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 Chick's Picks by Hillary is a private boutique and now, online, shopping experience, featuring unique & funky fashion & home accessories created (mostly) by women, for women.
Starting in 2006, Hillary has hosted monthly boutique shows where she invites 45 designers & vendors to drop off their treasures so that Hillary can merchandise and sell their beautiful wares. Many new designers and budding artists want to be represented at Chick's Picks for the sales opportunity as well as to work with Hillary developing strategic marketing plans for their products.
Chick's Picks has become a highly-anticipated shopping outing that thousands of Washington DC area ladies have enjoyed. Each show highlights a charity that is relevant and important to all women
Now it is time to bring these Chick's Picks treasures to you.
To get more of the Chick's Picks experience, check out pics of past shows and some of the lovely comments that have been written about Chick's Picks.
Hillary's Philosophy
I believe in the timeless, classic piece of furniture, or clothing. Even more, it's what happens after that investment that excites me — the fabulous world of accessories!
... My mother only used white china, so she could accessorize an Easter brunch, a Thanksgiving feast or a dinner party for "grown-ups" simply by changing the linens, the centerpieces, and the candelabras.
... I love that Kate Spade encourages investing in a classic white blouse & black trousers, or a well-made white tee and perfect jeans, just to be able to accessorize with belts, purses, scarves and jewels!
... My grandmother changed the household linens & fabrics every season — sisal carpets & cotton drapes in the spring; wool & silk in the fall. (Of course, she had help in the form of 3 daughters and a husband who managed a city department store and therefore, believed in seasonal presentations.)
 So, the fact that I long for change, seasons, or a themed-party is no surprise. Accessories satisfy that desire.
I love everything about accessories — shopping for them, buying them, inventing them, merchandising them, designing them, changing them, and most recently selling them! The fact that I find myself selling them now is no surprise to my friends and family, since I asked for a real cash register when I was 10. The old, British register still appears at my shows, much to the delight of the kiddos.
When an accessory can be both form & function, I am even more thrilled. My own product lines — cozy knits, pinboards, cake plate stands and jewelry frames — answered my personal functional, yet decorative, needs! It's the reason why I love belts buckles, sweet gift labels, chandelier cord covers, decoupaged clip boards, and cute grocery tote bags. (And why I collect pin cushions, cameos, Anthro dishtowels, vintage china, Italian Florentine trays and turquoise McCoy pottery — I use them!!) I also love to decorate with nature's accessories — shells, pods, feathers, dried flowers & berries — trying to bring the outdoors in, especially in our new, green world!
Most recently, I found designers to produce 3 new "Form & Function" accessory lines for Chick's Picks: gorgeous laminated placemats, sweet Mouse Pillows (save the wrists!), and my decorating "go-to" — the Shadow Box. I will continue to add these and other treasures to my online store as I meet creative women, design new products, scour fashion & home dec magazines for cool new finds and become inspired by trips to flea markets and beyond.
Thanks for accessorizing with me!
And since I am sending out gratitude — I am FOREVER THANKFUL to my patient husband and kiddos for living in my girly world everyday; to my dear Nooma Ladies, Ellen, Beth and Dara, who support my adventure in so many ways; to Linda, the original Chick who gave me my retail start; to old friends and sis-in-law Caren, Lindley, and Sarah who allow me talk "shop" all the time; to my Mom-in-Law, Nora, who taught me to needlepoint & knit, which is where this journey began; and to my own mother who brings lunch to the cashiers, does the product tagging, and reminds me that it's ok to take naps, but it's not ok to let my son fix a dinner of pasta and syrup. Love you all!!
Chick's Picks Charity Work
After working for the N.B.A. and the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for 15 years, I realize the importance of helping — however small the gesture.
Chick's Picks Sells "Save the Girls" T-shirts for www.breastfest.org
Breastfest organizer, Val writes: "Fantastic ...news about the donation! Just to let you know I had two people send email inquiries about the shirts after your event. They were kicking themselves for not purchasing this weekend! Thanks again. This is a great grass roots way to build our event for the DC area."
Chick's Picks sponsors the Hairport Fashion Show & Luncheon for City of Hope
Chick's Picks supported this event with a host table, live & silent auction items, vendor booth and accessories for the models — all of whom are survivors! Fashion sponsor and Sister's Boutique owner, Susan, writes: "I want to put one of your scarves in the Fashion show. What do you have that would go with a brown sweater?" Yipee!
 Pink Giving Tree
Every Chick's Picks vendor donated a gift to put under the pink tree, and then it was raffled at the December Chick's Picks show; money going to a local family in need, and tree to the Chick's Picks customer holding the winning raffle ticket. Winning customer, Madi, donated the tree & gifts to the family too!
Chick's Picks Supports Trinity Fitness & Spa Lois Membership Program
"Dear Hillary, WOW! I can't believe the blessing of a year's membership at Trinity! I can't thank you enough for sponsoring this membership! Since I completed treatment last spring, I have not been able to continue at Trinity. With this wonderful membership, I will have the fantastic Trinity facility to exercise. This gift challenges me all the more to work hard and make your investment in me pay off! Thank you so much for making this possible." — Catherine Woodcock, Lois Membership Program recipient
 Chicks Picks T-shirts sales for Virginia Tech Memorial Fund
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