Style

Smarties, have we got a great giveaway for you from our friends at Britax! CSP {hearts} Britax, and we know a great many of you do, too.

Here’s the scoop: Britax is traveling to Charlotte in the Britax Expect Greatness Tour to celebrate the starring role the company’ s baby products play in the upcoming movie, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” (which looks pretty hilarious). They’ll be in specially branded Britax and “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” mini-vans (note to Jen: must get the Smarty Party over there pronto and show off our pink and green!)

Have you seen the new hair ties cropping up all around Charlotte? I LOVE them – they are soft, hardly make a dent in my (very straight) hair, and are super cute hanging out on your wrist when you’re not using them. They are perfect for a yoga, Pilates, or Pure Barre workout but hold my hair just fine for a run. My daughter even loves them! I don’t, however, love the rather steep price tag that I’ve seen around town. I tend to lose things, so nope, I can’t justify that one and I’m guessing many of you can’t either.

Well, Smarties, have I got some fun news for you! They are super easy and cheap to make – you don’t have to be craftsy or a sewing expert either – if you know how to tie a knot, you can make these oh-so-trendy hair ties in record time (here’s where I need to give a shout out to my friend Adrienne who showed me just how easy it is – she’s a super Smarty mom in my opinion!).

Spring is here and are you walking around the house wanting to freshen things up? Is your kitchen beginning to look dated or do you need to add storage in your den/living room? We invite you to visit us at Cabinets By Design.

Do you have a dream of how your space should look? A designer can guide you there as well as let you know what trends are fading and what’s gaining popularity.

A designer will listen to you and about you and your family. They have the experience and knowledge to place your cabinetry so it makes the best use of your space. They can give you a variety or storage so everything has a place from the peanut butter and sippy cups to the spices and special pots or equipment. They can place the appliances so everyone isn’t running into each other as they try to get what they need.

From our Smarty friends at Simplicity Organizers

It’s time for one lucky winner to take back their garage – with style! Carolina Custom Garages, Simplicity Organizers and Rubbish Works have teamed up to help you get your garage in gear – for free!

Now through April 29, residents in the Charlotte-Metro, North Carolina area can send in a photo of their messy garage along with a note as to why their garage should be picked to win the garage makeover.

When I was little, the house we lived in had a great porch swing. I have such good memories of that swing and the long front porch. I think this one is quite cool with the rope tied rails at each corner.

Last summer when I visited the Hamptons show house I saw this great looking one in a room by Brad Ford with thin white ropes at each corner,

and I have to say I am a bit smitten with the use of rope inside.

Smarties, we are always honored to help raise awareness for good causes and inspirational women. That’s why we were thrilled with the opportunity to help our friends at Towne & Reese to spread the word about the Sydney necklace, in honor of an incredible local Charlotte legend, Sydney Boone Gaylord.

Sydney was one of those women who was friends with the world – it seemed that every corner I turned, somebody asked me if I knew Sydney Gaylord. I had the privilege of meeting her two years ago at our second Lungstrong Race, in honor of our beloved Jen B. Sydney walked right up to me, introduced herself and said “I have an inoperable brain tumor but I’m not going to let that make me stop living – I have three children to fight for.” I did not know what to say, I was completely taken aback, so I just embraced her and shared tears.

It seems like the holidays just finished, but somehow it’s almost the end of March. With the second half of the school year in full swing and plenty of things to concentrate on at work and at home, those little ‘if only’ projects we all hope to finish around the house can be all too easily overlooked. (And if you’re like me, it can seem impossible to muster the willpower to tackle that to-do list when spring ushers in these glorious 75 degree days!) So before the nice weather beckons you outside for good, seize a rainy weekend to complete a few quick and easy projects that will save you energy, money and time all year round.

Three’s a charm! Cara and Jason Viers have opened their third salon location at the Olde Towne Village Shopping Center in the space formerly occupied by Alan Daniels Salon. Cara and Jason spent the holiday season finalizing and sprucing up their beautiful new space and welcoming nine new team members as well!

Happy Wednesday Smarties! This is a big consignment weekend, with sales covering all parts of the Queen City. The perfect weekend to get your shop on. Head to Rosedale for an Easter Egg Hunt, south to Brattonsville for a day on the farm or try one of the events in between just Get out and Enjoy!

We made it! It’s the first official day of Spring!!

Because I know many of you are probably like me and have the itch to de-clutter but are lost before you even start, I’ve asked professional organizer extraordinaire, Julie Betram, owner of The Organizing Pro, to share a few of her suggestions for moms to get and stay organized (because, Lord knows I am NOT going to dole out any advice on the subject!). I know it’s daunting – all of those papers, clutter, toys, and STUFF – I have it, too. But, these quick tips will help you jump-start the de-cluttering process, and you’ll feel better in no time.