Potomac MIlls' "Hardest Working Moms" Contest

Firstly, you should know about the Potomac Mills’ “Hardest Working Moms” contest that will distinguish ten amazing women in the nothern Virginia area who put in the extra time and love to not only care for their families, but to excel in their careers, to be active in their community, or who may be facing personal struggles. Nominate your mom and she could be the deserving recipient of one of the contest’s fabulous prizes like a basket of gifts from Potomac Mills retailers and a complimentary salon services from Larry’s Hair Designers. One lucky winner will be treated to a two-night hotel stay at the Country Inn & Suites in Woodbridge and a gift card to Olive Garden. Proceeds of the event will benefit March of Dimes. To enter you mom, click here or call their Guest Services at (703) 496-9330. There is no cost for nomination and the deadline is April 5.

 Northern Virginia Magazine has also crafted up its own Top Moms Essay Contest to honor the extraordinary mothers of the NoVA area. Submit an essay to the contest to tell us about a NoVA mom that has gone above and beyond her call of duty and she could win a certificate for a Signature Facial at Calvert Rejuvinations in Herndon (worth $125, voted “Best Facial” in our ‘09 Best of NoVA Survey) and a $75 gift card in jewelry from Alexadnria’s esteemed Queen Bee Designs! Click here to enter.

And in other news, we’ll have to find another supplier of cashmere cardigans and great denim as Martin and Osa has annouced it will be closing all of its 19 stores. With the original store opening at Tysons Corner, I’m sure we’ll all take this pretty hard. I see the silver lining though. I’m sensing huge savings in the next upcoming weeks. This weekend you can take an additional 30-percent off even their sale items at Martinandosa.com. I’ll certianly be stocking up on some favorites.

Well that’s all for me, shoppers. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and Natalie will be back on Monday to fill us in on her time in the tropics (and make us all green with envy, no doubt).

–Devon Carter

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Well spring has finally arrived, and for our young fashionistas of NoVA that means it’s time to start planning for Prom. Want to make heads turn without busting the budget? I suggest heading over to Macys.com. There you’ll find a huge assortment of dresses and most are on sale! While you’re over there, check out this little number that is only $59.00. Not only does it have the hem length of the season, but it’s floral and has pockets! Dresses don’t get much more adorable than that. If you’re not going short, then you’re going super long with a flowy maxi dress. Maxi dresses are great because they have enough of a flirty casual air that they can be re-worn to all your summertime events.

Mrs. Peacock from Bee Gee Bags

So now that you have your dress, it’s time to move our attention to accessories. For those of you opting out of the standard satin and rhinestone combo and embracing the fresh spring trends, I recommend snatching up a clutch from local designer Brooke Galardi of Bee Gee Bags. This silk piece with the brilliant peacock feathers is gorgeous. With its neutral tones, you’ll be sure to use this piece over and over again.

As for shoes, I’d have to point you in the direction of Nordstrom.com. They’re currently having their online shoe clearance. They’ve marked down some hot heels up to 50-percent off! With so many items on sale, you’ll be sure to find the prefect option to your style.

Lastly, if you’re looking some for baubles to brighten your dress, check out the jewelry at Nordstrom.com in their ‘under $50′ section. They have a great selection of bright gems that will be the prefect finishing touch.

Now, for those of us who are a few years past our Prom days but still like to feel like an elegant young lady, head over to Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria on March 20 to get a chance to meet designer David Meister. Meister creates gorgeous gowns that can make any woman feel glamorous and enchanting. And, since you’ll already be there, I thought I’d mention that March 19 through the 20, during their Current Event, Neiman Marcus will be giving away a special tote designed by Elizabeth & James with any purchase of $350. For those who spend $500 or more, you’ll also receive an Elizabeth & James belt!

Happy shopping! I’ll see you all back here tomorrow to give you a weekend send off.

–Devon Carter

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Hartstrings Infant Gingham Lace Dress; was $54, just $27 until noon (saks.com)

Top o’ the mornin’ to ya, shoppers! Not feeling very lucky on this beautiful Irish holiday? Wishing you could be out and about enjoying the sunshine, parades and party atmosphere? Well, although I’m unable to give you a get-out-of-work-free card, I am able to present you with a few oh-so-fabulous St. Patty’s Day sales that you can oh-so-easily take advantage from your computer:

First of all, don’t forget about the South Moon Under swim sale, featuring 20-percent savings online as well as in stores! By the way …  success! I actually bought two great suits at the Reston store last night, couldn’t resist! Ladies, it will be pool time before you know it; I suggest hitting up their amazing selection before your faves get scooped up by other sun-seekers.

Another sale that is just about too good to resist — especially if you’ve been racking your brain to come up with the perfect graduation, Mother’s Day or bridal shower gift — is the Spring Sale at mypublisher.com. The amazing photo book site is offering a 50-percent discount on purchases of $100 or more and a 25-percent discount on purchases of $50 or more with the code “SPRING2550″ through March 23.

Have little tykes of your own or a few other little ones who are otherwise very dear to you? You’ll also want to check out the Kids’ Edition Fashion Fix sale going on now at saks.com until noon today. Select (adorable) apparel from Lily Pulitzer, Hartstrings, Juicy Couture, Ralph Lauren and other popular designers is selling for up to 50 percent off!

And, if a big, big bargain is the only thing that will make you forget about foregoing an afternoon Guinness, visit smartbargains.com, which is offering an extra 17-percent discount today plus free shipping!

Happy shopping and have a fun, safe time celebrating!

Ps. Look forward to getting your daily dose of shopping news from Devon tomorrow and Friday!

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Ella Moss Topanga Eyelet Halter Bikini (southmoonunder.com)

Hello there, shoppers! Wasn’t it refreshing to step out sans umbrella today? Well, here’s to the day getting even better! Yup, today’s certainly not just another boring Tuesday. Instead, the day brings us an absolutely incredible assortment of shopping sweetness!

First of all, as I mentioned last week, The District Sample Sale is this evening! For those of you attending, have a bargain-filled blast! While I’d love to join you, I’ll be busy packing — and shopping for a new swimsuit, for the second night in a row.  Tonight’s goal: to find one fabulous, figure-flattering suit at South Moon Under, which is currently offering 20 percent off all swimwear and swim accessories! Have sand and surf on the top of your mind, too? Stop into the Clarendon or Reston store soon or score the special savings online with the code “SWIM20.”

Speaking of swimwear, does the thought of putting a suit on post-Snowmageddon skin frighten you a tad? Me too. Fortunately, skinstore.com is offering 20-percent savings on top self-tanners, exfoliants and other skincare wonders with the code “SPRING20″ through March 29!

Then again, if your abode is the thing that could use a little extra attention, you’re in luck as well. Vienna’s oh-so-fabulous Valerianne has added all sorts of new linens, gifts, and accessories to their luxurious array. Also, calvinklein.com is currently offering a 50-percent discount on all rugs, and Crate & Barrel is offering free in-home delivery on $1,500-and-up furniture purchases through March 28.

And, finally, if you know a teen who would love to be the face of a major fashion brand and would appreciate earning some major cash for college, Aeropostale’s Real Teens 2010 Contest may be her/his ticket!

Enjoy! Happy shopping!

Ps. In not so-happy-shopping news, French Connection announced yesterday that they’ll be closing up to 17 U.S. stores. No announcements have been made about the Pentagon City location, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

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First, we have my personal favorite among the newbies, shooting to the top of my wish list, the gorgeous Guernsey:

"Guernsey" necklace, $240 (Meg Carter Designs)

Next up, the super-popular, super-fun seahorse chain necklace, a personal favorite of Carter, herself, who says that the necklaces are “flying out the door”:

Seahorse Chain Necklace, $175 (Meg Carter Designs)

And, thirdly, some sparkly earrings that are sure to put a little extra spring in your step not to mention your style:

An assortment of new spring/summer earrings, prices vary (Meg Carter Designs)

Carter has been designing sensational mostly sea-inspired jewelry (her Town collection is also fabulous) for over seven years now, and her designs just get better and better if you ask me. No wonder stores across the globe keep picking up her beautiful baubles!

Carter certainly benefits from a killer combination of innate creativity, the influence of her craftsman father, a love of the sea (she designed her first necklace, which quickly garnered rave reviews, by stringing a hermit crab shell with pearls while at her parents’ beach house) and an esteemed education/hefty dose of business sense (she’s a Dartmouth grad with a Northwestern M.B.A. and background in consulting). Yet I’d argue that her customers are the ones who benefit most.

Ladies, good luck with keeping your wish lists under control!

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BB Dakota Floral Printed Tube Dress, $90 (southmoonunder.com)

Hi there, shoppers! Happy Friday!

While it may be rainy outside, giving more than a few of us a major case of sleepiness, there are oodles of reasons to perk up thanks to the seemingly always-pleasing shopping world!

Here are just a few of them:

First and foremost, there are tons of glorious sales begging for our attention. A few places to keep on your radar this fine Friday:  Victoria’s Secret (save big-time on swimwear online when you spend $100 or more and use the code “SPRING10″),  South Moon Under (save 20 percent on online purchases of $150 or more with the code “spring20″), H&M (save $15 on all jacket and blazer purchases for women and men, plus $5 off jackets and blazers for kiddos in stores), The Limited (receive a 40-percent discount on all pant, jacket and skirt purchases in stores and online through next Wednesday, 3/17) and Gap (score an extra 20-percent discount on already-reduced items with the code “GAPEXTRA20″ online through tomorrow).

Also, ladies, it’s just about time for The District Sample Sale! Buy your tickets now, before they sell out, to spend next Tuesday evening (6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.) in D.C. (3336 M St. NW), scoring fantastic deals (liquidation prices) on end-of-season items plus special event-only deals on spring/summer apparel from 20 of the area’s top boutiques — including NoVA faves like Periwinkle. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy tasty hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails, check out a fashion-focused silent auction and more. General admission tickets are $40, VIP tickets (including a goodie bag as well as first-in-line shopping status) are $100, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the local charity City Dance Early Arts.

Today I’m also pleased to share some special shopping news for golf enthusiasts. Golfers, prepare to get giddy. You’re about to get your very own sample sale site! Mcbirdie.com will soon start offering up to 70-percent savings on everything from golf shoes to clubs, balls, training aids, apparel, bags and more!

Happy shopping! Have a fabulous weekend!

Ps. Ladies, DO NOT read next Monday’s S.W.A.G. post if you don’t want to be tempted to splurge on some fabulous spring jewelry. Just sayin’.

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Vienna and Reston’s gift and stationery paradise The Dandelion Patch is hosting mini portrait sessions with the esteemed professionals of Simply Create Photography next month. Appointments are available at the Vienna location from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, and in Reston on Saturday, April 17, same time-frame. (All shots will be taken outside.)

The best part, the cost is just $50 for a gift that your lady love will cherish forever! Quick, painless, inexpensive and perfectly pleasing … the definition of a no-brainer if you ask me!

Agreed? If so, make a reservation as soon as possible, as space is limited. To reach the Reston store, call 703-698-2240; for the Vienna location, 703-319-9099.

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(shutterstock)

Hi there, shoppers! Although spring doesn’t officially begin until the 20th, doesn’t the magical season seem to have already arrived in many ways? Birds are chirping, spring apparel is everywhere, we’ve seen temps in the 60s, etc. Yet even more exciting is the fact that the best is yet to come, and I’m not only talking about warmer weather. Plans to add everything from new shops to new collections abound!

For starters, on Tuesday, March 23, J.Crew is to open a new store at Fair Oaks Mall! But that’s only the beginning of the excitement to come.

Have spring beauty on the brain? It’s March Madness time at The Medical Spa at Nova! The spa is offering a buy-one-package-get-a-second-package-at-half-price deal on laser hair removal all month long, and I’m told additional beauty deals will be rolled out in the coming days that are equally as enticing. On March 18, buy 25 units of Botox® or one syringe of Juvederm® and you’ll receive a free box of Latisse®. And, from March 22 to March 26, buy any Botox or dermal filler lip treatment and you’ll receive a free Skin Medica Lip Plumper System. Just note that these special offers cannot be combined with any other deals or special offers. Also, gift certificate usage is subject to the spa’s minimum purchase policy.

Know a young guy who is a huge fan of Olympic snowboarding champion Shaun White?  Target announced earlier this week that the hero of the half-pipe is to design a new skateboarding shoe collection to be available in Target stores by August. As you may already know,Target currently carries Shaun White 4 Target clothing (for boys and young men) and his video game, Shaun White Snowboarding.

Engaged and fully wedding-focused? You do not, I repeat, you do not want to miss out on the wedding-related sample sale goodness that Gilt Groupe promises to bring to you this weekend!

Happy shopping!

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A peek inside The Full Cup

Hello there, shoppers! I hope you all get a chance to soak up the glorious sunshine today. Yet even if you’re stuck inside away from a window, I have some news that should elicit a few smiles.

The Full Cup in Alexandria is set to host a Girl Power Fete like none other next Thursday, March 18! In honor of National Women’s Month, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the store will be offering complimentary massages, makeup application, hair touch-ups, fitness and wellness education, personal coaching and health advice, door prizes and goodie bags, as well as vino and hors d’ oeuvres. Plus, those who schedule a bra fitting during the event will receive a one-time 10-percent discount off of their purchase!

Making the event even more of a feel-good affair, its proceeds will benefit Suited for Change’s launch of their Foundations for Success Campaign. Founded in 1992, Suited for Change provides professional clothing and ongoing career and life skills education to low-income women — to increase their employment and job retention potential and to contribute to their economic independence.

A minimum donation of $10 is suggested. Those who donate $20, however, will receive two raffle tickets for a chance to win fabulous prizes.

Sounds like a winning event, doesn’t it? If I weren’t going to be away, you could bet I’d attend. To RSVP, shoot an e-mail over to alexandria.store@thefullcup.com today; space is limited.

Ps. Know a lovely lady who’s preggers? Destinationmaternity.com is having a huge sale with items up to 75 percent off!

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Diane Kruger in Chanel Haute Couture (justjared.buzznet.com)

Hi there, shoppers! Here’s hoping your work week is off to a great start. Isn’t this sunshine fabulous? It even makes getting up after a late night of watching the Oscars a bit easier.

Speaking of Hollywood’s biggest night, which looks did you think stole the show? I thought Best Actress Sandra Bullock looked stunning in her sparkly Marchesa. I also thought Jennifer Lopez pulled offer her avante garde structured pink Armani Prive gown like only she could; likewise for Sarah Jessica Parker in pale yellow Chanel Haute Couture. Speaking of Chanel, Diane Kruger also looked amazing, so glamorous! As for most glamorous, though, I’d have to say golden goddess Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta. Penelope Cruz (in Donna Karan), Demi Moore (in Atelier Versace) and Meryl Streep (in Chris March) also looked absolutely remarkable if you ask me. Seriously, will Demi and Meryl ever age?

As for the fellas, I don’t know who was more smokin’, Ryan Reynolds or Tom Ford, both in Tom Ford!

Think you can come nowhere near pulling off a similar type of sizzle? Think again. Drool-worthy duds are currently on sale all over the place.

A few places to focus on first:

Neiman Marcus: The store has drastically reduced the prices on all sorts of designer wear-now and wear-later fashions.

Cusp: Neiman’s sister store has also slashed prices recently. Loads of incredible spring items have been reduced up to 40 percent — plus free shipping at any price is currently being offered online.

Endless: Amazon’s shoe store is promoting hundreds of sultry sandal styles for under $70.

Happy shopping!

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