Some companies are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. For Italian lighting and furnishings manufacturer FontanaArte, all three points are true. Founded in 1932 by industrial designer Pietro Chiesa and architect Giò Ponti (the Frank Gehry of his day), the company — a division of glass manufacturer Luigi Fontana — was a dynamo from the get-go. Aiming to unlock glass’ potential as a building material, it achieved such early triumphs as creating the colorful windows for the historic Duomo in Milan.

But it was with light fixtures that the company really shone. Ponti and Chiesa’s aim was to redefine the actual use and language of glass; that meant combining it with technology in unexpected ways. You can see the results in early classics like Ponti’s Bilia (a glass orb balanced on a nickel-plated cone) and Chiesa’s Luminator (a sleek torchiere that opens into a fluted top). As the company has evolved, it has kept alive its founders’ mission. Now included in its roster are the top international artists and designers practicing today, including Renzo Piano, David Chipperfield and Gae Aulenti. Stop by the event to pick up a piece of design history. It’ll light up your life, guaranteed.

Shine on at the FontanaArte sale starting Saturday, April 10, at noon ET.

Move over, Robert Downey Jr., Iron Girl is coming to a town near you. This girls-only triathlon consists of an 800-meter swim, an 18-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run. With events in 12 cities across the country and more added each year, Iron Girl is becoming quite the girl-power phenomenon. Iron Girl executive Judy Molnar, a onetime couch potato who is now a top triathlete, shares her training tips and talks about why women in particular can benefit from triathlons. ... Read more

Gilt’s Get Fit sale is just in time for spring. Whether you want to freshen up your already rocking gym routine or you need a good reason to start a new one, our fitness extravaganza makes it easy. But first things first: what to wear? Cute, cutting-edge workout clothes, of course. Our sale will feature track jackets and pants from Y-3 adidas and Gola, yogawear from be present and NaLa Seattle, and sneakers from New Balance and Reebok. Next step: where will you wear your new gear? How about Crunch, the nationwide gym with the hottest classes and the latest equipment? We’re offering sweet deals on memberships at select Crunch locations. Also in the sale are Phil & Teds jogging strollers, Aflac Iron Girl training and race packages, Sharper Image juicers, Jetsetter spa getaways, and lots more. We’ve got everything you need to greet spring looking and feeling great — even if you’re wearing the tiniest of spring fashions.

Spring into action in Gilt’s Get Fit sale on Friday, April 9, at noon ET.

Prepping for a baby’s arrival is no easy task, especially when you’re a first-time parent. We at Gilt Children want to help. To simplify your shopping, we’ve partnered with the experts at TheBump.com to create an exclusive baby-gear sale just for you. Find all the essentials you and your little one will need to hit the road in style, from twin strollers to luxurious blankets. The event starts Tuesday, April 6, but here’s a sneak peek of three of TheBump’s favorite items.... Read more

Associated with style icons like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy, the silk scarf is a classic way to update a look. But the most glorious characteristic of the scarf might just be its sheer versatility. That’s why we asked Gilt stylist Lindsey Hogan to show us the myriad ways a scarf can add a powerful pop to any ensemble. Watch her sling, sweep and slip these scarves into handbags, halters and headwraps, and then tie one on yourself with our step-by-step illustrations!
 

Get wrapped up in our Nina Ricci and Christian Lacroix scarves sale today, April 2, at noon ET.

Illustrations by Michael Hoeweler

We wish we all could be California girls. So start shopping at this sale for C&C’s legendary tissue-thin cotton tees, collared short-sleeve shirts and all the ultra-soft separates that will take your look from beach to street. Our sale is brimming with spot-on pieces for spring, so we decided to share a few key items that will undoubtedly capture your summer-loving hearts. If you like what you see in Gilt’s sale, head on over to C&C California and enter their Spring Fever Contest for a chance to win a $250 gift certificate. Because when it comes to wardrobe staples, you can never have too much California sun.

Race to C&C California’s Spring Fever Contest, Saturday, March 27, at 12AM, ET.

ABC Carpet & Home has long made it chic to care about the environment. An early proponent of green design, the Manhattan-based company prides itself on ethical practices in all aspects of its business, from sourcing to production. As the world’s largest retailer of rugs, it also knows its carpets, carrying everything from antique Orientals to Madeline Weinrib’s contemporary designs. So who better to ask about balancing sustainability with style when shopping for a floor covering? The ABCs of the subject, from ABC Carpet & Home:

• Choose a rug woven from renewable natural fibers such as wool, silk, jute or seagrass
• Opt for carpets that use vegetable-based dyes
• Select a handwoven rug, which will last longer and wear better than a machine-woven one
• Consider gently worn antique carpets
• Check with the manufacturer to ensure it compensates its artisans fairly 

• View rugs as an investment that can be passed down for generations to come rather than as a disposable purchase

Tread lightly at the ABC Carpet & Home rug sale, starting Friday, March 26, at noon ET.

From royal to robin’s egg, blue packs an emotional punch. The color has inspired artists as wide-ranging as Monet and Yves Klein — and it’s even had a musical genre named after it. In interior design, blue is loved for the calm feeling it imparts and for its ability to help people focus, making it a favorite for bedrooms, bathrooms and home offices.
 


To honor the benevolent power of azure, Gilt Home will host a blue-themed sale this weekend. Inspired by House Beautiful, My Blue Haven will feature dozens of ways to add all shades of the hue to your living space, from rugs and bedding to furniture and accents. ... Read more

A setting sun, live beats and a lounge setting were the backdrop for the toning classes Exhale offered Gilt’s Miami members this past weekend. Core Fusion - the highly acclaimed class exclusive to Exhale - was the highlight of the wellness weekend we offered Floridians at Miami's downtown Epic Hotel. The class combines cardio, yoga and Pilates techniques to transform your body and push you to your peak conditioning. After an hour-long kick-your-butt class, guests were treated to a wellness and health lounge, offering healthy snacks, smoothies, and a sampling of Exhale’s spa services, including acupuncture, stretching, meditation and mini manicures.

Get in on Gilt's health kick in this week's Beyond Yoga sale on Thursday, March 18.

Wanna walk the aisle in style? Of course you do, and Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings, can help. Get her picks for the on-trend bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses from Gilt’s Wedding Weekend, starting tomorrow. And for more inspirational wedding ideas, visit Darcy's Wedding Idea of the Day — a must-have resource for every bride-to-be.
 
DARCY MILLER’S PICKS
 
There's nothing a girl loves more than a good sale — especially when it comes to great wedding finds! That's why we're excited to announce our first-ever wedding sale through Gilt Groupe, starting tomorrow. From March 12 through the 14th, we'll be offering up great sales on designer names such as Vera Wang, Amsale and Carolina Herrera, just to name a few.

I was lucky enough to have a sneak peek at everything on offer for brides, bridesmaids and, yes, even grooms. Although everything in the sale is fantastic, I do have a few favorites I wanted to share with you.
 
1. Here's a beautiful dress from Amsale — it's timeless, classic and your bridesmaids will thank you again and again when they wear it multiple times. Plus, I just love the color! And if you need more color ideas, check out our new color center!

2. The gown by Carolina Herrera is simple but not plain, and it's elegant and chic. Who wouldn't love that?
 
3. The little black dress is a staple in any girl's closet, so this black Amsale dress is one that your bridesmaids will definitely thank you for. But if you want to keep it for yourself, it would make a great cocktail dress for a shower or rehearsal dinner.

4. Guests spend half an hour to an hour looking at your back, so why not give them something beautiful to look at? This dress by Vera Wang is sexy, but in a way your grandmother would still approve of.

Shop these and many more styles (including wedding registry finds and honeymoons, yes, honeymoons) tomorrow at noon, ET on Gilt.

When you’re planning a destination wedding, the sheer number of options can be both inspiring and overwhelming. That’s where Annie Lee comes in. Master wedding planner and founder of event-planning company Daughter of Design, Lee coaches couples through every step of the planning process, from choosing a location to how to be your guests' impromptu tour guide. We asked Lee about the appeal of the destination wedding and why a wedding planner can really save the (big) day.
 
What are the advantages and disadvantages of destination weddings?
Destination weddings are fabulous because they're exotic and often feature wonderfully authentic touches, like hand-woven lanterns from a local marketplace, that you won't find anywhere else. But if the local culture is very different from your own, there may be language barriers and unfamiliar customs or work ethics to overcome. Also, since travel costs might be too much for some friends and family, many may have to decline. But that's why destination weddings are a great way of keeping the guest count small and intimate!
 
How does the wedding planner come up with the overall vision for a destination wedding?
First, start with the dream. I always ask couples, "When you envision your wedding photos on your fireplace mantle, what does it look like?" Next, I want to make sure the wedding fits their personality, so I might ask them where they shop for clothes and furniture. Then we examine other factors, like the type of venue they've booked and what the budget is.

What is the biggest benefit to hiring a wedding planner for a destination wedding?
In addition to handling final details of the wedding, it's helpful to have a planner there who can help coordinate the travel details of all the guests, organize the group activities and act as den mother if they’re staying at a villa or large house. Leave the work to the planner — the one person most likely to go home without a tan!

What’s your most important piece of advice for couples?
Don't skimp on photography. Forego lavish flowers and engraved invitations if you must, but please please please hire a photographer worth his/her weight in gold. At the end of the day, your photographs are all you'll have to remember your wedding day!
 
Look glamorous from near or far in Gilt’s Wedding Weekend sale, starting Friday, March 12, at noon ET.

If your head is spinning with visions of beading, silk and tulle, don’t panic. Your wedding dress is out there, just waiting for you to carry it away. Bridal boutique owner Gabriella Risatti, of Gabriella New York Bridal Salon, is intimately familiar with the drama that comes with the hunt for the perfect dress. After countless hours coaching nervous brides-to-be, Gabriella is armed with a bevy of advice on how to begin the search for your dream dress. We caught up with Gabriella to pick her brain about picking The One. ... Read more

The dress, the shoes, the bouquet, the diamond (okay, maybe not that last one) — these are just icing on the proverbial, fondant-covered cake. Cushion-cut baubles aside, true beauty comes from within. Enter BluePrintCleanse, an all-juice cleanse that goes to work purifying and detoxing from the inside out. Clear skin, a clearer head and a liver primed for the party (that’s the reception, to you) are just some of the benefits you’ll experience post-cleanse. And then there’s the svelte figure to consider. You’re about to star in a gazillion photos, so stealing crib notes from the red-carpet bound comes in handy at a time like this. You can also cleanse seasonally, with a friend or, better yet, treat your entire bridal party to a group cleanse and give a whole new meaning to the concept of team-building. BluePrintCleanse will make you such a believer, you may want to give this gift of health to everyone you care about. Which may just make BPC the perfect wedding favor.

Get juiced in Gilt’s BluePrintCleanse sale on Friday, March 12, at noon, ET.

What’s the next best thing to a wine tour in a Tuscan vineyard? The Gilt Noir-branded private wine tasting at Christie’s, where guests not only sipped vintages from France to Napa Valley, but also previewed an exclusive first look at Christie’s mid-season sales available to the public this week.
 
The evening kicked off in Gallery 6, for the Impressionist & Modern Art sale and an educational wine tutorial led by Charles Curtis, Head of the Christie’s Wine Department.  In theme with the art’s origins, guests whet their palettes with a selection of older vintages of fine reds and whites and feasted on embellished hors d’oeuvres with a French twist. Following the wine section, Head of Sale Jessie Fertig introduced the art, which included masterpieces from Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Tamara de Lempicka.
 
In the second hour, guests were escorted into Gallery 1 for the Post War & Contemporary sale, which was a bold and abstract contrast to the elegant first gallery. Charles matched the contemporary art with more everyday current wines from regions including Napa and Walker Bay, while guests enjoyed New American bites, including sliders and skewers. Head of Sale Koji Inoue led us through the vibrant works of Helen Frankenthaler, Barbara Kruger, Yayoi Kusama, Gabriel Orozco, and Andy Warhol – the piece specifically used for the invitation.
 
It was an unforgettable evening that gave guests an exclusive opportunity to access, preview and bid on collections before the general public. The Impressionist & Modern sale goes live at Christie’s on March 10 at 10AM and The Post War & Contemporary sale follows on March 11 at 10AM and 2PM.

Love is in the air … and so is the flutter of show-stopping bridal gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, wedding gifts and so much more. As part of Gilt’s Wedding Weekend, in collaboration with Martha Stewart Weddings, from March 12-14, we'll be bringing you everything you need, want and can’t imagine walking down the aisle without — from beribboned silk heels to the perfect topaz necklace. (Something blue? Done.) We’ll also have sharp suits for the groom, get-pretty prep packages for the bridal party, dreamily decadent lingerie, and stuff-of-dreams honeymoon packages courtesy of Jetsetter. And if your head’s spinning with the task at hand, chin up — Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings has culled her personal picks to help aide in the planning process. This is your weekend to sit back, sign in to Gilt, and create a wonderful wedding at jaw-dropping prices. Enjoy the calm before the storm.

Join the party! Shop sales from Thread, Amsale, Carolina Herrera, Temperley London, Privé Salons, Judith Leiber, Tara Pearls, BluePrintCleanse and more.

Gilt's Wedding Weekend starts Friday, March 12, at noon ET.