Deals & Steals: Come Snow or High Water Edition

Looks like everyone survived the “snowpocalypse” that arrived yesterday! With round-the-clock plowing and some old-fashioned elbow grease, a majority of the retail areas around Bristol and Newport counties will be opening at regular times.

Snow or no snow, Kristina Richards Studio in Newport’s Washington Square kicks off a big sale today featuring JBrand and other denim for $50, cashmere for $75, Vix Swimwear for $50 (hello, Florida-bound), Free People for $25 and other stylish finds marked down to a mere $20, $30 and $40. This means you’ll be finding some of the hottest lines at up to 75% off! Sale starts today and lasts through Monday.

The Linen Shop is hosting their White Sale, where crisp white linens including sheet sets, pillows and shams, bath sets and towels are marked down significantly.

Also, the 22nd Annual Newport Winter Festival begins on Friday and lasts for 10 fun-filled days. (First timers should check out my article that explains it all in the Jan. 17 edition of the Hartford Courant- click here to check it out.) Many area retailers are offering a Newport Winter Festival discount, usually from 15% to 20%, with a festival button including Cosmetic Cosmos, Bailey T’s, Beach Party, The Black Dog, Brahmin, Frazzleberries, Jason & Co., Karma, Laura Jean, Pan Handler’s, Wag Nation and more. (Click here for a full listing of button discounts.)

Event highlights this weekend include Friday evening’s Beatlemania concert, Saturday’s 15th Annual Chili Cook-Off, a city-wide Scavenger Hunt (believe it or not, very competitive and a great way to get to know the city), and by nightfall, the comedy show at the Hotel Viking featuring Comedy Central darlings Tony V. and Jimmy Dunn. For the first time ever, Newport International Polo will be hosting a match on Middletown’s Second Beach (Sat. and Sun., free). What to wear to an oceanside polo match? Dress for function more than fashion. You would think it goes without saying, but no heels (spotted a handful of ladies with heels or heeled boots at the Polar Bear Plunge– it wasn’t working). And at some point during the festival, check out the WINEterfest Wine Tasting & Outside Ice Wine Bar at Newport Vineyards, where you’ll find taste various vineyard vintages as well as cheeses, chocolates and spreadable edibles offered from local gourmet purveyors. For those who don’t have the luxury of jetting off to warmer temps right now, you can get a taste of island living at Sunday night’s Tropical Drink Contest at the Gas Lamp Grille.

Parents should make it a point to bring their little ones to Saturday’s Toe Jam Puppet Band concert and/or Sunday and Monday’s Children’s Fair at the Newport Marriott. The Stylephile will be highlighting events throughout the festival, but you should head to the Newport & Bristol Counties Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (33 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport) for a brochure with all the events or check out the day-by-day calendar at www.NewportWinterFestival.com.

This weekend also kicks off the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and the American athletes will be sporting some fashionable duds for the opening ceremony by Ralph Lauren (the shawl cardigan and opening ceremonies knit hat are must-haves). Tune in to NBC-10 for all the snowboarding, skiing, ice skating and winter games you can handle (set your DVRs now so you don’t miss a beat while at the Newport Winter Festival).