Tag: shopping

  • Independent Retailers Week

    As always, keep it local… there are SO many great choices… there is really no reason not to!

    If you need suggestions on where to keep it local – for anything – my good friend Mandy @ Swagger (fellow independent retailer, wooh!) is divulging all of her staffs’ favorites this week on her blog in celebration of National Independent Retailers Week – which started this past Sunday and runs through Saturday!

    Check Swagger’s blog out here and add it to your daily reads for not only the local recommendations, but also the special sales that are only for Swagger’s blog readers (which… get excited… is moving to Blogger SO SOON!).

    PS – You’ll even catch me blogging there from time to time, too. So if you enjoy reading my blog now, just imagine it with a monogrammed-spin on it.

  • Avoid CBW Like the Plague…

    I’ve never experienced such poor retail management and customer service as I have with Carolina Bridal World in Smithfield (Wal-Mart included… and I hate that place)!

    I wish I had read some of the reviews on local websites (CitySearch, etc.) since the issues my BFF bride-to-be is having now with CBW seems to be their M.O.

    Once we have the bridesmaid dresses in hand and they’re not conveniently “lost” or “damaged”, I’ll divulge the full dirt… but I just wanted to warn as many locals as I can ahead of time. Don’t make the drive to Smithfield just for this place!

    (I should have known we were at the wrong type of store when I saw a girl trying on a prom dress that looked like it’d be the dress of choice for any contestant in the Miss Ghetto pageant.)

  • Soon-to-Be Tailgating Favorites!

    Mandy from Swagger is at market this week… and the good stuff is already coming back to town via her market update blog posts!

    I have a feeling these southern collegiate essentials she blogged about yesterday are going to be totally necessary come football season:

    Market Watch July 08 – Day 3
    Today we found some really great collegiate gifts! One of my favorites was this grill cover! I would have been in the photo but I the sample was a UGA grill cover and I went to Georgia Tech so there was NOOOO way that was going to happen! I forced my mom to be in it but I think she dislikes them as much as I do!:)

    One of my other favorite gifts was a really cool coozie that was magnetic so you could stick it to the side of your car when you are tailgating – now that is a great idea! The salesman said you can even stick it to the side of your lawn mower – now you might be a redneck if…..:) I will let you guys know when we actually get this stuff in the store!

    Mandy

    I am really excited about the koozies that you can have your car hold for you… you know, for when you don’t have a free hand thanks to the plate of bbq in one, and your fork in the other! It’s freakin’ genius I tell ya.

    I double love the redneck inspiration to have your lawnmower hold your beer while you cut the grass. (Chad from A-1 Lawn will be getting one for Christmas this year no doubt!)

  • New Retailer in Downtown Raleigh

    From my retail therapy blog, just a bit about a new retailer downtown that will be changing up the merchandise regularly – constantly offering up new merchandise to Downtown shoppers!

    Purple Armchair in Downtown RaleighAnyone had the pleasure of shopping here yet?

  • Sleep-In for the Cure and Get Your Beauty Sleep, Too!

    A freebie for Lisa S. – because I really love Fred’s Beds’ commitment to Komen for the Cure.

    Fred’s Beds Continues Partnership with NC Komen for the Cure as First Corporate Sponsor for Sleep-In for the Cure

    Raleigh, NC – In 2007, Fred’s Beds celebrated the grand opening of their 11th store during the months of October and November with a special shopping campaign that benefited the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In continuing that partnership, Fred’s Beds Vice President, Lisa Stansbury, has announced that Fred’s Beds has joined the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® series. Fred’s Beds is the first-ever, and sole sponsor of Sleep-In for the Cure® for the Komen NC Triangle Affiliate.

    For race-day participants who aren’t spending the morning catching up on their beauty sleep, the Raleigh-based specialty sleep store, with locations across the state from Kannapolis to Wilmington, will be on-site at the race with a special display of their most popular futons and coordinating covers with a special emphasis on the color pink. Giveaways and special contests are just part of the line-up during the special event. The family-owned business is also looking forward to being able to connect with this very important part of their community in such a personal setting. “This is such a unique way for us to connect with our customers”, says Lisa Stansbury. “It is one thing to raise awareness about breast cancer and the dedication to finding a cure in our stores”, she says, “but this is an opportunity for us to stand along side so many other individuals, groups, and businesses who share the same vision of a world without breast cancer.”

    Savvy-shoppers may have noticed that pink striped futon covers aren’t the only tool used by Fred’s Beds to highlight their dedication to the search for a cure for breast cancer: the newest locations in Wilmington and Garner, NC both sport pink parking lot lines. These bright parking lots not only create a positive vibe when shopping for specialty sleep products, but also remind consumers who notice the bright color, of the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer.

    “We have been really inspired and humbled by the support that we’ve received from our customers and our peers in this industry”, Stansbury says, “and we were thrilled to have another opportunity to work with the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in a new capacity. From a marketing-perspective, you could not ask for a better fit for Sleep-In for the Cure than Fred’s Beds and the importance of sleep for your health. From a family perspective, I could not ask for a better way to honor my Grandmother and other close friends.”

    Sleep-In for the Cure® gives interested participants a unique opportunity to support the race while not actually being in attendance. “As a working-woman, with a busy schedule like so many other people, I encourage those who want to support the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, but who may not have the time or the availability on June 14th, to consider Sleep-In for the Cure® as an alternative”, says Stansbury. Interested participants can register to Sleep-In for the Cure® and not only receive an event t-shirt and support the cause, but also get their beauty sleep.

    For more information about Fred’s Beds, contact Vice President, Lisa Stansbury at LisaStansburyFB@BellSouth.net or visit their website at http://www.fredsbedsonline.com/.

    For more information on the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure, call 919-493-CURE (2873) or visit their website at www.komennctriangle.org/.

    About Fred’s Beds
    Fred’s Beds is a specialty sleep store founded in 1985 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds by owner Frank Stansbury. Since then, the company has grown to become a local, award-winning favorite of customers in search of a knowledgeable bedding retailer with a commitment to unparalleled customer service. Fred’s Beds boasts 16 reader-selected awards from such publications Metro, Encore, Wilmington Star, Independent Weekly, and others. With 9 locations throughout North Carolina (including Raleigh, Wilmington, and Greenville), there is almost always a Fred’s Beds close by where buyers can trust that “nobody knows beds like Fred”! For locations, hours and additional information, please visit Fred’s Beds online at http://www.fredsbedsonline.com/.

    About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
    Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-800 I’M AWARE.

    And once again (like in my other blog), in the interest of full-disclosure: I wrote and distributed this press release for Fred’s – but it’s totally blog worthy!

  • Denim and Wine – Two of My FAVORITE Things!

    In my fashion and trend blog, I did a post just the other day on some of the fabulous local publications (print and online) by S&A Cherokee and noted Triangle East Magazine as one of my favorites.

    Today’s eNewsletter that arrived in my email inbox about what readers can find in the June/July issue highlights two awesome local finds that I cannot wait to read more about (I’m watching my mailbox daily!!) and then actually take in for myself:

    “…run by Uniquities in Cameron Village or North Hills and buy a pair of high fashion jeans, designed by Johnston County’s own Amy Stephenson. Her jeans are named after N.C. places, and they are super cute.

    …forget it all and head out to the Hinnant Family Vineyards and Winery, located in Pine Level, right outside of Selma, for a glass of wine. The Hinnant family has the largest muscadine vineyard in the state and has a fabulous tasting room, where you can try each of their 13 award-winning wines for $4, and you get to keep the cup! Cheers!“

    I smell a girls’ shopping excursion followed by a winery visit! I know quite a few girls that I won’t have to ask twice… (and I’m also putting good money down that Adrianne will be the first to actually comment on this blog entry to confirm her spot!)

    Back to Triangle East, if you aren’t a regular subscriber, what’s holding you back?

    PS – Buying extra subscriptions (a stocking stuffer for my mom and dad this past Christmas – I mean OBVIOUSLY we’re Triangle East kind of people) make a CUTE gift for your favorite Triangle East residents and are only $12!

  • If You Don’t Have a Little Betty Crocker in You…

    I have the most random “Betty Crocker” moments (as Adrianne lovingly refers to them) and they usually happen after 10pm. Go figure!

    For those of you who don’t, or who may too busy to channel your inner Betty, I’d like to introduce you to A Sweet Reminder. They deliver fresh baked cookies (which Adrianne – a former cookie industry professional – gave rave reviews to) around the local area with a super personal and friendly touch. Bonus points go to them for having a specific line of cookies where HALF of the profits from that product go to the Susan G. Komen fight against breast cancer.

    As a subscriber to their email list, I thought I’d share a list from Chip (their mascot!) of why mom deserves “A Sweet Reminder”:

    Here are the ten reasons why our mascot Chip Cookie says you need to send A Sweet Reminder cookies to your Mother:

    1) You ran with scissors that one time when you were told not to.

    2) Because your Father will never send her cookies.

    3) You blew it last year with the overpriced buffet at the Holiday Inn where your Mom almost chocked on a chicken bone.

    4) You want to upstage your older sister who is knitting your mom ANOTHER piece of clothing.

    5) You can’t make Sunday lunch because you are out of state and gas prices are too high.

    6) Your Mom made you all those cookies growing up, now it’s time to return the favor.

    7) You watched “Mommy Dearest” last night and you realized your Mom did not do such a bad job.

    8) You have forgiven her the time she came to your high school to say “Hey!”

    9) Keep her occupied so she won’t harass you with “Am I going to be a Grandma soon?”

    10) She gave birth to you….’nuff said!

    I can personally vouch for how outstanding this business is, as I’ve sent a little surprise to Nick before, and it was totally a great experience!

  • Even More Coming to Cameron Village

    Sue Stock is quickly becoming one of my FAVORITE N&O writers, but no one can ever replace Dennis Rogers. Ashton Smith has always been one of my favorites, and I love her even more for sending me a daily update of what Sue (and other Raleighs) are covering!

    From Cameron Village Evolves:

    Despite being one of the country’s oldest shopping centers, Raleigh’s Cameron Village remains one of this area’s most popular shopping destinations.

    One reason is that the center is continually evolving, in an effort to stay fresh in the face of ever-increasing competition from new malls and the consumer spending slowdown. The changes at Cameron Village tend to come in waves, and I’ve got several to report:

    * Cherry Modern Design is closing this month, and home furnishings and accessories store Carlton & Co. will relocate to the Cherry Modern Design space on June 1.

    * Foster’s restaurant — formerly Nelsons — will reopen Thursday.

    * Cameron Bar & Grill will open this coming week. It is owned by the folks who own the North Ridge Pub and Cafe Tiramisu in North Raleigh. (See my perpetual blogs on this.)

    * Next door, a chain called The Flying Biscuit Cafe will open its first Triangle store this fall, selling a vast array of biscuit-related food. Its only other North Carolina store is in Charlotte. (Mmmm… biscuits.)

    * BurgerDawgz will open next to Piccola Italia late this year or early next year, serving milkshakes, burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. (The BF will LOVE this.)

  • Calling All eBay-ers!

    My beloved sorority (actually, ahem, Fraternity for Women), Pi Beta Phi, has teamed up with First Book to provide books to children everywhere – helping to promote one of the most important life skills of all – literacy.

    I am so impressed by the work being done by First Book, based out of Washington, D.C. and really hope that any of you who will be doing any eBay (selling or buying!) transactions will please think of the following when doing so!

    First Book and eBay Harness the Power of MANY!

    We are thrilled to announce that First Book is joining forces with eBay Foundation for Community Gives – the first online giving campaign designed to engage the eBay Community in supporting First Book’s work.

    First Book is one of only three organizations eBay Foundation has chosen to support as part of the campaign, which was launched Monday with a $1 million grant split evenly among the three. Visitors to the site are encouraged to buy, sell or donate on behalf of First Book.

    You can help! Do you have something you were ready to put in the garage sale pile? Sell it on eBay on behalf of First Book — you set the portion to benefit the charity. Or make a donation for as little as $1; for every person who gives to First Book, eBay will give an additional dollar. (Be sure to select First Book.)

    Visit the site to read some great stories from local programs transformed by First Book — and help us spread the word today!

    PS – Check out First Book’s blog and add it to your daily reads!

  • Well Crap…

    Looks like the industry rumors are true… Nelson’s is closed (but it’s reopening, as Ashton says, as Foster’s … again).

    Check out the N&O article on all the happenings in Cameron Village. We’ll shall see what will become of the Nelson’s Late-Night and if Foster’s will offer something similar.

    In all honesty though, the same article reports the closing of my favorite little organizational shop – Hold Your Own – in Cameron Village. That’s what I’m really bummed about. It notes that their other store in Durham is remaining open… but we all know that I can rarely be found venturing to Durham for anything. (There was that one time freshman year where I wandered over for the last iPod in a two-county radius… but that was a special exception.)