WANT: Presh Anchor Earrings

Nautical by Nature is a blogging girl after my own heart.

Not only is her blog layout so freakin' adorable that it makes me want to abandon my Google Reader so that I can enjoy everyone's cute layouts again for a second (seriously, only for a second, the amount of time I spend on blogs would quadruple I'm sure) but she always has the best boaty stuff for a girl in my industry.

Current "WANT" (said with the most sincere conviction):Anchor stud earrings profiled in her post today... here's hoping they end up on sale for less than $99! (Click the picture to link to them online!)

New Shop on the Block

I swear I had a previous post on this blog or on my Southern blog about the closing of Holly Aiken's shop on Glenwood Avenue, but I just can't find it!

Anyways, NewRaleigh.com reports some great news for retail addicts who like to keep it local in Raleigh: Holly Aiken to Open New Shop in Downtown RaleighThe new store will be located at Hargett and Wilmington streets in Downtown Raleigh and will open in August!

Saturday Night Quickie...

The past week and this weekend have been insanity, but I'll be back to my blogging ways in a few days - don't worry. (And trust me, I have all kinds of great stuff saved up!)

For those of you who (like me) may have done a little damage to the shopping budget this weekend by spending it at the local watering holes, it's cool - Uniquities and Uniquities Mix (the North Hills boutique) are having a last chance sale!

75% off sale merchandise through Monday!

(PS - No price adjustments allowed, duh.)

Need Another Reason...

...to shop at Scout & Molly's?

How about 40-50% off EVERYTHING?

From Lisa @ Scout & Molly's email:Scout & Molly's
Exclusive One Day Sale

Everything in WALK and Scout & Molly's is 40-50% off!

One day only!
Thursday, July 24th
10am-8pm

Please note that all sales are final!I'm SO there.

It's Only a Matter of Time...

...until we see a fabulous clothing retailer added to the following line-up - I'm sure of it. Now, the tough part will be luring me past my beloved Cameron Village a bit further down the road to The Oberlin!Shops at Oberlin Court, McCrimmon Corners land retailersAny guesses who might be first to take the plunge into this new retail area?

Reminder: Catwalk for the Cure Model Search

I'm really excited to meet everyone at the model search tomorrow night! Here's some reminder info we've been putting out on facebook, MySpace, etc. about tomorrow's event:
Hello Buckhead Hotties,

If you are planning on trying out for our CatWalk for the Cure fashion show, which is being held at Buckhead Saloon on August 23rd please arrive at Buckhead tomorrow (Tuesday) by 7pm!

We will not be open to the public, this is only an event for those that want to participate in this great cause. Don't forget, all proceeds are benefiting the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)!!

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow night!

PS - Everyone is welcome to bring friends to join in!!

Any questions or anything? Feel free to leave me a comment or email me anytime tonight or tomorrow for more info!

Thanks in advance to everyone who is helping to make this event a great success in raising money for the JDRF!

This is NOT Looking Good...

...for my bank account.

The sidewalk sales I previously mentioned, are getting all sorts of even more enticing! Direct from Uniquities' morning email:Up to 80% off at Cameron Village and take an additional 20% off items with pink ribbons on the hangers at the North Hills Uniquities Mix location (some designers up to 75% off)!If you'll read one of my original posts here... you'll find my statement that I'll always stand behind that the Uniquities sales are some of the BEST opportunities in the world to pick up some awesome high-end wardrobe items (some staple items, too that never go out of style - like great blazers and jeans) at amazing steals! VERY budget friendly :-)

You ae Going to Come Home with Me!

The monogrammed hangers featured on The Preppy Wedding would look AWESOME hanging in any closet!
Guess where I am today?

"...Here's a list of my top 5 this summer:

- Monogrammed Hangers. Totally customizable. Seriously, this is a preppy person's dream.

- Williams Sonoma Monogrammed Carafe. This would be awesome as a bed-side table standby. Totally chic.

- Personalized Birch Tree Mugs. How super romantic and unique. This would make me smile every morning while sipping my diet coke (I'm not a coffee person quite yet). Thanks to Jessie for sending my way!

- Homemade Party Tub with a gift certificate to your local gourmet beer/wine store.

- Framed, Customized Wedding Day Silhouette..."

There is a great selection of monogram styles to choose from... so now the tough choice: commit to one design or mix and match? It is truly indeed a preppy dream come true!

Good Golly Miss Molly!

Talk about weekend sales... don't fall off the sidewalk for any of these!Sidewalk Sale Weekend from Sue Stock's blog

It is a sidewalk sale kind of weekend in Raleigh...

The merchants at Cameron Village are hosting their big sidewalk sale this weekend. The sale runs Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ...

North Hills is also hosting a sidewalk sale on Friday and Saturday (hours vary by merchant).

And Seaboard Station's store owners are also hosting a sidewalk sale on Saturday (again, hours vary by merchant).

Shop your heart out!I also received a email from Swoozies this morning noting discounts of 50-70% at their sidewalk sale... you really can't beat that!

Just Say No

While I realize not a lot of my "hanging in my closet" blog readers are as local as my "growing up southern" blog... I think this still warrants posting on both:Avoid Carolina Bridal World Like the PlagueJust say "no" to bad retail karma!

After being in a wedding last year where I was SURE that the decision to order the dress from an online-only retailer would be damning (it actually wasn't - I wish I remembered the website so I could recommend them) - this place is wayyyyy worse than I would have ever imagined was possible in the highly-coveted bridal industry.

I'd Like to Say I Wouldn't...

...but let's face it: rain boots, cute summer shorts (even though they technically classify as "jorts"), and a vest over a cute tee.

Yep, I'd do this look.
...and wouldn't have even realized it was hot.

Back to the "jort" thing... luckily, I'm located in the gorgeous South. If you've got the body to rock the super short and destroyed denim shorts - then I say work it. I don't think there are many other parts of the country where this could be pulled off without looking out of place.

PS - One of my favorite features of ShopBop.com is that you can "shop this look" just by clicking on the image above! (However, since True Religion is selling above referenced jorts for $172.00 - you can probably just cut up old fitted jeans and get the same look for MUCH LESS!)

Coming Soon...

By special request:"So, I need a style report on these douche bags wearing backwards 80's hats[...] B/c apparently I missed something along the way."Geee-zus. That sounds stylish in NO SORT OF WAY possible. Any other special requests for this week? Feel free to leave any requests in the comments, via email, or on AIM: NCSULilWolf03.

I'm going to do some digging and try to find out who set these misguided souls on this path... and try and find a remedy as well.

Stay tuned!

"Handbag" Insanity

And I caaaaaaaaaaan't wait... it's going to be awesome. You KNOW I like my bags big.

From Swagger's Market Watch July '08 blog series:Market Watch July 08 - Day 6

Go Big or Go Home! I think that basically sums up the purses for the fall season! Everything is HUGE including the clutches! Which of course I love because if I can't put the kitchen sink in a handbag then I won't get it!:) We found a new handbag designer today and the purses were phenomenal!!! Here are a few pictures of some that I bought yesterday! If you like one let me know - because I only bought one of each - we can't have mulitple people in Cary with your fabulous bag now can we? Also, just to let you know , the fall handbags are similar to jewelry in that it is all about color! THE colors for handbags are Purple, Grey, Red and Navy!

Here are some pics:









So I have lots more to tell you guys but since I had technical difficulties last night I couldn't write the blog until this morning and I need to get going for my LAST day of market! We have bought some many new fantastic lines I can't wait to share them with you guys! Keep checking the blog as I will let you know here when they start coming in!

MandyThis is going to be quite the buying frenzy for me...

ShopLocal.com?

http://www.shoplocal.com/raleigh/home.aspx

Sad - I was interested in buying this domain even though I was sure it would already be taken, but to my utter disappointment, not only is it taken, but there's nothing really "local" about it. The concept is "compare local prices and save money" but to me - "shop local" - is about supporting businesses with local roots (usually independent and small businesses) and not your Targets, Circuit Citys, etc., etc.

Has anyone registered and used this site and noticed any significant savings making it at least somewhat useful, even though still sort of a fraud? I'm going to register and give it a go... but still, I'm seriously disappointed. Misrepresentation much?

(Oh, PS - I found out about this when I clicked a email link from my emailed Best Buy weekly flyer and the linked site was http://BestBuy.ShopLocal.com... which is why I decided to investigate.)

Addicted!

Stupid UA emails... don't you guys know I'm trying to save up for a new Mac Book Pro/Air?

Anyways, here it goes: Women's HeatGear® Action Racerback $14.99






Women's HeatGear® UA Tech™ Short $21.99




Women's HeatGear® Active Boy Short $19.99

Workin' out (or helping Adrianne move yesterday) never looked so good! I need to buy stock in UA... I wonder if they're publicly traded? Oh... sweet... they are.