A Q&A with Love Allie Boutique owner Carolyn Strong, 35.

When did you open the store? July 2008.

How did you end up in Federal Hill? I first checked out Mt. Vernon and Hampden. In 2008, I was introduced to Federal Hill. It reminded me of a smaller Georgetown or Adams Morgan.

How did you get into the business? My appeal for vintage grew from my grandmother Allie—for whom the store is name. She had her own personal style—especially on Sunday when she would go to church. Vintage clothing has a uniqueness that fashion designers often replicate.

What were you doing before you opened Love Allie Boutique? Commuting to New York City's Parsons the New School for Design to study fashion until I decided to open my own shop.

What are people’s reactions to your shop? Most people are drawn to the unique merchandise and the interior of the store.  Its a French provincial vintage theme with a story of  past fashion...

Somehow I missed the original airing of Hampden salon Sprout on the Style Network's Split Ends. Embarrassing because it's the salon I use and because I love all beauty/fashion/cooking reality shows. (I did catch most of the episode a few days later.) The premise of the show—according to the web site—is hair-raising drama unfolding as two polar opposite stylists swap salons. That was certainly the case with Sprout owner Rachael Epstein and the salon she got shipped to in Texas. It's worth catching the episode for some good tree climbing and a lesson in eco-friendly products. The next viewing of this episode will be Wednesday, January 14th at 2 PM.

Split Ends: Rachael Epstein & April Petty
A tattooed, eco-friendly stylist leaves her organic salon for the land of deep fryers and vending machines at a salon in Texas...

Talk Shop just wants to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday filled with great family, food, and presents!

- JED

I really don't want/need much this holiday season. But if anyone was interested, here are some of my faves.

1) I am not a calendar on my Blackberry kind of gal. I love a planner—where I can flip forward and backward to see what's coming up and what I've done. (I save my calendar insert every year—not sure why but I feel bad throwing it out.) So, after many years, my Kate Spade organizer has taken a beating. I'd like a new one, please. I love the gold interior.

2) Sea Salt Caramels. Yum. There's just something about the sweet and salty that makes me so happy. These look divine—but I especially love the locally made Mouth Party.

3) I'm about to give birth (four weeks and counting) and it's going to be cold and I'm going to be up in the middle of the night with a very small human. My feet deserve...