mark. Goes Fair Trade

I am SUPER excited about this!



If you've been reading for some time, you know that I'm all about "voting with my consumer dollars" and that mark. is my choice for beauty products because they were one of the first to have a strong position against animal testing.

Launching a line of fair trade products? Just as cool!

Can't wait to get my hands on these. I hear the "Do the Right Thing" Smoothing Body Lotion with SPF 15 is going to be my new favorite because it's so much like the "For Goodness Face" lightweight moisturizer with SPF built-in.

If you want to check out this line, visit my mark page and search "fair trade" (I'd link it for you, but mark doesn't have the best options for deep-linking directly to products.)

Geekin' Out: Wine Bottle USB Flash Drive

I would NEVER spend $50 on a flash drive (especially when they often come free these days as merchandise add-ons and promo items), but darn if it don't want this thing!



PS - If I was a wine rep and was calling on restaurants, bars, and retailers daily to sell bottles of vino, I'd make my company buy me one of these... and put their logo on the bottle's label of course! :-)

{Credits: Image via http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/06/wine-bottle-flash-drive-too-sweet-for-our-tastes/, official site for this usb flash drive at http://www.bewineconnected.com/en/content/bewineusb.aspx, but I'm pretty sure I stumbled upon this find at trendhunter.com.}

Giveaway!

Just a quick note to let you fab readers know that I'm hosting TWO giveaways this evening over on the facebook page for I Heart Retail (my new project I told y'all about back at the end of last year).



The gettin' is good... so make sure you come check it out!

Laugh Out Loud... Seriously

TBMF-style. That is all.

Hems & Hers Shoutout

This Tennessee-rooted Carolina girl is a force to be reckoned with... look out Lilly P.!

Caroline and I had the pleasure of attending NCSU together and wearing the same letters and now that she's back in Charlotte, NC, she has been a busy girl crafting this "little" business of hers (of course, not to mention holding down a day job in the crazy world of advertising).

I've been watching her grow this brand for some time now and just could not wait another day to finally give her a shout out here. So without further delay, here are some of my faves from her collection:

LOVE the lines of these yellow skirts


This print... must have it!


I'll take the dress, too!


Made for younger girls, however I'm formally requesting a grown up version, Caroline!


And this is one of my favorite pieces of hers... MOST favorite!

Official Website: http://hemsandhers.com/
Blog: http://hemsandhers.blogspot.com/

Check her out, buy a garment (or two), and enjoy the feeling you'll get telling your friends it was made by a 20-something Carolina girl just for you!

More "O" Finds...

...this time for the home! Let's play house makeover pretend, shall we?


Chrome and Black 6-light Crystal Chandelier
Price: $149.99



Celeste Crystal 6-light Chandelier
Price: $209.99



Black Shade Chrome 3-light Crystal Chandelier
Price: $125.99



Linear 45-inch 7-light Bar Pendant Crystal Chandelier
Price: $322.99



Iron and Crystal 5-light Chandelier
Price: $185.99



Coventry Large Antique Black Media Stand
Price: $299.99



Zebra Print Oval Back Chair
Price: $159.99


(PS: LOVE the $2.95 shipping on furniture!)


All on warehouse clearance, minus the media console! (Of course, not that I have any business going around buying lots of chandeliers right now... but a girl can always window shop!)

Darn You Overstock.com Emails...

...always pointing out good deals on things I didn't even know I wanted until now!


Lou Lou Womens Contemporary Tie-back Dress
Orange, white, and yellow
$39.99

The orange looks more like salmon to me, but I'd take this dress in every color!



Lou Lou Womens Contemporary Tie-back Dress
Blue, black, and brown
$25.99

I'm not sure why the second set of colors are cheaper (unless they have less stock), but I'd take the blue in a heartbeat! I need more blue in my wardrobe... especially at that price point!

As far as the reviews go, there is one really negative on the blue and one really positive on the orange set... so take your pick. The negative review on the blue talks it being about a cheap dress, which at $26, it clearly is. So it might be a gamble, because of Overstock.com's awkward no-return policy on this item ("Non-Returnable Item Policy: This item is not returnable unless the problem you experience is the result of our error."), which is what I think upset the shopper more than anything... and she's totally justified in that.

Back to the dresses though... how cute are they for summer? Put them with a cute pair of flip flops (I'm not a fan of platform or tall heels with short dresses) and you've got yourself a winning summer outfit!

Got Plans Tonight?

If those plans include sitting at home holding down the couch... I've got a better suggestion!

Tre Bella Inc. & North Carolina Museum of Art Hosts
“Altar Ego…An Event All About You” Fashion Show

See the new Museum of Art, some great summer fashions (featuring the latest styles in daywear, resortwear, eveningwear, and bridal fashion), and stunning wedding gowns - while raising money for one of my favorites, Dress for Success Triangle NC!

Tickets to the event are $25.00, $5.00 which goes to Dress for Success AND enters you into the raffle for the items below. For tickets and more info, please visit the Altar Ego website.

Raffle Items
· Manuel Motto $2,000 wedding gown
· “Dining the Triangle” – dinner at Herons, the Fairview & Il Palio
· Dinner in Durham and tickets to The Color Purple
· Mirandolina Amoré package at The O’Henry Hotel plus $50 gift certificate

Durham-based Tre Bella Bridal, known for exceptional quality bridal gowns, is hosting the fashion show from 6:30-10:00 p.m., May 6, 2010 (tonight). The event will take place at the newly remodeled North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh.

Pat Nathan, founder of the local Dress for Success Triangle N.C. affiliate, will emcee the event. The not-for-profit organization, which has suited over 700 clients since June 2008, promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help them thrive in work and in life.

“With the growing demand for our services, we look forward to spreading the word about how we are helping women in the Triangle area,” said Nathan. “It will be a good opportunity to learn more about how you and your company can help women in the Triangle while seeing current fashion trends and having fun.”

The event will feature wedding event ideas, hors d’oeuvres, a signature drink, amazing raffles, and culminate in a fashion show at 8:00 p.m. Couture bridal gowns by Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston, Angel Sanchez, Junko Yoshioka, Lela Rose, and Manuel Moto will be modeled. Triangle boutiques will feature ready-to-wear clothing including daywear, cocktail and resort clothing.

Attendees will receive swag bags that feature a signature Tre Bella necklace and other goodies from participating sponsors. There will be raffle tickets available, as well as a separate $5 raffle for a change to win a Manuel Mota Wedding Gown. Tickets will not be sold on site, but can be purchased online for $25 at http://www.trebellabridal.com/altarego.htm. They can also be purchased at Magpie (in Durham) and Hadley Emerson (in Chapel Hill). Sponsors include Carolina Wedding Connect by Fox 50; CE Rental; DJ Joe Bunn; Get It Lit; Table of Content; Wavelength Salon; and Platinum Beauty.

PS - Carol Hannah Whitfield of Project Runway fame will be attending the event to do a designer meet & greet and showcase her new bridal line that will be carried by Tre Bella!


Helpful Links:
NewRaleigh.com feature on this event - http://www.newraleigh.com/articles/archive/altar-egoan-event-all-about-you-fashion-show-on-thursday/

Dress for Success Triangle NC affiliate page - http://dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?sisid=133&pageid=1

Altar Ego event page - http://www.trebellabridal.com/altarego.htm

Tre Bella bridal - http://trebellabridal.com/

Tre Bella florist & gifts - http://www.trebellaflorist.com/

ellen&ollie

I had the pleasure of seeing these BEAUTIFUL creations from a fellow Carolina girl (a South Carolina girl, though ;-)) by the name of Molly at Accessorize with Pi Phi a few weeks ago. They are too awesome to not share!



While not only are the pattern choices and colors fantastic, the cuts and styles of ellen&ollie garments are fashion-forward (without being too trendy) and very flattering for any body type!



Check out the website/blog... you'll definitely want to add it to your Google Reader and stop in at any of the SC retailers who are carrying the Ellen & Ollie line.SC Retailers include:

M Boutique
2820 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205
http://www.shopmboutique.com/

Sugar
203 Waller Avenue
Greenwood, SC 29646
http://www.scsugar.com/

la di da
located inside Birds of a Feather on Hwy 160
Fort Mill, SC

blake&brady
140 North Main Street
Anderson, SC 29624You can become a fan on facebook, too - where images of new garments (dresses, skirts, etc.) are added regularly!


{Images: from ellen&ollie's blog and facebook page}

Fab Finds at Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel is one of those stores where I could easily spend a huge chunk of change (you know, right alongside Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Pier 1, and Restoration Hardware).

I was pretty happy though to flip through a catalog Nick and I received in the mail recently and find a few really great pieces and collections with budget-friendly price points! The cover of the catalog did read after all, "affordable best buys for every room in your new home". Although the entire catalog wasn't super affordable, these are some of my favorites!

Appetizer Plates

Set of 12 - $22.95

Vinny Carafe
$12.95

Stemless Wine Glass
$2.50

Impressions Pitcher
$15.95

10-Piece Glass Bowl Set
$29.95

5-Piece Parker Bowl Set
$36.95

I'm not really into patterns in our kitchen (our plates are just white), so almost everything is white, stainless, glass/pyrex, or solid colors (for accent). For me, the food, decor, and furniture are what should make a statement!

They also had a section on "green best buys", but that's a whole 'nother can of worms, which I've opened on my other blog - Green Gossip Blog!

Cute Boots

I saw these boots in Garden & Gun magazine this morning and came home and looked them up. Unfortunately, there is very little chance I will actually buy them now, because they honestly just made me work too hard for it. (Ignore the rest of the outfit picture below... I'm only talking about the boots in this post.)



Brand: LeChameau

Style: the Iris 2 boot

Color: in gold (perfect for Mardi Gras, Vegas, and any New Orleans Saints fan at the moment ;-))

Link (although useless): http://lechameauusa.com/fashion/iris2








Why do I think the link to the product site is useless?
1. There's no pricing info (not even ranges). *Slaps forehead*.
2. You can't buy online there. (Shopify people! It's cheap, easy, and looks nice!)
3. Their list of retailers doesn't include any in my area. Boo :-(
4. The include Amazon.com as an online retailer, but no direct link. So I had to go to Amazon and then try and find them there... just to see how much they are compared to Hunter boots (since they look so similar).


So, in case you're looking for these boots in particular on Amazon, here is the direct link!

I would possibly consider paying $100.00 for these (if I couldn't find similar elsewhere for less, because I like the look of the gold with denim), but their other boots are $400.00. Now that, I wouldn't do.



PS - Sorry for the Negative Nancy post. I know a lot of retailers and brands come across my blog though, so it's important information nonetheless. And hey, in case you are looking for these boots, hopefully my direct link to them on Amazon have made it easy for you :-)


{Images: LeChameau and Amazon.com, respectively.}

Another Case of Knowing Exactly What I Wanted...

... was over this most recent New Year's holiday.

Adrianne and I were shopping for the night out and I really wanted to wear either a plain cute dress or shirt with a fabulous (really long) necklace. I didn't find what I wanted at the mall (no surprise there, it's probably the most uninspired place ever) and of course, you can't shop online if you want it that day!

Joint Venture Estate Jewelers is a Cary, NC retailer owned by the mom and dad of Jen, one of my sorority sisters, and I just saw this necklace in their monthly email (do sign up/become a fan on facebook!).

Of course, I totally missed my chance - it's now sold. Dang!

Maybe Jen's mom will keep an eye out for me?
Maybe Mandy, too?
Hint hint, wink wink, ladies?! :-)

The Problem with Knowing Exactly What You Want...

...is FINDING exactly what you want! I have this problem all the time. I often have an idea in my head of what I want and that makes it nearly impossible to find what I want. (Or, sometimes I find it and it's WAY more than I want to spend. Bummer.)

Currently on my WANTed list... some cute business dresses! I have a ton in black, I want more colors and I definitely must get a gray one ASAP (they go great with colored tights - something I'm a big fan of right now).

Inspiration:The Pop-Watch Dress



(Preferably, NOT a $300 version. That's not in the budget right now.)That address appears to live at http://shopintuition.com/product.asp?pid=15646, but their website is down for maintenance. If I could find one at a local boutique, that would be SWEET! If I could find one for a great deal, that would be double sweet.

Because You Asked...

...actually, Lisa S. and Ashton asked.

(But I do get this all the time.)

Jeans: Brands, Where to Buy, and Where to Get a Deal

1 - James Jeans. I usually get mine on sale at the Uniquities basement/attic sales or at Accessorize with Pi Phi. I will now also be replenishing from their outlet site I found out about right before Black Friday (they finally used my email address for something!). The prices were REALLY good on Black Friday (I'm talking $60.00), but they're still better than full retail even without the Black Friday pricing.

PS - I assume their outlet site is up all year, but right now the homepage still advertises pricing effective through 12/31/2009.... so we'll have to see where this one goes.

I've blogged about them several times.



2 - Rock Revival. From Bevello. I've also blogged about these. They are fantastic - a little stretchier than James, but still a great fit from both.








3 - I also have a pair of Citizens that I really like. Just one pair, though. For now. ;-)















4 - I would one day love to own a pair of Raleigh Denim customs.

Short and Sweet: I Heart PJs

I am a pajama, PJ, sleepwear, loungewear (whatever you want to call it) girl. In a big way.

Don't get me wrong, I love getting dressed on a daily basis. I just wish I could go instantly from one to the other. (Being able to snap my fingers or wiggle my nose and get what I want... now THAT would be my superpower of choice.)

These super cute black and pink plaid pajamas from Victoria's Secret were on my Christmas/birthday list. Nick's family got them for me... and I love them. (Thanks, Kay & Glenn!!!)

LOVE them.

So soft, so comfy. They shrink just a tad, so if you also want some and are on the fence about sizing, just know that. I received a XS set and with just a bit of shrinking, they still fit well, just not as "slouchy" as they were before. ["Slouchy" is a necessary characteristic of good PJ sets ;-)]