The Decatur Minute

Shop flirty frocks and trendy tops at Très Jolie Boutique on Church Street! Their selection of women’s clothing, accessories, and jewelry is always bursting with color, texture, and pattern galore. Find a festive stand-out piece – or several for that oh-so-cozy look this fall and winter. Think layers of leggings, tunics, bangles, and bags with your fall boots. Yay, boots! Très Jolie’s scarf selection alone is worth a visit to the store.

Seasonal styles from boutique brands come in with new arrivals nearly every day, so there’s always something current to catch your eye. And you can score great deals with a little digging in their sale rack.

Once you’re outfitted with a fresh look, think gifts (for other people). Go for contemporary jewelry that’s always chic, never stuffy, hats, scarves, and mittens that are funky, in a good way, or the perfect cozy cardie or wrap.

Tip: Take 20 percent off of full-price items during Terrific Thursdays, Dec. 1, 8, and 15!

Step into Aimée Jewelry and Fine Arts Gallery for an ethereal escape. The light lavender walls and sunlight streaming into the shop offer the perfect backdrop to their lovely collection of fine art paintings and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. The gallery’s rotating collection features both local and international artists working in oils, water color, acrylic, encaustic, and more. You’ll find soft impressionist paintings, whimsical abstractions, and graceful portraits as well.

Shop delicate, feminine jewelry with unexpected ornamentation, wire-work, and colorful stones. Aimée Jewelry and Fine Arts Gallery offers pendants, brooches, rings, cuffs, and other accents that make perfectly pretty holiday gifts.

Tip: Take 25 percent off of select jewelry during Terrific Thursdays – and enjoy wine and cheese while you shop!

Deck your halls – or your friend’s – with locally, lovingly made art! Wild Oats & Billy Goats has got you (and your walls) covered with creative craft goods, folk and fine art, and more from local and regional artists. Their bountiful, oh-so-colorful storefront is a miniature artist bazaar with a flare for fun. While the goods are all carefully crafted, they don’t take themselves too seriously. In fact, the spirited shop owner loves when customers get a good laugh!

Step out of the cold and into this warm and whimsical gallery. Take some of the comfort and joy home with you! – or stash it under the tree. Any gift from Wild Oats & Billy Goats is sure to surprise and delight.

Tip: Shop official city of Decatur holiday ornaments, handmade by ceramic artist Karen Fincannon, here and at the Visitors Center.

Extra tip: Look for seasonal sales from select artist for up to 25 percent off during Terrific Thursdays.

Foodies, rejoice! The Cook’s Warehouse offers all of the cookware, bakeware, kitchen tools, and special equipment you need for the festive feasting season. This one-stop kitchen shop offers the latest trends in gadgets and gizmos along with classic get-the-job-done standbys for everyday meals and special-occasion cooking, too. You’ll find top-quality brands in pots and pans, crafted cutlery, curated cookware that stands the test of time, and even tabletop touches for your seasonal spread.

Score great gifts for the food enthusiasts on your list – small kitchen indulgences to tuck in stockings or something as special as the Big Green Egg! They even stock sensational seasonings, jams, jellies, local honeys, balsamic vinegars, and more to boost your bites. These creative consumables make great hostess gifts.

Speaking of a hostess gift… Don’t show up empty handed! Shop the vast selection from Sherlock’s Wine Merchant while you’re there. This fully-stocked storefront is split right down the middle with all-things-food on one side and wine finds on the other – because nothing goes together better than food and drink.

Tip: Enjoy Terrific Thursdays sales (and sips!) from The Cook’s Warehouse and Sherlock’s Wine Merchant in December.

Bleu Hanger has got undeniable style! Pop into this unique boutique for women’s fashion and accessories with a bold attitude. Their passionate proprietor has an eye for cutting-edge fashion and curve-loving cuts. The gorgeous shop is bathed in sunlight and brimming with one-of-a-kind pieces in fun fabrics, fresh patterns, and fearless colors. Look for dresses, jumpers, rompers, and tops – with fit and style that transcend any age. This is THE SPOT to find that holiday party dress that will turn heads! Complete the look with accessories, jewelry, and handbags with unexpected flair for a stand-out ensemble.

Follow their Instagram account for outfit inspiration from real customers and see their latest styles come to life.

Tip: Take 20 percent off of non-sale items on Terrific Thursdays for an extra sweet shopping spree!

Extra tip: Free on-site parking at the back of the store. What are you waiting for?

Looking for home goods both trendy and timeless? Walk into Trinity Mercantile & Design and let your jaw drop! The expansive storefront tucked in on Trinity Place houses a full-service interior design studio, furniture and lighting showroom, and gift boutique. Each of the pieces they stock is hand-selected with quality, craftsmanship, and never-ending style in mind. Trinity offers a wide variety of decor items and furnishings – traditional, contemporary, global, and more – and their expert owners know how to blend them to perfection!

Book a design consultation for yourself or as a gift. Designers Lisa Turner and Wallace Bryan guide every step of the process for a brilliant result. Now doesn’t that sound fun?? Think of the fabric swatches!

Browse the boutique for extra special touches, stand-out gifts, and a healthy dose of inspiration. Let yourself linger here; there are plenty of treasures to discover!

Tip: Shop the official Decatur holiday ornament here! Look for discounts in December on Terrific Thursdays.

Give your vision – and your look – a tune-up for the holidays. Eyeworks of Decatur offers premiere optometry services and boutique frames for style that’s outta sight! (Sorry – couldn’t resist.) Choose from curated, quality designer frames with the latest trends, technologies, and materials. They hand select eyewear from house-name designers as well as up-and-coming trendsetters for the perfect pair that’s always fresh and functional. If you want to make a statement with your glasses, Eyeworks of Decatur has you covered.

Overwhelmed by the options? Expert staff match-makers help you find the just the right look and fit. No Coke bottles here! This is customer service – and all-things-eyes know-how – you can trust.

Tip: Put your health savings funds to good use before the end of the year with extra discounts on Terrific Thursdays in November and December.

Stop into Kismet Jewelers on Church Street for bright baubles and exotic adornments. Don’t pass by their narrow storefront; this cozy boutique opens up to worldly wonders with colorful flair and a wide variety of styles! You’ll find fine jewelry, costume jewelry, casual pieces just for fun, fine art, sculpture, and more. But the crown jewel at Kismet Jewelers is their Turkish mosaic lamp selection. Imported from artisans in Turkey, the gorgeous multicolored lamps add warmth and interest to any room in your home. And they certainly stand out!

Shop their selection of blown-glass Lucky Eye jewelry – another Eastern import – and tuck a symbol of good fortune and protection from evil into stockings this season.

Tip: Bring home a free Lucky Eye charm with purchase on Terrific Thursdays.