Joyfully Designed: Shop With Purpose in Raleigh

This boutique gives back—and you’ll look good doing it.

Author

Shannon
February 16, 2025

Ever wanted to shop guilt-free? Designed For Joy lets you do just that. This Raleigh-based boutique is more than just cute bags and home goods—it’s a mission-driven haven for women in crisis, providing them with immediate employment, stability, and a supportive community. Every purchase helps women move from vulnerability to victory. So go ahead, treat yourself. Your closet (and your conscience) will thank you.

This isn’t sponsored (we’d tell you). We just love when shopping = doing good. (Just so you know: Sponsored content in our newsletter is always marked with “*”).

FYI: Our newsletter goes out every morning. Move our emails to your primary inbox so you can see the next edition! Our subject lines always include the 📧 emoji so they’re easy to find.

The 919 Deal Drop:

Don’t miss these delicious deals on tapas at Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie! 🔥

Get $7 tapas every Thursday—no catch, just great food at a great price.

📍 Where: Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie
📅 When: Every Thursday

Have a phenomenal deal you'd like to share with 10,000+ people in the Triangle? Email [email protected]. It’s FREE to share a deal, but it has to be something really useful to our community.

Raleigh Real Estate:

🏡 FOR SALE UNDER $400K: 3 BEDROOMS | 2 BATHROOMS | 1,018 SQ FT | 0.25 ACRES | $304,900
This beautifully remodeled ranch home features a stunning upgraded kitchen, luxurious custom bathrooms, new flooring, fresh paint, modern fixtures, and a brand-new 2025 HVAC system, all in a prime inside-the-beltline location just minutes from entertainment. Take a look here →
🏠 FOR SALE OVER $400K: 3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 2,605 SQ FT | 9,147 SQ FT LOT | $668,000
This beautiful custom home on a corner lot near Midtown offers a spacious and elegant design, featuring a first-floor primary suite, vaulted ceilings, a double-sided fireplace, a sunroom, a large kitchen, and versatile upstairs spaces, all enhanced by custom moldings, skylights, and fresh paint for move-in-ready appeal. Take a look here →

Raleigh Overtime:

🍴 FOODIE FIND: The Fiction Kitchen’s LOCAVORE SALAD is a fresh and vibrant dish featuring local mixed greens, organic shaved fennel, winter berries, red onion, tofu feta, and candied pecans, all tossed in a light and tangy white balsamic vinaigrette for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
🐾 FOR ADOPTION: DOLLY | DOG | 3 YRs | FEMALE
Meet Dolly, a gentle and loving 3-year-old hound mix who thrives in a calm home, loves cuddling, and enjoys the company of other dogs, making her the perfect low-key companion for a family looking for a sweet and playful friend. Check her out here →
🛍️ GARAGE SALE: Head over to MEBANE on FEB 19 for this by-appointment-only garage sale featuring Ethan Allen dining furniture, beds, outdoor furniture, leather recliners, and more! More details here →

Local Vocals:

🎸 This Week: PARKER BARROW
Parker Barrow is a powerhouse Southern rock band led by husband and wife duo Megan Kane and Dylan Turner, blending blues-infused energy with a dynamic stage presence inspired by the legendary Bonnie and Clyde. | Southern Rock | The Pour House Music Hall | Feb 20, 8pm | $15-$18 | Get tickets here!

🎤 Plan Ahead: COHEED AND CAMBRIA
Coheed and Cambria is a progressive rock band known for their intricate storytelling, blending sci-fi narratives with expansive soundscapes and dynamic, emotionally charged music. | Progressive Rock | Red Hat Amphitheatre | May 13, 6:30pm | Get tickets here!

Raleigh Reads:

🍳 All-Time Favorite Recipes from North Carolina Cooks is packed with 161 recipes, covering hearty casseroles, mouthwatering desserts, and NC trivia.*
🥾 Best Hikes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill features 40 family-friendly hikes within an hour of the Triangle, including hidden trails.*
🚗 North Carolina Day Trips includes 170 must-visit destinations, organized by theme.*
💦 North Carolina Waterfalls reveals hundreds of must-see waterfalls, plus hiking directions and beauty ratings.*
🔍 Raleigh's Great Scavenger Hunt Adventure uncovers 50 must-see spots and hidden gems.*
🏆 Finally, this one has nothing to do with Raleigh (it’s about happiness) but it’s currently #1 on Amazon, so we thought you’d like to check it out.*

Raleigh Grocery Deals (and Restock Reminders):

🧻 Restock reminder: Use these links to get great deals on paper towels, toilet paper, batteries, trash bags, dishwasher pods, tissues, laundry detergent, and flossers. You never want to run out of essentials.*
✨ Splurge: Nothing has saved us more money in the long run than a garage freezer. We stock up at the Wake Forest Road Trader Joe’s and load the freezer up. Get a garage freezer here.*
🛒 Harris Teeter savings: Bunch of tomatoes on the vine, $1.49 per pound!
🦁 Food Lion savings: 12-16oz packages of Hornell Bacon (select varieties). Check out the sizzlin’ deal here!

Oak City Job Openings:

🤝 LOCAL JOB: BEST BUY is seeking a RETAIL WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE.
As a Retail Warehouse Associate at Best Buy, you'll manage inventory, stock shelves, fulfill online orders, and assist customers while ensuring efficient warehouse operations and a seamless shopping experience. More details here →
💼 LOCAL JOB: WALMART is seeking a PERSONAL SHOPPER.
As a Personal Shopper at Walmart, you'll locate, prepare, and package online orders with accuracy, make product substitutions when needed, and ensure customer satisfaction during order pickup. More details here →
✏️ ProofreadingServices.com – Get a crystal clear resume and stand out in the job market.
📢 Are you looking to hire? Email [email protected] and we’ll send your job out to the community.

The Hookup:

📖 Grandkids.com – Preserve cherished memories by turning your parent’s or grandparent’s life story into a beautifully written book.
🛠️ HomeRemodeling.com – Compare bids from top remodelers and get the best quality, service, and price for your home project.
🥃 This beautiful Raleigh glass is etched with a map of downtown. Drink your Cheerwine with pride*
🗺️ Travel back to 1872 with this vintage Raleigh map reproduction.*
🕯️ This North Carolina-scented candle (yes, you read that right) claims to smell like our great state. You tell us.*

Raleigh Hidden Gem:

Iyla’s Southern Kitchen makes a chicken and waffles sandwich that hits just right. Crispy chicken, fluffy waffles, and just the right touch of sweetness. Simple, solid, and worth knowing about.

James, a Raleigh.com reader

Have a Raleigh tip or hidden gem? Email [email protected] and we might feature it.

Love Free Stuff?

Get a free Raleigh.com tote bag! Just visit Carroll’s Kitchen in downtown Raleigh, purchase anything, and they’ll hand you a free Raleigh.com tote bag. Plus, you’ll be supporting a great cause—Carroll’s Kitchen serves up delicious meals while providing jobs for women overcoming adversity. Mon-Fri, 8AM-2PM.

Want to Promote Your Business or Event?

We offer many effective ways to connect with 10,000+ people all over the Triangle. See this page for more information or email us to craft a plan that’s sweeter than Videri chocolate.