(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

To commemorate Presidents Day — or maybe just to clear out the past season’s stock — local boutiques are hosting some sales this weekend that in and of itself are reason enough to celebrate. Here’s the lowdown on the sales and events not to be missed this weekend.

Middleburg Winter Weekend Sale

Middleburg is hosting its first annual Ultimate Winter Weekend Sale this Friday and Saturday, Feb.  18 and 19. Local stores and restaurants in the town of Middleburg will be offering special deals throughout the weekend. Look for the blue and white balloons outside storefronts to partake in the discounts and festivities.

Betsey Shop is introducing the sale today with a sneak peek. (Photo courtesy betsyshop.com)

Betsey
102 W. Washington St., Middleburg; 540-687-5748

Feb. 18 and 19, Betsey will be offering up to 40 percent off shoes and boots, up to 20 percent off formal dresses and up to 40 percent off on selected winter merchandise.

Tully Rector
13 E. Washington St., Middleburg; 540-687-5858

Tully Rector is selling winter items and past summer collections at up to 70 percent off retail price. There will also be discounts on skincare products throughout the store.

Other Festivities

Here’s a list of promotions going on all around the area, some extending throughout the entire month of February.

Current Boutique
2529 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-528-3079
1009 King St., Alexandria; 703-549-2272
Current Boutique is taking 20 percent off their selection of winter coats.

Gossip on 23rd
566 23rd St. S, Arlington; 703-920-1498

This weekend Gossip on 23^rd is taking an additional 25 percent off all already reduced items and 25 percent off footwear and winter collections.

Chic Envy
11895 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax; 703-268-5228

Through the entire month of February Chic Envy is providing 10 percent off high-end jewelry and 15 percent off boutique jewelry.

Dash’s of Old Town
1114 King St., Alexandria; 703-299-4015

Celebrating their half-yearly sale, Dash’s of Old Town is offering 50 percent off of its entire stock with special promotions on custom suits.

Monkee’s of Fredericksburg
827 Caroline St., Fredericksburg; 540-368-2111

In honor of the store’s fourth anniversary, Monkee’s of Fredericksburg is hosting a sale from Feb. 17-20. With the purchase of one item, customers can get another item, of equal or lesser value, for 50 percent off. Sale items are excluded from the promotion, and refreshments will be provided during the event.

Pretty People Vintage & Modern
108 N. Patrick St., Alexandria; 703-739-2522

Pretty People boutique is taking 20 percent of a selection of full-price items. They are also currently offering a Groupon for a $30 store value at $15.

Simpatica
810 Caroline St., Fredericksburg; 540-899-0977

Simpatica is marking 75 percent off select fall merchandise. There will also be newly displayed collections to browse through this weekend.

Ooh la Lara
10409 Main St., Fairfax; 703-218-1004

Ooh la Lara is giving customers 20 percent of all items storewide on Saturday, Feb. 18, and Monday, Feb. 20.

ShoeFly
2727 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-243-6490

Continuing throughout the entire month of February, Shoefly is taking 40 percent all boots in stock and 25 percent off all shoes.

Rouge Apothecary Boutique & Spa

17 South King St., Leesburg; 703-779-3700

To celebrate Presidents Day, all day Feb. 20 Rouge will deduct 10 pecent off every item in store.

Details
206 Mill St., Occoquan; 703-494-4959

From Feb. 18-20, take an addtional 70 percent off all red tag sale merchandise. Details boutique is also offering 50 percent off select fall and winter Frank Lyman and Joseph Ribkoff pieces.

Happy shopping!

–Hilary Adleberg

Claire Cocktail Dress, $58 (gossipon23rd.com)

Hello, shoppers!

Here’s an event you won’t want to miss! Arguably NoVA’s top resource for bargain on-trend apparel, Gossip on 23rd, is having their four-year anniversary celebration on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., an all-day soiree chock-full of discounts and giveaways! Also included in the festivities: At 8 p.m. Tortoise & Hare Bar and Grille, across the street, will host a fashion show with complimentary appetizers and drink specials!

RSVP by Nov. 4 to Katherine@gossipon23.com with the number of guests you’ll be bringing and the names of those lucky plus-ones! All guests will receive a free raffle ticket for a gift bag worth $50 or more upon arrival to the party so it’s very important that you do RSVP.

Have fun, shoppers!

– Lexie Ramage

Expect the runways to be rocking at this weekend's All Access Fashion event at Tysons Galleria! (PHOTO: allaccessfashion.com)

Hello there, shoppers! If you know NoVA, you know it knows how to do shopping events! This weekend is certainly no exception.

All Access Fashion:

This weekend-long style spectacular begins tonight with an invitation-only fashion panel event. Then tomorrow and Saturday, there will be runway shows from many of our favorite Galleria shops and fabulous in-store experiences like designer appearances, cooking demonstrations and more (with a portion of sales in participating stores going to Make-A-Wish). And Sunday brings branded lounges and more haute happenings.

Basically show up at the Galleria just about any time this weekend, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to NYC. For the latest, keep your eye on Twitter.

Vintage Fashion Week Fun at Gossip on 23rd:

Get ready to make your Friday night (7-9 p.m.) fabulous, celebrating vintage fashion at its finest. As we told you a few weeks ago, Goodwill of Washington, Spicy Candy DC and Gossip on 23rd have teamed up for “Mad Men”-inspired fete to show off fashions from the “House of Goodwill”! A silent auction will benefit the charity, light refreshments will be served, a favorite local DJ will be spinning, and the first 20 guests will receive a Vintage Fashion Lookbook courtesy of Spicy Candy DC. Kat and Carlis previewed a bit of the book this week … amazing!

OTBD Scavenger Hunt:

Scavenger hunts are just about always fun. Throw shopping in the mix, plus a chance to win one of 30 $100 gift cards or a $3,000 shopping spree, and free gifts just for browsing … sweet! That’s what’s in store for you in the Old Town Boutique District this weekend. See their website to download the map and passport, and win, win, win!

Happy shopping!

–Natalie Kaar

PS. If you find some time to be in the District, say hi to the Susan G. Komen 3-day walkers!

(Spicy Candy DC)

Hello there, shoppers! If you love vintage shopping and go goo-goo over the fashions on “Mad Men,” save the date and RSVP now for a celebration of Vintage Fashion Week on Friday, Sept. 23!

Goodwill of Washington, Spicy Candy DC and the newly expanded Gossip on 23rd have teamed up to host a “Mad Men”-inspired soiree from 7-10 p.m., where vintage fashions representing the ’20s through the ’70s from “The House of Goodwill” will be silently auctioned off.

Light refreshments will be served, and the first 20 guests will receive a lookbook from Spicy Candy DC plus a bag of goodies.

Tickets are free. What are you waiting for, fashionistas?

Throw together one of your most fabulous vintage ensembles, and RSVP now.

Happy shopping!

–Natalie Kaar

Go for a more conservative look for work or switch it up with some fun embelishments, such as beading, big buttons, a bold color or even sequins. Get one with some girly details for lunch with the ladies. And if you want to be really daring, try one with some fun animal print! Whichever way you wear them, this ladylike look has a flattering shape and gives any outfit an extra boost of class and style.

You’ll love these examples of my new favorite fall trend:

Cropped Waterfall Blazer, $24.50 (Forever 21) Light and breezy, throw it on over a dress for a lunch date!

Beige Blazer, $38 (Gossip on 23rd) This sleek, feminine look is perfect for brightening up your office attire!

Lauren by Ralph Lauren 'Justin' Stretch Cotton Sateen Jacket, $169 (Bloomingdales) A fun and flirty color, a sleek fit, bold buttons... What's not to love?

Leona Bow Blazer, $200.90 (Hysteria) You'll love the rich navy color, and the bow gives it a great feminine touch!

Elizabeth and James Leather Sleeve Leopard Print Faux Fur Blazer, $895 (Nordstrom) In the mood to let your wild side show? The animal print in this eye-catching blazer is a great way to spice things up!

Happy Shopping!
–Alexandra Scarfone

Furniture from Lee Industries (shopthenestegg.blogspot.com)

Hello there, shoppers! If you think summer sales are the most exciting things taking place at area stores right now, you may be wrong. After all, it’s not just mid-season markdowns that are incredible, so is the new inventory according to several area merchants.

A few examples:

The Nest Egg in Fairfax now offers custom, made-in-the-U.S.A., upholstered furniture from the renowned Lee Industries.

Valerianne in Vienna has a lovely new line of tabletop ceramics and pottery all handmade using clay from the Andes Mountains in Peru. The store has numerous place-setting ideas and one-of-a-kind serving pieces and accessories.  Oh, and very important: Each piece is dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe!

The Dandelion Patch, in Vienna, Reston and Leesburg, just got the fall colors of Vera Bradley accessories in stock for early back-to-school shoppers. Sorry to mention the S-word, kids.

And Gossip on 23rd, in Crystal City, as we have mentioned before, now has a much bigger store, including items for little ones and men, in addition to all of their on-trend, wallet-friendly ladies’ wear. For more on the expansion, see our August issue.

Happy shopping!

–Natalie Kaar

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

(Gossip on 23rd)

Hello there, shoppers! Great news! If you’ve become quite the fan of Gossip on 23rd’s trendy, wallet-friendly women’s wear, soon you should adore the store even more. When the business next door to the Crystal City shop recently decided to close, Gossip owner Katherine Glorioso Dress was excited to take over the space, expanding her boutique and its offerings.

The expansion will add another 900 square feet to the shop, which will mean more room for what Gossip on 23rd has become known for and a lot more. In addition to more clothes and accessories for the ladies, I’m told we can also expect: “a sweet selection of women’s shoes, a plus-size collection, a variety of vintage pieces (not consignment), men’s graphic T-shirts, children’s, some really cool eco-friendly,  fair trade (including organic coffee) and gift items.”

A grand re-launch celebration is scheduled for June 4. The event will include a fashion show, giveaways, discounts and more.

Happy shopping!

–Natalie Kaar

One of the new arrivals you'll ogle over at Gossip on 23rd while you scoop up those sales.

Hello there, shoppers! If you’re looking for some serious sales this week, look no further than your favorite NoVA stores/websites. A few suggestions as to where to start your shopping:

Gossip on 23rd in Crystal City: This Saturday, March 5, the store is having a Winter Clearance Sale, featuring discounts up to 75 percent off retail!

Red Barn Mercantile in Old Town Alexandria: Throughout the month of March, all custom American-made Cisco Brothers sofas and chairs are 25 percent off!

Little Monogram Shop in Old Town Alexandria: In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, this shop is offering 10 percent off all green items this Saturday as well as on March 17!

Specialicious.com: In case you haven’t noticed, Specialicious is now offering several great local deals each day! For instance, today brings specials from Speedy Green Car Wash, Food Matters and Chics ‘N’ Wings!

Happy shopping!

–Natalie Kaar