Patch Picks: Boutiques!

Whether you're looking for a gift for a birthday or anniversary or that certain something for your home, an item purchased at a local boutique is more likely to be one of a kind than something purchased at a big-box store. Agree?

Let's take a look at some of the lovely boutiques found in the Fairfax Station-Clifton area.

First of all, what is a boutique? The word "boutique" means, according to our friends at Webster's Dictionary: 1.) a small fashionable shop 2.) a small shop within a large department store 3.) a small company that offers highly specialized services or products.

• All That Glitters: 12644 Chapel Road, 703) 830-6995. This boutique features jewelry, purses, shoes and other small items from lines such as Brighton, Vera Bradley, Pandora, Trollbeads, John Medeiros, Emily Ray, Crislu, Lori Bonn, Thomas, Pre de Provence, Susan Shaw, and Sarda as well as jewelry from New York, China, Bali, Mexico, and Russia. Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Cupcakes Actually: 11944 Grand Commons Ave., (571) 522-6315. These self-described "cupcake snobs" craft delicious cupcakes in a variety of flavors like peanut butter, chocolate, cherry...you never know what delicious  cupcakes will await you at this boutique. Look for deals on their Facebook page. http://cupcakesactually.com/

• Twinbrook Card, Gifts, and Jeweler 9533 Braddock Road, 703-978-5435,www.twinbrookgifts.com This store in a shopping center on the corner of Braddock and Twinbrook Road is exactly what it's named. It is a charming shop that sells collectibles and items for every holiday.

• Fair Trade Winds 10420 North Street, 703-877-0577, Fairtradewinds.net At Fair Trade Winds, shoppers will find everything from charming, hand-made ornaments – from $10 — to a large selection of handmade jewelry – from the $10 to $50 — to beautiful, hand-dyed scarves in the $20 to $40 range, and selection of coffees and teas from around the world for about $8.50 apiece. The shop also sells clothes, household items and cookbooks. It's well worth a look.