So. After the pedicure at Soak (Were you paying attention? Were you reading yesterday? Really? Mwah!) the Shop Tart rushed home to change. She had been planning to wear a borrowed dress. Funny thing. It was too hot to wear the (oh, so lovely!) dress. The Shop Tart is never one to shy away from a last-minute fashion decision. Tout d’un coup, she thought of the Loeffler Randall zippered skirt she had purchased that very day. When she bought it, she knew nothing more than that it was marked down to a mere $65 and that it fit her, in a good way. She advocates buying such things at a great price, even when you don’t know exactly where a zippered cream-colored pencil skirt might fit into your wardrobe. Why? Because it will eventually be the solution to a fashion emergency.

Saturday night presented just such an emergency. One of the Shop Tart’s most fabulous friends was celebrating a birthday, a big one (twenty-three, of course.) She had to wear just the right thing for a big night out with the ladies. The borrowed dress, paired with her new Louboutins purchased on sale from Coplon’s made the perfect outfit…if it had been twenty degrees cooler. But it was hot, hot, hot. She had to wear the Louboutins, had to.

The new skirt was hanging in her closet, très visible, as new pieces should be. Shop Tart Tip: Don’t put new things away immediately; leave them out in the open for a few days so you notice random ways they might fit into your regular rotation. So, the skirt it was. She tried it on with the shoes and a black and red patterned sheer top she scored in the Lola sale recently. Loved the look, but the top had sleeves and sleeves just weren’t going to happen in that heat. Next, she tried it with a Phillip Lim ruffled tank. Bingo! When she arrived at her friend’s house, the birthday girl looked fab, because she had hit the VanJean sale just after the Shop Tart that morning. And here they are, the birthday girl in a Loeffler romper and shoes and the Shop Tart in her last-minute look.

Sweet puppy Charlotte, named after Columbia’s own Kristen Davis’ character in Sex and the City, looks on, wishing she had hit the sale, too. Or at least stopped by Pupckakes, next to VanJean, for a treat. Charlotte has requested a post about doggie treats, so look for that soon and please feel free to let the Shop Tart know about your pooch’s faves.

After mimosas made with Italian blood orange juice - really, you must try them - all the ladies piled into a couple of cars and headed out to Garibaldi’s, where they enjoyed more bubbly (Please note that the bubbliest ladies were not driving. Safety first!) The food, as always, was perfection. The Shop Tart loved her arugula and orange salad with pine nuts.

One of her friends enjoyed the endive salad, always a favorite.

The Shop Tart and her sister-in-law split grouper stuffed with crab meat, which might be the best dish on the entire menu. They ordered extra sides of spinach and bok choy. Did you ever notice the list of sides at the bottom of the menu, including the aforementioned greens as well as asparagus and a few others? They’re only a couple of dollars each and the Shop Tart loves her vegetables. The birthday girl was fêted in true Garibladi’s style, with a candelabra and singing, of course!

She was only a little embarrassed and recovered after the first bite of scrumptious mud pie.

The Shop Tart is having trouble recovering from that fab Alexis Bittar cuff. Hopefully, her friend will let her borrow it once or twice. Or maybe you will buy her one from Non(e)such? After Garibaldi’s, the Shop Tart was supposed to go home (the birthday girl did, wisely), but her husband was out visiting a friend from back in the day who was in town for the weekend. The Shop Tart had her driver take her there. As these things go, she got talked into going to see Grey Egg at the Art Bar. Or maybe she talked everyone into going. What is the deal with bands that don’t start playing until midnight? The Shop Tart is almost too old for this sh*t. She rallied, though, and didn’t get home until one in the morning. Wheee!

She got just enough sleep to make it to church in the morning, where she wore her fab new Phillip Lim jumpsuit. And worshiped (God, not Phillip Lim, silly.) After church, she finally got to try Pawley’s Front Porch. She had heard rave reviews, including some from her own family, who had been there without her a couple of times. Believe the hype, y’all. The menu looks great and everything they tried was tasty. The menu is very similar to Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s, with a long list of sandwiches that can be ordered with chicken or as a burger. The Shop Tart is always disappointed by restaurant fish tacos, because she thinks her own are delicious. The fish tacos in restaurants never have enough other stuff. Pawley’s tacos with mahi were delicious. Hooray!

The specials looked great.

Mr. Shop Tart tried the lobster tacos, which didn’t disappoint one little bit.

The middle child wanted a veggie burger, which he had enjoyed before - he raved about it, in fact - but they were sold out, so he tried the grilled cheese from the children’s menu. It was good. The onion rings, though? He had to defend them from the rest of the table. They were quite possibly the best onion rings ever - and the Shop Tart has sampled a lot of onion rings. Someone is a little ham. Wonder where he gets that?

The other two children enjoyed chicken fingers. The Shop Tart always tastes the chicken fingers, as she once had a very bad experience with a child’s meal at a well-known upscale restaurant (raw chicken with a coating so tasteless even her toddler turned up his chicken-finger-loving nose.) These were delicious, as were the sweet potato fries and the regular fries (not pictured, but devoured nonetheless.)

Later that evening, the Shop Tart made fresh, Vietnamese salad rolls with her dear children. She had to share that, lest you think they only eat chicken fingers. Mr. Shop Tart was out of town and he missed it, poor guy. They were stuffed with cucumbers, local shrimp, carrots, red pepper, sprouts, fresh basil and mint, red leaf lettuce and the requisite rice vermicelli. So good, you have no idea. They had lemon poppy seed cookies for dessert, because the baby wanted cookies (and actually said please) and the Shop Tart didn’t want to go to the store. The ingredients for lemon poppy seed cookies were in the house, so there you have it.

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

P.S. Belladea has new dresses from Lilla P and Susana Monaco - super comfy and très cute. Don’t forget to check the calendar for other events today!

Friday, the Shop Tart was still on her Post-Vacation Detox. This sounds depressing. In fact, it was not. She had the perfect excuse to visit the new Ole Timey Meat Market on Rosewood. The day before, she had received the following two texts from a friend.

New Ole Timey Meat Market on Rosewood has wild Atlantic salmon for 8.99lb, frozen. Killer deal considering it’s so hard to find wild salmon here!

And they sell wild gulf shrimp for 9.50lb, arriving later this aft. Grilling the salmon tonight and will let you know how it is…

And later?

Ole Timey Salmon Report, Post Grilling: SO good!

The Shop Tart was due for a meal of steamed salmon and greens with lemon juice, so off she went to the market. Well. Right after a quick stop at VanJean, where she scored a fab jumpsuit. The meat market is the bomb. Every Thursday, they get fresh fish, always wild caught. If they don’t have what you want fresh, they have plenty frozen. They have other awesome frozen stuff, too, like biscuits and twice-baked potatoes.

And, um, these. If you want some.

The Ole Timey Meat Market is located in the old Keg, across from the Shop Tart’s beloved Rosewood Dairy Bar.

The market also has a decent selection of wine and and beer, as well as house-made pimento cheese, egg salad and chicken salad. Best part? No cell phones allowed, so you can’t call anyone and second-guess your choice for dinner.

The dinner was delicious; the salmon was perfection and the collards from her CSA box fresh and flavorful. After her meal, which included no alcohol whatsoever thankyouverymuch, she took a long walk, came home and watched Law & Order on her laptop until she fell into a blissful, healthy sleep.

Saturday morning, she awoke bright and early. Well. Not too early, because she stayed up too late watching the aforementioned Law & Order. With one husband and two children at the gym, she was left with her oldest child, who had a hankering for the Gourmet Shop. After a super-healthy breakfast of steel-cut oatmeal made with rice milk and walnuts, they stopped at Revente to drop off a few items for consignment (Go get ‘em. They’re lovely and a bit young-looking for the Shop Tart.) While she was there she spotted this Phillip Lim fringed dress in a size two. Gorgeous! And you could wear it to holiday cocktail parties, with black shoes and a gold bag, if you ask the Shop Tart. At the Gourmet Shop, her son enjoyed the breakfast panini.

The Shop Tart has always been intrigued by the avocado plate. As luck would have it, olive oil, avocado and lemon were all allowed on her super-healthy meal plan for the week. Delicious! And, yup, the kid got the bread.

Afterward, they stopped at VanJean to pick up a dress the Shop Tart was borrowing from someone who works there (Long story short: The day before, she wanted to buy the dress. She also wanted to buy the jumpsuit. A choice had to be made. One of the ladies who works there owns the same dress and offered to lend it to the Shop Tart so she could get the jumpsuit. Hooray!) And, um, the sale? It’s raging. The Shop Tart couldn’t resist a Loeffler Randall zippered skirt for only $65. Could you?

After VanJean, the Shop Tart and her son went to the All-Local Farmers’ Market at Rosewood Market. This is the last time it will be held there. Starting next week, the All-Local Market will be held every Saturday at 701 Whaley. Never fear: Rosewood Market is not closing. They will be open as always, serving delicious healthy treats all day long. In fact, next Saturday after you hit the All-Local Market at 701, stop by Rosewood for whatever you didn’t find and get lunch while you’re there. The crêpes smelled divine.

The flowers from Floral & Hardy Farm were glorious as always. The Shop Tart got a bouquet for herself and another for a friend’s birthday later that evening.

She also got yellow beans…

And organic cherry bark tea…

And fresh vegetables…

And garlic…

And green tomatoes for frying…

Fresh eggs…

She didn’t get these poppy seeds, but they did inspire her to make lemon poppy seed cookies the following evening.

She also learned that Anson Mills sell popping corn. Cool!

Although the Shop Tart didn’t need honey, she buys this when she does. Did you know that eating local honey can help keep seasonal allergies in check? That might be some kind of hippy rumor, but isn’t it a nice excuse to enjoy honey?

Do go to the All-Local Market next week for its opening day at 701 Whaley. Eating local is hands-down the least expensive and most socially responsible way to get healthy.

After the market, there was more fun to be had! The Shop Tart, her sister-in-law and her niece went to Soak for pedicures. Ahhhhhh… What a lovely way to spend an hour chatting with a friend. Even the playlist at Soak is perfect. The Shop Tart chose Parlez-Vous O.P.I. for her toes, her sister-in-law chose silver and her niece chose the mad fabulous orange at the end in the picture below.

The Shop Tart loves the new art at Soak, by Heather Lahaise, who designed the Shop Tart’s logo.

Toenails freshly painted, detox completed, the Shop Tart was ready to party, but she’s afraid that she’s gone on long enough for one day. The rest of the story will have to wait. She does hope you will take advantage of all the sales around town this week. The deals are mind-boggling. À demain, mes chèries.

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

P.S. Unforgettable Fine Jewelry just received a shipment of “Diamond in a Pearl” by Galatea. The jewelry is unusual; the pearls are actually carved to hold diamonds. And you, dear Shop Tart reader, can receive 15% off these lovely pieces, just by mentioning the Shop Tart. Mwah!

Well, Detox Week is almost over and the Shop Tart is ready to get right back on the summer party train. In fact, she can’t wait to mix the cucumber, basil, celery and lime juice from her detox with some vodka. Probably not what the recipe author had in mind, but how can she resist? It should be particularly lovely if she uses Thai basil.

Yesterday, she made a quick stop at Pout to replenish her supply of Alison Raffaele Face Forward Age Response primer, which keeps her from getting too glowy in this heat. She also stocked up on Guinot Double Minceur Ciblée, which is a nice way of saying “Double Slimming Targeted Treatment,” which is a nice way of saying “fat cream.” Ladies, cellulite lotion works. It doesn’t do miracles, but a good one will “reduce the appearance of cellulite.” Usually, ingredients like caffeine and menthol help tighten the skin. No idea what is in the Guinot, but of all the fat creams she has tried, the Shop Tart loves this one the best. It seems to have an immediate effect and, unlike some others, it doesn’t smell bad, which is a good thing because if you smell funny, people won’t even notice your lovely smooth skin.

She also needed waterproof mascara. After trying several from the drugstore which dried out her lashes, she was ready to see if Tarte could do better. She had actually shied away from Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Splashes! 4 in 1 Natural Waterproof Mascara because she didn’t like the packaging. Love Tarte, think this looks cheesy.

Lo and behold, she was about to purchase the mascara, nautical tube and all, when she noticed the Eyequatic set, only a few dollars more, which included three waterproof eyeshadows (cream and powder, so actually six) and a fab scarf, perfect for holing her hair on the beach or at the pool. The tube of mascara that comes in the kit is not wearing a denim suit with nautical accents, thank goodness. Although the tube is smaller, everyone knows you’re supposed to throw out mascara after a time anyway. We don’t, but we should. The Shop Tart has never in her life used an entire tube of mascara - and she wears a lot of mascara and keeps the products way longer than the package recommends. This mascara doesn’t get clumpy in the package like so many others do, especially the waterproof ones.

The eyeshadow is kind of nice, too. You’re meant to apply a layer of the cream shadow with powder over to create the waterproof effect. It actually works. The blue was a bit extreme for a mother of three at the pool, but the purple and gold are lovely. The Shop Tart recommends blending with your fingers or a brush if you don’t want très heavy shadow. And if you do? Rock it. The Shop Tart is your fashion cheerleader and she wants you to be happy.

After Pout, she headed to Finleaf, in hopes that some of the art from the Dock Walk would still be there. She missed the Dock Walk because she had a meeting at the exact same time (for the Columbia Children’s Theatre steering committee. She was thrilled to be asked!) Lucky for her, some of the art was still around, including these skate boards, which she has now realized would look mad cool on her front porch. She hopes to get to them today, if the artist hasn’t taken them already.

The slideshow includes art from the Dock Walk as well as some pieces from Finleaf’s regular stock.

Now that the Shop Tart no longer drinks coffee or soda, she has become an herbal tea junkie. This room at Finleaf, full of everything a chic tea-drinker needs, caught her eye.

The first thing she noticed when she entered was the lovely smell, coming from these packed shelves of loose tea. She left with a bag of delicious, fragrant rooibos.

The other reason she went to Finleaf was to see if they still had the thin, cotton tunics from India that make such great cover-ups for the pool or beach. They did and she picked out a lovely black and white print. She has a more colorful one from last year and loves them both. The tunics look great over a suit and you can throw on pants or a denim skirt for a quick trip to the grocery store or a casual, post-beach dinner. Bonus: They are only $38.

The summer heat is in full effect and the Shop Tart is ready to start making nothing but appetizers for dinner. Today, she is still in detox mode and will enjoy steamed fish and greens for dinner. Tomorrow night, she’s celebrating a friend’s 40th (and the end of her detox) by going out for dinner. Sunday night, she plans to make Thai salad rolls. Don’t you think she needs these little bowls for the dipping sauce? Wouldn’t that be lovely?

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

P.S. Simply Savory is open for breakfast. They will serve from from 7 to 10 am weekdays and 8 to 10 am Saturdays. The Shop Tart thinks this is just what Devine Street needs!

Estella Vitae is what Anthropologie might be if it was still cool. Scratch that. Estella Vitae stands alone as a fab, fab shop full of fab, fab stuff. Just off King on Society Street, you could miss it if you weren’t paying attention, which makes it feel like a secret. It isn’t a secret, but still. There is no sign, just the name on the door.

The Shop Tart didn’t have time to go to Estella Vitae, really. Her eight-year old son had been more than patient while she tried on bra after embarrassing bra at the Bits of Lace sale. Her husband was already back home in Columbia, with two children suffering from post-vacation lag and a bunch of suitcases that needed unpacking*. But how could she pass by those shorts? And the fab yellow blouse? The jaunty scarf? And the belt? Oh, the belt. She had to know what was beyond the door. Had to!

As it happened, the eight-year old was riveted. There were three floors, several rooms and lots of weird stuff for him to explore. He spent a great deal of time on the floor examining a box of old wine keys. In fact, he was so riveted, he failed to notice the vintage Playboy magazine on the settee not six feet away. The shop is a brilliant mix of modern and vintage, from furniture to clothing. And shoes! Loved these ballet flats in every color.

And John Fleuvogs. The Shop Tart has loved them since college. Look at them. Mad chic and comfortable, too.

Owner Ginger Evans reworks vintage slips into gorgeous creations. Some of them could be worn as dresses. The Shop Tart is a little too old for such a thing, but she was tempted. She’s actually kicking herself for not snapping this one up, even if she only wore it at home. The mermaids!

When you go - and you will - plan to spend a lot of time, so you don’t miss the little things, like these cuff bracelets, made from ties and buttons.

And can we all go “SQUEEEEE” over this lamp? Can the Shop Tart have it for her fantasy dressing room? The one with a full bar and open shelves for each and every one of her handbags?

And the vintage jumpsuit with matching jacket? Oui? Oui!

This bracelet, found in an open jewelry box with other vintage pieces, is gorgeous. The Shop Tart likes to think Alexis Bittar saw it and was inspired to create his retro cuff.

Love these!

One more? Just one more. The Shop Tart would like to have a tea party, just for these plates.

If you, like the Shop Tart, want to see more, do take a look at the rest of her photos. And do go to Estella Vitae next time you’re in Charleston.

Shop Tart Tip: Kicks is closing…from July 1st to 4th for painting. What does this mean for you? The shoes have to go. The first sale pair you buy will be 40% off and all additional sale purchases will be 50% off, starting tomorrow. Hooray!

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

* Incidentally, the Shop Tart’s still-full suitcase is on her bedroom floor. She got home on Saturday. She is a slacker. But she made a rule: She is only allowed to wear clothes out of the suitcase, so it will get be unpacked in no time.

Well, the Shop Tart couldn’t resist. The Bits of Lace warehouse sale was calling her name. She had to go, even though one hapless eight-year old boy was forced to accompany her. Does it help her case if you know she took him somewhere fun for lunch first? And that he is a mellow child in general and probably didn’t mind? Leaving Isle of Palms for Columbia, her husband took the toddler, who is not fit for public consumption unless there are chicken fingers involved, and the older boy, who is excellent but old enough to be more than a little perturbed by hundreds of bras in one room. The Shop Tart and her middle son started their afternoon in Charleston with lunch at Fleet Landing on the water.

A while back, one of the Shop Tart’s friend’s fathers died. Sometimes sad occasions bring people together and several friends from far away converged in Charleston to attend the funeral. They needed drinks and lunch, always a fun combination. MK, whose father had died, suggested Fleet Market, apologizing for the tourist factor. The Shop Tart is a tourist, so this didn’t bother her one little bit. It was lovely. Even though the occasion was sad, it was great to connect with old friends and have drinks at lunch, just like the old days. The Shop Tart can’t remember which came first, a shared bottle of bubbly at the bar or lunch, but she does remember the bar, right on the marsh, and how great the breeze felt and how pretty her friends looked in the late afternoon light.

Eating at Fleet Landing with a child was a different experience, but just as much of a pleasure. He wanted to sit outside, right on the water, so they could watch the boats. It was a little warm, but the Shop Tart figured she owed him.

Already attempting to erase the two-week vacation extravaganza of pimento cheese, potato chips, ice cream and bubbly, she ordered salad with grilled salmon. The salmon was cooked just right and she felt healthier already.

Her son agonized. he wanted the crab cake sandwich, but he wanted a Caesar Salad. The salad promised shaved Asiago cheese, which he adores. He was thrilled to learn he could have the salad with a crab cake on top. In fact, it made his day,

The Shop Tart had, believe it or not, never had Caesar Salad before. She tried it. Why, oh why, has she never tried this before? So freaking good. And with a crab cake? Divine! Her son enjoyed doing his impression of Gordon Ramsay, which he prefaced (as he always does) by explaining that he really did like the food, but was going to pretend to be the famous chef, just for fun. Just so you know, the Shop Tart and her older two children have been enjoying every single episode of Kitchen Nightmares on Hulu. After all, they bleep out the cussing, so it’s harmless. Anyhow, Chef Ramsay almost always orders crab cakes or risotto, if they are available. The Shop Tart agrees that these two dishes test the mettle of any kitchen nicely, but that is neither here nor there.

After lunch, the duo headed straight to the semi-annual Bits of Lace sale, held in a previously empty storefront right off of King on Society Street.

Oh. My. Goodness. It was worth any amount of hassle. The bras were plentiful and they were divided on racks by size. The salespeople, as professional in the sale as they are in the shop, replaced things neatly as customers were finished trying them. Heaven! And the prices? They sent shivers of joy down the Shop Tart’s back, all the way around to her uplifted bosom. It takes a mighty fancy bra to uplift the girls and fancy bras are très chère, ma chèrie. Prices ranged form 60 to 75% off and the Shop Tart settled on two bras: A Cosabella that came in actual sizes, rather than “small, medium, large” as they often do, and…wait for it…drum roll…SQUEEE…an Eres…with the matching pants! Y’all. Eres bras are normally two to three hundred bucks. She got hers, a lovely charcoal gray, for only $60. The Cosabella was a mere $20. This, ladies, is worth a day trip. In addition to Cosabella and Eres, they have loads of other top brands: Marie-Jo, La Perla, Chantelle, Simone Perele and more.  They also had quite a bit of lingerie, sleepwear and bathing suits. The sale continues through the end of the month. If you want to share a ride, the Shop Tart could probably be convinced to go back, especially if you drove, so she could have a glass of wine at lunch.

After that, the Shop Tart and son headed a block over to Estella Vitae, which she full intended to tell you all about today. Alas, it will have to wait until tomorrow as the Internet Gods were not smiling on her house today and she got a late start. The Bits of Lace sale is exciting enough for one day, n’est-ce pas?

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

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