Hi everyone.  It’s Dottie again, and I just spent a fabulous Saturday afternoon lunching and shopping with my girlfriends in downtown Bonner Springs.  I hadn’t ever considered Bonner as a “girls’ day out” type of place, but after a day of great food and shopping, I now know that it is a treasure trove of uniqueness.  My friends and I started our day off at Fresero’s Mexican Café, where the service was friendly and quick. The restaurant is cozy and colorful, creating a casual atmosphere that was perfect for our gathering.   The menu has a wide selection of Mexican favorites, from chimichangas to steak fajitas, as well as a daily special.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover how affordable the prices were, too.

After lunch, it was time to shop.  We took advantage of the close proximity of The Pink Zebra, which is just across the street.  The Pink Zebra is a women’s boutique where you will find a sizable inventory of handbags, jewelry, apparel, and home accessories.  My friend from California was quite impressed with the options, and especially the prices, stating that the selection was just as good and the prices much lower than what she sees in boutiques back home.  Plan on spending a lot of time here, because truly, there is so much to see.  The Pink Zebra also hosts dress up birthday parties for the younger set in the back of the shop.  

The next stop, Miller’s Too, was up the street a few blocks.  Miller’s Too is located in a historical home which is in the process of being sold.  Because of this, they have moved their products to The Pink Zebra, but they were still open on Saturday, so we were able to see the house and shop.  Like The Pink Zebra, Miller’s Too has a wide variety of items, mostly focusing on home décor and accessories.  If you are looking for unique gift ideas for almost anyone on your gift list, Miller’s Too would be the place to begin.  By the time you read this, though, they will be fully moved to the Pink Zebra, so your shopping will be even more convenient!

Across from the Miller’s Too house we discovered another shopping delight.  Magnum Opus offers artisan crafted jewelry, accessories and gifts.  If you are searching for something that is one of a kind, you will find it here.  Each item in the store is different from the next.  Magnum Opus has an extensive collection of beautiful scarves and jewelry and it is obvious that all the pieces are specially designed and of high quality. 

While each of these shops differs in many ways, there is one thing that they all have in common- they all offer an upscale shopping experience with a hometown atmosphere.  Everyone was friendly, helpful, and seemed genuinely happy to see us walk through the doors.  We never felt rushed, pressured, or unwelcome.  We were able to shop leisurely and just enjoy each other’s company, with the side benefit of sprucing up our wardrobes a bit.  I know every time I see one of the purchases it will remind me of the memories that go along with it, and that is what a girls’ day is all about! 

Now that we have new accessories and clothes, time to show them off.  I’ll be doing that at Danny’s, a local hotspot for nighttime entertainment.  I’ll see you there!

-Dottie