Milk and Honey Kids
If you have a little one of your own or you're just shopping for one, you have to stop at Milk and Honey Kids. Owner Rebecca Olesen packs her adorable boutiques (the original location in Bethlehem and new location in Allentown) with unique items for newborns on up to pre-teens. Find the perfect baby shower, kid's birthday or holiday present every time with her selection of designer duds and educational toys you cannot find anywhere else in the Valley. Get brands like Tea Collection, Melissa and Doug, Petite Couture and Little Me, among many others. Their helpful staff of moms will help you select just the right item because they've purchased many of Milk and Honey's goods for their own children. Rest assured, a gift from Milk and Honey will quickly become that outfit they will always want to wear, or that toy they can't put down.
3303 Bath Pike (Rt. 512), Bethlehem | 484.821.13993900 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown | 484.223.0045
BOUTIQUETOGO
A Valley treasure nestled in Allentown's 19th Street shopping district, BOUTIQUETOGO is a haven for everything fashionable. Owner Elena Pascal initially ran her fashion enterprise out of her home for many years prior to finding her location in Allentown. A Valley native, Elena takes pride in the fact that her neighborhood store enhances the area. What makes this shop one of our favorite things is not just the vast array of gorgeous scarves, jewelry and handbags, but also Elena's warm and inviting nature. She takes the time to get to know you, while her experienced fashion sense shines through as she explains the trend and origin of each item. What we love about BOUTIQUETOGO is that when you leave you not only look fashionable, but you feel good, too!
522 N. 19th St., Allentown | 610.437.1663 | boutiquetogo.com
Rodale Institute Bookstore & Visitors Center
If you weren't a backyard gardener before visiting here, you will be before you leave. This little book and gift store located on the Institute grounds in a historic one-room schoolhouse dating back to 1906 offers an expansive collection of titles relating to organic farming and gardening, our environment and nutrition, as well as healthy cookbooks and children's books. Browse around and you'll also find healthy snacks and beverages, fresh produce from the Rodale Farm and unique offerings like local honey from area farmers and sweetly scented natural soaps.
611 Siegfriedale Rd., Kutztown | 610.683.6009 | rodaleinstitute.org
Ten Thousand Villages
We were elated when a Ten Thousand Villages store opened in the Lehigh Valley Mall's Lifestyle Center for the 2010 holiday shopping season. This popular fair trade retailer gathers goods from artisans all over the world. From remote villages to large cities, these artisans come from 38 different countries where opportunities to sell their wares would be limited. Lucky for them (and us) they decided to add a retail store to the Lifestyle Center because we just can't get enough! If you're looking for unique handcrafted gift items for family and friends you will find it here. An ever-changing inventory of ethnic jewelry, soaps, house wares, décor and more fill the walls and shelves of this fun little shop. Each global treasure has a special story which the staff provides on an information sheet detailing the aspects of your purchase. You'll feel good knowing that with every purchase you are improving the quality of life for the artisan who made your gift.
904 Lehigh Valley Mall Lifestyle Center, Whitehall | 610.231.8776 | lehighvalley.tenthousandvillages.com
Apotheca Salon & Boutique
Apotheca makes our list for their ingenious combination of a full-service salon and trendy boutique. Inspired by their mutual interest in opening a clothing boutique and salon unlike anything else in the Lehigh Valley, Apotheca's owners Amanda King and Julie Casciano put their 10-year partnership in the salon and spa industry to good use by opening the business in June 2010. Besides being a one-stop-shop for all things girly and beautiful, Apotheca holds the highest standards for every salon service that they provide for their customers. Their friendly staff works together to make you look and feel your best. Best yet, they will be expanding their clothing and accessories inventory in the coming months to offer even more fashionable threads.
101 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 484.821.1497 | apothecasalon.com
