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May
17
We have two winners!
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Congratulations to our winners Robin and Ashley T! You will receive an email soon letting you know how to get your tickets to this evening’s Power of the Purse, hosted by Women in Philanthropy. And the rest of you? You can buy a ticket at the door! The Shop Tart will be there before her dinner at Terra and she can’t wait to see you. Mwah!
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
May
17
* whimper *
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Believe it or not, the Shop Tart isn’t materialistic. She rarely, if ever, gets jealous of other people’s stuff. Nor does she feel particularly disappointed when she can’t have something. But every now and then…*sigh* Each of her children has been sick this week. Today, only one of them is home from school. So she’s feeling a little sorry for herself. Which she has no right to do. Full Disclosure: In the evenings, she has been to Garibaldi’s, Rosso and a party at Hay Hill Garden Market. Tonight, she’s going to a Nickelodeon fundraiser, Dinner and a Movie. At Terra. So don’t cry for her. It’s possible there are still tickets, so do join her. The menu:
- Reception course with Rosé pairing: Port Royal shrimp Louis and asparagus, avocado, Wil Moore Farm egg, salad from Freshly Grown Farms
- Main course: Trio of guinea hog from Carolina Heritage Farms, seared belly, ham crepinette, Andouille, dirty rice, haricot vert and bourbon mustard jus
- Dessert: Candy bar pie
You in?
Anyhow. The Shop Tart could skip such events and save her money for more awesome stuff, but she would have to skip a lot of events for this bracelet at Gudmundson & Buyck.
But here’s the good news! The bracelet above is roughly the same price as a used 2007 Prius, which the Shop Tart knows from looking it up on Kelley Blue Book, a site she browses for fun, like the rest of you look at fashion and gossip sites. Okay, she looks at those, too. She has eclectic taste. But! Unlike a used Prius, this bracelet can be bought and enjoyed in stages. The links can be added, one by one, and the bracelet is very pretty with just one.
And there were lots of different styles, in yellow gold…
…and white.
Prices for the links ranged from $620 to $2,400. The Shop Tart’s fave, as luck would have it, was in the upper range. These were just over $600 apiece. Pretty!
If you have seen the Shop Tart recently, you’ve seen the pendant below. She wears it almost every day. Her grandmother had it made at Gudmundson and Buyck, from a diamond bracelet, along with several others for her girl cousins and aunts. Isn’t it nice when a lovely sentiment is also a lovely bauble? Anyhow, if the Shop Tart got her bracelet, and had a bunch of granddaughters, she would so make it into pendants for them. Eventually.
And speaking of pendants, the Shop Tart doesn’t want to leave you thinking that Gudmundson and Buyck only has the pricy stuff, because they have a great range. Years ago, the Shop Tart was feeling kind of crazy and a little sad. One day, she found herself with 20 minutes to spare before she had to pick up a child from school. She also found herself at the stop light in front of Gudmundson and Buyck. Clearly, a sign. This was long before she got her grandmother’s pendant, and she had been wanting something small and diamond-y. She walked in, named her price (a few hundred dollars) and the lovely salesperson showed her three things. This one was neither the least nor the most expensive and offered the maximum amount of sparkle for the lowest price. She wore it out of the store and didn’t take it off for a few months. And she loves it.
Sometimes, because she is a little flashy, the Shop Tart puts them both on the same chain and rocks them together. She may just have to do that at Terra tonight. Want to come see?
In other news, the Shop Tart would like to talk about the Nickelodeon Theatre for a minute. She’s on the board, which she agreed to join because she thinks the theater will play a huge part in making Main Street even more special than it already is. (And it’s pretty special, thanks to the Columbia Museum of Art, Main Street believer, host and visionary Mark Plessinger of Frame of Mind, new businesses and restaurants popping up weekly — hello there, Paradise Ice! — and artists hanging at the Tapp’s Art Center, S & S Art Supply, Anastasia and Friends in the Free Times lobby, and the Studios in the Arcade.) Anyhow, the Nickelodeon rocks. They bring really cool people to Columbia for events like Indie Grits and they’ve garnered national attention for this fab town. They’re at a crucial phase — the new theater on Main Street will open in August. They need your love, but also your dollars. If you and a few friends — or just you! — would like to tour the new Nick and consider making a donation, the Shop Tart will gladly show you around. She will even bring a bottle of bubbly or the beverage of your choice. She ain’t kidding. This really matters to her. Please email her if you’d like a tour, with or without a song and dance. Just do it!
In other, other news, VanJean is having a sale! Spring markdowns have begun and you can score deals, up to 40 percent off. New clothes for the weekend, which the Shop Tart is declaring starting today. Hooray!
In today’s post…
- Terra, 100 State Street, 791-3443
- The Nickelodeon Theatre, 937 Main Street, 254-8234
- Gudmundson and Buyck, 2931 Devine Street, 799-7223
- VanJean, 2734 Devine Street, 252-4339
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
May
16
Break Fast.
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The title is not a typo. As promised, the Shop Tart is sharing the meal that broke her fast, which was deliberate, because she is a bastion of self-control. (Not really, but humor her.) During her detox week, the Shop Tart contemplated what she would eat when it was over. She kept dreaming of Garibaldi’s mussels, prepared à la Provençal. Ergo, Garibaldi’s it was, where she met her lovely friend Tracie. A delightful Ketel One gimlet was the first thing to touch her pure lips. Ketel One, fresh lime juice and a juicy orange garnish: Practically health food. Insanely refreshing.
At the table, the Shop Tart knew what she would order. After all, she had been thinking about it for a week. She let Tracie take her time, and was ready with suggestions. The ladies decided on appetizers and salads. Tracie had the poached pear salad with arugula, toasted walnuts and blue cheese fritter in a port wine pear vinaigrette. Yummy.
Tracie also had another Shop Tart favorite, the shrimp and fried risotto cake in country ham gravy. How do we put this? This dish tastes like a short order fry cook married a gourmet chef, raised in a small country town in the south and classically trained in Paris, and they made beautiful babies.
The Shop Tart ordered her beloved mussels, sans bread. “What?!” She can hear you. “The bread is the best part, freak. How on earth will you consume the broth after the mussels are gone?” Wait for it.
Garibaldi’s mussels are so tender and well-seasoned, they need no accompanying bread. (Well, to be fair, the bread is an awesome bonus, but the Shop Tart was trying to stick with her healthy theme.) She also ordered a side of plain arugula. When she had eaten all the mussels, she dumped the greens into the remaining broth.
Then she stirred everything together. So flippin’ good. You don’t even know.
Still basking in the glow of her heavenly tumble off the wagon, the Shop Tart knew her fast would not be broken completely without dessert. So she ordered fries.
With a side of smoked tomato sauce. Mmmmm…
And wine! The ladies had wine! They enjoyed Gavi di gavi principessa. The Shop Tart did not take a picture, but the bottle basically looks like this and the wine itself is delightfully light, a perfect end to detox week.
So what are you eating this week? Any suggestions for the Shop Tart as she ventures back into the world of eating everything?
And have you entered to win? You have an hour and a half (or until noon today, whichever comes first)!
Please enjoy this video, in honor of the Shop Tart’s return to all the delicious food Columbia has to offer.
In today’s post…
- Garibaldi’s, 2013 Greene Street, 771-8888
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
May
15
Just try to walk into Pink Sorbet and be all sad. Try. Nope, not possible. Lilly Pulitzer prints are cheery and chic, the cotton lace is beyond awesome and the clothes fit more than one size and shape of woman. Smiling yet? Good. Now, isn’t that nice? Speaking of that lace, the Shop Tart has a total thing for it. She adores cotton lace, in any color.
She went into Pink Sorbet when she saw the maxi dress in the window. (As you may know, she totally bought it.)
This white eyelet dress would be perfect for your impromptu beach wedding. (You never know when it’s going to happen, so buy the dress, just in case.)
Speaking of the beach, hooray for shells!
The beach is possibly the Shop Tart’s favorite place to be. And Lilly is one of her favorite things to be in when she’s there. She swooned over this string bikini in Garden by the Sea.
Sadly for her, she has already purchased one inappropriate string bikini this year, so she’ll have to let that one go. (Or will she? Can we talk about this? At what age is a string bikini absolutely not okay? The Shop Tart stopped wearing them at the pool a while ago. Now she won’t wear them at Litchfield, but she will wear them at Edisto and in Europe. She has no idea what her reasoning is. Discuss.) Lucky for her, there are a lot of choices!
Another favorite print? Resort White High Tide Toile.
Shop Tart Tip: A swimsuit in a navy print is always chic. Shop Tart Tip 2: Lilly Pulitzer swimsuits cover what they should cover and offer support when needed, like a best friend.
Lilly’s original intent was to create prints that wouldn’t show stains, perfect for her to wear when working her juice stand. The Shop Tart totally appreciates her efforts.
The Shop Tart finds Resort White Spring Fever Toile particularly lovely, don’t you?
This blouse would be in her closet right now if they had only had her size. Maybe this is yours!
The Shop Tart likes this dress very much. Would you like to have a fancy engagement party and invite her? Because — if you did — she might run out and snap this one up.
The Shop Tart’s new dress is knit. Lilly’s doing some lovely knits for summer and we love it. They’re cool and comfortable, but still polished, and they travel well.
Lest you worry that you are too edgy for Lilly, fear not. Look! Exposed zipper!
You know what’s always chic? (Well, maybe not always, but it sure is right now.) Hot pink and navy. Love!
When you go to Pink Sorbet, don’t miss the belts. They will not be this messy when you get there; the Shop Tart had just rummaged through them, in search of her own gold belt, with which she is now obsessed.
And, more pink and navy. The Shop Tart highly recommends stacking these with some gold bracelets and hitting the town.
Lilly’s espadrilles and wedges are the height of summer chic.
The Shop Tart has a gold pair from last year. This year, she’s considering navy.
Don’t miss the plentiful sale racks, full of things you can wear right this second.
Like this super sixties style strapless number.
A spring coat is one of those things you really should have, for a cool morning at church or to throw over a cocktail dress on a chilly night in April. Or a summer wedding in the mountains. This one is marked down to $276.
And this one is $246. (And there was still one sheath dress in the same pattern, possibly a size 6.)
Like that pattern? How about a bag? Fab!
This one was also on sale. Classic.
As usual, a visit to Pink Sorbet felt more like an afternoon with a friend than a shopping trip. Stop by, kick your feet up and get happy!
Speaking of purses, have you entered to win a ticket to Power of the Purse? Just one day left!
In other news, Saturday brings the 5th Annual Mid-Carolina NAMIwalks. It’s a great cause and one you should consider supporting. Check it out!
In today’s post…
- Pink Sorbet, 2726 Devine Street, 251-2525
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
May
14
Yesterday was the last day of detox. The Shop Tart celebrated by cheating and having wine with dinner, which was steamed salmon and spinach. The dry white went well with the simple meal. This morning, the Shop Tart is sticking with the diet — even though she doesn’t have to — because she is hoping to go out tonight after her Nickelodeon board meeting for mussels and white wine and she figures one more day of eating healthy won’t kill her. Besides, she has leftovers from the week and might as well finish them. Waste not, want not: True story. The mussels at Garibaldi’s always hit the spot.
She’s also considering Dianne’s. Have you heard? They have a brand new menu, and it’s only one page. All your favorites are still there, and a few new choices have been added. Smoked seafood and cheese plate followed by mussels? Sounds delightful! Or maybe a classic Wedge…
And have you seen Dianne’s new “3 for $30 menu?” This week, Chef Prato’s appetizer choices include mixed green or caesar salad, lobster ravioli or a fried green tomato stack. For your second course, choose a five ounce (perfect size!) Bistro cut filet, chicken picatta or shrimp scampi. Dessert? Strawberry sorbet or toffee crunch cookie. Call 254-3535 to make a reservation, aiiight? The “3 for $30″ prezzo fisso meal is available Monday through Thursday.
Anyhow. Back to the weekend. Friday night, the Shop Tart and her husband saw The Five-Year Engagement. It was good, hilarious even, but the Shop Tart was irritated. There was more than one moment of racism against Asians, and it wasn’t limited to the scene from the trailer. One day, perhaps we will live in a world where the punch lines aren’t, you know, racist. In spite of herself, the Shop Tart laughed really hard at the genuinely funny parts of the movie. After the movie, they headed to Representative Jim Clyburn’s famous fish fry. But not before stopping at CVS.
It’s a sad story. The Shop Tart has a pair of cut-offs. She wanted to wear them with her new Rag & Bone blazer, a Mother’s Day gift to herself, from herself. They started out as regular jeans in middle school. She still wears them, though they are not as baggy as they used to be. They are also kind of short. She grabbed the bottom of the cutoffs to pull them down and make sure her bottom was covered. Lo and behold, she failed, because she pulled so hard they ripped, right under the back pocket. Mr. Shop Tart drove her to CVS. She entered, hand over rip, hollerin’,
“Where’s y’all’s duct tape at?”
Back in the car, she removed her pants, applied the tape to the inside…et voilà!
On to the fish fry, where the Shop Tart wanted — but did not partake in — delicious fried fish and complementary (also complimentary!) beverages.
As usual, Lucius Moultrie of Palmetto Seafood, was frying up fish as fast as people could eat it. (Love Palmetto Seafood. Love the mention of both Mr. Moutrie and his famous market in this column the Shop Tart wrote long ago for Free Times.)
Does he look like he’s working hard? He most definitely was. No one went hungry.
Saturday night, Mr. Shop Tart and his wife attended a private party, where she did not eat anything from the delicious looking taco bar. Nor did she eat any of the cupcakes handmade by the lovely Caroline Quillen of StrategicCents. (That’s a lie. She had one tiny taste of lime icing. It was heavenly.) She was content to party sober in her new Lilly Pulitzer knit maxi dress and skinny gold belt from Pink Sorbet. (Look for a post this week about them — or just go for a visit. The prints are calling your name!)
So what did you do this weekend? And what did you wear? And have you entered to win a free ticket to Power of the Purse? The Shop Tart would love to see you there!
Where else should you be this week? How about these?
- Jasper’s #5 Release Party at Hay Hill Garden Market on Tuesday. Always a good time!
- Taste some cool white wines for hot summer days at Goatfeathers pn Wednesday.
- Dinner and a Nickelodeon movie at Terra on Thursday. (It’s not until 7:30, so you can go to Power of the Purse first!)
- The Opening Party of the South Carolina Book Fair on Friday. (And the book fair itself all weekend.)
- The Big Lebowski at City Roots on Saturday.
In today’s post…
- Garibaldi’s, 2013 Greene Street, 771-8888
- Dianne’s on Devine, 2400 Devine Street, 254-3535
- Palmetto Seafood, 2200 Gervais Street, 254-2503
- Pink Sorbet, 2726 Devine Street, 251-2525
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
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