Good day, all. I have a number of female friends who I want to get a little something for for Christmas, and I am looking for shops that sell thinks like soaps and bath salts and suchlike. I know of Bath & Body Works, but what other places, particularly small, locally owned ones, can you all suggest to me? Nearer it is to Dulles, the easier it is to get to, but anywhere West of Arlington is doable.

Thanks folks.

-- BassVarlet
-- You can't fix stupid.

30 views and no replies? Surely someone knows a good place to shop for bath stuff for women.

-- BassVarlet
-- You can't fix stupid.

Man, EVERY store is female-focused. Seriously, walk through Fair Oaks Mall sometime, how many stores there are male-focused? Maybe 2, Brookstone and the Tobacconist.

My only thoughts for something REALLY girly is Sephora, but that's make-up. Dudes can't really buy make-up and clothes for girls.

Soaps and bath salts? Bath and Body Works is the big one, not your cup of tea then try Bed Bath and Beyond.

Really though, just get her a massage/spa certificate. Women love that shit.

- Unhelpful guy

What does it matter? None of them are going to fuck you.

Whole Foods has a pretty extensive selection of bath salts and scented soaps.

Blessed are the murderous.

G&S, pretty sure the one I married will. The rest are mostly cousins anyway.

Regardless, was hoping to give business to local merchants if I could. I'll go to one of the chain stores if I have to, but I'd rather pay a little more and support a mom & pop place.

-- BassVarlet
-- You can't fix stupid.

A bottle of MD 20/20 and a weeks supply of trojans!

BassVarlet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> G&S, pretty sure the one I married will. The rest
> are mostly cousins anyway.
>
> Regardless, was hoping to give business to local
> merchants if I could. I'll go to one of the chain
> stores if I have to, but I'd rather pay a little
> more and support a mom & pop place.

Wow just realized I can't name one Mom&Pop place in Fairfax county other than small restaurants. Sad

BassVarlet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> G&S, pretty sure the one I married will. The rest
> are mostly cousins anyway.



That's why she won't

Probably your best bet. Head to Victoria's Secret. Good luck.

I am a little disappointed... the answers I expected did not happen and take the thread where I thought it was going to go.

G&S, a secret: Women want it too.

Of course, they like to smell nice too. Hence, Bath salts or soap or lotion or one of those things that tells a woman that I get that.

-- BassVarlet
-- You can't fix stupid.

Often local farmers markets have handmade soaps for sale. They are really nice and are nicely packaged. Very high quality.

I also like Origins, l'Occitane and Crabtree and Evelyn. They are higher end than Bath and Bodyworks. FYI, look at groupon today for a great deal at the Bodyshop - another nicer shop at FairOaks Mall as well as other mall locations.

If you are interested in small local stores you might try the shops in Clifton on Chapel Rd (Clifton is a small historic town in Western Fairfax near Centreville). There used to be a fabulous store in an old home there that sold exactly the sort of thing that you're looking for, but they closed. All That Glitters is still there, and is a fun place to visit. There are probably other stores there as well that have similar items.

Thanks, Girliegirl. Looks like a trip to the mall is in order sometime in the not too distant.

Suggestion, next time I go to hit Trummers, I'll have a look around.

-- BassVarlet
-- You can't fix stupid.

ULTA

Duchess, The map puts ULTA square in the middle of the road b/w BJ's & Bestbuy. What's it actually next to?

-- BassVarlet
-- You can't fix stupid.

There is a Fair Tade Store in Ye "Newer" Olde Towne Fairfax..call maybe they have what you are looking for.

Also, Check Old Town Alexandria, Occoquan, Middleburg, Historic Leeseburg, vienna. All those places are full of lil fuddy duddy shops that barely make a profit but are owned by the wives of rich guys.

Clifton has a few shops to shop in. For some reason the Town Council wants to keep them a secert. I think they hate traffic. I don't see how the shops make it.

A large box of tampons. Each time they use them they will think of you, isnt that the greatest part of giving?

How about giving a nice bottle of Virginia wine.

VICTORIA SECRET
MACY'S
JC PENNY'S
LORD & TAYLOR
BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY

­



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/2013 01:09AM by chuckhoffmann.

chuckhoffmann Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Several years ago, as a joke, and in a spectacular
> display of poor judgement, I gave every one of my
> female friends a copy of Tristan Taormino's
> "Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women" as a
> holiday gift.




The OP was asking about soaps and bath salts, not obscene gag gifts.

In these stressful times I find the ABC store to be great for gifts. I am not kidding. If someone is a teetotaler then they can pass it on with pride.

I agree with GirlieGirl -- try the local farmer's markets. And Origins/l'Occitane are better than than Bath and Body Works (or The Body Shop).

But "Gift bottles" also had a good idea. However, rather than the ABC store, perhaps you could go to a local winery and see what they have in their shop.

chuckhoffmann Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Several years ago, as a joke, and in a spectacular
> display of poor judgement, I gave every one of my
> female friends a copy of Tristan Taormino's
> "Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women" as a
> holiday gift.
>
> This was, as one might expect, a complete and
> total fucking disaster. I was called a "perverted
> creep" by one woman who I'd known for two decades,
> and another one's boyfriend threatened to kick my
> ass, (which was quite a credible threat, I should
> mention. I rarely left the house except to go to
> work for three months afterwards, and I developed
> a furtive, swiveling head movement while making
> sure he wasn't hiding somewhere outside, waiting
> for me.)
>
> All of them broke off their friendships with me
> within 6 months, and I've not talked to any of
> them for years now.
>
> So, if you're looking for a gag gift for your
> female friends, "The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex
> for Women" is now in its second edition.


That is too freakin' funny, thanks for sharing that story (no sarcasm here)!