Mother’s Day Gifts to Express All Sorts of Sentiments

Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Monday, May 7th, 2012

Four to six, handpicked Royal Riviera pears for $19.95. (Photo courtesy: harryanddavid.com)

Something Sweet: Harry & David Mother’s Day Pear Gift Box

An alternative to the typical chocolate or candy-coated treat, this gift is health-conscious and deliciously guilt-free. With swimsuit season just around the corner, mom will appreciate the gesture.   

Not Your Daughter's Jeans Marilyn Straight Jeans in Dark Wash, $110. (Photo courtesy: bloomingdales.com)

Something Stylish: Not Your Daughter’s Jeans

Get mom a classic, denim straight-leg or a trendy, colored trouser by Not Your Daughter’s Jeans. These pants fit a “mom” silhouette perfectly and make her feel comfortably chic with some trendy features! And really, is there anything a woman wants more than to find the perfect pair of jeans?

Engraving costs an additional $10. (Photo courtesy: redevelope.com)

Something Sentimental: Personalized Vintage Love Letter Necklace

Available in gold and silver, these envelope necklaces cost $89.95 and can be customized with a personal sentiment. The necklace is an adorable Mother’s Day gift that will really express your love and gratitude.    

Retails at $22 for a 3.4 oz tube. (Photo courtesy: tokyo-milk.com)

Something Soothing: Tokyo Milk Dark Shea Butter Hand Crème

Packaged in a convenient drawstring bag, this hand crème is a present that every mom would appreciate. All the scents are lovely so beware that deciding on one may take some decisiveness.  The lotion isn’t greasy or too heavy but it’s durable enough to protect hands from dry or cracked skin. You can find these crèmes and more at Bellacara in Alexandria.

Panties featured every month range from $14 to $44. (Photo courtesy: shopbloomers.com)

Something Showy: Panty of the Month Club

This is a gift that just keeps on giving—for as long as the subscription lasts. Join the Bloomers Panty of the Month Club and get a new undie every month for three months, six months or one year. Prices are contingent on shipping costs but range from $60 to $266.

You can customize cases with photos, text and logos. (Photo courtesy: zazzle.com)

Something Stand-In: Customized Phone Case

Starting at $34.95 these personalized cases provide quality protection for most every cell phone style, and mom will love that no matter the distance, her family will always be just a phone call away.     

Hydra White Tea Chill Pill Bath Fizzie, $7. (Photo courtesy: amazon.com)

Something Stand-Up: Funny Chill Pill Bath Fizzie

Mom’s great, but everyone can get a little stressed. Just give mom this gag gift chill pill with doctors’ orders to relax.

Just remember, it’s the thought that counts!

-Hilary Adleberg

The Low-down on Lingerie

Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

I see London, I see France, I see sales on underpants! Lookout for some upcoming lingerie events that are offering deals that will make you smile and designs that will make your significant other blush.

For more details or to schedule an appointment with a lingerie stylist, call your nearest Nordstrom store. (Photo courtesy: nordstrom.com)

Nordstrom is hosting the Frill Seekers event on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21. Get a peek at the newest lingerie styles for spring and feel free to enlist the help of a lingerie stylist for advice on what looks are best for your specific size, shape and style. Spend up to $50 and receive a free gift with purchase while supplies last. Nordstrom will have you covered—sort of—in styles from brands such as Betsey Johnson, Natori, Chantelle, Wacoal, Kensie and Freya.

Nordstrom and participating brands will donate $2 for every bra purchased at the event to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® to help support research and lifesaving community programs.

For more information, contact Bloomers’ owner Kim Putens at 202-297-9090 or kim@shopbloomers.com. (Photo courtesy: shopbloomers.com)

Bloomers is an underwear, loungewear and sleepwear boutique that believes beautiful lingerie should be functional and financially friendly for women to enjoy every day, not just on special occasions. In celebration of the re-launch of the Bloomers website, the new Shirlington store and the introduction of the store’s mascot, Betsey Bloomers, the store will be hosting events from April 15 to April 28.

“Betsy is a great addition to Bloomers,” said Kim Putens, Bloomers owner. “And, finally our website really portrays the look and spirit of our stores and the Bloomers brand.” (Photo courtesy: shopbloomers.com)

Participate in the special events with Betsey Bloomers and you will be eligible to win great prizes and discounts! Below are the contests and events leading up to the in-store event on Saturday April 28.

Where is Betsy Bloomers? – Between April 15 and April 25, follow Betsy’s blog to learn where Betsy will be popping up in the Old Town Alexandria or Shirlington areas. Guess all the venues she is at and submit your answers by April 27 to win a Grand Prize Gift from each of the venues Betsy visits. Submit answers to betsy@shopbloomers.com in order to be eligible to win the Grand prize.

Panty Radar – Share with us your funniest underwear story. All of us have an embarrassing moment like when we wore those red panties under a pink dress thinking no one would notice. Post your stories on Bloomers’ Facebook page by April 27 and the story that gets the most likes will win a FREE 3-month Panty of the Month club subscription, a $60 value. The winner will be notified on April 28. The rules: keep it clean but make it funny.

Pick a Discount or Gift – Come into either Bloomers location on April 28, pick out a pair of undies from the grab bag, and learn your on the spot discount or gift. Each pair of panties in the grab bag will have a secret discount or gift listed on the tag. Discounts or gifts will be honored on April 28 only.

Happy shopping!

-Hilary Adleberg

Thursday Plans: The 13th-Annual Toast to Fashion

Posted by Natalie Kaar / Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

(PHOTO: The Campagna Center)

Hello there, shoppers!

Spring has sprung, and it’s time to fully embrace spring fashion. What great timing for the 13th-annual Toast to Fashion benefiting The Campagna Center, to take place at Alexandria’s Belle Haven Country Club this Thursday, March 22, from 6:30-10 p.m.

The annual can’t-miss event features a fashion show, marketplace, raffle and cocktail reception with 100 percent of proceeds supporting The Campagna Center’s programs, all which benefit area youths in myriad ways. That’s from early childhood education to tutoring and enrichment programs for elementary and high school kids, including T.C. Williams’ Building Better Futures program, as well as a new adult literacy program, New Neighbors.

ABC7′s Britt McHenry will emcee the fundraiser for the second year in a row, makeup will be provided by Bellacara, and model’s spray tans will be provided by Bronzed Berry. 

Participating vendors in the marketplace:

Tickets will be $60 at the door. Say hello to Northern Virginia Magazine at the event; we’re proud sponsors along with Volkswagen Group of America, Queen Bee Designs, Rich Rosenthal Brincefield Manitta Dzubin & Kroeger and Storm King Strategies.

Happy shopping!

–Natalie Kaar

Bloomers-Shirlington Celebrating Big-Time This Month

Posted by Natalie Kaar / Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

It's like it's still the holiday season at Bloomers with big shopping bennies all month long. (Photo courtesy of Bloomers)

Hello there, shoppers!

A few months back, we spread the sweet news about Bloomers expanding to Shirlington. And now the new years brings even more reason to celebrate the burgeoning underwear and loungewear boutique. Throughout January, Bloomers is offering all kinds of big bennies to shoppers — some at both stores, in Shirlington and Alexandria.

First, what’s a celebration of a grand opening without a party? Exactly. The soiree portion of the fun will be Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Shirlington store from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., featuring free refreshments, a 20-percent discount on all in-store merchandise, a raffle to win a three-month membership in the Panty of the Month Club (worth $60), and a free gift with purchase (while supplies last).

And now’s the time to show the store some social media love. Each time you “check in” at either Bloomers location on Facebook this month, you’ll score 10 percent off your entire purchase. The same deal applies when you do a Bloomers “check in” on Foursquare. Plus, when you “like” Bloomers on Facebook, you’ll be entered to win over $100 in Bloomers merch.

Happy shopping — and celebrating!

–Natalie Kaar

Bloomers Blooms Again

Posted by Natalie Kaar / Monday, November 14th, 2011

(Bloomers)

Hello there, shoppers! Sweet expansion news in the NoVA shopping scene! Bloomers, Old Town Alexandria’s stellar destination for underwear and other undergarments women actually enjoy wearing — not to mention super-stylish loungewear — has opened up a second shop in Shirlington! You’ll find Bloomers at The Village at Shirlington, 4150 Campbell Ave.

The new store is open seven days per week, Sundays from noon-5 p.m., other days from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Shop the same great brands you’re used to in the OTBD, like Eberjey, Hanky Panky, LeMystere, Hue, On Gossamer, Spanx and more!

As for whether an expansion is in the works for Bloomer co-founders Angela Sitilides’ and Kim Putens’ other popular store, Bellacara, Putens tells me there are no plans to expand the beauty mecca. We can keep on wishing, I guess.

Happy shopping!

–Natalie Kaar

Haircuts to Help Bethany House in Fairfax, Festive Shopping in Old Town

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, December 3rd, 2010

(Shutterstock)

Hello there, shoppers, and Happy Friday! Ready for a weekend full of fun? Of course you are, and I have plenty of ideas for you that include just that, of course along with some great deals, and a little feel-good philanthropy thrown in to bring things over the top!

First, tomorrow, Dec. 4, in Old Town Alexandria, the beauty haven  Bellacara and lingerie/lounge wear gem Bloomers are both throwing holiday parties, featuring all sorts of shopping sweets. At either store, spend $75, receive 10 percent off; spend $150, receive 15 percent off; spend $250, save 20 percent. Plus, you’ll receive a free gift with purchase at both boutiques, and there will be raffles every hour at Bellacara. Still that’s not all; expect all sorts of festive surprises.

As for Sunday, Dec. 5, you’re going to want to take a quick trip to Fairfax to get gorgeous. Salon Antoine will be hosting a cut-a-thon, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting Bethany House, a charity that serves area victims of domestic violence, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Have fun and stay warm! Happy shopping!

–Natalie Kaar