S.W.A.G
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
(Eva Franco)
Hello there, shoppers!
Love the fun, flirty styles of Eva Franco? Of course you do, and I have great news:
Both Periwinkle locations, in Del Ray and Shirlington, are hosting an Eva Franco Summer Trunk Show this Thursday, June 9, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., when we’re invited to save 25 percent on all Eva Franco designs!
With all of those summer soirees just around the corner, we couldn’t have asked for better timing.
Just remember to save a little cash for those dynamite Queen Bee deals this weekend!
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Monday, June 6th, 2011
(Andersen)
Last week we gave SWAG readers the opportunity to win a pair of Andersen Window Control Devices, and now we have our winner!
Congratulations, Tim O’Connor of Linthicum, Md.! You’re on your way to some fresh air free from worries about falls.
–Natalie Kaar
Sure Things: ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent Appliances
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Friday, June 3rd, 2011
ThermaCELL Portable Mosquito Repellent Appliance,$22.88 (Home Depot)
Hello there, shoppers! With the ultra-humid weather we’ve been having lately (this morning, an exception), all it takes is a quick walk outside to take out the recycling or a quick watering of my plants to get upwards of 10 mosquito bites if I’m not wearing bug spray, not accessorizing with an OFF Clip-On and not wielding my bug zapper racket.
So when my hubby throws around the idea of having a barbecue bash, I tend to be a bit of a party pooper. While I’d love to kick back with friends and some Skinnygirl Margaritas on the patio, Bob Marley on the speakers and something spicy on the grill, I don’t want to do it with a bunch of uninvited bugs — I’m talking about you, mosquitoes. But thanks to a productive Memorial Day trip to Home Depot, soon I may be the one suggesting the next soiree at Casa de Kaar.
Somewhere in the bug spray aisle, I spotted ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent. Like something out of my dreams, each of the ThermaCELL options (there were lanterns and hand-held devices) promised to protect a 15′ x 15′ foot area from mosquitoes, black flies, sand flies and other biting insects sans sickening smells, open flames and sticky sprays. Sold! We went with the hand-held option — hubby pointed out that it would be more portable for outdoor excursions. But would it really work?
Boy, did we have a good testing ground. We had a mulching job to do in the 90-degree-plus weather.
Mosquito Bites after about an hour of work: ZERO. Seriously.
The set-up is easy, too. You just slide this card-like thing into the device and screw in a butane tube, then set the magic potion in motion.
You can buy the devices and refills (original supplies last four hours) at Home Depot or directly on the ThermaCELL website, which currently has special discounts on bulk packs. In general, though, I think Home Depot is cheaper; we got our hand-held for about $20, with lanterns costing around $24/$25 each.
Happy shopping and bug-free partying!
–Natalie Kaar
This Weekend’s Custom Cabinetry Event in Alexandria
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
(Hardwood Artisans)
Ever had an interest in designing your own built-in, but don’t know where to begin? Been eyeing a new color scheme for your dining room, but aren’t sure which colors are best? Then the Hardwood Artisans’ Color + Cabinetry event this Saturday is for you!
Hardwood Artisans sells high-quality, hand-finished furniture ranging from end tables to custom-installed wall units. And all of their products are produced locally by fellow Northern Virginians!
Come out to the store in Alexandria on June 4 at 11 a.m. to hear designer and craftsman Larry Northrop speak about the ins and outs of designing your own built-in. Northrop has been in the business for 40 years and has even crafted cabinetry and desks for the White House.
And did you know red is most often used in dining rooms and blue most often used in bedrooms? At noon, designer Denise Willard explains why, followed by color expert Alitia Cross at 1 p.m. Cross will tell you everything you need to know about current color styles, so none of those nosy neighbors we all have can tell you you’re home isn’t quite as trendy as theirs!
Forget hiring expensive designers; by the end of this event you’ll have heard from three experts in the business and will be ready to start designing your perfect room… oh, and did I mention the free wine, drinks and hors d’oeuvres?
–Alexandra Scarfone
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! In today’s Style Report we take a look at one of the most fun trends of the season: ultra-feminine flouncy skirts!
A few faves among the many gorgeous leg-elongators:
This romantic option also comes in black; $58. (Free People)
A fun, flirty casual option that's very versatile and wallet-friendly; $19.99. (Gap)
The definition of "pretty" and pairs perfectly with nude sandals for mile-long legs; $35. (Piperlime)
Polka dots add a little extra flair; $68. (Anthropologie)
And we have a super-preppy mini pretty; $87. (Shopbop)
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Style Report: Brighten Up With Corals And Oranges
Posted by alexandra / Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! Summer is a season filled with sun, surf and tanning. So what better time than while you’re lying poolside, sipping a brightly colored drink to try out a new, bold look for your wardrobe? This season’s new favorite colors are variations on corals and oranges. They’re bright, playful and eye-catching, and even better, you can make it work at the beach, in the office or out at night. Take it slow by wearing a pair of fun, coral earrings or adding a brightly-colored sweater to spice up your everyday look! And if you’re daring, incorporate the color into your wardrobe with a fun sundress, a vintage blouse or even a pair of shorts.
A few great ways to wear corals and oranges:
Sonia dress, $48 (Gossip on 23rd) Dress it down with a neutral blazer for the office and dress it up with a pair of heels for drinks afterwards!
Paper Bag Waist Shorts, $39.95 (Gap) A relaxed fit and crisp, clean look- and affordable too!
Earring Trio, $3.80 (Forever 21) An easy way to start wearing coral, not to mention a great deal!
Kate Spade New York 'Irene' Flower Cardigan, $265 (Nordstrom) So very versatile!
Madison Marcus Infinite Blouse, $238 (Shopbop.com) Wear this light blouse on a picnic with friends (ps. peasant blouses are back!)
Happy Shopping!
–Alexandra Scarfone
Queen Bee’s Sizzling Summer Trunk Show & Sale
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
Red Coral Necklace (Queen Bee Designs)
Hello there, shoppers! Happy first day of June! What a glorious time of year. Pools are open, days are long, sunshine is plentiful, birds are singing, and Queen Bee Designs is gearing up to host a Summer Trunk Show and Sale! Don’t miss the opportunity to see and shop this season’s most gorgeous jewelry from the famed local designer, available at wholesale prices (up to 50 percent off web and retail), as you enjoy free festive refreshments.
Event Hours:
Friday, June 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Enjoy sipping some sunshine, lemonade, as you get first dibs.)
Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sip champagne and nosh on some tasty hors d’oeuvres as you shop.)
Sunday, June 12, noon-5 p.m. (More bubbly. More tasty snacks. More fabulous deals. A true Sunday fun day.)
Want to attend? Of course you do! Just make sure to register in advance.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Shopping Simplified: Diapers.com
Posted by alexandra / Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
Hello, shoppers! As any parent will probably tell you, having a new baby around the house is a lot of things: fun, exciting, stressful, rewarding, and the list goes on. Eventually, the word “expensive” is bound to pop up on that list. Budgeting for a baby can be difficult, between buying furniture, clothes, formula, diapers, toys and baby-proofing, it definitely adds up. Just thinking about everything to buy can be more than a little overwhelming, not to mention factoring in the costs! That’s where diapers.com comes in.
(fabandfru.com)
Not only does this website offer daily deals, coupons and discounts, it also takes every single thing new parents could possibly imagine buying for their baby and organizes it conveniently in one place, with one checkout. Forget going to the grocery store for diapers, the mall for clothes, countless websites for furniture and toys. It’s all laid out in one place, featuring brands from Gerber and Pampers, to California Baby and DaVinci Cribs.
New users get offered special discounts (right now, it’s 20 percent off diapers for three months and 10 percent off everything else!), and the website is filled with awesome deals, like 20 percent of car seats and party supplies. As if that’s not enough to love, diapers.com even organizes everything by category and lets you know what the most popular brands are for each one. Plus, the site offers free 1-2 day shipping and returns for 365 days! I can’t think of a reason for new moms not to take advantage of all that.
–Alexandra Scarfone
Giveaway from Andersen Windows
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
Andersen Window Opening Control Device (Andersen Windows)
Hello there, shoppers. With the weather getting warmer, many of us are opening windows to let in a little fresh air (when it’s not pushing 100). Most unfortunately, however, for parents of small children, window opening can turn from dreamy to disastrous in a flash. That’s why we’re thrilled to host a fantastic giveaway from Andersen Windows.
One lucky SWAG reader who resides in Virginia, Maryland or D.C. and enters the giveaway by 6 a.m. EST next Monday, June 6, using the form below, will be chosen at random to receive two free Window Opening Control Devices from Andersen (worth $25 each).
Features/characteristics of the device:
· Limits window opening to less than 4 inches
· Designed to meet ICC building codes
· Quick, easy release allows for emergency escape
· Compatible with Andersen® double-hung windows in 400 Series, 200 Series and A-Series product lines
Good luck!
–Natalie Kaar
cforms contact form by delicious:days
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Friday, May 27th, 2011
Via Spiga Ecstasy, was $175, now $119 (Nordstrom)
Hello there, shoppers! Along with honoring veterans and spending some quality time at the pool over the next few days, you’re going to want to snag some of the holiday weekend’s legendary deals. Here are a couple of the places with the biggest bargains:
Bath & Body Works is rolling out all kinds of great deals, from buy-three-get-three-free offers to a multiple items getting discounted 50 percent.
The Limited has everything discounted 40 percent (online, use code WEEKEND).
Pottery Barn Kids is offering 20 percent off beach towels and wraps.
Party City is having a 50-percent-off sale.
Gap is offering 40 percent off in stores.
It’s Brown Bag Sale time at Bloomingdale’s with discounts of up to 40 percent.
And it’s time for the Half-Yearly Sale at Nordstrom!
But that’s only the beginning. Of course, don’t miss all of the great Specialicious deals!
Happy shopping! Have a safe, super-fun holiday weekend.
–Natalie Kaar