STYLE SPOTLIGHT: BeautyFull Boutique + Full Figured Women = Fabulous!

Camille Leverett is on a mission. She is determined to help full figured women look fabulous and feel fabulous. That's just the way it should be.

I spent some time with Camille in her boutique, BeautyFull Boutique, in Old Town, Alexandria. It is the only plus size designer consignment shop in this area. The only one! Trust me, it is full of designer goodies. BeautyFull Boutique opened its doors last October out of Camille's frustration. "I attended all kinds of events and I had a hard time finding nice clothes to fit me," Leverett said. Forced to regularly shop in Miami, LA, Chicago, and NYC for plus size clothes, Camille knew that there had to be a better way.



Of course, there is always a better way. Especially since so many retailers have moved their plus size clothing online. Which is not helpful when you really want to touch and feel your clothes before you drop a boatload of money on that dress for a black-tie gala. To solve this problem, BeautyFull Boutique offers a range of work, casual and evening wear for sizes 14 and up. "I want to help those women who are transitioning in weight to find clothes to fit their current bodies while at the same time they can help other women by consigning those clothes that no longer fit," Camille added. Get new clothes, make some money or get a store credit. Sounds like a deal to me.






As I perused the racks, there were designer clothes everywhere. Camille prides herself on offering designers like Dana Buchman and Liz Claiborne who no longer have their own fashion lines but made quality apparel for full figured women (Liz Claiborne is now exclusively offered through J.C. Penney). "Women want to see beautiful clothes in their size," said Leverett. I feasted my eyes on Christian Dior and Jones New York and Tahari and Louis Ferand. All at fantastic prices. You know we love to find fab clothes at a fab price! But don't take my word for it. See for yourself. Drop by Beautyfull Boutique, 118 N. Fayette Street, Alexandria, VA.


HERE ARE THE 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CONSIGNMENT:

1. Consignment shops are not partitioned like a department store. It may take a little work to pull together an outfit.


2. Know your size.


3. You can find one-of-a-kind gems in a consignment shop.


4. Consignment is an economical option for finding designer clothes and accessories.


5. You can be your own personal stylist as you shop. Find what truly looks good on you without the pressure of a salesperson.


6. Learn how to accessorize. You can take that black dress that you found to the next level with an amazing belt or a fabulous necklace (all available at BeautyFull Boutique).


7. Ask for help. Not sure how to pull an outfit together, don't be afraid to ask Camille for help. She is thrilled to help.


8. You can make money! Who doesn't love to make money. Learn more about how consignment really works at BeautyFull Boutique.


9. Consignment is eco-friendly. You are recycling clothes that will truly be put to good use.


10. Consignment gives you the opportunity to spread some joy. That outfit may no longer work for you, but someone else will love it!

DC BOUTIQUE SALE: Old Town Boutique District's Charity Day

Old Town Boutique District Host District-Wide Charity Day

29 Retailers. 29 Charities. 1 Feel Good Shopping Day.

Ready to do a little shopping in Old Town and help 29 local charities at the same time? The Old Town Boutique District (OTBD) is pleased to announce a new community focused Spring event called Boutique Charity Day taking place on Saturday, May 14, 2011. This creative, small business driven event is staged to be the largest charity collaboration in the DC Metro area.

Each retail member of the OTBD has hand- picked local and national charities to support and honor on this special shopping day. On this day, retailers will create an activity or promotion in their stores that would benefit that charity of choice. For example, beauty boutique Bellacara will be hosting Stacy Boylan Day. Stacy Boylan, the store’s first ever employee, lost her life nine years ago to Cystic Fibrosis. Profits from that day will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Examples of participation include European bra fitting salon The Full Cup hosting a “Foundations for Success” new panties drive for Dress for Success, La Cuisine donating 15% of in-store and on-line sales to FreshFarm Market's food stamp program, Hysteria donating 20% of sales to Alexandria’s Giving Circle, to Periwinkle collecting gently used Spring/Summer suits, bags, shoes, accessories and jewelry for Suited for Change.

A complete list of each shops activity and charity is located at Old Town Boutique District.


EVENT DETAILS

What: OTBD Boutique Charity Day
Presented by: Old Town Boutique District
When: Saturday, May 14, 2011
Where: Participating Old Town Boutique District stores in Old Town Alexandria
Time: Retail store hours
Website: www.oldtownboutiquedistrict.com

About Old Town Boutique District
Tucked into the cozy brick-lined streets of Old Town Alexandria, the Old Town Boutique District features 30 unique shops showcasing one-of-a-kind items and hard-to-find brands. From home décor, fashion, jewelry, beauty, children's apparel, home, food, wine and gifts, you'll find everything that you desire here.

The Old Town Boutique District is located in historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Old Town Alexandria is conveniently located a mere 4 miles along the scenic Potomac River from Washington D.C. and Reagan National Airport.

DC STYLE EVENT: Sip, Shop, Swap & Jazz at BeautyFull Boutique Tonight!

You are invited to attend "Sip, Shop & Jazz Night and Clothing Swap Party"
at the BeautyFull Boutique on Thursday, April 28, 2011 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10.00 per person. Get your tickets here.

During this special event you will shop til you drop with special discounts,
swap clothing with participants and enjoy a special wine and cheese tasting with live jazz featuring the International Bassist Mike Tony Echols and Friends.

We've added a clothing swap to the event. To participate simply bring no more than 15 items (clothing, shoes or accessories) to the boutique and you will swap your clothing with other "swap" participants. All "swap" clothing must be clean, on a hanger or neatly folded, etc. If you clothing is not swapped you will have an opportunity to consign it with BeautyFull Boutique at the end of the event.

Please note that the boutique will be closed to the general public during the event.

DC SHOPPING EVENT: Warehouse Sale in Old Town

The region’s most anticipated bargain shopping event is coming back to Alexandria this February 5. Fine boutiques from Virginia and Washington will come together under one roof for their annual, one-day clearance sale.

The annual event started in 2005 and has attracted a large and loyal following to the George Washington Masonic Memorial’s banquet hall in the heart of Alexandria near the King Street Metro Station.

“We have people who drive from far away every year just for this sale,” said Todd, whose women’s shoe and accessories store, The Shoe Hive, is one of the annual participants along with Treat, Red Barn Mercantile, Apple Seed Maternity & Baby, Hysteria, and Periwinkle.

More recent additions to the sale include La Cuisine, the well-regarded purveyor of kitchen accessories, upscale consigner Diva, children’s clothier Pink & Brown, and children’s linen boutique Finnian’s Moon.

Jewelry and accessories will be popular items at this year’s sale, with sellers bincluding Fornash, Top It Off, Queen Bee Designs, Lawrence Miller & Company, Stanton Gallery, and Andrea Ambrosia.

The sale opens at 9 am and closes at 4 pm, although eager shoppers have been known to line up long before the doors open. The location at the Masonic Memorial affords quantities of both inside waiting area and on-site parking. It’s easily accessible by Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines – on Callahan Street across from Alexandria’s Union Station.

For more information on the sale, log onto Old Town Boutique District.