The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Dec 2018/Jan 2019

688 BOUTIQUE 688 Somerset Street Watchung, NJ 07069 908-456-3380 908-331-1011 www.688boutique.com By: Joanne Kleinle Debbie Fragna Coco Chanel once advised that, “A girl should be two things- classy and fabulous.” This mantra is displayed prominently on a classy and fabulous canvas at 688 Boutique – the area’s hottest new clothing and gift boutique in Watchung. Debbie Fragna, the owner of 688 Boutique , took Coco’s advice to heart when designing the store and choosing each of the pieces she makes available for her clients. The boutique is a perfect blend of Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel meet Carrie Bradshaw. Debbie Fragna followed in her grandfather’s footsteps and has been in the fashion industry all of her life. She has seen trends come and go and learned which fashions wear well and which styles are timeless. The most important lesson that she learned, however, is that your clothing style is an expression of who you are, where you have been and what is important to you. 688 Boutique is the culmina- tion of her dream to open a boutique where classic, well made and designed pieces are available alongside fabulous pieces that help women to express the unique side of themselves. “My goal,” Debbie says, “is for any contemporary minded woman whether she is 25 or 75 to be able to walk into 688 Boutique and find something for herself that works for her lifestyle, age and body type.” She works hard to search out collections from lines that are not available in local stores or on line so that a client can assemble a wardrobe of quality pieces that she will not see on anyone else. 688 Boutique offers clothing, accessories and gifts that are as unique as the women who buy them. The shelves are lined with an array of soft cashmere sweaters in a beautiful unique cut (a la Coco Chanel) next to racks of classic pieces like a black cashmere coat (apropos Audrey Hepburn) as well as funky scarves, bags and jewelry that Carrie Bradshaw would die for. Need a hostess gift? 688 Boutique also carries a unique collection of cards and gifts that are perfect as an expression of thanks or friendship. “Gratitude, family and friends is what my store is built on,” Debbie says. 688 Boutique is clearly a labor of love. There are touches of her love of family throughout the boutique. The entry is decorated with a large three dimensional collage of clippings copied from fashion magazines going back over 100 years that Debbie’s grandfa- ther collected and passed along to her. It sets the tone for the boutique as tak- ing the best of what has been and giv- ing it a modern twist. Her gratitude is expressed in 688 Boutique’s giving back programs such as a loyalty program for clients and “pay it forward” contributions to local charities. 688 Boutique teams with a different charity each month – among others, supporting Mallory’s Army pro- moting suicide awareness and fighting depression and donating to local sur- vivors of breast cancer who are raising money for continued education and awareness. Be sure to follow @688boutique on Facebook and Instagram to see all of the latest arrivals. The new 688 Boutique is conveniently located at 688 Somerset Street in Watchung. Whether you are Coco, Audrey Hepburn, Carrie Bradshaw or a little bit of all of them, you are sure to find something there that is classy, fabulous and a unique expression of you at 688 Boutique . See ad on page 4 67 CLAREMONT ROAD • BERNARDSVILLE www.KenRent.com Extensive Selection of Holiday Paper Products Tables, Chairs, China, Silverware Let help you plan your next party! PARTY & TENT RENTALS & SALES RE 908-766-7114 Mon.-Fri. 8-5pm Sat. 9-1pm Closed Sunday Available at Most Toy Stores CREATE YOUR DIGITAL LEGACY! Convert your old media to a digital format and enjoy your family videos on your TV. No DVDs required! 15% OFF WITH THIS AD Bedminster, NJ | 908-367-2001 | www.archivalcompany.com DON‘T RISK LOSING PRICELESS MEMORIES! VIDEO TO DVD & DIGITAL FORMATS: VHS, VHS-C, H I 8, HDV, D IGITAL 8, M INI DV, U-M ATIC 3/4”, B ETA SP, SX, S UPER 8/8 MM , 16 MM Holiday Cheer www.theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 24