Southern Protocol

If you’re an avid shopper like I am your inbox is being flooded with summer sale promotions these days. Just this morning I was delighted to see a 20% off and free shipping email from J.Crew.com. Lizz had some great finds yesterday at the J.Crew on King Street as well – so make sure to check it out! You should be able to find great deals and great promotions in just about any store you walk into on King Street. This is the time to shop and stock up on pieces that will take you through the fall as well!

Not only can you stroll down King Street for some fab finds, but they are all over the Internet too! The infamous Nordstrom anniversary sale begins July 16^th so mark your calendars because it is quite possibly the best sale of the summer! You will find all of your fall necessities and tons of great indulgences for a fantastic price. The other websites I love to visit during summer sale season are Shopbop.com (where you can find up to 70% off!!) and Ruelala.com (anything from apparel to accessories). If you have not become a member of Rue la la or Gilt.com– register immediately! They have great sales EVERY day – yes, every day. All of these sites have great designer duds for super cheap, but check it out early because things go fast! – Refer a friend and receive a $10-$25 credit.

You have my permission to get out there and shop your little hearts out! This is the time to do it because you’re bound to find great deals everywhere and obviously you deserve it!

Posted by Quinn

Just as the local news of Forever 21 ambushing King Street has started to settle, the mega retailer opens an unbelievably MASSIVE store in Times Square, New York. This company is seriously on a hot streak.

The Times Square store is 91,000 square feet, has ONE HUNDRED FIFTY ONE dressing rooms, and over thousands of items in inventory. But the really crazy part: they’ll be open until 2:00 am every day. I’m assuming New York literally is the city that never sleeps, because I cannot for the life of me imagine shopping at 2:00 in the morning, unless it was in a fit of insomnia and I was on my computer in my pajamas…

Switching gears back to the future Charleston locale, I have found out that at least the Forever 21 replacing Saks is a “XXI Forever.” What is the difference, you may ask? A whole lot – XXI Forever is a newer flagship of the chain, that boasts nicer displays, cleaner stores, and a wider variety of inventory (all lines available on their website). It is a noticeably better shopping experience… so maybe that will help the sting of no more Saks…?

Many of us may not be able to break the bank for this sexy pair of Louboutins, BUT you can find nude heels almost anywhere these days. I had been on a quest to find the perfect pair because I realized they were an essential staple missing from my closet; so I went on a hunt.

Nude heels are extremely flattering, elongating the leg and creating a leaner silhouette – perfect for any frame! They are also easily carried from season to season, which is a major plus. A great pair of pumps that you can sport at any time of the year are always a great purchase and well worth the money. While I’m sure everyone loves a good bargain, I would highly suggest splurging a bit more on a staple item that will take you through many seasons. They will be much more durable and won’t give you those crazy, uncomfortable blisters (ouch!).

Pairing the nude heel with anything from a summer cocktail dress to even a skirt with tights this fall will not disappoint. Always classic, yet something a little different from your everyday black pump. They come in a wide variety to choose from: patent leather, leather, suede, open-toed, or closed-toed – I love them all!  I finally found a great, affordable pair at the Aldo on King Street. I went with a patent closed-toed version and I absolutely adore them. I am already envisioning all of the outfits I can pair them with (ie. dresses, skirts, trousers, shorts). I definitely encourage everyone to get out there during all the fabulous summer sales and add this staple to your closet.

And while you’re at it – it wouldn’t hurt to scour the sales for other wonderful basics to add! I am going to slip on my new pumps and maybe hit up a good happy hour!

-posted by Quinn

Fabulous news: my favorite Athens, Georgia boutique (GO DAWGS!) just launched a web-retail site yesterday afternoon… meaning now you can purchase the sensationally girly clothes from Flirt Fashions regardless of location!

Now, perhaps I’m a bit biased towards Flirt, because that was indeed my place of employment in college; but the fun atmosphere, amazing customer service, and affordably priced clothing and accessories make it a beloved Clayton Street gem for everyone in The Classic City. Some of the more popular lines they write include Mink Pink, Plastic Island, Kensie Girl and Kensie Pretty, Free People, Judith March, Boy Meets Girl, Fashion Spy, Stop Staring!, and Betsey Johnson (obviously I had trouble picking just a few). They also house the La Mer watches I raved about last week, and always have a great stock of premium denim.

FlirtWithAthens.com should definitely be added to your list of online shopping sites – I dare you to find something you don’t love!

Flirt is located at 153 East Clayton Street in Athens, Georgia. 706.543.6850.

This entire weekend, in our Mommy reverence frame of mind here at Southern Protocol, should be completely dedicated to the best woman you know. And we know all you SP readers are all about some pampering, so what better way to combine the two than with a day of makeovers at the super cute Cynthia Rowley store on King Street?

Pop into the boutique from 12-4 this Saturday, May 8 for 10% discounts and makeup tips from renowned makeup artist Trish McEvoy. Want some particular attention from the woman who can work wonders with concealer? RSVP for the event to charlestonevents@cynthiarowley.com.

Our fabulous SP readers are the main target for this day of pampering and fun, so be sure to pop in with your mom! Or with friends and family! Either way it’s a great event you won’t want to miss.

If you didn’t get to sip on any tasty beverages for Cinco de Mayo yesterday – or even if you did – Bashful Boutique in Avondale is giving you another chance!

The bang-for-your-buck boutique is holding a festive “Cinco de Seis” party at their 829 Savannah Highway store from 6:00 – 8:30 tonight. Treats include guacamole, queso fondue from neighbor Avondale Wine and Cheese, and some homemade salsa. Wine and Caribbean beer will also be served.

So if you’re in the mood for shopping and sipping, head on over to Bashful Boutique tonight at 6:00!

Attention all you fashionistas on a budget: stop everything you’re doing and head over to TheOutNet.com, Net-A-Porter’s relatively new sale and clearance site.

For those of you unfamiliar with Net-A-Porter.com, it’s essentially the online go-to for high end merchandise; think Saks, Neimans, and Bergdorf’s virtual counterpart. While NAP has always had a clearance section, they decided to expand on it, probably listening to the thousands of customers who voiced their desire for more deals and steals.

TheOutNet has tons of designer brands way on clearance that will make any shopper giddy: Chloe, Louboutin, Herve Leger, Marc Jacobs, YSL… the list goes on and on! What makes the site more unique is its “special events.” They will randomly have “Flash Sales” – a certain item is put up for sale for a certain time frame, and gets cheaper and cheaper as the clock winds down; the longer you wait, the cheaper the garment will be… but the smaller chance you have of getting it before it sells out. Oh, the anticipation!

I’ve heard that they also do $1.00 sales. At a random, unannounced time they will put a variety of items up for a $1.00 sale. And we’re not talking $30 dresses from Target, we’re talking $2200 Herve Leger dresses. For ONE DOLLAR. Crazy!

Check out the fashion haven today and see what deals you can score.

Wink Boutique in West Ashley has finally changed their name! Drive past the adorable Avondale storefront and you’ll know see a “Bashful Boutique.” In celebration of this new chapter for the store, owner Errica Watson is hosting a Bashful Bash this coming Thursday, February 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Errica knows how to throw a great party – as always, the Bashful Bash will include sparkling wine, chocolate strawberries and other appetizers as they celebrate the new name for their shop. As we’ve preached before, Bashful Boutique has some of the trendiest clothing in Charleston at the absolute best prices. Especially if you’re still in need for something fun and flirty for Valentine’s Day this weekend, stop in and check it out!

She personally had me at chocolate strawberries…

Bashful Boutique is located at 829 Savannah Highway.

Wink, this week’s Boutique of the Week (entry to come!), is actually having their one-year anniversary this week! What a HUGE accomplishment and success…we love seeing all you local businesses thrive.

In honor of their benchmark, owner Errica is planning a mini-event that’s both celebratory and meaningful. The one year party will take place this Thursday, October 15th from 6:30-9 at their West Ashley location – and ALL profits during that time period will go to Camp Happy Days, an organization that gives special opportunities to children suffering from cancer. Errica is a mother of two children who have both battled the heartbreaking disease, and figured what better way to give back than to shop for a cause!

The event is free, and will include wine, beer and hors d’oeurves while you shop; Errica says, “come celebrate life and health.” And again, all profits are being donated!!! What an easy way to justify purchasing a new outfit. Spread the word and we’ll see you Thursday!

It’s here! It’s here! Our Lula Kate Pink Carpet Event is THIS THURSDAY – read below to refresh yourself on the details, and be sure to send us an RSVP at contact@southernprotocol.com.

Join us for our inaugural Pink Carpet Event September 24th! The event will take place at super cute Lula Kate downtown on King Street from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The boutique is brimming with new clothes and cocktail dresses – perfect for shopping now that you know which cocktail dresses flatter your frame.

And of course what would a chic fashion event be without a few perks? All merchandise (excluding bridal) will be 10% off, and we’ll be serving our delicious Cocktail of the Month (The Razz Sparkler) as well as some delicious appetizers! A few lucky attendees will also walk away with some fantastic gifts: a Lula Kate signature skirt, cocktail napkins from O’Connor Monogramming (our featured Hostess Gift of the Month), and a gift certificate to Southern Protocol. As always, remember to dress to impress – we’ll be selecting our first “Best Dressed” winner to feature on the website!

If you want to get on the exclusive VIP list, send an email saying so to contact@southernprotocol.com. Hope to see you there for a night of champagne and shopping!