Chateau de Chic Salon, Spa & Boutique will be presenting a wedding and formal wear event at its salon at 104 N. Broadway Ave., in Spring Valley on Saturday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The event will showcase southeast Minnesota as a superb wedding destination, featuring beautiful locations, knowledgeable businesses and impeccable services. 

There will be more than 500 "lightly loved" bridal and prom dresses for sale along with tiaras, hairpieces, jewelry, accessories and much more. 

Steph Thouin of Chateau de Chic, who is overseeing the event,The faux fur wraps with draped details and decorative brooch to the chest. said attendees will have the opportunity to shop for dresses and accessories and get wedding ideas. The event will also have cake, food and wine tasting offered, along with prize drawings for attendees. Local businesses will be featured and will share their expertise in wedding services. TJ's Liquor, Spring Valley Greenhouse and Victorian Gourmet Cakes & Catering will be on hand to answer questions about their products. Thouin noted there are a lot of businesses in the area that offer services for those planning a wedding. "We wanted to showcase them," she added. 

Chateau de Chic will be highlighting wedding trends for 2013 through fashion, accessories, hair and makeup for this year's brides to be. "I'm excited to showcase the trends and the displays we have are fun," shared Thouin. 

Chateau de Chic is a full-service salon and spa specializing in hair, skin, nails, massage, tanning and a full boutique with professional products, clothing and accessories. 

Thouin encourages people to stop by for the event, adding if one knows someone getting married or are planning a wedding themselves, it's a great way to save some money and gather ideas to help make the "big day" a truly memorable event. 

There will also be several other events happening in Spring Valley Jan. 12. The Wilder Foot Races will begin at 9 a.m. at the Kingsland High School. For more information, look elsewhere in this issue. Two businesses will be holding grand openings as well - Vintage Point Artifacts on Broadway and The Little Remodeling Company on North Section. Johnny Ringo's on Broadway will be holding one of its comedy nights that evening as well. 

The top three gift categories expected to be re-sold are clothes and accessories, music and computers. It's also an opportunity to resell other items you want rid of. 

"eBay.ie sees a flurry of items being re-sold after Christmas like clothing and including shoes, dresses and shirts and which could be a result of incorrect sizing," says Steven Heywood of eBay.his elegant selection of high low prom dresses will have you looking stunning for the big day!Custom made mermaid chiffon one shoulder wedding dress?ie. 

"The average person receives anywhere from 50 to 150 worth of unused items. There's money to be made from mistakes," he says. 

Declutter therapist Breda recommends patience if you're looking to sell goods online which you've had for a long period of time. 

"In recent recessionary times we've seen a great increase in the selling of unwanted goods,Wholesale high quality and beautiful Embroidery lace dress Wait for You to Choose. on and offline," she says. 

"As attractive as this may seem, many items can be difficult and time-consuming to sell, and the monetary rewards often disappointing. In terms of clothing, most items lose the bulk of their value within a year of purchase so it's unsurprising to see online auction sites flooded with unloved garments," Breda says. 

Age Action is appealing to the public to donate their unwanted Christmas gifts to provide funds for its work with older people. Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said: "Whether it is a jumper or blouse, a piece of jewellery or a DVD,This Asymmetric neckline dress features in great Taffeta. rather than leave it sitting in the bottom of the wardrobe for the next 12 months, consider donating it to an Age Action shop." 

Meanwhile, four new St Vincent de Paul shops opened up in the run-up to Christmas in the Dublin area, and with a new one due to open in Bray this month, the total of SVP shops in Dublin will reach 40. Jim Walsh, spokesperson for SVP says: "Both a wider variety of people and goods come into the shops now. Donations have remained the same but the demand has gone up, so people are always welcome dropping things in."