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Be a part of the solution!

The arrival of spring’s sunny skies and warmer days reminds us to take care of our precious planet by celebrating Earth Day each and every day.

Many have embraced “the green generation” by making the recycling of bottles, cans and paper products part of our daily ritual, but the fight continues and we can do more for our environment, like rallying friends and families to discover ways to do more.

Many businesses work for a cleaner environment by sponsoring local projects and events. George & Phillips’ sneaker recycling project is just one of them.

Get your dirty, old sneakers back in the game. Bring them to George & Phillips sporting goods retailer at 173 Water St. in downtown Exeter, where they’re sponsoring an athletic shoe recycling drive. The shoes will be donated to the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program, in which they get ground up and used to make brand-new athletic surfaces like soccer fields, playgrounds, basketball courts and running tracks. The drive ends April 18, in recognition of Earth Day.

Only athletic shoes are being collected. Additional guidelines:
No metal eyelets, steel toes, cleats or spikes.
No muddy or wet shoes.
Any brand is acceptable, and no shoe is too worn out to be recycled.

George & Phillips has participated in the Reuse-A-Shoe program for eight years, recycling more than 3,000 pairs, and is the only drop-off site for Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program north of Boston.

During the month of April, George & Phillips is also sponsoring an Earth Day competition among local elementary schools to illustrate the positive impact recycling can have on the environment. The school collecting the most recyclable sneakers wins a $150 George & Phillips’ gift certificate for physical education equipment.

The benefits of recycling athletic shoes are two-fold: These items are kept from needlessly filling landfills and, as citizens of this community, we reinforce the value of protecting sustainable resources.

The program is unique to the athletic footwear industry. Since its inception in 1993, Nike has recycled more than 16 million pairs of shoes and more than 170 athletic courts, tracks, fields and playground surfaces have been donated to communities around the world.

For additional information, contact George & Phillips at 603-772-3156 or go to www.georgeandphillips.com.

P.S. If you've never been to this shop, it's worth a field trip. They have an amazing line of swimwear, tennis clothing, sports bras and, of course, athletic shoes. If you want to know what the well-dressed athlete will be wearing this spring, Bert Freedman, owner of George & Phillips, can tell you.

Also:

Sunday, April 22, is both Earth Day and the Blue Moon’s birthday! This year the natural food store celebrates 12 years in downtown Exeter with a 12 percent discount on selected local, organic and earth-friendly products. Other special events are in the works as well – a meditation for the earth, a community clean-up, a new series of cooking classes and something for kids, too.

The fun kicks off the evening of Friday, April 20, with an art opening for Annick Gromick and continues all weekend. A new yoga session begins on Monday the 23rd. It's a nice time to envision the uplifting energy of spring and the bulbs bursting through the soil ...just like the rest of us, who have been hibernating for the winter.

Watch for details on the Web site (www.bluemoonmarket.net) or stop by the
store at 8 Clifford St., Exeter, to wish them a Happy Earthday Birthday!

In other news:

The retail subcommittee of the Downtown Business Association is pleased to announce the kickoff of its Portsmouth Lights on Friday Nights program on Friday, April 13. More than 30 retail stores have come together to offer evening shopping in downtown Portsmouth to meet the needs of both local residents and visitors. The goal is to show that downtown Portsmouth has a lot to offer and that it is alive with activity on Friday nights all year long. Watch for signs and posters in participating stores.

Debbie Breneman,
Shoppingista

If you have a shop, a sale, or fun fashions or products you'd like to see mentioned here, email dbreneman@seacoastonline.com.

Posted by at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)

Gala Fashion Event A Success

Hampton women were treated to a gala fashion event at Present Perfect in Hampton Village on Thursday evening, March 15. Renowned clothing designer Karen Warren, together with Present Perfect owner Edie Argo, presented a showing of Karen’s latest spring fashions. Attendees enjoyed a preview of the new collection and were given the opportunity to try them on as well, which made for a fun evening.

“This is a fashion party,” said Connie Allard and Wanda Syphers of Portsmouth, who tried on everything from dresses and tops to jackets, skirts, slacks and capris. They said the clothes were not only beautiful with great fabrics, but priced very reasonably as well. Warren described the clothing style as “a little bit Ralph Lauren, a little Hamptons and a little Town and Country.”

The Karen Warren Collection at Present Perfect features blends of linen and dubione in your choice of colors ranging from basic black to champagne, salmon and chartreuse, explained Edie Argo of Present Perfect. “It was gratifying to see so many women come to the first event of this type in Hampton and have such a good time,” she said. “It was so successful and fun that we are already planning our next ‘evening of fashion’ sometime this summer.”

Head down to Present Perfect and check out Karen Warren’s beautiful spring collection for yourself at 457 Lafayette Road in downtown Hampton Village at the site of the former Colt News store – directly across from the town gazebo with plenty of parking in the municipal parking lot on High Street. It’s open Mon. 10-4, Tues. & Wed. 10-5, Thurs. 10-6, Fri. & Sat. 9-5.

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If you have a shop, a sale, or fun fashions or products you'd like to see mentioned here, email dbreneman@seacoastonline.com.

Posted by at 06:40 PM | Comments (0)

It was ladies night, oh what a night.

There's nothing like a couple drinks, a variety of tasty cheeses and some good music to put you in the mood to ... shop.

A number of local shops and boutiques joined forces to create a special event with food, drink, discounts and other inducements to attract shoppers to the first Pre-Spring Shopping Extravaganza at the Gas Light Club on Wednesday night. Of course, folks like me don’t need any extra luring when it comes to shopping.

I took the elevator up to the third floor to the circular New York-style club room, the perfect spot to set up the event. It had a mini-expo feel to it, with its relaxing setting and nightclub lights, as shopkeepers used their personal touch in setting up beautiful pieces and products around the cool round bar.

Of course, it didn’t take long for me to zero in on a beautiful designer Shiraleah tweed clutch with crochet rosettes and a metal handle displayed by Emily Armstrong, owner of The Dressing Room. Emily’s shop is at The Rosewood at Rye, 150 Lafayette Road, Rye N.H. Emily carries a huge line of contemporary clothes and – with spring just around the corner – she gave me the skinny on what’s hot. Emily says dresses are in for spring, they’re easy and work for so many occasions. I have to agree. Just last week, I went shopping and there were so many cute, inexpensive dresses that I couldn’t decide between four of them, so I did what any red-blooded women would do – I bought all four. Emily says dark jeans are still in and can be dressed up or down depending on the event. Also, spring colors are green, chocolate, black and white; and fun lengthy tops, big sunglasses and funky accessories like headbands are big right now.

And you can lay down a 2-to-1 bet that wherever you see Emily Armstrong, her friend and neighbor Shelly Manougian isn’t far behind her. Shelly is the owner of Bella Intimates, also at The Rosewood at Rye. She showed elegant pieces of sexy lingerie and – FYI shoppers – if you’re having problems finding the right bra, Shelly is an expert and will hook you up. She says 90 percent of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Shelly carries a variety of sizes of delicate tops and bottoms and will help you find that fit that will flatter you’re body type.

With a drink in one hand and cheese in the other, I staked out the place, mingled and got to meet some locals and shop owners like Donna Marie, co-host of the event and owner of 4evergreen Design (www.4evergreendesigns.com), a full-service interior plantscapes and florals business. She supplies companies with plants in a pleasing design and also baby-sits the blossoms, giving them tender loving care as needed. This is a great concept especially for black- or brown-thumbers like me. (I water my plants maybe once a month whether they need it or not; is this bad?)

I always say a girl can never have too many handbags. Erica Sarcione of Sarci handbags probably has us all beat, however. She was a hit with her variety of styles and colors. Check out her site at sarcibags.com.

I stopped dead in my tracks and ditched the cheese when I was captivated by a luscious fountain of delicious, flowing chocolate accompanied by fresh fruit slices from Mainley Gourmet (55 Hanover St. Portsmouth), which featured a deluxe presentation of handmade, gourmet chocolates and treats by owner Jacqui Harmon … drool!

Arbonne International made a colorful presentation with its pure skin-care products and makeup by independent consultant Jeanne G. Bianchi, who also emphasizes nutrition and aromatherapy. She can be reached at JTBianchi@comcast.net and I can vouch for this product; my best friend uses it and she looks glowing and fabulous at all times.

Joanne McDonough, a skilled makeup artist professionally trained in Boston and New York, is proprietor of Joya Beauty (204 Silver St. Extension, Dover, N.H.). Joanne is an expert in professional skin and somewhat of a makeup chemist who can customize makeup for your skin and coloring. Check her site out at joyabeauty.com. She’s giving me a makeover next month, so I’ll let you know how it goes.

I was also drawn to the beautiful, hand-painted, custom-designed glass by Rita Scalera of Scalera Glass (www.scaleraglass.com) with her gorgeous wine glasses, flutes, martini glasses, platters and pitchers. These precious pieces make great gifts for any occasion. I almost owned my own set by default. Like an elephant in a glass shop, I knocked one over, nearly creating a chain reaction. Thank goodness for quick reactions – I caught them with enough time to wipe the sweat off my brow before the presenter turned my way. Yikes!

Then I began to feel some sort of magnetic pull. I couldn’t break its force and, before I knew what was happening, I found myself in a trance, gazing at this beautiful vintage-style ring that I now must have at Bellman’s Portsmouth. Luckily, the prices are reasonable. I also signed up on the wish list and clicked my Fendi pumps three times for luck. Owner Kim Buxton was busy helping clients and showing her very special selection of jewels, taking the time to explain each piece with impressive knowledge and detail. Earlier, I asked Kim how the shopping extravaganza night came to be.

“It’s all about networking and having fun,” she said. “March can be such a boring month (retail-wise). People are still recovering from the holidays and it usually is still quite cold, so I thought this would be a fun way to shake things up and get some women together for a night out. Little did I know it would be 70!

“As a private jeweler/boutique, I have to work to dispel the myth that we are too expensive. So I’m always looking for ways to network and get visibility for the store, but like to keep it unique and interesting.

“We advertised the creation of wish lists, which is a fun way to get folks into the boutique to look at the various pieces and learn more about us. Needless to say, every time I’ve done an event like this, I usually have someone show up in the boutique because their wife or significant other saw something they just had to have. It’s also a way for me to network with local businesses and support the downtown merchants and other local efforts like The Dressing Room and Bella Intimates.”

Stay tuned, I hear a second event is being planned for June. You know I’ll be there – I’ll keep you posted, too.

Debbie Brenemen,
Shoppingista

If you have a shop, a sale, or fun fashions or products you'd like to see mentioned here, email dbreneman@seacoastonline.com.

Posted by at 08:33 AM | Comments (0)

PRE-SPRING FLING & SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA

You are cordially invited.....

What kind of shoppingista would I be if I didn’t let everybody on the Seacoast in on the biggest shopping night of the season?

The first annual Pre-Spring Fling & Shopping Extravaganza will be held Wednesday the 14th from 6 to 9 p.m. So grab a friend or two and head on down to 78 Market Street, Portsmouth.

Atrezzi, the Gas Light, Kim Buxton of Bellman’s Portsmouth and Donna Marie of 4Evergreen Designs have brought together a fantastic group of merchants for one night of shopping and fun, all in one location.

Shoppers want everything better, faster, easier and more personalized than ever before. They want to feel like they’re important and that’s exactly what you’ll get at this event. The merchants will set up on the third floor in the Gas Light club, displaying a variety of selected products and services. This is a great chance to check out some great shops you haven't been in--all in one shot.

The participating merchants are: Attrezzi, Bellman’s Portsmouth, 4Evergreen Designs, Arbonne, Bella Intimates, Designs by Ray, Joya Beauty, Mainely Gourmet, The Dressing Room, The Flower Kiosk, Sarci Bags and Scalera Glass,

Make sure to register at Bellman’s Portsmouth on the fourth floor for your chance to win one of the many door prizes. A cash bar will be offered on the third floor, where shoppers also will have a chance to win free prizes in drawings held at 8:30 p.m. A few of the many great door prizes are: a 4Evergreen Designs planter, a $50 gift certificate for Bella Intimates, a $250 gift card for Bellman’s Portsmouth, a Designs by Ray bird bath, a makeup lesson ($95 value) from Joya Beauty, a Mainely Gourmet gift basket, two Scalera Glass hand-painted champagne flutes, a $50 gift certificate to The Dressing Room, and lots more…

Event organizer Kim Buxton says the idea is to make shopping easy and enjoyable for everybody. Coming from work and need to grab a bite to eat? We recommend dinner at the Gas Light or Downtown Brickoven Pizza. Pick up a coupon at Bellmen’s Portsmouth, good for 10 percent off on Wednesday, March 14, for Spring-Fling patrons only.

The action starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at 78 Market St. Use the Hanover Street side entrance and the elevator for access to Bellman's and other merchants located on the third floor. For more information, contact Kim Buxton at Bellman's Portsmouth (431-9050).

Kim is also welcoming a new associate to her staff. Mathew Evans, a Portsmouth resident, will work part-time while studying for his certificate as a professional jeweler with the Gemological Institute of America.

Stop by and say hello to Matt and let him show you the newest pieces.

This shopping extravaganza is a great opportunity for a girl’s night out, to score some great deals and have a lot of fun while you're at it. Don’t miss it. Hope to see you there!

Debbie Breneman
shoppingista

If you have a shop, a sale, or fun fashions or products you'd like to see mentioned here, email dbreneman@seacoastonline.com.

Posted by at 07:07 PM | Comments (0)

Spring 2007: Runway Chic & Comfy Street

Spring is right around the corner, and with it comes fresh new looks for the season. This year designers are saying goodbye to winter’s gloom by using fun polka dots, bright hues, flirty layers and stylish black and white prints. Spring is bringing us the gift of fresh air, and style, it’s time to shake out winter’s cobwebs and go shopping!

“Spring is always an exciting time to shop, it’s so refreshing to replace heavy, winter wardrobes with fresh and exciting looks,” says Amy Cafazzo, Marshalls style expert. “This year, transitioning from winter to spring is easy because layers are still hot. Just phase out the heavier ones as summer’s warmer weather approaches.”

It’s all in the details: Detailing such as ruffles, ruching, pintucking, and accessories play a big part in adding volume and personality to any outfit. But, don’t go overboard. Try to have only one or two of these details per outfit, or you could end up looking like a window treatment.

White hot: Color perks up our spring, but all white or a mix of black and white are super hot this year. Go for a monochromatic look of all white, or mix it up with black and white graphic prints found in everything from blouses to dresses. Add finishing touches of gold jewelry, one of this season’s hottest accessories, and you’re good to go!

Baby doll: The dress is here to stay and in every style imaginable! Swingy, loose fitting skirts and dresses, the sack, the wrap, the halter, the baby doll, tunic and the jumper are all popular. Not sure which style looks best on you? Keep things easy by sticking with an A-line shape. The beauty of a dress is that it’s all one piece, throw it on with some shoes, a handbag and a necklace, and you’re done.

Ahoy mate: Sailor-inspired themes in red, navy blue, bright white and other neutral tones take center stage this spring. This look is both comfortable and classic. Find shorts, dresses, pants and even accessories with nautical style, then add a funky necklace, bag or belt, accented with rope or chains and you’re sure to add some flair!

Short shorts or not so short shorts: From Daisy Dukes to Bermudas, shorts are making another comeback just in time for spring. Cuffed styles are especially popular and can be paired with a sexy heel or go ultra comfy in flats. Short shorts are the newest look, but the longer, just above the knee city-shorts, which made their debut last spring, continue to be hot this year too. Dress ‘em up, or dress ‘em down. Either way, they’re one of this season’s must haves!

This entry contains content from a press release, prepared by Marshalls. www.marshallsonline.com

Posted by at 08:37 PM | Comments (0)

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