Following on yesterday’s wedding-related post, I wanted to share a quick roundup of some fabulous Sample Sales happening at some of DC’s best bridal salons this weekend. Sample sales are not for everyone, but if you’re in the market for a wedding dress and don’t cringe at the idea of your wedding day garb being tried on by others, then you need to get your butt to one of these sample sales.
Hitched Sample Sale Soiree – TONIGHT from 5pm – 8pm As one of DC’s most popular bridal salons, Hitched features gowns from the industry’s top designers. You can snag a gown for 40%-80% off, from brands of the likes of Anne Barge, Amsale, Christos, Judd Waddell and my own personal favorite, Modern Trousseau. My wedding dress was Modern Trousseau’s Mika, which is incidentally available at the sample sale! Hitched takes all of the risk out of the sample sale process because all of the available gowns are on their website. To RSVP, email [email protected].
I purchased my Modern Trousseau gown from Hitched! (Photo by Paul Morse)
Carine’s Bridal Atelier Sample Sale – also TONIGHT from 5pm – 8pm
Talk about competition! Carine’s is hosting their sample sale this evening at the exact same time as Hitched. Since both are located in Georgetown, if you’re quick -and determined, you might be able to pull double duty and make it to both! If you have the slightest inclination that you want to don a luxury brand such as Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier or Marchesa, Carine is your girl. Gowns will be discounted up to 50%-75% and no appointment is necessary. Give the salon a call at 202-965-4696 or check the salon out on Facebook.
Some of Carine’s Marchesa dresses in for the sample sale! (Photo courtesy of Carine’s)
The Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel Sample Sale – July 20th & 21st from 10am – 6pm
“Saks” is synonymous with luxury and glamor, so expect nothing less when you attend the Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel Sample Sale. This is THE place in DC to get your hands on some Vera Wang, so if you want to be a Vera gal’ this is your destination of choice (Reem Acra and Oscar de la Renta, too). Gowns are reduced by 30%-75% and prices will range from $690 – $13,890. You’ll want an appointment for this one, so call 301-652-2250 to see what’s left!
Sample sales are the BEST way to get a designer gown for a steal. So if you’re a bride with champagne taste on a beer wine spritzer budget, you might as well try your luck at a sample sale. You may find nothing, you may find a dress that surpasses your wildest dreams, but either way you will be spending a few hours trying on pretty, frilly white dresses. There are worse ways to spend your weekend, after all!
Bikini season is on top of us like the hot fudge on that sundae we should probably put down right about now. Assorted quarter life crises are leading to us ponder life questions that should be reserved for Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love. We constantly remind ourselves that we need to “give back” but we just keep giving to our shoe collection…
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m making these statements without an inkling of judgement. These are facts of life. Often, I get so caught up in the day-to-day that I fail to realize a week, a month and then a year have passed, all without my doing anything significant. Setting goals and reaching them is challenging, that is why life coaches, personal trainers and therapists are in business.
However, now is as good of a time as any to take up a new hobby, set yourself up to reach a new goal or cross an item off of your bucket list and I can recommend an excellent place to start your journey – Team in Training (TNT).
TNT is a national organization with local chapters that helps people reach their goals of completing an endurance event (read: Marathons, half-marathons, cycling and triathlons) while raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to fight blood cancers. TNT provides participants with training resources for sponsored endurance events and, in turn, participants commit to a raise a specified fundraising goal. The fundraising goal can be between $500 – $3,000, depending on the event, and the TNT staff assists participants with fundraising, making it even less intimidating to reach your goal. To break it down, it is a change to feel good, look good and do good, in one fell swoop!
Feeling Good + Looking Good
The thought of a marathon or a triathlon might strike fear into the hearts of anyone, but TNT is committed to help you train appropriately, safely and sanely for an event. You don’t have to have any prior experience and the programs are designed for all levels of fitness acumen. The regimented training will whip you right into shape and the steady stream of endorphins will keep a smile on your face. The added bonus? You’ll meet tons of people, some just like you and others who are radically different, but all who are working together for a common goal, supporting one another and having a good time. You’ll have an entire team to rely on every Saturday morning and I would wager a bet that you’ll walk away with at least one new friend.
If you think a marathon should be reserved for that crazy Greek guy, then try for a 10 miler or a half! You don’t know what you are capable of until you try, I promise you! If you had asked me a few years ago if I would ever run one, I would have laughed in your face, loudly and obnoxiously. Yet, here I am currently training for my third marathon with Team in Training. I even managed to convince one of my best friends to do it too.
Doing Good
TNT-ers reasons for participating might all be different, but the single best part about Team in Training is knowing the impact you are making on the lives of those who are suffering. Each week, you will hear stories from cancer patients, survivors and their family members. Sometimes the stories have happy endings and sometimes they don’t. I’ve shed a tear more than once and I’m sure I will again this season, but I can wake up every day with the confidence that I am doing what I can to help people survive. That is sure to make anyone feel pretty darn good.
And, if you are still doing some soul searching and life questioning, consider this:
Understanding that you have the power to save another life is all you really need to find the meaning in your own.
Yours truly post Marathon in my Team in Training Gear! See, I’m still alive, and smiling!
If you’re still hesitant, I recommend attending one of their information meetings. The National Capital Chapter is hosting meetings for the Winter Season all over the DC Metro area. There is sure to be one that fits your schedule:
A few days ago, I wrote a post about Uber’s awesomeness. Well, it turns out that said awesomeness is being threatened by the DC City Council.
Uber announced a lower cost service, UberX, which provides a less expensive Uber option by using an all-hybrid fleet of cars. They were unable to release this service in DC because the DC City Council is trying to make it illegal for Uber to offer lower rates in any form by passing an amendment to the taxi modernization bill.
The real reason behind this amendment is to keep Uber more expensive than taxis and pushing for Uber to be no less than 5 times a taxi’s minimum fare. The Council is voting on the Uber Amendment TODAY.
Now, I understand that Uber can seriously impact business for taxi drivers. However, Uber wouldn’t have such a strong market here in DC if the taxis provided satisfactory service. Too often, people are denied taxi service based on their destination and charged unfairly when there is a high demand. Uber provides a solution to this problem and is simply trying to make their car service available for as many people as possible.
If you don’t agree, no harm done, I am not trying to change your mind. However, if you do agree, take just 5-10 minutes of your time today and call or write as many City Council members as possible to let them know that you want your right to Uber. Their info is below and you can find more info on the Uber Amendment on Uber’s blog.
