Once upon a time, there was a young girl from Fairfield, Connecticut who wanted to go to the Fashion Institute of Technology. She had her sights set on becoming a buyer for fabulous stores … maybe even her own someday. Her loving parents, however, advised against this course of action, and steered the young lady toward more steady waters. Dutifully, the young woman accepted this counsel and embarked on what would become a decades-long career in corporate HR. The determined woman flourished, bringing positive change to many people’s lives. But her dream to become a buyer never died, even through marriage and the many moons of raising children. Not one to leave things undone, when the last of her little birdies flew the nest, she knew it was finally time to culture the mercantile pearl of her imagination into something real.

On March 27, Nancy Varsos harvested that pearl, opening Ocean Blu Boutique at 2480 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT. Nestled between Alina’s Cakes and Small Medium Large Coffee in the White Birch Plaza, her shop is brimming with local homewares, art, jewelry, textiles, baby gifts and other delights.

As the name implies, coastal decor is dominant at Ocean Blu, but not the kitschy type you see on vacation. Her offerings lean both farmhouse and French — a more authentic, rustic take on coastal. It’s just the sort of stuff that would be at home here on Skating Pond. I mean, seriously, this candle couldn’t look more like our logo! (Subscribe to Skating Pond at the end of this post for a chance to WIN it!):

More About Ocean Blu Boutique’s Goods…

Varsos also proudly curates the shop’s fairly-priced collection with kindness in mind. Many of the products she’s chosen put money back into the pockets of artists, or the impoverished countries they’re from … like these hand-embroidered nightgowns by Maison d’Haiti:

Not everything here is from far and away, though. Ocean Blu Boutique also features works by local painters, photographers, stationers, woodworkers, and ceramic artisans.

Varsos grew up in this part of Fairfield — “her backyard” — and says she looks forward to bringing beauty and positive change to people through her little shop on Black Rock Turnpike. Ocean Blu Boutique is open SIX days a week, closed Mondays. You can follow the shop for product releases, updates and more on Instagram.

We gave away this shore soap co. candle from Ocean Blu Boutique on May 31, 2024! Subscribe here or at the bottom of the page for a chance to WIN in future giveaways!