DIVINE CONSIGN for designer consignment in South Charlotte.

by Beverly Perkins, scoopcharlotte

Divine Consign, a premier consignment boutique located in The Fountains shopping center on Ardrey Kell and Tom Short, is a hidden gem in the south Charlotte area.
For those diligent shoppers seeking treasure, this shop needs to be on your map.

Amalia Tucker graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta with a degree in fashion merchandising and is a former makeup artist. She has always had a passion for bringing a person’s inward beauty outward, and her 20 years in retail have allowed her to do this in the form of wardrobing and cosmetics. Amalia’s ability to help others build self-esteem and confidence is priceless. In September of 2010, Amalia took this focus and placed it into Divine Consign. Her vision was to bring high-end fashion and designer brands to our community in a value oriented way. Premium brand consignment allows the original buyer a chance to recoup their original investment while providing gorgeous items for others at a price they can afford.

Divine Consign offers a top of the line boutique atmosphere for you to shop in, as well as a place to consign your own clothes. The shop is full of today’s popular brands of clothing, accessories and home furnishings, so you are guaranteed to find something you like. From casual weekend wear to those special occasion needs, they’ve got ladies, juniors and girls covered from BCBG to JUICY COUTURE to DOLCE & GABBANA.

Who knew one could score DAVID YURMAN & TIFFANY jewels, DIOR sunnies and a great pair of GUCCI pumps at a consignment shop in Ballantyne! Or the LOUIS VUITTON luggage that finds its way into the shop frequently.

And new this spring, an area in the Divine Consign will feature “new with tags” merchandise purchased from local area department stores as overstock.

One thing that sets this consignment boutique apart is that they do not keep old merchandise in the store and rotate it around. Items are on the floor for no more than 60 days and then they’re off the floor. The consignor may pick it up or Divine Consign donates it to local charities. So, you will almost always see lots new in store every time you visit.

If you love designer name brand clothing and accessories, they certainly carry plenty of this merchandise on a regular basis. Each day brings a new surprise. It could be: Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Tory Burch, Kate Spade or Jimmy Choo. Some days, these items don’t even make it to the sales floor. Amalia has seen shoppers watch what is being dropped off and snatch items up. The higher end designers get scooped up quickly, so you may want to visit often or leave a card with what brands you like so Divine Consign can contact you when those items arrive.

Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Personal checks, and of course, cash are also welcomed. Due to the nature of the consignment business, all sales are final, so please be confident in your selections. Gift cards are also available.

The customer service, shopping environment, and product offering are exceptional so prepare to be amazed. You may just strike gold!

Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am to 4:00pm
704.443.7987
Lots of easy parking
8145 Ardrey Kell Road
Charlotte, NC 28277
Find Divine Consign on Facebook HERE and at www.divineconsigncharlotte.com

For Gift Giving, City Art Works Of Course.

By Elizabeth Leva, scoopFASHION blogger
There is no better feeling than knowing there’s a store you can go to and easily get a parking space, have friendly faces help you, and find a unique gift for practically anyone and everyone on your list.

This place is City Art Works in Park Towne Village.

Whether you need a special, memorable gift, a small trinket for a friend at the office, or something covetable for those impossible-to-impress teenage girls, City Art Works has you covered.

You probably know by now that we at scoopcharlotte.com are powerless in the face of shiny things.  Oooooh, Pretty!  City Art Works has one of Charlotte’s most eclectic and affordable collections of semi-precious and fashion jewelry.  Lots of pics on our favorites below, but first, since it is the season of GIVING, as in GIFTS for OTHERS…..let me tell you, City Art Works is a mecca for functional artwork for the home, along with gifts for kids,  Chanukah, weddings, anniversaries and more. Plus hard to find, cult beauty brands like Tokyo Milk and new Tokyo Dark.  Just a few ideas from a recent shopping trip:

The Kerry Brooks pottery collection is as useable as it is beautiful. These stunning coasters, bowls, platters and more are made of glass from recycled car windshields and, of course, in the USA. Ranging from $16-$148, there is a perfect gift at any price in this collection.

 

Also, City Art Works has a fantastic selection of widespread favorite home accessory designer, Michael Aram. This little shop in Charlotte sells more Michael Aram than any other store in the state. From picture frames to party trays, candle sticks to condiment bowls, ormanments to menorah, something silver and gold from Michael Aram is always a welcome gift.

 

Sugarboo Designs makes their living with words to live by and City Art Works has a fabulous collection of wall words in many forms – for a perfectly reasonably priced gift starting as low as $18.

In the same price range but with a totally different voice, these decorative boxes at City Art Works embody the idea of functional art – $18-$42.

Someone precious and little would love any one of CAW’s selection of Maileg Mice – danish and adorable keepsakes. The Advent Calendar with hiding mice? Too precious for words. A gift which will be a treasured holiday heirloom for sure.

I could go on and on, but must (finally!!) show you some of my favorite pieces from City Art Works extensive jewelry selection:

These gorgeous wrap bracelets made of deerskin and semi-precious stones are a much needed alternative to the ever-popular Chan Luu, and at $128, about half the price and made in the USA.

One of the pieces from their collection of earrings and necklaces by Coralia Leets would be a guaranteed hit for a gift to any woman of any age.  Necklaces $128, small earrings $80, larger earrings $146:

Another distinctive jewelry line available at City Art Works, aptly named Love Heals, is truly the gift that keeps on giving. For every piece of Love Heals jewelry purchased, the mother and son designers fund the planting of 10 fruit-bearing trees in Ethiopia.

Mix and match their necklaces, wrap bracelets and charms or try their pre-assembled pieces for a gorgeous gift and wonderful cause.

For a luxury gift, try the gorgeous jewelry from acclaimed Sundance designer Jes Maharry. Ranging from $200-$2,000, the genuine leather and sterling pieces in this collection top the charts for originality and style.

 

All of these things are just the tip of the inventory iceberg for City Art Works- the selection of jewelry, candles, serve ware, wall art, bath and body goods and MORE extend far beyond anything we could fit in just one post. All in all, the perfect gift destination this holiday season.

And if nothing else, you can always count on the a meet and greet with best treasure at City Art Works- the resident shop-pup, Schmutz!

Follow City Art Works on Facebook, or visit their website at www.cityartworks.com.

1630 E. Woodlawn Road, Suite 267, Charlotte, NC  28209
(704) 527-1300, workscity@bellsouth.net
Store Hours: FOR THE HOLIDAYS ONLY:
Monday through Wed 10-6. Thur and Fri 10-8.
Sat 10-6. Sunday 1-5

Find of the Month:  Queen City Ballroom.

I discovered this gorgeous new dance studio in Morrison Shopping center recently – and could not wait to tell you about it.     What you ask, what does dancing have to do with shopping?  Well, it’s gotta be the most fun way to get fit or stay fit — and fit in your new clothes.   While I usually get my dance jones at Cardio Funk class, Queen City Ballroom is right on my rounds, down from Scout & Molly’s and across from Hotham.  But until I stopped by last week, it wasn’t really on my radar.

Queen City Ballroom has been in business in Charlotte for over 20 years, and is known throughout the industy for award-winning instruction.   Their new Southpark studio takes things to a whole new level:  shiny new, sleek, elegant, bright and inviting – and that’s just the instructors.  No, just kidding.  Well, not really.  (check out the many award winning dancers who have coached there.  Including guest instruction by Dancing with the Stars lovelies Julianne Hough and Karinna Smirnoff).

But I digress.   The ballroom is gorgeous.  Highly professional, but with so many fun dance programs – for beginners, for kids, for couples and for girls’ nights out.  Yes, they do train dancers for international competition here, but mostly they teach regular folk how to dance – ballroom, latin, salsa, swing, cha cha, tango, etc.  You can read all about QCB at their website here and visit them on Facebook here.  I’m going to recap the best options for us beginners below.

First Time Complimentary Private Lesson.  So you can see if the whole dance thing is for you.

Free Dancing for Kids.  Free on Saturdays at 11 am.  Kids aged 4 – 17 can drop in for group lessons in ballroom, salsa, rumba, cha cha.  Super fun with different levels   – so you can stop every week or just occasionally when soccer isn’t on.

Friday Night parties:  an open 8pm Group Lesson on Friday followed by a dance party with a DJ  at 9pm with dancers and drop-ins alike.  You can sign up for that night’s group lesson and enjoy some bubbly afterward, or just stop by after dinner to watch the lesson and join in the fun afterward.  It’s an easy way to see what it’s all about. ($10 to participate).

Wedding Dance Program:  For the Bride & Groom, choreograph your first dance (or any dance) with professional instruction.

Group Lessons.  Every week night at 7pm and 8pm.  Check the schedule here and grab a girlfriend and go.

704-541-5440

Morrison Shopping Center, Colony & Sharon Rds.
(Next to Firebird’s)

Monday to Friday: 10:00AM – 10:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 10:00AM – 4:00PM (by appointment)

scoop’s Find of the Month is a sponsored article.