Shop Around Blog
Deals, fashion, style, shopping, spas and more in Washington, DC and beyond.
|
Discount Deals for DC Fashionistas
By
McLean Robbins
Published Monday, January 12, 2009
If there’s one thing we’ve all resolved to do in the New Year, it’s to save money. But a true fashionista not only wants more dough in her Fendi, she wants to look stylish while doing it. Lucky for us, several DC-based Web sites and e-newsletters have sprung up in recent months, offering exclusive savings, promotions, and discounts—all for free. Here are our favorites:
CityShopGirl Former National Jean Company publicist Kelly Collis Fredrick founded CityShopGirl in October 2008 and already has several thousand subscribers on her daily e-mail digest. Every day, the free e-mail showcases a different promotion or deal at area boutiques, restaurants, and spas, often available throughout the month. Recent promotions have included a buy-three-get-one-free discount at just-opened Red Velvet Cupcakery, a VIP table and bottle of free Champagne at the popular club Shadow Room, and 20 percent off tee-shirts by LA designer LNA.
The site’s motto, “Shop, eat, and treat yourself,” rings true for almost any stylish young female, and Fredrick aims to keep the promotions accessible to her audience. While the site is pay-for-play in terms of content, Fredrick does exercise some overarching judgment about what types of items she’ll feature—she understands that her audience isn’t likely to drop $1,000 on a single pair of shoes or one night in a hotel.
Fredrick hopes to expand to at least one other city later this year, likely on the East Coast.
DC Girls in the Know DC Girls in the Know offers a similar monthly compendium of deals at area spas, restaurants, hotels, boutiques, and events, with a more upscale bent. Founded by Chris Jacobs and Julie O’Brien in June 2008, the e-mail and Web site has grown to more than 4,000 subscribers since its launch.
Subscribers get three e-mails per month: one announcing the launch of new deals, another halfway through the month informing readers that there are two weeks left, and one just before the deals expire. “We’re very careful not to overcommunicate with our subscribers, who, like us, are busy professionals and don’t want their in-box flooded with nonessential e-mail,” says Jacobs.
Recent deals have included discounts at Hela spa, package discounts for the Land Rover Americas Polo Cup, and price reductions at BelaBumBum lingerie and maternity wear. Generally, each business offers several deals for the month on specific products, services, or ticket-packaging options.
Each offer is available for one month and chosen by O’Brien and Jacobs. Businesses benefit from the exposure and from the write-up in the newsletter and on the Web site, Jacobs says.
StoreAdore DC natives and Harvard Business School alums Meredith Barnett and Cristina Miller founded StoreAdore.com in 2005 as a guide to the nation’s best boutique shopping. Learn more about the site in our Capital Comment feature.
Not only does the site offer an extensive listing of Washington boutiques, but it also features exclusive permanent discounts at boutiques such as Simply Soles, Urban Chic, and Wink. Before shopping, be sure to look up your go-to stores in the guide, where you’ll often find coupons for 20 to 30 percent off or free gifts with a purchase.
DailyCandy Known for its quirky and in-the-know daily e-mail service, DailyCandy has long been providing Washingtonians with advice on the latest new shops, spas, restaurants, and hotels. But did you know that it also offers a weekly-deal newsletter? Sign up for the Tuesday-deals e-mail, where you’ll find 20 percent or more off purchases, usually via an exclusive DailyCandy code. Discounted services and products range from hotels to home goods and are usually nationally focused. Also, be sure to check the sponsored listing in the DailyCandy weekend guide, which is published as part of each city’s weekly listing on Thursdays. Washington-themed discounts are often hidden inside that one advertisement.
Know of another must-read deals digest or e-mail? Send us your thoughts or leave them in comments below. More>> Shop Around Blog | Style | Find a Spa
|
Comments
this is great. more and more sites are posting their adds to promote products, like shoes, bags, baby stuff, fashion, foods, and many more ., why not try for more 80-90% discounted products .,
<a href="http://www.wwhow.com/merchants/">Best Deal</a>
Posted by: wWhow, Nov 18, 2009 12:50:07 AM
Great info...but you missed a local gem that i found recently!!! www.beautyindc.com I just got a 1/2 price on a $150 3-in-1 one facial that was to die for! Also have used them for discounts on injectables at places in my neighborhood. Being new to DC, this site is a good resource when trying to find services near where I live and work. They also are having a free movie event I am going to tonight!
Posted by: nancy, Jan 15, 2009 10:07:51 AM
Doesn’t McLean contribute to Daily Candy?
Posted by: Anon, Jan 12, 2009 08:52:06 AM
|
Post a comment
Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.
|
|
Gone are the robust bureaus for the Los Angeles Times, Newhouse News, and other once-healthy news organizations. Digital media bureaus now are taking their places with as many reporters and plenty of swagger.
more
Sip some Beaujolais Nouveau, check out the Terra Cotta warriors, see a vintage murder thriller, and more this weekend.
more
|