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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Get Your Shop On: Fashion's Night Out Activities for Los Angeles Announced


Get ready, Fashion's Night out is gearing up for Sept. 7th through Sept. 10th. around the world.  This is the celebration of shopping dreamed up by Vogue editor Anna Wintour to offer special shopping deals right before New York Fashion Week.  Remember last year, Anna was down at Macy's Queen's shilling lipstick to promote budget fashion ? :)  This year the world wide celebration of shopping continues. In response to last year's success, retailers nationwide have joined this year's FNO, sponsored by QVC.  There will be celebrations in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Portland and more.

Here on the left coast a full range of celebrations is planned to stimulate the Los Angeles fashion industry. "The event will showcase the creative talent -- behind the 5,000 fashion lines located here -- who are constantly inventing fresh, new ways to express the diversity and culture of our great city through their designs", says Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa. So get ready to get your shop on! On Sept. 10 from Venice's fashionable Abbott Kinney shops, to the Beverly Center, to Melrose Ave. let fashion ring with Fashion's Night Out Los Angeles!

 Last year, I celebrated at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills.  This year, I may stop in at Armani and all the other retailers on Rodeo, plus The Grove for the Blogger's Cafe with my fellow stylistas.   Here are the festivities that have been announced.

In Los Angeles:

- Giorgio Armani Los Angeles (436 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310-271-5555 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 310-271-5555 end_of_the_skype_highlighting): Acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson hosts an exhibition of his favorite red carpet looks and discusses his Armani odyssey with fashion expert Steven Cojocaru. 6:30-8:30pm

- Emporio Armani Los Angeles (9533 Brighton Way, Bevelry Hills,( 310-271-7790): Star DJs Super Mash Bros. spin an explosive set of music and video mash-ups.  8:30-10:00pm

Giorgio Armani will also be supporting this project around the world by  hosting a series of events and cocktail parties in Paris, Milan, New York, Los Angeles and Asia. In a global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion, Giorgio Armani and  International editions of VOGUE are coordinating evening activities in heir respective world fashion capitals. Fashion's Night Out is a global celebration of shopping under the leadership of VOGUE, and will be taking place in sixteen different countries internationally this September. That's an amazing amount of shopping going on one night.

Cirque Du Chanel: Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, has created an exclusive collection of nail polish called Les Khakis de CHANEL. Visitors to the CHANEL Boutique on Rodeo Drive will have the chance to receive a manicure at a dedicated nail bar featuring limited edition shades Le Vernis Nail Colours -- Khaki Vert, Khaki Rose and Khaki Brun.


FashionTwoPointOh! Blogger's Cafe at The Grove : September 10th will see Los Angeles' newly formed coaliton of style Bloggers celebrate their first ever official Fashion's Night Out from 7pm-9pm at a central hub at The Grove. The new group, formed by Los Angeles blogger Kelsi Smith, Director of Special Programs Social Marketing at Fashion LA Inc. ,supports Los Angeles bloggers on a local level. Can you even imagine how many Tweets will emanate from The Grove of Sept.10 will FashionTwoPointOh! unites? To follow all the happens, check out FashionTwoPointOh on Twitter.

Alphabet Soup: Tod's and Ferragamo will unveil must haves for Hollywood's A-List. Salvatore Ferragamo celebrates recently named creative director, Massimiliano Giornetti's first women's collection. The centerpiece will be the launch of the highly anticipated W bag. Just down the street, Tod's launches a limited edition version of the brand's signature G-Bag in the newly re-designed Tod's Beverly Hills "home" and private VIP lounge designed by Oscar-winning set designer Dante Ferretti.

A Good Cause: Two Rodeo hosts a night of shopping and giving with live entertainment on the Via Rodeo and a luxury silent auction, benefiting lifesaving medical support for Daisy Love Merrick, www.prayfordaisy.com, a local girl heroically battling cancer. Bottega Veneta will support V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls, with 10% of the proceeds from FNO being donated.

Arts and Culture: Coach will feature whimsical, LA-based artist, Louise Chen, who will use Coach's limited edition Fashion's Night Out tote as her canvas to create completely customized and off the cuff creations. The jewelry house of Mikimoto will celebrate authentic Japanese culture with New York-based calligraphy artist, Masako Inkyo, who will demonstrate magnificent Japanese calligraphy.

The Beverly Center: The Beverly Center (BVC) mall will serve as central hub for the City's official Fashion's Night Out celebration, hosting the opening ceremony as well as multiple fashion shows and parties throughout the mall's retail stores. Grammy Award-winning singer of the Black Eyed Peas, Will.i.am will be co-hosting the official Opening Ceremony at the Beverly Center at 5pm alongside Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Vogue's Lisa Love. Fashion's Night Out at the Beverly Center is open to the public with free self parking from 4-10pm. Their major events that evening include star-studded large-scale fashion shows on the 6th floor Center Court, Bloomingdale's Men Suiting Event, and Macy's "Denim Rocks" fashion show hosted by Vogue's Senior West Coast Editor, Lisa Love.

Diamonds: Tiffany partners with Vogue and Fashion Group International for the West Coast launch of the new Tiffany Yellow Diamond collection.

To get all the details on Fashion's Night Out Los Angeles go to http://www.fno.lacity.org and click on each registered retailer's name to be directed their websites. Updates are also available at the Twitter @fnolosangeles. Now, here's the important bit about the savings and the deals. There is shopping incentive for everyone September 10 to shop. There will be limited edition sales, incentive sales, gift with purchase, celebrity appearances, DJs, gallery installations, custom fashion design opportunities, free manicures and spa services autograph sessions, giveaways, gift bags, photo booths, celebrity hosts and much more.

Note, no mater what coast you are on, you can realize shopping savings with your American Express Card. Starting August 30, American Express Card members will be able to register their cards online at http://www.americanexpress.com/entertainment to receive a $100 statement credit when they spend $500 or more at participating retailers, including Tory Burch, DVF, Intermix, Theory, Helmut Lang, and Domenico Vacca during Fashion's Night Out and get their shop at a discount.

For more information on Fashion's Night Out Events around the US, and around the world, click here. 

The Hunt is On: ChicTiq to Hold First Annual Fashion Scavenger Hunt


If you're dying to attend New York Fashion Week, but don't have the "coinage,"  then you might want to check out the contest route.   Here's a tip on a contest coming up and it involves a favorite past time , shopping.  ChicTiq, a new Website and iPhone app launched to meet the needs of the busy, deal-savvy New York City bargainista, is holding its first annual scavenger hunt at five of the city's hottest downtown boutiques. ChicTiq is a brand new, Web-based service featuring a listing of boutiques found in the various New York City neighborhoods. The service enables users to find promotions and sales going on at boutiques in their neighborhood, and shows all of the information on a convenient map. The scavenger hunt will highlight five ChicTiq member boutiques.


The event will take place on Sunday, September 5th, 2010 from 12:00p.m. to 3:00 p.m.    The winner of the scavenger hunt will win a pair of tickets to a boutique on the hunt's show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, taking place at New York City's Lincoln Center from September 9th-16th. The winner will also receive a $400 gift certificate to a ChicTiq member boutique. All participants will receive tote bags, as well as special coupons from the five participating boutiques.

The event will take place in  SoHo, New York City. Clues to the exact locations will be provided via the ChicTiq Facebook page, the @ChicTiq Twitter account, as well as the www.ChicTiq.com website.   To register for the event, please visit http://www.chictiq.com/scavenger_hunt.php.  Good luck chic ones! :)

Sunday, August 22, 2010

McCormick and Schmick’s: Delicious Food + Savvy Savoring

MSSR display
Recently McCormicks & Schmick’s Restaurant in Beverly Hills hosted a Blogger Dinner.  Unfortunately, I missed the dinner as I was in New York attending the BlogHer conference.  However, I sent two special tasters to the event and later interviewed the Chef about what is going on at McCormick & Schmick’s. With this exquisite and tasty research, I feel I am uniquely qualified to tell you what the best values are for customers dinning there.   Here are some things that I think savvy foodies need to know.
First although these are “chain restaurants”, they selection of seafood is fresh.  You’ll find fresh selection of the day printed on the menu every day.
Second, they have specials, my  raison d'etre. I’ve long  been a fan of their Happy Hour with the cheap and cheerful burgers and appetizers.  I get the biggest kick out of asking the parking lot guys in Beverly Hills where the deals are (they have the scoop on a lot of things).  The attendants  always mention that they like the Happy Hour at McCormick& Schmick's for the food.
Finally, it’s not all about seafood. The restaurants feature steaks, salads, pastas and soups.  Vegetarians and those who don’t like seafood can still enjoy a delicious meal.
If  you fancy dinner and a movie, then you will want to check out McCormick & Schmick's  Reel to Reel promotion.  The Reel to Reel program offers guests a Three-Course weekend dinners for $29.95 add a movie ticket for only $5. Be sure to  check out all the promotions that are running right now:

  • Reel to Reel (until 9/30/2010)



  • Summer Lobster  Promotion features a variety of ways to eat Lobster.



  • Chef's 3-Course Weekend Menu now through the end of Summer



  • Lunch entrees 10 for $10

    My spies tell me  that more deals are on the way.  Watch the restaurant’s Facebook group and website for details.

    Now, back to the Blogger dinner and what my taster (Maggie  Read Photography)  tried.  Clearly, it was a very tough night for them.  The food received rave reviews. (Click here to see what fellow blogger Greg from SipptySup thought of the feast.)  Each dish was fresh and well seasoned. Now, don’t try this at home, because this is way more food than anyone should consume in one sitting!
    Hors D'oeuvres
    Dungeness Crab Salad on Ciabatta, Foie Gras Torchon with Fig Jam,  Sushi, and Sea Scallop with Blood Orange Gastrique.

    MSSR sushi
    Pictured: Assorted Sushi
    MSSR crab appetizer
    Pictured:  Dungeness Crab Salad on Ciabatta
    Tasting Courses
    First: Tamai Farms Heirloom Tomato Salad
    Second: Trio of Yellowtail
    Third: Wild Alaskan Halibut (my personal favorite when I dine at the restaurants.  The Halibut is always so fresh! )
    Fourth: Wild Alaskan Salmon
    Fifth: Roasted Kurobuta Pork Belly
    Sixth: Grilled Wagyu Ribeye Cap
    Grand Finale/Dessert: Yuzu Cheesecake with a macadamia nut crust.  This looks amazing as you can see from the photo below, accented with Strawberry Coulis. Yum!
    MSSR dessert

    Following the dinner, Regional Chef  Rene Van Brockhuizen answered these questions for me.
    MSSR BH Chef[11]
    Pictured: The  Chef  hard at work.

    What is on the regularly found on the Beverly Hills McCormick and Schmick’s menu?
    "Halibut, Yellowtail, Hamachi and are all fresh today.  With changing seasons come changing selections of fresh fish"
    What food is not on the regular menu?
    "Everything being served at the Blogger dinner is on the regular menu either as an appetizer, a main course, or  dessert"
    What do you think is the best fresh fish for the price? 
    "Anything that is local is the best for each different location.  In BH the local yellowtail is wild, not farm raised and very good".
    What specials do you have? 
    We have a Happy Hour offered during regular hours that offers very good portions of some of our customers favorite foods at reduced prices"

    Bottom  line, McCormick and Schmick’s  has a great menu, with a wide variety  of  food choices.  You can dine in a very upscale way and order of the menu, or you an choose a bargain, and check out one of their current promotions or prix fixe menus.
    Of course, the Beverly Hills store offers an additional benefit: the large outdoor patio/terrace on Via Rodeo.  I’ve spent many happy hours there sipping wine on that patio.   If you are someone who loves to shop, even if it’s just window shopping, you’ll want to check out the McCormick and Schmick’s in Beverly Hills for outdoor dinning, drinks and shopping breaks. After all, Fashion's Night Out is coming to Rodeo on Sept. 10th.  McCormick and Schmick’s will be a great place to relax between all the store hopping.
    ms cookbook
    Pictured: Leave a comment to win this cookbook. (photo: Mccormick & Scmick’s)
    Bloggers attending the dinner received two cook books, a $10.00 gift certificate and movie passes  from  McCormick and Schmick’s. I am giving away a copy to my readers of one of the books: McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Cookbook.  Leave a comment here telling us what you think the best deal is at McCormick and Schmick’s by Sept. 5 to win.  Be sure to leave your email like this:  foodie at yahoo dot com  in your comment so we can get in touch to mail you the book!

  • Monday, August 16, 2010

    Target to Partner with Gilt Groupe for Advance Sale on Mulberry and Tucker for Target

     Pictured: Advance pictures from Gilt's upcoming Target sale on August 20th.

    This little piece of budget shopping news just showed up on my Google Alerts, so I have to get my readers a big heads up: on August 20th Gilt Groupe will be doing a special 36-hour sale on Mulberry for Target and Tucker for Target.  Target-Addict has also posted on this sale, and noted that it includes the John Derian housewares.  I am most intrigued by the advance sale of the Target version of the exclusive luxury Mulberry bags. To me, a discounted Mulberry bag is the "big get."  I'm a big fan of these exquisite British bags.  Of course, I'm not sure how Target will reproduce the Mulberry bags, but my guess is they will be plastic or pleather.  I'm hoping they look as good at the earlier Anya Hindmarch for Target bags looked. In any event, it will be worth taking a sneak peak at them in August, instead of waiting until Oct to December for them to turn up, or not, at your local Target store.  To get ready for this sale, you might want to join Gilt Group today.  Click here to sign-up for a Gilt Group Account using my invite. (please note, I do get a referral fee from Gilt if you join, and you receive the same referral fee if you join, and then invite your friends.)

    Here are the some pictures from Gilt Groupe of one of the Tucker dresses and the Mulberry for Target bags. The bag looks good.  It's hard to tell about the dress from the picture.

    Pictured: Advance pictures from Gilt's upcoming Target sale on August 20th.

    Wednesday, August 4, 2010

    Super Summer Sale at Jodi Arnold NY--50% Off Everything

    Jodi Arnold is a talented designer with a unique perspective.  She adds layers to T-shirts, turning them into souffle creations.  Her romantic prints look like an English Garden.  Her flirty T-dresses are just right for summer parties. For a limited time, everything on her site is 50% off.  Check it out at: http://www.jodiarnoldnyc.com