SHOPPING/FASHION/STYLE

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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, Deals and Giveaways from Local NC Businesses

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Hello May! There is no doubt that we are thankful for each month, each day but as Mother’s Day rapidly approaches on Sunday, May 10, I can only wonder how to celebrate. My Mom is in another state and with the Stay at Home order, we are staying safely away from each other while sending many virtual kisses and hugs and making the most of online chats. In the midst of it all, it is important for us Moms to celebrate our hardwork and dedication as we all try to balance work life, married life, homeschool life, and parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though this Mother’s Day 2020 will undoubtedly be different, we should take the time to recognize us Moms! I am happy to share these fun and budget-friendly ways to celebrate Moms while taking the opportunity to show appreciation to our local NC businesses throughout the Triangle and beyond! Check out these discounts, deals and giveaways to help you make it a special day (see details below and enter on IG @SobeSavvy) ! Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, Deals and Giveaways from Local NC Businesses

• Serve her breakfast in bed and “Build Your Own Brunch Box ” from kõ•än

• Tired of cooking? Get Sunday Brunch to Go at STIR + use special discount code SOBESAVVY10 for 10% off your order

• Take her on a Pizza Picnic with Coronato Pizza + enter Giveaway for Mom to win FREE pizza

• Treat her to some selfcare with organic skincare products from Nailah Shea + use discount code SOBESHEA2020
for 15% of purchases of $30 or more

• Schedule a Front Porch Portrait Session by Images by Amber Robinson and take advantage of the Mother’s Day Special ..available until May 10th!

❤ A family portrait would make the perfect gift for Mom. Buy Gift Cards for Images by Amber and Redeem Later:

https://www.honeybook.com/widget/imagesby_amber_robinson/cf_id/5ea8cee464d6201d9d22e9e6

• Light up her life with a scented candle from Bright Black Candle + get free shipping & 10% off with code “happymoms” on all orders through Mother’s Day 5/10

• Enter to win her a $100 National Pawn Gift Card

Mother’s Day is Sunday May 10th. I encourage you to support local businesses and celebrate your Mother, your Mom friends and the Mom in you too! Know of any local deals, discounts or giveaways happening and want to share? Please do in the comments below. ❤ Thanks for reading and sharing!

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RECAP |Fembra S/S ’19 Miami Fashion Show @carballosa #fembracarballosa #carballosaworld

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Disclaimer: SobeSavvy.com received a VIP INVITE to Alexis Carballosa + FEMBRA S/S ’19 Oct 18th at Botanical Gardens. Photos+Recap by blog contributor, Taylor Mcghee @cutecouplewithababy

The Miami Beach Botanical Gardens were lit up with life on October 18, 2018 for Alexis Carballosa’s Fembra Spring/Summer 2019 line. Featuring tasty sweets by @sweetclementinecm, some amazing Rosé by Foss Marai ROÖS BRUT and a couple of not so bad looking guys serving some fiery shots from @shotsito.

Fembra “inspired by the revelation of the brave woman who demands a space and voice within society”. Alexis Carballosa captures feminine energy through couture fashion in his new line Fembra. It’s rare these days that the finale of a fashion show produces more than a round of applause. That’s not to say that designers aren’t wowing their audiences anymore, it’s just that everyone is so busy filming and taking photos with their phones that they physically can’t clap as well, in short it takes a lot for guests to detach themselves from their devices. However, at Carballosa’s preview of Fembra, fashion insiders, bloggers pretty much every invited guest stopped what they were doing and gave designer Carballosa not just a well-deserved round of applause, but a cheering standing ovation.

The collection was a lively pairing of colors and art inspired by the the revelation of the brave woman. The designs were elegant yet raw that spoke of primitive beauty done in an exceedingly polished way. Here are some photos from the event:

For more information, please visit www.alexiscarballosa.com

Follow:
Facebook – facebook.com/carballosadesigns

Twitter – @carballosa

Instagram – @carballosaworld

Youtube – Alexis Carballosa london

Google – Alexis Carballosa Vogue – Vogue UK – Vogue Spain

Vogue – Vogue UK – Vogue Spain

Shop Luxury Items for Less @NationalPawnNC in #Raleigh #NationalPawn #Pawn #PawnShop

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post courtesy of National Pawn. Photos and opinions are 100% my own.

You see that picture above? Yep, that is me walking out of a pawn shop with my daughter. A few years ago, I would have never thought to stop in a pawn shop or even think to take my kid with me just based on misconceptions of what a pawn shop is like. One trip to National Pawn and it will dispel any misconceived notions. Who knew National Pawn could be such a great place to find luxury items!?! Read on to see why National Pawn is ranked #1 Pawn Stores….

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

SobeSavvy.com was recently invited to shop at National Pawn to see how they are “changing the perception of the pawn business“. It was quite a pleasant experience for my whole family and I am writing here to tell you all about it! Pawn shops have traditionally gotten a bad rap. Dim unkept stores with less than stellar customer service. NOT here.National Pawn has 16 locations throughout North Carolina and we shopped at their “Raleigh 1” location off of Glenwood/Rt 70 conveniently located on Glenwood Boulevard between Crabtree Mall and Brier Creek. The pawn and jewelry store “On the Hill” is a bright and airy storeroom that has something for everyone!

AFFORDABLE FINDS

When looking for electronics, musical instruments, luxury items or piece of jewelry, the first place most people think of is a big box store or going to the mall. Did you know you could find those things and more at deeply discounted rates at National Pawn? We saw everything from luxury items to Keurig Coffee makers to the latest and greatest electronics like the Apple Watches and to high end Italian purses. We were amazed at how most
these items were in very good to new condition. Diamonds, electric guitars, rare coins and unique items like this autographed chair from the Broadway Play ‘The Color Purple’!

MY SHOPPING HAUL

Having a good camera is an essential for every blogger. Our camera had recently died and we were on the look out for a new one. Luckily for us, Lindsey was there to not only provide us with great customer service but to give us her expertise on cameras since she studied photography. She helped us compare a few models and we settled on a great Nikon Coolpix w/a zoom lens for under $70. They had a great variety to choose from and no matter your budget, National Pawn does offer layaway.

My daughter loves her Nintendo WII and after we got her off of a bike and a scooter she found a fun looking racing game for under $10. If
you know anything about video games then you realize just what a great deal that was! I immediately told my Mom friends of all the awesome finds for kids at National Pawn. I was so surprised!

I wanted something in the jewelry section and was delighted to see that had a pretty big selection of Pandora bracelet charms. Lindsey is indeed a Jill of all Trades because she used to be a manager at Pandora! She pointed out that alot of the Pandora charms were rare or discontinued. I spotted a
gorgeous wooden charm that would pair well with my other wood accessories. It was priced around $30 and I am now the proud owner of this beautiful gem.

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE

Everyone was quite friendly at this National Pawn location and Lindsey went above and beyond to answer any of our questions.

Great customer service always makes for a great and memorable shopping experience in my opinion. Our purchases were kindly wrapped up and we were informed of their 3 day no questions asked money back guarantee if we needed to return any item for any reason. This alone is almost unheard of in the pawn shop business. Most places have a “final sale” policy, but not at National Pawn.

SobeSavvy Tip: Sign up 👉 HERE to Join Rewards Program and Get Special Deals & Discounts !!

Next time you are looking for luxury items for less, shop at National Pawn.

Odds are they not only have it but they have it at a price that will keep more of your money in your pocket!

NATIONAL PAWN |Raleigh

6740 Fleetwood Dr.

Raleigh, NC 27612

(919) 390-7622

info@nationalpawnshops.com

#FiveForFriday | 5 Bargain Finds To Put In A #Disney Goodie Bag For A Girls Party

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Disclosure: This content uses some affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy for more info: here

Today is our daughter’s last day of 1st Grade. Where did the time go? She is a little sad because not only will she miss her first grade teacher/friends but because her birthday is in August, she does not get the opportunity to celebrate her special day in class. So I decided to throw her an ‘End of School Year Celebration~Disney Dance Party‘ for her and a few friends at our home. Here’s a peek of the invite I made online:

INVITE | End of School Year Celebration for #outandaboutAva

Since this was a sort of a last minute decision, I had a very small budget to throw this party at home. The plan is to keep it simple: polish their nails, put on *Just Dance Disney Party 2 – Wii Game, order pizza and have some Disney themed refreshments like the *Pepperidge Farm Mickey Mouse Special Edition! Cheddar Baked Snack Crackers and *Good2Grow Juices.

Ready to serve these Disney inspired refreshments

There will be two hours of fun and a Disney goodie bag for everyone! Here are my suggestions of 5 Bargain Finds To Put In A Disney Goodie Bag For A Girls Party:

Save & PIN IT On Pinterest >>> here

1. *Minnie Mouse Party Favor Cup

Found this Minnie Mouse Party Favor cup at my local Dollar Tree

2. *Disney Mickey Mouse Jelly Belly

Jelly Belly is The Original Gourmet Jelly Bean candy that kids/parents love because it’s fat free, gluten free, peanut free, and has a variety of fun flavors.

3. *Disney Headband

I picked up these Disney mouse ear headbands from Target and added some gems in case the girls wanted to bedazzle them!

4. Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends Lollipop

I found this Disney Sweet Treat at my local Target in the seasonal 4th of July section. So pretty and pink!

5. Disney Family Crafts Mirror Kit

Just a few days ago, I caught a BOGO sale at Michael’s on all their Disney Family Crafts items. I also used Retailmenot.com for a 50% off regular priced item at Michael’s Arts & Crafts

SobeSavvy Tip: Now that you have these budget friendly items, what should you put them in? The Disney Store sells these small Reusable Bags for only .25 cents each! They are only allowed to sell 5 max per customer. So take a friend or make several trips if you need more.

Did you know the Disney Store sells these adorable reusable bags?!

The bags can be used for both a girl or boys party but since it is a girls party, I will add some pink tissue paper for fun!

All the Disney themed Goodies ..Before and….

After! The Disney Goodie Bags are all filled with fun bargain finds!

I like living conveniently close to Dollar Tree, Target and Michael’s Arts and Crafts but if you don’t, you can always find bargains shopping online at Amazon.com. When the party is all done, I am going to enjoy a Disney Dole Whip Inspired Rum Cocktail (see my recipe here) because this Disney Mom deserves it!

PS..I’m happy to have another reason to rock my Disney Mom ears that I received at #DisneySMMC, but my daughter has already requested that I please don’t wear them all day long at her party. 😂

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Will you be doing any end of school celebrating ? When was the last time you did anything Disney related? Please let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!

Nautical Style: Vacation Dresses from @eShakti #eShakti #fashion #travelstyle #cruisewear

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Disclaimer: This eShakti look is brought to you by eShakti.com, but all outfit choices, styling, and opinions are my own!

Disclosure: This content uses referral links. Read my disclosure policy for more info: here

Happy Wednesday! Last week this time I was in NYC for a business/pleasure trip celebrating Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon. [ICYMI, read about the naming ceremony event and get a first look>>here.] When I first received the invite I thought to myself… What am I going to wear? So for today’s “What I Wore Wednesday” post, I am sharing and showcasing the answer to my question. I wore a beautiful dress from eShakti.

SHOP THE LOOK: Dress, Sunglasses, Shoes, similar here, Necklace, similar here and Red Lipstick 💋of course!

eShakti is an online clothing store that will deliver unique clothes for women right to your door! Many have raved about this brand because they give you the opportunity to customize clothes to your exact size, height and your preferred style. I’ll admit when it comes to online shopping, especially for dresses, I enjoy going to the store and trying things on first. What I enjoyed about eShakti is that I can design the neckline, sleeve or length of the dress plus flaunt it with or without pockets! For the record, I am Team #pocketdress.

Not only am I a fan of pocketdresses, but I am a fan of themes, so with it being a cruise related event that I was attending and Fleet Week in NYC, I chose to be nautical but nice with eShakti‘s Anchor Embellished Stripe Cotton Knit Blouson Dress. I decided to play up the pop of red color in the anchor with accessories. I already had a pair of Guess red heels that went perfectly. But know that this Mom always has a back up pair of shoes if the occassion calls for it. For the press conference and tour of Carnival Horizon, I switched to a black sandal. This dress is not only comfortable but versatile. You can dress it up or make this into a casual look.

Nautical stripes are synonymous with Spring/Summer style but what I enjoyed about this dress is that it was not the typical blue and white theme but a black/white/red color scheme. This blouson dress tailored with demure dolman sleeves in stripe cotton knit with an embellished anchor and playful cord combined comfort + cute in a chic way!

However, If you want a blue/white nautical dress, eShakti‘s Nautical Print Georgette Dress is another beautiful choice. In fact they have a variety of dresses that will suit anybody and ANY BODY. eShakti is the only brand in the world that offers size 0-36W & Custom Size!

Vacation Dresses | Photo Credit eShakti.com

SHOP THE LOOK: Anchor Embellished Stripe Cotton Knit Blouson Dress, here Nautical Print Georgette Dress, here

Thanks for reading! Are you a fan of eShakti? Let me know in the comments below.

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Where To Find Fantastic #Gifts For #MothersDay & #Graduation @UPlaceNC University Place #UPlaceNC #ChapelHill

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You heard the saying April showers bring May flowers, right? Well the month of May is here and two things it brings around every year are Graduation and Mother’s Day! It’s time to get shopping for these special occasions and I knew just where to go for fantastic gifts in Chapel Hill. University Place! Just down the road from UNC Chapel Hill, this shopping mall has a mix of national and locally owned stores. Here are some of the places to find great gifts for Mother’s Day and Graduation!

SILVERSPOT CINEMAS

Treat Moms & Grads to a Dinner and Movie Experience at SilverSpot Cinema! Moviegoers can order food and it will be delivered to your seat or you can opt to dine at Trilogy, their full service restaurant and bar adjacent to the cinemas. They have an upcoming event called “Brunch & A Movie” where they are offering a 3 course brunch with a mimosa or bloody Mary and a movie ticket for $30. Sounds like a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day and Graduation Day with family and friends. Gift Cards are also available for purchase and make a great gift.

GERRIE & CO.

I stopped in Gerrie & Co., a Fine Jewelry and Giftware store, after seeing their 50% off Mother’s Day sale table outside. I’m glad I did because they have quite a delightful selection of jewelry, glassware, accessories, scarves, items from Metropolitan Museum of Art and more. I also learned this is a mom and daughter operation so I loved supporting! Plus they will gift wrap your items for FREE.

Be Pure Beauty

Looking for an ethical beauty gift for Moms and Grads? Shop clean beauty products at Be Pure Beauty and also pick up a gift that gives back like jewelry from The Shine Project. You can also treat Mom to a beauty makeover or pick up a fragrance for your Grad. Still not sure what to buy? Check out Be Pure Beauty’s Mothers Day Gift Guide.

FRANK GALLERY

Support local artists and shop for Graduation and Mother’s Day gifts at Frank Gallery. They have affordable prints, handmade pottery and more items in their gift shop. If your Mom or Grad loves art, give a gift from the heart from Frank Art Gallery.

SOUTHERN SEASON

A visit to University Place is not complete without stopping in Southern Season for gourmet gifts and amazing treats! It’s a one stop shop for any celebration. From the food, to the champagne, you can buy gifts and the gift wrapping here! Graduation and Mother’s Day gifts galore can be found in this store! Moms, it’s ok to pick up a little something for yourself too.

For more unique gifts, stop in Peacock Alley Gifts, Night Gallery/Branching Out and Carolina Corner. Still not sure what to get? A gift card or two from Burlington Shoes and Bath & Body Works is always a great idea! Don’t forget to stop in The Frame and Print Shop to find the perfect greeting card to put those gift cards in!

For more Mother’s Day and Graduation gift ideas and to see more of my finds at University Place, I have made a twitter thread list for you to take a look here. From art galleries to one of a kind independent shops, University Place is a great place to shop, dine and be entertained all in one spot! Get there now before Mother’s Day and Graduation to pick up fantastic gifts today!

UNIVERSITY PLACE

201 S Estes Drive

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Plan a #MommyandMe Lunch Date at @American_Girl Bistro + Enjoy Interactive Shopping Fun with American Girl App! #charactercounts

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I recently traveled to Atlanta to visit family and friends during my daughter’s Spring Break. It coincided with Easter as well, so there was a whole lot to celebrate! We enjoyed a fabulous Easter Brunch at the Mandarin Oriental, a fun dinner/show at Medieval Times, and a family-friendly dining experience at The Cowfish during our stay.

While all of these were amazing foodie fun experiences, I knew that planning a visit to the American Girl store would be just the place to make #outandaboutAva’s Spring Break extra special. I was happy to find out there was one in Alpharetta,GA that included a bistro and even happier that I could turn this into a double date with mom/blogger [Ashley of @MommyWeek], her daughter and of course the Girl of the Year doll, Luciana Vega!

Mommy and Me Lunch Date with Ashley of MommyWeek, Leslie of SobeSavvy, their daughters + American Girl dolls!

The Bistro

As soon as you walk into the bistro, you know you are in for a girly good time with all the pretty pink decor. From the pink table, pink menu, pink daisy centerpiece and pink napkin holder (which your child gets to take home as a pony tail holder keepsake), the American Girl Bistro is… “soooo cute” per my little girl. All are welcomed to have a seat at the table, including your doll! They will bring a pink dining chair (with a doll if you don’t have one) right to you for your little one to enjoy. Here is a fun pic from my Instagram instastories showing what the American Girl Dolls look like sitting at the table too!

The Menu

Memories are always on the menu at the American Girl Bistro. Expect to have a delicious dining experience that you can create all on your own! Lunch included an appetizer, entreé and choice of dessert. We ordered speciality Luciana Vega drinks and said a toast to new friends and new memories!

For starters, I had the mozzarella cheese sticks while both girls ordered the fruit fondue, which came with muffins, a fruit skewer and yogurt. We all thought the presentation of the yogurt served like a flower pot was so fun! Our main entreés came quickly and were cooked perfectly. I highly recommend the salmon dish if you are looking for a healthy seafood option. My daughter loved customizing her bowtie pasta by sprinkling as much parmesan cheese on it as her heart desires! Everyone became a member of the clean plate society since we finished every bite. It was that good.

Be sure to save room for the scrumptious sweets to enjoy at the end of your meal. The delicious desserts range from cookies, cupcakes, brownies, ice cream or if you really wanna go all in, get a brownie ice cream sundae!

SobeSavvy Tip: Wanna make your dining experience more fun? Play the the conversation starter game, which you can find at the center of the table. It’s a great way to learn about yourself and everyone else!

The Boutique

After our delicious lunch, we headed into the American Girl boutique store to explore what’s new. Did you know you can search for exciting augmented reality experiences throughout the store simply using your smartphone? That’s right, you can bring magic to life and unlock interactive experiences, stop-motion videos, behind-the-scenes content, and more!

SobeSavvy Tip: Download the American Girl app for FREE, scan the pages of the catalogue and look for special icons in the stores. Get ready to go beyond the stars with Luciana and discover all of the interactive ways to play at americangirl.com/luciana. Overall our Mommy and Me lunch date was more than just a girls day out, it was a day to remember and a trip we’ll never forget! Just watch this video and wait for the happy dance moves from my little one after all the fun:

Make plans to head to your nearest American Girl store and check out all the fun, new happy spring experiences to share. Check out MommyWeek’s blog post giving her perspective of this fun day! Be sure to stop in American Girl store soon and leave with your smiles in full bloom! Thanks again to our friends at American Girl for hosting us and giving all of us a Spring Break date we will cherish.

All smiles for #outandboutAva and her mom, Leslie, Founder of SobeSavvy.com during their visit to the American Girl Boutique and Bistro in Alpharetta,GA

American Girl Atlanta Bistro

1202 North Point Circle

Alpharetta, GA 30022

Part II #MyVioletValentine Shopping + #ValentinesDay Gift Ideas ~ University Place NC @UPlaceNC #chapelhill

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Hey there! I am back for Part II of #MYVIOLETVALENTINE series (click here if you missed Part I). Today, I am sharing my UNIVERSITY PLACE shopping fun and finds with the Pantone Color of the Year- Ultra Violet in mind. My daughter #outandaboutAva (aka my favorite shopping partner) and I headed back to the mall where we did most of her back to school shopping, University Place. Located in Chapel Hill, this mall is known as …”THE place for shopping, dining, entertainment & the arts, fitness & beauty.” This visit, we are on a mission to find purple purchases and Violet themed gift ideas for Valentine’s Day. Here’s what we found:

•Accessories for Girls at Glee Kids

From hair accessories, like bows and headbands to adorable (and adjustable) rings, Glee Kids had some items that I think any little girl would love for a Violet Valentine!

• Fun Gifts for Girls at The Red Hen

The Red Hen always has unique items and great prices, so I was not surprised that we found something for a Violet color themed gift. If you are making a gift basket for your kid on Valentime’s Day, fill it with little toys from The Red Hen. We left with this Girl Bat Cape because my daughter said it was going to activate her shopping powers and help with finding more #MyVioletValentine items!

• Women’s Apparel & Accessories at Dina Porter

Dina Porter is a classic boutique for shoppers interested in one of a kind quality items. Looking for a unique scarf or sweater? Dina Porter has it all! There were all shades of purple in that store and many eclectic selections, like the ultraviolet polka dot raincoat with matching tote bag!

• Food Speciality Items, Flowers & more at Southern Season

Plan to wine and dine your Valentine at home? Is your special someone a foodie? Then a gourmet gift and flowers from Southern Season would be appreciated. I absolutely love that store, especially the organization of their wine section. Surprisingly, I found lavender caramel chocolate which is going to be perfect for #myVioletValentine theme, don’t you agree?!

• Greetings and NoteCards from The Frame & Print Shop

Art galleries always catch my eye, which made me stop in The Frame & Print Shop. I found the most delightful violet Valentines Day card as well as some great Monet inspired note cards. Nothing says pure romance like a handwritten love note!

• Health & Beauty Finds from BE PURE BEAUTY

Be Pure Beauty sells natural products made of clean, non-toxic ingredients. At this store, you’ll find the best of green beauty brands that are conscious of keeping people, the planet, plants and animals safe. They sell makeup, skincare products, bath bombs and more! I found some lavender scented bath bombs and eyeshadow (color ‘Soiree’) that would make great #myVioletValentine gifts!

• Scented Candles & Fragrances from Bath & Body Works

You may be familiar with Bath & Body Works for their fragrant personal care products. You can always find flavorful indulgences, including shower gels, lotions, candles and accessories. I am a big fan of gifting candles for any occassion and for #myVioletvalentine, a lavender scented or any violet purple candle would be a great choice!

• Jewelry at Goldworks

Did you know you can create jewelry at Goldworks in North Carolina? This store specializes in custom jewelry designs, in yellow, white and rose gold, platinum, silver, Mokume gane, and much more. You will find a variety of designs from traditional to truly original and artistic designs. Visit Goldworks jewelry store and gallery to have one of the professional jewelry designers create a unique and original gift for your special Valentine. Jewelry is always a great gift idea and right now for the month of February, the gemstone is Amethyst! It’s the perfect violet hue and fits #myVioletValentine theme. Goldworks is also currently having a 50% off sale on select items you don’t want to miss.

SobeSavvy Tip: Check out this fun Galentine’s event happening TONIGHT, 2/8/18 7pm-9pm at Kidzu Children’s Museum inside UNIVERSITY PLACE.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post as much as I did creating a fun way to be on trend this Valentine’s Day with the Pantone Color of the Year, Ultra Violet. At University Place, shopping all shades of purple was such a fun time and we found some great choices for #myVioletValentine 💜!

Leslie, Lifestyle Blogger & Founder of SobeSavvy.com and daughter, #outandaboutAva enjoy a day of shopping fun for #MYVioletValentine at University Place in Chapel Hill

UNIVERSITY PLACE
201 S. ESTES DRIVE CHAPEL HILL, NC 27514 919.945.1900
http://www.universityplacenc.com

Part I #MyVioletValentine Shopping Picks + Fun #ValentineGift Ideas ~ CrabTree Valley Mall @ShopCrabtree

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#MyVioletValentine Shopping Experience at CrabTree Valley Mall

If you have been following my Instagram @SobeSavvy, then you may have seen my instastories and posts about a new series I am starting just in time for Valentine’s Day called #MyVioletValentine. 💜

In honor of the Pantone Color of the Year: Ultra Violet, I want to inspire you to switch up from the usual color red and make violet purple purchases this Valentine’s Day for yourself or loved ones. With over 200+ stores and restaurants, Crabtree Valley Mall is the perfect place in Raleigh to kick off this series! There are so many great places to ‘SHOP in the name of Love’ just like the sign outside of Bevello says…so let’s get started!

Here are a few ideas for Girls:

Accessories from Claire’s

New Athleta Girl fashions at Athleta

Hallmark for cards + candy

There’s also Purple Disney characters like Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Rapunzel available at The Disney Store and fun fashions like this graphic tee from The Children’s Place!

Speaking of fashion, everywhere I looked in the mall there were awesome sales on purple clothing,shoes..take your pick! You must remember to gift yourselves ladies this Valentine’s Day. Check out these gift ideas for HER:

Purple Sweater, Violet Floral Top from American Eagle Outfitters

Find February’s gemstone, Amethyst and other purple gemstones in any of the jewelry stores including Swarovski at Crabtree Valley Mall. I found a beautiful cocktail ring at Sears, which is one of three anchor department stores at the mall.

You can also find Handbags from Coach or Michael Kors, purple candles from Yankee Candle, and shades of violet at your favorite cosmetic stores: Bare Minerals, MAC or Sephora.

Loving this MAC matte lipstick, color: Heroine

As I began to look for things my husband would like, I noticed there were quite a few His & Her Options throughout the mall. Got yours eyes on gifts for a special guy? Here’s some ideas for HIM:

Cool Shades from Aeropostale

..and Sunglass Hut!

Everyone loves a good smelling man right?! Pick up a nice smelling fragrance for the both of you at any of the anchor department stores, Sephora and these from Aeropostale.

Remember those tops I saw at American Eagle Outfitters? While there, I noticed boxers that were perfect for #MyVioletValentine! I plan to box up these (along with a few other surprises) and present on Valentine’s Day, which is just 9 days away!

SobeSavvy Tip: Still can’t decide what to get for him or her? Give “The Gift of Choice”, a Crabtree Valley Mall Gift Card available for as little as $5 or as much as $500! Gift Cards are available at Guest Services.

We had so much fun shopping for #MyVioletValentine at Crabtree Valley Mall and hope you are inspired to make your way there soon!

CRABTREE VALLEY MALL

4325 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27612

shopcrabtree.com | @shopcrabtree #shopcrabtree

#outandaboutAva visits the @American_Girl Store for Holiday Shopping, Bistro Dining and More! 

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We are in Charlotte,NC where a visit to the American Girl store in the SouthPark Mall is a must do experience! Our daughter, now age 6, was very excited to take her GOTY doll, Gabriela McBride, with her for the first time to enjoy afternoon tea at the Bistro, ear piercing at the doll salon and some holiday shopping. Not only did my husband,daughter and I enjoy our family date, but we got the opportunity to #givewhatcounts to our child. American Girl brand inspires all to create memories that will last thru the holidays and beyond!

THE BISTRO

Good eats, delightful sweets and for your doll a special seat..that’s what you can expect at the Bistro. We went during their special Holiday Tea event, which included a deliciously different menu of teatime treats, a craft, and fun conversation with the holiday Table Talkers. We made a fleece headband to keep the dolls’ ears warm on chilly days, and a holiday-card-making craft. It was great way to start the holiday season with a special teatime together and a couple of crafty projects!

DOLL HAIR SALON

Recently, #outandaboutAva got her ears pierced just in time for her photo with Santa and thought it would be great to have her doll’s done too! At the American Girl Doll Hair Salon you can get a “Gabriela Girl of the Year Ear Piercing”, which is an exclusive ear-piercing service available only for the Gabriela™ 18″ doll. It was a quick service for her doll, which included her signature earring set. The music note studs are so adorable, I wish I had a pair! Pampering services and hair styling services are also available at the salon. It was so fun to see the dolls get a new look!

SHOPPING

Christmas is just days away and if you are still looking for ideas to gift your girl then look no further than American Girl. They have gifts that will teach her that “little moments of kindness can only come from big hearts”. I decided to treat my daughter to an early gift to celebrate her courage in performing in her first solo ballet recital a few days ago. It was practiced as a duet but in the last moments, she had to do it by herself. That experience helped build her confidence and allowed her to let her spirit shine.

To help her with backstage jitters, we were able to discuss how her American Girl doll Gabriela loves to perform and express herself thru dance just like her. Gabriela’s story inspires creativity and even when its not easy, she uses her talent to help those around her. So for both, my daughter and Gabriela, we got matching girl & doll PJ sets, which are on holiday sale until 12/24/17. We are planning an NYE ‘family date night in’ which is a together tradition we do and you can bet these fun, matching pjs will come into play. Find creative tips on planning the ‘Ultimate Sleepover’ inspired by American Girl’s ‘A Year of Slumber Parties’ book.

SobeSavvy Tip: Now-Thru December 31, 2017 while shopping at any American Girl store in the U.S., American Girl will match any customer donation to the American Red Cross, up to $75,000 maximum. Tied to the debut of its newest BeForever character, Nanea Mitchell—a Hawaiian girl growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1941 during WWII, American Girl is supporting the American Red Cross and their Service to the Armed Forces mission
to provide care and comfort to members of the military, veterans, and their families. Donations can also be made at americangirl.com.

On Jan 1, American Girl is introducing Luciana Vega, the 2018 Girl of the Year. She comes with her cool line of space inspired products (like a Mars habitat and flight suit!) AND an out-of-this-world storyline about an 11-year-old who dreams of being the first person on Mars. American Girl worked with NASA, including a task force of advisors (scientists, astronauts, and more) who helped ensure the accuracy and authenticity of Luciana’s world—from her story and products to a STEM-based educational program in partnership with Scholastic and Space Camp.

We plan to head to the Raleigh,NC temporary store to celebrate her launch. AG is hosting Luciana debut events at its retail locations nationwide on January 1. The event features interactive science demonstrations, a Moon Phase craft, galaxy-inspired treats, and a free Luciana doll tee to take home. For more details, visit americangirl.com/retail.

Check out more of our in store experiences on You Tube and see a glimpse of how magical it is! Enjoy..thanks for reading..and Happy Holidays 🎅🎄💖🎁