Dear Shop Tart,

I have the most fabulous dress. Really, the world needs to see me in this dress. I don’t want to show off by wearing it out to a casual dinner, but I need to show it off - and soon! Whatever shall I do?

Sincerely,
Ms. Fabulous

Dear Ms. Fab,

The Shop Tart loves this time of year - so many great parties, so many great outfits to plan! And she has great news for you: You can show off your new look in the name of supporting a good cause. Aren’t you sweet? If your dress is an evening dress, get your tickets to the Fur Ball, a glamorous, fun-filled benefit for Project Pet. It’s happening soon, October 11th, so get your tickets now.

If you’re looking for a more casual, but equally fabulous way to support a great cause, you’ll enjoy the Songbird Café, a benefit for SisterCare. The Shop Tart and her husband go every year and have a blast! It would be a great place to wear your skinny jeans and ladylike blouse, like this one from Mary.

Or a casual dress with these boots from Kicks (which the Shop Tart is still trying to convince someone to buy for her. Size 7 1/2, if anyone’s asking. Ahem.) The pumps shown with them are pretty darn cute, too, n’est-ce pas?

Chilly night? Want to look like a rock star? Get down to VanJean and snag this (grab one for the Shop Tart, too!)

Now, just in case you’re already planning to go to a ball and don’t have a thing to wear, allow the Shop Tart to make a few suggestions. Even if you aren’t planning to go to a ball any time soon, take the suggestions anyway. The Shop Tart advocates buying party clothes before you need them, so you’ll never have to stress about what to wear. Just like clothes, parties should be fun and stress free!

Black tie can mean long or short. It does seem like people are going long more often these days. The Shop Tart just loves the Glam Seventies Vibe Tibi is giving off this season. This dress, at VanJean, is slinky and fabulous!

The Shop Tart also adores the way Phillip Lim sprinkles on the sparkle this season. Isn’t this long dress lovely? Pair it with a colorful evening clutch from Just the Thing. The great thing about sparkly clothes is that jewelry can be kept to a minimum. Economical, hm?

If you’re a skirt and top gal, you have plenty of beautiful options. AnnaBelle at LaRoque is busy making loads of cocktail clothes, including separates, like this fun top and raw silk skirt. Shop Tart Advice: Order the skirt in black and you’ll wear it forever. The classic style looks great with almost any top.

How about this top, by Milly, from VanJean? Bonus: You could dress it down with jeans and a leather jacket.

If you like short cocktail dresses, don’t despair. There are plenty! The Shop Tart loves this pale gray, silk dress from LaRoque.

Phillip Lim does it again, this time in gold and black brocade - trés chic!

If you’re looking to wow the crowd and have a lot of fun, go nuts with this flapper-inspired dress, by Elijah, available at VanJean. Pricey, but so, so worth it!

It is getting chillier, so why not invest in one of the adorable evening capes from LaRoque? You choose the fabric, so the options are endless!

Can you tell the Shop Tart loves party clothes? Hooray for Fall!

In other news…

• Thursday through Saturday, head to the Andria Lieu trunk show at Britton’s. Go take a look at “The Perfect Top,” presented by Andria Lieu representative Jerry Thomas.
• Also Thursday, stop by Mary and Martha’s, a fab kitchen store, for an open house from 5 to 7 pm in celebration of their 2nd Anniversary. There will be refreshments (bet they’ll be yummy) and prizes!
• Thursday is a big night, ladies. Don’t miss Cocktails and Candy, a party co-hosted by LaRoque and Tullulah, from 5 to 7 pm. There will be cocktails, candy and a 20% discount on everything in both stores. Wheee!
• What is it about Thursday? Cottage and Vine is having a Susan Hauser Jewelry trunk show from noon to 7 pm and, you guessed it, wine from 5 to 7 pm. Just make sure you have a driver, m’kay?
• Last Thursday event. Swear. MIRCI is hosting a fundraiser, their annual shrimp boil. They also offer a drive-through service. Might be a great place to pick up dinner since you’ll have been ejoying happy hour at the other events and won’t want to cook!
• On Saturday, don’t miss Viva La Vista, from 2 to 7 pm. There will be food and fun for the whole family. Look for cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, a beer garden, family-friendly activities and more!

Happy shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!

Did you make it to the Stila event at Pout on Friday? The Shop Tart did, of course! Over the last few years, the Shop Tart has been ridding her makeup arsenal of anything that she had to go all the way to the mall to buy. One by one, she’s eliminated product by product. On Friday at Pout, she was planning to leave after her final appointment as a guinea pig - oh wait - didn’t she tell you about that? Last week, Pout was trying out one of those fancy knew machines you’ve read about. People are raving about it, calling it a miracle, and the Shop Tart agrees. Known by some as “Laser Lipo,” it’s supposed to dissolve fat. The Shop Tart was skeptical (she did, after all, go to and graduate from college!) , but here’s the thing: it appears to have worked. After three treatments, her mummy tummy is noticeable firmer. This is the best thing that’s happened to her all year. No word on whether or not Pout will order the machine and start offering treatments, but we can hope!

But we were talking about the Stila event. The Shop Tart recently ran out of her department store pressed powder. As luck would have it, Stila had a great one and it even comes in a pretty case, so it’s fun to whip out in the ladies’ room for a quick nose powder. Is the Shop Tart the only person who really does go in there to “powder her nose”? Isn’t the compact pretty? And it’s refillable!

And…this is why you should go to these events…they were giving away a free gift. The Shop Tart got to choose a lipliner and a small, sheer moisturizing lipstick. Hooray! Unfortunately, she fell in love with the lipstick, which also has SPF, and it’s only available in Asia. Anyone planning a trip?

In other news…

• The Shop Tart learned on Columbi-yeah! that BeBeep is having a 20% off everything sale until tomorrow. Great time to get holiday gifts for the kids. Make sure you find a good hiding place! Columbi-yeah! is a great resource for local parents, too.
• Ross Holmes will be at Dianne’s on Devine Wednesday night. Stop by for delicious bar bites (or a full meal!) and a cocktail. The Shop Tart has been watching “Mad Men”and is trying to be more glamorous and swingy. Dianne’s is the perfect place to do it! Dianne’s is also celebrating Octoberfest this month with German-inspired lunch specials. Fun!
• Weathers is offering clothes made to measure through October 4th. They’re introducing Hart Schaffner and Marx. Through the 4th, you can order a custom suit at off the rack prices.
• Just the Thing is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Sign. Go in and take a look at funky and fabulous Peace jewelry and vintage style t-shirts.
• The fabled Cellar on Greene is opening soon. The Shop Tart will keep you posted!

Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!

Well…starting the weekend at lunch, of course. Grab a friend and eat somewhere fun. If the weather’s nice, get to the Gourmet Shop by 11:30 so you can snag a table outside. If it’s gloomy - and it’s supposed to be, although the weather report is no guarantee! - get there by 11:45 to get an inside table. By noon, you’ll have missed your chance. If 11:30 is too early for lunch, have a cup of their amazing coffee to start. It’s Parents’ Weekend at USC, so you might need to get there at 11 am. The Shop Tart will be having the seasonal green salad with a side of smoked salmon. She can already taste their delicious vinaigrette…

Speaking of Parents’ Weekend, did you pick up your Devine Street Discount Brochure yet? If you did, do a little shopping after lunch. M Boutique just got a huge shipment of Fall and Winter merchandise - with the Doors of Devine coupon, you’ll get 20% off your entire purchase at M, all weekend long! If you go early today, you’ll get your pick of the new merchandise.

Today is huge at Pout! They’re officially introducing their newest line, Stila. The Shop Tart* wrote an article for October’s Jolie Magazine about how to achieve a gorgeous and glamorous Smoky Eye. Of course you should read and save the article. In fact, you may want to cut it out and tape it to the inside of your bathroom mirror as a reference. Ahem. Or you could just pick up the Stila Smoky Eye Palette at Pout. It comes with audio instructions. How cute is that? It’s not quite the same as having the Shop Tart there to talk you through it and hold your hand, but it’s pretty nifty! The kit comes in three different color palettes - original, emeralds and bronzes. And, if you picked up your coupon book, you can save 10% off one item at Pout!

If you’ve dragged your boyfriend, husband or non-specific male companion along on your Friday jaunt, take him to Weathers. Bill Jordan, Southeastern representative for Nat Nast, will be in the store from 10 am until 6 pm showing the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 collections.

Do some more shopping (there’s plenty to be done!) and head to Simply Savory at 4:30 for a free wine tasting. While you’re there, use your 15% off coupon to buy a bunch of snacks for tailgating tomorrow. Go Cocks!

As for dinner this evening, remember that it’s Parents’ Weekend, so make a reservation or get to your favorite restaurant early. Or pick up dinner and a bottle of wine (or two!) at DiPrato’s and relax at home.

Have a great weekend - and don’t forget about the All Local Farmers’ Market tomorrow in the parking lot of Rosewood Market. If you haven’t been yet, you really, really need to. Everyone who’s anyone goes - it’s the trés chic way to be green! The Shop Tart and her family never miss it. You might even catch them there tomorrow. They’ll be the ones with three little boys in soccer uniforms. Fun times!

Happy shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!

* Also known as Anne Postic

It dawned on the Shop Tart the other day that Groucho’s name might have come from the fact that certain types of grouchy people (Read: The type that might have had an extra cocktail the night before) see it as a cure-all. The big, meaty sandwiches, the crispy little chips, the cold sodas lovingly poured over the best ice in town… Last night, the Shop Tart attended what she is going to call the first official party of the season - a birthday cocktail party for a fabulous friend, held at the art museum. the Shop Tart wore a cocktail dress she snagged in the VanJean Spring and Summer sale. It was off-white, which she is now calling Cream or Winter White, so she can keep wearing it!

It was a great party - the birthday lady’s art was displayed around the gallery and there were plenty of interesting people to talk to - new friends and old. The Shop Tart loves going to parties and meeting a few new people! She ran into Lara, owner of In the Loop, which reminded her that she really does need to take up knitting. Lara says there’s a group who meets in the shop Thursday evenings for a “Stitch and Bitch.” Wonder if the Shop Tart could avoid the former and participate heavily in the latter?

Mr. and Mrs. Shop Tart stayed far later than they should have, so it’s looking like a Groucho’s day! The classic choice at Groucho’s is the STP Dipper, a delightful combination of bread, turkey, roast beef and bacon bits, topped with melted cheese and dipped in the beloved “45 Sauce.” On a recent trip, the Shop Tart learned that Blue Cheese dip is also an option. It’s right there on the menu and it was ordered by her brother in law, who is from Maine and has some strange ways. Although everyone at the table expressed shock, he ordered it anyway. By the end of the meal, he had to admit the 45 Sauce was better because his table mates teased him mercilessly and forced him to. Here is a picture of his sandwich, with the inappropriate Blue Cheese Sauce and potato chips cascading gently onto the plate to join their dear friend, Mr. STP Dipper.

The Shop Tart’s father is nearly incapable of ordering anything but a turkey sandwich. Lucky for him, Groucho’s makes an excellent turkey sandwich.

One of the most important reasons to go to Groucho’s is their amazing crushed ice. Pregnant women the world over extol its virtues. The Shop Tart, while not pregnant*, absolutely adores that ice. A soda poured over it is instantly transformed into The Best Soda Ever. This photo doesn’t begin to capture the perfection.

Now, as you know, the Shop Tart usually chooses a salad, because she’s afraid her trainer will see her because she likes to eat healthy. Groucho’s salads don’t disappoint, but the pull of the STP Dipper is too great to resist. Live a little!

In other news:

• Kicks of Lexington (located in Lola) is celebrating their One Year Anniversary with a party. There will be cocktails, appetizers and…drumroll…a chance to win a Kicks shopping spree! The Shop Tart’s feet are tingling just thinking about the possibilities. The party starts at 4 pm. Sounds like a great excuse to leave work a little early, n’est-ce pas?
• From 5:30 to 8 pm, be at Frame of Mind to enjoy wine, cheese and new artwork by Patrick Mahoney.
• If you can make it until 7 pm (You can do it!), enjoy a fab wine tasting at the Gourmet Shop - a Tour of Spain with Clint Harris. Reservations are recommended. Find more information here.
• It’s Alison Raffaele day at Pout - stop in to see how beautiful your skin can look with just a few swipes of foundation and concealer and a puff or two of her translucent powder - perfection!
• Don’t forget to stop by Tranquil Moments for your coupon book!

Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read about it on the Shop Tart!

* Nor planning to be!

Yesterday, the Shop Tart stopped by Pout for the Tarte event. Lo and behold, they had received a new shipment of the Four Day Stay Lash Stain. Hooray! The Shop Tart just bought one, resisting the temptation to buy them all, so other people could have some, too. It won’t last long, so you better hurry.

Jaclyn Herbert, the Southeast Trainer for Tarte, was there and she told the Shop Tart about Rejuvelash - a declumping lash exhilarator. Of course she snapped one up and thinks her lashes look fuller already. After all, we all know how important conditioner is for the hair on our heads. Why neglect the lashes? Here is a photo of Alison Anderson of Pout and VanJean, Jaclyn and Shannon Dangerfield, Pout’s new esthetician.

Doesn’t Jaclyn have the most beautiful hair? And don’t you love the dark lipstick? The Shop Tart was so taken with Alison’s outfit, she snapped another picture for the Look of the Week. Alison is rockin’ it local from head to toe. Her dress is by Tibi, available at VanJean. The shoes are black Kate Spade wedges, available at Kicks. They also come in chocolate brown - lovely! She was wearing two necklaces. The longer one is by Theodosia, designed by Columbia native Jenny Thompson*. The shorter one is by Shop Tart favorite Diana Warner, available at Mary in Five Points. Alison’s Diana Warner has an “M” on it, for her dog Miles and husband, Michael. And no wonder Alison is so glowing - she and Michael were celebrating their Two Year Anniversary - here’s to many more!

While the Shop Tart was there, she let Shannon talk her into being a guinea pig (It took about three quarters of a second. The Shop Tart is very brave for science.) She hooked her up to a cool machine they’re borrowing to magically melt some fat. The Shop Tart has a party to go to tonight, so why not? Shannon measured her before and after treatment and she lost a little more than half an inch. It didn’t hurt a bit - all she had to do was lie on the table with these little warm things around her waist and read magazines**. Cool, huh? Wonder how long it’ll last…

In other news…

• Today is Nars Day at Pout - they were unpacking a new shipment yesterday, so go take a look!
• From 5:30 to 6:30 tonight, stop by Mr. Friendly’s for their $5 wine tasting - always interesting.
• Have you seen the new magazine in town, Stir? It’s about fashion, food and culture in Columbia. Keep an eye out for it around town. The Shop Tart did a retail event listing for them.
• Today is the last day of Granger Owing’s Starter Set sale. The set includes three suits by RNG, three Overton stock shirts and a pair of Johnston and Murphy shoes. Normally $1600, it’s going for $1400 - today only!
• AnnaBelle at LaRoque is working hard on lots of new things - the Shop Tart loves her little capes, particularly the black velvet one lined in hot pink for evening…and the orange tweed with gold buttons…
• Don’t forget to stop by Tranquil Moments for your coupon book!

Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!

* Check out the right side of this page for her website and other South Carolina designers.

* Lucky had a great spread on boots, which served to remind the Shop Tart how very much she wants those Loeffler Randalls from Kicks!

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