Posts Tagged ‘S.W.A.G’
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Monday, April 9th, 2012
Seth Freeman
by Lexie Ramage
In 2003, Alexandrian Meg Carter started out desi ning jewelry for herself. Now Lilly Pulitzer, Barbara Bush and Kathie Lee Gifford, among others, own some of Carter’s pieces. Carter has come a long way in a short time from selling her pieces to a li ttle shop in Kennebunkport, Maine, to resorts in the Caribbean and practically everywhere in between. Carter has even been featured in museums such as the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian’s Gem and Mineral Collections.
Carter specializes in shells, organic shapes, bright colors, long chains, pearls, semi-precious stones, cloisonné aquatic animals, charm bracelets and geodes. “I don’t really speak to trends as much as just work with the material,” says Carter. Her jewelry is what she calls “effortless elegance.” Women can just throw them on, and the pieces make the outfit more interesting. Most of Carter’s pieces are very versatile and can be dressed up or down. “I have a rule that I won’t do anything that I wouldn’t wear myself,” says Carter.
Carter has two collections—“Meg Carter Designs, inspired by the sea” and “Town by Meg Carter Designs”—and is coming out with a third line around ski resorts. Her designs are featured locally in various NoVA stores and at megcarterdesigns.com.
Packing School Lunches the Right Way
Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
Many schools throughout Northern Virginia are taking steps to ensure a healthy and safe eating environment for children with food allergies. Find out what you should be looking for and what to avoid packing.
Plan ahead: Many schools now offer individualized meal plans (also called an Individual Health Care Plan or IHCP). Meet with your school’s nurse prior to your child’s enrollment about what options the school offers for allergic children. ¶ In Stafford County schools, almost every item containing peanuts has been eliminated from their menu, and anything containing peanuts is labeled with an alert. ¶ Look out for schools that offer a peanut-free table in the cafeteria. Many NoVA schools have added these tables for children with life-threatening allergies.
Keep the school informed: Meeting with the principal and school nurse is important, but don’t forget you should also make sure your child’s teacher, cafeteria manager, custodian and bus driver are aware of your child’s needs, as well.
Know your rights: Food allergies are considered a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Make sure your child receives the treatment he or she is entitled to receive.
Be knowledgeable: The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network updates their website with information regarding food recalls. Recently, Chef One, Corp. recalled four cases of boxed “Chef One Pork Egg Rolls” because the product was found to contain undeclared soy, milk and egg.
—Alexandra Scarfone
Posted by Rebekah Lowe / Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
By Clara Ritger
While Staples and Office Depot certainly have everything your child needs for the first day of school, they aren’t the most cost-effective supply stores on the market.
School & Office Annex
A local store, School & Office Annex is oriented toward teacher and student school supply needs, but they also carry toys and office furniture. If you bring in your school’s list of must-have items and purchase everything from this store, you get a 20-percent discount.
12541 Dillingham Square, Woodbridge; 703-590-6070
Cascade School Supplies
Cascade supplies PreK-12 schools throughout the Northeast. It has an online catalog and free shipping for orders over $50. Become a member and sign up for their email specials to get discounts on their items.
www.cascadeschoolsupplies.com
Teacher’s Mart
You can also find them online, but walk into the store and you can find almost any educational tool one could want or need.
5765-M Burke Centre Parkway, Burke; 703-250-6777; www.teachersmartonline.com
Ben Franklin
Ben Franklin carries all sorts of office and school supplies, along with whatever supplies you’ll need for those upcoming class projects.
32 F Catoctin Circle SE, Leesburg; 703-777-4133; www.benfranklinleesburg.com
Dollar Tree & Big Lots
While these stores might seem like an obvious choice, many parents often forget to check their local Dollar Tree or Big Lots for discounted items. Why spend $5 on crayons at Staples when you can spend $1?
(August 2011)
Spring Break Guide: The Snowbird Scene
Posted by Eunice / Thursday, March 10th, 2011
With Spring Break for college students—and worker bees ready for a respite—just around the corner, it may be difficult to determine exactly which items are a perfect fit for your traveling needs. Not to worry, vacationers everywhere can breathe easy knowing that we have your must-pack items for six of the most exciting and popular Spring Break destinations.
Destination: The Snowbird Scene (Vail, Breckenridge)
By Sarah Jones
Savor nothing more than swooshing down some serious slopes when it comes time for Spring Break? If you’ve set those sights on the stellar snow of Colorado, here’s some ultra-cool gear you’ll want to include in your carryon.
skichalet.com
Midland XTC-100VP2 Adventure Action Camera
Capture memories with a camera tailor-made for the action-packed journey you’re about to enjoy. / Ski Chalet, multiple NoVA locations; skichalet.com; $99.99. (Vholdr Contour Camera Goggle Mount $19.99 additional)
www.alpineskishop.com
Ugg Beacon Men’s Boots, in After Dark
Fellas, scrap any worries about the elements and look just as sharp and cool on the streets as you do when racing down the slopes. / Alpine Ski Shop, 21999 Shaw Road, Sterling; 703-444-7844; www.alpineskishop.com; $199.95.
www.skichalet.com
www.skichalet.com
Terramar Thermasilk Glove Liners (White) and Manzella Women’s Maxw-10 Glove liner (Red)
Ladies, keep those hands warm, manicure saved, under your mitts with some basic glove liners. / Ski Chalet, multiple NoVA locations; www.skichalet.com; $13.99, $9.99 respectively)
Spring Break Apparel Guide: Help Haven Haiti
Posted by Eunice / Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
With Spring Break for college students—and worker bees ready for a respite—just around the corner, it may be difficult to determine exactly which items are a perfect fit for your traveling needs. Not to worry, vacationers everywhere can breathe easy knowing that we have your must-pack items for six of the most exciting and popular Spring Break destinations.
Destination: Help Haven (Haiti)
By Amanda H. Millward
For those people who want to spend their spring break responding to the needs of the Haiti earthquake survivors, we have compiled a list of must-haves in order for the sweet souls to be safe and healthy:
www.eddiebauer.com
Cotton Cargo Pants
While helping the misfortunate in Haiti, rescuers must also protect themselves from the environment. Wearing the appropriate clothing, such as cargo pants, will help reduce the risk of contracting a disease. / Eddie Bauer, multiple NoVA locations; www.eddiebauer.com; women’s $49.95 – $54.95; men’s $69 – $79.
www.groominglounge.com
Combat-Ready Balm
This is a great tool in the skin care arsenal. Put the balm on dry patches, bites, scrapes and sunburn, and it will heal the skin. A little goes a long way. / Grooming Lounge, Tysons Galleria, 1732-U International Drive, McLean; www.groominglounge.com; 1.25 oz for $5, 2 oz for $25 or 8oz for $60.
www.redcrossnca.org
First-Aid Kit Station
Since medical supplies are scarce, the CDC recommends that everyone traveling to Haiti should carry a first-aid kit. This one has over 200 items to help you while working to help others. / American Red Cross; 8550 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax; www.redcrossnca.org; 703-584-8721; $51.
Spring Break Guide: The Laidback Caribbean
Posted by Eunice / Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
With Spring Break for college students—and worker bees ready for a respite—just around the corner, it may be difficult to determine exactly which items are a perfect fit for your traveling needs. Not to worry, vacationers everywhere can breathe easy knowing that we have your must-pack items for six of the most exciting and popular Spring Break destinations.
Destination: The Laidback Caribbean (Jamaica, St. Thomas and more)
By Amanda H. Millward
After working hard all winter at your demanding job or frightful school schedule, you deserve some relaxation. While packing all of your necessities for your trip to warm weather and gorgeous beaches, don’t forget the basics to make your fun in the sun memorable:
www.southmoonunder.com
Sofia Fun Stripe Enamel Bikini
Going to the Caribbean isn’t fun unless you have a new and sexy swimsuit to flaunt your figure. This one ensures the gorgeous sea doesn’t steal the show. / South Moon Under, multiple NoVA locations; www.southmoonunder.com; $98.
www.modcloth.com
Star Sapphire Sundress
This versatile dress is lightweight to wear during the blazing hot days of the Caribbean, but just add some silver bracelets and earrings and you have a dress to take you into the evening in enviable style. / www.modcloth.com; $47.99.
bloomingdales.com
MICHAL Michael Kors Sicily Aviator Sunglasses
Speaking of blazing sun, don’t forget to protect your eyes from the heavenly yet harmful UVA and UVB rays. These always-in-style aviators will do just that while keeping you looking classically cool. Plus, they don’t cost a fortune—more money to spend on Caribbean jewels. / Bloomingdale’s, 8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean; bloomingdales.com; $98.