SpicyCandyDC: Shop Small
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Showing posts with label Shop Small. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shop Small. Show all posts

Small Business Saturday: Shop Small in a BIG Way

on Nov 18, 2014
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The holidays are around the corner (yes, it is that time of year) and with that comes the choice of where you'll be doing your shopping. As simple as that answer might be -- "where I'll get the best stuff for the best prices of course", I want to encourage you to think a little bigger this year. We have all seen the efforts by American Express to push the #shopsmall campaign, but we wanted to take it a step further and make our own efforts to get you to think outside the big retailers and online shopping, and encouraging you to shop locally! About two weeks ago, in collaboration with the Old Town Boutique District and our friend Sebastian Marin, we shot this video capturing the essence of what shopping in Old Town Alexandria is all about. The way we see it is simple. It's not just shopping, it's supporting this beautiful community while also finding the perfect gifts. So join us this holiday season and shop small in a BIG way!
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DSC_1482All Photos by: Julien Garman

To encourage you a little more, She's Unique is participating in Black Friday and Small Business Saturday discounts and promotions! Black Friday: 30% off 6-8AM / 20% off 8-10AM / 10% for the rest of the day Small Business Saturday: 10% off all day + gift with purchase over $50! This includes all designer brands such as Zoe Chicco, Jennifer Zeuner, Phyllis + Rosie, Alexis Russell, Melissa Joy Manning, Voluspa Candles, and much more! For a complete list of all participating stores and discounts visit HERE We can't wait to see you! Happy Holidays.

PS: Stay tuned for two amazing GIVEAWAYS we are soon having featuring She's Unique and Red Barn Mercantile

Q&A with Jewelry Designer Amanda Hagerman + Giveaway!

on Nov 11, 2014
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Today we are excited to introduce you to one of our new favorite local jewelry designers Amanda Hagerman and two of our favorite pieces in the collection.

Personally, one thing I always look for when purchasing jewelry is for it to be timeless. I often question wether I would wear the piece in a few years from now, or would it even make a great gift to pass down to my future daughter (if I'm ever lucky to have one). Amanda's line definitely has this timeless feel and the little details make each design unique and special. The necklace I'm wearing in this post has a hand drawn etched design that says "Don't Worry, Be Happy" written through shooting arrows.... how beautiful is that?

With Shop Small Saturday coming up we want to encourage our readers to shop small and support local, talented artists like Amanda. We hope you enjoy getting to know her a little more through this little Q&A and make sure to enter the give away in this post for a chance to win the beautiful Happy necklace and Taura ring set!

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DSC_0640All Photos by: Jessica vanDop

Q&A w Amanda Hagerman

1. What is your inspiration for this particular collection?
The jewelry I craft is influenced by current and classic fashion trends, as well as various elements of nature. I create what I wish existed, imparting upon each design my own personal flare for aesthetics and attention to detail. It is my intent to offer unique and trendy adornments that woman have fun wearing. There is no greater joy for me as an artist, than to make someone happy because they are wearing one of my designs.

2. How long have you been designing jewelry?
I got the itch to design and create jewelry in high school after I took a jewelry making class with one of my high school art teachers who is also a goldsmith. It was then I discovered I could focus my love for art and passion for working with my hands on creating unique jewelry for people to wear. I have been designing and making jewelry ever since. I graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in 2008 with a B.S. in Art Education and a B.F.A. in Fine Metals. Since 2008 I have been teaching high school art in Harwood, MD, which caused me to put my jewelry making on the back burner for a bit. About a year and a half ago, I obtained a studio space which allowed me to fully pursue my jewelry making ambitions. Amanda Hagerman Jewelry came soon after. I’m thrilled to be designing and making jewelry again and look forward to adorning women everywhere for many years to come!

3. Can you give us details of what each item that we are featuring today is made of?
The necklace: Solid brass and a 2" Lemurian Seed Quartz Point (from Brazil)
The Rings: Solid brass and a 4mm fresh water cultured pearl--

Giveaway Details:
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a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure:This is a sponsored post brought to you by Amanda Hagerman. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience,

Events: #OTBloggerCrawl

on Oct 26, 2014
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Recently, Carlis Sanchez of SCDC Agency and Jessica Hoy of NeuProfile/Ink Blot Army launched the first ever Blogger Crawl event in Old Town Alexandria. It was a beautiful Friday night for walking around the beautiful boutique district, learn about all the store, pick up some fun swag and do some shopping. Since some of the bloggers reside in DC, we kicked off the night with a gorgeous black limo bus from Reston Limo waiting for us at Dupont Circle to whisk us off to Old Town Alexandria. Thanks to Howard Homecoming traffic was HORRIBLE (but we still love the Bisons), but who cares because we were riding in style!! The areas top bloggers came out to take the journey through the 11 participating stores. 
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We started off our night at Red Barn Mercantile who welcomed us into their adorable store and made us fall in love!! I want everything in that store in my house! They gave us an adorable bags for our goodies during our blogger crawl! From there we worked our way down to the water. Next, we made a stop at Current Boutique to see the latest fashions and hear about how to consign there (which I do all the time, so fun and easy!!).
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Our next stop was Bellacara, which made me realize I need to step my makeup game up!! If you need some beautiful quality products, this is the place you need to visit.
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Next we visited Bloomers which made me rethink my underwear. It is a great place to go and get beautiful grown up undergarments that will look great and make you feel beautiful.
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Next we went to Bishop Boutique where we were greeted by a doughnut spread like I have never seen before. The shining doughnuts and lovingly decorated stemware was only outdone by the incredible variety of accessories and shoes.
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Our next stop was to Mint Condition which is a wonderful designer consignment boutique where you can find current high end styles that have been well taken care of for prices you can afford!
We then got back on our Reston Limo and dropped off our swag thus far and made the trip down to Coco Blanca. Probably good to have empty bags there because I would have been a bull in a china shop amongst all the beautiful items in the store. Great place for decorating your home.
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Our next stop was a store that a few of us know and love and were excited to introduce to the rest, She’s Unique. When we arrived it was like going to your girlfriend's house and browsing her jewelry collection except you have the option to buy it and take it home. The best part was getting a first look at She's Unique newest addition, Flash Tattoos (#FlashTatFridays). There was a lovely flash tat station where each blogger was able to get a flash tattoo of their own to try on for style!! I got to put on some beautiful angel wings that made my night shine.
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Our next stop on the crawl was 529 Consign, an adorable store that every parent or adult with little people in their life should know about. It is a great collection of the latest designer styles for mom, baby and child as well as great gift items for that upcoming baby shower you may have.
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Our next stop was Hysteria. It is a definitely a store that gets this group of ladies because it reflects a love of fashion that we all share. They have a some great brands you know and some brands you did not know about but will fall in love with.
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Our final stop was at The Shoe Hive and was all the site of our finale party complete with a Poshbooth pop-up digital photo booth and garden party styled by Petite Social. It felt like our own magical enchanted garden and I loved every second of it. Thanks to each of the stores who invited us in for the evening.
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Our bloggers for the night included Jessica vanDop of The Dining Traveler, Mariella Cruzado of Splendor Styling, Tammy Preston of A Loyal Love, Alicia Chew of Alicia Tenise, The Smith Sister of the StyleSmiths, Krystin Hargrove of Be Loud Be You, Natalie Pinto of The Fashionably Broke, Melissa Burgos of Rock Yo Rizos, Angelica Talan of Clarendon Moms, Anchyi Wei of Anchyi @ Work, Lacey Faeh of A Lacey Perspective, Mel of LaBelle Mel, Kate Michael of K Street Magazine. Morgan Fykes (lol aka myself) of DCFunEmployment.

Thanks to Carlis Sanchez and Jess Hoy for putting together such an incredible night. Also thanks to Julien Garman of It's Julien handled all the photography for the night! Special thanks to Flash Tattoos, Skullcandy, Reston Limo and Poshbooth for helping to make our night even more incredible.

PS: The Mini guide/Lookbook featuring all the boutique and bloggers above, comes out this week! Stay tuned for release date and remember to shop local! ;)