Images of Salon Bleu’s “Cuts for the Cure”

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Good morning, shoppers. As I announced yesterday, the Salon Bleu staff was successful in raising $8,000 for the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Sunday! For those of you who were unable to attend the inspirational first “Cuts for the Cure,” here’s a little peek at what you missed and can look forward to being a part of next year.

(All images courtesy of the salon)

Lenore Koors, development director of Komen Maryland; Colette Banet, guest relations coordinator at Salon Bleu; Yvonne Saa and Jennifer Pham, salon directors

Salon Bleu staff members looking forward to some serious fundraising (Row 1: Sarah Arnall, Jennifer Pham, Yvonne Saa, Ruth Kim, Jenny Nava, Anne Landry, Jocelyn Johnson, Samia Ayoobi; Row 2: Karla Ferrel, Colette Banet)

Senior Stylist Henry Mont concentrating on providing a perfect cut

Some of the tasty delights provided by Entyse and Maggiano's

I’m told the Bleu shampoo team, inspired by the tunes Bose was spinning, had a dance-off at one point! I’m so sad I missed that! Do any of you have photos of it or were you too busy enjoying those free chair massages from the folks at Equinox?

Ps. Look forward to a whole bunch of Columbus Day Sale goodness tomorrow! And, to tide you over until then, how about checking out the special sale taking place at ralphlauren.com? Through Oct. 12, the site is offering shoppers 25 percent off and donating 10 percent of proceeds to a choice of two cancer charities: the Pink Pony Fund (use code “PINK”) or the Ralph Lauren Cancer Center for Cancer Care and Prevention (use code “RLCCP”).

Pss. Don’t forget to comment here by 8 a.m. tomorrow for your chance to win a pair of goodie bag tickets to Shecky’s Girls Night Out D.C.!

NoVA Shoppers’ Weekend Plans

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Good morning, shoppers. Already looking forward to the weekend? Of course you are. And what a weekend it promises to be! I hope you’re up for some multitasking!

First of all, next Monday, Oct. 12,  is Columbus Day; you know what that means … sales, sales, sales, all over town, all weekend long. One sale you definitely won’t want to miss:  Leesburg Corner Premium Outlet’s Annual Columbus Day Weekend Sale, featuring special savings on top of the outlet stores’ already significant everyday discounts, Friday through Monday! A few examples: 30 to 40 percent off select items at Burberry, 30 percent off outerwear at Esprit, 30 to 50 percent off select fall favorites at J. Crew, 30 percent off select boot styles at Nine West,  $25 dollars off for every $100 spent at Restoration Hardware, and loads of other huge discounts!

Fortunately, store hours will be extended. Friday and Saturday, Leesburg Corner stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Monday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Also very exciting, Saturday marks the beginning of Alexandria Boutique Week, which actually runs through Sunday, Oct. 18, offering shoppers 50 great reasons to shop in Alexandria — ranging from incredible discounts to wonderful complimentary gifts with visit or purchase of clothing, accessories, home decor, art, food and wine. There will even be great deals that doggies will dig, including 15 percent off dog costumes at Barkley Square!

Things will also be heating up on the shopping front in the District. Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the CW will present the First Annual Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle Expo at the Grand Hyatt Washington, featuring a musical performance by R&B superstar Brian McKnight, fashion shows every hour with runway appearances by America’s Next Top Model stars Saleisha Stowers, Sandra Nyanchoka and Isis King, cool freebies (including a goodie bag filled with $50 worth of the latest must-haves for the first 500 women to arrive), trendy makeovers and so much more.

For instance, in honor of Domestic Violence Month, Becky Lee from Survivor, also founder of Becky’s Fund, will host a self-defense seminar; Celebrity Apprentice star Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth will be on hand to offer women career advice; model coach Paul Wharton will host an instructional seminar on breaking into the modeling industry; celebrity photographer Tony Powell will help women boost their portfolios; and Mark Jenkins, trainer to stars including P Diddy and Beyonce, will bring his popular workout class “The Jump Off” to those brave enough to try it.

A special preview:

Enjoy!

Ps.  Great news from Salon Bleu: The fabulous team’s fundraising event “Cuts for the Cure” last Sunday raised $8,000 for the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure!

Salon Bleu’s Cuts for the Cure Coming Up This Sunday!

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, September 28th, 2009

(Shutterstock)

Good morning, shoppers! Here’s hoping you all had a great weekend despite some disappointing football. Should you still be sad over the Redskins’ loss, or like in my case, the losses of both Penn State and the Steelers, I wanted to remind you of just the event to perk you up:  Salon Bleu’s “Cuts for the Cure” coming up this Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.!

At the event, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, the salon’s impeccable stylists — I seriously pray that Bleu’s Melanie never stops doing hair and makeup — will be providing haircuts and blow-drys at their usual prices, and donating 100 percent of service proceeds to the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a cause very close to the hearts of the Bleu team. Clients will also be invited to purchase tickets for a variety of raffle baskets with winners to be announced at the end of the day.

Salon Bleu’s pink-themed fundraiser will also feature refreshments and treats from Entyse Restaurant and Maggiano’s, while Bose will have a DJ spinning. Plus, the salon will be offering complimentary chair massages and makeup applications. (By the way, one of the best parts of the Salon Bleu experience is the head massage you receive when getting shampooed. Heaven!)

While walk-ins will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis, I suggest making an appointment (202-333-2538, ext. 4). For one, the schedule is filling up fast. Also, all clients who schedule appointments for the event will receive an exclusive “Cuts for the Cure” gift bag from Salon Bleu, which will will include fabulous prizes from partnering retailers.

Can’t make the event? You can still make a donation. Call the salon for details.

Ps. In other hair news, T3 is celebrating five amazing years, offering special savings at several beauty-related retailers through the end of this week.

Friday Shopping Fix

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, August 28th, 2009

Tim Gunn, to appear at Tysons Galleria on Saturday, Sept. 19 for "All Access: Fashion" (papermag.com)

Good morning, shoppers! Don’t you just love Fridays?! Me too, especially when I have a whole bunch of juicy shopping news to share! Then again, it can be hard to know where to begin in writing this blog.

I suppose I’ll start with some of today’s simply irresistible sales:

Is it time to shake up your beauty routine or stock up on all of your favorite beauty products? Skinstore.com is offering 20 percent off sitewide through Sept. 1 with the code “20AUG” at checkout.

Dying to buy a new fall trench or some fall dresses? Lord & Taylor is offering the opportunity to save big-time on such purchases during the store’s BIG sale. With the promo code “BIG” or this savings pass, you’ll save 15 percent on regular and sale items, 25 percent on clearance merchandise.

Looking for fabulous freebies? The Georgetown Cusp is offering a free gift with every Alice & Olivia purchase tomorrow.

Thinking your handbag collection has lost some of its luster? Today is the last day to save up to 75 percent on Kate Spade handbags and more, plus score free shipping, during the Sample Sale.

Been missing Bath & Body Works’ aromatherapy body mist? The store has brought back the much-loved product in five of its most popular scents — Lavender Chamomile, Lavender Vanilla, Jasmine Vanilla, Eucalyptus Spearmint and Black Currant Vanilla. Another reason to visit B&BW now: the Stock Up and Save event.

Does no store bring a smile to your face like Bloomies? During the Black & White Sale, going on now through Sunday, you can save up to 40 percent off and help the store benefit amfAR.

Other need-to-know-now shopping news:

Sept. 17-19, Tysons Galleria will host “All Access: Fashion,” a sure-to-be-fabulous charity event benefiting YouthAIDS, to include runway shows featuring luxury apparel from Galleria stores, in-store trunk shows, wine tastings, makeovers and much more, including special appearances by fashion icons including Tim Gunn from Project Runway and Frederique Van der Wal! I cannot thank the awesome Melanie Amoss of Salon Bleu, who will be doing hair and makeup at the event, enough for sharing the scoop.

Speaking of Salon Bleu, you’re going to want to clear your calendar now on October 4 and call the salon for an appointment: 202-333-BLEU (2538). Why? That’s when the remarkable salon will host “Cuts for the Cure,” a very special event to raise funds for the Maryland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which directly benefits area residents. The charity, very close to the hearts of the Salon Bleu staff, will receive 100 percent of proceeds from the cut-a-thon! Don’t want to get your hair cut? You can still help the cause. Schedule a blow-dry and styling or make a donation.

And, finally, the Cash for Clunkers program may have been scrapped for now, but according to the A Girl Must Shop blog and Business Week, come fall we’ll welcome Cash for Refrigerators, a program to encourage shoppers to purchase high-efficiency models, which is already receiving a lot of criticism.