Our Launch Party was a huge success! We had over 200 attendees come out to join the party and we have some fabulous photos to share of all the fun, the beautiful models, attendees and the hip & trendy fashions showcased from Martin & Mary's, The Royal Secret Boutique & Cute Buttons Gift & Paper Boutique!.

We will be adding more as we get them and we will be providing more details all week because we still have so many more people to thank! Check out more photos of the "launch party" here! & the model gallery from the launch party "fashion shows".

I would like to personally thank Beth Yauger, from B3 Photography for doing such a FANTASTIC job!!! (she's the 3rd one to the right:)


She is truly an amazing photographer and I will be looking forward to working with her again! To contact Beth, please visit her website at http://b3photographyncbybeth.smugmug.com/ - Thank you, Beth!

For those of you who couldn't make it, don't worry, The Shopping Memo will be hosting, promoting and attending several more events in the future and will keep you posted on all the details on where we will be!

If you want to look good without feeling the pinch on your pocketbook, come to Raleigh’s ultra stylish, eco-friendly STYLE SWAP. A fabulous evening of fashion + fun with the girls - and for a great cause!

Enjoy:
• Yummy bites from La Farm Bakery
• $4 cocktails + wine specials
• Sponsored “swap” items + fabulous prizes from your favorite stores
• Luxe Apothecary Beauty Station
• Music by DJ ProtoJ

Cost:
$40 online: www.styleswap.net
The first 50 women to purchase tickets receive VIP Swapping Status and will be entered into the VIP Raffle / $50 at the door - (Exclusive discount for The Shopping Memo readers. Order your tickets online now, enter PROMO Code: Recessionista and receive $5 off!)


Where:
White Collar Crime - 319 West Davie Street - Downtown Raleigh
• You must arrive before 8pm.

Bring:
Fashionable (designer + vintage) items that have been hibernating in your closet!
1 gently worn item (on hanger) + 1 accessory

Donations:
STYLESWAP will also be collecting professional attire donations – suits, blouses, dress shoes, etc. for Dress for Success, promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women.
www.dressforsuccess.org

Questions:
Email styleswapinfo@gmail.com

We would like to thank everyone for coming out to The Shopping Memo Launch party and supporting us, our fabulous local businesses, and The Pretty in Pink Foundation. I especially want to Thank Lola32 for putting on the best event in the perfect way I imagined it and Cute Buttons for hosting a great party! Thank you to Martin & Mary's & The Royal Secret Boutique for putting on the great fashion shows. Thank you to all the beautiful models. Thank you, Havana Grille for providing the delicious food and everyone here who also brought some goodies. Thank you Penny, Executive director of the Pretty in Pink Foundation in working with us to help raise awareness about her great organization. Thank you to Beth Yauger, from B3 Photograpy for the amazing photographs taken at the event.

We have many more people to thank so we will be updating our blog when all the list details are complete. We are still trying to recover from all the fun we had and our minds are continuely racing with joy and excitement, so we are trying to make sure we do not leave anyone out!

We will also be posting all the details, sponsor information, giveaway winners, updates, features, photos and more, very soon!

The Shopping Memo will also be hosting, promoting and attending several more events in the future and will keep you posted on all the details on where we will be!

Thank You EVERYONE!

Well our Launch Party is officially here! Yeah!

Just a quick reminder to make sure you come out today and shop, eat, enjoy the fashion shows, get pampered with mini manicures and chair massages, mingle and celebrate with all of us.

Party begins at 4pm and ends at 8pm with lots of giveaways throughout the hours. So be sure you stop by the registration table and sign up for your chance to win.

Also, with all of the people expected to attend our launch party, we will have overflow parking across the street at The Matthews House as well as next to The Matthews House.

Don't be late. You don't want to miss out on any of the fun. See you there!

The Shopping Memo

Ok divas, this is going to be short and sweet, as I am exhausted getting ready for Friday's Launch Party. Two days left and the anticipation continues to grow as we get closer and closer.

It was somewhat of a hectic day, but I had so much fun! I did some work in the morning, headed over to Martin & Mary's, where I got a sneak peak at their new spring collections, that will debut at Friday's fashion shows!. Picked up some PINK Champagne. Met with Lola32 to finalize the last minute details and ooohhh, I also went a little shopping again, of course, but for you, our fans:)

I was on the hunt for some more fantastic prize giveaways, courtesy of The Shopping Memo, so I scoured a few of my favorite local boutiques, like The Pink Alli, Cute Buttons Gift & Paper Boutique, Martin & Mary's,
B Roman Day Spa, and found the cutest items and prizes, that I can't wait to proudly present at our Grand Prize drawing that will be filled with some spectacular gifts!

April 24th is going to be a beautiful, sunny Spring day and you won't want to miss out on all the fun. So, we'll see you there!!!

Our launch party is only 3 days away and I am super excited! It's been so hectic with all the planning, we want to make sure all our friends and fans have a fabulous time.

The whole day was scheduled around trying to finish up a few small details before Friday, and our first stop was one very important meeting with Penny Lauricella, the executive director of The Pretty in Pink Foundation.

I had the chance to chat with Penny and learn more about their mission as well as what we can do to help. The Shopping Memo will be accepting donations during our Launch Party event with a portion of proceeds benefiting the foundation. The Pretty in Pink Foundation will also be hosting an information booth and passing out ribbons along with the sale of a few promotional items such as pink wrist bracelets, memorial tealights and more to help raise funds for their great organization.


"I am so delighted to be teaming up with a foundation who strives to make a difference in the lives of people diagnosed with breast cancer by providing financial resources to those who have limited or no health insurance as well as bringing our local community together to support such a great cause."

So we are asking of all of you to come out, help us celebrate the launch of The Shopping Memo, enjoy some light hor'dourves, champagne, shopping, fun & more, and support a wonderful charity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Second, we managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping, and met with one of the owners, Leann, of downtown Raleigh's newest eco-friendly boutique, Epona & Oak, that features some amazing artistry in hand-made products (mostly local) that were proudly displayed throughout the store.
One of my favorites pieces was a "hand-pressed" flower inside a round glass pendant dangling from a sparkling chain, along with another pendant paired with wallpaper. How unique is that? It was something I had never seen before and will definitely be returning to purchase. I hope to post more pictures very soon as time permits in the midst of all the planning this week!

I also wanted to mention Leann was so kind in donating one of her very own, beautiful, hand-made items to be given away Friday night! Can't wait.

And one last thing, Epona and Oak will be having a Grand Opening celebration, on Friday, May 1st.



Epona & Oak offers a fresh concept in wellness and shopping featuring lines of independent designers and artists, carrying home accessories, apparel for women and men, jewelry, handbags, gifts and paper goods. And nestled in the back of the store, Epona & Oak features a tranquil wellness studio that provides a wide array of massage therapies and energy work. What are you waiting for, go check them out, shop and then relax!

www.eponaandoak.com

Well, I am looking forward to updating you again tomorrow with more great news. Stay tuned!

The invitations are out and the official countdown to TheShoppingMemo.com Launch Party has begun. Only 4 days remain to the hottest Spring Party on the block! We will continue to provide party updates from now until Friday.

The excitement is building and we can't wait to meet all of you, have some fun, and give away some fabulous prizes including Spa Gift Certificates, Jewelry, Chocolate, Boutique Shopping Gift Certificate, Wine Glasses, A Shopping Party, Southern Women's Show Tickets, Handbags, Gift Bags, Nail Products w/Manicure and more!

Be sure to become a fan of ours on FaceBook or Follow us on Twitter for up to the minute news as well!

Please feel free to post your comments, questions or suggestions and invite your friends to come along too!

Until tomorrow!

Two may not be enough for me. After reviewing the newest collections, I think my shopping list just got longer!

Well, what better way to present a gift that keeps on giving than with Reusable Fabric Gift Bags from Ecorations.com, one of the newest online, eco-friendly boutiques in North Carolina.

You can save money & reduce waste, while sprouting personality with Ecorations' new, stylish and super-green, reusable fabric gift bags. These bags are so cute, fun, easy to use and a smart way to gift wrap! They're two gifts in one!

Great for every season and occasion, they come in a variety of sizes and designs including Apparel Bags, Pouches, Sachets, Sacks & Wine Bags. They are ready to go...no taping, no wrapping, no curling ribbon - just fill and give. Each bag comes with its' own closure and is made and lined with durable, 100% cotton or poly/cotton blend fabric. You can also bundle and save with their value-pack collections.

And when you feel like you've outgrown your current gift bag collection, Ecorations has a recycling program of it's own and will allow you to return your bags and receive a discount coupon on your next purchase.

Ecorations will debut their new spring collection at The Shopping Memo "Launch Party" this Friday, April 24th from 4-8pm, at Chocolate Smiles Village in Cary. And the new spring line of gift bags are reversible, so it's like getting two bags for the price of one!

Plus, you will have a chance to win one of these fabulous bags during the event. So be sure to come out, enjoy the fun and meet one of the owners of Ecorations.com, Debora Owens!

We have finalized our fabulous "Launch Party" details, with the help of the most wonderful event planning company, Lola32, that will be hosted by Cute Buttons Gift & Paper Boutique, in conjunction with: Martin and Mary's, Rik'kel Hair Studio, The Royal Secret Boutique & Havana Grill.

The Launch Party will be held Friday, April 24th from 4 - 8pm at 312. W. Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511, Chocolate Smiles Village in Cary and YOU'RE INVITED!

You are not going to want to miss this! Details include Fashion Shows, Trunk Shows, Sweets and Treats, Food, Music, Champagne, Mini Manicures, Make-Up Demonstrations, Complimentary Chair Massages, Spectacular Giveaways, Shopping, Fun and more....! So, Mark your calendars, tell your friends and attend the hottest spring party on the block. Admission is FREE!

We are also pleased to announce that donations will be accepted and a portion of all donations received will benefit The Pretty in Pink Foundation - a local charity that provides financial resources for uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients with limited financial means*

We are honored to have Penny Lauricella, executive director of The Pretty in Pink Foundation, to be attending the launch party and working with The Shopping Memo to help create awareness of such a great organization! Come out and have some fun while supporting a great cause!

R.S.V.P via email at info@theshoppingmemo.com or you can contact Tracie at 919.278.8715 or Alison at 919.462.9618 or just come out and enjoy a girls nite out!

Scout & Molly's of Raleigh is spreading spring love and wants you to step out in style from their shoetique, WALK, while saving money.

When you purchase more than one pair of shoes, you will receive 30% OFF your entire purchase.

A girl can never have too many pairs of shoes. So, hurry in today to stock up on pretty summer sandals, cocktail shoes, flats, ankle booties and more from Dolce Vita, Nanette Lepore, Sam Edleman, Michael Kors & many more. Sale ends Sunday, April 19th.

This offer is only valid at their Raleigh location!

Scout & Molly's
WALK
4421 Six Forks Rd
103 A & B
Raleigh, NC 27609
www.scoutandmollys.com

I know this is last minute, but we are looking for models to attend the MODEL CALL, APRIL 15TH AT 5:00 P.M at 312 West Chatham St. Downtown Cary, NC inside CHOCOLATE SMILES VILLAGE...FOR "THE SHOPPING MEMO Launch Party!" on APRIL 24TH AND 25TH.

THIS WILL BE GREAT EXPOSURE TO THE PUBLIC AND HIGH END BOUTIQUES!

Don't miss your chance to get noticed and participate in our Fashion & Trunk Shows at our Launch Party! Open to Men & Women ages 18-29. Experience not necessary. So come out, have fun and show em' what you got!

See you there! For more details, email valerie@lola32.com or The Shopping Memo at info@theshoppingmemo.com

Southern Charm Boutique is a fantastic boutique with new arrivals and amazing items. Check out not only their great spring fashions but their new gift lines as well. Lots of girly monogrammed items in the store and on their online website store. Enjoy free shipping and monogramming too!

They now have the latest styles and tops in for their Switchflops sandals. The cork sandal is a big hit and they offer Switchflops lower than anyone else in the area. Their prices cannot be beat!

Southern Charm Boutique of Angier has anything you need to plan your spring/summer wedding from unity candles, garters, invitations, jewelry, ring bearer and flower girl items, etc. Shop in the wedding section of their website or stop by and shop in the store or by catalog.

**Exclusive offer for TheShoppingMemo.com users - Now until April 30th, 2009 receive 20% OFF any one regular priced fashion item or 10% off your ENTIRE PURCHASE of anything in the store. Offer cannot be combined with any other coupon. This offer is good for in-stock merchandise only. You must present this coupon in-store only.


Southern Charm Boutique
32 E. Depot Street
Angier, NC 27501
919.331.0111
www.southerncharmnc.com

Uniquities is hosting a custom-fitting J Brand Trunk show tomorrow, April 4th, in their Cameron Village Location from Noon until 5pm. If you've never been fitting for a pair of jeans, then you definitely want to be sure you check this out! You'd be suprised at how amazing your jeans will fit and how comfortable you will feel after you have a custom-fitting, especially with J Brand jeans.


Uniquities
Cameron Village
450 Daniels St.
Raleigh, NC 27605
919.832.1234
www.uniquities.com

Stop by Denim and Lace of Cary and shop for fun and sassy Shoes & Dresses at 25% OFF including this new Elana Kattan Maxi Print Dress.

But you better hurry, the sale ends Saturday, April 4th!

Denim & Lace
The Arboretum at Weston
119 Weston Parkway
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 677.2577
www.denimandlacenc.com

Attend the Sylvia Benson Jewelry Trunk Show at Scout & Molly's/WALK this Friday, April 3rd and meet Katie, the designer, from 10am - 8pm, showcasing her beautiful jewelry collection. And while you're there, make sure you check out Scout & Molly's new arrivals from Nanette Lepore, Madison Marcus and more.

Last but certainly not least, be sure to scour by the 50% OFF Jeans Table to score some fabulous designer jeans to extend your already stylish wardrobe!

Scout & Molly's
4421 Six Forks Rd.
103 A & B
Raleigh, NC 27609
www.scoutandmollys.com