thesmittenboutique.com Blog

Last year at this time, several things were happening in my world. I was watching the financial world crumble and cease to exist as I had known it, my oldest was starting high school and my youngest was entering middle school and…Smitten was just about ready to open. We had a preview party for my oldie goldie customers from McKaig’s Fine Clothing on October 29. It was the biggest day we had ever experienced at MFC…ever. Writing this makes me very emotional. For those of you that have shopped with me for years…you understand the reason for my emotions. For my new customers … just understand it’s been a long road and when I tell how thankful I am for all of you, please know that I could not have made this journey without each of you. You’ve pulled me through my struggles both personal and professional, made me laugh when I wanted to cry, given me encouragement when I was close to giving up. I care deeply for all my customers, I’ve been through marriages, divorces, births, deaths and everything in between. I cherish how much you trust me with your lives and how much you care about mine.
So we’re another year older and the future looks bright! I am so excited for these next few weeks and I hope you can join us at our Birthday celebration on November 4th. It will be the party of all parties!
We look forward to seeing you soon. Check out our Smitten Date Book for all the events we have in store!
In the meantime…
Be Happy and Be Smitten!
NCM

This week I realized we had donated to 4 worthy charitable causes in the great city of Durham. I like the fact that Smitten is able to give back. It’s an important component to a healthy community. I also like being supportive of the very people (my customers) that support me. It surprises me when my good customers are hesitant to ask for a donation … (yes I may be opening the flood gates of requests!) I’m glad and proud I have customers that are socially conscious and give back their time, money, knowledge and efforts. It is the very woman we embrace at Smitten. A big thank you to those of you that do so.
We are filled to the brim with new merchandise…plan to visit us soon and begin your holiday shopping. It’s less than 80 days away.
Don’t forget our Wine, Cheese and Retail therapy Friday afternoons from 4pm to 7pm. It’s the best way to end your week or begin your weekend.
In the meantime,
Be Happy and Be Smitten!
NCM

We have a lot going on at Smitten, both inside and outside the store. Our blog will be brief this week as we are unpacking new merchandise from new and exciting companies! As I write this, we are exactly 80 days from Christmas. Please plan to shop local and (hopefully with us). We pride ourselves on helping our customers select the perfect gifts and are as happy as you are when we succeed.
We hope to see you soon and help you begin your holiday shopping. Don’t forget our Wine, Cheese and Retail Therapy every Friday from 4pm to 7pm. It is the best way to end your week, begin your weekend …and our saying is a little Wine and Cheese always makes holiday shopping a little merrier!
Be Happy and Be Smitten!
NCM

Pink is my favorite color…I’ve always loved it. I had a pink bedroom growing up and I still have beautiful new pink linens on my bed. The color pink also represents Breast cancer awareness month. We see the pink ribbons everywhere. When I was younger I didn’t think about it all too much. I was aware of the importance of taking care of myself … but really Breast Cancer was something that happened to older women. Certainly no one I knew was going to be affected by it? Right? WRONG… I, like most of you have lost several dear friends to Breast Cancer…fortunately, I have three times as many friends who have survived it and are leading wonderful lives.
Please join me as I support one of those dear friends who sadly lost their battle two years ago. November 21 is the Marcy Speer 3 mile RUN/WALK. I’ll let you read about Marcy when you go the race link. http://www.chg.duhs.duke.edu/marcyrun/
She was an amazing woman who was always one my biggest cheerleaders. I didn’t get a chance to know her as well as I would have liked. So wear your pink ribbons this month, but be diligent about your personal health every day. Encourage those you love to do the same.
We will have race information here at Smitten, and I encourage you to participate in this great day remembering a great woman. This year it is Pet and baby stroller friendly… there is room for everyone!
Come visit us soon, we’d love to see you!
Be Happy and Be Smitten…
NCM