Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
Hello there, shoppers! Have the mid-week itch, dying to ditch work and get to the weekend? Perhaps you can find serenity now with a few dynamite discounts (available for purchase from your desk)! I won’t tell anyone, promise.
At Aerie, save 20 percent off clearance items while they last — everything from cool summer tops to bottoms, bras and underwear.
Over at bananarepublic.com, enjoy 30-percent savings on women’s tops and sweaters, through tomorrow, June 17.
To save on stellar photo books (Don’t forget: Father’s Day is this Sunday!), point your browser to mypublisher.com, where you’ll save 50 percent today on purchases of $100 or more, or 25 percent on orders of $50 or more, with the code “DAD2550.”
If you’ve been saving up for some fabulous new jeans — a staple even in the summer — visit nationaljeancompany.com as well; for a limited time, you’ll save 20 percent site-wide with the code “SUM20OFF.”
Finally, when piperlime.com has a big sale, you just have to pay attention. And now is such a time. Feast your eyes on up to 40-percent savings during the site’s legendary Lime Sale which, of course, also includes free shipping and returns.
Happy shopping!
– Natalie Kaar
Ps. If all of that pointing and clicking wreaks havoc on your nails and back, make one more stop at Specialicious.
Last-Minute Mother’s Day Deals
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Yours at Saks with any beauty purchase of $75 or more this week, a purse-sized refillable perfume atomizer (Saks)
Hello there, shoppers! Did you all have a wonderful weekend? I hope so! I also hope this rainy day doesn’t get you down. At least the wet weather is perfect for shopping (inside super-welcoming stores or from the comfort of a computer desk). And, should you have forgotten, there is a quickly approaching holiday to shop for before it’s too late: Mother’s Day, this coming Sunday, May 9.
While this week is prime time to shop at Mystique Jewelers, as I mentioned last week, loads of other fabulous options are out there as well. Plus, if you act fast, you won’t even have to pay any procrastinator penalties. Below is a but a peek at what I’m talking about, shoppers.
Mypublisher.com is offering a two-for-one deal on photo books. Create and purchase a photo book for your mom by 11:59 p.m. tonight and use the code “MOM241,” and you’ll receive a free copy of the book for yourself or someone else.
Williams-sonoma.com is also here to help last-minute shoppers. Place an order by 2 p.m. tomorrow for a free upgrade to rush shipping.
You can even still score a fantastic deal on flowers. Proflowers is offering a variety of gifts for Mom for 40 percent off, today only. Prices are to go up tomorrow.
If beauty products are your mom’s fave, you’ll also want to stop by Saks in Tysons this week. Through Sunday when you spend $75 on a beauty purchase, you’ll receive a purse-sized refillable fragrance atomizer, plus complimentary engraving.
Of course, moms deserve to buy themselves something nice, too. Possibly of interest: Freshpair.com is offering spring site-wide savings on bras, underwear and PJs. Use the code “SPRING10″ to save $10 off a purchase of $75 or more, “SPRING25″ to save $25 on purchases of $175 or more, and “SPRING50″ to shave $50 off your order of $275 or more through May 6. Just note that some exclusions apply.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, February 19th, 2010
Hello there, shoppers! Happy Friday! To help us all celebrate the work week coming to a close, I thought we’d concentrate on something special today that never goes out of style. Yup, you guessed it (or read the headline): SALES! Plain and simple goodness.
Here we go …
For starters, Gap is offering a 25-percent discount on new arrivals with the code “GAPNEW25″ online, with the same savings also being offered in stores. That’s through this Sunday, Feb. 21.
Also, mypublisher.com (my favorite photo book Web site) is having another sale. You can save 40 percent on orders of $100 or more, 20 percent on orders of $50 or more with the code “WINTER2040″ through Monday.
You can also save at lordandtaylor.com this weekend with your Lord & Taylor card and the code “SHOPLT” which will score you an additional 20-percent discount on sale and clearance merchandise.
Today only, a 30-percent discount is also yours on select new Jessica Simpson shoe styles at endless.com. There are some really fun options, especially for those of you who can get away with wearing 4- to 5-inch heels.
If looking for furniture, in addition to the home-related sales in Tuesday’s S.W.A.G. post, Belfort Furniture is having a huge sales event. They’re still offering the same discounts they were offering for Presidents Day, 20- to 50-percent savings store-wide!
And, finally if you’re looking to heal some dry, cracked hands, Bath & Body Works is offering significant savings on hand creams and moisturizing hand soap.
Happy shopping! Here’s hoping you enjoy what’s supposed to be a snow-free weekend — well, minus what has already fallen.
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, February 1st, 2010

Ring by Goldfine, one of the fantastic lines carried at Midtown Jewelers, Reston Town Center (midtownjewelersinc.com)
Good morning, shoppers! Here’s hoping you all had a great weekend and avoided cabin fever on what turned out to be quite the snowy Saturday. Just in case your shoveling and salting kept you from other tasks like coming up with a fun Valentine’s Day surprise for your sweetie, I just had to share a few of the romance-focused deals that I’ve discovered since Devon’s super-informative post on the subject last week.
First of all, when it comes to rolling out V-day delights, Reston Town Center is certainly up to the task. Just a few of the starry-eyed specials being offered there in honor of the holiday:
Appalachian Spring is offering gift wrapping Friday, Feb. 12, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and even on V-day, Sunday, Feb. 14, from noon to 4 p.m. — presented by and benefiting Kids R First.
On Saturday, Feb. 13, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Midtown Jewelers will be offering shoppers a yummy homemade chocolate treat and single long-stemmed red rose with any purchase of $25 or more. That evening, from 6 to 10 p.m., horse-drawn carriage rides will also be offered at RTC. The pickup spot is in front of Talbots on Market St. The cost is just $5 per person (kids under age 5 are free) and benefits Relay for Life.
Plus, should you believe that nothing says romance like French food and wine, you may be excited to find out that Mon Ami Gabi is hosting a special V-day Pajama Brunch. Wear your PJs to the restaurant on V-day to receive a gift card equal to the amount you spent on brunch, to be redeemed the next time you visit.
Of course, there are lots of holiday deals to love online, too. For example, calvinklein.com is currently offering free shipping on men’s and women’s underwear, and mypublisher.com is offering a free copy of each photo book purchased through Feb. 10, with the promotional code “VAL241″.
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Good morning, shoppers. Even with adding an extra hour this weekend perhaps you’re still tired from all of your Halloween fun or simply not thrilled about the fact that it’s Monday. Should either scenario or both of them ring true, I thought I’d throw a few sales your way, to help you have a better day.
Ready to aid you in starting your holiday shopping, getting your house in hosting shape and getting over your boredom with your current wardrobe, here are some discounts you should find desirable:
As I mentioned a few weeks back, mypublisher.com, the site I believe is absolutely the best when it comes to photo books, is offering 40 percent off purchases of $100 or more and 20 percent off purchases of $50 or more through Wednesday, Nov. 4, with the code “HOLSAVE40″ at checkout. Wish me luck on completing my honeymoon book by then (my night job for the next few days) and don’t miss the chance to create an unforgettable gift for someone you love.
Another sale difficult if not impossible to resist: Today only, chickdowntown.com is offering 40 percent off almost everything with the code “NOVEMBER40″ excluding sale and vintage items plus merchandise from J Brand, Current/Elliott, Alice & Olivia and Australia Luxe.
Warm-weather clothes are also being offered for far less than usual at Calvinklein.com. Sweaters for men and women are currently buy one, get one free.
Think Tory Burch is tops? Saks.com is currently offering sensational savings on some TB tops and dresses.
Want to keep your house guests nice and toasty, but don’t want to dip too far into your budget for a new down comforter? Smartbargains.com is currently offering down for a practical steal. You’ll also find all kinds of fabulous home items on a ridiculously good sale at restorationhardware.com.
And, finally, you can also buy gifts galore and save, save away at Martin & Osa, both in stores and online, through Thursday, Nov. 5. Buy any three items and save 30 percent. For online purchases, use the code “51052476″.
Enjoy!
Tim Gunn in the Flesh and a Few Fab Sales
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, September 21st, 2009
Good morning, shoppers! Here’s hoping you all had a wonderful weekend and aren’t too tired from watching the Emmys last night. Any faves from the red carpet? Blake Lively sure rocked a lively number didn’t she?
I also hope that a lot of you were able to check out the fabulous fashions and Hollywood icons at Tysons Galleria this weekend, too. Though my hubby and I were unable to make it to the 1 p.m. All Access: Fashion show hosted by Tim Gunn on Saturday, fortunately we were able to catch a glimpse of the style guru soon after, taking photos with fans. Here’s one of the pics my hubby snapped through the glass:

Gunn looked amazing, even more dapper than he looks on TV! For those of you who shopped and waited in a long line to stand and smile with the star, do you agree?
For those of you who totally missed the event, here’s a photo of the fashion show area, as seats were filling up for the Basler show:

And, so that your Monday is a little more bearable, how about a few fine sales?
Through Wednesday, Sept. 23, piperlime.com is offering 20 percent off shoes and handbags with the code “TREAT”.
Meanwhile, arguably the best site for photo books (in my opinion at least), mypublisher.com, is hosting their last sale of the year, offering 40 percent off orders of $100 or more and 20 percent off $50 or more with the code “HOLSAVE40″.
And, finally, Saks.com is currently offering a free pair of black opaque tights from Theory with any Theory women’s apparel purchase and either the code “THEORYXS” for petite/small, or “THEORYML” for medum/large.
Happy shopping!
Shopping Plans for Your Weekend
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Dresses at Periwinkle (periwinkleshop.com)
Good morning, shoppers! Here’s hoping you don’t have too busy of a weekend planned already; there are lots of deals that are simply too good to miss!
First of all, you may want to go through all of those photos you took over the past few months or, in my case, over the past year, and put together a photo book that will knock your socks off every time you look at it. Mypublisher.com — I made wedding albums from this site (deluxe size) and a family beach album (regular size) that are AMAZING — is offering 30 percent off orders of $100 or more and 15 percent off orders of $50 or more with the code “SUMMER30″ through July 27. Here’s hoping I find time, magically, to create a honeymoon book in that time window; we’ll see.
There are also some absolutely wonderful sales going on at area stores this weekend. For instance, in Vienna, the home, garden and gift boutique Pear Tree Cottage is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a store-wide sale tomorrow, July 24, through Sunday, August 2. All full-priced items will be 20 percent off, and other items will be sold at prices up to 45 percent off. Plus, gardening seminars are scheduled throughout the month; for details and to make a reservation (required), call 703-938-1331.
Also, Alexandria’s Periwinkle is offering 25 percent off all merchandise, including a 25 percent discount on already-reduced items tomorrow through the following Friday, July 31.
No surprise, in Tysons there are oodles of places to save. Given that it’s wedding season and all, though, you may want to add Paper Cult to your must-visit-this-weekend list. The store is having a Half-yearly Sale, featuring 30 percent off everything, from fine stationery to wrapping paper. And, if you’ve been reading SWAG for a while, you know I recommend nearby Vienna’s Valerianne highly for wedding gifts.
Finally, in Fredericksburg, big time savings are still to be scooped up at Simpatica, which has moved across the hall (still at 810 Caroline St.). To celebrate its grand opening in the new space, this weekend the store will feature a Custo Barcelona trunk show, provide champagne and goodies, and showcase new items from JWLA, Velvet, Citizens of Humanity, Testament and P.J. Salvage.
Happy shopping!
Ps. What do you think about Amazon buying Zappos? I hope they continue to offer the same amazing customer service.
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Seychelles Yellow Patent Leather Peep Toe ($95, theshoehive.com)
Good morning, shoppers. Have the wicked traffic and wet weather stolen the spring from your step? Here’s hoping the following especially good sales will prevent you from having a mid-week meltdown.
First of all, don’t forget that The Attic (upstairs at Hysteria, 125 Fairfax St., Alexandria) is open today and tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., where you can save 80 percent on sale items from both The Shoe Hive and Hysteria as well as 30 percent on some surprise current-season merchandise.
Also, if you’re looking for some adorable clothes for the kiddos, you’ll want to check out ralphlauren.com, where select children’s apparel is on a 15-percent-off sale through June 8 with the code “GEARRL”.
Ready to spruce up your own wardrobe? Spend $150 or more at chickdowntown.com, and you’ll receive a $50 gift card; that is if you shop before tomorrow, May 28, at 11:59 p.m.
Then again, you could also snag free shipping at neimanmarcus.com today with the code “MAYNM” — no matter how much you spend. Same goes for bathandbodyworks.com and mypublisher.com (only with code “FREESHIP”). You may also receive free shipping at bebe.com today, but you’ll need to spend $150 or more and use the code “09SUMMER”.
Finally, if you’re the type of gal who won’t go anywhere without mascara, including the beach or pool, get a load of this … Dior DiorShow mascara, which the D.C. area ladies are big fans of according to Allure, is now available in waterproof! And, better yet: The purchase will automatically qualify you for a free deluxe skincare sample if you enter the code “SKINLOVE” at checkout.
Primo Pre-Memorial Day Sales Plus Gossip Girl Stunners
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Good morning, shoppers! What a lovely day, huh? After all, though it’s a bit chilly this a.m., at least it’s sunny. Plus, the holiday weekend is fast approaching, and numerous amazing holiday sales are already here. I can only imagine what the bargains will be like this weekend! The pool — and redfin.com in my case — may have some competition after all.
Then again, just take a look at the wonderful sales that have arrived for the work week:
For starters, Lord & Taylor is offering a buy one, get one 50 percent off offer on all swimsuits and cover-ups plus 20 percent off other items throughout the store and online with this shopping pass or the online code “HOLIDAY”.
Shoe lovers are also in luck. First, piperlime.com is offering 30 percent off select shoes and handbags through May 31 during their Sweet Deal Event. And, likewise, endless.com is offering 25 percent off new sandals and accessories.
Have yard work nagging your mind? You’re in luck, too … seriously. Lowe’s is offering up to 36 percent off outdoor power equipment — push mowers, pressure washers, trimmers, etc. — through tomorrow, May 20.
Hoping to surprise a special grad or your fabulous Dad with a photo book of memories? Mypublisher.com, the best place to create and purchase photo books in my book hands down, is offering free shipping through May 27 with the code “FREESHIP”.
Hot for handbags? Check out the Gustto sale at editorscloset.com — where the gorgeous bags are selling for up to 60 percent off! Not a member? Email me, natalie@northernvirginiamag.com, for an invite.
And, finally, if you fell in love with the fashions on last night’s “Gossip Girl” finale — no spoilers, please, was busy catching up on “24″ with the hubby — you may purchase the lovely looks here, thanks to InStyle.
Happy shopping!