Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Friday, September 2nd, 2011
By Natalie Kaar
You thought you could do it, but nixing a vacay isn’t the sound option for your mental state. Get in a quickie sans maxing out the card.
Use airbnb.com. Similar to tripadvisor.com but with reviews and links for stays in fabulous personal homes, yachts, etc., instead of hotels and B&Bs, the site can have you staying, for example, in a posh mini apartment in Rome, with balcony, in a neighborhood with great retail, only a two-minute walk away from the Battistini Metro station, for $99 [www.airbnb.com/rooms/24557]. A one-night stay in a Richmond Hampton Inn will cost you more than that. The site has options in 15,000 cities in over 180 countries.
But if a free stay is for you, check out couchsurfing.org, a nonprofit that links up adventurous, frugal travelers with hospitable homeowners in over 246 countries. No friends in Croatia? That doesn’t mean you can’t crash there.
(August 2011)
Sure Things: Bonobos’ Clothing for Fit, Fashionable Fellas
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Thursday, September 1st, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! While women want to find styles that accentuate their best features, it’s no different for fashion- and fitness-conscious guys. But speaking from experience in shopping for my endurance sports-loving hubs who is becoming more and more appreciative of fashion — or more understanding of my love for it at least — finding the perfect fit can be a bit difficult, especially when it comes to shirts.
While Hugo Boss and John Varvatos have some fantastic slim dress shirts, I’ve found that for more casual options, Bonobos.com, is a Sure Thing.
It was a social media shout-out from Chef Geoff’s famed chef/owner Geoff Tracy touting the benefits of Bonobos pants a few months back that introduced us, but it was well-fitting polos, casual button-downs and board shorts that stole a few hearts in my house. A bonus, even some of the shirts that aren’t advertised as wrinkle-free still come out of the dryer looking fantastic, like the one pictured to the right.
Want to try Bonobos out for yourself or for your main man? Save $50 on your first order.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Kate Spade’s Sample Sale Returns
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! One of those sales we all look forward to is here!
It’s Kate Spade sample sale time!
Everything — from handbags to small accessories to clothing to jewelry to diaper bags to shoes — is 75 percent off through tomorrow, Sept. 1!
Just note, especially should you go the clothing or shoes route, that all sales are final.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! In today’s Style Report, we take a look at pants in slimming silhouettes and bold colors that make it really easy to hit the color-blocking trend right on the mark!
These cords at J. Crew are fall-tastic, loving this shade (vibrant flame) in particular.
Of course J Brand skinnies are always a winner. This pair comes in several eye-popping colors.
And Gap gets into the game with a great (island palm) green pair.
And, not exactly, primary, but how are these for plum perfect crops?
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
2011 Fashion’s Night Out at Tysons Galleria
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! Hard to believe, but it’s almost time for the third-annual Fashion’s Night Out! This year, the special worldwide event for celebrating all things fashion (with festivities planned in 16 countries and more than 100 cities nationwide) is Sept. 8, and locally Tysons Galleria looks like the place to be (from 6-9 p.m.)!
All sorts of cool experiences, discounts and freebies will be featured in stores throughout the mall.
Just a few of the specific goodies you can expect at Tysons Galleria FNO 2011:
TASTY TREATS: Enjoy savory and sweet bites at Tory Burch, Vineyard Vines, Ralph Lauren, Elie Tahari, Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman Boutique, Thomas Pink, Nicole Miller, Karen Millen and Bo Concept.
LIVE MUSIC: The Christopher Linman Jazz Ensemble will play at Center Court from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
COCKTAILS: Anne Fontaine, in tune with their Glam Rock theme for the evening, will feature Barock ‘n’ Roll cocktails.
FREE GIFTS WITH PURCHASES: While supplies last at FNO, get a free gift when you buy something at Tommy Bahama, Stuart Weitzman Boutique, Thomas Pink, Anne Fontaine and Nicole Miller.
SWEEPSTAKES: Enter to win a new pair of Cole Haan shoes every month for a year at Stuart Weitzman and a Gabro evening bag valued at $654, a $250 gift card and Nola credit card holder valued at $390, a shirt named after you and then gifted next season at Anne Fontaine.
HENNA TATTOOS: Get temporarily inked for just $12 at Lebanese Taverna.
COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS: At Saks Fifth Avenue shop the newest fall collections and bid on unique experiences and rare items while you sample gourmet goodies from Chima, Jack Rose Dining Saloon and vegan chef Levita Mondie. The store will donate 10 percent of the evening’s sales and all auction proceeds to March of Dimes.
SUSHI: It’ll be sushi night at Entyce Bar & Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton.
Save the date! And stay informed by following Tysons Galleria on Twitter.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Nordstrom’s Online Shop Gets Sweeter
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Monday, August 29th, 2011
Hello there, shoppers!
If you’re a fan of shopping online at Nordstrom.com — who isn’t — here’s some news that should make you sing:
Nordstrom.com just announced free standard shipping and returns in the U.S. every day at every price level (with very few exclusions).
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Treat’s Private Fall Preview Party
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Monday, August 29th, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! So you’ve been distracted with earthquakes, hurricanes and lost power over the past week. I say it’s high-time to have a little fun, soak up what’s left of summer, and focus on fall fashion again. After all, before long it’ll be time to rock some major boots, cozy sweaters, killer jeans and fun jackets again.
And you don’t want to miss out on the freshest of fresh fall inventory.
Thankfully, Treat did you a solid. Save the date and RSVP now for Treat’s Private Fall Fashion Preview Party, Sept. 7, from 6-8 p.m.
The special after-hours soiree will include a preview of the season’s hottest styles and a chance to call first dibs on them at a discount — receive $25 off any purchase of $100 or more — plus bubbly, cupcakes and other bennies!
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Saturday, August 27th, 2011
By Natalie Kaar
Ace ACCESSORIES Under $100
Who says back-to-school shopping is just for kids? Adding some fun accessories to the everyday can make even forever-long meetings more favorable experiences.
The Echo smartpen, now with 2GB of storage, records meetings and plays back corresponding audio for handwritten notes with incredible accuracy—to the second. Meanwhile, DVF makes being tied to the phone 24/7 a bit less painful with phone covers in cheerful, iconic prints. And Jack Spade offers a stylish way to blow off steam when running late due to impolite parkers.

2GB Echo Smartpen, $99.95; Best Buy, Apple and Brookstone stores

DVF iPhone and BlackBerry Holder in Swirl Small, $65; www.dvf.com

Cards, $20; www.jackspade.com
(August 2011)
Shopping Even All Men Could Love
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Friday, August 26th, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! It’s Friday, and Irene is threatening us this weekend; I say have a little extra fun today.
Here’s a little head start … Cisco presents “The Future of Shopping.”
Don’t know about you, but I sure won’t miss static-filled hair and deodorant marks.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar
Posted by Natalie Kaar / Friday, August 26th, 2011
Hello there, shoppers! Here’s another fall fashion event to add to your calendars: Latin Fashion Week in the District, slated for Sept. 29-Oct. 1, a celebration of diversity in fashion.
The three-day event at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center will feature a gala (Sept. 30), cocktail receptions and runway shows showcasing the designs of emerging and veteran couture designers from the U.S. and abroad: Andres Aquino, Ilka Harrigan, Nena Gosling, Stella Bonds, Victor Sabido and Maurizio Alberino.
Tickets for the runway shows range from $35-$60, with special packages available. The gala is $250 to attend.
For updates, check out the event’s Facebook page, which mentions that who else but the Salahis will be there.
Happy shopping!
–Natalie Kaar