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GURU Style Stars: Amy, Emerson & JoAnn

9 May

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for Mother-Daughter pairs to feature as GURU Style Stars. I was excited when I spotted an even better find — three generations!

Meet Amy, Emerson, 4, and JoAnn! Love the pink — especially on a dreary day.

And yes, this trio paid a little visit to Lilly Pulitzer! That’s why they came to Towson Town Center on this day. Amy and Emerson live in Howard County, and JoAnn is from Catonsville. I’ll show you what’s in two of the bags in a moment…

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Amy, Emerson and JoAnn

JoAnn, Amy’s mom and Emerson’s grandmother, scored her pink rain coat at Gap. It really pops over her navy cardi, white tee and jeans.

Three Generations!

Three Generations!

Amy’s python print sweater and jeans are both J.Crew finds. Her necklace is from Ann Taylor. Her turquoise bag is Michael Kors.

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Little Emerson is wearing a sweet plaid top from Gymboree with jeggings and crocheted flats. She’s lucky her little shoes aren’t in my size…

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On this shopping trip, JoAnn bought Amy and Emerson these matching Lilly Pulitzer dresses as birthday presents!

Mother & Daughter Dresses

Mother & Daughter Dresses

Now for our Q&A:

Describe your style:

Amy: Casual, comfortable clothes with a little bling! I always wear jewelry.

JoAnn: I would say I’m more conservative, preppy.

What are your favorite stores at Towson Town Center?

Amy: Lilly Pulitzer and J.Crew. I like J.Crew for my everyday. Lilly for dress up, especially for summer!

JoAnn:  I like Talbots and J.Crew.

How do you two influence each other’s style?

Amy: I would say now I influence her. Years ago she influenced me more. I keep her up to date on new styles while keeping her dress age appropriate.

JoAnn: I do have some taste she can’t take credit for all of it.

Amy: You do have good taste, mom.

How have you influenced Amy’s style?

JoAnn:  I’ve influenced her to be a shopper because I’ve always been a shopper.

Amy:  I would say the biggest influence is you always told me to dress appropriate and not to be a showy person, not to wear revealing clothes.

Amy, who is also a mom to two boys, ages 6 and 8, is having her family over for a cook out on Mother’s Day. Do you have your Mother’s Day shopping done? Here are links to gift ideas for handbags at Michael Kors; gift sets from L’Occitane, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics and Yankee Candle; and jewelry at Tiffany & Co. Coming up tomorrow, see my finds from Pandora. Plus, here’s a link to my Mother’s Day gift segment on WBAL-TV.

You have through tomorrow (5/10) to enter for a chance to win a $50 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card in our Mother’s Day 2013 Sweepstakes!  All you need to do is leave a comment on any blog post that runs from 5/6 through 5/10.  Open to U.S. residents, 16 or older. For the official rules,  click here.  Limit one entry per person. 

Here are links to recent GURU Style Star features. You can access the full archive here.

May 2013:  5/2  Kenzie

APRIL 2013:  4/25 Sofia Rutka, 4/18 Donald Williams II, 4/11 Bailey Susic,  4/4 Kristen Luther

April 2013 Style Stars

April 2013 Style Stars

MARCH 2013:  3/28 Oral.   3/21 Brutina.   3/14   Regina and Christina.  3/7  Caroline Tracy

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March 2013 Style Stars

 

 

GURU Style Star: Kenzie

2 May

From her hot-pink tutu attached to her onesie to her tiny Converse sneaks — 3-month-old Kenzie exudes cuteness!

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 Now for the full reveal!

Kenzie’s outfit and sneakers are from Spencer’s via hand-me-downs from her 3-year-old big sis.

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Mom, Jessica, stood in for Kenzie’s Style Star Q&A!

Describe Kenzie’s style:

It’s just my style, so I had to put it on her and see how it works.

What do you like most about dressing a little girl?

The bows and the pretty tutus and dresses.

What’s your favorite store at Towson Town Center?

Hot Topic because it has my most favorite clothing, music, makeup, everything – my style.

What about when it comes to shopping for Kenzie?

I would say Spencer’s because they have everything like Hot Topic does, so she can match my style.

Here are links to recent GURU Style Star features. You can access the full archive here.

APRIL 2013:  4/25 Sofia Rutka, 4/18 Donald Williams II, 4/11 Bailey Susic,  4/4 Kristen Luther

April 2013 Style Stars

April 2013 Style Stars

MARCH 2013:  3/28 Oral.   3/21 Brutina.   3/14   Regina and Christina.  3/7  Caroline Tracy

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March 2013 Style Stars

FEBRUARY 2013:  2/28 Gary Davis.  2/21 Alli Province.  2/14 Danielle & Dave Epstein.  2/7 Beverly Alexander

GURU Style Stars, Towson Town Center

February 2013 Style Stars

 

You’re invited to the Diane von Furstenberg 2013 Collection DEBUT at GapKids TOMORROW (4/25)!

24 Apr

You’re invited to a special event TOMORROW (4/25) at Gap!

The Gap (Level 3) is celebrating the arrival of Diane von Furstenberg’s second limited edition collection for babies and kids. Doors will open tomorrow at 9 am. Shop the new DVF collection, enjoy light refreshments and there will be coloring books to keep the little ones busy so you can shop! The event runs from 9 to 10 am.

The colors and patterns are playful and bold!

Credit: Gap.com

Credit: Gap.com

And, while you may wish that the DVF Collection could come in your size too (l do!), enjoy special savings on other items! At the event, receive 25% off your purchase, excluding DVF items.  You can then use your savings throughout the day.  Some exclusions apply. Please see store for details.

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DVF quantities are extremely limited. The Gap will not be able to accept any holds on DVF items. Here’s a peek at some more of the adorable styles!

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Along with new DVF collection debuting, COLOR, COLOR and more COLOR is in bloom at Gap right now! Have you seen the Skimmer pants? This cropped look comes in khakis, denim and a variety of fits. The toughest part is deciding on a color!
Broken-In Straight Khaki Skimmers

Broken-In Straight Khaki Skimmers

Here’s the Skimmer style in a printed khaki! These are just two of the fun prints you’ll find!

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Printed Skimmers in Denim

Shopping for shorts? They’re equally colorful! I have my eyes on the bright green.
Tough to pick just one!

Tough to pick just one!

Are you planning to attend tomorrow’s event? Again the 25% savings is good on non DVF collection purchases.

Celebrate Babe Ruth Day at a Special Baseball Breakfast at Chick-fil-A on 4/26!

13 Apr

You and the kids are invited to a fun breakfast event at Chick-fil-A!  

Celebrate Babe Ruth Day with a special baseball breakfast on Friday, 4/26, at 9 am  before Family Fun Day!

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Along with eating breakfast, the kids will get to practice pitching to the strike zone, do some crafts and visit with the cows.  The activities are free!

You’re encouraged to support your favorite baseball (or softball) team by wearing their team colors. That even includes Little League!

After the event, the fun continues at Family Fun Day. Enjoy storytime and a sing-a-long with Miss Julie in the Level 1, Grant Court.

Reservations are required for the breakfast.  Please email marketing@chickfilatowson.com with your family name and number of adults and children. You’re encouraged to rsvp as soon as possible as reservations do fill up fast.

Plus, Chick-fil-A is rolling out new menu items on 4/29, including new salads! The Grilled Market Salad features grilled, sliced chicken over Romaine and baby greens along with shredded red cabbage and carrots, crumbled blue cheese, apples, strawberries and blueberries. It also comes with granola, roasted nuts and Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette.

The Cobb Salad also includes the Nuggets over chopped Romaine, shredded red and green cabbage, roasted corn kernels and features crumbled bacon, diced egg, cheese, tomatoes and is topped with an Avocado Lime Ranch dressing. It’s served with crispy bell peppers.

New Salads

New Salads

Plus there will be a new Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap with grilled, sliced chicken, lettuce, carrots, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese wrapped in flaxseed flour flat bread. It’s also served with Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing. You can also select the dressing of your choice with the wrap or any of the salads.

Cool Wrap

Cool Wrap

Again, please remember to rsvp asap for the Baseball Breakfast on 4/26!

Easter Looks for the Kids! Plus, details on our Easter Sweepstakes!

27 Mar

With all the happy hues, sweet prints and plaids, it’s tough to pick just one Easter outfit for the kids!  

I showed Easter looks earlier this week on FOX45 Morning News, with the assistance of six adorable models — three girls and three boys!

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Here’s a look at the boys’ outfits. Alec is decked out in an outfit from Gymboree. He is wearing a pastel plaid button-down, with a dashing pink tie and linen blend dress pants. The fedora, featuring a band of coordinating colors, completes his look.

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Alec in Gymboree

Seth is wearing a gingham button-down with khakis from Gap Kids. The touch of teal with the sunwashed slip-on shoes adds an unexpected finish. The color is festive, fun and he’ll be comfortable while searching for Easter eggs!  Isaiah is wearing a Polo Ralph Lauren outfit from Macy’s with a madras plaid button-down, a cable knit sweater vest and kelly green shorts.

Seth and Isaiah

Seth in a look from Gap Kids and Isaiah in Polo Ralph Lauren from Macy’s

Now, to the girls!  We snapped these shots just before they went on set!

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Dresses from Lilly Pulitzer, Gymboree and Naartjie Kids!

From left to right: Samara is wearing a Little Lilly Classic Shift from Lilly Pulitzer in Fiesta Pink Everything Nice. It features lace pockets and side bows. The dress pairs perfectly with the petite version of the Lilly Pulitzer McKim sandals.

Little Copely is in a seersucker dress in Purple Posy from Gymboree.  This dress is all about detail with smocking, a sash and a ribbon flower topped with a gem button.

Nia’s asymmetrical handkerchief dress is from Naartjie Kids. The purple hair band and shoes play off the purple in the floral print.

Easter Looks

Festive looks she can also wear to other spring and summer celebrations!

Naartjie Kids offers coordinating leggings to go with many of its dresses. The leggings give the dress a whole different vibe.

Naartjie Kids, Easter

Create a casual vibe with coordinating leggings.

Have you entered our Easter Sweepstakes? Enter for a chance to win a $50 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card by leaving a comment on any of my posts dated from 3/25 through Thursday (3/28). The sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents, 16 or older. Entry dates: 3/25 – 3/28/13. The winner will be selected in a random drawing. For the Official Rules, see Easter 2013 Sweepstakes.  Limit one entry per person.

Here are links to other recent Easter themed posts. Check out my finds from Godiva, Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma.

Game Night at Marbles: The Brain Store TOMORROW (3/21) and more special events!

20 Mar

How about a family evening out? And, a free one at that!

Marbles: The Brain Store (Level 2) invites you to Game Night tomorrow (3/21) from 5:30  to 7:30 pm.

Located on Level 2

Located on Level 2

Game Nights run the third Thursday of every month from January through October.

If you can’t make it tomorrow, add it to the calendar for next month. Game Nights feature fun, brain-boosting games for everyone in the family!

Here are just a few of the hit games you’ll find in store. Every item at Marbles has brain boosting powers!

An 84-year-old man is the brains behind this beauty of a game! The idea for the game Dabble dawned on him while he was cutting up plastic tiles. In this word game, each player gets 20 letters and has five minutes to come up with words that are between two to six letters long.

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Rock Me Archimedes is named for the Greek mathematician and scientist who discovered how the lever — think teeter-totter — works.  In this hands-on game of strategy, skill and luck, you want to be the first one to get four marbles on your end of the lever without causing it to hit the table. Rock Me Archimedes was created by the winner of the 2012 Marbles Game Design Contest.  The deadline for the 2013 contest is right around the corner. You can get  the details here.
 
 
 

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Picture the popular game, Charades, only in reverse! In Reverse Charades,  the entire team works together to act out words for one person, who gets one minute to guess as many words as possible.

charades_marbles_the_brain_store_500x359Plus, here’s a GURU Tip for you. Marbles offers an in-store rewards program. Get $20 in Marbles dollars after you spend $200! Sign-up in store.

Have you ever wondered what part of your brain is the strongest and which area may be benefited by some targeted game play?  You can have a free BrainSession in-store to get some tips. A neurologist teamed up with Marbles to create a special computerized digital tool. It’s housed in an in-store kiosk. A store associate, known at Marbles as a “BrainCoach,” can show you how it works and walk you through the printout detailing your results.

Marbles also offers other special events, including ones for teachers and to support fundraising efforts.

Teacher Tuesday events:  Teachers can attend a 90 minute play session, where they’ll receive a FREE product and lesson plan with suggestions on how to use the product in the classroom. Teacher Tuesdays are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 5 to 6:30 pm. The next Teacher Tuesday is April 16th.

If you are a teacher and want to sign up to be notified for April’s event as it approaches, please go to:  http://mrblesbra.in/teachertuesdays.   The first 30 to RSVP each month can come pick up the FREE Product and Lesson Plan.

Interested in raising money for a community group?  See store manager, Patty Soukop, to discuss setting up a dedicated shopping night.  A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the group. These events are often scheduled Sunday through Thursday evenings.

Have you been to Marbles yet? What is your favorite game or activity there?

Special Chick-fil-A Family Breakfast Event on 3/29!

18 Mar

Chick-fil-A invites you and the kids to a special breakfast event next Friday (3/29) at 9 am!

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Enjoy breakfast with the Cows along with springtime crafts, activities and a “Bovine Blitz” scavenger hunt — complete with fun prizes — including plush cows, coupons and more!  All crafts and activities are FREE. All you need to pay for is breakfast.

Please rsvp to marketing@chickfilatowson.com with the family name and number of adults and children in your group to reserve your spots. You’re encouraged to rsvp as soon as you can, as reservations fill up fast. Slots are limited.

Baltimore County Public Schools are closed on 3/29, so be sure to bring along the big siblings too and include them in your family’s reservation.

Also, I wanted to remind you that there will not be a Family Fun Day on 3/29.

This Friday (3/22), after Family Fun Day, be sure to stick around for our Spring Fling: Trends Event!  Here’s a link back to my post with all the details about the event, including about a drawing for a $250 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card and a styling session with me.

 
 

GURU Style Star: Caroline Tracy

7 Mar

I stumbled upon this cutie in the mall, sitting with her mom at a table just outside Starbucks (Level 4) the other day, and couldn’t wait to introduce you to Caroline Tracy —  this week’s GURU Style Star!

Love her sweet bow and layered look!

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Caroline Tracy

If only all the flowers already in bloom on 2-year-old Caroline’s outfit could bring us an early spring! Caroline is wearing a floral top from Naartjie Kids (Level 3) topped with a cardi and paired with coral corduroy jeggings. Her navy sneakers are from Stride Rite (Level 3) and feature subtle floral accents.

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From Stride Rite

Caroline posed  for my camera with her stuffed friend at first and then soon opted not to share the spotlight!

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She was such a good sport about our shoot!

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Here’s my Q&A with her mom, Michelle, who is a fan of the color yellow! 

Describe Caroline’s style.

I love cardigans.  I like the little layering on babies. I think it looks so cute.  (…and anything she is allowed to make a mess of…)

What is your favorite store at the mall when it comes to shopping for Caroline?

I probably have bought the most at Gap Kids. I always end up buying a dress for her there.  I have never left Naartjie Kids empty handed.

Michelle adds that she has been in Naartjie Kids a few times now and that the last time an associate made it possible for her to shop by coloring with Caroline!

What brought you to the mall today?

Caroline wanted to come get coffee for mommy. That’s the only reason we were here. I had to beg her to go into a store first… After music class, she said “Go get mommy coffee.” I must drink a lot of coffee.

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Caroline’s mom picked out this top.  However, at just 2, this little fashionista has something most of us likely wish we had — a personal shopper!  Michelle says her sister buys Caroline many of her clothes.

Need to play catch up on recent GURU Style Star posts? Here are the links. You check out the full archive here.

FEBRUARY

2/28 Gary Davis

2/21 Alli Province

2/14 Danielle & Dave Epstein

2/7 Beverly Alexander

JANUARY

1/31 Style Stars in Purple

1/24  Lana Kopman

1/17 Elizabeth Ford

1/10 Lauren Reichhart

1/3 Brittany Donald

DECEMBER

12/27 Rose Chastain

12/20  Cheryl

12/13 Santa Claus!

12/6  Temi and Sydney Alo

 

Read Across America Event at Towson Town Center!

1 Mar

If there were candles on his birthday cake, he would have to blow out 109 of them.

And, that’s before one for good luck!

You and your kids are invited to a special event tomorrow (3/2) on Dr. Seuss’ birthday to celebrate reading!  It’s all part of the kick off to the nationwide observance of the National Education Association’s Read Across America.

The fun will be in the Level 1, Grand Court from 11 am to 2 pm.

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Children will enjoy hearing stories from special guest readers such as Baltimore County’s Superintendent Dr. Dallas Dance, Senator James Brochin, Delegate Steve Lafferty and Councilwoman Vicki Almond.  There will also be reading activities, crafts and a take-home goody bag. The event is organized by The Teacher’s Association of Baltimore County (TABCO).

What is your favorite Dr. Suess book of all time?

 

Valentine’s Day Treats & Decorating Touches! Plus, enter for your chance to win a $100 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card

5 Feb

Looking for fun Valentine’s Day treats for the kids? Or, some little decorating touches to bring Cupid into your Casa?

At Crate & Barrel (Level 2), I became smitten by these little canisters of hot chocolate mix — and not just because of the cute packaging!

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Not your standard hot cocoa!

If you look closely, you’ll see what grabbed my attention. This hot chocolate turns pink! This would make a sweet after school Valentine’s Day surprise for the kids! I just may have to head back…

A Surprise Pink Drink

A Surprise Pink Drink

You can serve up your pink hot chocolate in these Valentine’s Day themed full size mugs and minis.

The mugs come in full and mini sizes.

The mugs come in full and mini sizes.

For an eco-friendly little gift for the kids, use one of these heart dishtowels to wrap up some heart shaped cookie cutters. Serve them with the promise to spend an afternoon baking together.

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Dishtowels make great eco-friendly gift wrap!

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Comes as a set of three

Over at Williams-Sonoma (Level 4), you can add a festive feel to a family Valentine’s Day dinner by capping it off with dessert on little heart plates. Let the heart become a surprise reveal once everyone eats their dessert. Or, leave out a few of these little plates as a Valentine’s Day decorating touch.  Line up three in a row on a coffee table or display them in a small stack.

A Sweet Pairing

A sweet find on the plate once the dessert disappears….

Leave a surprise little message for your Valentine with these mini iced vanilla cookies.Screen Shot 2013-01-30 at 5.43.00 PM

Williams-Sonoma also offers everything you need to make cookies, even if time isn’t on your side.  Start with a cookie mix and heart cutters.

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Homemade but with fewer steps…

Heart Molds

Message Cookie Cutters

You’ll also find frosting for decorating sugar cookies or cupcakes.

Frosting

Choose from Vanilla Bean and Chocolate

You can dress up your cookies and cupcakes even more with edible toppers.

Edible Toppers

Edible Toppers

Plus, one reader of this blog will receive a special Valentine — a $100 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card! I wanted to make sure you know about our VALENTINE’S DAY SWEEPSTAKES. Enter for a chance to win the drawing by commenting on any of my blog posts between 2/1/13 and 2/14/13. You must be 16 or older and a U.S. resident to enter. Get more information right here, including a link to the official rules.

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