2011 'Buy Local' Holiday Shopping: Day 7 - Lotions & Potions

Shop suggestion: Lotions and Potions

Mother-daughter team Sue and Ciara Morreale opened Lotions & Potions in Elmwood Village in 2009, showcasing an array of indulgent beauty products, clothing, and accessories for women. The luxurious boutique has a tagline that says it all: "For women and the men who love them." And truly, when you walk into the store, lush with sense-indulging displays from eye-catching jewelry, antique furniture, unique threads and other vintage-inspired pieces, you instantly know this is a store for at least one female--or more--on your shopping list. 

When I asked Sue what her best seller was, she immediately reached for, what she referred to as, the saints necklace (pictured). As she puts it, this necklace is so popular that customers will buy this piece right off of her--that is, while she's wearing one. Handmade by a local artist using metals imported from Italy, this unique piece retails between $54 and $58.

As the name would indicate, Lotions & Potions offers several options for bath and body care. But, what sets this boutique apart from its competitors is their Perfume Bar, where customers can blend different fragrances to create their own personalized lotions, shower gels, bubble baths gels, and massage oils. Original, designer, or aromatherapy fragrance oils and perfumes range from $7-30, and the body care products--lotions, shower gels, bubble bath gels, and massage oils--are all unscented and cost $10 for 5 oz. or $14 for 9 oz. You can mix and match fragrances with different body care products to create a custom gift for someone. Or, opt to buy a gift card for the Perfume Bar and allow your loved one to create their own scented products, giving them a hands-on, creative experience along with their gift.

Elmwood/Lafayette Winter Farmers' Market

Lafayette Presbyterian Church

875 Elmwood Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14222

For those wishing you had access to fresh products from local farms year-round or even simply for the special holiday meals you're preparing, here is some great news: from November through April, you can still get your produce or meats every week in the Elmwood Village. The Elmwood/Lafayette Winter Famers' Market runs every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through April 28, 2012, and is located in the basement of the Lafayette Presbyterian Church. 

Approximately seven to nine local farmers and vendors participate in this winter market, offering a variety of their own products, including maple syrup, eggs, baked goods, produce, meats, and USDA wild organic honey. There are artisans and craft makers that also participate, as well as some of the local food trucks, who will set up shop in the church parking lot to serve up dishes featuring food from these local farms.

Note: The market will be closed on December 24 and December 31 due to the holidays. Instead they will be open on Thursday, December 22 and December 29 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., where you can find additional holiday treats offered by the vendors. The market will resume normal hours on Saturday, January 7.