Chloe’s New Pet Line: Lily and Olivers
Written by Lia Hobel
Photos by Callie Broaddus
Chloe’s of Middleburg has always been a popular boutique for women, offering both fashion-forward and classic apparel, accessories, and unique gifts. Now, fans of the shop have a new reason to visit with the arrival of a curated pet line called Lily and Oliver’s. After all, pets are an extension of the family – and as such, deserve the best gifts!
At Chloe’s, you won’t find the ordinary pet toys that you would see in a big-box store. Lily and Oliver’s pet line is carefully researched and selected by Chloe Osborn, the shop’s namesake, and daughter of owner, Wendy. “Every single product in our store, and with Lily and Oliver’s, is something we ourselves would use,” says Osborn, who knows “quality is paramount.”
Endowed with her mom’s entrepreneurial spirit and love of animals, Osborn decided to launch the pet accessory line this year because she felt more options were needed in Middleburg — especially for cats. As a feline owner, she understands the market well. The brand’s two namesakes are Lily, the family cat, and Oliver, a kitten that Osborn rescued while studying at Vassar College last year. “I instantly fell in love with him,” Osborn recalls.
Osborn’s cats have been loving the new line, which has been popular in the boutique. Osborn explains it’s not simply aesthetics that she looks for when considering inventory. She inspects everything for durability and animal safety standards. “I love our cat toys because a lot of them are made from boiled wool which is really good for cleaning [cats’] teeth,” Osborn says. The fibers of the wool help remove plaque. A popular cat toy is a four-inch, catnip-filled shrimp for $12. It’s made from natural wool and dyes and is a fair trade product that is manufactured by craftswomen in Nepal. Working with vendors who use fair trade business practices is something Osborn looks for when selecting products to carry with the brand. Other similar cat toys include adorable sushi rolls filled with catnip. Each piece of sushi is $10.
For dog owners who love designer swag and bubbly, the “Woof Clicquot” champagne bottle is a must-buy. Made by Haute Diggity Dog, the soft, plush toys with a squeaker inside will have every pup going wild to pop the bottle. They come in multiple sizes, ranging from $15 to $25 in price. Another swanky dog toy to gift this season is a 100% cotton “pom pom tree” squeaker toy. It’s made with all-natural dyes and is also a fair trade product. For a fashionista pet, the “Wagentino Sandal” dog toy ($18) is another top choice, which is a clever take on one of today’s most popular shoe designers, Valentino.
And if your dog has a taste for macarons, Lily and Oliver’s has you covered. The Bonne et Filou dog macarons box ($24) includes six macarons which come in cheese, peanut butter, or pumpkin flavors. All macarons are handmade with natural ingredients. For December, dog owners will also want to pick up an advent calendar ($70) filled with Bonne et Filou dog treats including yogurt-covered dog bones, truffles, and macarons.
In addition to treats and trendy toys, pets can be fashionably dressed with the line’s dog clothing items. Chloe’s offers a selection of pet sweaters from a company called Little Beast. “They offer the most adorable pet sweaters,” Osborn says. “The quality is amazing but they’re also super fun.” One of the sweaters, known as the “love sweater” is pink with red hearts on it and “gives kind of that fun, whimsical feel,” Osborn says.
Since Osborn is finishing her senior year at college, her mom, Wendy, also knows the ins and outs of Lily and Oliver’s. “She’s instilled a lot in me,” says Osborn about their mother-daughter work relationship. They often collaborate on what items to consider for the shop.
Osborn says Lily and Oliver’s will continue to roll out new products and she encourages shoppers to visit often to see what’s new. Pet coats and stylish pet beds are among the many products that have been added in time for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. For those looking to make their pet’s gift extra special, Chloe’s offers custom dog beds and monogrammed collars. If you cannot make it in person, you can shop Lily and Oliver’s online at chloesofmiddleburg.com. The brand also has its own Instagram account @lilyandolivers. ML
This article originally appeared in the December 2022 issue.