Swagger Gifts' Blog - Let's Talk Shop

Let's Light the Night!

2010-09-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

Do you want to help cure Cancer? Starting today, you will be able to donate money to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by purchasing a Light the Night balloon from Swagger. You can donate any amount, $1, $5, $10 or MORE!:) Every donation is appreciated!

However, we wanted to sweeten the deal by offering a $400 Trollbeads bracelet to raffle off to anyone who donates $10 or more! How does that sound?!

Come by to check out the bracelet and get your balloon and raffle ticket today! The raffle for this beautiful bracelet will be held during our Trollbeads Trunk Show on Thursday September 23rd at 7 pm!

We hand picked the beads for this bracelet to represent everything Light the Night stands for:

the Unity bead - for coming together to help cure cancer
the Victory bead - for everyone who has kicked cancer's butt and for one day finding a cure
the Forget-me-not bead - for everyone we have lost to this terrible disease
the Red Feather and Red Stripe beads to represent the Leukemia and Lymphoma awareness color
the Zebra, Fashion Flower, and Black Armadillo beads to represent light and night!

To find out more about this event and how to participate in local Light the Night walks click here!

Please tell your friends! You can help a great cause and possibly win a present for you or a family member/friend! Remember the Holidays are coming up!

We would like to send a special thank you to Lund Trading (TrollbeadsUS) for graciously donating this amazing bracelet to help us raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Thank you Lund Trading!

And the winner of the Trollbeads People's Bead 2010 is...

2010-09-01T02:39:00.001-04:00

Kristi Denning from the USA with her Ice Bear design! He is strong, beautiful, and in trouble. A constant reminder of the fragile climate we need to protect. With luck, his story will have a happy ending.

The Ice Bear will be part of the Trollbeads' Christmas Collection. We will let you know when we have it in!

Congrats to Kristi Denning!

And the Survey Says!

2010-08-31T10:21:00.000-04:00

First I wanted to thank everyone who answered the survey in our July enews! Over 150 of you took the time to share your thoughts with us - so thank you - You Guys Rock!

I always hate it when I fill out a survey and then don't know what happened with my answers. Did the business owner read it? Did they do anything based on my answers or other customer's answers? Well - I wanted to let you know that I read EVERY SINGLE ANSWER - some of it I laughed about (you guys are very funny), some of it I acted on (thank you for the suggestions), and some of it I pretended I didn't read (no just kidding - I took everything to heart even if I can't/won't change it:)).

So here it is - the summary of the results - reoccuring themes, great suggestions, and my thoughts on them!

1. How did you read this month's newsletter? 80% read the Swagger Gifts Newsletter at Home, 20% at work, and 15% on the go!

2. What do you like best about our monthly emails?

The majority of the answers were new products - which I promise to keep coming in every edition! We went crazy at market and there is new *stuff* coming in every week until Christmas!
A close second and third were the coupons and sale items. I hear ya. We always give a "Thanks for reading" coupon and I promise not to stop. However, if you would like to find out more info about sales and to get more coupons - sign up for our "Swagger ME List" on our website's homepage or "like us" on Facebook.
We also had several votes for our Charity Events! We appreciate that and are glad to give back to the community!

3. What could we do to improve our monthly emails? I loved all the suggestions! Some of my favorites that we are planning (or already have) implemented are:

Suggest how to use an item or who it would be good for. Great suggestion! I promise to do more of this on our enews, facebook page, and this blog!
Show different ways to personalize an item so that shoppers can envision it.
Maybe "hide" something in the newsletter and the first person to find it and email me wins something. I am working on this idea - it sounds like fun!
Be a bit clearer on instore vs. online. Sorry guys! I guess since I know which is which I thought you did too - no?:) I appreciate being called out on this and am consciously working on it!
Stories behind why we've chose a product for the store or an adventure we've been on. I like this idea a lot, but I am trying to figure out how to get it in the enews without it being too long! For now, we do this on this blog and on Facebook so make sure to check out both of these places frequently!
More advance notice on events. Working on it! And we already announced our Holiday Open House Preview Night Benefiting Nancy's Butterfly Fund. 2 1/2 months notice! How's that:)

4. Would you like to see more Swagger in your inbox? This was a 50/50 split! And in the spirit of being fair - if you would like more Swagger info including more coupons and sale info, please do sign up for our "Swagger Me List" - I promise you will be happy with what we send you and you will be the first to know about sales and such in between our regular monthly enews list!

5. Are you on facebook? 73% of you said YES! Which leads to our next question...

6. If you are on facebook, are you a fan of Swagger Gifts? 51% said YES and 49% said NO. What? 49%? Why not?!?! Get your butt over there people:)! We post pics of new items, tell fun stories about stuff going on in the store, giveaway FREE stuff all the time, and so much more. Now if that doesn't convince you I don't know what will!:) Join us NOW:)!

7. What entices you to visit the Swagger facebook page? What can we improve? So this is what the 51% who who already "like" us on FB had to say:

Number 1 thing - Love the Giveaways!
The other things that entice you are - all the pictures, coupons, event info, our status updates, and deals!
Improvements? Tell us who the items you are showcasing would be good for - for example Brides, Weddings, Girlfriends, Teachers, etc. Will do! I am trying my very very best to do this and promise to come back and read this post A LOT so I don't forget what you guys had to say!:)

8. What do YOU want to see in the store in coming months? This survey was completed before we headed off to market so I just wanted to let you guys know that if you mentioned a specific line we checked it out and you might see it at Swagger in the upcoming months! Other things that were mentioned:

More baby stuff! We saw this over and over again. We focused on baby at market and believe we found some great lines! We promise to update you as they come in!
More women's accessories such as jewelry, scarves, purses, clothes, etc. Okay - so we try really hard to get and keep all these items in stock. But it is SO HARD! They sell really fast and when we reorder the companies are often out of stock or don't ship quickly. Believe me when I say we are working on this!
More collegiate - coming in any day now! We purchased wall hangings, serving pieces, glassware and more!
More Scout Bags! This was the one line that we already carry that was mentioned several times! We already have the fall pieces in and promise to keep it in stock!
Items Made in the USA! We are so happy that this was a trend we saw at market this summer! We bought several lines for the store that are Made in the USA and will definitely let you know which ones they are when they come in!
More $10 -$20 gifts. At Swagger, we pride ourselves on having fun and affordable *stuff* to give as gifts or keep for yourself. We always have items in every category (baby, jewelry, tabletop, etc) that fit into this price range, but we made an even extra special effort for this Fall and Holiday Season!
And then, finally, lots of you asked us to carry Pandora Beads. I will make this short and sweet. We chose to sell Trollbeads - which we LOVE - and we can't sell both lines (neither manufacturer will allow it). So come in and check out THE ORIGINAL... Trollbeads!

9. If you were the owner of Swagger, what would you change? This is always my favorite question to ask - even if secretly I hold my breath and get a pit in my stomach before I open the results.:) I appreciate all the positive feedback about how well you think we do - and that you wouldn't change a thing:) But I also appreciate the more candid feedback. So here you go - some of that:

Be Open on Sunday! I compromised and have been open the last several years on Sundays during the Holiday Season. But to be honest, I just can't do it the rest of the year. We need a day of rest. You have no idea how exhausting it is to run a gift shop:)! (Actually we are often doing stuff for Swagger, during this day of rest, which we couldn't do if the store was actually open!) So sorry - it doesn't look like this is going to happen any time soon - except for during the Holidays!
Stay open later during the week. Okay so I think we can do this. I am working on new extended hours for certain days of the week and will get back to you!
Don't let items "sell out". So here is my buying strategy - Buy lots of different cool stuff so we always have fresh new items at Swagger! Unfortunately, that means that sometimes cool things we feature sell out and don't come back in - but you don't want everyone in Cary to have what you have - do you? Basically if you see something you LOVE you better buy it because it might not be there when you finally make your mind up! On the other hand, we do keep in a few best sellers - we would be crazy not too - and I think there might be a RIOT!:)
Have a Frequent Buyer Program. This one caught me off guard. We have a frequent buyer program - with every $250 dollars you spend you get a $25 gift certificate. We have given aways tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Maybe who ever wrote this didn't realize that when we get your name at check out you are entered into the buyer program and WE keep up with all your purchases. Nothing for the customer to keep up with! Either way - I feel like we failed someone, because they didn't know this so I am very sorry!
Have a Wish List. We already do this for Trollbeads but we are brainstorming a better way to do it for the rest of the store!
Get rid of the kid play area. This one has to be my favorite, because for every person who writes this, there is another mother or grandmother that writes "Thank you so much for having a children's play area! Swagger is only place I can shop!" So even if "whenever you come in there isn't a child in there" - be assured that it is used quite often! I still believe that putting in the play area was one of the smartest things I ever did!

Vote Now for the Trollbeads People's Bead 2010

2010-08-26T14:04:00.001-04:00

Trollbeads announced that they picked the Top 10 of their favorite designs from the People's Bead submissions from over 6,000 entries - and more than 1,500 of those were received in the final 24 hours!

Now it's up to you to vote for YOUR favorite now - voting ends midnight (GMT) Sunday, August 29, 2010, so get your vote in quick!

The winner will become an official Trollbeads designer and have their bead added to the collection this Christmas and also receive their bead created in 18 ct gold.

Trollbeads also chose 100 designs that deserve an honourable mention for being clever, creative, quirky, or just fun ideas. They'll be sending these Trollbeads friends a bracelet, lock and the winning bead as a Christmas present later this year.

Scout Trunk Show Starts TODAY!

2010-08-26T09:11:00.000-04:00

Our Scout Trunk Show starts today and runs through this Saturday August 28th. Come by and stock up on "back to school", tailgating, and Christmas presents while we are running these great promotions!

And the WINNERS of the "Where Have YOU Swaggered Lately" Photo Contest are...

2010-08-24T08:17:00.001-04:00

This summer I thought it would be fun to have a photo contest starring all our fabulous customers and their *stuff* from Swagger Gifts - appropriately titled (if I do say so myself) "Where Have YOU Swaggered Lately?" :)

First off, thank you to everyone who sent in a photo! I loved seeing how you all enjoy the gifts you get from us. Thanks for sharing your special moments!

SO without further ado - the WiNnErS ArE:

A Swaggerlicious photo indeed, coming in third and the winner of a $25 Swagger Gift Certificate, Kim Walker who entered a birthday party picture of her getting some SWAG!:) Kim - I love how happy you look in this photo - it is contagious! I smiled every time I came across it in the photo contest! You go girl!

Kimmie with her new bag (not to mention her monogrammed ring from Swagger that she already has on her right hand)!

Coming in second and the winner of a $50 Swagger Gift Certificate, AnnMarie Janni and her two beautiful kids, Ryan and Jennifer! The thing I find so VERY swaggerlicious about this photo is the number of Swagger items in the crib with the two kids - I count at least 6! Love that!:)

You can see the love Ryan has for his Swagger puppies and Jennifer looks like she might break out into some Reggae tunes any minute:)! So cute!

And finally, the picture with the most votes and winner of a $100 Swagger Gift Certificate, Chris Kline who entered a picture of her sweet grandbaby, Callie, swaggering with her Harold Hippo! MOST definitely a Swaggerlicious photo!

Such a sweet photo! I just want to pick up both of them and give them a big kiss!:)

Congratulations to you all! And thanks again to everybody for entering your pictures! If you would like to view all the submissions click here!

Trip to New York City for the Retail Excellence Awards 2010

2010-08-23T08:30:00.000-04:00

My husband, Nathan, and I headed to NY, NY on Friday August 13th for the Retail Excellence Awards (REA) 2010 where Swagger Gifts was a finalist for an award in Branding/Integrated Marketing.

When we got to the Helsinki airport we were a little bummed to see that our KLM flight was cancelled, but we were quickly rebooked on a Finnair direct flight into JFK, and as we were getting on the plane we were upgraded to FIRST CLASS! No Friday the 13th bad mojo for us! Woo hoo!

You have to go for the Champagne when you are suddenly now seated in 1st Class!

Cheers to already having a great weekend!

The best part about Finnair's 1st Class? The seat laid down completely horizontal to sleep - no jet lag for us!

Nathan's Grandfather and extended family live on Long Island, so we took this opportunity to spend a couple of days with them. It is always great to spend time with family!

Family Photo!

Sunday we headed down to NYC for the REA Gala. We stayed with some of our friends who live in Manhattan. I love meeting the kids of people you have know since college or high school - it is so funny to see the mini me version of the party guy or girl and know that they are in so much trouble in another 15 years or so:)! Good thing both Nathan and I were perfect angels as teenagers and college students so we won't have anything to worry about once we have kids! (A girl can dream - right?)

Finally it was time to head down to The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers for the awards ceremony. The venue was beautiful and I'm sure the view would have been great if it wasn't pouring down rain.:) The Retail Excellence Awards Gala is put on by Gifts & Decorative Accessories Magazine, and the entire event was top notch - from the catering (so good!) to the story boards about each of the finalists - it was a night I won't soon forget! There were about 250 industry professionals in attendance - everyone from manufacturers, to rep groups, to store owners. I was a little worried we wouldn't know anyone since it was NYC and not Atlanta, but we mingled with people from some of the companies Swagger purchases from and had a great time!

You know I had to wear a zebra dress if I was going to be accepting an award for marketing!:)

The awards were announced after dessert (seriously could they make us wait any longer!), and I was SO excited when they called Swagger Gifts as the winner of the Branding/Integrated Marketing Award! After a short video they put together on Swagger, I had to make my acceptance speech! This was the part I was dreading - I'm not an extemporaneous speaker - but Nathan helped me put something together in case Swagger did win and it was a hit. I even had a couple people come over and tell me it was the best acceptance speech:) Yeah for Nathan being a Toastmaster and for his coaching!

Yeah - Swagger Won! I have to give a shout out to Lisa Jeffries at Raleighwood Media - because without her I know we wouldn't have received this award! You rock Lisa!

Either sister seriously needed some powder or there was a major glare off the huge silver platter! Let's go with the glare:)

Great weekend in NYC which was topped off by getting first class seating on the way home too! Now I know how the other half lives and I don't think I want to go back:) An unforgettable weekend for sure!

Great NEW Garment Bag - our weeky blog giveaway! {Winners Announced}

2010-08-06T11:27:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to our winner - commenter # 7 - Emily Griffith!!!

After you see how wonderful your new garment bag is - we would love for you to order them for your bridesmaids too;)

THANK YOU to all our other commenters! We love you guys!

~~So do you guys have any trips planned for the rest of the summer or the fall? Need a garment bag? Here's your chance to get one for FREE!~~

~~The Giveaway~~
~~The Milano Series Garment Bag!~~

Simple and sophisticated, the Milano Series Garment bag is made of their signature polyester material. This garment bag is incredibly lightweight and easy to keep clean. A 3.5 inch clear gusset in this travel garment bag allows generous space for many dresses or suits and the frameless construction makes this bag easy to fold. It measures 46 tall x 26 wide. $25 without monogram

I love the colors - you can make this bag really girly or quite sophisticated. I think the black one is perfect for the guys too! And speaking of guys - wouldn't this make the best bridesmaid or groomsmen gift?

~~Do you want it? Comment on this post and tell me which color is your favorite or where you might need to take it!~~

I want the brown one with an off-white monogram to match my luggage! And I really really really want to take it to NYC with me next weekend - but since they just came in today - I can' have it shipped to Finland (where I'm living for the summer) in time for next weekend or I would:))! Instead - I will be carrying a horrible plastic cover from Dilliards over my cute dress - this *might* be a little better if it was a Nordstrom or Saks bag but no it's Dilliards:)! However, you can guarantee I will have one for the next time I travel!

~~The Deadline:~~

This giveaway contest will run until Monday August 9th at Midnight EST. The winner will then be chosen by their comment number via random.org and announced on this post on August 10th- so be sure to come back and check to see if it is you!

The Coupon!

Now through next Friday August 13th we are offering Half Off Monogramming on these Milano Garment Bags! If you would like to purchase some, please call us at 877-SWAGGER or come to our store in Cary, NC. Just let us know you saw this special on Facebook or our Blog when you come in and we will give it to you!

Thanks for participating and Good Luck! Please also join us on Facebook for more great gift ideas and cool stuff! We are currently hosting a Photo Contest! Check out the details here.

Trollbeads 2010 People's Bead Contest is on!

2010-08-05T12:47:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited - the People's Bead contest is back!!! Trollbeads is running a contest where YOU get to be the designer! So what do YOU want to see in the Trollbeads line? What story do YOU want told? Well here is your opportunity! Trollbeads 2010 People's Bead Contest!

So here's the deal - show Trollbeads what inspires YOU:

Show us what inspires you - submit your ideas, drawings, and photographs and you could become a Trollbeads designer!

100 of our favorite designs will receive a bracelet and lock with the winning bead as a special gift.

10 finalists will be chosen and you'll have one week to vote for your favourite design.

1 winner will have their design added to the collection this Christmas. As a Trollbeads designer you'll receive all royalties from the sale of your bead and a copy of your bead in 18 ct gold!

But don't delay!!! You only have until August 22, 2010 to submit your designs - so what are you waiting for?!

Look under Events at http://www.trollbeadsuniverse.com/ and unleash your inner designer today!

Good Luck! I can't wait for the winner to announced and it is Swagger Gifts' customer - woo hoo!

Stay at Home Rock Star T-shirt - this week's GiVeAwAy! {Winner Announced}

2010-07-30T09:00:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to the newest Rock Star on the Block - Kirsten Ransdell!

I think we need a picture of you with your new T-shirt on IN your Swagger Wagon - ha!

Thanks to everyone for commenting!

For all you Mommas that want to express your inner Rock Star - this T-shirt is for YOU! Our Stay at Home Rock Star T-shirt looks great on AND does a great job explaining your "occupation"!:)

THE GIVEAWAY!

When we were debating on carrying this line in the store we added this t-shirt to our "Hot or Not" Photo Album on Facebook and it was an overwhelming HOT!!!!! Of course I already thought so - I just wanted to check! This shirt makes me want to become a mom...and stay at home - ha! I would wear it EVERYWHERE and show everyone just how cool I really am:)

~~So do you want one? Comment on this post and tell me what makes YOU a Rock Star (go ahead - brag - we want to hear it!!!!)~~

~~Extra Credit! You can earn multiple entries by posting about this giveaway on your:~~

~~• facebook page~~
~~• twitter page~~
~~• blog~~

~~Come back and leave a comment for everything you do! And thank you for spreading the word about Swagger - we really appreciate it!~~

~~The Deadline:~~
This giveaway contest will run until Monday August 2nd at Midnight EST. The winner will then be chosen by their comment number via random.org and announced on this post on August 3rd- so be sure to come back and check to see if it is you!

If you would like to place an order for a Stay at Home Rock Star T-shirt - you can now find them on our website here! They make great gifts (for yourself and others)!

Thanks for participating and Good Luck! Please also join us on Facebook for more great gift ideas and cool stuff! We are currently hosting a Photo Contest! Check out the details at www.facebook.com/swaggergifts.

Rock on!

Market Watch July 2010 - Day 4

2010-07-18T00:17:00.000-04:00

More jewelry (seriously - I can't stop), Christmas, and... Easter?!?!

I got a bit of a late start today. This staying up til midnight to post this blog is for the birds;) I was a little flustered by the time I got to market at 11, but I decided to get myself in the buying mood buy looking at the jewelry....again!;) I love it! Good thing we are having a BIG Fall Preview Sale next week!

So these are some of the pieces I purchased today - what do you think?

Pearls are going to be a HUGE trend this fall and I thought these necklaces looked great on.

I love the chunky layered look here. Oh - and this necklace was so light I forgot I had it on - which is great because normally these necklaces way 50 lbs!:)

So try to ignore my man hands and focus on this new line of leather bracelets that I found today - they are so cool! The bracelets come in lots of widths and different metallics.

After I pulled myself away from the jewlery floor, I purchased some Christmas and Easter stuff - yes I said Easter:)! It was so cute I couldn't resist - and it is from the Roundtop Collection that you guys love so much at Christmas!

No I did not buy this fake Christmas tree with the green balls - I bought the stick that is hanging off of it in the lower right hand corner. These sticks come 6 to a pack and it will make your fake Christmas tree smell like a REAL one for the entire Christmas season! Oh my gosh they smelled soooooooo good! And you can just tuck these sticks into the fake tree and no one will ever know. Just wait till you smell them -I couldn't even believe it!

Isn't that chick and the little egg with feet one of the cutest things you've ever seen?:)

Finally, I was so excited to see the new pen from the line of personalization products that we can personalize for you in less than 5 minutes WHILE YOU WAIT! I love the new patterns - I think there are 5 - very sophisticated. What a great item to pair up with some cute stationery!

Well I've done it again - I am pushing "publish post" of this blog as my clock is turning midnight! So good night! I've got to be fresh for tomorrow - my last day of market until January:(

Market Watch July 2010 - Day 3

2010-07-16T23:35:00.000-04:00

Today was one of the best days at market EVER! We started off the day buying jewelry, then purses, then some of the cutest collegiate items we have had in a long time, then some really sassy "gifts with attitude", and finaly the cutest iphone covers I've ever seen!. I love market days like these! (OH - I promise - PROMISE - that Heather is going to post them tomorrow - I just couldn't do it - waaaaaay to many technical difficulties.)

First the purses - how cute are these? Messenger bags, "double strap" purses, flowers, and grey and purple are going to be big for purses this fall.

I love all the details on this purse!

These purse fits so perfect under the arm and is easy to carry!

This purse is GORGEOUS in person!

Then collegiate items. These companies have really outdone themselves with fresh new ideas! Love it! Oh - and all of these items will come in UNC and ECU, too!

I love this - I want it in Georgia Tech so bad!:)

Don't you love the detailing on the wine and beer glasses? This is going to make a great gift for a man or woman!

This serving tub has a neoprene cover in school colors that I think would be super cute monogrammed!

And finally GIFTS WITH ATTITUDE:)

I love my new Disco Ball Pen - I don't think I will ever write with anything else!

Okay - well maybe I lied because I want one of these rhinestone encrusted pens for me purse too!

Seriously one of my favorite new items of ALL TIMES! This saying also comes in a wine glass and shot glasses. And just so you know - if you ever come to my house you WILL be drinking out of this:)

Okay one more thing...

I think these iphone covers might motivate me to go out and buy an iphone!:) There are also another 6 patterns available - soooo cute!

Mogo Bracelet is this week's giveaway!

2010-07-16T17:59:00.002-04:00

Okay guys - sorry about the delayed winner! It has been crazy since we got back from market! We had to inventory all the new jewelry and purses and then we had a charity event last night! ANYWHO - everything went really well and now I am (hopefully) back on track!

Drumroll please.... and the winner is Katie Caggia! Congrats girl! This bracelets are so cool!

THE GIVEAWAY!
Since Mandy is hard at work buying awesome stuff at market, I decided to give away one of our coolest new finds- The Mogo Charm Bracelet! You may have seen these on some of your favorite celebrities, including Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers (you know you love the Jo Bros!), or on our Market Watch blog yesterday, but they are so cool I had to mention them again! Are you a Trollbead or charm bracelet fan? Have a tween/teenaged daughter that loves being a trendsetter? These interchangeable bracelets come several colors and have room for eight detachable magnetic charms! They can also be linked together to make headbands, belts, necklaces and more! So have you seen girls wearing these yet, or do they look like something your daughter would love? Let us know! Comment on this post for your chance to win and be the coolest mom around!

Extra Credit! You can earn multiple entries by posting about this giveaway on your:
• facebook page
• twitter page
• blog
Come back and leave a comment for everything you do! And thank you for spreading the word about Swagger - we really appreciate it!
The Deadline:
This giveaway contest will run until Monday July 19th at Midnight EST. The winner will then be chosen by their comment number via random.org and announced on this post on July 20th- so be sure to come back and check to see if it is you!

Thanks for participating and Good Luck! Please also join us on Facebook for more great gift ideas and cool stuff! We are currently hosting a Photo Contest! Check out the details at www.facebook.com/swaggergifts.

Market Watch July 2010 - Day 2

2010-07-16T00:03:00.000-04:00

Last week we asked you guys to fill out a survey to let us know what you wanted to see in the store and it was an overwhelming - MORE BABY AND KIDS STUFF! So today we basically shopped for the little people!

We started off the day buying a brand new wall art and growth chart line. My mom and I were truly blown away by how beautiful the art work was. What do you guys think? Everthing can be personalized and it only takes 3 weeks to come in.

Next we purchased a new "back to school" line with backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles. You've got to come by and check out all 6 patterns. We loved them!

Then we moved on to tween jewelry. We think this is going to be the biggest thing in Swagger jewelry since Trollbeads:) Actually it is kind of like Trollbeads for kids - ha! The bracelet has magnets on it (for lack of a better description) and then all the magnets have cute magnets that "click" on - great description - right?! I guess you guys will just have to come by to check it out:) Or check out Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift or the Jonas brothers - they have all been "caught" wearing this great new jewelry line! We are pretty sure it is going to be HUGE with the tweens!

We also bought children's books, sticker books (great for big brother/big sister gifts when taking something to the hospital), cute clothes, socks, toys, and more!

Thanks for letting us know what you want - we do listen(!) - and I think you guys are going to be psyched when all this stuff comes in!

Market Watch July 2010 - Day 1

2010-07-14T22:38:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness! Can you say Fashion Accessories?! Today was an amazing day at market! We got so much good stuff!

I am so excited to show you all our jewelry next week! We are going to have AMAZING DEALS so make sure to come by next Wednesday Night through Saturday for our Fall Preview Sale- seriously you won't want to miss it! I promise to upload pics of some of the new jewelry to a photo album tomorrow - promise! Today I am having major technical difficulties:(!

We also bought scarves, ruanas, wraps and MORE SCARVES! If you thought scarves were big last year - just wait - they are going to be even BIGGER this year! And by bigger, I mean they are going to be THE accessory as well as they are just going to be BIG!:) The trend is definitely big plush fluffy bulky scarves! And if I heard it once, I heard it a 100 times today - a huge trend for fall is COLOR! I am super excited about this color thing, since I like basic slimming black outfits during the winter, and a nice fluffy hot pink scarf will be just the thing to make me feel fashionable!

These scarves were so soft!

We finished our day buying Scout Bags!!! Thanks to everyone for telling us what patterns you liked in our "Hot or Not" questionaire on Facebook, and just so you know they looked even more beautiful in person! You guys are going to die when you see the "Vine of the Times" and the "Fall Bright Paisley" patterns!

You are going to LOVE these new patterns!

Okay - it is only day 1 and I am so tired - it sucks getting old:) I'm headed to bed - Peace Out for tonight but make sure to check back tomorrow for more sneak peaks at what is coming to Swagger this fall!

2010-07-09T07:29:00.002-04:00

TIME'S UP!

And the winner is...#12 - Susan Eriksson!

Congrats Susan - I know you will love it!

Thanks to everyone else for commenting!

One of my new favorite obsessions is body scrub! It is especially helpful in the summer to get all the icky dead skin gone before a self tan or just for your skin to look more vibrant for that cute summer strapless dress! Anyone else as obsessed as I am? If so, then this is the giveaway week for you! If not, then I think you might be after you try THIS body scrub!

THE GIVEAWAY
This week we are giving away our Shelley Kyle sugar body scrub! The packaging itself is so beautiful - a great gift(!) - but the scents are to die for:
McClendon scented with grapefruit, bergamot, key lime, black currant absolute, cut grass, mandarin leaf, and dew fresh basil.
Annabelle scented with honeysuckle, pample mousee, blue peony, wild lily of the valley, Italian tuberose, lime blossom.
Tiramani scented with blood orange, madonna lily, white nectarine, cashmere musk, night blooming jasmine

McClendon Sugar Body Scrub - $38

All you have to do to win this Sugar Body Scrub for FREE is comment on this blog post! Have you ever used body scrub? What do you like most about it? I honestly think my skin looks younger after I use it - and you know I'll take that any day of the week!

Extra Credit! You can earn multiple entries by posting about this giveaway on your:
• facebook page
• twitter page
• blog

Come back and leave a comment for everything you do! And thank you for spreading the word about Swagger - we really appreciate it!

The Deadline.
This giveaway contest will run until Monday July 12th at Midnight EST. The winner will then be chosen by their comment number via random.org and announced on this post on July 13th- so be sure to come back and check to see if it is you!

The Coupon!
Now through next Friday July 16th we are offering 15% off all our Shelley Kyle products! If you would like to purchase some, please call us at 877-SWAGGER or come to our store in Cary, NC. Just let us know you saw this special on Facebook or our Blog when you come in and we will give it to you!

Thanks for participating and Good Luck! Please also join us on Facebook for more great gift ideas and cool stuff! We are currently hosting a Photo Contest! Check out the details here.

July Uniqe Trollbeads are IN!

2010-07-08T17:26:00.002-04:00

Hey Girls! Here is a peak at our newest unique Trollbeads!

The detailing on some of these is amazing!

Swagger has been BEDAZZLED!

2010-07-08T13:25:00.000-04:00

So the other day Heather's Facebook status said "I am the bedazzling queen!" I'll be honest - I was a little scared because I knew she had been working at Swagger that day!

BUT, when I flew in from Finland this week I saw this...

Cute - right?!

I love it! Makes me want to go hang out in the bathroom at Swagger - ha! I guess she figured while she was at it she minus well bedazzle the rest of Swagger, too:) I am actually shocked to see that my mother wasn't bedazzled! But I love these two things too - added a little more "swagger" to the place!

Plain hangers painted white and then BEDAZZLED! I think I should take some of these for my closet at home...:)

Just a touch of pizzaz to one of our displays!

Go HEATHER! Oh and she is for hire if anyone needs a jean jacket done:)!

Monogrammed Market Tote - our weekly blog GiVeAwAy!

2010-07-02T10:35:00.001-04:00

TIME'S UP!

Congrats to Cori LaRoche our Market Tote Winner!

And thank you to everyone who commented!

Happy 4th of July Weekend Everyone! And a special thanks to our Troops for keeping us the "Home of the Free"! God Bless the USA!

THE GIVEAWAY!
This week we wanted to give away a market tote! I think it is one of our most useful items. It is great for bringing goodies to a pot lock, for picnics, for grocery shopping - especially at the farmer's market, and so much more!

The market tote is $24 and comes in Zebra, Giraffe, Black, Brown, and Lime Green. We think they look so cute monogrammed too ($10 additional).

All you have to do to win this Market Tote for FREE is comment on this blog post! So what would you use your market tote for? I actually like to leave mine in the car to corral all the junk that ends up in my back sit - how does that happen anyway?!

Extra Credit! You can earn multiple entries by posting about this giveaway on your:
• facebook page
• twitter page
• blog

Come back and leave a comment for everything you do! And thank you for spreading the word about Swagger - we really appreciate it!

The Deadline.
This giveaway contest will run until Monday July 5th at Midnight EST. The winner will then be chosen by their comment number via random.org and announced on this post on July 6th- so be sure to come back and check to see if it is you!

The Coupon!
Now through next Friday July 9th we are offering 50% off monogramming on the market tote! If you would like to purchase one, please call us at 877-SWAGGER or come to our store in Cary, NC. Just let us know you saw this special on Facebook or our Blog when you come in and we will give it to you!

Thanks for participating and Good Luck! Please also join us on Facebook for more great gift ideas and cool stuff! We are currently hosting a Photo Contest! Check out the details here.

Scout by Bungalow - Flip Flop Freebie!

2010-07-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

Do you know what I think of when I think of the pool or beach? Scout bags! No seriously - that is the first thing I think of:) Why you ask? Because they have THE best beach bags and coolers around! The coolers are heat sealed so no leaking when you carry your stuff to the beach and the bags come in so many sizes! From the "4 boys bag" to the "Pocket Rocket" (this is the bag I carry - you can check it out here) - Scout has something for everyone!

From today till Saturday when you purchase $40 of Scout product you will get a free pair of Scouties* (Scout Brand Flip Flops)! Just our way of saying - thanks for shopping at Swagger!
*while supplies last

So hurry up! Think of it as a 4th of July gift to yourself!

Just Released - Trollbead Earring Collection!

2010-06-29T12:25:00.001-04:00

We have been waiting for the new earrings from Trollbeads to come in and now they are here! Come by to play with all the accessories and see "how it works". The earrings start at $24 a pair and the accessories start at $43. Design your own unique pair!

Get Beached - a 4th of July inspired Giveaway!

2010-06-24T07:29:00.002-04:00

TIME'S UP!

And the winner of the Get Beached Giveaway is.... Kelley Simpson!

Congrats girl! I know you will love this just as much as the Spiced Bloody Mary Mix!

Thanks to everyone for commenting!

I know - it's Thursday! BUT tomorrow is Midsummer, a national holiday, over here in Finland (I'm spending the summer in Helsinki) and my husband and I are taking a cruise to Stockholm, so I decided to give you guys one extra day of commenting!:)

~~THE GIVEAWAY!~~
This week I thought I would do a "get together" inspired giveaway with 4th of July being next weekend (seriously - where did the summer go?)! I wish I had some of this Blue Crab Bay Company Spiced Margarita and Shrimp Dip to celebrate for Midsummer! I know the Swedish family we are hanging out with would have loved it! I have personally tried both and they are delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!

~~All you have to do to win this Blue Crab Bay Company gift set for FREE is comment on this blog post (if you are reading this on Facebook here is the~~ ~~direct link)! This set would be great for any summer get together for sure! Have you ever had these products? If so, tell everyone else how amazing they are!:) If not, tell us where/how you would enjoy it!~~

~~Extra Credit! You can earn multiple entries by posting about this giveaway on your:~~

~~• facebook page~~
~~• twitter page~~
~~• blog~~

~~Come back and leave a comment for everything you do! And thank you for spreading the word about Swagger - we really appreciate it!~~

~~The Deadline.~~
This giveaway contest will run until Monday June 28th at Midnight EST. The winner will then be chosen by their comment number via random.org and announced on this post on June 29th - so be sure to come back and check to see if it is you!

The Coupon!
Now through next Saturday July 3rd we are offering 15% off on all our Blue Crab Bay Company products!! If you would like to purchase some, please call us at 877-SWAGGER or come to our store in Cary, NC. Just let us know you saw this special on Facebook or our Blog when you come in and we will give it to you!

Thanks for participating and Good Luck! Please also join us on Facebook for more great gift ideas and cool stuff! We are currently hosting a Photo Contest! Check out the details here.

Just (back) in - Napa Firelites!

2010-06-21T10:10:00.002-04:00

I know - right? It took long enough, but we finally got in more Napa Firelites!!! We did get in a bigger shipment this time than in the past, but you know how fast they go, so... you better get your butt in here ASAP - just sayin'!:)

For those of you who don't know about Napa Firelites - they are beautiful ceramic pots that produce a dramatic flame the crackles and dances as if to music. The pots can be used indoor or out and the flame won't get blown out by the wind - so cool! There are two types of gel to burn in the pot - regular or citronella for those mosquito filled summer nights!

"Party Time" Napa Firelite

Come and see for yourself how beautiful the Napa Firelites are! Great year round gift for anyone in your life - starting at only $18.

Anne Taintor - The Weekly Blog Giveaway

2010-06-18T08:17:00.001-04:00

TIME'S UP!

And the winner is... Crystal! Congrats Crystal - I will look into the calenders - I bet they are awesome!

Thanks to everyone for commenting!

I just love Anne Taintor. Her vintage pictures and witty sayings - on items like coin purses, luggage tags, magnets, and more - just make me laugh! There are so many that I relate to - "I love not camping" for example - right up my alley or "Why do dishes when you can do daiquiris". I love where your head is at Anne - I couldn't have said it better myself!

~~The Giveaway!~~
~~This week we are giving away a $20 Anne Taintor set including a magnet, luggage tag, and coasters! A little gift set to brighten your day!~~

Anne Taintor - vintage revisited

I think her stuff makes for perfect girlfriend gifts - I especially love the one that says "I'll be Thelma - you be Louise". I'll have to send "my Louise" one of those right away - cute little "thanks for being my BFF" gift! If you would like to see more pictures of the product check it out on our ~~Facebook Album here~~.

~~All you have to do to win this Anne Taintor gift set for FREE is comment on this blog post (if you are reading this on Facebook here is the~~ ~~direct link)! So easy - right?!~~

~~Extra Credit! You can earn multiple entries by posting about this giveaway on your:~~
~~• facebook page~~
~~• twitter page~~
~~• blog~~

~~Come back and leave a comment for everything you do! And thank you for spreading the word about Swagger - we really appreciate it!~~

~~The Deadline.~~

This giveaway contest will run until Monday June 21st at Midnight EST. The winner will then be chosen by their comment number via random.org and announced on this post on June 22nd - so be sure to come back and check to see if it is you!

The Coupon!
Now through next Friday June 25th we are offering 15% off on all our Anne Taintor products! If you would like to purchase some, please call us at 877-SWAGGER or come to our store in Cary, NC. Just let us know you saw this special on Facebook or our Blog when you come in and we will give it to you!

Thanks for participating and Good Luck! Please also join us on Facebook for more great gift ideas and cool stuff! We are currently hosting a Photo Contest! Check out the details here.

“Where Have YOU Swaggered Lately?” Photo Contest

2010-06-15T10:00:00.002-04:00

Swagger Gifts’ is hosting a Photo Contest on our Facebook Page and we want to know where YOU’ve “Swaggered” lately!

Send us a picture from a vacation, the pool, a party, basically wherever – where you are using, have on, carrying, etc a product from Swagger Gifts! For example – send us a picture of you out with friends with your Trollbeads bracelet on, or a picture at the beach with one of our Scout Pool Bags, or a picture of your kids on vacation in one of our super cute Mud Pie outfits – the possibilities are endless!

For Example:

Here I am at the Dead Sea in Jordan with my Bungalow Pocket Rocket Bag!

Contest Info and Rules
1. How do you enter? All you have to do to is email mandy@swaggergifts.com with a picture in JPG form that is no bigger than 1M. Make the subject: Facebook Photo Contest and enclose a caption about where you are/what you are doing/swagger product you are using. We will then upload the picture into our Photo Contest Album on Facebook with the caption you gave us and you will be entered into the contest. That easy! (Please note – we know our product selection so if you email us a picture and there are no Swagger Gifts’ items we will know and you won’t be entered into the contest – okay?!)

2. How long does the contest last? Pictures can be submitted from June 15th to August 15th (so if you are planning a vacation make sure to get a great Swagger shot!) Then there will be an official Voting Week from August 16th to August 23rd. Voting will consist of people commenting and “liking” the photos. The winners will be announced on Swagger’s Facebook Page August 24th

3. How does one win the photo contest? The pictures with the most votes (votes consist of “likes” and comments on the photo) - on Midnight August 23rd EST will be our winners. There will be an official voting week from August 16th – August 24th, but any comments and “likes” starting June 15th will count!

4. What are the prizes? There will be three winners based on number of votes:
Most Swaggerlicious Photo - $100 Swagger Gifts’ Gift Certificate
Very Swaggerlicious Photo - $50 Swagger Gifts’ Gift Certificate
Swaggerlicious Photo - $25 Swagger Gifts’ Gift Certificate

So get your cameras out! How Swaggerlicious are you? We can’t wait to find out!