S.W.A.G
Shopping Simplified: ExboyfriendJewelry.com
Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Monday, April 30th, 2012
Learn how to turn a failed relationship into a successful financial gain. Exboyfriendjewelry.com welcomes all exes from all sexes to buy and sell jewelry and trade stories of past relationships.
They may be called exboyfriendjewelry.com but all ex jewelry is welcome—ex-boyfriends, ex-girlfriends, ex-husbands, ex-wives, same sex-exs. (Photo courtesy: exboyfriendjewelry.com)
You must register to buy or sell items. Categories range from the expected, ring, necklace, bracelet or charm, to the less common designer bag, Louboutin pump, perfume or wedding gown. All posts must be accompanied with a not-too-personal explanation for the break-up/summation of the relationship.
If you’re skeptical of bad karma this may not be the site for you. But as they say, ‘One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure’—that applies to the boy and the jewelry. So don’t bypass this site because it sells used goods, after all, who doesn’t have a history?
Also don’t forget to visit the blog—if nothing else it’s entertaining!
…And they lived happily ever after—the girl and her diamond, that is.
-Hilary Adleberg
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Monday, April 30th, 2012
ASOS shift dress in tiered lace, available in three different colors, $34.54 before additional 15 percent off. (Photo: us.asos.com)
Hello there, shoppers!
The weekend may be over, and more rain may be in the forecast, but discounts upon discounts all but promise to rid us of our Monday mopes.
How tempting are these sales?
ASOS is having a mid-season sale through 1 p.m. PST tomorrow, May 1, with deals up to 70 percent off, but, even better, use the code EXTRA15 to score an additional 15-percent discount.
Barenecessities.com is offering two Calvin Klein bras for $40 today (regularly $30-$38 each) plus free shipping with the code FREESHIP4U.
Shoes.com is offering 10-percent savings with the code TAKE10 through May 4.
Mypublisher.com is offering up to 75-percent savings on all kinds of photo gifts for Mother’s Day through the end of the day today with the code LUVMOM.
And Sephora is now selling a Sun Safety Kit, featuring 17 top products in sun safety and self tanning plus a reusable train case (value: $193) for $30. If you’re wanting to test-drive the latest and greatest in all things sun and skin, this is it. You’ll score must-haves from Kate Sommerville, Tan Towel, St. Tropez, Fresh and more.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Friday, April 27th, 2012
This weekend don't miss the Tory Burch Friends & Family sale to save 25 percent on stunners like this wildflower caftan. (Photo: toryburch.com)
Hello there, shoppers!
While earlier this week we filled you in on some great Friends & Family deals (some still in effect), today it’s our pleasure to send you more of those plus scores of new ways to save. Many of the sales you’re soon to read about bring amazing deals for days and weeks to come. Enjoy!
Cusp–Save 20 percent on select regular-priced handbags and shoes in stores and online through April 30.
The Dandelion Patch–Save 25 percent off your entire full-priced purchase today through Sunday (not valid at the Outlet or in Georgetown, excluding Trollbeads).
Tory Burch–Speaking of friends and family deals, use the code FRIENDS12 to score 25 percent off sitewide at toryburch.com this weekend.
Michael Stars–Likewise, use the code FRIENDS this weekend to score 25 percent off sitewide at michaelstars.com.
And introducing OTBD Mother’s Day deals …
Through May 13, save 20 percent at Mystique.
May 1-15, score 15 percent off at Gossypia.
May 6-13, snag 25-percent savings at Pretty People.
May 11-12, enjoy 40-percent savings at Monday’s Child.
May 10-12, delight in a 10-percent-off deal at Apple Seed.
Happy bargain shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Sure Things: Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm
Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Friday, April 27th, 2012
100 percent natural. (burtsbees.com)
I just purchased Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm and I love it! Made with Botanical Waxes, these lip balms are no ordinary chap stick, nor are they lipstick. They are the best of both worlds combined. They offer nourishment with Shea Butter and the color is subtle yet noticeable.
I hate the sticky, dry layer of plaster that lipstick creates. This lip balm smells great and feels as smooth as chap stick. The color really does tint lips so the shade adjusts to your skin tone.
Selling at a reasonable $7, I highly recommend that you buy at least two lip balms. It’s casual, uncomplicated design makes it appropriate for every occasion. After using mine religiously for only a week, I’ve somehow misplaced my new, favorite accessory. I plan on going out to buy another as soon as I get a chance!
You can find these gems at almost any pharmacy, grocery or convenience store. Target, Walmart and CVS all carry the product. If you want the best deal maybe look at Ebay.
Enjoy!
-Hilary Adleberg
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Thursday, April 26th, 2012
The storefront of Tysons Corner Center's new Under the Olive Tree, one of many new additions to the mega mall. (Photo: undertheolivetree.net)
Hello there, shoppers!
The work week is almost through, and what better way is there to celebrate than through taking advantage of some super-sweet shopping news?!
A rundown of what you need to know now, NoVA’s most fashionable and fabulous:
Newness, newness, newness at area malls …
The Disney Store is back at Tysons, and other new additions in our favorite mega mall include: Kiehl’s (REMEMBER: Through May 16, you can snag a full-size sample with any $100 purchase), Cava Mezze Grill (home to the legendary crazy feta), Pinkberry (fresh fro-yo made with only hormone-free milk and live, active cultures), Elevation Burger (featuring organic, grass-fed, free-range beef), Under the Olive Tree (your new source for EVOO and vinegars) and Verdict (day-to-night apparel for young adults).
Out in Sterling, the highly anticipated ‘Project One’ Old Navy concept store opened yesterday. Also new to the scene: Auntie Anne’s, which needs no introduction, and UK fashion retailer Monsoon Children.
Can’t-miss event after can’t-miss event …
David Baldacci fans, meet the man tonight, April 26, at Barnes & Noble at Tysons Corner Center, for a signing of his latest thriller, “The Innocent.” Wristbands will be distributed beginning at 5 p.m. (on the first floor) for the 7 p.m. event.
Men ready to take shaving to the next level, head to Bloomingdale’s at Tysons Corner Center this Saturday, April 28, for the store’s Upgrade Your Shave event. Bring in your current shaving cream (even if the can is empty) to receive a free 2.5-ounce supply of Art of Shaving’s award-winning glycerin-based cream (worth $14). Plus, receive a $20 Bloomingdale’s gift card with any purchase of $100 or more in The Art of Shaving products.
Find out what Betsy Bloomers has been up to to win big this weekend (Image: Bloomers)
Meanwhile, ladies, you’ll want to celebrate the coming out of Betsy Bloomers and the re-launch of Bloomers’ website, on Saturday. First, there’s the Where’s Betsy? Contest: Enter the contest by end of day April 28 by telling Bloomers where you think Betsy’s been after reading Betsy’s blog on the redesigned site. Review the five locations and enter your guesses at betsy@shopbloomers.com. The winner and all five locations will be revealed on Bloomers’ Facebook page. The lucky winner will get a bag full of surprises from all five locations and Bloomers. But that’s not all. Pick a pair of undies from the Bloomers grab bag at either location on Saturday, and check to see what you’ve won … discounts on the day’s purchase, free gifts and more.
Those who love to shop for a cause, save the date for the Old Town Boutique District’s second annual “Boutiques Give Back” Charity Day on May 19, when over 30 Old Town shops will benefit over 30 local charities. For instance, the children’s boutique Pink & Brown will donate profits to K.I.D.S. (Kids In Distressed Situations), Current Boutique will give customers 15 percent off their purchases if they donate gently used suits for Suited for Change, and Red Barn Mercantile will host a variety of activities such as free design advice all day, crafts for kids, and 20 percent of sales from the day will go to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia.
And, finally, save the date for St. Jude Summer Hope on June 6 when Saks Fifth Avenue and Citronelle team up for a night of fashion, food and fun in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event will take place at Citronelle (3000 M St. NW) in the District, with VIP ticket holders scoring a sneak peek at 6 p.m., general admission ticket holders joining the fun at 7 p.m. The $60 general admission includes: fashion presentation, fashionista bar, door prizes and gift bag. The $100 VIP admission includes: sneak preview, fashion presentation, fashionista bar, door prizes, valet parking and gift bag. Email Devon Dupay at devon.dupay@stjude.org to reserve your ticket by June 1.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Nordstrom Presents Zella Activewear and The Styleliner Comes to D.C.
Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
Here are a couple events coming this May that will get you in shape and in style.
Wolffer transformed a 20-foot potato chip truck into her mobile fashion shop. (Photo courtesy: facebook.com)
Joey Wolffer gives ‘fast fashion’ a whole new meaning with her accessories boutique on wheels, The Styleliner. The Styleliner is “a luxurious mobile style gallery offering limited pieces of extraordinary accessories.” Wolffer travels—mainly along the east coast—in her mobile boutique, a reconstructed 20-foot potato chip truck. She sells authentic accessories from around the world and a few of her own designs.
Wolffer comes from a family of entrepreneurs. Her great-great-grandfather started one of today’s leading retailers in the UK, Marks and Spencer. (Photo courtesy: facebook.com)
The Styleliner comes to Washinton D.C. from May 4—June 17. Check the website for a schedule of The Styleliner’s tour dates. Thursday through Sunday The Styleliner will be parked in the PNC Bank lot at M Street and Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown from 11 a.m.—7 p.m. On Wednesdays the truck will be parked in Dupont Circle with 10 percent of sales benefitting Women Thrive International. May 10-12 expect The Styleliner at The W Washington D.C. on Thursday and Friday from 6 p.m.—9 p.m. and Saturday, 8 p.m. to midnight.
Get a fitness gift with your $40 in-store Zella purchase. (Photo courtesy: nordstrom.com)
Nordstrom is celebrating their second annual Zella Day of Movement at the Tysons Corner and Pentagon City locations. The event encourages an active lifestyle—specifically in Zella activewear. On Saturday, May 5 from 9 a.m.—10 a.m., select Nordstrom stores will offer one-hour workouts including yoga, pilates or bar classes with professional instructors. To reserve your spot or for special accommodations information, go online to R.S.V.P. and an Active Specialist will be in touch!
Happy shopping!
-Hilary Adleberg
Fab Finds: At Last, A Stay-in-Place Strapless Bra
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
The Simone Perele Velia (also available in black). Best strapless bra out there? Very likely. (Photo: barenecessities.com)
Hello there, shoppers! With warmer temps on the way, do you find yourself excited about wearing your summer stunners until you think about what you’ll wear underneath in support? Every woman knows all too well the wrestling game that can come — or shall we say practically always comes — with wearing strapless bras.
Break it down on the dance floor? Not without a session of pull-ups. Heck, sometimes you can’t even reach for your drink without a big sink. It can make you want to give up wearing anything that requires wearing a strapless bra.
Of course, there are stay-in-place bustiers, but seriously, how practical are bustiers for your run-of-the-mill strapless dress- or strappy-top-wearing occasion? All those clasps!
So what’s a girl to do? Warm weather apparel is just way too fun to give up. Enter the Simone Perele Velia Plunge Strapless, a pricey (suggested retail: $82), but worth-every-penny bra that is so comfortable you can forget you’re wearing a strapless. I can even chase my toddler around in it, with no need for pull-ups.
Another reason to love it: The plunge style is perfect for tops that are more low-cut. Plus, the Velia is a convertible bra, so you can wear it criss-cross, halter style or as a traditional bra as well. It comes in a neutral praline color and black.
I recently purchased the bra on barenecessities.com (gotta love free shipping and hassle-free returns) during the site’s recent Friends & Family Sale, so I paid around $60, but I would definitely pay full price knowing what I know now.You can also find the Simone Perele Velia at simoneperele.com as well as at Neiman Marcus and herroom.com. Nordstrom and Vienna’s Trousseau also carry Simone Perele; call about Velia availability.
Definitely worth a try! Need more convincing? Check out the reviews on herroom.com.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Friends & Family Sale Splendor
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
Examples of Case-Mate's personalized phone covers. (Photo: case-mate.com)
Hello there, shoppers! Just in time for Mother’s Day gift buying, spring wardrobe overhauling and pre-vacay planning, several of the most sought-after stores are extending huge sales to friends and family.
A few fine examples of the absolutely dynamite deals awaiting you and your dollars this fine day:
The Saks Friends & Family Sale–The code FRIENDS will save you 15 percent on jewelry, 20 percent on practically everything else (excludes beauty and fragrances) online through Sunday, April 29.
The Macy’s Friends & Family Sale–Receive an extra 25 percent off online today with the code FRIEND, and score special savings in stores starting tomorrow, with the Friends & Family Savings Pass.
Skinstore.com’s Mother’s Day Sale–The code LUVMOM will score you 20-percent savings sitewide on all kinds of brilliant beauty buys through May 10.
Pottery Barn Summer Savings Event–Online through May 2, save up to 50 percent on over 200 new items for the bed, bath, floor and more.
Case-mate.com’s Mother’s Day Sale–Through May 7, save 20 percent on all kinds of cool tech cases, including personalized photo cases, with the code 4MOM.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Shopping Simplified: Tradingcradles.com
Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Monday, April 23rd, 2012
This website helps new parents—with growing babies and toddlers—manage their expanding collection of baby equipment. Tradingcradles.com is an online local marketplace that buys and sells new or slightly used baby and toddler supplies. Find almost everything your child may need including books, music, toys, cribs, nursing gear, Halloween products, car seats, strollers and so much more!
All features on tradingcradles.com were created with the intention of saving parents time and energy. (Photo courtesy: tradingcradles.com)
For parents looking to consolidate:
No need to login, listing items for sale takes about 30 seconds and is approved by the site’s Parental Team before being posted to the website. For-sale ads stay active for 15 days from the time they are approved. Posting an ad is free, requiring only a picture and brief description of the product for sale.
For parents looking to expand:
Of course you want the best for your child, but don’t be overwhelmed by extravagant retail prices. To shop items, you can filter your search by location, product category, deal or specified search at the top of the page. Once you find what you are looking for, click the ‘contact seller’ link and send your message to the seller using the site’s secure message system.
Other features:
Tradingcradles.com has a couple other helpful features for parents just starting out.
Their blog shares tips for organizing, potty training, even gift ideas for mom! Customers can submit blog ideas by email to marketing@tradingcradles.com for approval from the parental team before making the cut.
The site also provides a link to the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission webpage for the latest news on product recalls.
Happy shopping!
-Hilary Adleberg
Undeniable Boutique’s It Had to BU Party
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Monday, April 23rd, 2012
Hello there, shoppers!
Hope you all enjoyed the wonderful weather we had on Friday and Saturday before the rain came. SWAG surely did, especially at Friday’s Undeniable Boutique Grand Opening Soiree, “It Had to BU.” Consider our wallets a little lighter, our closets a lot happier, and our affinity for the store catapulted to a whole new level.
And given how packed the store was Friday evening, it looks like we’re far from alone in this. Customers new and old enjoyed perusing loads of feel-good fashions representing signature styles from beachy boho to Parisian chic — it’s a place where you can find amazing stuff for you and your cool mom — from designers difficult to find elsewhere here in NoVA, all at surprisingly refreshing prices. But Friday the store experience was made extra sweet with tasty bites and beverages along with hours of entertainment from 94.7 Fresh FM’s The Tommy Show, who emceed a fashion show featuring Undeniable customers in the store’s amazing apparel.
We had to step out before the fashion show, but here are some photos we snapped while shopping.
Spring has undeniably sprung at Undeniable Boutique (Photo courtesy of Lynn Norusis)
Some of the colorful lovelies that greet shoppers right inside Undeniable's front door. (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
The Grand Opening goodies! (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
Customers eye up the amazing array. (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
Color like this can make even dreary days divine. (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
Some of Undeniable's irresistible gifts. (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
Options, options, options. (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
Accessories, accessories, accessories! (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
A trunk full of essentials. Must explore every inch of the store. (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
Ringing up pleasing purchase after pleasing purchase. (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
And last but certainly not least, the fashionable hosts, Kelly Collis and Tommy McFly. (Photo courtesy: Lynn Norusis)
Thanks to Undeniable’s super-stylish owner, Alicia Russman, and her entire team for a fabulous night — and for bringing NoVA a fabulous store. Russman stresses that the goal of the event was to be more of a customer-focused thank-you than a typical grand opening. She says, “The theme itself, ‘It Had to BU’ is both a play on our UB logo and in recognition that our customers are what make us different.” Mission: accomplished. All smiles all around.
As for just who UB’s customers are, Russman finds them to be “women who take risks and want to be different than everyone else, or stand out from the crowd.” She illustrates, “We asked customers to be our fashion show models because we wanted to demonstrate that women of all shapes, sizes, ages, backgrounds, etc., can shop at the store.”
Undeniable is a store that is truly centered on relationship buildling. Russman remarks, “We’re developing some great friendships and building a little UB community. I realize a lot of businesses claim to have this relationship with their customer base, but I know firsthand it’s happening for us.”
After all, evidence abounds. Take the planner of Friday’s event, Shelli Vasser Gilliam, who Russman met at the store. Or bubbly UB sales associate Susie Cole — who helped me score some stylin’ selections Friday — hired after she shopped and raved about the store. Or the event’s hair stylist, Lauren DuFresne, also a recent customer.
Now that’s a store that’s gotten it right. Catch you there soon?
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar