Online Shopping

I’m a big advocate of shopping locally or shopping during your travels, however, we all have friends and family that live far away that we want to remember at different times throughout the year. Plus sometimes we can’t find what we want locally, so we often shop online for ourselves.

I’ve surfed the Internet and have found some of the most alluring shopping Web sites around. I invite you to browse through the lovely online boutiques I often feature in blog posts under my Shopping category.

The below online boutiques figure among my favorites and even better, they are all offering between 8 and 10% off to Bonjour Colorado readers. Be sure to enter the correct promo code or mention Bonjour Colorado to receive your discount. KNOW THAT IN SOME CASES THE CODE IS CASE SENSITIVE, SO BE SURE TO TYPE IN the code CORRECTLY as specified for each purveyor.

Come back soon to find more!

Alpen Schatz Alpine Treasures

Alpen Schatz started out by importing Swiss dog collars, beautiful handcrafted works that depict alpine scenes in brass and silver on leather bands.  Men and women can also be a part of the 250-year old tradition from the Alps by donning a fashionable belt, also adorned with the same iconic images of Switzerland.  You can find these along with Italian silk scarves, Edelweiss-inspired jewelry, imported felt hats and home furnishings such as hand painted Old World wooden wall plaques and traditional European arts and crafts including holiday table ornaments.  Mary Dawn DeBraie, a proud Europhile who lived many years in Germany and England, founded Alpen Schatz, the Web-based company over two decades ago.  MD is now back living in England and she has even created a European-based site for those across the pond. We’re friends and I’ve featured our travel adventures together(sometimes with her dogs) in several stories. You can also buy signed copies of my travel memoir/love story, A Tour of the Heart, from Alpen Schatz. Alpen Schatz is offering BonjourColorado.com readers a 10% discount on online orders. Just type in Bonjour upon check out to receive your special price.

Ruth’s Tempting Toffee

Extra-ordinary Toffee

Just outside of Telluride, there’s a little lady by the name of Ruth that makes the most mouth-watering toffee you’ll ever taste. Her crunchy almond confection, known as Ruth’s Toffee, has become a favorite of mine since I first tasted it some time ago. It’s easy to tell that it’s artisanally made and heaps of love are added to every batch. The price is right, too. Type in the code Bonjour to receive a 10% discount.

Henri’s Reserve Champagne Boutique

Henri’s Reserve

Henri’s Reserve is a curated e-boutique of impossible-to-find artisanal champagnes, creative gifts and first-time bubbly experiences.You may choose from Champagne Gifts, Tasting Gift Sets and Champagne Clubs at price points starting at $45. Their packaging is divine and they also offer complementary gift wrapping and free shipping on any twelve bottles. Vive Henri’s! Vive la France! Read more of what I have to say about Henri’s Reserve at Champagne Cheers from Henri’s Reserve. Use Bonjour code to receive your 10% discount.

Travel-Inspired Art by John Petach

Big Sur by John Petach

How many of us have regarded maps as real treasures from our travels? They do indeed make for wonderful keepsakes. Artist John Petach has taken the notion of immortalizing travels to higher levels, art gallery-worthy ones that you will want to hang on your walls whether you have been to the featured destination or not. John uses all kinds of maps as the canvas and paints and draws upon them as he sees fit, typically using memorabilia such as a Paris Métro card as his “brush” or palette knife. Each work is unique, always colorful, vibrant and inspiring. To learn more about John’s creative process and work, read Maps as Art at Discovery Map. If you would like to buy from John’s site, call him and be sure to mention that you’re a Bonjour Colorado reader for an added 10% discount. The adjacent work was created on a map of Big Sur using a beach stone as a paintbrush. 

Autographs and Collectibles from The Autograph Source

Lincoln Document from The Autograph Source

If you’re looking for something truly unique and meaningful, check out The Autograph Source. This Aspen-based shop and online boutique sources investment-quality historic documents and sports, music and movie memorabilia from all over the world. There’s something for every collector in every price range at The Autograph Source. Type in Bonjour into the comments section to receive a 10% discount.

The Best Toys and More for Cats and Dogs from Purrfect Play

Hours of Play with Purrfect Play

Who doesn’t want to spoil their pets? If you (or your friends and family) have a cat you absolutely must order some of Purrfect Play’s organic cat toys. They are the best ever—I promise you. My two babies delighted in months of sniffing, snuggling and kicking with these products, all made from organic, natural fibers. I have not tested Purrfect Play’s dog toys but I can only imagine that they’re a big hit with the pups as well. Type in promo code Bonjour to receive your 10% discount.