Many years ago, the Shop Tart and her husband had a child. Children were not yet in vogue with their set, but they are trendsetters. They were also dead broke and couldn’t afford babysitters. On the night after Thanksgiving, when all of their friends were ensconced in warm booths at Goatfeathers already acknowledging that the night would probably end at Group if not Bar None, they were at home cooing over their darling child. Rather than lament their lack of ability to pay a decent sitter a fair wage, they started having people in. It started with two or three. Years later, they began calling people a few days in advance and the guest list got a bit larger. They even started providing beer and wine, rather than going the traditional B.Y.O.B. route (which was actually a step up from “See what you can snag from your parents’ liquor cabinet”). When Mr. Shop Tart was almost forty, his wife had an idea. She broached the subject carefully.

“I think, darling,” she cooed, “that at your advanced age, we should consider adding liquor to the menu.”

She outlined a plan that involved crossing a moral line. (The moral line is hers. And she isn’t judging you, because she does plenty of other things she probably shouldn’t. Every d*mn day.) She agreed to shop at Sam’s Club, a subsidiary of the evil Wal-Mart, for the food. Just once a year. And did you know they actually have very good spanakopeta? She would use donated leftover turkey from everyone’s Thanksgiving table and a bottle of Shealy’s barbecue sauce for the main course. She argued that some guests would probably bring cookies or a bottle of wine, so some of the expenses would be recouped. Enfin, Mr. Shop Tart agreed. Because he likes to party.

The following year, the guest list grew. (Maybe it was the liquor.) They hired a babysitter to watch the children upstairs. (Only their own children. They feel no guilt about having an adults-only party and neither should you.) The next year, they added a bartender. (Well, they called a guy. He asked his wife. She gave them a name. That person couldn’t do it, but she gave them another name. Amanda, the final choice, was great.)

This year, they called the bartender from last year and after noticing the list of attendees had topped one hundred people, decided to employ a second. (Incidentally, that bartender was not available. She and her husband have a new baby. Awwwww! Congratulations! The two young men who arrived in her place did an excellent job.) Again, they hired a babysitter for the children. Next year? Valet, baby. The Shop Tart justifies all this expense by doing all the cooking herself. She’s no caterer, but if you have enough liquor, no one will notice. Suggested menu:

• Leftover turkey pulled into pieces and slow-cooked in a pot with barbecue sauce and a little water.
• These thingies.
• Cheese tray: One spicy cheese like jalapeno Jack, one cheese from your fridge that just happens to be there and a third cheese or some sort of jam that tastes good with cheese. The Shop Tart recommends quince jam from the Gourmet Shop. Or cotognata from Italy.
• Baked Brie. So easy: Take a small wheel of Brie, slice it in half like you want to make a sandwich, spread any kind of jam and sprinkle any kind of nuts, close it and wrap it in refrigerator crescent dough. Press out the perforations on the dough first. Cook it until the dough looks done.
• Sausage balls.
• Spanakopeta. From Sam’s. (Sorry, but it is so cheap and really pretty decent.)
• Cookies. Use freezer dough, but cut each pre-shaped bit of dough into quarters for yummy bite-size cookies.
• Chips and dip. ‘Cause who doesn’t like chips and dip?
• Veggie tray with assorted vegetables and your special blue cheese dip. (Hint: It has two ingredients, blue cheese dressing and blue cheese crumbles.)
• Olives, nuts and Whoppers in little bowls around the house.

You will have time to prepare everything in one day, including shopping, even if you also have to go to the liquor store. Mr. Shop Tart will go out and pick up things you forgot, like cocktail napkins and ice. Speaking of the liquor store, go to Morganelli’s, right behind Zesto on Forest Drive. They can tell you exactly how much of everything you need. Rather than making you go to the beer side and the liquor side, they let you stand at the counter while they put everything together. Then they take it out to your car and load it. And they are polite and pretty cute. And laughed at the Shop Tart’s lame jokes.

The party ended at 3 am. To thank her for catering, Mr. Shop Tart served his wife Bojangle’s in bed the next morning. The cajun filet biscuit gave her energy to clean up all day in her pajamas. While she cleaned, her husband hung out with the children and took leftovers to Oliver Gospel Mission, where almost all food donations are welcome. Please consider packaging up leftover food from a party and donating it. The Shop Tart had several bags of vegetables still in the fridge, as well as turkey and rolls that never made it to the table and a few other things. The Shop Tart assumed they only accepted non-perishable items. As she learned years ago at a friend’s party, this is not the case. You just had a party, so please consider giving to those in need. In fact, what if everyone who had a party set aside a few dishes to donate. Wouldn’t that be lovely? And it’s so easy.

That evening, she changed into grown-up clothes and went out for a family dinner at Cock N’ Bull, where the shrimp burger over an Emerald Isle salad is always an excellent choice.

After dinner, they stopped by Hunter Gatherer to check in with some old friends. They were in bed by 9:30. (At her age, the Shop Tart was still tired from the night before. 3 am is crazy, y’all. How do you kids do it?)

On Sunday, they skipped church and took the children to a movie. Later that evening, they went to a friend’s house for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. They were in bed by nine, watching Law and Order. Heaven!

Now that she’s rested, the Shop Tart is ready to party some more. This evening, she will be at Sustainable Midlands’ Holiday Celebration at 701 Whaley Street. From 5:30 to 7:30 pm, shop with local vendors while socializing and enjoying free food and libations. That’s right. FREE.

[This just in from an insider, because the Shop Tart couldn't believe everything was free.]

Yes, everything is free, even admission. Food and wine will be sampled, so you’re not going to get dinner or get drunk but you will be able to try lots of stuff. Cellar on Greene is doing the wine and Spotted Salamander is doing the bulk of the food, we have Wil-Moore Farms doing a turkey, some chocolate biz and Emile [Ed. note: of Caw Caw Creek Pig Farm] is doing something. No other adult bevs except for the wine tasting. Oh, and there will be a violinist entertaining the crowd and the decorations are beautiful - lots of fresh eucalyptus and rosemary, so the space smells fantastic. And the 18′ tree is from a local place too! Starts at 5:30 -bring cash!

Tomorrow night, the Shop Tart is attending her annual Bunco holiday party, to which she must bring a gift worth $15 or less. Would it be weird to bring a gift certificate for a brow grooming by Shannon at Pout? Maybe, but the Shop Tart isn’t known for being normal and she thinks it’s a fine idea. (It is the kind of gift exchange where you can steal from others, so no one will get stuck with the brow grooming. Although…Shop Tart Tip: Everyone could use a professional brow grooming.)

The Junior League’s Holiday Market preview party is looking good for Wednesday. The Shop Tart will be spending today updating the calendar. This time of year, there’s a party for everyone, every night of the week. Enjoy!

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

P.S. For those of you who didn’t see it, Rosewood Market’s tofu “turkey” was delish. Definitely consider ordering one next year for yourself or your vegetarian guests.

P.P.S. If you know the Shop Tart personally and are wondering, “Why was I not invited to this party?” The answer is either (A) simple oversight - she was drinking when she put all the email addresses in and yours was inadvertently left out or (B) you were invited, but the Sendomatic got sent to your junk folder. She tried to contact you and never heard back. In very, very rare cases, the answer is (C) “Wait. Who? Have we met?”

So, the Shop Tart hopes you were nestled all snug in your bed this morning rather than on the sidewalk waiting to bust down a door. While she knows there are some mad deals, Black Friday in big box stores is not all it seems. And she can’t imagine getting up that early for any material possession. Even an evening gown by Erdem. Or a Bottega Veneta bag. Or an Yves St. Laurent Roady bag (or Muse tote). All things the Shop Tart can’t have…and that’s just fine.

Make your Black Friday a green one by parking the car and shopping local. The list below is by no means exhaustive, so don’t skip your favorites!

• If you must get out of bed early, Be Beep is opening at 6 am. That’s right 6 am. The staff will be wearing pajamas, so feel free to rock yours. They are offering 20% off the entire store, all day long. You listening, Santa?
• VanJean will have loads of fall things marked down 40 to 75%. And remember that any same-day receipt from VanJean entitles you to 10% off your purchase at Pout.
• Kicks is offering 10% off all fall shoes, boots and bags with an extra 10% if you mention the Shop Tart. That’s 20% off, yo! Through Saturday.
• Revente is offering 20% off all regular priced merchandise. If you haven’t been recently, go, go, go. The selection this year is incredible. Through Sunday.
• Unforgettable Fine Jewelry is offering 15% off all in-stock items. (As always, Swarovski is excluded.)
• Bride alert! Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique kicks off the holiday season with several great offers for brides. Most of their huge selection of in-stock wedding gowns will be priced at $799 with great deals on the rest. They will also be offering great discounts and incentives for all special order wedding gowns. Finally, if you order a Couture Wedding Gown during the sale, they’ll add in hundreds in free accessories to help complete your look. Appointments are suggested for Friday and Saturday, although walk-ins will be taken as space allows.
• LaRoque is offering 25% off everything in the store and bow ties are buy one, get one free. Through Saturday.
• Soak will be open 9:30 to 7, with 25% off all products including gift cards! Remember the anniversary special until December 7th: Manicures are $20 and pedicures are $45.
• KD’s Treehouse is offering lots of deals. All regular price tops and bottoms are buy one and get one half off (equal or lesser value, in-stock merchandise only, excludes all artists consignment merchandise). Adorable pajamas are in stock: buy one or two to get 15% off or buy three or more to get 20% off. All other regular price merchandise is 15% off, including jackets, sweaters, dresses, diapers, bedding, bath, laptop lunch boxes and accessories and or course toys. (Excludes all artists consignment merchandise.) Through Saturday.
• At Lola, receive 20% off all regular priced clothing. Select clothing and denim has been marked 50% off. Enjoy refreshments while you shop.
• M Boutique is offering 20% off game day colors - purple, orange, garnet and black - and 15% off other select fall and winter items.
• Strobler is offering 25% off one item, in-stock or custom order, as well as no sales tax. Friday, Saturday and Monday.
• Granger Owings is offering 20% off suits, sport coats, trousers, sweaters, woven shirts and shoes from RNG Clothing, Samuelsohn, Southwick and Zanella. Through Saturday.
• Some merchandise at Coplon’s will be marked down by as much as 40%.
• Handpicked will be giving away single initial ornaments to the first one hundred customers. They have brought jingle bucks back and if you bring in your reusable HP shopper then you get double jingle bucks with your purchase. If you bring in their coupon from Facebook, you can get 30% off the item of your choice. With the same coupon, all single initial koozies will be buy one get one free. If you buy one leather item, you can get a second leather item half off. And, last but not least, they will have a select group of HP2 earrings buy one get the other half off.
• At Leapin’ Lizards, spend $30 or more and your kids play for FREE while you shop. Spend $50 and receive a FREE Pop-n-Play coupon. Also enjoy savings on play kitchens by KidKraft.
• At 2Gs, all shoes are $9.90 and all clothing and bedding an additional half off the lowest price.
• Just the Thing is offering 30% off all Clemson and Carolina merchandise through Saturday.
• At Little Lambs and Ivy, enjoy homemade cookies and coffee and save 25 to 50% on all fall and holiday fashions and shoes.
• Nana Bags will be on display at an open studio from 10 am until 6 pm at 1816 Gamewell Drive.
• At Miss Cocky, shop early to save. From 9 to 10 am, get 40% off one item. From 10 to noon, take 30% off one item and enjoy 20% off one item until they close at 7 pm.
• Bumble Boutique is having a big sale.
• At Nan’s Notes, early birds get the best deals. From 8 to 9 am, receive 40% off of one item. From 9 to 10 am, receive 30% off of one item. Enjoy 20% off of the entire store all day. Thanksgiving items are half off.
• Cherry’s Delight (on Center Street in West Columbia) will be open from 10 am to 2 pm, selling personalized Christmas ornaments, stockings, puzzles, ceramic tile gifts, towels and pillowcases.
• Cottage and Vine will be open with surprises in store! Come pick your discount from 10% off one item to 10% off your entire purchase.
• Creative Kids is offering 20% off everything in the store.
• Tranquil Moments Day Spa is offering specials on several services. The Afternoon Retreat, a sampler of four 30 minute services, is $100 (regularly $135). Two one hour tension massages (regularly $200) are $175. Ninety minute Lavender Euphoria Body treatment $100 (regularly $125). One hour soft indulgence massage $60 (regularly $75). Pomegranate pedicure $40 (regularly $70). Through Saturday.
• In Charleston? Head to Novel (438 King Street) for the Black Friday Market featuring local vendors. All merchandise from Library and Balboa & Jane Pope Jewelry will be 20% off through Saturday. Not in Charleston? The Shop Tart can’t resist sharing one online deal. Use discount code “blackfriday” at Library’s website for 20% off all items until Saturday at midnight.
• This Just In: Just the Thing is offering 25% off the entire store. Through Sunday.

During your busy day, remember that most of your favorite restaurants are open and Black Friday is the most popular day of the year to drink at lunch. (True fact. Judging from anecdotal evidence compiled meticulously by the Shop Tart.) Chances are, you couldn’t cut loose yesterday as that might have encouraged crazy Uncle Les. Today is your day to tie one (or three) on at lunch and wave at all your friends from high school who are back in town visiting their parents. If you couldn’t resist a big box Black Friday, enjoy a mid-day meal at Solstice in northeast Columbia. They are open for lunch now and nothing could be a better antidote to the crowds at Target.

When you are over Black Friday, consider this. The Shop Tart received an email from Tom Hall of Smoke recently and she will in no way attempt to improve on his words.

Friends, first If I sent you this twice it means you are double special! Big NEWS at Smoke. We gonna have a revival on Monday, December 14th starting at 6 pm. World famous southern chefs Chris and Idie Hastings of Birmingham, owners of heralded new south gonzo localista cuisine restaurant, Hot and Hot Fish Club, are having a book signing for their new cookbook of the same name at Smoke. The Hastings are James Beard nominees and are considered the new guard of southern bad ass cooking from the roots to the table, kind of like Emile [Ed. note: As in Defelice, owner and farmer at Caw Caw Creek], except they have a cookbook and a famous restaurant. Well, they chose Smoke to cook a big meal with us and have a book signing and a talk. So we are pumped. The only other spot in our state they chose was a dive called FIG in Charleston. HA! My pardner Dan Huntley used his persuasive literary mind to swing the invite and it didn’t hurt that he wrote about ten national articles about the husband and wife cooking dynamos before he started SMOKE-ing. Good news is you got this email today. Bad news we are limited to 50 seats. Please email firm commitments immediately so you can get in on this big fun. Its gonna be a sit-down supper club style occasion.

He continues on to give a few hints about the menu, which will not disappoint. Tickets are $40 per person and tickets are limited, so make reservations fast at 803-754-0270 or e-mail Dan by December 8th. Dinner is served from 6 to 8:30 pm. Smoke is located at 10324 Wilson Boulevard in Blythewood (Exit 24on I-77). The Hastings will sign books at the dinner. Michael Cramer of Republic National will serve wine and craft beers. The Shop Tart and her husband will be there for sure!

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

Enjoy your family and friends and don’t forget to tell them about the Shop Tart!

P.S. Read tomorrow’s post for a list of locally-owned places to shop and eat on Black Friday. You may not be able to get a flat-screen t.v. for $20, but you will score some mad deals. Bonus: You won’t get trampled to death.

As explained in the Frequently Asked Questions, the Shop Tart sometimes gets beauty services for free or at a reduced rate so she can review them on her blog. If she loves them - as she often does - she has to pay for round two, full-price, just like you. It’s a slippery slope, y’all. Since third grade (Yes, third grade) the Shop Tart has battled various skin issues, from acne to flaky dryness. She anxiously awaited the magic skin years, a five to ten year period in which she imagined she would have neither acne nor wrinkles. Stop laughing. Spoiler Alert: That five to ten year period never happens. *sigh* So…a while back, the Shop Tart decided to get serious about skin care. She’s been wearing sunscreen for years - and hopes you have, too - but she needed more in her arsenal. Pimples and dryness are one thing when they are merely unsightly, another when they are painful.

This summer, she started Laser Genesis treatments from Illumination MedSpa and regular facials at Pout. A couple of weeks ago, she had a touch-up with the lasers and yesterday she had her now-monthly facial. Between the two, she is happier with her skin than she has ever been. Both treatments, by the way, are relaxing. In contrast to her tooth cleaning and dental exam, which she also had yesterday, she can sleep through them. The lasers feel like hot sun on her face. She can imagine lying out in the sun, without the cancer risk. The facial at Pout, performed by in-house esthetician Shannon, is heavenly. While her face is covered in something or other, Shannon massages lotion into her hands and arms. Divine! The facial includes LED light treatment which targets, acne, dryness, redness and just about everything else.

Shannon also plucked her eyebrows. Shop Tart Tip: Get Shannon to groom your brows. It costs as little as $15 and can be over in less than ten minutes. Call ahead to make sure she can fit you in, but don’t be shy about asking if you happen to be in the shop already. Seriously, good eyebrow grooming can change your whole look, taking a few years off your face even. And Shannon is an artist.

While she was at Pout, the Shop Tart picked up a cupcake bath bomb for one of her children, who thinks they are the best thing ever. Looking for great stocking stuffers? These are…the bomb! She chose a chocolate-scented one for her son - they come in plenty of tasty flavors and colors.

She also looked at all the sparkly nail polish that keeps popping up in magazines from the Lippman Collection. Marquee Moon - the silver one - has actual sequins in it. Other colors have glitter. This is a fab, fab way to add a touch of sparkle to any outfit.

The Shop Tart is strongly considering the gold one for her next party. And the red for her toes. Or the other way around. Or every other nail…

So, pick up your nail polish at Pout and head to Soak for an anniversary special. They will be open from 9:30 am until 7 pm on Friday, with 25% off all products including gift cards. Until December 7th, help Soak celebrate their anniversary with manicures for $20 and pedicures for $45. Speaking of Black Friday, look for a post that morning about where to shop and eat that day (Hint: It won’t involve big box stores and long lines, but it will involve savings and lots of cheer.)

Looking for an intoxicating new scent for cooler weather? The Shop Tart is in lurrrrve with Tobacco Caramel, a cult classic by Fresh. It works for men or women. Maybe you buy it for your husband and wear it yourself, no?

On her way out the door, the Shop Tart spotted this fab, feathered wreath. The ladies of Pout were decorating for the holidays. And where did the wreath originate? Michael’s. Between this discovery and learning that her new male style icon is a designer there, the Shop Tart is pretty sure that Michael’s Arts and Crafts is hot, hot, hot!

So, after her busy, busy day, the Shop Tart was tired. Earlier, she called around town to find out who was serving up casseroles because she was taking a meal to a friend. (Actually, Mr. Shop Tart called, because his wife was on her way to get a facial. Her husband is a nice man. So sue her.) When in doubt, take a meal. New house? Meal. New job? Meal. Divorce? Meal. Indictment? Meal. (And the Shop Tart will share that story some day. Or not.) Simply Savory had meat and vegetarian lasagna on the menu for the day. The Shop Tart placed her order and forgave herself for not cooking. (She’s pretty good at forgiving herself. Shop Tart Tip: Better to take action than wallow around feeling guilty.) If you can’t cook yourself and you want to bring a meal to someone, order the casserole and add groceries: Fruit, bread, salad, wine and dessert.

In her desire to provide a nice meal for her dear friend, the Shop Tart completely forgot about her own family. When she went to Savory to pick up the meat lasagna for them, she snagged a vegetarian one for herself. And a bottle of Foss Marai Prosecco. Which made her feel festive. The lasagna bought time. So she texted a few friends to see who would join her in drinking the bubbly while waiting for the lasagna to cook. Slippery slope, y’all. Anyhow, the vegetarian lasagna exceeded all expectations. (And her expectations were pretty high.) Some lasagna has so much cheese it’s vulgur. Often, vegetarian lasagna doesn’t have nearly enough actual vegetables. This one? Perfection. Her petit epicurean had this to say: “This is so good, they should serve it in a fancy restaurant.” And that kid knows his fancy restaurants. Although a picture can never show the true perfection of lasagna, this is all you get. (Until you go to Simply Savory to get your own!)

By the way, it was enormous. They claimed it would serve six. At last count, four adults and three children were fed with at least one portion left. Mmmmm…brunch!

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

P.S. Still want to be a model at Charleston Fashion Week and missed the deadline? Go to the open casting call on December 12th.

P.P.S. Take a look at the calendar. There are a lot of specials around town tonight and you know you want to reconnect with your best friend from high school over a cocktail or two.

P.P.S. Planning on shopping today? A lot of places are closing early, so call first!

Every look needs an element of contrast. Rolling in sequins? Pair them with another texture, like silk or denim. Rocking the Annie Hall look? (That’s menswear for you kids.) Make sure your lovely locks are soft and pretty and throw on a long string of pearls for good measure. Choose patterned tights with a solid dress. Pair an enormous lapis cocktail ring with a drab outfit for a subtle touch of color. Whenever her outfit isn’t quite right, the Shop Tart finds herself reaching for this one, a cast-off from her grandmother via her mother.

But the ring looks antique, so she needs to contrast it with something edgier, like a leather wrap bracelet or three. Kicks just got these in and they are fab, fab, fab! Most are $48 to $98, with a few of the larger ones priced at $115.

The Shop Tart is so totally down with the gray pebbled one, or the python, or the gray patent, or the gold…you get the picture. Lovely Liz Lafitte was rocking one the Shop Tart’s faves with a Chan Luu wrap, also from Kicks. (They have more from Chan Luu, too.)

Something about Kicks makes the Shop Tart want to look at shoes. Wonder why that is? These Andrea Carrano flats are the perfect thing with just about everything. Keep them by the front door in case someone calls and says they’re coming for a visit. They will make you look instantly festive. Day or night, these rock. (And sizes are running low, so if these are for you, go, go, go!)

For a dressier holiday look - or with jeans around town, ’cause why not? - love these strappy Badgley Mischka sandals with a gold mesh bow. Evening shoes can be worn for years, because they usually don’t wear out and they don’t go out of style.

Kicks has boots in every style under the sun. The Shop Tart is obsessed with tan patent leather because it lengthens her leg. Merci, Kate Spade!

They had several completely awesome pair by Beverly Feldman. These - python peep-toes with rhinestone button embellishments - rocked the Shop Tart’s ever-lovin’ world.

She’s considering rocking them with this dress for an upcoming party, possibly with the addition of nude fishnets. Opinions? (And she wants them for real, because she hasn’t sealed the deal yet. Do you remember what she told you about taking things home on approval? Where you leave your credit card number but have the option of bringing it back in a day or so? The dress is hanging in her closet as she ruminates. These are the things that go through her head. All day long. There are other things, but those are private. Or political. Shop Tart Tip: During party season, keep your political views to yourself. ‘Cause the Shop Tart likes to party and she doesn’t want any unpleasantness to mar her holiday experience.)

Walking into Kicks yesterday, the Shop Tart had a sudden urge to put on a cocktail dress and go home and spend the rest of her afternoon sipping martinis on her pale blue velvet circular sectional sofa. Why? Well, for starters, the ladies were rocking out to a little Michael Bublé. They were also burning one of their brand new candles from Modern Alchemy. This one was called Speak Easy, a blend of gin, pipe tobacco and wood. Enchanting!

They had several of the oddly intriguing scents by Modern Alchemy including Ex Libris (smelling of antiquated leather-bound volumes of handmade papers and parchment), Boston Tea Party (English black tea and cedar thrown overboard and tangled in brackish seaweed absolute) and Opium Den (smoldering resins, opiates and tobacco fumes). Each was intoxicating; you must go smell for yourself.

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

P.S. Does anyone know of a truly rust-free shower caddy? You know, the kind that hangs from the shower head. Although the Shop Tart realizes it is less expensive than a bathroom re-model, she’s tired of replacing the caddy. Help. Please. Chrome or stainless steel preferred.

P.P.S. Does anyone know of a good source for retro-fab flannel? Every year, the Shop Tart forces her children to wear matching Christmas pajamas, crying if they balk and claiming they must not love her enough, reminding them that she lets them wear whatever they damn well please every other day of the year and she only had more children for the matching pajamas. One freaking day a year. lovingly chooses matching Christmas pajamas for her sweet-natured offspring. Last year, the oldest child decided he had had enough of the stretchy long john look. Fair enough. He chose flannel pajamas from Lands End. They were made from totally fab retro fifties-style fabric, printed all over with realistic brown bears on a light blue background. As a bonus, all three children loved them and wore them all year long. Alas, the Shop Tart cannot find a suitable replacement. She’s picturing fifties Santa scenes or winter birds (Cardinals and pine leaves and all that). So…she needs the fabric. And a pattern. And a good seamstress. *sigh* She was just chatting with her dear friend Kristy about being tortured as a child, sobbing in the dressing room of Tapp’s because her mother’s fashion vision did not match her own. And her own vision did not exist in the children’s department at Tapp’s. Or anywhere else within a thousand miles of that godforsaken dressing room. Oh, the memories of a tormented nine-year-old Vogue subscriber. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

Next Page →

• The Shop Tart Loves...

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  

• Elsewhere on the Shop Tart

  Frequently Asked Questions
  
  South Carolina Designers
  
  Contact the Shop Tart
  
  Who is the Shop Tart?
  
  The Calendar
  
  Exclusive Deals
  
  

• Recent Posts

  • Fashion break!
  • Spreading sunshine.
  • Shop Tart Tuesday: Sweet Vans at Britton’s.
  • Four restaurants a day.
  • A yummy breakfast and two cheap treats.