S.W.A.G
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Photo: Hipmunk
Hello there, shoppers! Booking flights can be a fright. That’s without a little online help in the form of a handy dandy website or shopping app that simplifies the situation.
I used to think Kayak ruled the school, but these days it’s Hipmunk — hands down. Talk about Shopping Simplified! The site and app (for iPhone, iPad and Android phones) make booking air travel a breeze.
Instead of throwing you a whole bunch of irrelevant search terms in a format that’s beyond frustrating to read, it puts everything in a clean visual timeline that helps you pick the best flight for you at a glance.
At the jump, things are simplified already, as you can enter airport codes or city names. And that’s just the beginning of the ease, as you’ll see when I search for flights from IAD (Dulles) to Barcelona, leaving Jan. 13, returning Jan. 14, for two people in business class. (Don’t I wish!) You can sort results by agony OR price OR duration OR departure OR arrival.
Don’t know what’s not to be missed in Barcelona? (I’d argue just about everything!). The Hipmunk website features a heatmap of popular attractions and nearby hotels; the hotel search capability is also being added to the mobile app next week according to a Hipmunk representative I spoke with today.
Filtering has never been so fabulous!
Happy shopping — and travels!
–Natalie Kaar
Resolution-Upholding Deals: Smoking Cessation
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Thursday, January 5th, 2012
IMAGE: Shutterstock.com/Seanika
Hello there, shoppers! If you’re resolving to scrap the cigs, I’m guessing you may need a little help. If going cold turkey isn’t your friend, fortunately there are some handy habit-kicking helpers on super sweet sales.
If your doctor prescribes you Chantix, a non-nicotine prescription medicine specifically developed to help adults 18 and over quit smoking, you can save some serious cash on the possible solution. Chantix is currently offering a coupon for $30 off your prescription copay.
If you plan on trying nicotine gum to help kick the unhealthy habit to the curb, Nicorette is offering a few of its own coupon deals.
And FREE support is available all over the area, such as Inova’s workplace support program TobaccoNET; for a program in your neighborhood, ask your doctor for recommendations. Many resources are also available online, which a recent study suggests can be very beneficial to those wishing to quit.
Happy shopping. SWAG’s rooting for you to keep those resolutions!
–Natalie Kaar
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
Periwinkle walls and bodices outfitted in the most fashion-forward looks from up-and-coming designers define one of the area’s favorite boutiques. Periwinkle – now with locations in Old Town, Shirlington and National Harbor – is out to bring young, fresh and hip fashion to the established working woman and stay-at-home mom alike.
Periwinkle owner Elizabeth Mason. (Photo courtesy of periwinkleshop.com)
And owner Elizabeth Mason has modeled the boutique’s style and mission after her own career and style – from Capitol Hill to the style-conscious streets of D.C. and Northern Virginia. A former Department of Transportation employee and scheduler for Lynne Cheney during President Bush’s re-election campaign, the fashionista has taken her experience in the political world to Periwinkle.
Q: How has your experience in the political world lent itself to dressing Washington’s working woman?
A: Washington D.C.’s women have to be dressed for many events — from fundraisers, to their jobs, to their date night. You have to be appropriate for all these occasions. I focus on suiting and separates that can take you from your job downtown, to happy hour or a country club luncheon, to a night out with your girlfriends.
I focus on wardrobe-ing women for all of the occasions in their life and presenting them with the whole outfit, from the shoes to the jewelry to the fabulous outfit. Having worked in D.C. for all these years, I feel that I know the balance women need in their wardrobe and I offer them something more exciting than a basic black suit.
Q: How do find the balance between office chic and everyday casual in the collections you work into your personal style and carry in the boutique?
A: I find great designers that capture that combination. Designers like Yoana Baraschi, Eva Franco or Beth Bowley offer beautiful feminine dresses, suits and separates that work so great in the office for the big presentation or meeting, but also can be mixed with your jeans for weekend looks.
Q: Who are your favorite designers?
A: Anni Kuan, Beverly Feldman, Lesley Evers, Yoana Baraschi, Eva Franco — actually all of the designers I carry are my favorite! That is the best part about owning a boutique. I get to carry so many great designers and I’m always looking for new ones. I just opened my third store at National Harbor and I carry different merchandise at all three of my stores. I love to find new and different designers to stock each store.
Q: What is a piece of clothing you couldn’t live without?
A: The dress. I love that there are so many styles and ways to wear a dress. The classic ‘50s style is my personal favorite — fitted bodice and full skirt. But I love every kind of dress — it is easy and always flattering.
Q: How would you describe your personal style?
A: Feminine and classic, but I do like to follow certain trends as well. Everyday is different — sometimes I feel like wearing jeans and a cool faux-fur vest with boots, and others, a great feminine suit – and very often, a fun dress and heels.
Q: What one piece of fashion advice do you have for the Washington-area woman?
A: Feeling good about how you look is the most important thing. If you feel good in what you are wearing, it will make your day.
Q: And where does the name Periwinkle come from – is it a staple in your wardrobe?
A: I wanted a fun and pretty word. I like the way it sounded and I do love the color – everything goes with periwinkle. It looks good with everything!
– Chloe Gould
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
So we all may have seen a wedding dress in our day that truly takes everyone’s breath away, but seeing this news about gorgeous gowns being destroyed at the closing of a Priscilla’s of Boston in Minnesota made me sick to my stomach.
Priscilla of Boston Wedding Dresses Destroyed in Dumpster: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
What a waste.
–Natalie Kaar
Resolution-Upholding Deals: Health & Fitness
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
Just one of the many unbelievably fabulous fitness deals offered today is from Studio BE Pilates in Fairfax -- five group mat classes or three private sessions plus three group mat classes for just $29. (Photo courtesy of Specialicious.com)
Hello there, shoppers! Happy New Year! If you resolve to be the picture of health and fitness in 2012, SWAG knows the deals to help you deliver on that goal.
First, at our very own deals site, Specialicious, today you can score five Bikram yoga classes at Bikram Yoga Reston, for $25 (worth $100); five yoga classes at Dancing Mind Yoga in Falls Church for $15; five Pilates group mat classes or three Pilates private classes plus three group mat classes at Studio BE Pilates in Fairfax for just $29; five yoga classes for just $25 or 10 yoga classes for $49 at Inner Power Yoga in Potomac Falls; two personal training sessions at One to One Fitness — with locations in McLean, Reston and D.C. — for $59; and three- or six-week fitness boot camp at Boot Camp Challenge in Springfield for only $50.
Also, Weight Watchers – the healthy, easy-to-stick-to plan I adhere to in order to maintain my weight, keep on track — is waving registration fees right now, for its traditional in-person meetings program and online program.
Revolve, Clarendon’s new indoor cycling-only fitness center with spinning classes at varying levels, some incorporating strength training, etc., is offering 15 percent off “rides” this month.
And there are always awesome free health and fitness apps. Two faves: Restaurant Nutrition, with nutritional info for menu items at over 250 restaurants; and the Fit Bit app, which with the Fit Bit Ultra wireless activity tracker, helps you keep track of all of your daily activity and nutritional intake. I’ve been using the Fit Bit since Christmas, am addicted to checking how many stairs I’ve climbed and how many steps I’ve taken, tracking my sleep efficiency, etc. You can compare your results to others in your age group, gender, BMI as well — very motivating.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, January 2nd, 2012
Hello, shoppers!
One timeless winter trend is catching on from across the pond – and giving a new kind of style to all-weather wear.
Barbour, “an iconic British lifestyle brand,” has perfected the game of weatherproof outerwear in the United Kingdom. And their classic looks are just now finding widespread attention, from the Southern coast to New York City.
Barbour jackets – ranging from simple, collared zip-ups to belted trenches – offer a little bit of class to men’s and women’s wardrobes, with styles fit for every season and occasion. And with just touches of quilting, fur and other subtle accents, each jacket sticks to a basic style.
Barbour's vintage quilted jacket. (Courtesy of barbour.com)
The classic women’s look infuses masculine lines and styles with a figure-flattering fit. The simple button-snap lightweight jacket, with corduroy collar, is the signature Barbour look – The Beadnell. Retailing for $369, The Beadnell’s plaid accents just add to the overall British-chic staple piece.
Barbour's Beadnell jacket. (Courtesy of jcrew.com)
The company is best known for their storm-defying Thornproof waxed cotton, which protects against all weather while still staying lightweight.
And the buck doesn’t stop with the Beadnell. Barbour also houses leather motorcycle-style jackets and chunky knitwear – as well as pants and accessories.
Barbour's Somerset jacket. (Courtesy of barbour.com)
The Barbour jackets are simple and classic and offer a little bit of signature British style to a wardrobe essential. Browse the company’s entire collection online, or find the winter favorites in-store at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s or J. Crew!
Happy shopping!
– Chloe Gould
SALES & NEWS: End-of-the-Year Deals
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, December 30th, 2011
Hello, shoppers!
Gifts have been exchanged, and the tinsel is slowly making its way down from around the tree – the holidays might be coming to an end, but the shopping season is still alive and well.
Every shop in town, from our favorite department stores to corner boutiques, is cutting prices in the name of the New Year. And SWAG is here to shine a little light on the best, and most fashion-forward, winter sales.
Hysteria in Old Town is taking 30 percent off fall and winter merchandise starting today. The boutique’s designer labels have all been marked down, with Diane von Furstenberg, Smythe and Tory Burch just a few of the names on the winter sale rack. Hysteria’s neighbor shop The Shoe Hive is also in on the winter sale, but do make sure you fall in love with your purchase – all sale items at both stores are final sale.
Hysteria's Smythe trench on sale for $431. (Photo courtesy of shophysteria.com)
Remember that Urban Chic in Fairfax is ringing in the New Year with their company-wide blowout sale Jan 2-14. Very close by, also at Fairfax Corner, Undeniable Boutique has slashed prices on dresses just in time for NYE with many marked 25 percent off.
It’s also the most wonderful time of the year: Bloomingdale’s annual After Christmas sale, of course. The clearance cuts up to 75 percent off women’s clothing, up to 50 percent off men’s, kids’, jewelry, shoes and handbags and up to 50 percent off home items. The sale’s good online and in-store through Monday and is running with Bloomie’s semi-annual handbag sale – 30 percent off everyone from Kate Spade to Marc Jacobs.
Bloomingdale's Theory Arlinda dress, on sale for $249. (Photo courtesy of bloomingdales.com)
Gap is clearing out their winter collection with a 60-percent-off holiday sale. Everything from wide-leg trousers to skinny jeans to the classic’s casual cardigans and knit sweaters have been slashed. And Gap’s sister store Banana Republic is sweetening the deal with 30 percent off sale items, online only, until Jan. 1.
Gap's boatneck buttoned sweater, on sale for $20. (Photo courtesy of gap.com)
Plus, holiday items are on final clearance at The Dandelion Patch — now up to 50 percent off!
Happy shopping, and saving in the New Year!
– Chloe Gould
PS. Arlington’s Crystal Boutique starts their pre-spring sale Jan. 19! Check out their winter fashions from Lafayette 148, Alicia Peru and Bordado.
Sure Things: Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, December 30th, 2011
Hello, shoppers!
The hunt for the perfect mascara is age-old – and it will go on for many more stiletto-lash promises and extra-strength formulas to come. But ladies, I’m here to make the search a little more stress-free.
Although it’s not “designer” mascara – that will do the job, but for a pretty penny – Revlon’s Grow Luscious plumping mascara has withstood the makeup aisle test. For all the fashionistas confined to the Target beauty aisle, this new product fulfills its promise.
Revlon's Grow Luscious plumping mascara. (Photo courtesy of revlon.com)
The tube of Revlon Grow Luscious plumping, which runs a cool $6, is unassuming – boasting a run-of-the-mill conditioning formula – but is spot-on in its quest to strengthen and double the length of every glamour girl’s lashes.
It’s usually the brush that makes the mascara, with the application housing half the battle, and the Grow Luscious plumping “technology” takes note with its abundance of mini bristles. Although it can lead to a few stray eyelid specks, the brush keeps lashes clump free.
Available in blackest black, black and blackened brown, I personally opt for the first, but to each Revlon girl her own! Grow Luscious plumping is also available as waterproof.
The new plumping formula is an extension of Revlon’s Grow Luscious formula, which does the same job, just with a little less volume.
It’s nothing fancy, but it’s a solid staple.
Happy shopping!
–Cloe Gould
Style Report: Statement Necklaces
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Thursday, December 29th, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! With the year ending, there is a lot of talk about trends. As we finish up the last week of 2011, we thought it fitting to discuss in our last Style Report post of the year, a trend that really has staying power: statement necklaces.
The definition of the must-have accessory varies from person to person, but no matter the materials used, the length of the necklace and other style factors, one thing’s for sure: As their name implies, statement necklaces make a statement.
Whether you’re gearing up to rock out at a New Year’s Eve bash or looking for something to add a little extra pop to your everyday ensembles, here are some standouts that are sure to steal the show. The bonus: They don’t cost too much dough.
This first lovely is perfect for those going for the gold. I can only imagine what this accessory could do for a simple LBD, green top or coral sheath.
A true bargain beauty at just $58. Roundabout Fringe Necklace (Anthropologie)
But don’t get me started on Anthro’s statement necklace selection. I’m pretty smitten with about 3/4 of the options, like this stunner, also just $58:
Extra points for mixed metals! Beads & Bars Necklace (Anthropologie)
As for beachy beauties, why look further than Alexandria designer Meg Carter? There’s absolutely no need. Case in point:
A gorgeous necklace named after a gorgeous place, Positano, $280 (Meg Carter Designs)
Of course, Etsy is also full of great finds.
Bib Statement Necklace by NeverMidnight, $39.74 (Etsy)
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Beauty Recommendations for Ringing in the New Year
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Wednesday, December 28th, 2011
Deborah Lippmann 'Dance Music' Holiday Mini Trio (Photo courtesy of Nordstrom)
Hello there, shoppers! Whether your New Year’s Eve plans have been solidified for months or you’re excited for something festive and spontaneous this Saturday, you know you want to look smokin’ for that big smooch. But how does one continue to dazzle after hours of dancing, eating and drinking? Nordstrom Beauty Director Cheri Botiz recommends five brilliant beauty buys that will have you looking fabulous at the strike of 12 and far beyond.
First up, the eyes, and perhaps the trickiest piece of the makeup puzzle: eyeliner. Botiz explains, “Dazzling shadows are a sure way to be New Year’s Eve-ready,” and she assures us we can keep said shadows in place all night by pairing them with NARS Larger than Life eyeliner ($23).
And while the eyes may be a window into the soul, one’s scent can reveal a lot about a person as well (and not just in regard to hygiene). Plus, I’d argue there’s nothing like a scent to signal a memory — still recognize my kindergarten teacher’s perfume. If looking to immortalize this New Year’s Eve with a new fragrance, Botiz suggests the new Prada Candy ($80-$100). “It’s the perfect scent for a special night, and you’re never fully dressed without your fragrance,” she says.
But let’s not forget about puckering up. Botiz’s recommendation for a super-kissable kisser: “Don’t be afraid to put a pop of color on that pout.” For instance, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Fascinate ($32).
Of course, New Year’s is also a great opportunity to go a bit over the top with our nails — “a girl’s best accessory,” according to Botiz. For a real fashion-forward look, she recommends THE NEW BLACK’s Ombre Nail Shades Sets ($22). Each kit includes five polishes in graduated colors to mimick a dip-dye mani. Botiz also assures us the glittery nail lacquers in Deborah Lippmann’s Dance Music Holiday Mini Trio ($29), a Nordstrom-exclusive collection, are guaranteed to get attention.
Happy shopping — and celebrating!
–Natalie Kaar
PS. I also can’t help but personally recommend the eight-shade Stila Lip Glaze Set ($25, worth $110) — nothing beats this high-shine, yummy-tasting lip gloss in my book. And the smaller tubes are perfect for fitting into small, party-perfect bags.
