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Aug
6
Yesterday, the stars aligned after the Shop Tart’s glorious facial at Pout and she found the time to try Granville’s Café for lunch. Feeling fresh-faced and pretty, she picked up her son after a test at his new middle school (*sniff*) and headed to the restaurant. The interior is lovely. Did they raise the ceilings since it was Tiffany’s or does the Shop Tart have an over-active imagination?
Her son ordered the pulled pork sandwich with slaw and pickles. Instead of a green salad, he chose double-fried french fries as his side which thrilled his mother to no end, because she wanted to try them very much. Let’s take a moment to discuss the excellence of this sandwich: The bread was not too soft, not too crispy, the pulled pork was warm and well-seasoned, the coleslaw was a perfect cold contrast and the pickles added just the right bit of crunch. The sandwich was normal-sized too, so you could eat the whole thing guilt-free.
The fries were excellent and the Shop Tart is an expert. They came with three dipping options - ketchup, spicy Dijon mustard and Parmesan mayonnaise. Her son remarked that although he had never heard of or tried Parmesan mayo, he sure did like it. Agreed.
The Shop Tart ordered trout provincial and - knowing she could steal plenty of fries from her sweet son - coleslaw on the side. Dang, that trout was good - very tender and not too fishy. The accompanying olives, capers and tomatoes were perfect, adding just enough flavor to keep the dish interesting.
How fab are the little salt and pepper bowls in the background? So fab the Shop Tart had to take an extra photo.
The slaw was totally respectable. Loved the different textures.
The dinner menu looked good too, and the Shop Tart will try it soon.
The ladies at the next table were enjoying white wine with their lunches. The Shop Tart can’t wait until school starts. After lunch, she and her son headed to Cupcake; they had heard a rumor that it was open. Alas, it was not. A nice young man leaving the shop as they arrived told her they would be open mid-August. The Shop Tart can’t wait. She had planned to pick up cupcakes for the ladies of VanJean, who were hard at work helping giddy customers score mad deals.
She headed straight to VanJean, sans cupcakes, to see what joys awaited. A couple of times a year, they take last year’s unsold merchandise, mark it down by as much as 90% and organize it on racks by size and item. Ahhhhh…heaven! She spent about as much as one might spend on a good pair of pants and left with several new things that made her entire week month and beyond. One Phillip Lim eternally classic cocktail dress? $65. The hooks down the back? Squeeee!
One Phillip Lim prairie day dress she thought she didn’t love until she tried it on and freaked? $100.
One Phillip Lim wraparound belt that she plans to rock, like, constantly? Free. It came with the dress. Phillip does that. Phillip loves you. Although the belts can be purchased separately, he often includes them with a dress, skirt or pair of pants. Love. Him.
Two magnetic bangles, originally $176 each? Only $10 each.
Oh. Wait. She forgot one little thing. One totally amazing, Michael Jackson-inspired, lust-worthy bronze and black leather Phillip Lim motorcycle jacket that she has wanted for forever? $100, $806 less than the original price. Where will she wear such a thing? Everywhere, silly.
Lucky for you, she didn’t wipe out the store. There are still plenty of things left, including racks of fall and winter pants marked way, way down. A $400 pair of pants takes more than a few years to go out of style. Wouldn’t you like to get a pair from just last year for $40? Thought so.
As excited as she was about her new-to-her purchases, the Shop Tart couldn’t resist a peek into the back room, where all the new merchandise rests at the moment. The front room is filled with racks from last year and heavily discounted spring and summer merchandise. First of all, the Loeffler Randall over-the-knee boots are in and we love them (in brown or black, in case you wanted to go ahead and get the Shop Tart’s Christmas present). Second of all, she has found her seasonal obsession, the one thing she prays no one will buy so it might go on sale so she might be able to have it. This dress - she wants to die she wants it so bad. Rachel Zoe once announced she could put on a particularly stunning pair of earrings and be buried right that very moment. That is how the Shop Tart feels about this dress. Stupidly, she tried it on and loved it even more. She’ll cry herself to sleep tonight. Maybe you could all chip in… She was too emotional to snap a photo herself, so she stole this one from VanJean’s FaceBook page.
And the back. Look at the back. Just look at it. And pass the Shop Tart a hankie, please. And maybe a nice bowl of ice cream?
Oh, Phillip, why do you taunt her so? Ahem. Sorry, got a bit distracted. Won’t happen again (will, too). The important thing is that you need to get to the VanJean sale and fast. There are plenty of insane deals left, but they’re being snapped up left and right. As with every big sale, the Shop Tart recommends wearing a jog bra and bike shorts so you can try things on without waiting for a dressing room. You think she is kidding. She is not. She takes sales like this very, very seriously. Mwah!
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
P.S. Remember that tomorrow is the first day of Tax-Free Shopping. You have until Sunday, so take advantage. Look for details here. Kicks is having a private sale Friday night to kick off the weekend and you’re invited. In the Devine Street store, you’ll have a unique opportunity to shop before the sidewalk sale craziness, all tax-free. Shoes are priced from 30 to 90% off and handbags are 60% off. Shoes not your thing? Lola and Lola G will be on hand with dresses, tops, jeans, jackets and tees for women, girls 7-16 and juniors priced up to 75% off. In order to get in the door you must bring school supplies to be donated to a local school. You get to see the sale prices first, pay no sales tax and enjoy cupcakes and cocktails. Revente is offering an additional 20% off full-price items during tax-free weekend and they have loads of new top-end designer goods, so don’t miss that one!
And this has nothing to do with sales, but guess where you’re going tonight? To 701 Whaley of course for the opening of CCA’s newest artist in resident’s show. 7 to 9 pm, free for members, $5 suggested donation for non-members. Word on the street is the mixed media work by Phil Moody is way-cool. If you want to have one big happy art evening - and that’s one of the cheapest, most fun dates around - head to Frame of Mind before CCA for an opening featuring the work of local designer Bohumila Owensby, winner of this year’s Runaway Runway, from 5 to 8:30 pm. Pop down the street after to The White Mule for a free wine tasting and art opening featuring the work of Michael Krajewski and Alexandra White. 7 to 9 pm. By the way, y’all…Art Opening = Free or Super Cheap Alcohol and Snacks. And…um…art! Not an art lover? Not even for free food? Head to Solstice for an amazing beer dinner. Call the restaurant - 788-6966 - for details and reservations.
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3 Responses to “Granville’s, new things for fall and mad sales. Mad.”
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The Shop Tart Loves...
Yay! I bought two great Mint pieces and a Linq. Thanks for the inspiration.
What’s the skinny on Granville’s opening in Columbia?! I had no idea, but my mouth is watering already…I’ve been to several weddings catered by them in Charleston and always leave full and happy!
P.S., Did Miss Shoptart happen to notice the bright orange print wrap I had on while at Van Jean today? Please say yes, because I can’t wait to tell you where it’s from…
Just ate at Granville’s. The tomato herbed goat cheese spread, the romaine, avocado, speckled butterbean salad and a side of sharp cheddar and angel hair pasta were to die for….and very affordable!