Life + Style

Eccentrics Boutique is featuring The Night's Shield for March 2017's Give Back Beautiful campaign. The Night's Shield provides a "shield in the night" for children who have been removed from their homes due to neglect, abuse, and/or abandonment.

Customers who donate items from their immediate needs list will receive 20% OFF one regular priced item (excluding Kendra Scott jewelry). 

IMMEDIATE NEEDS:
$25 gift cards (AMC Theaters, Kroger, Walmart, Bowling, Pirate Pete’s, Gas Cards), men’s tennis shoes (sizes 10-13), women’s one-piece swimsuits (sizes XS-XL), boxes of printer paper, bulk packs of disinfectant spray, bulk packs of bleach wipes, red nylon P.E. shorts (sizes adult medium-XL)

 Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Now is the time to start planning your stunning Valentine's Day outfit. Whether you are hitting the town at the fanciest restaurant or staying in for a heart shaped pizza night, we have an outfit for you! Just don't think that Valentine's Day is just for the taken. Single ladies, get dolled up and celebrate Galentine's Day with your group of beautiful friends!

 Lauren Craig is one hot mama in our new Women's Ruffle off the Shoulder Jumpsuit and Vince Camuto Kirsi Heel. This stunning jumpsuit shows off your figure while baring your shoulders. The perfect balance of sophisticated and flirty.

Abby is sweet and classy in our favorite BCBGeneration-Knit Cocktail Dress A-Line Black Dress. The neckline has sheer coverage that keeps it modest while showing some hint of skin. Abby has a perfect play on textures by layering Kendra Scott Jewelry.

 Molly's Valentine's Day outfit plays with long layered pieces and simple black ballerina flats. The sweet blush Cupcakes and Cashmere open drape coat is a the perfect pop of color. Add a long layered necklace to break up the all black jumpsuit.

 Terra's Valentine's Day date night outfit is feminine and fun with our Zigzag Lace Sleeveless Little Black Dress. Our nude heels compliment the contrast nude dress lining. The flattering trapeze dress silhouette compliments most body types.

When the girls want a sassy night out, wear our favorite Chaser Hello Lover Tee and skinny black denim. Spice up the outfit with our favorite Vince Camuto Kirsi Heel.

Molly is all American girl-next door in this girly casual outfit. Wear our blush Penelope Off The Shoulder Top, skinny denim and Dolce Vita NOA open back booties.

So which Valentine's Day outfit is your favorite?

All of us at Eccentrics Boutique are honored to work for the best boss in the world...Lauren Craig! She's absolutely beautiful inside and out. And we wanted to share all the reasons why we love working for her. So here's all the reasons why we are thankful Lauren is our boss...

"Lauren is one of the strongest, most beautiful, and most incredible people I've ever met. Her desire for her business to thrive is so admirable, and her respect and care for her employees is so obvious and genuine, that anybody around can't help but notice it. I could never ask for a better person to work for. She has taught me so much, and I have become not only a better employee, but a better person because of her. I have grown to love her and her family, and I can't wait to see the many opportunities to come." - Abby

"Lauren is not only a woman of beautiful style, hair, and lipstick, but is a woman of the most beautiful heart. She cares for those around her with a selflessness and kindness that exceeds most. Her strength shines in the face of difficulty. You can rarely find her without a smile and a word of encouragement. She is also incredibly generous, with hands always willing to give to others. This is what makes her a not only a great boss, but also a truly great friend. Love you so much and am so thankful for you, Lauren!" - Jordan

"I haven't been working for Lauren long but I have never met a woman like her. I already feel like I am a part of the family she has created at Eccentrics. Lauren is never seen without a huge smile and "how are ya?" She is, without a doubt, one of the strongest and most beautiful people that I have met and I'm so blessed to call her my friend as well as my boss. The way she cares about each and every customer that walks through our doors is truly heartwarming. To know that I work at a place that Lauren has put her heart and soul into makes me so proud of her and the store. I have so much love for her giving heart. I can't wait to see how our relationship grows and I'm forever thankful that God placed us in each other's lives. I'm so blessed to know her. Love you, Lauren!" - Molly

"I started to get to know Lauren through our church community group about a year or so ago, and unexpectedly this past Spring, a job opportunity arose for me to work at her store. I was skeptical at first, being a stay at home mom for the past seven years, thinking that there is no way I'm going to find a job that is flexible enough for our family dynamic. I was wrong. Lauren has gone above and beyond to allow my job to be flexible for my schedule with my family. I'm so blessed that I get to be a full time mom but also work at a beautiful store with truly beautiful people. Before I took the job, I heard nothing but positive things about Lauren as a person and as a boss. She has met and far exceeded those words said about her. When I think of Lauren, some of the first words that come to mind are Strong, Beautiful, Kind, Fun, Energetic, Positive, and Compassionate. She treats everyone with respect and kindness. She doesn't show favoritism. As a boss, she is encouraging and not critical. She makes you feel at ease instead of on edge. She cares about her employees and her customers. She is a great business woman and I'm so glad I get to be a part of the Eccentrics family. I'm very thankful to have Lauren in my life. She is my boss but she is also my friend." - Alisha

"Over three years ago, Lauren hired me and gave me the opportunity to have my dream job. Every hour that I spend at Eccentrics Boutique is the highlight of my day. Lauren has built an incredible business from her own vision of making women feel confident. I have watched her inspire others to be their own kind of beautiful that goes beyond clothing and accessories. Lauren has a natural ability to create a family and lifelong friends out of customers and employees. She always has a smile on her face and a kind word to say. I'm proud to be a part of Eccentrics Boutique. Lauren is an inspiration and I am blessed to call her my boss, my friend, and my family. Happy Boss's Day, Lauren!" - Britni

"There is this gorgeous lady, that has a precious spirit, a heart of gold and wears bright pink lipstick. She is strong, she loves Jesus, her family and friends. God gave her a dream and she has worked hard to fulfill it. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote "Things are pretty, graceful, rich, elegant, handsome, but until they speak to the imagination, not yet beautiful." I am so glad she is caring, creative and had the imagination to make Eccentrics the store it is. People are naturally drawn to friendly people and she makes everyone that enters the boutique feel like they are special. Her contagious smile puts everyone at ease and she genuinely cares enough to help our customers find the perfect outfit. She cares about our community and is thankful for her blessings, so in return she gives back. Hebrews 13:16 "Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifice God is pleased." What an excellent way to show people your appreciation. I am so blessed to call this amazing lady my friend and my boss. She cares about us and our families. Working at Eccentrics is beyond fun and very exciting. The Eccentrics Team are a tight knit group of ladies at different stages in life, with the same heart following a leader that exhibits grace and beauty and together we want all women to know they are beautiful. "It is not sufficient to see and to know the beauty of a work. We must feel and be affected by it." - Voltaire. I have heard so many people comment on the blessings they receive just by walking into the store. Her precious spirit and caring personality bless people. This lady that is such a blessing in so many lives is Lauren Craig." - Terra

Happy Boss's Day, Lauren! We love you!

XO,
Your Eccentrics Girls
SaveS

I am so excited to introduce the sweetest, most beautiful baby in the whole world! Well I might be just slightly biased....but I'm sure you will agree. Baby Elle brightens my day and the best part is....she sleeps through the night! Since she's such a good little sleeper, I wanted to give you all a nursery tour!

When I first found out I was having a little girl, I was already planning my vision of the perfect nursery. At first I was all over the place with no clear direction. But I knew it had to be elegant. First, I picked the floral letters for her name and everything else fell into place from there. To keep with the feminine design, I selected various shades of pink, metallic goal accents and floral details. 

My favorite part of Baby Elle's nursery is the floral letters spelling out her name above the crib. They are unique and give her room character. I also love the custom painted window design by my friend, Jordan Sparks with Lily Design Company. My sister surprised me with custom made shoes featuring the Eccentrics Boutique logo plus an adorable shirt giving Elle her own name definition. All of these special and one-of-a-kind touches really make the nursery truly about Elle.

 Whenever I enter Baby Elle's nursery, I feel calm and peaceful. Maybe it's the horizontal soft pink stripes or the floral details reminding me of a secret garden. Her room is quickly becoming my favorite one in the house. 

This room will grow with my sweet daughter. It will always be changing and I can't wait to add a dollhouse, tea set, and kitchen play set. I hope she has many happy memories that she will cherish as she grows up. Until then, I'm still on the hunt for the perfect pieces for her nursery.

If any of you are expecting a little girl, I hope I can give you a little bit of inspiration for the nursery. Decorating is my favorite past time and it's fun to put some focus on my home! When you have a beautiful environment, it can change the way you feel when you are at home.

XO,
Lauren

Get Lauren's top here: Wildfox Pink Lurex

Schools keep making dress codes stricter for the girls. So we decided to put together six trendy outfits that didn't break any of the rules! Mollie (sophomore at HHS) stopped by and modeled her favorites.

This first outfit is not only cute, it's comfortable! So throw your hair up in a messy bun, wrap that choker a few times and wear our charcoal t-shirt dress with a pocket. Give this style some attitude with our black Dolce Vita Saylor booties and Quay Sundance aviator sunglasses.

Get the look: A Line Basic T-Shirt Dress Charcoal $38 // Dolce Vita Saylor booties $160 // Quay Sundance Aviator Sunglasses $50 // Choker Necklace $22

 Fall is the best time to layer up faux leather jackets with destroyed denim. Soften the style with a pretty pleated top. As much as we love destroyed denim, some schools does not allow holes above the knee. So these cute jeans follow the rules with a rebel vibe.

Get the look: Navy Faux Leather Jacket $78 // Pleated Lace Sleeveless Top Black $85 // Dolce Vita Paris Sandals $130

If you're going to school, you gotta cover those shoulders! This season's hottest item is off the shoulder tops and dresses. But don't worry...they still look cute worn up. And you can shimmy them back down as soon as you leave the building. 

Get the look: Cocoa Off the Shoulder Bell Sleeve $37.50 // Dolce Vita NOA backless bootie $145

Fall is here and chilly days are sneaking up on us. So stay covered in our cute wrap fringe sweater. Button it up or leave it open. Cuff your favorite dark denim with statement heels.

Get the look: Asymmetrical Cardigan $45 // High Waist Skinny Jeans $39 // Dolce Vita Amina Bootie Heel $190

Look fancy and flawless in our blush dress with neckline and sleeve lace detail. Allow some skin to show through the delicate lace while still meeting coverage requirements.  Wear with our favorite backless Dolce Vita NOA booties.

Get the look: Lace Contrast Halter Neck Slip On Dress Blush $49 // Dolce Vita NOA backless bootie $145

The ladies can go sleeveless as long as the straps are palm wide. Luckily, this sweater turtleneck sweater dress meets those restrictions. Complete the look with a long stone necklace. And if your school is serious about not showing shoulders, this is a great foundation dress for any jacket or blazer.

Get the look: Sweater Knit Sleeveless Dress Turtleneck Cream $75 //  Dolce Vita Amina Bootie Heel $190

We know there are limitations in your fashion at school but you can still get an A+ while making the hallway your runway. So hit the books, make great grades and we'll see you soon!

This month, we were so excited to give back to our community! So for September's Give Back Beautiful, we sponsored the Carterville Chamber of Commerce Free Fair and Twilight 5K Run Walk. Carterville is a close knit community that keeps growing! The best way to see everyone from the town is the walk in the parade! So we put on our pink tops, pink lipstick and walking shoes. Here are some of our favorite images from the day!

Not only did we see new faces...we saw some familiar ones as well! Jordan Sparks of Lily Design Company brought her family out to catch candy and Mandy Rose with House of Rose brought her beautiful daughter to her first parade!

We are so proud to be a part of this great community! Come see us and all the new businesses popping up in Carterville, Illinois.

Hello, ladies! It's time to give back beautiful! We are doing a food drive for a local non-profit called Gum Drop Kids. So many kids go hungry after school hours. Gum Drop Kids provides local children with food so they do not go hungry when at home. Children with an empty stomach have a harder time focusing and succeeding in the school environment. We want to make sure every child has an opportunity for success in our communities!

Gum Drop Kids has provided 44,100 meals during the 2014-2015 school year in Southern Illinois. Today they deliver over 1,400+ packages weekly. They are in 12 different school districts and 36 schools throughout Southern Illinois.

Bring in a small bag of donated snacks to Eccentrics Boutique and we will give you 15% OFF your entire purchase* including sale items. Help us make this campaign a huge success!

List of Needed Items: Chef Boyardee, Fruit Cups, Ramen Noodles, Pudding Packs, Oatmeal, Cheese and Crackers, Applesauce Cups, Easy Mac Bowls, Popcorn

Find out more on their website.

*Excludes Kendra Scott jewelry. In-store only. Must bake a donation of a small bag from list of needed items.

Get your sparklers out, ladies! It's the 4th of July and our favorite time to chill with family and friends. Whether you are grilling on your back patio or catching the rays on the lake, we have some favorite red, white and blue styles for you!

Our first outfit features our favorite new Stars & Stripes tee with arm stripes! This loose fitting, casual tee looks perfect with boyfriend denim and sandals. It just might end up being the most comfortable tee you've ever worn!

What's more American than drinking a can of Coca Cola? Well....YOU drinking a can of cold Coca Cola! Throw in a patriotic stars straw and be selfie ready in our blue jersey knit tie top! Wear some cut offs and cute wedges! And definitely add a white Kendra Scott necklace.

Get patriotic in our red baseball tee and boyfriend denim. This is the cutest top for anyone wanting a subtle patriotic style. Paint your nails a pretty blue and wave the American flag high and proud!

We hope you enjoy your holiday weekend celebrating our freedoms!

Alzheimer's changes lives. It's been such a tough disease to watch my family go through. I remember days at my grandmother's house eating ice cream, watching movies, and talking about everything. Those visits are different now; I’m lucky if my grandmother remembers my name, who I’m married to and where I live. It's sad. It’s difficult carrying a conversation with someone who doesn’t answer you back. I often wonder if my grandmother can hear or understand what I’m saying. No one can really understand what people go through, unless you have a relative like my grandma - someone with Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's makes a normal person start forgetting things until they can’t remember how to talk, walk or even do such a simple thing as hug someone. You have to be really brave to visit someone who changes every time you see them because after all, you still love them like I love my grandma. It's just painful to watch them slip away. I miss the old days, the days before my grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

My grandma always predicted my future (she might not remember it), but she always wanted me to open a shop beside Your Jeweler (my father-in-law's store). She was such an inspiration to me!

Have you been affected by Alzheimer's in your family? Please join us on Saturday, September 26th at Carbondale Community High School at the Frank Bleyer Field. Registration at 8:30am. Ceremony at 9:30am. Walk at 10:00am. Route Length: 3.2 miles.

To join or donate to the Eccentrics Team, click this link here: http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2015/IL-GreaterIllinois?team_id=294804&pg=team&fr_id=7472

XO,

Lauren

We can't be all work and no play! It was time for an Eccentrics Team girls night...minus a few ladies! The best boss in the world gave us tickets to enjoy Josh Turner at Walker's Bluff Legend's Amphitheater last night. We were so sad Lauren couldn't join us! Eccentrics Boutique sponsored Walker's Bluff featuring Josh Turner...so if you were there, you got to see our promo video play several times! We had so much fun catching up and spending time with our plus ones. Walker's Bluff is the perfect place in Southern Illinois to enjoy a great food and your favorite musician. We look forward to attending more of their events in the future! View images from the concert below!