Ok, so you have a smile on your face, a smile that only comes from knowing that you got a killer deal on something that you really wanted. The shopping bag in your hand contains some of the most unique, hip items of clothing and accessories that you can find in the Triad and you somehow have a warm feeling of contentment in your heart (maybe the chai tea had something to do with that). It's obvious that you have just been to Splurges Boutique.

Splurges is one of the very coolest shops in the Triad and no wonder. It's run by one of the coolest women in the area. Susie Blackwell is not only a fun loving, carefree and grounded chick; she is an ultra savvy business woman. This should come as no surprise either; her family is rife with savvy business people. Her Father founded a remarkably successful advertising/marketing company (that Susie's brother Patrick now runs) that not only has a national reach but also an international presence. Her mother and daughter both have had business establishments and her husband owns the most cutting edge green plumbing businesses in the Triad- Blackwell Plumbing.

When you meet Susie in either one of her stores you won't find her hard to recognize; she looks like her shops feel. Her personality is warm and caring and you can feel it by the way she talks to you, by her big as life smile and the way she effortlessly moves around her shops helping women of all ages pick out clothing and accessories that are just right for them. She may be wearing a pair of Motto jeans with a J & Co. thermal long sleeve tee (the one with printed wings on the back that Jessica Simpson made so popular) and perhaps an iwear do you? bracelet dangling from her wrist.

Regardless of what adorns her body on any given day, when you're there, be sure to introduce yourself. She loves her customers and her interaction with them. And if she happens not to be in when you stop by don't fret; her staff are fantastic individuals yet an extension of Susie herself. The primary reason for her success is that she competently gives women what they want. Her stores are laid out like a boutique you would find in Soho, NY. Rich with offerings of cool, one of kind accessories, some of the richest original contemporary fine art pieces and clothing that you will just not find anywhere else around and all at a pricing structure that is below what you would expect to find. The atmosphere in both of her stores is casual and relaxed.

From the first time you walk in and one of the Splurges ladies fills your hand with a cup of complimentary chai tea, you feel as though you are among friends. That is exactly how Susie wants you to feel.The stores are filled with all kinds of hip, cool stuff but some stuff stands out all by itself.

Bill Coyne, local artist and Susie's father, has some of his work on display in both locations. Believe me when I say his stuff is not just cool, it's ultra cool! He describes his work as an innovative fusion of digital design and contemporary art. And that it is. If you meet him you would expect this seasoned artistic veteran to be producing works in line with the likes of Bob Timberlake; not the gritty, socially relevant, raw, colorful works he produces. One would expect to see some twenty something gifted prodigy pumping out the work he does. If you love fine art it's worth the trip to Splurges for his work alone.

Another jewel she showcases is Liquid time & Co. These guys (Connie and Kevin Kissel) actually take glass that is 100 years old and turn it into fabulous pieces of one-of-a-kind jewelry. If you want a very hip necklace, bracelet or earrings that no one else has, Splurges is your go to place!

Splurges also sells a very hot line of jewelry called iwear do you? It's cutting edge, fresh and unique with a bad girl feel yet totally cute. Designer Dawn Phillips creates a complete line of jewelry that fuses the grit of nuts and washers with the elegance of diamonds. Just too cool for school!

A man once told me that it takes a long time to become an overnight success and I am sure that Susie would concur with that statement. She did not start out with two wildly popular stores. She has been retailing for eight years, the first five in her basement. Yes you read that correctly, her basement! Through all this time Susie has leaned on her family and friends; even putting some them to work. Her brother Billy, whom she lovingly refers to as her special brother, hand labels each of her unique Splurge's bags himself. Susie pushed and persevered through that long time to allow her cliental to build to a place that she knew would sustain a real brick and mortar shop to hang her shingle out in front of.

For all of you who know the ups and downs, trials and tribulations of business ownership or just everyday life, join with us in saluting Susie Blackwell for giving our community Splurges Boutique. And if you haven't been in, for goodness sake, go now! For much more info on Splurges Boutique or Blackwell Plumbing, check out their listings here, at ThriftyU.com.