by Kristen Bagwell

One week from today, you are all cordially invited to Dress boutique in Raleigh for a Sip n Shop to benefit Scott-Free. The Scott-Free Scholarship is need based and pairs at risk children with camps or programs that offer sports, technology, theater, music, arts, and education. Each summer, the recipients will receive full or partial scholarships that enable them to explore and discover the extent of their talents and abilities.

Check out the invitation below, and stay tuned for more information on the silent auction later today! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Save the date! On Thursday May 2, Dress and Triangle Moms On Main are hosting a Sip n Shop event from 6pm to 9pm to benefit Scott Free, a local foundation that pairs at-risk youth with unique camp environments.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

We're in the midst of the spring consignment sales - which ones are your favorites?

Coming up in the next two weeks: Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Who's ready to shop? The spring consignment sales are here again! Many shows are available in the Triangle area whether you are a seller or a shopper, so check the list below to see which one (or two or three) work best for you.

The consignment shows below are listed by date, with the earliest shows at the top. Tip: find and "like" these shows on Facebook for seasonal updates and inside info! Read More

by Kate Ham of Splendid Celebrations

Are you in the mood for some holiday cheer? Try one of these delicious recipes from party expert Kate Ham, and remember to enjoy responsibly! ~ KRB

The best drink to serve at a holiday party is a punch; you can make it in a large batch and don’t have to spend time during your party making and serving individual drinks.  My favorite holiday punch is the Pomegranate-Champagne Punch (recipe below). If you want to stay with a more classic party cocktail you should try Hot Cider Nog, Gingerbread Martini or Merry Cranberry Margaritas! Recipes are below. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell
Are you a Black Friday shopper? When I was younger, we'd help mom get the turkey in the oven and the potatoes peeled, and then we'd sit down with the newspaper and plan our attack. Store hours, coupons...if you've done it, you know the drill. Of course, that was back when a 6am opening was ludicrious, and now we're in the land of the midnight sun, if you will.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell
Every season, I feel like these shows sneak up on me...and I am always so excited when I realize it's that time of year again! If you've never shopped a consignment sale, there are tons of steals and deals to be had, and often items are new or barely used (some with tags still on them). My best advice: choose your shows in advance, and go as early as you possibly can. Many shows offer early shopping for volunteers.

The first sale of the season is already underway, but you'll have many more shopper-tunities through the end of summer and beginning of fall. Happy bargain hunting! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

It's that time of year again (already!) - below is a preview of the 2012 Consignment Sale Schedule for the Triangle area. Any shows that are TBD will be updated as soon as we receive their information. (If you know something we've missed, please post a comment below.) Most of the sales are in September and October.

Remember, you can see the local consignment sale listings any time by clicking the green Directories tab at the top of this website (near the Daily Blog Sun), and then choose the Consignment Sales link. Happy Shopping! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

It's the last day of nominations, and we're opening it up to everyone! That's right...today only, you don't have to be a newsletter subscriber to nominate your favorite local person or business for a Moms Choice Award.

Here's how: Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Spring has sprung! We have received a ton of emails this week from folks who want to share event alerts and charitable causes with our readers. With so many events coming up, we didn't want to leave anyone out, so we've opted to do a local bulletin board as today's post.

If you have a special opportunity or charitable event you'd like to feature, please email us or add it as a comment below. We may start doing this once per month to ensure all of our local causes get the support they need!

Please click the web links within each item for more information.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Who's ready to shop? The spring consignment sales are here again! Many shows are available in the Triangle area whether you are a seller or a shopper, so check the list below to see which one (or two or three) work best for you.

The consignment shows below are listed by date, with the earliest shows at the top. Tip: find and "like" these shows on Facebook for seasonal updates and inside info! Read More

By Chrissy Freeman

Chrissy is the brains behind ConsignmentMommies.com, a fabulous consignment directory and social media resource for every shopper no matter your zip code. Chrissy is a mom who lives in Greensboro, and while her site features a ton of great Triad and Triangle sales, you can also search other sales happening around the country. Be sure to check her site often to find the latest sales (many of which are ranked), and sign up for her newsletter to get alerts in advance! - KB

Repeat after me: Consignment Sales are not Garage Sales, Consignment Sales are not Garage Sales..." There's a lot of "misunderstanding" about consignment sales. Until you've been to a really good one, its hard to appreciate the full value in these sales. If you are one of those trendy moms who is skeptical of the whole consignment thing, here are a few things you should know... Read More

by Rachel Hoeing, Triad MoM

The holidays are just around the corner, and if you're like me, most of the moms and dads on your list either seem to have everything, or say they don't want/need anything this year. (Not helpful!) Fortunately, Rachel has done all the work for us! Triad Moms on Main was actually featured on Fox 8 Morning News in Winston Salem earlier this week, sharing the very ideas you'll read about below. Big thank you to Rachel and the Triad MoM team! (Some of the stores noted are local to Winston Salem, but all of the features have web links and online store options.) Enjoy!  - Kristen

I've been on the hunt for unique gift ideas this season.  I am always one to lean toward something personalized because it shows that a lot of thought was put into the gift.  In addition, it seems that people rarely purchase personalized items for themselves, so it is always a special treat to receive one

I tried to collect a variety of price ranges for this list, so I hope these ideas will inspire you and help you fill in some ideas on your gift list!  And keep checking back to both Moms on Main websites (Triad and Triangle) because we will have MORE gift ideas after the Thanksgiving Holiday! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

It's finally happened - you're staring at a positive pregnancy test! You'll spend the next few weeks alternately being nervous, being quiet, wanting to shout to the rooftops, wanting to keep the most special secret...and probably, wanting to just lie down for a minute. Congratulations: you're officially pregnant! Once you and your partner decide to share your big news, though...then what?  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

When we posted our original Fall Consignment Sale schedule, several of the sales had not yet finalized their date and location information. Below are several updates for the Triangle area consignment sales in September and October. There are still a ton of shows to explore, and many are still accepting consignors. Happy Shopping! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Did you know that 2011 marks the 32nd year of the Festival for the Eno in Durham? The Festival for the Eno is held annually at West Point on the Eno (Durham City Park) over 4th of July weekend. If you’ve never been, this is a ticketed event showcasing non-stop blues, rock, bluegrass, folk, old time, gospel and world music; and featuring the exhibition and sale of crafts by over 100 specially-selected artists.

The Festival is also quite educational for children and adults alike. Look for EEEK! (Eno Environmental Education for Kids), the Sustainable Home and Garden Expo, and hands-on exhibits, demos, and workshops to help you and your family learn about the river and the importance of environmental stewardship. From the Festival website: Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

If you've been reading Triangle MOM for a while, you know I love a good sale. However, if you aren't so sure about the benefits of children's consignment sales (or if you aren't so sure what it even means), check out our previous post from Chrissy Freeman, the genius behind www.ConsignmentMommies.com. For those of us that love a bargain, kids' consignment sales are often the way to go, and many of the items are new with tags still on them! 

When your kids are tiny, you can often purchase an entire seasonal wardrobe for $1-2 each piece. (Trust me on this one - my friend Kimberly does it twice each year.) As they age, you can still find some steals and deals on clothing, books, games, gear, and more. Below is an overview of the upcoming children's consignment sales in our area, listed in order by date. For a full listing in any area nationally, be sure check out Chrissy's website. You may never pay full price for kid stuff again! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

When I found out I was having a little girl a few years ago, I could not wait to go shopping! All of my mommy friends warned me, though - when your kids grow so quickly, it’s important to find quality clothing that is also a good value. The Patsy Aiken Outlet in Raleigh is the best of both worlds, offering comfy, high-quality clothing at great prices for children ages newborn through 16. For those of you who have not yet experienced this Choice Award-winning store, your next opportunity is coming this Thursday, June 16.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Thanks to everyone who participated in our ticket giveaway, sponsored by Your Baby Can! Your Baby Can is an early childhood development system that includes Your Baby Can Read!, Your Baby Can Learn! and Your Baby Can Speak! See Your Baby Can products at the Southern Women's show as part of The Balance Your Life Tour, created by the producers of The Balancing Act of Lifetime Television. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Are you a consignment sale junkie, or does the thought make you shiver a little bit? If you aren't so sure about the benefits of children's consignment sales (or if you aren't so sure what it even means), check out our previous post from Chrissy Freeman, the genius behind www.ConsignmentMommies.com. For those of us that love a bargain, kids' consignment sales are often the way to go, and many of the items are new with tags still on them!  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell



For as long as I can remember, my mom, sisters and I have kicked off our holiday shopping at the Junior League of Raleigh’s “A Shopping SPREE!” This year is no exception, and we can’t wait! In fact, the Junior League has very graciously offered us TWO FREE PASSES to give away prior to the show. Get your shopping shoes on! (Read down to the bottom of this post for instructions on how to enter.)  Read More