution at the Epicentre, O1ne or Niche for a fun and funky gift.  A few we like are:

From Revolution – the rolling alarm clock is the perfect gift for a college bound son or nephew.  When the alarm goes off and he hits snooze, this clock ($39) begins to bounce and roll and will scoot around various surfaces like the floor – until he drags himself out of bed and turns it off.  We also found the moustache coffee cup and a North Carolina needlepoint pillow ($155) at Revolution.

Urban Outfitters is great for gag gifts, sweaters, hats, scarfs, gloves, novelty tees and more.   Just a word of warning – the South Park UO has a pretty random register line new for their holiday traffic, so don’t get all mad when you get there and have to snake around for days to find the register!

If he’s the sporty type – you already know where to go.  Don’t forget the new-ish Orvis at Phillips Place.  And maybe you can use one or more of these coupons and deals to OMEGA Sports.  Please don’t forget to tell ‘em scoopcharlotte sent ya, so maybe they’ll pony up some ad dollars one day!

Finally, if he is well above the legal age, we think he might like one of these Whiskey lamps ($49) or Mandles ($15) from the new Blvd at South End for his apartment.

Going up into the attic to get the Christmas decorations down has inspired me to do a mini-purge this week.  Years and years of being a material girl living in a material world and I’ve accumulated a spectacular stash of stuff.  Plans to sell it on e-bay and hold an annual garage sale just bounce around on my to-do list driving me crazy.  Out it goes, to do someone else some good via Goodwill.  And get me that tax deduction and freed up storage space.  In keeping with the spirit of the season, I am designating December as my Holiday Decor And Winter Wear Donation Month.  There will be santas. (more…)

By Elizabeth Leva, scoopFASHION blogger

Men have it all wrong. Women are EASY to please. Well, at least as far as gifts are concerned… Get us a piece of jewelry, some perfume, maybe a purse…heck, even money or gift cards would send us jumping for joy! But when it comes to the gift giving holidays, the men in our lives tend to be among the most difficult names to scratch off our lists.

So we scoured the stores to find 10 guaranteed man-pleasing gifts UNDER $100 to help you out. Surely at least one of these will work for someone in your life!

1. Whiskey stones ($19.99 for nine, Sur La Table)

These all-natural, nonporous Vermont stones are a perfect gift for the whiskey aficionado who enjoys his spirits slightly chilled without being watered down. Just keep frozen and use in place of ice.

2.Rabbit 3 piece wine opener set ($44.95, Crate and Barrel)

Known for making wine bottle opening a hassle-free task accomplishable in as few as three seconds, the rabbit ear corkscrew is a must for any wine lover without one. This set comes with matching foil cutter and spare coil.

3.Vinturi Red Wine Aerator ($39.95, Crate and Barrel)

The days of oversized, awkward decanters are long gone. For any red wine enthusiast, give the wonderful gift of an aerator to instantly breathe air into red wine.

4.Robert Graham ties ($98, Neiman Marcus)

If the popular Robert Graham printed collared shirts are a little too wild for your man’s style, try giving him one of these beautiful silk Robert Graham ties. About the third of the price of the iconic shirts, these ties give him designer style in a place he comfortable wearing a print.

5.Ugg Ascot slipper ($99.95, Nordstrom)

While men may laugh at women wearing clunky Ugg boots, I don’t know one man who hasn’t completely fallen in love with a pair of Ugg slippers once he receives them as a gift. With the cold winter weeks fast approaching, chances are he’ll be eternally attached to these before you finish opening presents.

6.TOMS Winston Flannel Shoe ($95, Neiman Marcus)

Another cold-weather shoe essential, these flannel TOMS are a warm, comfortable and stylish alternative to the trademark cotton summer versions. And as always with TOMS, you are giving a pair of shoes to a child in need when you purchase a pair. Double gifting!

7.North Face “TKA 100” Fleece Pullover ($50, Nordstrom)

What man doesn’t love a casual, half-zip fleece? Great for lounging around the house, running errands or playing sports outdoors, this North Face TKA 100 fleece pullover is an affordable must-have for any man of any age. (Available in several colors)

8.Burberry “Check” Flannel Boxers ($45, Neiman Marcus)

Stylish, warm and well-made, there is no man who wouldn’t enjoy a pair of these flannel designer drawers.

9.Kiehl’s “Ultimate Man” Holiday Set ($50, Nordstrom)

Even if your man isn’t a bath and body product buff, trust us, he will love anything Kiehl’s. This pre-assembled holiday package includes the coveted Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash (8.4 oz.), Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream – White Eagle (5 oz.), Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men (2.5 oz.), Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap (3.2 oz.), Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (1 oz.) and Lip Balm #1 (0.5 oz.).

10.iPhone 4 rechargeable battery case ($70, Neiman Marcus)

And last but certainly not least, if any of the men in your life aren’t “crack-berry” addicts and love their iPhones with all their hearts, get them this necessary accessory. It protects the phone like a traditional case, but also offers hours of extra battery time. JACKPOT.

Happy shopping!

Ok, so we are shopping local this season.  Believe it or not, these cute frocks are available for $36-$60 at the new online shop called OLIVE ONLINE created by LOCAL sweetheart Amy Pickard.  Amy runs the men’s consignment shop Revolve, next to Monarch on East, and she reminds us of a Disney Princess.  Sweet, blond, generous to a fault, and always sunny.  Love us some Amy P.  Shopping the amazingly priced deals at www.shopoliveonline.com is helping a local launch her latest entrepreneurial effort, and we’re all for it.  Here are a few looks you may love.  Click the pics to see larger. (more…)

Some people are just hard to buy for.  Either because of their position or role in your life (boss, therapist, dad’s new wife), because everyone gives them something little & affordable already (teachers, coaches, trainers) or because they are just plain hard to find the right gift for (in-laws, teenage boys, preteen girls, snooty neighbors).  Here are some random items we found for the random folks in your life.

Your Boss if she’s a Woman

The taupe cashmere TEXTING GLOVES from B.D.Jeffries in Morrison Shops.  $75 and unlike the kids’ raga-mittens that look like you just pulled them off some hobo, these elegant full fingered gloves have small openings in each finger tip to allow for elegant, full sentence texting.  The pic doesn’t do them justice.  Go by and see.

Your Boss if you are sucking-up

Stingray iPhone Cover from BDJeffries In Morrison $125

Your Boss if he’s a Man.  Also works for your mother’s new husband.

silver & rattan frame from BDJeffries $85

 A teenage boy.  Or your Boss if you don’t like him.

Framed Spider, Tarantula, Bats and More $50-$80 at City Art Works

Your husband or your son, if he’s a natty prepster with a wink, or if you wish he were.

Smathers and Branson Needlepoint belts ($195)& fobs at BD Jeffries.

Your kid’s teacher, if you think you may need the extra credit.

Words to Live By signs at City Art Works, priced from $12 to $56.

Your Husband’s New Boss & Wife at your 1st Office Holiday Party.

toast in 6 languages wine glasses from NM $65

Your Mother In Law, Sisters In Law, Therapist, Sisters. It’s All in the Picking on this one.

One or more Sid Dickens at city art works $80 each

 Your best girl-friend if you are over 40.  Your mom if you are not.

eye bobs reading glasses from BDJeffries mostly around $100

A unique, go-to nice one for a favorite female.

The QC Crown Kula Kai necklace exclusively at The Pink Hanger - Under $50

A go-to affordable keeper for the friend who loves her house.

feather wreaths from BDJeffries $40-$45

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So you know we are always on the hunt for you, our dear readers, right?  Here’s another PERFECT holiday hostess gift found at Cottage Chic.  $25.  Locally made candles named after our very own Charlotte neighborhoods.  Each ‘hood has a unique scent, which the creator, ella b, feels best represents that area.  Myers Park, South Park, Uptown, Freedom, Lakefront, McAdenville, Queen City, etc.  They sold out of Myers Park and Queen City almost immediately but more are due in.  And the girls at Cottage Chic have already requested a Dilwoth Candle, natch.  If you get there by this Saturday, 11/12, you can buy one candle, get the 2nd one at half price.  You will need to tell them you saw the offer here on scoop tho.

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Not long ago, I interviewed the stylish and compelling Linda Heasley, CEO of The Limited Corporation, at the Grand Opening of The Limited’s newest NC store at NorthLake Mall.  She had THE coolest eyeglasses.  Ever.  Unfortunately, I forgot to ask by whom and from where.  I was too busy taking notes about The Limited’s new look in store (brighter, warmer, more like something out of Traditional Home than Chain Store Age).

While we walked the store, Ms. Heasley mentioned that The Limited would soon be opening an online boutique for full-figured fashion, www.eloquii.com.   (more…)