Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone enjoys the white Christmas we're expecting!

Happy Holidays from Riffraff!

Last Minute Gift Idea, Gift Wrapping, and Holiday Hours!

Don't know what to get those last few friends on your Christmas list? Riffraff has these snazzy gift certificates designed by Amy Hannon of Sincerely Yours and are good for any amount you'd like to give away!

... A few ideas... your best friend, dog groomer, sister, kid's teachers, neighbors, landlord, manicurist, boss, doctor, mailman, co-worker, accountant, mother in law, your brother's new girlfriend, the person your pass on the way to the bathroom everyday, pharmacist, loan officer... the list could go on, and on.

Along the lines of last minute shopping... If you don't have time to wrap all the gifts you've gotten your friends and family bring them to us! For a small fee we'll wrap anything you throw at us! ...The Ralph Lauren sweater you got your brother? ...The pair of pink Uggs you got your daughter? ...The three DVD's your husband was begging for?

We'll wrap them!!

Riffraff's Holiday Hours:

OPEN Monday Noon-6 (yes, we usually attempt to take this day off!)

Tuesday 10-6 (Yupp! A whole hour earlier for your convenience!)

Wednesday 10-6

Thursday 10-6 (we might finish wrapping at 3 depending on how many gifts we have left to wrap!)

Friday-- It's Christmas!

Saturday 11-6

Why you should shop local this season!

Be aware of the impact of your dollars.

A locally owned independent business returns approximately 80% of each dollar spent back to the community. Local, independent businesses assist the community through a “multiplier effect”: one dollar spent at a locally owned business will return five times that amount within the community through city taxes, employees’ wages, and purchase of materials and supplies at other independent businesses. In addition, these businesses will turn that dollar back into the community through school funding, social services, and contributions to local non-profit organizations.

Chains and franchises contribute roughly 40% and at times as little as 20% of the store’s sales back into the community through employee wages, sales taxes, and property taxes. Frequently, a chain store's location is owned by the larger non local company, and the business is given tax breaks by the city in order for shareholder profits to remain high. Locally owned independent businesses do not receive such benefits and thus contribute a far greater proportion of revenues to local taxes.

Riffraff is extra special because unlike other boutiques we have over 50 local contributors! Instead of ordering all of our merchandise from vendors across the country we host local artisans contributions such as artwork, furniture, jewelry, and accessories! Therefore event more of the money we have coming in gets put right back into the community's hands!

Remember to shop local and support for community this Christmas season!

Ladies Late Night Shopping Event!

Thursday, December 3rd 2009

6pm-8pm

Leave your kiddos at home, join us and treat yourself with some wine, cheese, and shopping!

We'll be auctioning off our fabulous "Peacock Themed" Christmas tree, free gift wrapping all evening, and anyone who spends over $50 will be entered in a drawing for a $200 gift certificate!

20% of all proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Northwest Arkansas Junior League.

Gift Idea of the week!

Recent University of Arkansas graduate, Will Roth, has assembled this very original idea with these amazing photographs he has taken himself. These amazing locally influenced photographs along with inspirational quotes make a great gift idea for your anyone who loves Fayetteville!

Philanthropy Saturday: LifeSource

This past Wednesday friend, Emily Roetzel, and I visited LifeSource in south Fayetteville and took a tour of their facility.

LifeSource International is a non-profit organization in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Our mission is to give a hand up not just a hand out. LifeSource uses a holistic approach to help individuals and families grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Our goal is to make a difference both now and for generations to come. We help families in stress by customizing our services to meet their unique needs along with assisting them through programs and services such as:

• Food Storehouse
• Counseling Services
• Kids Life Programs
• Educational Services
• Senior Saturdays
• Medical Clinic

LifeSource International is unique in providing a holistic approach designed around the entire family. LifeSource helps children and families make better choices. The primary objective is to instill positive values and living skills in children, adults, and senior citizens in a welcoming, non-threatening environment. All services are offered free of charge, to anyone in need of the service regardless of race, religious belief, language or residency. LifeSource recognizes needs in four critical areas: Physical Well-Being, Mental and Emotional Well-Being, Spiritual Well-Being and Economic Independence.

Even with the economic boom that Northwest Arkansas has experienced in the last decade, many families and individuals are still in great need of economic and educational resources to break the cycle of poverty.

• 20% of all households in South Fayetteville live under the poverty level
• 1 in 4 South Fayetteville residents have been homeless at some point in their lives
• 82% of all students at the local elementary school in South Fayetteville are on the free lunch program
• Washington County is second only to Pulaski County with the number of people living below poverty level
• South Fayetteville has the highest number of low income households in Northwest Arkansas

Statistics show that this level of poverty leads to homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, rising crime rates, and serious health conditions.

LifeSource Library.

LifeSource food pantry. They are currently in need of donations, particularly cereal.

LifeSource's conputer lab used for teaching purposes!

This Saturday, November 21st, Riffraff will donated 20% of ALL proceeds! Come stop by and shop for a good cause!

Gift of the Week!

Each week leading up to Christmas we are going to feature a different product available at Riffraff as a gift idea!

New to Riffraff just this week, are these adorable thermal totes!

Great coolers or lunch-bags, available in three designs! Make the perfect gift item for teachers, your kids, and even mom's on the go! Only $8.99!