You say it’s my birthday

I signed up for Dame Lola’s mailing list years ago when the shop first opened and have been receiving postcards telling me of their events and sales ever since. A big plus to signing up, which may seem insignificant, is the birthday discount you get during your birth month. Since I am a Virgo and need an excuse to shop (drip, drip goes the sarcasm), I took my smiling self to Dame Lola with a birthday dinner dress in mind. This designer boutique already has some fall fashions in stock with more on the way. I bluntly asked if there were any items in sizes for ladies that are a ‘little bigger’ and was thrilled when saleswoman Shirlee Dashow gladly walked around the racks pulling items she thought would work for my body shape and a dinner at Stadium Bistro. I was delighted to try on four dresses and twirl for the mirror. Dashow even brought me a pair of high heels to wear while auditioning each frock, so I could envision just how each dress would look in action. Dashow had a good eye.



I settled on the first dress she’d chosen; a sweet number by Orion out of London that hit just below the knee with loose lines, a modest lazy scoop neckline and elbow capped puff sleeves. Its most flattering part, besides the thin acrylic wool fabric, was the bold patterns and color blocks of navy, orange and purple. On sale at $83 down from $118 and with $20 birthday discount, the dress left me enough moolah for a hot pair of skyscraper-heeled pumps that’ll make my legs go on for miles.



[Dame Lola, 711 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4140]

Sale, sale, sale!

A most impressive thing about Urban Gourmet and Garden is the ability to think long term. Owner Robin Jensen has illustrious plans for the very near future. After a healthy summer sale, Jensen will have room for the kitchen being added to the upscale shop early in October. Fun cooking classes, wine tasting, and even kids dining etiquette classes will be offered.



Weekly Volcano readers will enjoy an extension of the storewide sale Sept. 13-21. Nice!

Discounts vary, so grab up beautiful wooden spoons, stainless steel ladles, every hot tea instrument known to man (strainers, steepers, mixers, cozies), not to mention the vast array of teas. Fall in love with Maui Surf tea, an intoxicating blend of chocolate, macadamia nut, coconut and black tea. Seventy-five percent off food items like dried oyster mushrooms, pastas, spice medleys, seaweed, and sauces.



[Urban Gourmet and Garden, 2602 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.3111]