The Dandelion Patch

Ok, so if you're like me you've been thinking of (or shopping for) that perfect patriotic gift to wear at this year's 4th of July celebration. What to wear? I am a big fan of solid colors with only one thing to "stand out" and this year for me, it's this darling straw bag from Bosom Buddies. I love the big red bow and the fact that it is still big enough to hold my beauty secrets (oh, so many!), but the gold shell really makes this bag special. I can wear with pride on the 4th and then carry again throughout the summer with my red flip flops and straw hat. Just in case you don't want to be my twin, we have other styles that might work for you. But for this season of red, white and blue, these bags are destined for BBQs and pool parties all over the land.

Labels: "Bosom Buddy Bags", "Heidi's Picks", "Lori Mitchell", "Mariposa Gift"

It's our birthday! And to celebrate the 16th Anniversary of The Dandelion Patch, we are offering 16% off all in-store merchandise (exceptions apply), and you can cool off with a FREE scoop of ice cream from Ben & Jerry's (Reston) or Cold Stone (Vienna) with every purchase of $50 or more. Enjoy!

Our birthday sale is from June 28th - July 4th!

Labels: "The Dandelion Patch"

It almost seems like yesterday when we opened The Dandelion Patch. And here we are, with two fabulous stores - one in Vienna and the other in Reston - with plans for more across the area!

Yesterday, the story of our growth was featured in the Washington Post. It's a lovely article written by Vickie Elmer titled, "A little thankfullness takes Dandelion Patch stationary stores a long way."

As we celebrate our continued growth and good fortune, I just want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your business and for the opportunity to be a part of your life at each and every life milestone.

Thank you!

Heidi

Labels: "Washington Post"

When winter approaches, we "winterize" our homes, our cars, and our wardrobes. With temperatures in the 90's, why not "summerize?" Summer isn't merely a season, it's an "attitude!"


First, you have to look the part. Put on your best brightly colored prints, and switch into a comfortable but stylish pair of Switchflops. Pick out your favorite type of sole - flat, wedge, or kitten heal (how about all 3!) and you can build a wardrobe of interchangeable straps and snaps to show off your pedicure every day of the week. Speaking of days of the week, you might want to hang the "How to Live in Flip-Flops" calendar nearby with inspirational cartoons reminding you how to live life in the "slow" lane.

Next, grab a fun tote - anything Vera Bradley if you are just headed to town. But, if you are headed to the beach, how about one of our oversized Scout Bags? They are perfect for holding several beach towels. Perhaps a monogrammed and eco-friendly Queen Bea oversized straw handbag is more your style? Don't forget to slip in some fun summer reading like, "How to Live at the Beach" by Sandy Gingras.

With summer beating down on your, increasing your fluid intake is vital. Rehydrating can look so much more fashionable when you use Lilly Pulitzer tumblers, or if you want to sip away slowly and keep things cold, the Lilly Pulitzer thermal mug. What you drink in them is entirely up to you!

Don't forget the kids! (As if!) Sunny Patch Kids has tons of fun summer items for them including cute flip flops for sunny days and boots for rainy days. Adorable sprinklers for cooling off on hot days, magnifying glasses for summertime exploration, their own tote bag for going to the beach or pool, and a sand ice cream set for imaginative play at the beach or backyard sand box.

And finally, if your summer is all work and no play, you can cop an attitude - Vera Bradley has spunky lanyards that will hold your work badge in a professional way, but will let you still feel like you've "summerized."

Take a break from the heat by stepping into one of our air-conditioned stores and find your summer attitude.

Labels: "Lilly Pulitzer", "Sunny Patch Kids", "Vera Bradley", Switch Flops

Capture a moment of your summer vacation holding a Dandelion Patch bag and get a Vera Bradley tote bag for FREE!* Plus at the end of the summer, we'll have you help us to select the BEST photos of the group and that entry will win a "Patch" shopping spree valued at $250!

Here are the contest rules:

1) All entries must be submitted by September 1, 2010 to heidi@thedandelionpatch.com.

2) Photos must be high resolution and The Dandelion Patch and the entrant agrees that The Dandelion Patch has full rights to use the photos for marketing purposes.

3) Only one submission per family or group.

4) Photos must be obvious about the vacation location / destination and MUST be outside the greater Washington DC region.

5) The Dandelion Patch reserves the right to disqualify entries.

Labels: "Summer Contest", "Vera Bradley"

For some reason, the warm weather always makes me want to redecorate and entertain. And since the markets aren't yet back to their wonderfully golden level, my husband suggests that this is not the year for me to purchase an entire new family room of furniture.

However, these gorgeous AB frames are just the ticket to keep me smiling for another few months. With a variety of colors and sizes, the combination of bling and the bow are the perfect pick-me-up when a photo of your loved one is inserted. To be sure that I am not ALWAYS thinking about me(!), I have purchased these fab frames as gifts for a bride, a new mom and a golden anniversary. But you know how the story goes . . . one for you, one for me (or two for me?) . . .

So, you're planning a party but your guests aren't chummy (yet). How do you turn up the heat and turn "ho-hum" to "happening?" I suggest you bring along a cube of Table Topics Not Your Mother's Dinner Party. With questions ranging from "Would you rather be addicted to gambling or food?" and "If you had to obtain $1,000,000 by illegal means, how would you do it?" these conversation starters guarantee your party will be totally hip, slightly taboo, and highly entertaining. Move over June Cleaver, here come the modern moms who know how to make a memorable evening with laughter galore.

Labels: "Eyebobs", "gift ideas", "Gift Suggestions", "Heidi's Picks", "Table Topics"

Labels: "Danielson Design", "Heidi's Picks"

Grab your girlfriends and join us this Thursday, June 17th from 6PM - 8 PM for Gals Night Out!

You will enjoy champagne, cupcakes from Chantel's Bakery, chair massage from Calvert Rejuvinations and 20% off all in-store merchandise (Trollbeads excluded). And bring your Sex and the City ticket stub and enter to win a "Charlotte" basket worth over $300 of "Charlotte-worthy" merchandise.

This is a one day event, taking place on June 17, 2010 in our Reston store only.

We hope to see you there!

Labels: "June Specials", "Sex and the City"

Since Father's Day is right around the corner, I thought I would focus this week's entry on gifts for the men in your life - especially those who seemingly have everything.

If your Dad is FAN-atical about college sports (or maybe just crazy about his alma mater), I have the perfect gift for you! These ceramic veggie platters are FAN-tastic! With slogans and mascots, logos and stadiums, these university serving pieces are a walk down memory lane as well as a work of art. Luckily, most of the big schools are covered. So, if you are looking for schools in the SEC, ACC, or the Big 10, buy this gift and be prepared to start singing his fight song! And if you happen to be from the Big 12 like me (don't mess with Texas), you may need to include a big hat and belt buckle to match!

If you are like me, you believe that life is better with humor. And this concept is not lost on those from Life is Crap! They say (and I quote), "While the glass may be half full . . . sometimes it's half full of crap!" Poking a little fun at ourselves and at those we love is the best way to say Happy Father's Day! From silly to outragous, these shirts have a slogan for every man in your life because laughter really is the best medicine (even if you've lost your cell phone in the toilet, had your BBQ peed on by your dog, or hit your 15th ball into the rough!) . . . for those who are not eternal optimists, life is crap may be your anthem!

Labels: "Father's Day", "Heidi's Picks"

For the month of June, buy a decorative clasp from Trollbeads and receive a silver bracelet FREE! Get your memorable and meaningful bracelet started today!

Labels: "June Specials", trollbeads

Prices are slashed 25% on all retiring Vera Bradley colors and styles. Shop now, before they are all gone!

Visit us today to see our selection!

Labels: "Summer Sale", "Vera Bradley"

Some of our favorite customers at The Dandelion Patch are newly engaged brides-to-be. We enjoy being part of this very special moment in a couple's life together.

To make sure you are surrounded by loved ones on your special day, consider sending a Save-the-Date announcement. This wedding "trend" is here to stay, although the format keeps changing almost as often as bridesmaid's dress styles. A Save-the-Date announcement is an advance notice of the wedding date and location so your guests - who may be all over the country or even the world - can reserve your wedding day on their busy schedules, and if necessary, make travel plans. Even if your friends are close by, at the very least during a busy wedding season, it ensures that your wedding gets on their books first!

Wedding planning is fraught with many etiquette pitfalls, and the Save-the-Date is your critical first step. As it is the very first impression your guests will receive of your wedding, you want to make sure it makes a good one! When they talk about your wedding, we all want it to be for the right reasons!

So, what are some of the things to keep in mind when sending a Save-the-Date announcement?

First, distinguish the Save-the-Date announcement from the actual invitation by including a line such as "formal invitation to follow." Although you may not have your entire wedding planned yet, do try to make the Save-the-Date in the same style or tone of the wedding you have in mind. In other words, don't send out a casual Save-the-Date for a formal wedding and vice versa. Think of this as a trailer to a movie - something to get guests excited about the big day. You don't want to send out a MacGruber style Save-the-Date if you are planning a Casablanca wedding.

Do send out the Save-the-Date as soon as you have the pertinent details (date and location) but make sure you only send them to people you are certain you will invite to your wedding. Not all of your wedding guests need to receive a Save-the-Date, but everyone who receives one must be invited to the wedding! You don't want Aunt Edith, sitting at home, clutching her announcement and wondering when that "formal invitation to follow" is going to arrive. Nor do you want unexpected guests at the reception because they got put on the "B-list" when your guest list got too large, but you had forgotten you had sent them a Save-the-Date!

Be sure to include your names, the date, and the geographic location (city / state or city / country) of the wedding and anything else your guests may need to know in order to reserve the time on their calendars. Last names are key as well, because as precious as you are, just remember, you may not be the only "Mike and Jen" in their lives!

What should your Save-the-Date announcement look like? There are all kinds of creative options. Magnets are falling out of favor as they are not recyclable and they don't stick to many of today's luxury stainless steel fridges. Instead, we are seeing cards that incorporate the heritage and personality of the couple through photos, artwork, sketches of the wedding location and more. They can range from simple cards to bookmarks or small booklets. There are as many variations as there are brides and grooms.

Come to The Dandelion Patch and tell us about your engagement story. Let us look at your sparkly new ring, and we'll be happy to help you choose your Save-the-Date announcement.

Labels: "Save-the-Date", "Wedding Announcements", "Wedding Planning", Brides

For the "wee" one:

I'll admit it. I had Eric Carle books when I was a kid. And no, that doesn't make me 100 years old! Eric Carle is celebrating the 40th anniverary of his famous Hungry Caterpillar book this year (you can do the math). Because of this momentous milestone, and the many fun memories from my childhood, I love to combine this old fave with a developmental toy that allows the characters to "leap" off the page and onto let's say . . . a stroller or a car seat. And what's better than a baby playing quietly? That's easy to answer . . . a happy mommy!
For the lovers of luxury:

For sure, these carved soaps are the best gift to give any hostess. These Vermont-made beauties are hypo-allergenic so even those with sensitive skin can enjoy the pampering properties of these custom-designed bars. Choose a color a monogram or a family name. Give yourself a week (yes, I said a week!) and watch the smiles appear when you give Oprah's favorite to your most discerning friends and neighbors. Add a personalized hand towel for extra elegance (and not a ton of extra cash!)

Labels: "Eric Carle", "Green Science", "Heidi's Picks"