Scores of Shopping Sweets

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, August 7th, 2009

Nicole Richie strapless smocked maternity dress, $148 (A Pea in the Pod)

Good morning, shoppers! Happy Friday!

As if we weren’t excited enough for the weekend already — time to sleep in, relax, get some sun, save big-time on some pretty new panties and shop sans taxes — the retail world continues to delight us all the more. Actually, it’s hard to know where to begin. I suppose I’ll start with the super news for the expectant set.

Two very talented designers, Cynthia Rowley and Nicole Richey, have teamed up with two of the best names in baby to offer new baby/maternity lines. Hooray by Cynthia Rowley, to become available in 155 Babies “R” Us stores and at babiesrus.com in September, is to include everything from “distinctive layette, playwear and bibs to perfectly patterned baby blankets and diaper bags” according to parent company Toys “R” Us.

Says Cynthia Rowley, “I’ve been dying to do baby clothes for a long time. … I just wanted to find the right partner. I think that baby clothes should be reasonably priced and accessible. People can’t believe the combination of the quality, the price and the style — it makes everything so easy.”

Meanwhile, Lionel Richie’s always stylin’ daughter, who has seen much success with her jewelry line, has designed a 14-piece capsule collection for the uber-stylish maternity store A Pea in the Pod. Available beginning today at A Pea in the Pod and Destination Maternity stores as well as online at apeainthepod.com and destinationmaternity.com, the Nicole collection oozes Richie’s coveted free-spirit, boho-fabulous style.

Remarks Richie on her new collection, “I hope that the ease and comfort of my designs will help expectant moms to look and feel amazing throughout their pregnancy.” (Comfort aside, her fun designs are enough to make this woman who is not expecting very envious of those who are.)

As for other exciting shopping news:

This weekend (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) brings the Third-Annual Middleburg Sidewalk Sale to downtown Middleburg, featuring lots of great discounts  –  like 75 percent off select items from White Bench, reduced prices on trinkets from Lou Lou’s, slashed prices on shoes from Tully Rector and more — plus, Project Runway star Wendy Pepper will open her studio for the public on Saturday to show off her many new and colorful designs.

If you head out west to Middleburg, perhaps you should make a pit stop in Leesburg. Check out this store our fashionable managing editor introduced me to yesterday. I can’t wait to visit! More on that when I do. I don’t know what I’m more excited to check out there: the clothes are the furniture! Have any of you been to Lucketts Store? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

As for amazing online sales, one that you won’t want to miss is the Friends & Family Sale at chickdowntown.com! Use code “FF25″ to save 25 percent site-wide until just before midnight on Sunday night.

And, finally, when it comes to exciting things in the beauty arena, you’ve just have to check out what Sephora is offering now!

Happy shopping! Have a wonderful weekend!

Tags: A Pea in the Pod, Babies "R" Us, baby items, chickdowntown.com, Cynthia Rowley, Destination Maternity, Hooray by Cynthia Rowley, Lou Lou's, Lucketts Store, maternity clothes, Middleburg Sidewalk Sale, Nicole Richie, Project Runway, Sephora, Toys "R" Us, Tully Rector, Wendy Pepper, White Bench