Be it a party dress or hostess gift, I Love Paris is the ideal place for one stop shopping this holiday season. One need not look further than the quaint shop located in the center of Oakdale. The mother/daughter boutique owned and operated by Eleanor Colombo and Jill Haney is a refreshing change from what one might find in shopping malls or at big box stores.
The Parisian-inspired boutique first opened its doors in November 2001 at the east end of the quaint little town. Relocation to a larger and more central location across from the town’s popular clock tower was made several years later.
“It’s hard to believe it’s already been 13 years,” owner Eleanor Colombo shared. “The time really does go fast.”
Upon entering the shop once can’t help but be drawn in by its airy and spacious layout. The shop hosts a variety of items from home décor, dishware and garden items to beautiful jewelry, handbags and fashions … all with a nod to its French influence.
“We sell a lot of gift items,” boutique manager Jill Haney said of the holiday season. “We sell tons of jewelry.”
Among the top three gift items sold in their shop are jewelry, body products and ornaments.
“We definitely have returning customers,” she continued, “and new faces. We’re always seeing new faces, which is amazing to me.”
As one travels through the store the eye cannot help but notice handbags, hats and stunning jewels on the bust forms placed throughout the shop. For the lady in search of a fun or fancy party ensemble or accessory, they need not look further than I Love Paris.
“Some of the colors we will see this holiday are the real pretty blush with gold,” Haney said. “We are seeing that in both jewelry and clothing. I’m really excited about the blush. Olive green is also looking really popular.
“Bright colors will continue in winter. It’s kind of fun to still see color. Black is always in,” she reported on the trends.
“The jewel colors work right in,” Colombo added. “The home décor and fashion colors work hand in hand.”
“Lots of sparkle,” Haney said regarding handbags and jewelry available for the holiday season and beyond. “Scarves were also in last year and will be again. The infinity scarves are really popular, as are the traditional ones.”
Fashion and body products, however, are not the first things that will strike a customer new to this store. The mother/daughter duo does ‘Holiday for the Home’ and they do it well. Christmas trees of varying sizes will be filled with unique and eye-catching ornamentation. Fresh wreaths made of Bayleaf and Magnolia adorn the walls and armoires and decorative Christmas houses fill side boards and table tops.
“We’re pretty well known for our vintage houses,” Haney shared. “People like to collect them and this year we’ll have some new ones.”
Colombo added that mercury glass and scented candles are also extremely popular during the holidays for both personal purchase and gift giving.
Due to heavy traffic and shop size, the duo, along with their staff slowly transition the store from its ‘everyday’ appeal to a holiday wonderland.
“We try and have the store fully switched over,” Haney said. “I love to change out the whole store for the Christmas season.”
In keeping with tradition the boutique will once again host a pair of Christmas Open Houses. Dates for those will be Friday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Dec. 12 to Sunday, Dec. 14. Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Normal business hours are Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
I Love Paris is at 325 East F St., Oakdale. For additional information call (209) 847-4783 or e-mail info@shopiloveparis.com.
