{Sonia Malloy, Owner of Splurge Gift Shop}

One of the objectives of my lifestyle blog is to introduce readers to people, places and things that I find interesting and inspiring. Part of my job is to travel up and down the Connecticut coastline, visiting one fabulous location after the other. Tough job right? Along the way, I get to meet wonderful people who happily open their doors and share their stories.

Recently, I met Sonia Malloy, operator/owner of Splurge, a Greenwich, Connecticut gift shop. I’ve been wanting to pop in to Splurge ever since I read that they were voted Best of the Gold Coast in the Gift Shop category. I spent 30 minutes or so in the store chatting with Sonia (in between her helping customers) learning about how she started her business and left with a deep appreciation of someone who cherishes gift giving. In more ways than one.

First of all, if you need anything for anyone – she has it. I can’t possibly list her entire inventory, but it is expansive and covers everything from traditional gifts for a newborn to a fifty-year wedding anniversary present. She also has some really fun and unique items that are hard to come by anywhere else. One of the coolest features of her store is the ability for you to personalize gifts on the spot! Exclusive to her Greenwich store is a personalization kiosk that allows you to select an item to personalize (a pen, a phone case, a beverage container, etc.) and then you can choose from a large variety of patterned backgrounds and monogram styles. There are many other items that you can order to be personalized such as jewelry, cutting boards, tote bags and stationery. If you are a reader of my blog, you know how much I adore monograms and I honestly believe that a monogrammed gift is one of the most thoughtful and personal gifts you can give!

I’ve included some photos of just a few of the many wonderful items in Sonia’s store including a huge selection of soft, warm pashminas – a perfect gift for this autumn weather! And because this is breast cancer awareness month, I wanted to share how Sonia contributes to this cause in a very special way. Splurge will donate a pashmina to a patient undergoing chemotherapy at Greenwich Hospital for every $150.00 spent in the store. Click here to read the article in the Greenwich Times to learn more about ways to participate.

{crushing on this crabby bracelet}

{ah-mazing selection of jewelry}

{she carries the best baby gifts for boys and girls}

{stuff, enough said}

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to buying for tweens & teens I always get stumped. I usually give a gift card to a big box retailer and although I know (and hope) it is appreciated, I much prefer giving something that I have picked out. These little body mist perfume spritzers are so adorable (honey coconut & mandarin tea to name a few), and I know that any teenager would love this as a gift for their birthday or during the December Holiday Season.

{too cute! mimosa scented cupcake bath bombs}

{I’m a huge fan of mudpie, great clothes for moms and their babes}

SPLURGE is located at 39 Lewis Street in Greenwich and is known for offering an eclectic assortment of gifts and handmade art. SPLURGE is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sonia also offers personalized shopping parties for groups of 10 or more and will donate a portion of the proceeds to a favorite charity.