Haute off the press (release):
For some there is nothing more fun than bargain hunting! What if you could find a wide variety of unbelievable items at low prices and buying them would mean you were improving lives for women and children? The Junior League of Birmingham’s (JLB) annual Bargain Carousel makes this shopping experience a reality.
Called the “largest garage sale in Birmingham,” the event offers two distinct experiences. Bargain Bash, held this April 21, is a casual cocktail party that offers first-chance shopping of Bargain Carousel items and impressive silent and live auctions, with more than 150 items, including original artwork and VIP travel packages. For shoppers wanting the best selection and smaller crowds, VIP admission is the best choice, with 6 p.m. entry at $40 a ticket. Shoppers receive one hour of early bird shopping before general admission patrons enter. All guests enjoy food, beverages and the auctions. Guests will also enjoy entertaining commentary from Mark & Stephanie with 93.7 WDJC. VIP admission is $40 a ticket and general admission (7 p.m. entry) is $30 a ticket. All Bargain Carousel items sell for double the ticket price during Bargain Bash.
Saturday and Sunday are a bargain hunter’s paradise, with more than 100,000 items for sale including art, appliances, furniture, heirloom items, baby and children’s clothing and furnishings, home décor, outdoors and sporting goods, and much more. This year, a local business liquidated their office furniture, providing Bargain Carousel with dozens of high quality desks, chairs and other office furniture.
“Bargain Carousel’s purpose is two-fold,” said JLB volunteer and Bargain Carousel chair, Haley Holden. “The sale raises money for the League’s 31 projects serving women and children in the metro area and it allows us to sell items at deeply discounted prices to individuals who can benefit from them.”
Both Magic Moments and Every Moment Matters will benefit from a portion of the funds raised at Bargain Carousel 2016.
“Many people return to the event year after year,” said Holden. “We have our Bargain Bash faithful who can afford to come in and buy antique pieces at double our retail price that night and we have hundreds of people who line up overnight for the general sale because they know they can get gently-used necessities at a price they can afford.”
Thanks to Baptist Health System, Bargain Carousel will be held in Hoover just off of Exit 10 from I-459 in the old Princeton-Hoover location.
In 2015, more than 500 tickets were pre-sold the day before Bargain Carousel opened its doors. People began lining up the night before to reserve their spot to pre-purchase tickets. This year, the pre-sale will be held at the sale location on Friday, April 22 from 3 – 7 p.m., where shoppers may purchase up to four tickets at $10/ticket to the Saturday sale.
Bargain Carousel 2016 will begin on Saturday, April 23 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Tickets from 8 – 10 a.m. are $10/ticket and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. they are $5/ticket. It continues Sunday, April 24 (1 – 5 p.m.) with free admission and half price merchandise.
A special note for the Saturday sale, all tickets are numbered, and shoppers will enter Bargain Carousel in the order of their ticket number. For information about Bargain Carousel 2016, call 205-879-9861, visit http://www.bargaincarousel.net,“Like” Bargain Carousel on Facebook, or follow @jlbbargaincarousel on Instagram.
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Ready to enter to win a ticket? Here’s how to receive an entry: Comment “Send me to Bargain Carousel!” on this post by Thursday, April 21 at 6:00 PM CST. One winner will be drawn to receive two tickets at 6:30 PM Thursday. All decisions final.
I am so glad that groundhog’s forecast was for an early spring! My wardrobe needs a breath of fresh air and sunshine, and that’s what this season’s style has in store. I’m ready to break out my culottes, expose a little bare shoulder and tuck my coats and boots away. If you can’t tell, I’ve got spring fever–and here are a few seasonal tips and trends (as seen on Talk of Alabama this morning) to keep in mind:
Happy shopping!
Image via Giphy.com
I was waaaaaay overdue for a night out wih friends when I received an invite to relax, relate and release with girlfriends a couple of weeks ago! And when I wasn’t salivating over the menu at local hotspot Galley and Garden, I had outfit planning to look forward to. 
This J. Crew asymmetrical zip jumpsuit is so comfortable, but manages to be chic AND weather appropriate! And jumpsuits are just so easy! The leopard heels give it a little Cookie Lyon action, and I always have a clutch to carry my essentials.
Now here’s the scoop on Galley and Garden: it’s DELICIOUS! Go. The ambiance, service and food are superb.
Happy shopping!
Xo, Alexis
Toss some sequins: we’ve reached 500 “likes” on Facebook! Yay!!! I can’t thank you enough for your support! This may seem like a small thing to some, but considering I’m doing this on a $0 budget, while I’ve held multiple full-time jobs and tried to deal with real life…it means more than you think.
Help SCDd continue to grow: connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more fabulosity!
Xo, Alexis
Here’s one more exciting announcement for the week: I’m excited to be featured in B-Metro magazine as its “Look Grand for Less” feature for February! Thanks to the Outlet Shops of Grand River, I was able to find several fab items that fit a $250 budget! In fact, the deals are so amazing that I came in under budget. Putting together versatile, well-made and fun pieces I could wear in a variety of ways was actually quite do-able thanks to the variety of options at the outlet. Don’t believe me? Grab your copy of B-Metro for details; it’s available on newsstands now!
Special thanks to Kim Colvin (makeup artistry), Chuck St. John (photography) and Tracy James for making this an awesome experience!
Xo, Alexis
Images via Tracy James and B-Metro
Remember when I told you I had a couple of exciting things kicking off this year? Here’s the first: run–don’t walk–to get the February issue of Birmingham magazine to read why exercising can have lasting benefits…written by yours truly!
It’s a little science-based encouragement for those of you who began fitness programs this month, because dressing your best won’t do any good if you don’t actually feel your best!
Xo, Alexis
Haute off the Press:
Pop. Fizz. Clink! Swoozie’s at The Summit is celebrating ten years of business in Birmingham on Wednesday, October 7. The Exceptional Foundation and local companies join Swoozie’s at The Summit as they TOAST to TEN with special discounts all day and an over the top soiree from 5pm to 7pm.
“The Birmingham community has supported Swoozie’s and our growing business over the past ten years,” says Ashley O’Donnell, Marketing Director for Swoozie’s. “As we toast to ten years in Birmingham, we are showcasing several local artists and purveyors at our event to celebrate Birmingham.”
Local companies to be showcased at the event include:
Customers will receive 10% off throughout the day with an even deeper discount of 20% off from 5 to 7pm. A portion of the day’s sales will benefit The Exceptional Foundation. The first 25 guests to RSVP to swoocrew@swoozies.com will receive a bag full of Swoo. In addition, students who show their college ID during the party will receive an unlimited vinyl personalization pass, $50 printing pass and two free monogramming passes for the month of October. Swoozie’s will be giving away prizes throughout the evening valued at $100 each.
See you there!
Same Chic Different Day 