By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist

Rebecca Harris Sippola, owner of Beka’s Boutique at 4094 Helena Road, has always been creative. Her mother and in-store assistant, Kay Harris, said Beka was drawing designs for clothing as early as fifth grade when growing up in Bluff Park.

A preschool teacher at Kingwood Christian School, Sippola also opened Beka’s Boutique less than a month ago. Inside the front door, you are greeted by an array of diaper cakes, which are popular for baby showers — a festive presentation that includes blankets, toys, and accessories.

Custom designed, you can request such additions as crocheted outfits for that first special photography session. Your newborn can pose in a mermaid tail or as a tiny lioness in fur-lined hat. Sippola designs and sews select styles of the children’s apparel offered. Her styles include an overall-dress with ruffled pantaloons or lace leggings.

“At this time I use contemporary fabrics, but I also like the idea of eventually creating my own fabrics from hand-dyed and stamped linen,” she said.

The shop’s shabby chic displays are charming backdrops and Sippola also sells her repainted and repurposed children’s furniture, such as headboards and stools.

For little boys, there is an array of reversible short-alls in a variety of motifs and shorts and T-shirts that can be monogrammed. Little girls can choose a graceful smocked dress with embroidery themed in Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Under the Sea, or Frog and Lily Pad. All these styles have deep four-inch hems so they can be altered to the perfect length. Easter selections are currently 20 percent off.

The shop also carries accessories such as leggings that are worn at the beach to protect little knees from sandburn, organic baby socks, socks with bead-embellished cuffs and a selection of happy-colored sunglasses. And of course, bows galore. Heirloom Sterling bracelets and pearls are available; there is even a special silver box to hold baby’s first curls.

Beka’s Boutique will soon have an in-store order book to peruse; currently new items are posted on their facebook page at Beka’s Boutique, LLC. They are currently open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and closed on Sunday and Wednesday.

 

Laura Brookhart can be reached by email at labro16@yahoo.com.