Monday, November 18, 2013

Shop Small, Big Deals



Last year I blogged about “Small Business Saturday” (SBS), a drive to patronize small brick and mortar businesses held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving holiday.

American Express started this initiative in 2010 as a U.S. shopping trend, which has since grown to other countries including UK, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia where the campaign is called “Shop Small.”  In U.S. alone, holiday shoppers spent $5.5B on this event last year, and it is expected to grow bigger year over year.

In our own backyard, the following cities and advocacy groups are some of the SBS partners and supporters:  City of Scottsdale, City of Tucson, Arizona Small Business Association, Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and Filipina Women’s Network.

What’s in it for me as a card member?  I will get a one time $10 statement credit for an eligible transaction on my registered AMEX card. Plus buying local is a great way to support my community and help boost the economy.

But why wait until after Thanksgiving? Why not make it Small Business Everyday? Why not buy from local merchants now? If everyone shops small, it can really be a bBig Deal! 

To get you started now, LIKE “Chasing Sheila” Facebook page and avail of the following and find more discount codes:

Doux Belle by Rachel Wagner offers vintage-inspired Parisian chic custom-made gowns and dresses, fine arts, vintage home décor, and more. Located in Scottsdale, Chateau Doux Belle has a romantic feel that takes you to another world, this showroom is a definite MUST SEE! Find a 20% off coupon on Chasing Sheila Facebook page for your next appointment with Rachel. Or go to www.douxbelle.com and enter "ChasingSheila20" at checkout for 20% off*.





Get covered in style, 15 looks in one shawl (that's like buy 1 get 14 free!), with Shawl Dawls by designers Roshena Chadha and Julie Manubay-Cruz. Visit www.shawldawls.com, enter “ChasingSheila20” at checkout for 20%off*.  Perfect gift for mom, daughter, girlfriend, grandma, sister, etc. 

See these Dawls rock their Shawls:



L-R: Sheer print long cinched vest style on Suzan,  long shawl styled as a short vest on Ibet, sheer solid short Cinched Vest on Ramiza 


L-R: Sandy (sheer print), Lisa (fringe cut) and Shirley (sheer print) worn Poncho Style


L-R: Long Vest style on Ramiza, Scarf style on Tracy, Long Vest style on Janet 


Treat yourself with fun shopping experience in any of 6 Allie Ollie Boutiques in AZ, visit Chasing Sheila page on Facebook for store locations and 20% off coupon, or go to www.allieollie.com and enter “CHASINGSHEILA20” at checkout for 20%off*.  Ask about their Fashion Club and private styling party.



Susan Casper, Allie Olson and Sheila Vertuno in Allie Ollie outfits


For a brand of timeless women’s day or night wear and accessories, my personal favorite is d.p.c. by Dora Yim.  Her Blue and Metallic Dress Dress and classic Houndstooth Coat are must have pieces! Watch out for d.p.c. SS14 Collection coming soon on line.  Visit www.shopdpc.com, enter “chasingsheila30off” at checkout for an additional 30% off* the Fall 2013 Collection that is already on sale.  Free shipping on all orders within U.S.  



Blue and Metallic Dress



Houndstooth Coat


If you missed Phoenix Fashion Week 2012 Designer of the Year, Bri Seeley and her Escape Collection at discounted prices in her trunk show at Clothes Minded last week, this is your lucky day.  Offered only to Chasing Sheila friends and family, enter “SHEILA40” at checkout for 40% off* of the Escape Collection at www.briseeley.com 


Alexa Coat by Bri Seeley


More big deals coming soon! Don’t miss out! Get in the know and keep your FASH on! Click here to join this site and LIKE/FOLLOW Chasing Sheila on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.


*Restrictions apply, click here for coupon details.

XOXO, 

Sheila

Monday, November 4, 2013

Avant Garde Knight Rocky Gathercole




For the 2nd year in a row, creations by world-renowned Filipino designers rocked the Phoenix Fashion Week runway grand finale.  From fashion forward Furne One in 2012 to avant garde knight Rocky Gathercole in 2013.

Thanks to Scottsdale native, now L.A. based, Arianna Sinclair, producer and representative for both icons, who made these local appearances possible.  Can’t wait to see the next big name…another Filipino talent, I hope.


Sheila Vertuno and Arianna Sinclair

After almost 2 decades of strong base in Dubai, Gathercole Atelier with his atypical, excitingly lavish and insanely artistic designs is now back to his motherland, the Philippines.  Recently in his flagship store in Quezon City (another destination to add to my itinerary for my next visit back home), Gathercole started to break into the wedding scene crafting elaborate bridal gowns for the who’s who of Manila.


Bridal Gown by Rocky Gathercole


Gathercole humbly credits his mentor Vicente Arcaina, who took him to Saudi Arabia for his first job in the fashion industry, before he started designing for “Calash Haute Couture in Dubai.  Shortly after, Gathercole began to push every boundary to deliver his own cutting edge unapologetic designs which jump started his solo career into the empire that we now know as Rocky Gathercole Atelier.  Crafted out of real metal, colorful feathers and full head gears with horns, most of his beginning works were more editorial than wearable…dashingly ferocious. Here are a few shots of his 30-piece show at Phoenix Fashion Week...








Photos by Desert Rh1no Photography, click link for more glam shots.

Watch Rocky Gathercole's intricately designed dresses and gowns rock the Phoenix Fashion Week runway at Talking Stick Resort on October 5th, 2013.




Gathercole's controversial art landed him a spot in International Miami Fashion Week in 2011 and a placement in Vogue’s Special Anniversary issue in 2012.  And just last week, he dressed Becca Tobin, Glee actress and Adrianne Curry, America’s Next Top Model Cycle 1 winner, to walk the ramp at the Metropolitan Fashion Week Closing Gala and Runway Show in Los Angeles.

Rocky Gathercole (left) dressed Becca Tobin (middle) of Glee
Photo credits Metropolitan Fashion Week

Way to go, Rocky!!! Mabuhay kabayan and more power to you!!

Get in the know and keep your FASH on, LIKE/FOLLOW "Chasing Sheila" on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more fashion news.


XOXO,
Sheila