{Giveaway} Goodies from Swagger Gifts!

By lisa | August 29, 2010

I’m so excited to announce that we have hit 300 fans/”likes”/(whatever you want to call yourselves!) on facebook this weekend!

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!

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{You’re Invited} Celebrate with Joint Venture Jewelry!

By lisa | August 29, 2010

Established in August 1998, Joint Venture Jewelry is celebrating its 12th year in business with a special 12 percent off anniversary sale that runs until the end of the month – so you have a few days left to celebrate and shop!

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.

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{Worth the Drive} Heather Garrett Celebration Sale in Downtown Durham

By lisa | August 20, 2010

I was walking down Main Street in Downtown Durham a while back (heading to Beyu Caffe for a great to go cup of Alpine Berry Tea before a meeting) and saw the following in the window of Heather Garrett’s interior design studio and retail store. (Which, by the way, the store and its offerings are total retail eye candy.)

durham - heather garrett home

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

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{You’re Invited} Eat, Pray, Love Private Screening to Benefit Dress for Success Triangle NC

By lisa | August 12, 2010

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!

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More Weekend Updates: Sunday – August 8th, 2010

By lisa | August 8, 2010

Ok, there’s just too much goodness out there this weekend to not warrant TWO weekend updates… so here goes!

(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!

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Weekend Shopping Update: August 7th-8th, 2010

By lisa | August 7, 2010

Unless you’ve been in hiding, you’re well aware that it’s tax-free weekend. Even retailers who don’t “technically” quality for the tax-free promotion are offering up discounts to attract shoppers, so let’s take a look at what’s happening besides tax-free this weekend – cool?

Adore Designer Resale {Cary} has summer dresses marked way down! Extra 20% off capris and shorts… pair that with no tax and you’ve got yourself a very nice deal!

Party with Rowdy (the dog) for his birthday at Furbish Studio {Raleigh}! Details online: http://www.isuwannee.com/2010/08/things-to-anticipate.html.

Summer Sale at GiGi’s Boutique {Raleigh and Cary | online} has started!

Varsity Menswear Custom Clothing Sale {North Hills}
Get up to 20% off select suits from Hickey Freeman, Samuelsohn, Southwick, H. Freeman & Sons. Plus, orders of 6 or more custom shirts, available in 300 fabrics at Varsity Men’s Wear at North Hills during their Custom Clothing Sale. Call 919-782-2570 for details.

Holly Aiken Bags – STITCH {Downtown Raleigh | online}
50% off CAHOOTS (limited edition screenprint collaborations) Bags through August 14th – in store or order by phone!

A few updates from Possibilities Boutique {Cary & North Hills}:

*Final summer markdown – now 50% off selected items.
*No tax on any clothing or shoes $100.00 or less.
*Flax samples are back in Cary for the final weekend to order Flax. This Fall Flax has been the best Flax for Fall ever…from linen to travelers, corduroy to ombres… there’s something for everyone! All prepaid orders 10% off, plus tax free.
*Anything over 100 is 10% off since it can’t be tax free.
*New Shipments from Vintage Cynthia Ashby, Flax, Bryn Walker, and Winter Sun

Closet Sale Update… up to 2700 pieces have been submitted! Those of you who are still working on your closets… the last day Possibilities accepting closet sale items is August 28. If you need a form, pick one up at either store or email Possibilitiesboutique@gmail.com!

Denim & Lace {Cary | online} just sent out a 20% off coupon to their email list… are you on it??

I’ll be doing my bridesmaid duties at Gorgeous Gowns and Dresses {Cary} with my best girlfriends from high school today… what are you up to?

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{You’re Invited} Lots of Happenings in Raleigh Today!

By lisa | July 31, 2010

Free fresh herbs at Beleza today – while they last! Stop by the fair trade boutique in Cameron Village Shopping Center early!

For more info, visit the store’s blog online at: http://blog.shopbeleza.com/2010/07/free-fresh-herbs-from-our-garden.html

-and-

Shop the sidewalk and tag sale at the Shops at Seaboard Station! Lots of great choices there including Logan’s “One-Stop Garden Shop”, Galatea Boutique, Seaboard Ace Hardware (who has a great home and kitchen section, by the way!), and more… like Seaboard Wine and Tasting Bar :-)

sidewalk and tag sale at seaboard stationsidewalk and tag sale at seaboard station

-and-

Once you make it from Cameron Village, to the Shops at Seaboard Station, mosey on over to Fayetteville Street to check out Raleigh Wide Open 5! I’ll be there at the Parade with the team from Shop Local Raleigh!

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{Worth the Drive} Stop What You’re Doing and Head to Durham for the School House Sale!

By lisa | July 30, 2010

How’s that for most dramatic post titled ever? I’m dead serious, though! No matter if you’re a Wolfpack faithful (Let’s Go Pack!), Tar Heel, Blue Devil, Demon Deacon, Mountaineer, or Pirate (“Aaaaargh!” to my ECU girls!), School House has something for you.

50% off, $2.00 samples, beer, and an awesome back story? Rock on!

Here’s that awesome back story on the School House brand, by the way:

In 2007, Rachel Weeks traveled to Sri Lanka as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar on a mission to bring better collegiate apparel to her alma mater (Duke University). Not just better designs, better fit, and better quality, but with a better story.

So she teamed up with Colleen McCann, fashion designer extraordinaire, and ALARM, a Sri Lankan coalition of labor rights organizations and trade unions, to launch a brand that brings ethical fashion to universities everywhere.

First and foremost, School House is about people – paying premium prices to their suppliers to ensure that living wages are being paid in the manufacturing facilities producing the School House. Why? Because School House believes that a free but fair fashion market is possible, and that when it teams up with quality design, it’s unstoppable.

{Adapted from ShopSchoolHouse.com}

I had the wonderful opportunity to get an inside look at School House and meet Rachel a few weeks ago and I am so excited to share this great brand with everyone. If you’ve ever searched for nice collegiate gear that is not made in a sweat shop, you know that brands offering this are few and far between. How awesome is to have one in our own backyard that we can support locally while rooting on our teams this fall?!

Big “Thanks!” due to Taylor (pictured center below) for introducing me (right) and Caitlin (left) to the School House brand!

PS – Want the Wolfpack shirt I’m sportin’ above? Buy it online here!

Naturally, you can find School House on facebook, too – be sure to “like” their page to stay up to date on their successes!

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{New Boutique on the Block} More Updates on Madison in Cameron Village

By lisa | July 30, 2010

Earlier this month we briefly mentioned that a new boutique (by the name of “Madison”) is coming soon to Cameron Village – and as of this morning, it looks like they are very close to opening their doors!

I joined the Shop Local Raleigh gang for a breakfast meeting at Village Deli this morning and on my way out, noticed that the brown paper window coverings had been taken down and replaced by apparel and mannequins just across the street, where Madison will be making its home in Cameron Village!

A quick Google of “Madison boutique Raleigh” netted some new finds in the online world for the new boutique:

There is now an official facebook page (which includes a picture that seems to be a 15% off coupon!) at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raleigh-NC/MADISON/111494765555670.

-and-

One teeny 140-character update at http://twitter.com/MADISONgirl that notes: “MADISON will open on August 2nd!!! Only a few more days! Help us celebrate by saving 15% on your entire purchase!!! See you there!”

-and-

An official listing on the Cameron Village website!

-and last-

A very simple website at http://www.madisonraleigh.com/ (that only has links to the two above referenced facebook and twitter pages).

Will you be checking out Madison’s “fashion and value in perfect harmony” on August 2nd? (That’s Monday!)

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Bloggin’: Thursday, July 29th, 2010

By lisa | July 29, 2010

A lot of local shoppers have certainly heard of the popular trend of blogging as a form of communication, but it still has a relatively small adoption rate, when compared to other tools like email and facebook. So I thought I’d share some cool blog finds from around the local area… all retail-inspired, of course, to get everyone on their way to loving blogging as much as we do here at I <3 Retail!

via Fashion Safari – the Denim & Lace {Cary | online} blog:

a fall sneak peek at everyone’s favorites… BOOTS!

via Midtown Lowdown – the official blog of North Hills {Raleigh}:

Don’t miss 75% off shoes at Fleur through Saturday!

Hello, gorgeous!

via Shiny Little Things – the official blog of Ornamentea {Downtown Raleigh | online}:

You thought Try It Tuesday was cool? Check out “Technique Thursday” from 6:30pm-8:30pm, where you can make these CUTE earrings for only $2.00. New earrings – AND – a new skill to take home with you? Yes, please!

PS – Cynthia at Ornamentea… please stop inventing so many rockin’ reasons to visit Ornamentea every single day! ;-) Is there rehab for jewelry making? Because we may need to self-commit!

Which local blogs do YOU love? Share on in the comments, readers!

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