The Shop Tart got married after a short, two-week engagement. It was a pleasure - her wedding was lovely without too much planning and she didn’t have time to get nervous or go on some bizarre juice-fast. There was one terrible travesty, though - she had to choose her china pattern too quickly. Unfortunately, the priest didn’t cover this issue in her pre-marital counseling session. In haste, she chose a very practical pattern, a pattern so inoffensive that it’s boring as hell. Pardon her French, but it’s true. The pattern doesn’t really suit her. Can this marriage (between the Shop Tart and her boring china) be saved? Why, yes, and they won’t even need expensive therapy. Annie Morhauser of Annieglass visited the Carol Saunders Gallery and Non(e)such yesterday to show her stunning collection and give all sorts of entertaining tips. Her gold- and silver-edged glass pieces are the perfect thing to transform a dull pattern into one element of a fabulous place setting! The Shop Tart is in lurrrve with the new octagonal pieces, which Annie shows in the video below, taken at Non(e)such during the iced tea party in honor of her visit. The silver would be lovely with the Shop Tart’s china, but the gold is so pretty. Can’t she have both?

Annieglass is elegant enough to pair with fine china, yet perfect for sophisticated, casual entertaining. The pieces make any food look special, although it must be said that some food looks special all on its own, like the hat-shaped cakes below, made by Lillian of Lillian’s on Forest Drive. The Shop Tart wasn’t able to stay for the cake-cutting - or shall we say hat trimming? - but she knows they were delicious, because Lillian made her wedding cake. The Shop Tart spent more time picking out her cake than she did her china. She would call that the folly of youth, but to be honest she would do the same today. It was really good cake!

And don’t we love the fish plates? Imagine a lovely supper on a screened-in porch overlooking the marsh just after sunset. The bubbly is flowing, the shrimp is ready to peel and Annieglass catches the candlelight, giving a lovely glow to your sun-kissed* face. Later in the day, the Shop Tart was thrilled to secure a last-minute sitter, so she could enjoy a mini-vacation at the Contemporaries’ Oyster Roast on top of the Meridian Building. She felt as though she was walking out onto her mother-in-law’s porch on the marsh as she stepped out of the stairwell onto the rooftop. The smell of fresh oysters was in the air, the beer was flowing and everyone was smiling. Acoustic music played in the background and the Shop Tart almost believed she was at the beach. And she loves checking out the fab looks at museum events…the bags alone…mad stylish!

Tonight, the Shop Tart will start her weekend early with Champagne Thursday at VanJean! Remember Champagne Wednesday at Kicks? Bubbly turns any day of the week into a party. Please join the Shop Tart at VanJean between 4 and 6 pm for a splash of bubbly and fashion fun. They have loads and loads of new things and quite a few warm weather items on sale. While you’re there, enter to win fab gift bags with goodies from Pout and VanJean and say hello to the people from the Columbia Cool, who will be in-store filming the fun. Let’s see if the Shop Tart needs one glass or two before she models that Loeffler Randall mesh bikini that’s been calling her name. Last year, she learned her lesson: ‘Tis better to drink one glass of bubbly before trying on suits than three afterward to recover from the trauma. Champagne Thursday is the perfect time to try on a swimsuit or three. Seriously, y’all? This is going to be fab!

In other news…

• Today from noon until 6 pm, Kicks of Lexington is hosting a Theodosia trunk show. Theodosia jewelry, designed by South Carolina native Jenny Thompson, is stunning. Don’t miss your chance to see her collection!
• Don’t forget to shop Revente’s 17th Anniversary Sale this Saturday and Sunday for 20% off all regular-priced items.
• Did you miss last night’s segment about Pout’s Sensual Hands treatment on ACC’s Wrinkle Free Wednesdays with Alicia Barnes? See local style maven (and Shop Tart fan!) Shani Gilchrist get a fab hand treatment from Shannon Dangerfield at Pout. The Shop Tart has had the same treatment - it was very relaxing and,  more importantly, it worked!
• The Bohemian is looking recesso-fabulous this week: All sterling jewelry is 50% off, as another case packed with fun jewelry to spruce up any look. Another case of jewelry including pieces by Angie Olami, IsArt, Danyael, and others is 20% off. And check out the packed sale rack of 50 to 75% off tops and pants, as well as several spring pieces for 15 to 30% off. Sale shorts, capris and denim (including lots by Pure Color, originally as much as $178) are only $25 a pair. In addition to the sale things, Bohemian always has bags that are bog on style and friendly on the wallet!
• Weathers is having a blowout sale. Print this coupon and take it into the store today to receive a special discount. Prices have been lowered on every single item in the store.
• Head to the Forest Drive Golden Corral’s Car Wash on Saturday between 10 am and 1 pm. They’re raising money for Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital and you know you need a car wash. It’s pollen season!
• M Boutique has new tops for spring, all under $88!
• Mark your calender: May 7th from 4 to 8 pm, H2 is hosting a party for the ladies. Their stylists, estheticians, massage therapist, manicurist and personal trainers will be there to offer advice, tips and help with whatever you need. Simply Savory will be there with wine and hors d’oeuvre and H2 staff will be modeling clothes from Belle Vie and 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 less tired than when you arrived? Please call H2 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Riche, as space is limited.

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

* The sun-kissing, of course, is ffrom St. Tropex Self-Tanning Mousse, because you wore sunscreen all day long, right? You’ll be glad you did!

Yesterday, the Shop Tart enjoyed a fabulous (as always) lunch at Rosewood Market, Thai fish cakes with jasmine rice and a salad with their fab dill vinaigrette. Everything from their deli is superb, but tastes even better right now, when it can be enjoyed on the shaded patio. Incidentally, the Shop Tart is finally reading Jean Godfrey-June’s memoir, Free Gift with Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup and Jean points out that the most flattering light is in the shade on a sunny day, which makes Rosewood Market the best place for a lunch date. Also, the food won’t leave you sluggish, in case the date pans out into an “afternoon stroll.” Ahem. The lunch was lovely.

After lunch, the Shop Tart headed to Belle Vie, where she’s been meaning to go for a while. Great news ladies: Your lingerie problems are solved! But we’ll get to that in a moment. Belle Vie carries Doncaster, usually sold by consultants. Doncaster in an actual store means something very important to you, the consumer. There will be sales. Hooray! The Shop Tart will be waiting patiently for this blouse to go on sale. So pretty! And you know Loeffler did that color this year, too.

And these bags, by M. Clifford…

While Belle Vie stocks mostly Doncaster, they also have shoes from Kicks and the above bags, by M. Clifford, which can be ordered n different colors. The inside of each bag is lined with signature red suede. In addition to being gorgeous, the red suede makes it easier to see what’s inside your bag, a boon for anyone who has ever searched in vain for that one lipstick she just knows is in there somewhere.

And the bras! The Shop Tart is thrilled to learn that Belle Vie hosts bra fittings every Wednesday by appointment starting at 11 am. The lingerie and the lingerie fitter come from A Soft Touch in Augusta and Aiken, South Carolina. They stock high-end lines like Marie Jo and Prima Donna, the same ones you’ll find at Bits of Lace in Charleston. Short Lecture:

You may think it’s more fun to spend money on shoes. Or a dress. Or booze. And it may be, but you really need to pony up for a few good bras, young lady. Take care of them; handwash if you can, use the gentle cycle if you just can’t, and never, ever put them in the dryer. The right bra will make you look ten to twenty pounds lighter and at least a few years younger. And classier. So just do it. Make that appointment and never look back. Start small, with one bra, and build your lingerie wardrobe, which is just as important as the one people see.

The Shop Tart is looking forward to her appointment next Wednesday. She recently purchased a fab and practical neutral La Perla at Bits of Lace and would like something fun. And she wears a weird size, has three babies who are darlings but destroyed her bustline, and can never find a thing at the mall. She is over the moon about the chance to purchase lingerie right here in town, with a personal fitter, no less! They stock cup sizes A through J.

Belle Vie was packed with things for spring (in sizes 0 to 24) and rumor has it they’ll be receiving quite a few sale items on Friday, marked down by fifty percent. And a little bird told the Shop Tart we can look forward to sample sales in the future. Yay!

Having finished her shopping for the day (love this job!) the Shop Tart picked up her darling children at school and took them out for ice cream. She knows that Mother’s Day is coming and wants to ensure they know she is the Best Mommy Ever. They chose Simply Savory and enjoyed it immensely - Moose Tracks in a sugar cone with Oreo crumble, for the curious. The boys were thrilled to see Savory now carries Yoo-Hoo.

The Shop Tart was thrilled to see Savory now offers wine from Mommy’s Time Out, a parenting essential.

Later, the happy family enjoyed dinner at the Cock and Bull, sans rowdy toddler, before the oldest son’s school play, in which he was brilliant. So was dinner, but that’s another post! Oh, the shrimp burger…

In other news…

• Lola just received a huge shipment of Trina Turk and a new shipment of dresses from Francis by Christian Francis Roth, all fabulous bien sûr!
• Tomorrow is a great day to take a look at the new merchandise at Lola, because Kicks of Lexington is hosting a Theodosia trunk show from noon until 6 pm. Theodosia jewelry, designed by South Carolina native Jenny Thompson, is stunning!
• The Shop Tart has been feeling bubbly, so tomorrow is also a great day to join her in the late afternoon for Champagne Thursday at VanJean. Where shall we go for dinner after? Suggestions welcome!
• Don’t forget to register: Owner and shoe goddess Jackie Howie of Kicks founded Get in the Pink to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of her shops. On May 9th, Get in the Pink will host three fab events: The Stiletto Sprint (men welcome), a 10K road race and Soirée on the Saluda. All proceeds from the day benefit the American Cancer Society. The Shop Tart will be there to cheer the runners and she will certainly toast them at the soirée that evening! Hmmm…what to wear…
• The Contemporaries Oyster Roast is tonight, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Contemporaries’ events are always a blast and, not that the married Shop Tart notices these sort of things, but they do seem to be attended by quite a few young, attractive single people with real jobs. Ahhhh, spring! See you on the roof of the Meridian Building at 5:30!
  



• What are you doing this weekend? The Shop Tart will be at the Rosewood Crawfish Festival. She is particularly excited about the Pixies tribute band, So Hush Hush. She hopes they aren’t too cool to play “Here Comes Your Man,” which is her favorite. She likes pop music. So sue her. The ten dollar tickets can be purchased at Art Shack, Dano’s Pizza, California Chicken Grill, Rosewood Market, Graphitti Tees, Lane Law Firm, Utopia, Manifest and 5th Avenue Deli. You can also buy tickets at the gate. In addition to the Pixies tribute band, enjoy fun activities for the kids, more music, local art and plenty of crawfish.
• Huh. The Shop Tart has just realized she needs to head to Salty’s for her annual summer flip-flops, the perfect footwear for the festival. The slight-platform flip-flop is de rigeur for an outdoor festival, as it allows your foot to breathe as well as lifts it ever-so-slightly above the fray (i.e. spilled beer.) Love the girly Sanuks at Salty’s!

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

Get your mind out of the gutter. That title was about nothing more than the Shop Tart’s skin. On her face. You see, on Thursday, she purchased St. Tropez Self-Tanning Mousse from Pout, which she was really looking forward to trying. Although she loves her Neutrogena Build-a-Tan, it takes too long to dry for the woman-on-the-go she has become. It also takes a few applications to achieve the level of tan she needs when she’s going to be photographed. She still recommends it highly, especially if you’re going for a subtle tan, a tad more golden each day.

The St. Tropez Mousse is the crème de la crème of self-tanners. It dries in the blink of an eye, goes on without any streaking and gives a golden glow with not a hint of orange. The Shop Tart couldn’t wait until the end of the day when, as all the children slept peacefully in their beds, she could whip out the latex gloves and tan to her heart’s content. Again, get your mind out of the gutter. Latex gloves are useful to have around the house. She wears them to avoid staining when applying self-tanner; she also wears them when chopping hot peppers.

Late in the afternoon, while the glorious St. Tropez waited on the bathroom counter, the Shop Tart took her toddler out for a cheese bagel. An Asiago bagel, to be exact. The delicious kind with the sharp, baked cheese edges. Predictably, the toddler threw a minor tantrum when his mother requested he get back in the car. Like any good parent, she wrapped him up in her arms and carried him, with a tight smile on her face. Where, oh where is the Valium fairy when you need her? Perhaps she was distracted by her anticipation of the island glow to come. Perhaps she was hungry. Whatever the reason, she forgot the most important rule of parenting:

Always carry a screaming toddler with his back to your chest, so his flailing limbs will punch the air, not you.

Thus, the Shop Tart ended up with a cheese bagel to the face. It left a mark, several in fact. It actually broke the skin. Fun times. She calmly placed the toddler in the car. After all, the day was almost over, she had new shoes and she would be able to tan in peace later. Various children were retrieved from various activities, dinner happened, Mr. Shop Tart returned home and the Shop Tart, who had all but forgotten the Cheese Bagel Incident, retired to the bathroom with the door locked to tan.

She applied the mousse after exfoliating and shaving in the shower, drying her skin and applying lotion to any dry spots. Self-tanner clings to dry patches - think knees, elbows, heels - so it’s important to moisturize them beforehand with something heavy-duty, like Vanicream. The Shop Tart had a fleeting thought that the mousse might also cling to the scrapes on her chin from the Cheese Bagel Incident, but she really wanted a tan right that second. *sigh* Vanity is so silly. One fab thing about the mousse is that you can see as you apply if you are doing so unevenly, as it is brownish-green in color. Don’t panic - you’ll be golden when it’s all over, not swamp-colored. The Shop Tart could see right away that the scrapes were very dark, even darker than they had been mere moments before. Then she acted really stupid. She dabbed the spots with eyebrow color remover. It did not work. As you can imagine, it made the situation worse. She went to bed, fearful that she would try other dangerous remedies if she looked at it for another second.

She woke up the next day, slinking out of bed like a child on Christmas morning who knows she has been bad and fears her stocking might be full of coal. She crept to the mirror, hoping the brown spots and crustiness from the hair dye remover debacle would be gone. And what do you think she saw in the mirror? *sigh* Luckily, she’s old enough not to care too, too much about these things, but she did want to look pretty at Runaway Runway that night. Is that so wrong? She spent the day hoping the mess would clear. It did not.

Acknowledging that it probably wasn’t going to disappear in the hour before she had to be at 701 Whaley, the Shop Tart went back to Pout, hoping for a magic solution. She was embarrassed to have done so many stupid things - letting a toddler punch her in the chin with a bagel, failing to moisturize the broken skin on her face, self-tanning against her better instincts and trying to solve the problem with an abrasive chemical. Ladies and gentlemen, you must be as honest with your skin care professional as you are with your therapist, even when it’s humiliating. As it turned out, she had nothing to fear. The ladies at Pout made her feel as though her behavior was perfectly normal. While they had no magic wand to clear her skin, they did perform a miracle. Elizabeth whipped out a can of Era Spray-On Foundation by Classified, sprayed it on the back of her hand and began to dab it on the Shop Tart’s wounds with a foundation brush. Lo and behold, her skin appeared to be perfect. A lot of brides and t.v. people use Classified because it gives skin the appearance of being air-brushed. Brilliant!

Although she finds it a bit heavy for everyday, the Shop Tart is thrilled to add this one to her arsenal! She will use it at least once a month, maybe more. The coverage was good enough to give her the confidence to look up and smile all night long, because it lasts and lasts. Hooray!

And speaking of tanning, self-tanner is the only way to go, n’est-ce pas? Tanning is the sun is nothing but bad, bad, bad and the Shop Tart refuses to allow it. Sunscreen should be applied early and often. She’s sure you’ve heard all the talk about how sunscreen must be combined with antioxidants to be effective. For the face, this is easy, as many of us use antioxidant serums like Skinceuticals C E Ferulic (available at Tonic, H2 and Urban Nirvana) under our sunscreen and makeup. The body, however, is tougher to cover, which is why the Shop Tart was thrilled to discover Aveeno Active Naturals Sunblock SPF 70 with antioxidants soy and vitamins A, C and E. How she loves an all-in-one product! It comes in a lotion if you want extra moisturizing and a clear spray for quick and easy re-application throughout the day. The Shop Tart also recommends a clear spray for children, because you can catch them in passing and it doesn’t leave the apparently humiliating white streaks of other sunscreens.

This summer is going to be great!

In other news…

• The Shop Tart can’t wait for Champagne Thursday at VanJean! Bubbly makes every day more fun, n’est-ce pas? Won’t you join her? She loves trying on bathing suits after a glass of bubbly.
• Revente is celebrating a 17th Anniversary with 20% off everything in the store Friday and Saturday. Time to buy that Lambertson Truex bag for the Shop Tart, don’t you think?
• Pout now offers lash tinting for $25. No more mascara!
• How much do we love the new Nana Bags at Bohemian? A lot!
  
• Correction from yesterday: On Wednesday, meet Annie Morhauser, the creator of AnnieGlass, at Non(e)such during a tea party from 10 am (not 1 am - oops!) until 2 pm. A portion of all AnnieGlass proceeds will go to the Palmetto Health Foundation. Hope to see you there!
• On Wednesday and Thursday, Granger Owings is hosting an Oxxford Clothing trunk show. Light refreshments will be served (that’s free food, y’all!) Five percent of each Oxxford Clothing purchase benefits Vital Connections to support at-risk kids in the Midlands. And…you get your own hand-made tie with each purchase!
• Mary has new Ella Moss, Velvet and Michael Stars, as well as lots of new spring sandals and slides by Frye including their spring boot, made from lightweight leather perfect with dresses and skirts. Look for loads of recesso-fabulous dresses priced $78 or lower. Mary also has a new shipment of NuBras in feather light and new Hanky Panky colors for spring.
• Boutique Basement has tons of new spring items at prices you won’t believe, including plenty of new additions to the famed $20 rack.
• Do you like liquor? Do you like good food with fancy liquor? Solstice is having a fancy liquor and food dinner on Wednesday night. If liquor isn’t your thing, never fear. When you call to save your spot, let them know you would prefer wine. Call the restaurant for details and reservations. Tuesday, May 5th, is the next Babysitter Night at Solstice. Make your reservation now, because it fills up fast!
• Or…Wednesday at 6:30, enjoy an Italian Wine Tasting hosted by Marie Ballard of Palm Bay Imports at Gervais and Vine.
• Or…at 5 pm on Wednesday, drop in at Rosso for a $5 Italian wine tasting. In fact, make it an evening: Go for a mani-pedi next door at Soak right before and stay for dinner after!
• And…the most recesso-fabulous choice on Wednesday, the Museum Contemporaries Oyster Roast at 5:30 on the roof of the Meridian Building, free for members and just $5 for non-members (Hint: Become a member and enjoy it for free!)

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

What a weekend! Runaway Runway was everything the Shop Tart expected and more. Call her shallow, but she loved her outfit from head to to toe which made it even more fun (For her. She has no idea what, if any, effect her outfit had on other people.) Earlier in the day, Wesley at the Tillman Salon gave her a fabulous blowout. Wesley does this thing - the Shop Tart should have taken a picture - where she uses four or five round brushes at once. She leaves them hanging as she works on each new section of hair, removing the longest-hanging brush to use on a new section when she runs out. This method results in big, gorgeous Hollywood Hair. The curl lasts an entire week! Wesley is a genius and the Shop Tart plans to book her before every big event for as long as they both shall live. The rest of the outfit consisted of a gold silk tiered top by Phillip Lim, gold and yellow patterned wrap skirt by the same and…SQUEEEE!…brand new blue suede sandals by Loeffler Randall! The Shop Tart is only mildly embarrassed by how excited she is about those shoes. Susan Steiner, a fellow judge and the buyer for VanJean, also wore Loeffler Randalls from VanJean. Hers were metallic python…gorgeous!

She left for Runaway early with Susan, driven by the lovely Christina of VanJean and felt very glamorous when Christina let them out of her fabulous black SUV right at the door. Susan thoughtfully brought a bottle of Champagne to help with the judging process. The Shop Tart’s fellow judges in the greenability category were Debbie McDaniel of Revente and Sid & Nancy and Irv Thompson, style maven and all-around great guy. One of the Shop Tart’s favorite moments was when the Lady Chablis passed by the judges and gave Irv a piece of her mind when he asked her to mind his beer, which was sitting on the ground in front of him. The Shop Tart shares the Lady’s sentiment about beer.

The Shop Tart was lucky enough to have her photo snapped with these hotties from Granger Owings. Aren’t they sweet to humor an old lady?

The show was fabulous, the designers beyond impressive and the Shop Tart was thrilled to be a part of it. Otis Taylor of The State newspaper was there with a camera man and let her say a few words…

Afterwards, Mr. Shop Tart called Eddie Wales of Motor Supply to see if they and a small crowd could possibly get a bite or three to eat, even though it was nearly 11 pm. Ever the gracious resaurateur, he told them to come on in, which they did, along with VanJean and Pout owner Melissa Blanchard and her husband Joe, Coplon’s owner Bruce Greenberg and his wife Sherri, local writer Camille Maurice, VanJean buyer Susan Steiner and husband Tripp and Irv Thompson, the aforementioned style icon. The table was packed with fashion fabulousness. The Shop Tart felt out of her league and loved every minute! Delicious bubbly, delicious food and delicious company. What more could a girl want? Well, maybe one more thing…Sherri Greenberg was wearing the Shop Tart’s favorite Alexis Bittar Retro Cuff. She let the Shop Tart try it on - love!

Saturday morning was a tiny bit rough (did we mention the Shop Tart hit the Art Bar, albeit briefly, after Motor Supply the night before? Whew!) All cobwebs were cleared by a delicious breakfast at the All-Local Farmers’ Market at Rosewood. Donna’s flowers, as always, were lovely and the Shop Tart snapped up plenty of fresh veggies and eggs for the week ahead. Saturday night, she and Mr. Shop Tart went for Bluegrass, Beer and BBQ to benefit the Montessori School of Columbia. Fab bluegrass was provided by the famous Tom Hall and the Plow Boys. One of the Shop Tart’s friends thought the drummer was cute. The Shop Tart thought all of them were cute. After the benefit, the Shop Tart wanted dessert, which she enjoyed at the Whig (cheese fries!)

Almost forgot to mention: Before the benefit, Mr. Shop Tart and his wife went to Motor again to help their in-laws use a gift certificate that expired that day. Who can object to one more round of delicious soft-shell crab?

And a frissee salad with lardon?

Sunday morning took the Shop Tart to a soccer match in Florence for her ten-year-old. She enjoyed a lovely grilled salmon salad at Shoney’s. No lie. It was pretty good. Not great, but surprisingly acceptable. Sunday afternoon, she and Mr. Shop Tart trekked out to the country to a beautiful lodge to watch their darling son the soccer player sing with his choir to benefit the choir’s trip to England this summer, where they will sing in Canterbury. Her baby sings like an angel. Oh, and so does the rest of the choir.

Now, on with a new week!

• On Thursday, you won’t want to miss the Theodosia trunk show at Kicks of Lexington from noon until 6 pm. Theodosia jewelry, designed by South Carolina native Jenny Thompson, is stunning.
• For the rest of the month, KD’s Treehouse is offering 20% off to anyone who brings food and or money for Harvest Hope or money for the Riverbanks Zoo Conservation Fund. Use the discount on all regularly-priced merchandise (art excluded)!
• Do you like chocolate? Treat yourself or a friend to a little Godiva, now 25% off at Unforgettable Fine Jewelry. Yum!
• Don’t forget to register: Owner and shoe goddess Jackie Howie of Kicks founded Get in the Pink to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of her shops. On May 9th, Get in the Pink will host three fab events: The Stiletto Sprint (men welcome), a 10K road race and Soirée on the Saluda. All proceeds from the day benefit the American Cancer Society. The Shop Tart will be there to cheer the runners and she will certainly toast them at the soirée that evening!
• As always, Terra is doing a fab job of keeping up with local, seasonal food. Can’t wait to see what they’re serving this week! An evening on the patio sounds devine…
• This is a great week to pop into LaRoque. They have a sale rack (up to 50% off!) and new styles, too!
• Stay tuned for news about Champagne Thursday at VanJean…surprises in store…
• Anne Reynolds is teaching a cooking class featuring Mimosas and breakfast food on Wednesday at The Happy Café at 6:30 pm. The class will cost only $20 and you will need to reserve your spot so call ahead. Girls’ night out anyone?
• On Wednesday, meet Annie Morhauser, the creator of AnnieGlass, at Non(e)such during a tea party from 10 am until 2 pm. Miss Annie will share her fab table top ideas and entertaining tips. You can receive free inscriptions on all AnnieGlass ordered that day and a complimentary ultramarine heart with all AnnieGlass purchases over $150. A portion of all AnnieGlass proceeds will go to the Palmetto Health Foundation. In case you didn’t know, Annie makes those stunning clear glass serving pieces with the metallic rims. They complement any china pattern!
• Later Wednesday evening, Ross Holmes will be at Dianne’s on Devine - always a good time!
• Granger Owings is offering special deals on packages from RNG clothing this month for men and women. Purchase two made-to-measure suits for $1500 or three suits and one sport coat for $2000. Perfect gift for Mom, Dad or the recent college graduate. The job market is tough and you need to look good!
• Have lots of bare dresses for summer? Go get your NuBra at Bohemian! They also have plenty of seamless camis and tube in all colors for layering.
• This week at Weathers: Buy any sport coat and get a free pair of slacks (value up $195.) Buy any two suits and get a free sport coat (value up to $395)
• And for your Hump Day Happy Hour(s)…the re-scheduled Columbia Museum of Art Contemporaries’ Oyster Roast!
  

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

Just a few things…first of all…RUNAWAY RUNWAY IS TONIGHT! And the Shop Tart knows what she is wearing. Her outfit was chosen based on a new pair of shoes, as it often is. The shoes? They are Loeffler Randall. They are divine! You’ll have to come to the show to see which ones she had to have.

Before her shoe adventure, the Shop Tart enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at Rosewood Market, teriyaki chicken and vegetables with rice and a fresh green salad. You know the nice thing about eating at Rosewood? In addition to knowing your meal will be delicious, you can be sure it won’t contain anything that will make you feel crabby later or give you pimples. Hooray for that! In the deli, they were sampling some of the tastiest toffee the Shop Tart has ever had the pleasure of devouring. She might have pushed the limits of the word “sample” a little. Made in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Madison & Marcela toffee is sure to delight any guest. Or anyone who wants to sit at home and devour an entire bag while watching Gossip Girl. Ahem. Careful, now.

After her shoe stop at VanJean, the Shop Tart bounced on down the street to Non(e)such, where they had received a new shipment of Alexis Bittar. She lurrrrves Alexis Bittar! Allison at VanJean was wearing one of the bracelets and the Shop Tart felt nothing but jealous. As expected, the pieces were stunning. The new coral collection is fab (so fab!), but the Shop Tart still longs for that retro cuff that Serena wore on Gossip Girls with a chic black maillot de bain.

After Non(e)such, the Shop Tart saw no reason to end her little promenade, so she headed to M Boutique to check out the spring sale. For your sake, she hopes you were reading the Shop Tart carefully and didn’t miss it, because yesterday was the last day, 15% off almost everything. If you did miss it, never fear. M Boutique’s prices are so recesso-fabulous! The Shop Tart scored a cute denim skirt by Mavi, which she desperately needed as she has been wearing one she bought mere moments after her now two-and-a-half year-old was born. She was a few pounds heavier then and it has turned into a hip-hugger. Not in a good way.

There were loads of other cute things at M - the store is packed with spring merchandise you will want right this very second. After M, the Shop Tart popped in to see AnnaBelle at LaRoque, who was taking an order from a lady who knew her own style very well. The Shop Tart loves people like that. The charming lady from Charleston asked,

“Why would I pay $600 for a dress that doesn’t fit when I can have one custom made for so much less?”

Precisely. And the Shop Tart knows she’ll love that dress!

And for the weekend…

• Have all the jewelry you need, but nowhere to put it? Unforgettable offers beautiful wooden jewelry boxes that can keep your treasures safe. Stop by and see some of the gorgeous selections. Don’t forget to mention the Shop Tart and get 10% off your purchase (excluding Swarovski products.)
• For the rest of the month, KD’s Treehouse is offering 20% off to anyone who brings food and or money for Harvest Hope or money for the Riverbanks Zoo Conservation Fund. Use the discount on all regularly-priced merchandise, including art!
• Today: Head to Lola between 10 am and 2 pm for a Gold Party. Bring your old gold and take home a bag of cash! Not sure if it’s gold? Bring it anyway and they can check for you. Anything 10K or above will do. Look for special snacks and drinks while you’re there…and, don’t forget, through Saturday enjoy 20% off spring and summer clothing and 50% off select spring and denim. Tons of cute stuff. Check Lola G - for tweeners and juniors - for less expensive pieces that fit grown-ups, too! Expectant Mothers Read This: Lola now has maternity tops and a dress by formerly-pregnant Shop Tart favorite Michael Stars and maternity jeans by Citizens for Humanity. If you splurge on one thing during your pregnancy, make it Michael Stars or fancy jeans. Or get them both. You’ll be glad you did!
• This afternoon: Enjoy Simply Savory’s free wine tasting from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. They have new wine called “Mommy’s Time Out.” Don’t you think you need one?
• Tonight: Runaway Runway. See you there!
• Also tonight: Color the Arts at First Citizens Outdoor Plaza on Main Street from 6 to 9 pm. Enjoy an art exhibition and sale featuring thirteen local artists, Firefly Vodka and open bar, great food, Island Music by Chris Lee & Friends, Borenya African Drum & Dancers and a silent auction. Tickets are $50, but only $35 for “young professionals.” So, um, put on a suit and make sure your gray is covered! And you can do both, because the Runaway Runway show doesn’t start until 7:30 (pre-show at 6:30.)
• Tomorrow Morning: All-Local Farmers’ Market at Rosewood Market. You will be tired. You might even be a touch over-hung. You can get a delicious breakfast of local grits, eggs, sausage and coffee for just $4. Add a little extra if you want a biscuit (Hint: You do want the biscuit.) Buy some flowers for someone special while you’re there. The Shop Tart thinks she herself is very special and always indulges (Tip: Tell Donna how much you want to spend and let her create the bouquet. Fab!)
• Tomorrow Night: Bluegrass, Beer and BBQ. The Shop Tart just bets there will be wine, too. Email Julie Hall to reserve your spot. The weather should be lovely, the BBQ devine and the music - provided by the famous Tom Hall and the Ploughboys - fab as it always is! The party is happening at those new parking spots behind the Cockabooses. Fun!
  



• Sunday, let’s have brunch at the Cock and Bull, already beloved by the Shop Tart for the amazing shrimp burger. Brunch sounds great!
• The Shop Tart is a busy lady and she needs help. Do you have a winsome personality, love an excuse to go into shops and restaurants and need cash to finance your fab lifestyle? The Shop Tart is looking for ad reps. Please email her if you’re interested!

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

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• Recent Posts

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