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Feb
24
Y’all. When the Tank heard he was going to Phineas and Ferb Live!, he pretty much freaked. (The Shop Tart realized she had been wise not to tell him until the last minute.) He and his mother sang “Squirrels in My Pants” all the way to the arena. And the show? He’s loving it!
Colonial Life Arena is tweeting it…and they’re giving away tickets for tonight’s show. Follow them on Twitter to win!
Happy Weekend and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
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Feb
24
The Shop Tart wishes she could tell you all about her dinner last night. It was a fantastic evening and everything was perfect. The food, the atmosphere, the service, the company, the weather. All perfect. Almost. You see, there was one problem. The Shop Tart almost never sends food back to the kitchen. (She worked in a restaurant or three and has no desire to incur that kind of wrath.) Her meal last night? Had to be sent back. When it returned, it wasn’t much better. Why can’t she tell you where this happened? Because the situation was handled so well, the Shop Tart actually likes the place even more now. The dish didn’t show up on the bill. There was a free round of drinks. The staff quietly and discretely made sure the Shop Tart wasn’t still hungry. They didn’t interrupt the great time she was having with friends to deal with what was a minor blip compared to the countless perfect meals they have served. They didn’t make her feel like a jerk. (To be fair, she wasn’t acting like a jerk, so it was a two-way street.) So, why can’t she tell you where she had this excellent experience?
Because people love to jump on a negative bandwagon and she refuses to get behind the wheel. Or would it be take the reins? How do you drive a bandwagon anyway? Below, you can see a poster for the movie The Band Wagon. The poster offers no clue as to how to drive one, but it looks like a good movie.
Anyhow, the Shop Tart is not going to get the ball of negativity rolling and she hopes you will think twice the next time you want to throw one out there. One error does not negate a thousand good experiences, so be cool. More than one error? Entirely forgivable. And give a business credit for handling a mistake well. Then let it go. For real. M’kay? The Shop Tart thanks you and the world will be a better place.
Anyhow, at the end of their excellent meal, a friend joined the Shop Tart and her dining companion. The trio decided to leave the restaurant and head to Thirsty Fellow for a final round. Hooray for warm weather, patio drinks, stemless bubbly glasses and Freixenet!
A pizza was ordered, because the late-arriving friend was hungry. And when is a pizza from Thirsty Fellow not good? The Shop Tart wasn’t even hungry and she still managed to enjoy the heck out of a piece of this one.
(Please take notice of the Zyliss cheese grater. The Shop Tart likes every Zyliss product she’s ever used and she wants one of these now. Should be able to find one at Mary and Martha or Gourmet Shop.)
In other news, who wants to support a good cause? You do! One thing the Shop Tart loves about Columbia is the charitable spirit she sees everywhere. Fever is jumping on that bandwagon and giving back, to JDRF’s Palmetto Chapter. For every new “Like” on their Facebook page, Fever will give $1 to the local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. So go like it! Bonus: They usually offer daily specials and the salmon tacos are a real treat.
In today’s post…
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
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Feb
23
Vacation #1: A Sidewalk Cafe in New York City
Gourmet Shop. But after the lunch rush is over, like around 2 pm. It starts with a good friend and a glass of bubbly.
If you’re lucky, proprietor Linda Hiltner will come out with some fancy blackberry syrup and pour you a splash.
Then you will have a delightful afternoon cocktail, similar to a Kir Royale, or its country cousin, the delightful Cheer Royale.
And you should have some other drinks, like coffee, Diet Coke and water, because it is the afternoon after all. You may notice two glasses of wine on the table per lady. This was not because they ordered them. You see, the blackberry bubbly cocktail was a treat, but they had already ordered two glasses of bubbly, so what are you going to do?
Order some bread and cheese to soak it up, of course! The Shop Tart spotted this insanely gooey and flavorful ash-ripened goat cheese from Vermont in the cheese case and had to have some. Add bread…et voilà!
That was a lovely vacation. Vacation #2: Mexico!
The Shop Tart finally had the great pleasure of dining at Taqueria Jasmine in West Columbia. The chips were delicious. Shop Tart Tip: The salsa is fantastic, and you should use both the red and the green hot sauce for a true flavor explosion.
The Shop Tart had ceviche and a tamale, both fresh and delicious. Just look at that avocado. Perfection!
And you know what else? The Shop Tart’s whole meal was less than $5! Maybe less than $4. The Shop Tart was so giddy she can’t remember. And then she went next door, to Panaderia Odalys, and was thrilled to see all sorts of delicious treats. She bought a palmier, which you cannot see because it was so good, she ate it immediately, in the car. She knew her children would enjoy fresh pastries (and she wanted to try something else), so she got these cream cheese filled puffed pastry sticks. Yummmmmm.
Another lovely lunch vacation!
Vacation #3: Europe in the afternoon!
The Shop Tart’s favorite recent vacation was a brief sojourn to a big city in Europe for a late afternoon glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe. She and her sister met a couple other people for drinks at 4:30 at Hampton Street Vineyard. The sun was dropping low in the sky, there was a light breeze and the sancerre was absolute perfection. it reminded her of one of those wines you get in Paris. The kind that makes you ask,
“Why can’t you ever get a glass of house wine in the states that’s this good? Why?”
Perfect weather, perfect company, perfect wine.
The Shop Tart is sorry she wasn’t hungry yet, because if she had been, she would have furthered her European illusion by ordering a bowl of steamed mussels. Anyone up for happy hour?
There you have, three vacations you can take without leaving Columbia. What’s your favorite local vacation spot? Please share!
Want to find out who’s going to Phineas and Ferb for free? Maybe it’s you! Find out here.
In today’s post…
- New York City: Gourmet Shop, 724 Saluda Avenue, 799-3705
- Mexico: Panaderia Odalys, 103 North 12th Street, West Columbia, 794-3323
- Taqueria Jasmin, 104 North 12th Street, West Columbia, 939-8397
- Europe: Hampton Street Vineyard, 1201 Hampton Street, 252-0850
Happy Vacationing and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
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Feb
22
The Shop Tart discovered Rimmel Lash Accelerator Serum a few weeks ago and she’s still using it. The immediate effects are pretty great. Her lashes have more volume and are less unruly, which is great. After using the serum for a few weeks, she’s pretty sure her lashes are healthier. They seem shinier, even without any product, and more pliable. Hence, this is a new endorsement, a companion to the previous endorsement. Can’t afford the fancy serums to make your lashes grow? This is definitely worth a try, for less than $10. The other night, her sister was all,
“Wow. What did you do to your lashes?”
The Shop Tart dragged her into the bathroom and whipped out the serum. The Tank wanted some, too. His mother obliged and both of them looked more bright-eyed and lusciously lashy. The Tank was satisfied, but her sister wanted more. The Shop Tart’s most recent drugstore mascara, Maybelline The Falsies Volum’ Express, is her new favorite. And she can afford to be fickle about drugstore mascara, because it’s relatively cheap and you’re supposed to throw it out every six to twelve weeks anyway*. As an aside, the Shop Tart had a light bulb moment recently: She would love to be a full-time beauty blogger, but she can’t afford it. Her dream life includes a beauty closet, full of freebies and new, full-size products. She would show up at work every day — makeup free and ready to experiment. How cool would that be? Some of you are shaking your heads in disbelief, but the Shop Tart knows there are a few of you out there who have chills. You are giddy at the prospect of raiding such a closet.
Anyhow. Back to the mascara
How does it work? Who knows? According to the literature, it has a pro-keratin formula that produces eight times more volume. The Shop Tart does not know how such a thing is measured, but she’s a believer. It also makes lashes “300% more visible!” Sure! However it works, Maybelline The Falsies Volum’ Express mascara
What’s your favorite mascara? Drugstore or otherwise. Do you have different mascara for different moments in your day? Do you change brands with the season? Do you actually throw away perfectly good mascara after six weeks? The Shop Tart wants to know!
Did you enter the latest and greatest contest in this post? You have until midnight tonight to enter to win the random drawing. (And it’s easy!)
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
* Does anyone do that? Really?
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Feb
21
Don’t you love that song?
Anyhow. Right now, Kicks has something for every season. Winter, spring, summer or fall. Yup. Here it comes. Wait for it.
So, shall we start with the sale things? Shoes you can wear right now, on sale! The Shop Tart’s KORS boots are on sale and she thinks you should get them. The fuzzy part is removable and you will wear the resulting taupe ankle boots all the time.
Another best bet: Cole Haan’s Charlotte satchel in Royal Berry for $164 (was $328).
There’s a whole section of sale goods, as well as a few more scattered around the store.
How about these? You would wear them, like, at least twice a week. Or three times.
Shall we move on to the new? Rebecca Minkoff was featured in Elle’s March issue — you can see the article here — and she is pretty darn awesome. Every season, the Shop Tart loves her more.
These straw bags make the Shop Tart want to go on a little vacation.
Speaking of Bettye Muller, these shoes would be a little vacation for your feet, every time you wore them. Pair them with the Cole Haan clutch in the back, and you’re basically at a resort.
This Rebecca Minkoff bag would be perfect for just about any occasion. A splash of red is always good feng shui. (That means it’ll put you in a good mood, yo.) The wedges are Kate Spade. Love!
In further Rebecca Minkoff news, the Shop Tart flippin’ loves both of these!
Ooh! Cole Haan!
On a different note, do you love leather cuff bracelets? Do you have wrists on the smaller side? The Shop Tart does and these fit her perfectly.
Also on the jewelry tree, these lovely earrings, named after Kicks’ own manager Trenholm!
Also spotted, new necklaces from Funky Trunk, handmade with vintage finds from flea markets and antique shops.
Who wants to talk about brand new shoes for less than $100? How about less than $50? Show of hands. Okay! Restricted’s yellow suede heels are $85.
In the 1980’s, the Shop Tart really wanted a pair of pink and gray patent leather brogues, presumably to go with her pink Esprit wide wale cords and a gray sweater. There may have been a vest involved. Her mother would not buy the shoes. (They may have been a few hundred dollars and she may have seen them in Elle. Or Mirabella. Does anyone remember Mirabella?) Anyhow, though the shoes never happened, she did get a pink and gray striped swimsuit that summer. Apparently, that color combo was a thing. And it’s back! $52. (They also come on ivory and black.)
Are you ready for sandals? Even if you aren’t, snap these up now, because they’ll be sold out before you’re even ready for the coral pedicure to go with them. $66.
The sandals below are co-starring with a pair that’s more than $100. The ones on the right are $65 and the ones on the left are $136 (and, in the Shop Tart’s opinion, worth it, because they are gorgeous).
These glitter slides by Rebel are just $37!
Need some mad color to lift your spirits? These slides from Rebel are also $37.
Sometimes, shoes you like cost more than $100. These leopard and gold flats by Diane von Furstenberg are $198 and they are absoflippinlutely awesome. The Shop Tart has imagined a whole new social life around these, starting with a casual cocktail party where she plans to mix up a pitcher of perfect martinis and offer canapes.
Eneka, new to Kicks from Spain, makes mad comfortable flats in gorgeous colors.
And one more thing: These peep-toe peacock kitten heels by Butter should be your Easter shoes, don’t you think? Hop, hop, hop!
In other news, did you enter yesterday’s contest? It’s a big one! You have until Wednesday at midnight to enter the random drawing.
Also, today is 20 percent off day at Rosewood Market! What do you have to do to get the discount? Just ask. The Shop Tart will be stocking up on Kombucha.
In today’s post…
- Kicks, 2921 Devine Street, 254-3937
- Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Drive, 765-1083
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
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