Fashion's Night Out South Florida Preview....

Tonight is Fashion's Night Out ya'll and I'm uber-excited!

This will be the fourth year of the event and I'm proud to say that I've been buzzed shopping at the last three! Who doesn't like free wine, samples, deep discounts and posing in front of step and repeats?! It is, however, the end of a mini 2 year era with Sara and I attending since she moved away. You'll be with us in spirit darling!!!

Sara and I at FNO 2010!

While we aren't quite the originating NYC, there are oh so many things to do in South Florida tonight. Below is just my sampling...

Aventura Mall -

This has been our go-to spot for the last 2 years. It has been host to everyone from Project Runway designers to Jill and Bobby Zarin to Steve Madden and this year is no exception. This year Macy's is hosting a fashion show with Real Housewives of NYC Luann de Lesseps and supermodel Niki Taylor. Spend $75 at Macy's and you can meet them too! In years past (I'm sure this year is the same) the entire mall turns into a party. Every store has free food and drinks and you can walk around from store to store eating and sipping. Buzzed purchase anyone? More on Aventura Mall's event offerings here.

Bobby Zarin with us at Macy's in 2011

Aren't we cute!

Lala Couture - The ultimate girly Fort Lauderdale shop in the amazing Gateway shops (my favorite place ever) is serving up free champagne and having a sneak peak of all the fall trends. DJ in the house? Check! Be sure to say hello to Molly, the shops owner. She's super nice and willing to help you put together your new fall wardrobe! You can find out more about this Lala event here.

Bal Harbour Shops - Saks Fifth Avenue at Bal Harbour shops is serving up free shakes, burgers and custard alongside a high tech photobooth for your social media fix. Accessories designer Nancy Gonzalez will also be making a personal appearance at Neiman Marcus. Sweet! There are so many store events going on here that I can't possibly list them all... Check them out here.

And finally..... The FNO Event that Cari and I are attending tonight:

The District Factory -

Our favorite South Florida Jewelry designer and friend Susie Rekechensky will be there with her Phairytale wares. Local designers and vintage in my favorite part of town... Hello!? I smell a purchase coming on! I've been meaning to make it down to the District Factory for the last few months... What a perfect excuse! There will be 30 brands of apparel, vintage, accessories and a Rock the Block party with live dance and DJ's. Yes please!

Soooooooo what are you going to do for Fashion's Night Out?

Meeting Kyle Richards...

This past Wednesday Cari and I took a trip up to Boca Raton to meet Kyle Richards and have dinner.

Yes.... THE Kyle Richards of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fame.

Cari and I in line outside the store

A few years ago we were also able to meet Jill Zarin of Real Housewives of NYC - I'm going to share our secret with you...

Cari and Jill having a laugh... Awww she was preggo with Sam...

 

 

 

Jill Z and I - BFF

The secret is a little shop called Alene Too... The ladies that own this shop have a connection (somehow!) with the ladies of Real Housewives fame. The Real Housewives ladies like to write books... Alene Too likes to have them in to sign them... Bonus for you! Actually, I shouldn't even say Real Housewives because they had Nikki Hilton in a few months ago too. Go on their website, sign up for the mailing list, like them on facebook, follow them on twitter - DO IT! They will send you emails as to when the celebs will be in town for your schmoozing pleasure. Just a little FYI... You have to buy the book there for them to sign it... I was reading on Twitter about a girl that was turned away because she didn't buy it there. Play it safe.. Buy it there!

If I had to compare the two events I would have to say that we were a little spoiled with Jill Zarin. The store was in a different location at the time and I think there wasn't as much publicity, not to mention it was on a weekday at like 10:00am. We were able to chat with Jill, take as many pics as we liked and it was just more relaxed. Notice also my nice professional photo with Jill - not so much with Kyle... The new location was a mad house!!!

It was definitely a very cool thing to be a part of. They made all of the mannequins in the store look like Kyle and had tons of corporate sponsors... IE free Smartwater.... free coconut water... free champagne... free candy... free chips.... free cookies... I'm probably leaving a lot out here....Very cool branding and SMART! We waited in line for probably about an hour, which wasn't terrible - part of it was in the store so you could shop.

We finally made it to the front of the line and were able to meet her....

Cari and Kyle...

 

 

Me and Kyle...

She was so gracious and thanked us each twice for being so patient and waiting in the line. There really wasn't a lot of time that you could spend with her. You were only allowed one picture each... Cari and I wanted one together with her and it wasn't allowed. While you were next to her there were like 10 other people taking her picture, reaching over her refilling water, cleaning the table... LOL such a time crunch and such a difference from out previous encounter with Jill, but still great! Yes... She's just as beautiful in person as she is on TV. Yes... She was very nice.

You can check out my Yelp! on Alene Too here.

So get on that mailing list and maybe we'll see you at the next signing!