3rd Annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Extravaganza

Get Your Merry On at Swagger Gifts!
With only SIX shopping days left until Christmas, it's time to get a little tacky!

Who: You and Your Tacky Sweater
What: The 2010 Swagger Gifts Tacky Sweater Party & Sale
When: Saturday, December 18, 2010 - 10am until 5pm
Where: Swagger Gifts
Why: To bust that holiday stress and save 20-40% off any item

Come on in dressed in your tackiest holiday getup and we'll be happy to share in the Christmas spirit with you with Pick-A-Candy-Cane for 20-40% off any one item (excluding already discounted items and local artists)! We only ask that you pretty please let us know that you're there for your candy cane... sometimes we just can't tell this time of year! ;-)

After Christmas Sale at Swagger Gifts

You know January is the best time of the year to buy all of your Christmas favorites for the next holiday season, right? Check out this month's special and stock up today for next Christmas... it's only 11 months away! ;-)

Second Annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Extravaganza

The Swagger Gifts Second Annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Extravaganza will be on Saturday, December 19th, 2009!

Join us in your tackiest Christmas Outfit (and we mean TACKY!) at the store on December 19th and receive:

Free Gift with Purchase

20% off any one item (excluding Trollbeads and Local Designers)

We will also have prizes for the Top 3 outfits!

Bring your mom, bring your neighbor, bring your friends - bring anyone who enjoys a good tacky sweater!

Trollbeads Holiday Trunk Show Going on Today and Tomorrow!

Tuesday, December 8th through Thursday, December 10th
Trollbeads Trunk Show at Swagger Gifts

Need a great reason to come pick out your favorites and select a few great gifts for the Trollbeads fans on your list?

Treat yourself (and your holiday budget) with Swagger's Trollbeads Trunk Show Specials!

• Buy $100 worth of beads and get a free $25 glass bead!
• Receive a free bracelet with the purchase of an upgraded clasp!
• Receive a Free bracelet or leather necklace with the purchase of a chain necklace!
• Receive $25 off a Fantasy pendant with the purchase of a Fantasy necklace!

*Limit of 2 promotions per customer.

PS: Ladies, send your honey to this guy-friendly event and we'll be happy to help him select the very best! Just stop in to create your very own personal Trollbeads Wish List beforehand and we'll make sure he gets on his way to picking out perfect gifts for the ladies on his list. (Just think: great gifts for you, for his mom, for his sister - the possibilities are endless... and he'll have a hand in all of them!)

PS #2: Guys, bring your buddies along! With our help, you'll be right back to football, basketball, and fantasy leagues and your holiday shopping will be done! How much easier can it get? Your buddies will thank you!

Reminder: Trollbeads for a Cause!

Don't forget to join us tonight, as we raffle off the
Flower & Nature Starter Bracelet at 7 pm to benefit the
NBIA Disorders Association

Raffle Tickets are $10 a piece and you can still buy them today!

Click here to visit SwaggerGifts.com for all of the information!

Swagger Gifts is featuring the following specials during today's Trunkshow:

+ Buy $100 worth of Trollbeads and get a Glass Bead (from Glass Group 1) for FREE! +
+ Receive a FREE Bracelet with the purchase of an upgraded clasp! +
+ Receive $25 off a Fantasy Pendant w/ the purchase of a Fantasy Necklace! +
+ Recive a FREE Bracelet or Leather Necklace with the purchase of a Chain Necklace +

Facebook Friday Winner for September 11th is...

And the Winner of the Facebook Friday of the Week is...

Last week, Swagger Gifts gave away a great gift to give or to keep for yourself - a 10'' round monogrammed cutting board!

If round or 10'' isn't a perfect cutting board fit for you, check out all of the other options in monogrammed cuttings boards that Swagger carries. You can choose from lots of shapes, embellishments, and more! How's that for personalized?

This week's lucky winner is: #28* – Jen Stotesbery!
Congratulations Jen - enjoy using this cutting board yourself or making another gift recipient very happy :-) See Jen's comment below!





Email Mandy at mandy {at} swaggergifts {dot} com and she will hook you up with your gift! You have until next Friday September 18th to claim your prize.

For this week’s Facebook Friday contest, Swagger is giving away a pair of Personalized Small Square Stud Earrings. These classic stud earrings are PERFECT for everyday wear and are made of sterling silver.

All you have to do to get yourself entered is hop on over to Swagger Gift’s FB Friday of the Week Photo Album, become a fan of Swagger Gifts on FB, and leave a comment on the picture of the monogrammed earrings before next Friday September 11th! Click here to enter to win!

We are also offering a 15% off coupon good for the FB Giveaway of the Week!
Check out the FB page for details!
Good Luck!


*Since Mandy moved to Zurich, it is becoming harder for her to ask Swagger customers to pick a number for the weekly FB Winner, so we are now officially using Random.org for all number picking!

Facebook Friday Winner for August 28th is..........

And the Winner of the Facebook Friday of the Week is...

Last week we gave away one of our custom picture frames! Finally you can print out your digital pictures and have somewhere cute to put it!

And the lucky winner is:#30 – Cathy Holland! Congratulations Cathy- I am excited to see what you put on your picture frame! See her comment below.

Email me at mandy (at) swaggergifts (dot) com and I will hook you up with your gift! You have until next Friday - September 4th to claim your prize.

For this week’s Facebook Friday contest, we are giving away a 5” Vinyl Decal! You can now personalize ANYTHING with these vinyl decals. Let’s see – I have one on my laptop and most of the Swagger employees have one on their car!
All you have to do to get yourself entered is hop on over to Swagger Gift’s FB Friday of the Week Photo Album, become a fan of Swagger Gifts on FB, and leave a comment before next Friday September 4th!

We are also offering a 15% off coupon good for the FB Giveaway of the Week!
Check out the FB page for details.

Good Luck!

Tacky Christmas Sweater Extravaganza

Join us this Saturday December 20th for the Swagger Tacky Christmas Sweater Extravaganza!
Wear your "favorite" Christmas Sweater and/or accessories and get 20% off any one item! (excluding local artists)

Make sure to enter our Contest for the Tackiest Outfit to win these beautiful JOY Letters from the Round Top Collection (not tacky - really cool)!
(The Swagger Girls will be judging and we do accept bribes:))

We are still monogramming some items in the store so if you think you have procrastinated too long - you haven't!! Come in for details!

We have lots of great ideas for your Dirty Santa parties, teacher gifts, stocking stuffers and other Gifts Under $20!

Manic Monday: Save 15% of Christmas Tree Ornaments

It is clearly a Monday: I started off the morning by almost over-sleeping for my dentist appointment in Apex (whoops!), had a longer than usual wait because someone was out sick (I can wait for the excellent service I get at my favorite dentist!), and it's now 2pm and my mouth still is a little sore.

The girls at Swagger promised to offer a retail pick-me-up to lift my spirits: 15% off Christmas tree ornaments!That'll do :-D

Just stop in the store before 6pm today and mention this Manic Monday blog special to take advantage of this special. Easy as pie, right?

Happy decorating!

It'd Be a Shame...

...to lose these umbrellas!

I don't know if it's just me (please let me know if anyone else share this same fate), but I always lose my umbrellas!!! And not in any sane sort of way, I'm talking I'll snag 2 or 3 at a time in one shopping trip and they will all be gone in a matter of months. Of course, I never realize that until it's raining and I desperately need one. (My perfectly flat-ironed hair does not do humidity or rain!)

These new print umbrellas that have just arrived at Swagger, ready to monogram and all, will be strapped to my wrist at all times, though - just like my coveted Coach wristlet!
Seriously though, how cute are these? And you KNOW I love the monogram... especially pink on leopard print!
Don't wait for rain, dash over to Swagger today and order a few (great stocking stuffers - hint, hint, Mom!) and save 15% off today only - until 6pm at the store - just by mentioning this blog post!

Even I can do a little rain for a chance to sport these great new accessories!

Good Karma - Pass It On!

Good Karma... you can always use more of it!
(Especially when you're going to be dealing with family, in-laws, hours of cooking, holiday shopping traffic, and other holiday hazards.)

I'm a big fan of putting good vibes out there and what better way to share the wealth than by passing along such fab Swagger specials to all of you fabulous readers out there in blogland, right?

The girls at Swagger are also big believers in that crazy thing called karma and that's why they love all of the Karma Creatives products at Swagger - notably the buddha (lip) balms and karmatherapy sprays!The Karmatherapy sprays are available in three zen scents: Peppermint Kiss, Herbal-Aloe and Grapefruit Tangerine... mmmmm. The Buddha Balms are available in a spiritually uplifting assortment of your favorite fruits, sods, and Honey & Mint -- wooh!
So who's ready to save 15% today? I know I am.

Snag 15% off these great products at Swagger - today until 6pm only - just by mentioning this blog post!
How's that for good karma? Pass it on and share the good vibes!

Thirsty 3rd Thursday: Holiday Wine Stoppers

Holiday parties starting in early December? (I know I have at least one to attend the very first Saturday in December!)

This month's Thirsty 3rd Thursday blog special is SO for you!



You and your fellow vixens of vino can save 15% today in the store - until 6pm - on all festive holiday wine toppers just by mentioning this blog post!

Nice, huh?

Thought you might think so!

PS - They make a FABULOUS hostess gift. Be sure to snag a few for yourself if you're playing the role of hostess with the mostess this season!

Manic Monday: Save 15% on Swagger Ornaments

The early bird gets the worm this week, dear readers!

While I'm not one for putting my Christmas Tree up a minute before Black Friday, I am actually very keen on picking up trimmings and beautiful accessories for my seasonal decor beforehand... especially when there is a deal to be had!

So don't waste on minute, because we all the know the awful fate of those who shop last (they get the least selection!), and take advantage of today's Manic Monday blog special: 15% off ornaments at Swagger!

Just stop in today, before 6pm, and mention this blog to snag a few trimmings for your tree on sale - whether it's one that's already up or even still naked and in it's off-season home, is up to you.

The Elf on the Shelf!!

The Elf on the Shelf is one of my favorite Christmas traditions and a great holiday gift to give for families (being the single gal I am, with no minis of my own yet) and a fun tradition to start!
Grab the youngin's (and those young at heart) and take a look at the official The Elf on the Shelf website - it'll make you want to round up all of the Christmas DVDs (and original classic VHS movies) because no magical detail has been spared!

Carol, the crafty mother who created the tradition itself, describes the family favorite as this:"At our home the elf would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch my children's behavior and report it to "Santa" each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the "North Pole" (with some parental assistance) and was hiding in a different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.

Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were even introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him; however, they were allowed to talk to him. For obvious reasons, he was not allowed to reply. Eventually, my children even gave him a name - officially adopting him into the family."Today's Manic Monday blog special is a great opportunity to bring The Elf on the Shelf home for yourself (we can all use a little reminder to be on our best behavior!), your family, or as a great gift for your favorite neighborhood families or in-laws!

Until 6pm today only, you can stop in Swagger and pick up your very own Elf on the Shelf for 15% off, just by mentioning this blog post!

PS - Can anyone else see this being a fun office tradition? I like the idea of getting everyone networking each morning on a hunt for The Elf on the Shelf!

Gobble 'Til You Wobble & Shop 'Til You Drop!

The best shopping events of the year are finally here - the 2nd Annual Holiday Preview Night benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the 6th Annual Holiday Open House!

Be sure to RSVP to Swagger's events on facebook (just check out the snazzy Swagger Gifts - Monogrammed and Unique Gifts & Accessories facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Swagger-Gifts-Monogrammed-and-Unique-Gifts-Accessories/26618281522), invite your favorite shopping partners, and get ready for some holiday fun!Here's the links to the event pages on Swagger's site as well as facebook, to make sharing these good times with your gal pals SUPER easy!
2nd Annual Holiday Preview Night benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
http://www.swaggergifts.com/holiday-preview-night-benefiting-leukemia-lymphoma-society
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=47378208224

6th Annual Holiday Open House
http://www.swaggergifts.com/holiday-open-house
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32951948334

See you there!

Manic Monday: Want to Get the Parties Talking?

Are your favorite reds and blues (or even - greens!) not currently speaking?

Worried about the absence of friendly conversation at your mixed-party election night get-together?

Today's Manic Monday blog special is just for you: 15% off Right or Wrong Table Topics when you stop in the store anytime today before 6pm and mention this blog!

The clever folks at Table Topics describe the Right or Wrong edition as:

"These provocative conversation starters will spark a lively debate and reveal a whole new side to your friends and family. The Right or Wrong Edition provides a fun and interesting way to approach the everyday, ethical questions we all need to think about."See you on Election Day!

There's Finally a Bit of a Chill in the Air...

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all kinds of a summer girl who enjoys a good heat wave more than a cold spell, but it's just not Halloween to me if it's 85 degrees outside... ya know? And as all good Raleigh, NC traditions would have it, as soon as the NC State Fair rolls into town, here comes those brisk days (with spots of warm sunshine) and chill nights that require a jacket!

Now we're talking fall and one of my favorite holidays... Halloween!

If you've put off all Halloween decorating until it was a bit cooler out (like me), then you totally lucked out! Today's Manic Monday blog special is for 15% off all Halloween décor at Swagger! Just stop in the store between 10am and 6pm today, mention this blog post, and check out the snazzy selection of Halloween "merch" (as my good friends Lady Antebellum called it last night at their AWESOME NC State Fair show)... it'll definitely get you on the right road for October 31st!

Happy Hauntings! *insert devilish grin here* ("Boo"... they don't make a smiley for "devilish grin".)

Did You Hear the Great News?

In case you missed your daily dose of the local business news (and who on Earth would do that?), here's the scoop - straight from the source!Cary's Swagger Gifts Announces Holiday Open House Preview Night Benefitting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
(Check out the story on CarolinaBusinessConnection.com!)

Mandy Becker, owner of Swagger Gifts, has announced that the popular gift and accessories retail store will kick off their “Holiday Open House” with a Preview Party benefitting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®.

The Swagger Holiday Open House is an event that began 5 years ago and has become a local favorite, with over 200 attendees visiting the boutique retailer during its “Open House” event every November. Because of the success and popularity of the event – and the unanimous support that Becker receives when she hosts philanthropy events at her store – she decided to offer an alternative “Preview Party” last year for guests who preferred a more intimate event, with a chance to support a great cause as well.

“We have a lot of fun during both events”, says Becker. “And our customers really enjoy coming with their neighbors and girlfriends and doing some of their holiday shopping while enjoying surprise discounts and giveaways. It creates an air of excitement for the holidays and the upcoming weeks of entertaining and traveling that you just don’t always get when you’re shopping in a large venue.”

Swagger Gifts’ second annual Holiday Open House Preview Party is quickly becoming a favorite amongst their customers. The event, which will take place on Thursday, November 6^th, will last from 6:30pm until 9:30pm (after regular store hours) and is limited at the first 75 attendees to purchase their tickets (either in advance or at the door). The shopping party includes gift bags filled with goodies for the first 20 customers to arrive, over $500 in door prizes, and the same in-store specials as the traditional Holiday Open House event.

The best part about the Preview Party is that not only does the store donate 10% of the sales from that event to a different local organization each year, but 100% of the ticket sales are donated to the charity as well. This year, Swagger will be donating those funds to The Leukemia & Lymphoma society, which many Swagger shoppers and their families already participate with at their local schools through the School & Youth^TM Programs. (If your school participates in the School & Youth program, you can receive credit for the donations from this evening!)

Tickets for the Preview Party are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased in advance simply by dropping by the store or calling Swagger at 919-858-5884 (or 1-877-792-4437). More information on both the Holiday Open House Preview Party and the Holiday Open House events can be found online at http://www.swaggergifts.com/events.

For more information about Swagger Gifts, 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. Becker can also be reached via email at Mandy@SwaggerGifts.com for additional comments or information.

For more information about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s School & Youth Programs, visit www.schoolandyouth.org/nce. To learn more about programs and services provided by Eastern North Carolina Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, call 919-677-3993.

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About Swagger Gifts and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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 and The Cary News 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!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has provided more than $550 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

For more information, visit www.LLS.org or call The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by masters’ level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC specialists are available at 800-955-4572, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.Be sure to mark the calendar and get the ticket for you and your gal pals today! I personally CANNOT wait for that exciting weekend to get here so I can get a jump on holiday decorating and shopping... I'm a sucker for holidays and great causes.

Manic Monday: Save 15% on Mud Pie!

True monogram addicts KNOW the Mud Pie products by heart - and the TidBit Set of 4 is no exception!

Since monogrammed entertaining is a must in the coming months, be sure to take advantage of 15% off this set today only (your choice of initial) - in the store - from 10am until 6pm, just by mentioning this blog!

Not up to date on your Mud Pie home accessories? Tisk, tisk... you should definitely swing by and check out the very cute, and very cosmopolitan, home products ASAP!

Out of Wine?

Life is crap!

Can anyone else SO see their friends (or themselves) saying "Life is crap" in response to "Oh man, we're out of wine!". Definitely a 99.9% chance of that happening in my social circle... which is why I LOVE the new shirts in the store at Swagger!

The Life is Crap line includes hilarious predicaments like:-Out of Beer
-The toilet paper rolling away from your stall
-Out of Wine
-Out of Coffee
-A set of golf clubs being tossed into a water hazard
-and so many more!Of course, the girls at Swagger are sharing the good dose of laughter shirts for 15% off today to beat any Manic Monday blues. Just drop by the store between 10am and 6pm today and mention this blog!

See you in the store!