Top 3 Reasons to Shop Small this Holiday Season

For retailers like us, we have already started planning and prepping for our busiest season: the time when YOU shop for the ones you love most.

Envy owner Kristi explains the top reasons you should shop local this holiday season:

1. Shop with your Friends
I've been lucky enough to help many of my customers over and over-- I know their taste, their lifestyle, their body type, and their price point. Or, if I don't know you personally, chances are I've assisted your neighbor, daughter, co-worker, etc.

From the customer's perspective, however, it's more than just building a personal connection with sales associates; it's about convenience. It is so much easier to shop with someone that already 'gets' you. Holiday shopping can be a headache, but not when you're shopping efficiently in stores that already know how to help you.

Even more, holiday returns are annoying, but chances are, the same employee that helped you pick out the gift item will be working *if* the item comes back to be returned. Last Christmas, I helped a husband put a whole outfit together for his wife. So sweet! When she came back with the entire gift still wrapped in Envy tissue paper (wrong size, darn!), I thought, 'This is so fun putting a face to the gift!' And I was able to help her get the correct items in less than 5 minutes.

2. Diversity of Products
Local businesses don't have to stock their shelves with products to reach a "mass market." Instead, we pick products for our local audience. For example, the two most popular items in our store right now are Chicago Flag necklaces and Fleece Lined Leggings. Obviously, these items are specific and regional, but we sell hundreds of each item in our Evanston store.

But it goes beyond niche-y products. You ask for sweaters, leg warmers, infinity scarves? We run to the phone and make sure our buyers order it. Because it's what YOU want (and need-- let's be real, it's freezing here), not what someone in L.A. or Dallas wants to buy. The benefit of shopping local is we listen to you when we fill our stores so you can purchase exactly what you are looking for.

3. Help us create jobs and invest in our community!

Without a doubt, the best part of owning a small business is connecting with the community that supports us. We hire local residents and college students who are active in the community, and we support their local charities, schools, and events. For example, in the past year, your support has allowed us to contribute to Evanston Township High School, Northwestern University Dance Marathon, Relay for Life, Delta Gamma Sorority, Kappa Delta Sorority, and a handful of other charities and fundraising events.  You are able to patronize the shops that support your causes, and that means YOU have a direct impact on your community. That's pretty cool!

This is a feel-good post for us! We have been blessed with a community filled with local support, and we can't wait to help you shop this holiday season for your loved ones :)


Mark your calendars for these Envy shopping events in November:

November 7 - November 9: Shop3V Pop-up Shop at Envy in Downtown Evanston
Meet Danira from Triple V Clothing at her online boutique's Grand Opening event!

November 9: Kenilworth Club Holiday Bazaar
Shop with Envy and other local vendors at this festive event!

November 14: Envy Pre- Black Friday Party! at Envy in Downtown Evanston
Out of town for Black Friday? No prob-- we celebrate it early at Envy!

November 29: Small Business Saturday and Downtown Evanston Tree Lighting
Shop Small Saturday coincides with Downtown Evanston's most popular holiday event! This is your excuse to shop around the great local boutiques in Evanston!

Meet Danira from Triple V Clothing!

Mark you calendars! 

This weekend you will have the opportunity to meet the owner of Triple V Clothing, an e-commerce clothing store based in Evanston! Triple V Clothing will be hosting a pop-up shop at Envy from November 7th - November 9th. Currently, Triple V is only available online at www.Shop3V.com, so this is your opportunity to come and try it all on in person!

We interviewed Danira Alihodzic, the CEO and Founder of Triple V, so you can learn a little more about her and the brand. She will be at Envy all weekend, so stop by and meet her in person!

About Shop3V.com:

Triple V Clothing is modern, contemporary and unique clothing hand-picked by Danira. The price point is amazing but even better, Triple V Clothing gives a portion of it’s proceeds to charities. 

Briefly describe your story:

I was working at a law firm and simply decided one day that it made sense for me to start my own business and do something I truly love. The business plan was drawn up the same day, and here we are.

Where did the concept for Shop3V.com come from?

I was getting sick of seeing the exact same clothes at all the stores I was shopping at, and noticed that my friends were too. I decided to give us an option that wouldn’t leave us worrying if 3 other girls would have the same dress at the same party.

What is the best thing about being Founder & CEO (Chief Hustler)?

The best thing would have to be the creative freedom. I get to pull inspiration directly from my surroundings and pour it into the brand. It’s nice because my customers are girls like me, I get them – they get me. There isn’t a buying meeting at the 100^th floor of some fancy building with a handful of stuffy businesspeople whose main goal is money. I feel like that’s what Triple V’s customers appreciate.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Would it be super cliché to say life? Yeah? Ok.
It would be difficult to narrow it down to one major thing, but my friends and family are probably a huge part of what inspires me. Each of them is so different, yet somehow they all mesh. Their styles blend together and end up in our clothes. I’d like to think there is something for everyone at Triple V, and that’s a direct result of my friends and family.

What is your best selling item at Shop3V.com?

Everybody was going absolutely crazy over a denim coat we had last season! So much so that we’ll be re-introducing it in the Spring.

Describe your personal style.

I’m such a chameleon. One day I’m super sophisticated and sleek in all black, the next I’m channeling my inner 90’s grunge diva with a vintage band tee and purple ombre. But that’s the beauty of fashion; we get to be whatever we want to be.

What is your favorite thing about fall in Chicago?

The clothes! I’m not a fan of 90-degree weather, so when it drops down to 60’s and I get to shop for sweaters, hats, and boots – I am ecstatic! Also, the gorgeous lakeside walks in early fall. Our city is stunning!

Three things in your bag:

My liquid eyeliner by NYC – fall is the ultimate season for a bold cat eye, and this gem lasts forever and is such a bargain at $3!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Line lip liner in 3C – my ULTIMATE obsession at the moment. Move over, Kylie Jenner.

Business cards, because you never know when an opportunity can come knocking!

What is one thing our readers would be surprised to hear about you:

I lived in 7 different countries and 11 different cities by the age of 13. I’ve added London, UK to the list since then.

Check Triple V Clothing out on Facebook

And come meet Danira in person at Envy this weekend!! Can't wait to see you all there!

The Biggest Jewelry Trend at Envy

New fashions are usually reactions to old or fading fashion, and jewelry trends follow the same pattern. Over the last few seasons, large and chunky costume jewelry made center stage, and your whole outfit would be centered around one large brightly colored necklace. Bubble necklaces, bib necklaces, the bigger, the better.

However, almost as an immediate reaction to the statement necklace, everyone seems to be flocking towards the dainty chain pendant necklaces. One of the most popular brands is Dogeared. They sell small, understated pieces. Sometimes geometric shapes such as triangles and hearts, and sometimes corky pendants such as wish bones and elephants. The shape that is most trending is the circle, called Karma (what goes around, comes around).

Dainty jewelry is definitely a hot seller at Envy-- See some of our fave pieces here:

 #1 Seller: Chicago Flag Necklace in Rose Gold

All our necklaces are only $9.98 each and can be found here:

Dainty jewelry is the perfect "day-to-day" accessory that still provides a window into the wearer. 

Chicago Pride

THEY'RE BACK!!

Chicago flag necklaces have been restocked! They're available here

We are so happy that the Chicago Flag necklaces have been such a hot item, 

because that means so many people love our city as much as we do <3 

Available in-store and online for $11.98!

Live in Evanston? Buy online and select "in-store pick-up"

to ensure you get one!