Janelle Diamond's picture
December, 1st 2010

25 Days of Gifts

Well, hello December. We're in holiday month—what with Chanukah starting tonight and Christmas only 24 days away. So, we'll be showing 25 gifts between now and the end of the month.

GIFT #1: So, for the social butterfly who has everything—the adorable vonny casserole carrier comes in all sorts of different colors and patterns. It's completely insulated to mainstain food's temperature and fits a standard 9X13 dish. There is also an exterior pocket for serving utensils. $45 at vonny.com.

casserole

5:45 pm Tags: gift ideas, holiday
Janelle Diamond's picture
December, 1st 2010

Creative Alliance Merry Mart

The Creative Alliance's annual holiday sale Merry Mart arrives Sunday, December 5th from 11-5. It's a great, intimate venue to check out a growing list of artists displaying and selling their current work.

Many of those that participate have been living and practicing in the city for many years and are some of the core movers and shakers of the community's art movements. The Creative Alliance's spokesperson told us some of the things to look forward to this year include "a wrapping station, a holiday card making exercise for the kids and hot chocolate, and food." 

A new-comer to check out is Matt Muirhead, a Baker Artist nominee. Muirhead's ethereal mixed media prints and...

Janelle Diamond's picture
December, 1st 2010

dresscode by gita Holiday Pop-Up Shop

dresscode by gita is opening a pop-up shop in the downtown retail destination of Harbor East this month. The second pop-up venture by owner Gita Chowdry—who popped up in the Legg Mason building last December with some other boutiques—aims to turn the raw space next to Haagen-Dazs (810 Aliceanna Street) into a destination holiday shop modeled after high-end European boutiques. Lauren Martin, dresscode’s spokesperson says, "almost the entire store—jewelry, handbags, scarves and accessories—will be moving downtown. The only brand left in the flagship Cross Keys Village location will be Gem Palace, dresscode’s largest collection."

Some of the top designers that will be carried by the pop-up shop include Phillip Crangi, Sevan, Lanvin, Marie Helen de Taillac, Tom Binns and hot textile designer Hiroyoshi the Third. Slated to open December 4 and run through the end of December, the pop-up shop will be open from 12-7pm Tuesday-Sunday.

You can check out dresscode by gita’s video on the new space...

3:30 pm Tags: boutique, holiday, pop-up shop
Janelle Diamond's picture
December, 1st 2010

Baltimore Magazine Shop Crawl

Another month, another great Baltimore Magazine Shop Crawl. Tomorrow's holiday VIP Shop Crawl at Green Spring Station and the Gatehouse Shoppes includes loads of goody bags, free giveaways, food, wine and champagne, and music to set the mood. The crawl is from 6-9PM and co-sponsored by Joey Chiu’s Greenspring Inn.

Exclusive private trunk shows are a huge trend this year including B-More Bags in the main courtyard (proceeds going to the House of Ruth and Ruth’s Closet), Graphic Image at The Pleasure of Your Company, Toobydoo at Wee Chic, and Tibi and Alexis Bittar at Essentials by Panache.

In addition to sipping champagne, strolling through the courtyard, and noshing on yummy bites there are some amazing sales happening at participating stores, including:

Trilium 10% off

The Pleasure of Your Company 20% off

UNO Salon 15% off retail products...

Janelle Diamond's picture
December, 1st 2010

Baltimore Magazine Shop Crawl

Another month, another great Baltimore Magazine Shop Crawl. Tomorrow's holiday VIP Shop Crawl at Green Spring Station and the Gatehouse Shoppes includes loads of goody bags, free giveaways, food, wine and champagne, and music to set the mood. The crawl is from 6-9PM and co-sponsored by Joey Chiu’s Greenspring Inn.

Exclusive private trunk shows are a huge trend this year including B-More Bags in the main courtyard (proceeds going to the House of Ruth and Ruth’s Closet), Graphic Image at The Pleasure of Your Company, Toobydoo at Wee Chic, and Tibi and Alexis Bittar at Essentials by Panache.

In addition to sipping champagne, strolling through the courtyard, and noshing on yummy bites there are some amazing sales happening at participating stores, including:

Trilium 10% off

The Pleasure of Your Company 20% off

UNO Salon 15% off retail products...

Janelle Diamond's picture
November, 30th 2010

The Round-Up: Bazzart

bazaart

The AVAM Bazaart was certainly a feast for the eyes. The entire third floor of the Jim Rouse Visionary Center was filled with dozens of local visionary artists showcasing and selling their work. Packed with people, the Bazaart was a bustling affair with a variety of goods offered including paintings, stationery, home goods, and jewelry.

One of my favorite artists was contemporary folk artist Brian Dowdall. His paintings on cardboard, and some on wood, were whimsical and vivid and reminded me of  cartoons you would see in a street fair or market in Mexico.  A true visionary artist, Brian Dowdall is also featured in the new What Makes US Smile? exhibit in the main museum.

bazaart

Another artist at the Bazaart that caught my attention, albeit in a totally different way...

11:22 am Tags: holiday shows, local designer
Janelle Diamond's picture
November, 29th 2010

Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap

heap

Holiday Heap, one of the most anticipated indie craft fairs of the season, features over 40 renegade crafters from the area. Organized by the Charm City Craft Mafia crew and held at St. John's Church at 2640 St. Paul Street, it's a pseudo-rebellious way to get your holiday shopping on. (Take that shopping malls!) It's one day only—Saturday, December 4th from 10-5, free of charge, and there will be snacks and delicioso drinks from Red Emma's and Curbside Cafe.

heap map

Intern Shabdiece Esfahani...

Janelle Diamond's picture
November, 29th 2010

Cyber Monday

Did you survive Black Friday? Or more realistically the parking lot? Shhh. Don't tell my husband but I have already bought something today! EllieBellieKids is having a 30% off everything sale and I've been eyeing those adorable robots, below, for quite some time. Plus, all shipping is $5. Use code CyberMonday.

Over at Lilac Bijoux—they are offering 25% off everything—just use Cyber10 at checkout.

Barefoot Tess—is doing 15% off the entire site plus free shipping. Enter 15OFF.

I'll post more as I hear about them ...

 

 

10:34 am Tags: holiday, sale
Janelle Diamond's picture
November, 24th 2010

Black Friday/Local Boutique Saturday/Recovery Sunday/Cyber Monday

Before I sign off for the holiday weekend—I just wanted to post a few more sales/events that have popped into my Inbox.

Over at Holly G: Come in Friday through Sunday for 25% off everything from cute clothes to fragrant candles.

Over at Sassanova: Gilded Peach Jewelry Design (a favorite former Federal Hill shop) will be hosting a trunk show on Saturday. Stop by for champagne, and jewels from 10-2.

At Urban Chic: On Friday from 9-10 take 30% off everything, from 10-11 take 25% off everything, and from 11 to close take 20% off everything. Plus, an extra 20% off all sale merchandise.

I would guess that most stores/sites are having some sort of great sale this weekend. So happy shopping ...

And Happy Turkey Day! —JED

 

5:44 pm Tags: holiday, sale
Janelle Diamond's picture
November, 23rd 2010

Moonlight Merriment at Belvedere Square

WHO: Belvedere Square merchants, Nouveau Contemporary Goods, Crush, and TechLab, will team up to bring a little “Moonlight Merriment” to this year’s Black Friday on November 26, 2010. Shoppers can even find out who has been naughty and who has been nice from a “Naughty Santa” during the Square’s annual party and shopping night!
WHAT: Guests can toast the start of the holiday shopping season at Nouveau’s complimentary martini bar at night or order a $7 themed drink  from Crush. The restaurant will also offer a Kris Kringle Krush for $5 and a 15% discount on dining.  After complimentary photos with “Naughty Santa,” customers can enjoy a 25% discount on all in stock merchandise at Nouveau. TechLab will also provide complimentary refreshments and Black Friday only offers.
WHY: Because holiday shopping should be fun– not frustrating!
WHEN: Friday, November 26, 2010, all day, all stores open late

4:44 pm Tags: holiday