To celebrate, we’re having a little giveaway from Cary’s Swagger Gifts. Why? Well to celebrate, that’s why! (And it’s also because Mandy Becker, owner of Swagger Gifts — and recent Gifts and Decorative Accessories Retailer Excellence Award Winner — is half of the genius behind I heart Retail… but more on the “history” of this retail love project in a later post!)

The Giveaway:
I asked my homegirl (and I <3 Retail correspondent) Renee to pick out this giveaway – here’s the skinny on what she picked!

I stopped by Swagger for my first stop for their Eclipse Party (who can resist a good cause) and kept asking myself this question, “What took me so long?”! Everything there I wanted, especially these vintage coaster set and magnets with the sassy and witty sayings! I might buy these first and redecorate my new living room set to match. Seems appropriate. Mandy from Swagger Gifts blogged about these goodies here: http://blog.swaggergifts.com/2010/06/anne-taintor-weekly-blog-giveaway.html. I <3 Retail is giving this away. It couldn’t any easier.

We’re also throwing in a $10.00 gift certificate to Swagger Gifts so you can pick out something that YOU love, too!

So how do you in on this giveaway? Choose your favorite way:
1 – Leave us a comment on facebook giving a shoutout to YOUR favorite local retailer(s)!
2 – Leave us a comment on this blog post giving a shoutout to YOUR favorite local retailer(s)!
-or-
3 – If you prefer a wee bit of anonymity, you can email me at Lisa@iheartretail.com with a recommendation of YOUR favorite local retailer(s)!

Easy enough right? Entries can be sent starting now until Friday, September 3rd, at 11:59pm — we’ll announce the winner next weekend!

PS – Remember it’s great retail karma to let your friends know about this giveaway!

Joint Venture will take 12 percent off everything store-wide including merchandise, restorations, special orders, and repairs. For the first time ever there are no restrictions on this special discount offer!

Throughout Joint Venture’s 12 years, it has remodeled several times. Originally located in Harrison Square, Joint Venture moved to The Arboretum seven years ago becoming the shopping center’s first tennant. This May, Joint Venture updated their look once again with a face-lift, creating more showcase space and enhancing privacy and open space.

Joint Venture Jewelry currently serves thousands of consigning clients and has over 2,000 active customers.
For more information or questions, contact Donna Hankin at donna@jointventurejewelry.com or call 919-678-0092. You can visit the store at 2042 Renaissance Park Place and “like” the retailer on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joint-Venture-Jewelry/268878722577.

Congrats to Heather on the mention in Elle Decor magazine as a “What’s Hot… Shops” choice and if you’re near Durham, be sure to use this weekend’s sale event as a great excuse to stop in and check out Heather’s shop and services!

{Image via HeatherGarrettDesign.com}

Fab Links:
Heather Garrett Home Featured in Elle Decor – http://www.heathergarrettdesign.com/news/2010/07/heather-garrett-home-fearured-in-elle-decor
Celebration Sale this Weekend – http://www.heathergarrettdesign.com/news/2010/08/celebration-sale-this-weekend
Heather Garrett on twitter – http://twitter.com/H_Garrett

Calling all fans of Eat, Pray, Love (and/or Julia Roberts)!
Looking for an invite to a private day-of-release screening (that also benefits a great cause)?
Well consider yourself formally invited!

Join our friends from Dress for Success Triangle NC for a private screening of Eat Pray Love on opening day, then check out Coquette in North Hills to discuss the movie and enjoy delicious appetizers and yummy cocktails from the true “cash” bar (no credit or debit cards will be taken). A portion of the proceeds from the bar will go to benefit the nonprofit organization, Dress for Success Triangle NC.

Here are the specific details:
Date & Time: August 13, 2010 5:00 PM
Location: North Hills Regal Cinema – 150 Main at North Hills Street – Raleigh, NC 27609
Cost: $25.00 – BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE!
Contact: 919-286-2128 | missy@dfstriangle.org

The mission of Dress for Success Triangle NC is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. All proceeds from this event will go to support the non-profit organization.

NOTE: No one under 18 years old will be admitted.

Questions? contact Missy@DFSTriangle.org or call 919-286-2128.

Other important links: RSVP to this event on facebook and “like” Dress for Success Triangle NC while you’re there!

(PS – All of these updates came from facebook! Be sure to become a fan of these great local retailers and I <3 Retail, while you’re at it!)

Wag Pet Boutique {Raleigh}
Big sale! 50-60% off all non-edibles items!
PS – You bite it, you buy it! Ok, pets?

Galatea Boutique {Downtown Raleigh}
Just in time for tax free weekend… brand new Isda and Color Me Cotton!

Joint Venture Jewelry {Cary}
Visit Bid On Raleigh to bid on some of the pieces from Joint Venture Jewelry (and several other local jewelers)! This is your chance to get some great pieces at way under selling price: http://xral.neofillbids.com/browse.php?id=65503.
Editor’s Note: Soo…. I want everything on that auction! Hmm… how to achieve this?

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry {Raleigh}
Quick, someone alert the boyfriends and husbands of the Raleigh area to this awesome piece of news: the Bailey’s Annual Diamond Event has started and runs through August 28th, at all three Bailey’s Fine Jewelry locations (Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Greenville)! Check it out and relish the opportunity to save up to 50 percent on designer diamonds!