Out of Practice
I feel the need to apologize for the lack of updateage lately. I broke my foot a couple of weeks ago and then had oral surgery this past week, so I haven’t exactly been making my typical shopping rounds.
And let me tell you, I’m ready to get back out there. At first, I thought I was feeling down because of the soreness and lack of mobility. Nope. I think it’s because I haven’t been prancing my kitten heels through malls and outdoor pavilions for the last couple of weeks.
The good news? I’m becoming a pro at online shopping.
I’m typically a very deliberate Web spender. I think about a potential purchase for a few weeks, debate it, look it up on multiple sites, debate it some more, and then *might* purchase it online.
Now I’m rather haphazardly purchasing children’s books on Amazon to give as Easter gifts. This is what multiple painkillers, bed rest, and auto-input of billing and shipping info can do to a girl.
Here’s a recent discovery, that I think might be fun for some parents: I’ve stumbled over Woot.com, a site that offers a one-day special on interesting overstock items. A friend recently scored a high-end dashboard radar detector for under $40.
Woot also has a kids’ site, kids.woot.com, hawking cheap but nice toys and other items. Better yet, wine.woot.com, specializing in sweet wine deals three times a week. (No, they don’t ship to Arkansas per our ab fab laws, but it’s still something to chew on. Or maybe sip on.)
There will probably be more online shopping posts until I can get back to the brick-and-mortar routine, which hopefully will be soon. I follow up with my doctor on Tuesday. With any luck, I’ll be back in the low heels and out of the ortho boot in no time!
Spring into Savings
Just in time to punch up your wardrobe for these warm sunny days, Ann Taylor LOFT is offering 30 percent off your full-price purchases this Saturday, March 13. There’s even an online code for folks who are too busy filling up their days with picnics, soccer games and other fun: 106020132.
For more details or to scope out the best ways to spend the discount, click here.
Cheap and Crafty
One of my little hobbies/obsessions is stamping. If an object is within a foot of me, it’s probably going to get whacked with a little rubber and ink. This has led me several times to Scrapbook Corner, a fun shop with an unbelievable swath of merchandise in Breckenridge Village.
Scrapbook Corner takes care of its customers, too. Every few months they host a “garage sale” in the open retail space next to their shop. Lots of people man their own little booths and sell whatever crafty items they tired of or never ended up using.
I dropped by this sale last fall and found a lot of great brand new stamps, piles of slightly cut designer papers, never-opened packages of scrapbook pages and other crafty sundries.
Scrapbook Corner will hold their next garage sale on the morning of Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be next door to their shop at 10301 N. Rodney Parham, in the side of Breckenridge Village that faces the old Pinky Punky shop and kind of catty corner from the movie theatre.
If you have a ton of gently-used craft items you’d like to unload, consider calling the shop and reserving table space at the garage sale. It’s a $10 fee, and there are a limited number of tables: (501) 716-2767. Shopping, of course, is free beyond the merchandise you pick up.
Black and White (And Other Colors Too)
One of these colors is not like the others.
I’ve always thought White House/Black Market was a great concept. And not just because I usually love the style of their clothes (at least, when they’re not trending on the cougar side).
The marketing theme of a shop that sells nothing but black and white clothing is genius. You always know where to go to find something in those classic hues. Sure, it’s a gimmick. But it’s a fun one. Especially considering that the checkerboard combo transitions so effortlessly between work, casual and dressy/cocktail events.
But I don’t like it when WH/BM starts incorporating other colors in their apparel offerings. Sure, the odd red necklace in the fall or during the holidays is a nice touch that punches things up inside the shop. But if I want a top that’s splatted with tan or aqua or purple, I’ll shop at one of the other umpteen million shops that sell a rainbow of threads.
So I was once again annoyed to get an e-mail this week that had “White House/Black Market” in the “from” field and “PINK FOR SPRING!” in the subject line. No! I will not “think pink” at a store that claims to sell only black and white.
I get it. It’s hard to come up with new advertising and style campaigns when you’re limited to two colors. But hell, Chicos, didn’t you see that obstacle coming when you bought up the boutique brand a few years ago?!
My husband often says I have no gray area; everything is black and white with me. Clearly, this is applies to my favorite retail chains, too
Toggery Grand Opening
Now that they’re comfortable in their new digs at Pleasant Ridge Town Center, The Toggery is planning a grand opening celebration for next weekend, March 4-6.
They’ll be doing a grand prize giveaway of a $500 gift card, which should be enough of an incentive for most people to stop by. But you should check out the new shop for yourself because it’s just sheer fun. The kids will love crawling through the reading and play area up front, and you’ll enjoy thumbing through racks of adorable merchandise.
The first 50 shoppers at the grand opening fesitivies who spend $100 each will receive a chock-full gift basket, according to the store. On Saturday, March 6 they’ll offer kids activities between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Customers can expect face painting, balloons, crafts and more.
Sales and promotions will also be valid at the Heights location at University and R Streets, but all giveaways, activities and rewards will be at the new store next to Belk.
Dillard’s Deep Discounts
Time to clean up on fall and winter apparel. Today Dillard’s started offering 40 percent off all their permanently reduced merchandise in store. Looked to be a lot of good deals, especially in handbags and shoes.
Also, for anyone at the end of a favorite bottle of foundation, the representative at the Clinique counter said their next bonus starts this coming Tuesday, March 2 and will be offered for two weeks.
I haven’t seen the display set yet, but it sounds like there will be a focus on skin care with a lotion and bronzing powder, as well as the typical lipstick and mascara essentials. Go stock up!
Downtown Lowdown
If you’re downtown this weekend, you’ll be just steps away from some prime deals. There is, of course, the Junior League’s Bargain Boutique at their building on Scott Street (details here). But there’s also an interesting furniture sale in the works to benefit Episcopal Collegiate’s senior class.
This event will feature several pieces of furniture that have been used in the Capital Hotel, according to a flier I received. I’m kind of fancying this red chair to the right. There are several more fantastic pieces up for grabs that will complement a lot of decor styles. You can check them all out by clicking here.
The furniture sale will be held on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Stephens Inc. Parking Deck (floors 5 and 6) at 100 Louisiana Street. Be sure you bring cash or a check for this one, though.
While you’re downtown, you might as well make a quick hop over the river and drop in on Roy Dudley’s latest antiques sale, which will feature items from artist Kevin Kresse’s personal collection, including paintings and photographs. The e-mail from Dudley Estate Sales also promises plenty of pottery, china, kitchen items, toys and vintage clothing.
The sale will be at the old Rye Furniture building at the corner of Broadway and Maple in North Little Rock. It runs on Friday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fuzzy Math
What I do know is that this means their luxurious brands and labels are super discounted. Which makes them affordable. So really, why bother with the math?
Inviting Co. Update
Just wanted to make everyone aware that Inviting Co. has sent out an update about their warehouse sale in Prothro Junction this weekend. Instead of doing the half-priced event on Saturday, it will be on Sunday, Feb. 21, this time from 1-4 p.m. So, if you were heading out that way this weekend, plan accordingly.
More information on the sale can be found by clicking here.
Toggery Treasure Trove
If you haven’t hit up the newish Toggery location at Pleasant Ridge Town Center, you’ll be impressed. The shop moved to the bend of the complex near Belk a couple of months ago, and their set-up is really neat. From customized dressing rooms — one decorated like a construction zone, another with a tea party theme — to an expansive spread of uniform threads and a cozy library corner, a lot of thought went into the layout.
I dragged my husband in to look for Valentine’s gifts for our niece and nephew a couple of weeks ago, and even he seemed to find enjoyment in all the fun toys and books. (I, of course, love sorting through the adorable little outfits and shoes!) We walked out with a sweet board book about bunnies for the 2-year-old and a puppy-shapped WubbaNub for the infant.
Yes, some of the items at The Toggery are a little pricey. But their sale selection is overflowing right now, and they have some unique trinkets you won’t find elsewhere.
My favorite? The bottle-cap magnets that would help your favorite newly-minted locker-user show his or her school spirit. They’re $8 a piece, but right now, private schools are all they have to pick from. They’d do well to add some public and charter schools, too! But regardless, how cute are these?
Hilary DeMillo scouts the shopping scene in central Arkansas to save you time and cash. She hits trendy boutiques, big box retailers and every storefront in between.