I know you're probably thinking: "that girl is off her rocker... it's not the holidays!"

That's what you think!

The 4th of July weekend is probably hands down, one of my favorite holiday weekends all year! The warm weather, the obligatory trip to the beach or the neighborhood pool, numerous cook-outs, and a long, work-free weekend... what more could a summer girl ask for?

If you'll be hitting the beach, the boat, or the pool, then you'll obviously need to gear up with this week's blog-only reader special from Swagger Today only - until 6pm - get yourself together for this weekend with 15% off bathing suit cover ups, beach bags, and new coolers! Simply print this blog and bring it into the store or tell them Gina sent you!

The only other things I can think you may possibly need are your bathing suit and the ingredients for your tried-and-true beach cocktails

You've got your monogrammed koozie, your beverages of choice, and that boring old ice chest that in the past has been known as the cooler. Boo to that.

Any totally coordinated tailgater like myself knows that monogrammed coolers are the perfect complement to any day on the boat, lunch by the pool, or (the fall sport we're all so anxiously awaiting) football tailgate! (For now, I think I can settle for the classic American sport that still allows you to bring your own snacks and brews in to the stands: NASCAR. For those of you who think I'm crazy for uttering those words... just google pictures of the adorable Casey Kahne or Carl Edwards... you'll be at the next race within three states to try and catch a climpse of these racecar hotties! Anyways - I digress.)

Stop by Swagger today between 10am and 6pm and get your monogrammed cooler in an array of colors (NC State Red for this Wolfpack girl!) with your initials, your family name, or your sorority's name embroidered across the front so that any WOW-ed fellow tailgaters will know who to ask for when looking for recommendations for storing their next chilled beverages. For today's blog special, you'll also save 15% by printing this blog or mentioning it in the store for those of you going green!

Just throwing that out there... take it or leave it (but I do hope you take it ).

And the beauty of this little blog update - in true "I'm Ready for the Weekend!" fashion - is the above pictured wine stopper is this month's Thirsty 3rd Thursday blog special!

Grab this subtle wine stopper (AND ALL OTHER WINE STOPPERS for that matter) for 15% off today at Swagger until 6pm!

Be a good friend and stock up for any of your gal pals who may also enjoy a "subtle" reminder too!

Just print this blog or tell 'em Gina sent ya and you needed a reminder that a little fun never hurt anyone!

You know, back when I was younger... summer meant a 3 month vacay and many, many trips to the beach. (What is this growing up thing and how do we make it stop?) I've been dying for a trip to the coast, but that just hasn't been the case lately. I need to just schedule a few days and like Nike says: Just Do It!

Until I can actually make it to the beach for an afternoon on the sand with a cool drink in my hand and a whole stack of fashion magazines that have been sitting on my coffee table just BEGGING to be read, at least I can dress like I'm there!

So here I sit today in my flip-flops and sunglasses but jewelry is what I'm lacking. Lucky me - today's blog special is for 15% off monogrammed shell jewelry in the store! So all I need to do is stop in the store on my way home (before 6pm) and I'll be on my way to being completely beached out... even if I'm here in the Triangle.

The tough part now is, deciding WHICH piece of shell jewelry I'm going to select... maybe since it's on sale, I'll just get one of each!

Want to join me in my beachy escape? Just print this blog and bring it into the store with you today and save 15% too!

Now I'm no Wicked-Witch of the West (no matter who the boy toy will tell you that I could be compared to at 7am before my first coffee or Red Bull of the day...) but I'm starting to think that a few minutes too long out in the elements right now could down right melt a girl!

So I guess I have the heat to blame for driving me inside as of late, which has spurred a major overhaul of my humble abode to say the least.  What started as getting down on my hands and knees and scrubbing the kitchen floor and base boards to spotless and shiny perfection - if I do say so myself - has left me wondering: what next?

I'm trying to be budget-friendly but really up the ante since I'll be doing a bit of entertaining over the next few months... so I'm super excited to pass along that today's Manic Monday blog-only special is a 15% off special that's good in the store OR online and is for a product from the lastest and greatest in home décor - WALLigraphy!

Just enter the discount code "heatwave" at checkout or mention it in the store for 15% off any product from the Room Service line of WALLigraphy products - the amazingly beautiful (and always helpful for guests) way to decorate the walls of your home with little fuss and no clean-up!

Swagger is open until 6pm today - but if you can't make it in before then... don't forget - this same discount is available online, too! (Woo hoo!)

So now, with that quick and easy addition, the only question I'm left with is... what next? I guess I could clean out the closet? Yikes.

Have you heard the good news? If you're on facebook like me - be sure to check out the event invitation online and invite some friends! If you're not on facebook, you sure are missing out, but I'll let it slide... this time.

Here's the scoop - courtesy of the latest press release from Swagger just this morning!

Cary’s Swagger Gifts to Donate Portion of Days Sales to Breast Cancer Research

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(Cary, NC) – Mandy Becker, owner of Swagger Gifts, has announced that the popular gift and accessories retail store, will donate 10% of its in-store and online proceeds on Friday June 6th, to the Chix in Business Team participating in the 12th Annual 2008 Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure, supporting breast cancer patients and survivors and the ongoing efforts aimed at finding a cure for the disease.

Swagger Gifts is participating on the Chix in Business Team as part of the entire effort benefiting the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Becker has served as board member of Chix in Business in the past, coordinating and contributing to several projects for the organization.

Becker is no stranger to philanthropy shopping events, either. Swagger Gifts is locally known for its annual Holiday Open House which attracts shoppers from all over the Triangle and raises hundreds of dollars for a different local charity each year. “Contributing to a better life for everyone in our community is something that’s very important to not only those of us at Swagger, but for our customers, as well”, says Becker. “Almost everyone I know, myself included, has been personally affected at some point in their life by breast cancer, whether personally, or through a family member or close friend, so we are more than thrilled to be part of Chix’s participation in this cause.”

Located in the heart of the Lochmere neighborhood in Cary, Swagger Gifts is located at 2425 Kildaire Farm Road and will be open from 10am until 6pm on Friday, June 6th for the event. Shoppers who cannot make it to the store or who will be outside of the area, are encouraged to support the shopping day by purchasing online from www.SwaggerGifts.com at any time, from any location, on the same day.

Chix in Business, Inc. is a Triangle-area community of passionate women business owners who support and educate each other through building personal and business relationships, information sharing, seminars, mentoring and community outreach. For more information on Chix in Business, Inc., visit their website: www.ChixInBusiness.org.

For more information on the 12th Annual 2008 Komen NC Triangle Race for the cure, please visit the event website: http://www.komennctriangle.org/race-for-the-cure.php.

For more information about Swagger’s special fundraising event, please contact Mandy Kratus Becker at Swagger Gifts, 919-858-5884 or toll free at 877-792-4437 or visit the store online at www.SwaggerGifts.com.

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About Swagger Gifts

Swagger Gifts, an upscale boutique with an eclectic flair, specializes in personalized gifts for everyone on your list - including yourself - has been in business for five years and has been voted the 'Best Gift Shop- by Cary Magazine readers. Having recently re-launched their web site, everything offered in their store, as well as great gift giving advice can be found online at www.swaggergifts.com – with new merchandise and features being added daily, including a blog authored by Mandy, her fabulous staff, and her customers in the blogging community!

ZZ Top's hit "Sharp-Dressed Man" sure spells it out:

"Clean shirt, new shoes
And I dont know where I am goin to.
Silk suit, black tie,
I dont need a reason why.
They come runnin just as fast as they can
'cause every girl's crazy bout a sharp dressed man.

Gold watch, diamond ring,
I aint missin a single thing.
And cufflinks, stick pin,
When I step out Im gonna do you in.
They come runnin just as fast as they can
'cause every girl's crazy bout a sharp dressed man."

If Dad is the sharp-dressed man in your life, take advantage of today's blog-only manic monday special of 15% off personalized cufflinks and wrap-up your your Father's Day shopping early!

And for those of you who ran (literally, RAN) to the theatres to see the Sex & the City movie this weekend (I know I did with the girls... AND WE LOVED IT), if you have your own Mr. Big - be sure he looks just as sharp as Chris Noth right down to his cufflinks.

The best part about today's blog-only special is that not only is it good in the store, but this special will be good online, too - but for today only! Simply use coupon-code "cufflink" at checkout!

Taking a cue from its collegiate staffers and after talking shop with some of the retail addicts at Accessorize with Pi Phi (a philanthropy shopping event hosted on the campus of NC State, where Swagger gets to mix shopping with the ever important task of raising money to promote literacy among all individuals), Swagger has joined the popular social network, facebook!

Not only is the site a popular destination for keeping up with friends who have relocated far and near (and even those you see on a daily basis), but it also provides so much more: photos, events invites, music, and more! If you're not on facebook.... ummm... where have you been hiding? I know, I tried to resist, too - but after the 589042 time my best friend said "I tagged you in our pictures from (insert wedding of the week here)... oh wait, I can't, you're not on facebook" - I finally did it. And I'm totally addicted!

For Swagger, it's a SERIOUSLY cool way to let shopping junkies like me know about new products, special sales, upcoming shopping events, and more right where I'm already spending a good chunk of my online time (for me: it's procrastination at its finest!).

Want to be in the know, too? Check out Swagger's page on facebook and click "become a fan" to make sure you're going to be first to know of all the cool new additions that will be coming along soon. And be sure to chat it up! The discussion board for all Swagger fans is a great place to "talk shop" with other Swagger fans - I like to think of it as eRetail therapy!

I was going to title this blog entry "Let's Get Ready for a Backyard Barbeque"... but then I thought about how confusing this word can get around these parts of the country!

As any good Carolina girl knows, BBQ generally means pulled pork and in true eastern-NC style... that comes with a vinegar-based recipe (not to be confused with its equally delish counterpart from the west - which is tomato-based). And to add to the confusion, when you hear someone in NC refer to BBQ - is it a noun or a verb?

Either way you look at it, whether you're enjoying some "BBQ" off the cooker with friends, or grillin' up some hot dogs, burgers, sausages, and chicken at a "barbeque", everyone around these parts sure knows how to enjoy a get-together where food is involved come May, June, and July.

Since everyone at Swagger is so excited about the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, they are jump-starting the holiday by offering 15% off all fun summer ceramics (serving dishes and so on!) in today's blog-only Manic Monday special!

Print this blog and bring it to the store with you - until 6pm today - and stock-up on your favorite ceramic dishes and let's get festive! 

I can spot a DIY restoration project a mile away. (I like to think of it as my little way of saving something from the landfill that I can actually find some function and beauty in!)

My favorite vintage find lately are the "Knob-Stoppers" vintage wine stoppers that have recently been added to the Swagger collection! The coolest thing about these Knob-Stoppers is that each piece is unique so you can keep collecting as many as you'd like and each piece given as a gift (for the hostess-with-the-mostess hosting this weekend's dinner party!) is sure to never be duplicated!

And for those of us who have the great motivation to start DIY projects, but never seem to have the time to finish, this vintage find comes ready to go!

Haven't purchased your first Knob-Stopper? Today's Thirsty Third Thursday blog special gives you a great excuse to stop in Swagger and pick up your first (or third!) vintage wine stopper at 15% off!

Feel free to share this blog with anyone who needs a little retail therapy this week and invite them to share a few glasses of wine to put the stopper to good use tonight for some *extra* therapy!

*Please print this blog and bring it in to Swagger with you - today only - from 10am until 6pm!*

Of course, it's wayyyy cooler when you get to do it about one of your friends rather than yourself!

I have always gone to Swagger's owner, Mandy Becker, for gift-giving advice. From the traditional to the trendy, her gift-giving taste is impeccable and it's a "gift" she uses to help others just like me select personal and appreciated gifts for friends, family, co-workers, professional acquaintances, neighbors, and more.

Apparently, Swagger's most-frequest customers aren't the only ones who have noticed: Mandy was honored in this month's Realtor® Review! The editorial team behind REALTOR® Review tapped Mandy as an industry expert in the feature article Thank You Gifts – When Words Are Not Enough.

For Becker, tying her two professional backgrounds together, gives her a unique opportunity to show her clients just how much they mean to her as a real estate broker, and she shares her knack for selecting unique and functional gifts with the entire REALTOR® community in the article. “The key with items like this is to provide something unique and useful,” Becker noted when being interviewed for the article.

“The most successful gift of this type will be something the recipient uses again and again and hopefully, thinks of us when they do.” As a fellow entrepreneur, Mandy is aware of the value of time and limitations that business owners face when investing in client gifts. She noted in the interview that “many agents select a particular gift to be sent to all of their clients… but what can make each one unique is personalization or engraving”.

A Monthly Publication of the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®, Realtor® Review keeps local REALTORS® informed of not only pressing industry challenges and opportunities, but provides insight into how agents can continually develop the ever-important relationships between an agent and their client.

The full article featuring Mandy Becker and Swagger Gifts can be found online at: http://www.trianglemls.com//rrar-mayrr08-thank_you-gifts.htm.

To read about the personalized gifts that Mandy recommends to other REALTORS®, her coveted-selections are detailed here on SwaggerGifts.com at: http://www.swaggergifts.com/realtorgifts!

Want to check out the official press release online? Please feel free to read the scoop on PRLog.org or PR-Inside.com! 

I like to think of myself as a pretty trendy girl but sometimes... just sometimes... even the coolest of trends sometimes takes off right before my eyes. (And I won't even act like I wasn't pre-occupied the last week with all the good stuff going on this past weekend... Triangle Beach Music Festival in Garner, World Beer Festival in Moore Square, Foxfields in Virginia, ... )

So what is it that I've finally set my sights on to acquire by the end of today?

In true girl-tastic style, I MUST add a vinyl decal (monogram, please!) to my car.

Now here's my only problem... what color and what font can I commit to? (I better order a few... my favorites change with the weather.)

Luckily, the girls at Swagger are eager to help us get on the monogram train (or car, truck, SUV... whatever you're driving these days) so today's Manic Monday special is 15% off car decals... but you must come in the store before 6pm today to order - so hop to it!

*Don't forget to print this blog and bring it with you to take advange of this special blog-only sale!*

One of my big personal goals for this year was to be more concious of my global footfrint that I'm leaving on the world and to do what I can to set a better example for those around me. Years ago, it used to be hard to be a trendy girl who remained green at the same time - but those days are over so there are NO excuses now!

       

The girls at Swagger have made it amazingly easy to be green these days AND promote such a great message at the same time with some fabulously fun and eco-friendly gifts and accessories. From chic and indestructable water bottles (that help you cut down on the number of plastic bottles you go through in a week) to reusable shopping bags that ask others around you if they're saving the world, too... there are just endless possibilities for celebrating Earth Week in store at Swagger!

To celebrate Earth Day taking place this week, Swagger is offering 15% off all green products in the store today only until 6pm just by printing this blog and bringing it with you! This sale includes reusable shopping bags, "I Care" bracelets, chic watter bottles, and more!

Stop by and take home a reusable shopping bag full of green gear to get you started and Happy Recycling!!

If a little Kenny Chesney doesn't get you in the mood to get outside and enjoy some good times with friends and family then how about The Embers at North Hills tonight?

You can always tell when the winter weather is finally movin' out of town by the explosion of fun "to-do"s that have recently been added to your calendar - I know mine is full clear through May with outdoor concerts, backyard parties, graduation cook-outs, and more! If you've antied up to the role of "hostess with the mostess" for any of these occassions (or any Thursday night "Girls Night Out") then this week's Thirsty Third Thursday blog reader's special is going to make you smile as much as the mint juleps in your guests glasses!

Today only, take advantage of 15% off all Lolita glassware at Swagger from 10am until 6pm (in the store only) and never be afraid to mix and match! Your guests will all want to know where you picked up such stylish pieces and if you don't tell... I won't either! Unless of course... you want to!

*Please print this blog and bring it with you to the store to receive 15% off Lolita glassware at Swagger today!*

I really can't remember what I did or where I went when I was trying to find the right gift for those that I love before Swagger came along! As wedding season ramps up, there is no more perfect time to shop for every celebration of true love on my calendar this year than today!

In celebration of Swagger's anniversary, all wedding merchandise is 15% off today only from 10am until 6pm in the store only, for this week's Manic Monday blog special. There are so many fabulous gifts to choose from - from timeless to trendy - so you will be sure to be known as the guest (or bridesmaid) with the most fabulous taste and natural knack for gift giving (and the girls at Swagger will never share your shopping secrets!).

Feel free to send your fellow wedding lovers to this blog to share in the well-wishes, and stop in the store to celebrate the anniversary of your (and my) favorite destination for retail therapy!

*Please print this blog posting and bring it with you to enjoy the special blog-reader savings!*

First of all, let me say how excited I am that our area is finally getting some of the rain we have so desperately needed... but can a girl get a break? I've had to suit up in complete rain gear just to take the dog for a walk (who also, is getting a little tired of the lack of sunshine)! The only saving grace I've had for spending so much time cooped up inside are the Pacifica candles and accessories that bring a little bit of the outdoors into my home and office!

My favorite scent is definitely Sandalwood, but with Pacifica soaps, I bring a little bit of the islands into my shower each morning, too!

To help you beat your rainy day(s) funk, Mandy's choice for this week's Manic Monday blog special is 15% off all Pacifica candles and accessories! Hurry into the store between 10am and 6pm today only to take advantage of this chance to take home the entire collection of your favorite scents!

*Please remember to print this blog and bring it with you to the store!*

I am a rockstar when it comes to gift giving... but I didn't get that way on my own. The fab ladies at Swagger always help me pick great gifts for anyone I happen to be shopping for - even my little nieces!

Are your favorite little ones as crazy about Webkinz as everyone else? If so, stock up today on Webkinz

This week's Manic Monday blog special (good from 10am until 6pm today!) is buy any Webkinz and get one of the same item free!

So drop in and pick up a few of the little furry favorites and become a new member of the rockstar gift giving club today.

*Please print this page and bring it in to Swagger to take advantage of this Manic Monday special for blog readers only! Pssst... share the secret! Let all of your friends and family in on our blog by sharing it on your Google Reader!*

Who left and crowned me General Manager of the Universe?

Sheesh... it has been THAT kind of week. Lucky for me (and quite possibly lucky for you if you're looking to indulge in a little wine with your whine) it's Thirsty 3rd Thursday at Swagger!

This week, the fab ladies at Swagger are offering 15% off wine stoppers (for those of you, who like me, have to work tomorrow!). Even if you plan on calling the girls over to finish the whole bottle this Thursday they come in so handy... stock up now so you always have plenty on hand to save the left-overs after your next dinner party or party for one!

Want to invite the rest of your wine-appreciating friends? Send them over here to my blog so they can get in on the good stuff, too!

*Please print this page and bring it into the store with you from 10am-6pm today only to take advantage of this special event for blog readers only!*

Just our luck, St. Patrick's Day and Easter are so close together this year!

If your Manic Mondays are anything like mine, you'll love to save some green and some time today by picking up great gifts and more for both holidays at Swagger. Today, from 10am until 6pm in the store, Swagger is offering blog readers 15% off anything green or Easter!

Just remember to print off this email and swing by Swagger to grab great St. Patty's and Easter gifts for your favorite little ones, someone around the office who has helped you in a big way, the babysitter, or even yourself! Want to share this deal with a friend or family member? Just send them this way and remind them to sign up for our RSS feed so they'll always be in the loop :-)

*Please print this page and take it with you to the store for 15% off today, just for all of you lovely blog readers!* 

The girls at Swagger get a little (ok, a LOT!) excited about March Madness in the store!

Whether your blood runs Wolfpack Red or Tar Heel Blue (or any other hue for that matter!) get pumped up for your favorite rivalries, the ACC Tourney and bracket-busting games with 15% off anything collegiate today in-store from 10am until 6pm to beat those Manic Monday blues!

*Please print this offer and bring it into the store with you to take advantage of Swagger's Manic Monday specials!*

It's Mandy's last week of vacation and Swagger is going all out with this week's Manic Monday Blog Special to make sure you're ready to take off on your own Spring Fling here shortly!

Join the girls at Swagger in the store today from 10am until 6pm for 15% off everything travel including their favorite must have travel accessories: passport holders, luggage, make-up and jewelry cases!

Once you've completely recovered from any bad cases of the Monday's by taking a little Spring Fling trip to the coast, the Bahamas, or Tahiti be sure to show off your glowing tan and beaming smile back here at home... we all know how tempting it can be to "forget" to return to the land of voicemail, meetings, and I-40 rush hour traffic.

*Please print this page and bring it with you to Swagger for 15% off travel accessories including: passport holders, luggage, make-up cases and jewelry cases!*

Mandy's still in Australia this week but everyone at Swagger has been keeping up with her travels via her new blog filled with pictures and stories from the land down under.

The girls at Swagger want to help send you on your way to somewhere fabulous (so that you too can create a blog about your trip for everyone else to daydream with while reading about your adventure)! Gear up for your next trip with 15% off bamboo bags and accessories today only with Swagger's Manic Monday special!

Please remember to print this blog and take it to Swagger with you to take advantage of this special offer - created just for you darling blog readers :-)

Maybe it's the rain?

Whatever it is, this Monday morning is starting off really slow for me today... not cool! (Every now and then, a girl needs a pick-me-up first thing in the morning to get things started off right - I think I'll stop in Swagger on my way out this morning for some shopping TLC.)

For those of you who haven't stopped in the store the last few weeks, everyone's favorite retail diva Mandy has been all a buzz about her trip to the land down under - to Australia! In honor of her first trip to Bonzai Beach, Mandy's Choice for this week's Manic Monday special is that all beach cover ups are 15% off in the store today!

Now THAT, is something I can get excited about on a Monday! And the thing that will get me through the after-lunch crawl... planning my next mini-vacay to a warm (and more importantly... SUNNY!) destination where I can sport my new beach cover up!

Remember girls: Manic Monday specials are only good on Monday from 10am until 6pm in the store so be sure to stop in during lunch or on your way home and let the retail therapy session cure even the worst case of the Mondays!

Please print this off and bring it in!

Are your Mondays absolute insanity? Take a break from the hustle and bustle of getting back into the swing of the work week every Monday (starting today!) by enjoying a little retail therapy courtesy of the awesome girls at Swagger!

This week's Manic Monday in-store special is all about getting ready for Valentine's Day this Thursday! Grab gifts for your favorite people and save 15% off everything Valentine's on the in-store Valentine's display table.

These Manic Monday specials are only good on Monday from 10am until 6pm in the store so be sure to stop in during lunch or on your way home and let the retail therapy session cure even the worst case of the Mondays!

Please print this off and bring it in!

Keep your eyes on your email tomorrow! Swagger is launching a shiny new eNewsletter and the girls there are really excited about bringing their favorite shoppers (like me!) a brand new way to check out the latest additions to their website while offering special savings that can only be found by shopping here on the freshly re-vamped website.

Trollbeads will be here after March 1st!

Many of you saw the Cary Magazine Shopping Fix today and are wondering about the Trollbeads!  Check them out under our favorites right HERE!  You can even go to the official Trollbeads website to check out all the beads and their stories.  I am so excited about this product that I am counting down the days until they come in!

Although we had heard about Troll beads before, a customer encouraged us to check them out when we went to market - and we did!  We were extremely impressed with the company, the craftmanship, and all the choices of beads.  I for one love a story and when I heard their tag line - Every story has a bead - I was HOOKED!

I have already picked out every bead I want based on things that have happened in my life - hopefully my husband and friends will get them for me!:)  I love the murano glass beads - it makes the bracelet so colorful!  My favorite bead is the 3 Siblings bead as I am one of three girls!  I love my sisters so much I don't know what I would do without them - seeing the bead on my bracelet will remind me how lucky I am to have them every day!

I can't wait to show you all this wonderful jewelry!  See you soon!

New Purses Just In!

We just started getting in our Spring/Summer '08 purses!!!!  And they are fabulous!  Check them out HERE or under Staff Favorites on the left hand navigation bar.  I went ahead and bought one of the Nena Totes in the white - it will be PERFECT for my trip to Australia - don't you think!  You can call us to purchase these handbags!

My nerves are shot. My friend turned sort of boyfriend has asked me to accompany him on his trip home next weekend. For the whole weekend. Out of state? Ack! I've never met his parents, even though I've known him for years now. But, I've heard the stories… I've seen pictures, and I think I'm in for it. His mother in one word or less? Perfect. Perfect hair, perfect clothes, perfect everything. Needless to say, I do NOT fit into that perfect category. Did I mention that ex-girlfriend is Perfect Version 2.0??

And then it hit me. Of course, Swagger.

So…..I went to check my mail the other day. Whooo hoo! I so love all of those ads for new siding (ummm, I have brick)….for consolidating my debt (no thanks, like to spread it around)…..for how many new credit cards?? Ok, well, maybe I like those!

I walked into the house and studied the very careful handwriting that spelled out my name and my old address (unfortunately, that big – please forward to- covered up some of the ink).

My oh my, have I got some news for you. My best guy friend- and I mean friend in the most friend sense of the word- we are talking down to "not showered, hung over my girlfriend did such and such and could I believe it?! " kind of guy friend – finally broke up with the irritating girl a few months ago. Not a big deal except it meant that I didn't have her trying to set me up with anymore of her friends – that spells RELEIF in a way that antacid never could.

So…..take a breath- seems that maybe he wants to take me on a date. I thought I had heard him wrong and reminded him that me and skates just don't belong on the same body together after what happened last time I tried rollerblading….

My other "sister" called me not to long ago griping about what in the world she should get for the teachers at her daughter's school for gifts. They do a teacher appreciation month each year, and she wanted to do more than just the traditional coffee gift card.

"You're a fun girl" she said to me. "Help me think of something!"

I mentioned in a previous post about telling you all the story of how I got my bar... Now I can have "Happy Hour" any hour I want!

I just moved into my new place a few months ago (hence my absence from posting). I packed up everything I'd had for years, and after sorting through and throwing out what I no longer wanted, figured I was ready for this major ordeal.

So, I moved. I unpacked. I settled in. And I felt like something was missing, but was unsure of what that elusive something was. Maybe if someone… anyone… Bueller… had shared with me that it is nice for things to somewhat match, I wouldn’t be struggling so much with this.

Tag you are it. Yes you.

Want to know what you get to do now?

I can't wait to tell you! (Giggle. Ok, Snicker….)

You, my friend, get the enviable task of coming up with party games to play at the next baby shower and wedding shower you attend.

And no, you can't get out of it. I don't believe for a moment that you have the flu, that you lost the directions, or that you are trapped under something heavy and just can't make it.

Stop making excuses and start trying to be fun. I mean it.

On the first day of January my true love gave to me… Nothing. Not a thing. Nada. Zilch. Could be because he as of yet has not materialized in my life? What's a girl to do? And then it hit me. No one knows me better than, me! Every time I have to find a birthday present, or a wedding gift, or so help me, another baby present – keep in mind people, I'm the SINGLE one in the bunch – that I secretly long for some of these gifts to find their way under the seat of my car instead of into the hands of the non deserving party (did I say that?). Which lead me to think… Why not? Why not treat myself as well as these other people in my life? Because unless my mail order husband/child/promotion gets delivered sometime soon, I'm going to have to start a movement for "singles day" and hope for lovely presents to find their way to MY deserving hands!

Ahhh… it's a New Year, and time for…. yes! Those oh so fun invites to your co-worker's third baby shower… your sister's second wedding… maybe a bachelor party or two? (Ok, so that last one sounds like fun!)

If you are anything like my friends, you are a). Summoning the will to show up, and b). Secretly wanting your gift to be the most talked about (in a good way of course), and c). Not wanting to break the bank achieving the first two.

As luck would have it, here is a way to achieve all of the above with grace and style.

Personalized gifts are very meaningful for both the gift giver and the recipient. However, there are some guidelines we suggest you follow to make sure you don’t get “too” personal – especially in a corporate setting. Check out our list of do’s and don’ts below for stress free gift giving regardless of the season.  

Do make sure you check for mistakes (i.e. spelling of names) both when placing the order and when they arrive. Nothing says “I appreciate you” like a misspelled name, so make sure you get it right the first time.

Getting Personal doesn’t have to be all “serious.” All of us have a friend or loved one that fits in one of these categories, and giving them a personal gift that relates to one of their personality traits is a great way to show how well you really do know them.

Person who burns water: Your single best friend is still single because she can’t cook – at all. She burns pop tarts, coffee and anything else that comes into contact with heat, and she probably knows more about how her microwave works than the manufacturer. Since you know that the smell of burnt food will scare away any potential romance, get her some of our Cucina Fragrant Kitchen Spray. She may scoff a little at first that you are making fun of her, but she’ll get over it.

1. Pay Cash: If you think that is old-fashioned, then you are sadly mistaken. Once you have made a budget for your gift giving, go to your bank and withdraw that amount in cash, in larger bills. Breaking a $100 bill instead of a $20 will probably make you think twice about the gift you are giving, and once you are out of money, you are done. If you plan on doing a lot of shopping online, try one of the prepaid debit cards that most banks offer and do the same.

2. Know your Interest Rates: If you know that you are going to have put Christmas purchases on your credit card, make sure you use the ones with the best terms and rates. If you can swing it, try to pay your balance in full each month to avoid service charges and accrued interest.

    

When invited to a dinner party or get together at a friend’s house, you generally know what to expect – good food, good wine and spirits, stimulating conversation and getting up to speed on the latest gossip. Though you can be counted on to always provide your end of the deal (i.e. your charming self), should you also provide a little gift to the hostess to thank her for her hospitality?

In a nutshell, YES! Your hostess (and host) have gone out of their way to provide a great night of entertainment for their guests and though it is not “required” that you bring (or send) a hostess gift, good taste and good manners dictate that you should.

So, you have decided to take the leap and start personalizing gifts for your friends, family and yes, even for yourself. Making sure you get monograms right can be a little confusing, so lucky for you we here at Swagger have put together a little "cheat sheet" for making sure you never commit a monogramming faux pas. 

If you have a friend that is feeling down, or one of your family members didn’t get the big promotion they were hoping for, it’s always nice to try to help pick them up in whatever way you can. Some will go out for drinks, others a good gab on the phone. We suggest giving them a small “Just Because” gift.

Now “Just Because” doesn’t mean that the person in question has to be down, or sad, etc., it can encompass every aspect of a person. Listed below are some gift ideas we think would be great – why, you ask? The answer is simple, “just because” we said so!

Cary, NC December 1, 2007 – Swagger Gifts will donate 10% of their Internet sales during the month of December to the Toys for Tots Foundation. As a way to help others in need this holiday season, Mandy Kratus Becker, owner, made the decision to donate 10% of their Internet Sales to the Raleigh area Toys for Tots.  “I feel so blessed that Swagger just celebrated its Fifth Anniversary.  With the launch of our new website I really wanted to find a way to continue to give back to the community.  What better group to sponsor during the Holidays than Toys for Tots – especially from the local gift shop?!” says Mandy.

Toys for Tots began in Los Angeles in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR, and a group of Marine Reservists collected and handed out over 5,000 toys to needy children in the area. The plan was so successful, that the following year, the Marine Corps adopted the cause, turning it into a nationwide campaign.  From that point forward, every community in which a Marine Reserve Center was located, a Toys for Tots campaign was started.  Since its inception, The US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has distributed more than 332 million toys to more than 150 million children who are in need.

We all have “that friend” … You know, the one that has everything, is always stepping out in the latest style and always manages to look great even though she has three kids under five at home. Oh, and did we mention that her house is always clean, dinner is on the table at 6 sharp (gourmet no less), and is paired against domestic guru Martha Stewart in a showdown, Martha would want to return to jail.

What on earth do you get that person for Christmas or other special occasions? How can you let her know how much you value your carefully crafted friendship and are forever grateful for the around the house tips that have gotten you out of many binds?

Here are some nifty little gift ideas to get “that friend” who is always there and ready to lend a helping hand, and the most “together” person you know...

1. People with bad memories. This works in two different ways. For instance, our personalized umbrella will help the person with a bad memory find their umbrella (and remember their name in the process). Also, if you have a bad memory, going to a get together where items are personalized with the host or hostesses monogram, you will never forget their name.
2. People who entertain. If you or people you know like to entertain, you know that dishes somehow manage to “go missing” or, if you are one that takes dishes to friends in need, it is easy to forget who has what. If you take the time to personalize these things with a special label, monogram, or stamp, the dish in question will always make it’s way home – even if you’ve forgotten that your dish ran away with the spoon
3. New couples – The novelty of starting life together, new apartment/home, wedding, honeymoon, and everything that goes with it. A personalized gift for the happy couple helps reinforce the bond that has been forged and since it has the permanence of personalization attached to it, they may be less likely to get a divorce or separate when the going gets a little tough.
4. Bosses/coworkers – Tired of items walking away from your desk, or your boss constantly asking you for a pen because theirs happened to walk off somewhere (who knew that pens had legs?) Getting personalized items for the office is a sure-fire way to make sure you and your co-workers are always prepared.
5. College Students – I’m sure you remember the days of living in the dorms, lending out items and not knowing what happened to them. Or, coming home from school, half the items you brought home didn’t belong to you. Personalizing clothes and other items is a great form of insurance that the college student you know will always get their stuff back – possibly even before they graduate!

Both of our Holiday Open Houses were so much fun!  Thank you for everyone who came out to both!

We had a PREVIEW NIGHT on Thursday November 1st that benefitted the Horse and Buddy Foundation where we raised several hundred dollars for the local charity!  This was our first year doing a PREVIEW NIGHT, but it won't be the last!

Sunday, November 4th 2007, was our 5th Annual Holiday Open House!  It was our best and most exciting one to date!  We gave away over $2000 in door prizes and gifts bags for the first 50 customers.  We truly appreciate all of our loyal customers who came by and did their Christmas Shopping!   This is my favorite event all year - I love the excitement of the season and this party always kicks it off for Swagger!

I wanted to thank everyone who came out for our Webkinz Party on October 6th! Gloria was so excited to see everyone on her 1st birthday - it was crazy how many people were there! ! Someone even made her a card - thank you to that little girl - Gloria felt so special!

Swagger just received a HUGE shipment of Webkinz! We specifically received the:

-lion
-pink poodle

We just received a shipment of Webkinz! Including the Lil' Tree Frog, Lil' White Terrior, Bullfrog, and the Koala! You know how fast they go - so come in soon to get yours! (We also received the cute pink and green purse to carry your Webkinz around!)

Today I am posting my very first blog entry! How exciting!

And even more exciting is that we finally have our WEBKINZ Trading Cards in! As any of you with kids know, Webkinz are HUGE with the 6 - 12 year old boys and girls and could quite possibly be bigger than Beanie Babies (or Cabbage Patch Dolls for anyone who is in my age group:)). The trading cards are especially cool, because the kids can play with them online or as a game with their friends - AND 1 out of every 36 packs wins a free online Webkinz Animal - that was enough for a couple of our customers to buy a whole box to ensure that they would get the virtual animal! Call or come back to get your Webkinz Trading Cards before they are all gone - we only received a very limited quantity! See you soon! ~ Mandy