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 ;-)]

From My Email Inbox...

...a heads up on end of year savings!

Victoria's Secret

Discounts up to 65% on swim (extra 20% off lowest marked prices with coupon code "SAVESWIM")





Isabella Oliver

15-50% off - see all of the sale categories here






The Body Shop

Up to 50% off... end of year clearance starts today



New York & Company

Up to 70% off with additional 15% off coupon (sign up for emails to get printed coupon or enter code "1181" online)





Cambria Cove

Gifts up to 50% off. Since the retailer is a little - ok, a lot - high on the prices anyway, they are finally coming around to reasonable.



Express

$15.00 of purchase of $30.00 or $30.00 of $75.00 (someone please explain to me why you'd discount LESS for people who spend MORE)... use code "4583".
Get a print coupon by signing of for their emails. Bonus, free shipping for orders of $75.00+. Guess that's your extra discount. Doesn't help you in store though :-(



{All images from the retailers' websites.}

Tar-Jay

Any twitter fans out there? (I don't have to ask if there are any shopping fans out there.) Then you'll likely enjoy this: Target Daily Deals, which you can follow on twitter so you don't have to go to the site every day, unless you want to actually check out each item!

Here's the link to the Target page - http://dailydeals.target.com/.

The tagline is "One Day Only. Always Free Shipping." - lots of things to love about free shipping!

The offerings are not always (or probably even a majority) of clothing, accessories, or shoes, but a little savings on other household items never hurt anyone, either.

The Argument for Fur-Free

Eva Mendes Explains Why She Went Fur-Free

Ok, I am warning you UP FRONT. If you are faint of heart, do not watch the following video. I know that I can't take it, so I had to turn my head. I still listened to Eva's (pictured at right) words though and it makes total sense.

This is from a site I've recommended several times - EcoStiletto - http://www.ecostiletto.com/index.php?/Beauty/video/eva_mendes_exposes_the_fur_industry_for_peta/.

PS - I wish the photo at right from People.com had her smiling, because she's super cute, but I do love that dress ;-)


I Didn't Realize I Was No-Fur, But I Am!

I've never considered myself a "against fur" (I have never purchased any fur, so I've never really thought about it) person until I noticed the ramped up marketing efforts FOR fur this year - at least in my local area.

It struck me the most when I was actually invited to an event sponsored by a local fur retailer. Not that I was downing the local retailer, but the host was actually a local niche publication which is all about women's empowerment, forward thinking, all that good stuff. So for me, as a marketer, I saw it as a HUGE disconnect. These are the women that I typically think of to have strong opinions - possibly including an anti-fur stance.


My 2010 Resolution

The only 2009 New Year's Resolution I stuck to was to not buy any beauty and bath products that weren't explicitly marked as "against animal testing". Lucky for me, there are a lot of great companies out there (mark., The Body Shop, included) that support the same ideals, so it's made my shopping pretty effortless to find those brands and be loyal to them.

So I'm thinking for 2010, my resolution that I'm going to keep is going to be an no-fur and no-leather purchase commitment. I imagine shoes will be a bit troublesome, so if you've got recommendations for me... send 'em on!

Thanks to Rachel (and Eva) for reminding us that while it's not always "pretty", there's a reason people are changing their ways! You wouldn't skin your sweet puppy or kitten would you? I sure wouldn't!

Cary Academy Holiday Shoppe Recap

Last weekend, I had the chance to head out to Cary Academy's Holiday Shoppe - their annual fundraiser shopping event. There were TONS of vendors, but I managed to try and pick up a business card or web address for my favorites.

Here is a quick recap, in no particular order... including my random commentary.

White Pear Shop
{whitepearshop.com}

These candles, soaps, etc. smelled SO good. And when I say "SO good", I mean I had buyers remorse when I got home for NOT buying every candle they had!



The Minky Momma
{theminkymomma.com}


You know how sometimes at events and vendor shows, the vendors/salespeople can jump all over you in too aggressive of a fashion?

Not this girl! She was super nice and didn't make me want to rush off ;-)

My dear E. Riley is on her way to being a new mommy - she can totally expect a gift from The Minky Momma!




Fancy Paints
{fancypaints.com}

Ceramics. They even do parties! They got me with the puppy treat jars - "All good dogs run with the pack...Go Pack!"

Here is their store: http://www.shop.fancypaints.com/
Here is the info about their parties: http://fancypaints.com/


Zass Design
{ZassDesign.com}

There is nothing on these gals' site yet, but they have a VERY cool concept. Basically, they are graphic designs who take print collateral (magazines, etc.) and make it into jewelry! Like, REALLY CUTE earrings, and more. I'll update if I see more online from them soon!

http://zassdesign.com/


Sweet Tea Shirts
{SweeTeaShirts.com}

Notice the absence of a second "T" in the web address! Funny Southern sayings... on cute tees. That pretty much describes it.





T&J Wood Art
{TandJWoodArt.com}

A really unique way to display your wine bottles AND wine glasses... can hold the glasses upside down (no dust on the inside) or right-side up.







Lithic Designs
{LithicDesigns.com}

Of course, I would've preferred to show you one of their Wolfpack offerings, but they didn't have a good picture on their website to showcase that. These are prints done on pieces of stone!

VERY cool. Would look great in offices, living rooms, cabinets, etc.



Ella Vickers
{EllaVickers.com}

One of the coolest vendors all day, by far. Based out of Wilmington, NC, this vendor takes old sails and turns them into bags, etc. So it's eco-friendly, nautical, and beachy - all in one!

The bags are a bit on the expensive side, but if they're cut by hand and sew on a machine (or by hand), I'm sure each bag takes quite some time to make. And I'm even more confident that they aren't produced in overseas sweatshops. I'm ok with paying a premium for that.







Bone Appétit Bakery
{GotTreats.com}

I've been following these folks on twitter for a while, so it was cool to see them out at a local event. (I'm sure they do lots of events, but this was the first retail event I have noticed them at.)

How did they know that my family spoils our four-legged babies at Christmas, too?? ;-) Must be something about us "dog people".



In addition to a lot of great independents, they had what I think was a Reader's Digest mini-book store. They prices... were fantastic. They started around 30-40% off retail and even had discounts on their own prices. I bought a $16.00 book for just over $4.00. And yes, it was brand new.

Whew, this post took me FOREVER to draft/link/format/write... but I hope you find something to love!

{Double Post} Taking Local Love to a New Level

So this whole "concept" is something that Mandy and I have been talking up for a looooong time. And I am really pumped to finally be getting it out there. It's not anywhere close to being as content-rich as it will be soon, but it's at least a start.



Right now, the biggest features are the email newsletter (bringing local style and retail directly to your inbox - but no, not like Express/Banana Republic/etc. style... I refuse to harass you all daily), Top Picks, and the feature appearances from local readers, too!

If you have a few minutes, please stop by and check it out. Today our Black Friday content is still up, so you can check out what we liked for November... but tomorrow and over the next few days, December will be making its way in.

And if you're a local shopper, or just appreciate good style, please consider joining the email list, too :-)

And YES, I really DO want YOU to send me your tips, pictures, etc. I think this is going to be a lot of fun. A lot of work, of course - but most importantly... a lot of fun.

Cute Boutique Alert: Calm & Sense

The store's tagline is "reach relaxation"... which is SURE to be a breeze once you've picked up some goodies here.

Delicious teas, bath salts/bombs/fizzers, shower steamers, beeswax candles, and more!
Here's her story:

People have been asking me how I came to open a store focusing on stress relief, relaxation, and a healthier life. As a refugee of over 25 years of corporate life, I was ready to start a new chapter—something about reaching an age milestone and being laid off all within 12 months does tend to empower oneself! Because of my experience working in large corporations, as well as raising two boys and being involved in my community, I also knew something about how stress impacts the body and the soul. So I decided to manage my own destiny and open a store that helps others cope with life’s stresses. In fact, the title I chose for my business cards is not Store Owner, but Chief Relaxation Officer.The extra cool part? The owner, Susan, makes a sincere effort to source all of her goods in fair trade manners and from as many women-owned businesses as possible. I like that retail karma :-)

Essential details below!

Calm and Sense
Glenwood Village Shopping Center
2603 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27608 (map)