Inspired by the uptown boutiques of New Orleans, French Violet Boutique on Louetta Road combines trendy items with a “hometown feel,” said owner Earlene White, who hails from Louisiana. The store is lined with long, flowing dresses and bold statement pieces while the walls are adorned with artwork made by a Louisiana artist. “Coming from Louisiana, there’s a lot of small boutique shopping—more than just big mall department stores,” White said. “I’ve always loved it, ... and I’ve always liked the feel of boutiques.” White initially worked for more than a decade in human resources while dabbling with jewelry making on the side. Around 2012, she quit the corporate life to focus on her jewelry business, French Violet, which allowed her to sell jewelry in local markets around the Greater Houston area, she said. Eventually, White said she wanted to expand to selling more than just jewelry and opened French Violet Boutique in November 2017. The business sells women’s clothing, including staples and classic pieces such as T-shirts as well as unique, bold items and accessories. “I try to find things that are trendy but good quality,” White said. “Hopefully you can find something a little extra here. I think every girl should have a couple fun things in her closet that ... [are] a little out of the box.” White said she also enjoys helping customers find the perfect outfit by keeping a database of customer purchases so she can recommend items. By getting to know her shoppers on a more personal level, White said she also has a leg up on online stores. “I think the most fun with what I do is having ladies come in … and for whatever reason they think, ‘I can’t wear that, I’m too old, I’m too young, I’m too this, I’m too that,’” she said. “[I find] stuff that maybe they wouldn’t expect that they would like. ... That’s something you can’t get on Amazon.” French Violet Boutique 8312 Louetta Road, Ste. D, Spring 832-953-2467 www.frenchvioletboutique.com Hours: Mon.-Sat.10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., closed Sun.