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May
7
Bras, new bras!
Filed Under Uncategorized
First things first. The sale at VanJean yesterday was packed. Clothes were flying off the racks into the dressing rooms and quite a few pieces shimmied into bags and went home with smiling new owners. At 40% off, how could they resist? The Shop Tart, after weeks of debate, settled on just two things. The first was a pale mauve bikini by Loeffler Randall, made more wearable by her deep, dark St. Tropez tan.
The second was a fab dress by Christopher Deane. Given that she doesn’t own a yacht - Sold it last year. Not. - she isn’t quite sure where she’ll wear this one. But it was so darn cute…and 40% off! She may just have to have a party for it. Or maybe another patio dinner at Terra…
That is not the Shop Tart in the picture above, which came from Christopher Deane’s website. The Shop Tart likes to imagine she looks as lovely in the dress as the model does. No amount of self-tanner would give her that gorgeous skin color, though. The Shop Tart hopes you had a chance to go into VanJean yesterday to score a lovely deal or three.
She also hopes you’re ready to jump on the Belle Vie bandwagon with her. Since Tullulah closed, the ladies of Columbia have been lost. When they needed new lingerie, they were forced to the mall, where some of them, like the Shop Tart, could never find their size. She does not feel deformed and resents the implication that she is. When she looks in the mirror, she sees a normal human being, not a freak as some of the salespeople in certain big chain lingerie shops would have her believe. Every Wednesday, Carole Stafford of A Soft Touch (in Augusta, Georgia and Aiken, South Carolina) hosts a fitting at Belle Vie with racks of lingerie and samples of bras in all different sizes.
She will personally fit you, adjust each bra as needed and hold your hand until you find the perfect underthing. Trust her. And don’t be shy. Once you find the perfect bra, she’ll order it (or them) for you. The Shop Tart tried on no less than eight bras and ordered two, from Belgian maker Marie Jo. They look divine under clothes, as they should, but have the added bonus of being adorable. The Shop Tart feels sure her husband will notice. Not. If the Shop Tart was not old and married, she would have ordered the bustier pictured below. Isn’t it stunning? Maybe she should order it and take a little vacation…with her husband, of course! Love the two different strap options (both shown). It can also be worn strapless.
Although the Shop Tart couldn’t think of a practical reason to buy a bustier, she couldn’t resist trying one on and was struck by how well it fit. Insert drumroll…it wasn’t uncomfortable in the least. This bustier didn’t squeeze her fat - making her look as though she had a spare tire - as many do, but the top was snug enough to keep her lifted. The boning was sturdy but flexible and the Shop Tart could imagine sitting down for dinner in such a garment. Rowrrr… Here’s the back view, next to a lovely gown Carole also brought.
Belle Vie was bustling when the Shop Tart was there for her fitting. Several consultants were in the shop, as well as fashion intern Austin, a senior at U.S.C., who also works at Terra. The Shop Tart remembered her from Friday night, when she commented on how mad stylish the young woman looked. Austin is working with Christopher Nash, the owner of Belle Vie, and got an earful of old lady bra talk. She might put off having children for a while. There was a lot of talk about the Ladies Night at H2 tonight, where staff members will be modeling Doncaster clothing. If you make it, snag one of these cards, entitling you to an hour of free parking in the Vista, where Belle Vie is located. Stop by this month, when the entire spring line is 20% off. And don’t forget to make your bra fitting appointment for next Wednesday!
In other news…
- Pout is hosting a Chantecaille Rosewater promotion now through May 16th. With every Rosewater purchase they will refill your used bottle for free or give you a free travel size. Shannon, the Shop Tart’s skin guru, recommends this as a toner as well as a spritz during the day to keep your skin dewy and glowing!
- Simply Savory has a busy day ahead. From 4 pm to 8 pm, they’ll be at H2 for Ladies Night, pouring wine and serving snacks. From 4:30 to 6:30 pm, they’ll host a free wine tasting in their wine shop.
- The shuttles for Saturday’s Soirée on the Saluda will run to and from Simply Savory, starting at 6:30 pm. Enjoy a glass of wine while you wait. *sigh* We love spring!
- For Mother’s Day, H2 is offering an extra $10 for every $50 gift certificate you purchase. Not a mother? We’ll never tell…
- This evening, from 5 to 8:30 pm, take a stroll downtown for Urban Tour, a free event for the whole family on Main Street. Enjoy free food and drink (including grown-up drinks, with i.d., bien sûr!), live entertainment, special offers and giveaways from retailers, and free shuttle and horse carriage rides. The Columbia Museum of Art will offer Pay-What-You-Wish entrance to the Turner to Cézanne exhibition.
- Feeling sophisticated, arty and edgy? From 7 to 9 pm, head to the 701 Center for Contemporary Art for the opening of a delicate balance, artist in residence Ann Boudreau’s show. Admission is free for members and $5 (suggested donation) for everyone else. Also on view: mixed media drawings by students from Hand Middle School and spheres by community members made during workshops lead by Anne Boudreau. This is a great time to check out the Center for Contemporary Art and learn more about what they’re doing in the community.
- This evening from 4 to 8 pm - in case you didn’t know - H2 is hosting a party for the ladies. Stylists, estheticians, a massage therapist, a manicurist and personal trainers will be there to offer advice and tips. Simply Savory will be there with wine and hors d’oeuvre and H2 staff will be modeling clothes from Belle Vie with shoes from Kicks. There will be door prizes including massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, personal training sessions, hair cuts and much more! And if you really want a new look (we’ll never tell!), Dr. Smythe Riche will be there administering botox injections and facial fillers. How often do you leave a party looking more well rested than when you arrived? Please call H2 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Riche, as space is limited. The last one was so much fun the Shop Tart kept the party going at Baan Sawan with a few friends!
- M Boutique has brand new shipments from BCBG, Karlie and Tulle. Summer’s just around the corner!
- Mothers paint free at Mad Platter on Saturday, with or without the kids.
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
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