SHOPPING/FASHION/STYLE

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Sun Hat Styles for Men and Women by @TenthStreetHats #tenthstreethats #fathersday2020 #giftideas #hats #ad

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Disclaimer: Thanks to Tenth Street Hats, I received complimentary promotional products for facilitating this review. The opinions are 100% percent my own.

Now that summer is upon us and warm temperatures are here, it’s my husband’s favorite time of year to wear hats. They are his favorite accessory to protect him from the sun in style! I have always loved seeing him in hats and thought it would be great to celebrate him for Father’s Day by gifting him a hat or two. I knew that I could find the right size and style from renowned hat maker, Tenth Street Hats.

TENTH STREET HATS
I have partnered with Tenth Street Hats before for Fall Hat Month and loved their selections of fashionable, high-quality hats for men and women so much that I was excited to see what they offered for the spring/summer season.This company, which has been family owned and operated since 1921, knows the value of tradition and aesthetic when it comes to handmade hats. Using the best materials, people and partnerships is why their men’s and women’s hats are perfect for any occasion and sure to make you stand out in a crowd! Handmade with quality materials and an eye for style, Tenth Street Hats would be the perfect addition to any wardrobe. No matter what the season or destination, they offer a beautiful array of hats. It will be hard to find just one favorite on their website, which allows you to search by shape, type, material, color, and occasion.Pictured below are some choices that I’ve picked out for my husband, just in time for Father’s Day and the summer season. Plus, I needed a new sun hat to wear so read further to see what Tenth Street Hat has for the ladies!

FOR HIM

Style: MIAMI VICE

Casual, Colorful and Cool… this hat says Hello Summer! My husband liked it at first sight because it’s full of character, just like him. He plans to wear it while riding his bike, at the pool/beach or anytime he feels like it because.. “that’s what grown men do.”

TENTH STREET Hats , Style- Miami Vice

Style- Miami Vice | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style: ROCKFORD

Stylish, Structured, Simplicity are the 3 words I would use to describe this hat. My husband loved the neutral color as it would go with almost anything! I opted to get the L/XL (so that I could wear it too) but luckily sizing tape comes with all hat orders so that he can adjust it to his liking. He says it will be his festival hat, Sunday Brunch hat or anytime he steps out in style in the summer sun!

Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style- Rockford | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style: CALISTOGA

This Fly, Fresh, Finely Made fedora style hat is what I gifted my husband last year for Father’s Day and year later, this hat is still holding up! It had become his hat of choice whenever he knew we were going out. Dress it up or down, this hat with it’s mult-color band allowed so much style versatility.

Style- Calistoga | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style- Calistoga | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Not sure if this is the hat for you or him? You can virtually try it on before purchasing which is a cool and easy feature found on the Tenthstreethats.com website!

SobeSavvy Tip: Hats make great gifts for men, and it’s never to late to shop for the Father’s Day or any occasionfor that special man in your life. Tenth Street Hats offers FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $99. FREE EXCHANGES. Gift yourself or someone you love with a designer hat from Tenth Street Hats.

FOR HER

Style: MIAMI

For 18 years, my husband and I called Miami Beach home so when I saw that Tenth Street Hats offered a sun hat style called “Miami”, I figured I would treat myself to something that would remind me of a place we once called home. Sunglasses and sun hats were definitely accessory staples of living in the sunshine state. But no matter where you live, a wide brim sun hat offers great protection. I chose this one because of its unique beading style which you can get in other solid colors or choose the multi color style like I am wearing below. This summer you can find me at the Farmer’s Market, on the beach , splashing with my daughter in our backyard inflateable pool or simply enjoying the sun on the patio in style with this hat from Tenth Street!

Style- Miami | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style- Miami | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

What is your favorite style of Sun Hat shown above? What style would you gift to a Dad in your life? Or if you would like to gift yourself, check out Tenth Street Hats and pick a new one for you! Need some style inspiration? Take a look at their Sun Hats collection and Follow on Instagram @tenthstreethats.

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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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Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day from National Pawn Shops @NationalPawnNC #ValentinesDayGifts

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Have you finished Valentine’s Day shopping yet? Save money and find the perfect valentines day gift for Him, Her and YOU at National Pawn & Jewelry.

National Pawn and Jewelry has been the premiere pawn destination in the Triangle since 1987. They have provided small cash loans in exchange for all sorts of property. Jewelry, electronics and everything in between can be found in one of their locations. I was invited to visit their flagship 📍6740 Fleetwood Dr., Raleigh, NC 27612, located off of Glenwood/70 to see what they had to offer. Being a few weeks from Valentine’s Day, I was seeking to find items that could be Valentine related (..think red, pink, heart shaped jewelry), but open to anything!

I was warmly greeted upon entering their bright and airy showroom. The stereotype of a dirty and dark pawnshop could not be the furthest thing from the truth. This store felt like a department store with friendly associates at every turn. They have a large jewelry department and customers are allowed to try on a few pieces. DID YOU KNOW… National Pawn and Jewelry are also the largest buyers of gold in the entire state?!

I continued to enjoy just browsing to see all the wonderful items in stock and actually decided to gift myself some love by getting a gold heart shaped ring and a red, Michael Kors tote bag! There were so many nice items, the decision was hard but shopping was fun. Here are some of my favorite finds for Valentine’s❣ :

Handbags

Depending on the day, you may find anything from vintage Louis Vuitton, to Coach, Michael Kors and more were available. All shapes, colors and sizes. What I liked most is that the handbag I selected was in mint condition.

Rings

I tried in a variety of rings. Some with diamonds, or stones, in gold and silver. I had fun finding and trying on all the heart-shaped rings in the store!

Necklaces

There were plenty of necklaces with and without pendants to buy. You could also find just the pendant to purchase. I saw quite a few heart shaped as well as a necklace that said ” LOVE”.

Bracelets

Who doesn’t like a little arm candy?! I think bracelets are the perfect gift if you are not sure of the size of ring or kind of jewelry your Valentine likes. There was a gold bracelet that had elephants and hearts and I thought to myself…”I know some Deltas who would love this one”. ❤

Earrings

Here are some of the pierced heart earrings found in the store on this day. Aren’t they darling? Remember, inventory changes, so if you see something you like, get there as soon as possible!

Pandora Charms

Did you know..National Pawn & Jewelry has Pandora Bracelet Charms in store for a fraction of the cost that you would pay at a Pandora retail store. I was surprised by the selection and thrilled to learn this!

Musical Instruments

Here’s a gift idea for HIM: Ladies, maybe your guy has been dreaming of playing the guitar or has been talking about learning a new hobby. Or maybe you want to serenade him on Valentine’s Day with an original song, dressed in heels to match this shiny red guitar! I also saw keyboards and other instruments just in case you and your Valentine want to start a band. They also had electronics, such as cameras, tablets, laptops and more.

Unique Finds

Look at this heart-shaped pocket watch! Isn’t it cool? The manager I spoke with said he has seen everything under the sun brought into the store by all sorts of customers like rare coins, precious gems and stones, and expensive watches.

Great Service

This location is huge, clean, has great inventory and provides excellent service. Any questions that I had or any concerns were answered by an associate. On this day, LaKayla was there as well as the store manager to offer us any assistance needed. If you are looking for jewelry especially, they have affordable ‘outlet’ bargain prices and you are allowed to negotiate.

SobeSavvy Tip: If you see something you really want but just don’t have the funds for it that day, it’s ok..ask National Pawn about their layaway program!

For more information, follow National Pawn & Jewelry at:

Website: https://www.nationalpawnshops.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalpawnraleigh/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalpawnshops/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NationalPawnNC

HAVE YOU SHOPPED AT A PAWN SHOP BEFORE? WHICH ITEM WOULD YOU GET FOR YOU OR YOUR VALENTINE?

Thank you for reading and I hope you are inspired to shop at any of the 19 locations of National Pawn & Jewelry for your next gift find! ❤

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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

Fall Hat Styles for Men and Women by @TenthStreetHats #fallfashion #hatseason #tenthstreethats #ad

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Disclaimer: Thanks to Tenth Street Hats, I received complimentary promotional products for facilitating this review. The opinions are 100% percent my own.

Now that fall is upon us and winter is near, it’s time to breakout your cold weather gear. For me the best part is being able to bundle up in stylish scarves and rock my favorite accessory during the season: HATS! I have always loved hats but finding the right size or style can be challenging. That was until I learned of a renowned hat maker company that has adjustable hats for small heads and hats sized for my big brain too.

TENTH STREET HATS

I recently partnered with Tenth Street Hats during September for Fall Hat Month and loved their selections of fashionable, high-quality hats for men and women. This company, which has been family owned and operated since 1921, knows the value of tradition and aesthetic when it comes to handmade hats. Using the best materials, people and partnerships is why their men’s and women’s hats are perfect for any occasion and sure to make you stand out in a crowd!

Handmade with quality materials and an eye for style, Tenth Street Hats would be the perfect addition to any fall wardrobe. But no matter what the season or destination, they offer a beautiful array of hats. It will be hard to find just one favorite on their website, which allows you to search by shape, type, material, color, and occasion. Pictured below are two of my personal favorites and one that I picked out for my husband.

FOR HIM

Brooklyn- St. Pierre, size Medium, color Khaki

A fedora is a classic hat. I think most men look good wearing one but I especially loved my man in his. Made from Wool felt, this hat came in the perfect fall color and he liked the size of the brim. When we are out and about, he was wearing this hat and so many have asked where did he get it. He was happy to advise folks of how they can get their own hat online from Tenth Street Hats.

SobeSavvy Tip: Hats make great gifts for men, and it’s never to early to shop for the holidays. Tenth Street Hats offers FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $70. FREE RETURNS. Gift yourself or someone you love with a designer hat from Tenth Street Hats. See their full selection of Fall Hats, here.

FOR HER

As with all of their hats, the greatness is in the details of this Sydney hat. If you are a woman who feels your head is too small to wear hats, this Wool felt round crown hat is for you because it has an inner drawstring sweatband. Scala- Sydney, size OS, color Pecan

My must have essential for fall is a floppy hat and the ‘Sonora‘ by Scala is my favorite go to. It’s made with genuine Wool felt, has an extra wide brim and can easily be folded into a suitcase. When I travel to see family for the holidays, expect to see me in this hat! Scala- Sonora, size OS, color Black

Every hat from Tenth Street Hats come with a 1 year craftmanship guarantee! If you have any questions, they provide a phone number for you to speak with a fit specialist about your new hat. If your new hat is slightly large, sizing tape/instructions comes free with your purchase. That kind of great customer service is why I would recommend Tenth Street Hats to anyone!

Do you wear hats in the fall/winter? What style is your go to? If you are not sure, check out Tenth Street Hats and pick a new one for you! Need some style inspiration? Follow on Instagram @tenthstreethats.

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