We're Neighbors: Eccentrics Boutique + Your Jeweler

Eccentrics Boutique and Your Jeweler
Now that we're getting settled into our new location, we have to introduce you to our neighbor: Your Jeweler! But let us back up...our history with Your Jeweler in Carterville, Illinois, goes way back. This is where Eccentrics Boutique found roots that also gave us wings. Eccentrics Boutique opened in the loft space in Your Jeweler four years ago. After growing from jewelry and gifts to clothing and shoes....I realized that we needed more space! So we packed up and moved across Route 13 into a new building with more space.  {Or so I thought.} Eccentrics Boutique just kept growing and growing. Soon we were bursting at the seams and needing a new space all over again! Luckily for us, a whole space opened up next to Your Jeweler. So...we packed up and moved back across route 13. I couldn't ask for a better space for our customers to shop and visit! And it's nice to feel like we're back home near the place where it all started. Now we can call Your Jeweler our neighbors!!
Make sure you stop by both locations the next time you're out shopping in Carterville, Illinois! We look forward to meeting you soon!!
XOXO,
Lauren
Address: 209 West Commercial Drive, Suite D, Carterville, IL 62918
June 06, 2015

Taylor Made Tuesday: BCBGeneration White Romper

If you love the BCBGeneration brand as much as we do....check out this stunning BCBGeneration white woven jumper. Not only is the skirt front detail gorgeous...it has a beautiful open back! Taylor decided to give it two different styles just by adding accessories. So let's check out what Taylor put together....

The first outfit is accented with gold tones and our beautiful metallic ribbon floppy hat. Layering metal jewelry with our metallic reptile print sandals continues the metallic theme from head to toe.

BCBGeneration White Woven Jumper $148 // Ezra Metallic Reptile Print Sandals $51 // Metallic Ribbon Hat $41 // Bow Bangle Set $21 // Gold Stone Bangle $30 // Circle Nail Necklace $35 // Rings $15 // Solid Gold Bangle $17

Embrace the simplicity of the BCBGeneration White Woven Jumper and let one accessory take center stage. Taylor added a gorgeous cobalt blue clutch for a punch of color. Even the nude wedges stay in the background while looking incredible!

BCBGeneration White Woven Jumper $148 // Nude Nubuck Wedge $36 // Cobalt Clutch $55

So which of these approaches are your favorite? Would you let there be a pop of color or neutral metallic accents?

Stay Stylish!

June 02, 2015

May 2015 Give Back Beautiful: Pregnancy Matters

 

At Eccentrics Boutique, we aspire to "Give Back Beautiful" to our community. We are excited to launch our newest campaign with a very important local agency: Pregnancy Matters. As a company that focuses on women, we also value family. Family is everything to us in this life. And we want to show that same support to those in our community.

Pregnancy Matters offers support to over 1,500 individuals and families in 12 different southern Illinois counties. Their medical staff includes a Medical Director to oversee free sonogram services. They also have volunteer nurses who gather medical histories from clients, provide patient education, and answer questions to assist in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Their ultrasound technicians volunteer once a week to confirm a viable pregnancy and make referrals for prenantal care.

A list of their services include:

  • Free pregnancy tests
  • Ultrasound services
  • Emotional support
  • Confidential assistance
  • Educational workshops for new and expecting mothers
  • Financial counseling
  • Follow-up calls
  • Home visits (when requested)

Pregnancy Matters also offers donations to families in need:

  • Prenatal vitamins
  • Maternity clothing
  • Baby supplies
  • Infant clothing
  • Diapers and wipes
  • Baby equipment
  • Bottles, formula and related items

Since many of us at Eccentrics Boutique have started our own families, we understand that it can be a very stressful and overwhelming experience. We are excited to spotlight this agency and do our part to help lighten the load of families with untimely pregnancies. On Saturday, May 30th, 2015, 20% of ALL SALES will be donated to Pregnancy Matters. We hope you will show your support and help us make this a great day for a great agency!

Stay Stylish and Give Back Beautiful!

May 29, 2015

Taylor Made Tuesday: Grey Skirt & Black High-Waisted Shorts

It's our first Taylor Made Tuesday post since Taylor left us for Mizzou! We're so excited to bring this series back for the summer! We challenged Taylor to put together two different looks with two different basic bottoms: a mid-calf length grey skirt and black BCBGeneration black high-waisted shorts. So let's take a look at what Taylor created...

Taylor's first outfit is simple and stylish. The neutral tones work well together to create a laid back effortless look. The bow belt and "Oh Boy" oxford flats create a nice contrast of feminine and masculine elements.

Grey Pleated Skirt with Belt $44 // Plain Jersey Tank $19 // Oh Boy Oxford Shoes $45 // Stone Bracelet $34.95 // Brown Bead Bracelet $22.95

 Transform our grey pleated skirt into a boho chic outfit. Throw on our ivory lace crop top and wear fringe high heel sandals. We love this style for a day out with friends. And how cute is this LilyWhite Designs purse designed exclusively by our in-house designer??

 

Grey Pleated Skirt with Belt $44 // Ivory Lace Crop Top $38 // Fringe City Sandal $64 //Bead Bangle $32 // Stone Wrap Bangle $27 // Lily White Purse $40

 For another trendy look, Taylor dressed up our BCBGeneration black high-waisted shorts. The first look is a casual approach with our adorable "In Case of Emergency Save My Shoes" graphic tee and pops of red accessories!

BCBGeneration Black Shorts with Tie $68 // In Case of Emergency Graphic Tee $43 // Red "Quotes" Pointed Flats $45

For the second style, Taylor added our adorable new black polka dot blouse and high heels with scallop back design. Add a large BCBGeneration purse and head out the door.

BCBGeneration Black Shorts with Tie $68 // Polka Dot Blouse $43 // BCBGeneration Handbag $108 // Chinese Laundry Black Sea Breeze Heels $75

Which look is your favorite? Do you prefer a more dressed-up style or fun casual touch?

Stay Stylish!

May 26, 2015

Free Cake Film Co. at Eccentrics Boutique

We're so excited to mark one thing off our extensive "To-Do List": Create a promo video. (Check. Double check.)  Lucas Richter of Free Cake Film Co. drove a couple of hours to work with us. We had so much fun and cannot wait to see the final product!

Free Cake Film Co. and Eccentrics Boutique

There might or might not have been an interview that brought tears to my eyes....

And of course we had to end with a selfie! ;)

So stay tuned for the awesome video by Free Cake Film Co...you won't want to miss it!

(Psst...if you want my look, shop the cutest Blue Tribal Print Tunic...only $37!!)

 

Stay Stylish!

May 19, 2015

9 Lessons: When a Girly Girl Becomes a Boy Mom

From the moment I found out I was expecting, I just knew I was having a boy! It was time for me to give up buying high heels and start buying diapers. I'm now a girly girl who is blessed to be raising a boy! Ledger is my sweet, happy and cute little two year old man. I adore how curious and carefree he is. To be honest, I didn't know anything about boy stuff before him. I grew up in a girl family and we just didn't tackle each other (haha)! Sports were never a part of my interests...I was more concerned about what I was going to wear to the games instead!

So, for any other girly girls, here is what I've learned while raising a boy:

  1. Getting dirty is a requirement. Whether it's digging in the dirt or rolling around in the grass, I use better judgment on when I wear white clothing!
  2. Wrestling is not just something on television. It's a real contact sport...and little boys have to get out all of their energy!
  3. Stitches and ER visits are not my favorite....but have happened more times than I want to admit.
  4. Bruises and scratches become a part of the landscape while he interacts with the world.
  5. Water guns and games are more thrilling than I expected!
  6. Wear running shoes. All. Day. Long.
  7. Our second language is "Dinosaur." Rawr!!
  8. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Hot Dog Dance" is a better workout than Zumba.
  9. One short day can be full of more love than I ever expected.

 

As a boutique owner, I love how one part of my day is full of pretty dresses and stylish shoes....but then I get to end my day digging in the dirt searching for dinosaur fossils.

XO,

Lauren

 

Happy Mommy Tee $32 // Polka Dot Scarf // White Tank Top with Pom Poms // Hat

May 07, 2015

Strawberries & Champagne

What a beautiful day at Eccentrics Boutique! We celebrated our new location with chocolate covered strawberries and champagne! We can't think our supportive customers enough for making our first day in the new building so amazing. All the beautiful ladies kept us going and made the day fly by! Here are some images of the new look for Eccentrics Boutique!

Thank you to everyone who make it out on our first day....and we hope to see everyone else tomorrow for more strawberries and champagne!

 

XO,

Lauren

May 01, 2015

Outfit Inspirations with House of Rose | Eccentrics Boutique

Mandy Rose with House of Rose is back with more summer outfit inspirations! We have two different outfits featured: one focus on hot pink and another with contrasting black and white. Each outfit is bold in its own right....which represents Mandy Rose very well. Read on to learn more about our featured blogger and to see the stunning images from our photo shoot!

As a stay-at-home mother and entrepreneur, how important is fashion in your daily life?

Sometimes people think that because I work from home I don't get out of my pajamas. But the truth is, I have to get up, shower and get dressed in something fashionable or I feel like my day hasn't started! There is something about feeling good about the way you look that makes your work more productive. :)

What is your favorite part of working from home?

I love being in control of my own destiny. I can work as much or as little as I want. And it's funny because I work more now then I did when I had a full time corporate job. But the difference is? I love what I do now!

What inspires you and how does it impact your daily life?

Being in the blogging community I feel like I get inspired everyday from the women who I surround myself with. My business partner, Natalie {who founded Happy Mommy Box} is someone who inspires me daily. I often call her SUPERMOM. She has 3 little kids at home just like me and also runs her blog and online business. She shares her life as a mom and the fun things that she does with her babies makes me want to be a person. Even if it's just hanging out at the park...she exudes JOY  in everything she does...and that inspires me.

Do you have any secret talents that most people do not know?

I can roll my belly. Like a belly dancer. Bahahaha. Don't ask for a video.

What’s your best kept beauty secret?

Be yourself! I know that seems so simple, but I can't tell you how many times I have tried to dress or do my make-up like someone else and it just wasn't me. Once I finally realized that I had my own style...I embraced that! It's made me a whole more confident! 

What is your favorite thing about Eccentrics?

Besides the fact that the store is BEYOND adorable, I love that every time I go in there the stylists actually CARE about helping me. Especially Lauren... you can just tell how much she loves her business and she genuinely is a fashionista! Plus, I ALWAYS find something when I go in there. More like I find at least 5 things. Ha!

What’s something you do every day that you love?

Drink fountain coke. #oops 

No really, every day I get up and put on makeup. Not a ton of makeup, but powder, blush, mascara and lip gloss can make you feel 100 times more put together and it only takes 5 minutes!

What makes you happiest?

Being with my husband and kids and doing something spontaneous! We are prepping for a 2 week RV trip across the states and we currently have no plan for where we will stop. But, I love that our family can just pick up and go...knowing that it doesn't really matter where we are going or what we are doing because we are together...and that's all that matters! I love creating memories that will last forever!

 

June 30, 2014

Role Model: Mandy Rose with House of Rose | Eccentrics Boutique

We are so excited to feature Mandy Rose, author of House of Rose, on our blog today! If you are following her blog, you know that she is full of excitement and joy. If you haven't been following her blog...well...you need to start! It's easy to feel like she's your best friend before you even know her. Well, we just had to spend a day with Mandy and capture some pretty pictures of her wearing our hottest looks this season.

Tell us a little about yourself:

I'm Mandy, author of House of RoseDollars & Roses and Co-Founder of Happy Mommy Box. I'm a boy mom, fountain coke lover and diy wanna-be. I believe in celebrating motherhood & creating a fun place for women to BE INSPIRED, SHARE JOY & love one another.

As a mother of three boys, how important is it to dress up and feel feminine?

From two square in my living room to baseball in the hallway to dirt digging in the front yard, I am constantly surrounded by all things BOY. One of the things I love most about being a boy mom is being able to dress up all girly and pretty and having my boys say to me "You look beautiful mommy!"  There's nothing like a compliment like that from your sweet little boys.

Mandy grew up in Carterville, Illinois. She is now raising her family in her beloved small Southern Illinois town. Since we are also located in this friendly community, we knew this was the perfect location for a style inspiration shoot with this successful blogger.  So we grabbed a camera, lipstick, and a couple cute outfits.

What’s something you do every day that you love?

Drink fountain coke. #oops 

No really, every day I get up and put on makeup. Not a ton of makeup, but powder, blush, mascara and lip gloss can make you feel 100 times more put together and it only takes 5 minutes!

What do you love most about living in Carterville?

For those of you who don't know this about me, I was born and raised in Carterville and I never left. You may think that sounds boring, but I happened to love it! Small town life is just my thang'! This town is my home. The comfort and joy I get from knowing almost every person I see at the grocery store or gas station is something you can't replace.

We had such a wonderful afternoon full of laughter with Mandy! Which of her outfits is your favorite? Stay tuned for more collaborations with House of Rose!

Stay stylish!

June 04, 2014