Pear Tree Cottage Celebrates Three Years

Posted by alexandra / Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Have a passion for antiques? Looking for that perfect vintage piece to complement your living room decor? Pear Tree Cottage’s lovely collection of one-of-a-kind furniture and home accents has just what you’re searching for. And even better, the store is having its Third Year Anniversary Sale this weekend!

www.thepeartreecottage.com

Come check out the variety of antique to modern chic collections the boutique has to offer and receive between 20 and 30 percent off all merchandise. The celebratory sale starts this Friday, June 10 and runs through Sunday, June 12. And with a rainy weekend forecast and temps in the high 80s, it’s the perfect way to stay out of the heat and rain (not to mention the perfect excuse to get some beautiful new gardening items on sale!).

If you happen to miss out on this weekend’s deals, you’re in luck! Certain items will continue to be sold at up to 75 percent off until they’re sold!

This weekend’s special sale hours…
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Happy Shopping!
–Alexandra Scarfone

P.S. Need a new centerpiece to go on that hand-crafted table you just bought? Or just in the mood for a new summer skirt? Check out Anthropologie; all sale items online and in stores are 25 percent off!

Pear Tree Cottage Celebrates Turning Two

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

(Pear Tree Cottage)

Good morning, shoppers! How’s it going with all of that bargain buying? Ready for more sweet sale action? All you have to do is cool your heels until tomorrow, July 21, to save 20 to 50 percent at Vienna’s charming Pear Tree Cottage! The sensational savings are planned as part of the store’s Second Anniversary Celebration, which will last through Sunday, July 25!

Whether you’ve been a devoted fan of the boutique since it first opened or have been dying to check it out, you won’t want to miss this sale! In preparation for it, new merchandise has been arriving weekly. Looking for fine European antiques? You’ll find them. In search of some new chic furniture or accessories? You’ll find them. On the hunt for some great gardening items or can’t-find-elsewhere gifts? Well, you know the drill.

Just take note of the special sale hours:

Wednesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: noon to 4 p.m.

Happy shopping!

–Natalie Kaar

Ps. Don’t forget, there’s still time to score half off at Crystal City’s famed Kora, thanks to Specialicious!

Next Week’s Bake (and Shop) for Hope

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Hello there, shoppers! Well, we’re almost there, the weekend, and not just any weekend but a weekend with 80-degree weather! Hallelujah!

While I’m sure your heads are spinning with all of your plans for your fabulous days of freedom, there’s actually a reason to look forward to Monday as well (in addition to Gossip Girl).

Bake for Hope, a grass-roots national event consisting of volunteer-run bake sales that support Susan G. Komen for the Cure local affiliates, is hosting a bake sale on Monday, May 3, at Sport & Health on Greensboro Drive in Tysons. The hours: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and  5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Yes, this is especially awesome news for those of us who work right down the street. See you there. One of my dearest friends is going through chemo for breast cancer right now; I can’t wait to bring her some treats. If she reads this, I hope she clears some counter space!

Thanks to Vienna Bake for Hope organizer Faith Boettger, there will be a second bake sale in Vienna next Friday, May 7, too. The second sale will take place at Pear Tree Cottage, on Maple Ave. in downtown Vienna, from noon to 5 p.m. Pear Tree Cottage will also donate a portion of the day’s sales.

Local businesses may still join in and donate a percentage of proceeds for the day or the week, or donate products to the Vienna bake sale. If interested in getting involved, contact Faith Boettger at fablondon@gmail.com or 703-281-0349.

Of course, don’t forget about tomorrow evening’s fashion show at Caribbean Breeze, also benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. By the way, if you don’t follow Northern Virginia Magazine on Twitter, you may not have seen that you can win a pair of tickets to that event. All you have to do is be the first person to request them today! So, Tweet fast!

–Natalie Kaar

Plenty of Reasons to Update Your Abode

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

The cheery Windsor Chair (Red Barn Mercantile)

Good morning, shoppers! Since all of us have been spending a little more time in the home over the past few weeks than we typically do, I’m betting that more than just a few of us have also been eying up the old abode a little more carefully.

I, for one, know that there’s nothing like sun reflecting off white, white snow to make you realize that there are a few spots on the walls that could use another coat of paint. And, suddenly that list of home-related needs and wants — a clock for the master bath, new lamp shades and a bookcase for the living room, picture frames for the hall, a chandelier and perfectly proportioned hutch for the dining room, etc. — is growing exponentially.

Sound familiar? Well, if you’ve been waiting to fulfill a few wishes for your home until there is a fantastic sale or two, the time to shop is now. Sales on furniture and decorative accents abound.

A few standouts:

Red Barn Mercantile’s Semi-Annual Upholstery Sale — All special-order upholstered furniture at the Alexandria store is 25 percent off throughout the month of February. A few stock furniture pieces are also discounted. If you refuse to go cookie cutter, this is your cue. FYI: The shop should also please you if you have a penchant for pillows.

Pear Tree Cottage’s Annual Spring Sale — The Vienna boutique is offering 20- to 45-percent discounts store-wide, tomorrow, Feb. 17, through Feb. 21, in order to make room for new merchandise. All lighting, furniture, home accents and gifts will be reduced 20 to 30 percent, while fall and winter items will be discounted 30 to 45 percent. Pear Tree Cottage is also extending its hours for the sale. While the store is closed on Monday and Tuesday, it is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Everyday Savings at Green Front Furniture — Per usual, deep discounts on luxury furniture are aplenty at the Manassas store. Some of the store’s biggest current promotions include 45-percent savings on all Henkel Harris items and hundreds of Barcalounger recliners at prices reduced to under dealer cost. Green Front is also a great place to shop for oriental rugs; they get new shipments weekly. My hubby and I scored a fantastic deal on a Hancock & Moore leather couch and chair there, so I can speak for the store’s customer service, too, which we found to be excellent. Even the delivery was super smooth.

Adding even more lovely bargains to the array are the big guys like Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.

Happy shopping!

Hometown Holiday Shopping at Its Best

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Let's Play Mail Toy, $63 (Red Barn Mercantile of the Old Town Boutique District)

Good morning, shoppers! I hope you’re doing well on this Hump Day. After all, there are some fantastic shopping events over the next two days that you’re simply not going to want to miss, especially those of you who loathe the mall.

The event I refer to taking place today is actually one for the fellas. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Today’s Cargo, in Alexandria, men are invited to shop for jewelry with their buds while enjoying lots of tasty snacks — away from their favorite nutrition nags.

And, as for tomorrow evening, Dec. 17, the Old Town Boutique District is pulling out all of the stops, once again, to make everyone’s holiday shopping nothing short of magical. All 26 member shops will stay open until 8 p.m. and offer free gift wrap plus, most importantly, the festive, warm, laid-back atmosphere that too often seems like something out of the past elsewhere.

While strolling around town, make sure to visit sample sale star Treat, for the store’s Annual Holiday Happy Hour event, happening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring 30-percent savings store-wide, bubbly and sweets (of the food kind).

But all of the hometown holiday shopping action isn’t going take place in Alexandria, alone. Vienna isn’t about to let that happen, especially Pear Tree Cottage. Not only is the lovely store brimming with unique holiday gifts but tomorrow all holiday gifts there are to be discounted 25 percent. And then next week those savings are to get even bigger. The store is promising a 35-percent discount beginning next Wednesday, Dec. 23, and a 65-percent discount as of Saturday, Jan. 2.

Other local shopping news you should know:

Crookedmonkey.com is offering 15 percent off site-wide (no code necessary), plus free USPS� shipping with the promo code “HOLIDAY10″ — and is currently working on a Jersey Shore line of tees!

And, finally, Mervis Diamond Importers is offering one of their most exciting contests yet on Facebook. Become their fan to find the scoop on the contest and try your hand at winning. I’ve personally entered about four times already. The jewelry store is also hosting their 10th Annual Holiday Trunk Show this weekend, featuring 25-percent savings.

Happy shopping!

Interior Designer Secrets Spilled — Plus a Special Secret Sale

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Ombre Plaid Shirt, was $110, now $27.50 (candccalifornia.com)

Good morning, shoppers! Great news for those of you wishing to add a little pizazz to your place! Vienna’s Pear Tree Cottage has released their September schedule of free design seminars, and I think you’ll find the presenter list impressive and topics to be covered intriguing.

Sun., Sept. 6: “How to Arrange Your Accessories” presented by Lauren Liess, interior designer, owner of  Pure Style and author of the award-winning blog “Pure Style Home”

Sun., Sept. 13: “Defining the Look of Luxury” presented by Antonia Prencipe Korby, principal and interior designer, Antonia Korby Design

Sun., Sept. 20:  “From Photo to Finish” presented by Kimberly Stein, owner and re-designer,  Refined ReDesign

Sun., Sept. 27: “First Impressions: the Foyer” presented by Rebecca Ilgenfritz, owner and interior designer, RLI Interiors

Each seminar, brimming with a top designer’s secrets, begins at 4 p.m. Reservations are required. To make reservations, e-mail Frances Brayshaw at RSVP@ThePearTreeCottage.com or call 703-938-1331.

Psst … Sticking with the “secret” theme, make sure to check out the private sale at C&C California today (thanks, simplysamplesales.com)!

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.