Prom is either the best thing that’s ever happened to you, or your biggest nightmare.  Some people even love it or hate it so much, they continue to redo it well into adulthood. (see Ace & TJ’s 2nd Chance Prom).   (For the record, we think this is the Worst. Idea. Ever.).

That goes for finding the right dress to wear as well.  Like getting a good date isn’t tough enough.  You still have to get a dress you love that the mom will a) let you wear and b) pay for.  Gaaaaaaah.  You know our mission is to make your shopping life easier.  So we’re posting prom finds we love at local stores here.  Check back, we’ll update this feature often.

Our No.1 reco for affordable prom dresses you can buy right now is KK Bloom, but we found several at our fave shops for your to check out.  And for designer black tie in small sizes, try the consignment shops, like Sweet Repeats and Consign by Design.

Love this at FRESH boutique for Prom

Akiko Gown at FRESH

ABS Gowns at KK Bloom

Luna Silk Gowns at KK Bloom

more Prom Gowns at KK Bloom

PETAL on East Blvdl for prom

more Petal for prom

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Saturday, February 18 from 9am to 8pm and Sunday, February 19th from 10am to 4pm.  Here’s a write up of our visit to this mega sale.

by Beverly Perkins

Charlotte’s largest black~tie event is happening next week! It’s been quite the tradition for many Charlotte residents in the metro area for years. The American Heart Association’s 55th Annual Greater Charlotte Heart Ball will be held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on February 11, 2012.

The big question is…do you know what you’re wearing? Well, we found a few things to help you out. Get on over to CONSIGN BY DESIGN in Myers Park for some RED hot designer gowns at RED hot prices.
Our top picks are the Marchesa, Valentino and Carmen Marc Valvo. We even found a pair of sparkly ruby red slippers that Dorothy would envy.
Now click your heels 3 times and get RED~DY for the ball!

consign by design carmen marc valvo size 10

consign by design marchesa size 2

consign by design valentino size 2

consign by design ruby red slippers

Consign by Design is located at 739 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28207
704~348~2506 LIKE them on facebook here for sneak peeks at new merchandise.
Parking can be found behind the building.
Hours: Tues~ Friday 10~6 and Saturday 10~5

Get RED-y girls.  The Annual Greater Charlotte Heart Ball is coming up on Saturday February 11 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The Charlotte Heart Ball says it is the oldest black-tie event in the metro area. (I’m not sure the debs or brides would agree with that, but it must be one of the oldest Black Tie gala’s open to a ticket buying public).  For ticket information or general information about the Greater Charlotte Heart Ball, please call 704-208-5585 or visit their website.  You do not have to wear RED but you do need to look fab and formal!  Our pics from the stores are below, all are gorgeous and not all are too pricey!!

www.heart.org/CharlotteNCHeartBall

KKBloom long dress by Adam

BCBG at KK Bloom on Selwyn Ave

Breathtaking! Monique L'Huillier at Coplon's

Neiman Marcus Elie Tahari $698

Neiman Marcus Nicole Miller $530

Neiman Marcus Dalia MacPhee $295

Neiman Marcus Teri Jon $440

Cottage Chic  has a Gambler’s Sale starting today (Feb 1).  They’re putting a huge selection of linens / bedding on sale at 30% off through Saturday, 2/4.   On the 2/6 thru 2/9 the discount will go to 40%. And if you can stand to gamble and wait, all discontinued bedding will be 50% OFF on the 10th and 11th.  The markdowns will be on selections from all Cottage Chic’s bedding lines, and will include every piece of Serena and Lily merchandise in stock, along with BedHead flannel pajamas.

Schedule some spring time girl time!

This Saturday, February 4th, take your girls to a Mommy & Me Tea Party at 11 am at the new Boulevard in South End.

You’ll see a Spring fashion trunk show from Rue Cler Boutique for the little girls including previews from Persnickety and Dew Drops Couture.  And get a great deal on winter clearance items from Rue Cler’s European inspired lines.
Indulge in sweet treats provided by The SouthernCake Queen.  Sip tea or hot cocoa from the Savory Spice shop.

And you can pick out your daughters’ outfits to the upcoming Runway for the Ballet Matinee show, perfect for the fashionable Mother & Daughter.
In its 5th year, the Runway for the Ballet is a lovely blend of fashion and dance, sure to enchant and entrance any young dancer, designer or fashionista.  It is the PERFECT excuse for some dress up, grown up girl time for you and your daughters, nieces or granddaughters.  The fashions from Neimans are always fabulous, the dancers’ vignettes are a treat to see, and the pre-show reception is  delish.  Get your tickets now, and enjoy yourselves!  And get a a new outfit for you both!  Some ideas from Rue Cler below.

You may have already seen lots of items to add this POP of color to your winter, spring and summer staples.  We can’t remember the last time we’ve seen a color so take by storm the fashion, decor, cosmetic and design world like the sunny snap of orangy tones hitting the stores this spring.  Here are several we found at the local shops, including some great options to add this shade to your home decor from Bedside Manor.

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Coplon's Reed Krakoff Colorblock sweater

COPLON'S Coral Top by Carven

AkrisPunto SummerDusk Dress at COPLONS

CORAL's Kain hannah tank $172 & Something Else full panel skirt $172

Sweet Repeats Spring coats in shades of Orange

FRESH Eva Franco Top

Her Therapy's C.luce belted coral dress $68

Her Therapy's alice & trixie one shoulder coral dress $308

JCrew Brompton bag $258 in bright coral

mini brompton in vibrant coral $158 at JCrew

JCrew Pencil skirt in lt rose $110

JCrew Toothpick jean in bright papaya $108

Neiman Marcus color block & tangerine Reed Krakoff $1290

Neiman Marcus DVF Coral Graphic Print Dress $365

Neiman Marcus Ali Ro Dark Tangerine Dress $335

Scout & Molly's Waverly Grey Coral Striped dress $246.00

Scout & MollyBeth Bowley silk color block dress $246.00

Scout & Molly's Towne & Reese Bangles

Coplon's Coral and Mint Goldsign Jeans

Hot color BCBG pleated skirt at Monkees of Morro

Coral Graphic Alice & Trixie top at Monkee's of Morrocroft.

color block shell $78 at Ann Taylor

Colorblock top at Ann Taylor $78

Coat at Ann Taylor $248

Ann Taylor's silk colorblock scarf $68

Tangerine throw Kelly Wearstler for Sferra. Accent Pillows- 14x20 $150 , square pillows grey & mango $135

Wipe off placemats in faux leather. Linen napkins with orange grosgrain detail. Orange grosgrain napkin rings

Nest Fragrances in Orange Blossom at Bedside Manor

photo frames from Bedside Manor

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This is a huge fashion trend from the runways and in the magazines, and yet it is almost nowhere to be found.  A few spotted online at Barneys.com and Net-a-porter.com.  We’ve seen one or two in the higher end shops, like the pics from Coplon’s below. Not many though.

I, for one, really like this look and am going to buy something PEPLUM’d for spring.  The best online spot to buy this look for not much moola seems to ASOS.com.

As you’ll see from the photo’s below – you can have your skirt or pants peplum’d or you can have your top peplum’d.  We think the key to picking the best look for you will depend on how wide your hips are and how small your waist / ribcage is.  If you have a small waist, you can go with the Peplum skirt and a very sleek bottom.  If you have small hips, you can have your flare start much higher, or  you can pull off a dramatic and wide peplum.  If you are curvy, a small flounce at the right spot may just work on you, but you’ll need to try it on and with a rear view mirror!  If you have a boyish, straight figure, you can easily wear either, and if you are thick through the middle, this is going to be a trend to pass on.

Pics below.  Please comment if you are a shop owner and have some coming in, or if you’ve seen them somewhere.  Besides your mom’s scrapbook from the ’80s.

Peplum dress at Coplon's

Demure peplum at Coplon's

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