| Swoozie’s |
| 11701 Lake Victoria Garden, PBG |
| 839-1808 |
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| www.swoozies.com |
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 This is one of my new favorite stores but it is for just two reasons. The stationary department and the jewelry counter. I met the lady who runs the stationary department 14 years ago. She used to work at Bond Street in the Gardens Mall (now that’s dating me). She did two of my children’s birth announcements. If you’re unsure of the proper way to do something paper-wise, she’s the person to go to. The jewelry Swoozie’s sells is all very affordable. My daughters both have monogrammed charm necklaces that hang from ribbons. I think they were each about $35. They’re so cute. I also got my daughter a silver bangle bracelet and I have a charm necklace with my monogram. After I got mine a friend got a monogram with “Mom” for herself. I almost went back and got another one. Life is so frustrating sometimes. |
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| Brown Paper |
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| www.brownpaper.net |
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-1.jpg) The girl who owns this company is one of the most talented people I know. Stop reading this right now and get on her website. Once you see her work you’ll understand. She’s created a couple of things for me that have all been spectacular. One of my favorites was a card for my mom that had a paper doll cut out in one corner with my mom’s name in the other. I think they were like $20 a pack. Once, I went to her house to look at all of her work (this was before she had her work on the internet). As I was returning from her house I was getting off the interstate and I realized that I had absolutely no idea how I had gotten there. I was really freaked out. That how much I love her cards. |
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| Classic Bookshop |
| 310 S. County Rd., PB |
| 655-2485 |
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| www.classicbookshop.com |
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| This is such a charming book store. They are across the street from Aristokids and the video store. They always have the latest books out - check out their window display. They also have great programs with The Society of the Four Arts Children’s Library - I have found a number of great books for the kids that way. Make sure you check out their Florida section just to the right of the register - I think it would be great to get one of their seashell books and find shells at the beach with the kids and match them up with the pictures from the book. |
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| Leta Austin Foster |
| 64 Via Mizner, PB |
| 655-7367 |
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 Usually I only allow myself to look in the windows of this store but, go ahead, go in. In one corner are incredible children’s clothes. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some dresses out of Liberty of London fabrics. There are also beautiful plates, placemats, lamps, custom items. Loads of beautiful things. This would be a great place to buy a hostess gift. |
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| Learning Express |
| 10941 N. Military Trail, PBG |
| 799-2869 |
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| www.learningexpress.com |
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 Great toys are REALLY hard to come by. Learning Express is like an oasis in the desert. It’s on the corner of Military and PGA - not far from Baby Alexandra and Oakwood Grill. They have Brio, Lego, Thomas, Ravensburger puzzles, I’m pretty sure some Corolle dolls, a little Hello Kitty (but there’s a Sanrio store in the Gardens Mall), and items that you can have names painted onto. |