Aficionado Opens This Weekend

I got an email today about Africando opening this weekend and it included a Q&A... So, I thought I would share that info just in case you were wondering...

Q. Are women invited to the party?
A. Absolutely! JAXX Boutik will be open in conjunction with the party.

Q. Can I bring friends to the party?
A. This party is open to everyone. The more the merrier!

Q. Did Kimberly really break her leg?
A. Do you believe everything you read in STAR Magazine? Pictures can be so deceiving.

Q. Is there a discount?
A. The first 50 people to arrive will receive a $50.00 gift card towards their first purchase at Aficionado and/or JAXX Boutik.

Q. Any other benefits to me?
A. Glad you asked! Just by showing up one lucky guy and one lucky girl are entered to win a $1000 shopping spree at Aficionado and Jaxx Boutik.

Q. Will the Aficionado Top Runway Models be there to sign autographs?
A. The paparazzi are hot on their trail so they are keeping a low profile, but quite a few will definitely be in attendance. Keep this on the downlow.

Q. I do believe everything in this town, did she break her leg?
A. Look, we didn't want get into this, but there is a cast and crutches. We cannot give out further details.

Q. Will there be entertainment?
A. Yes! Belly Dancers and a Deejay - need we say more!

Q. No further details?!? C'mon how did she break it?
A. Further details on Kimberly's leg and Aficionado Top Models can be found on www.perezhilton.com.

Ok, so some of it may be some inside joke that I'm on the outside of... So if you know what all the broken leg/America's Next Top Models talk is all about let me know.

Aficionado Grand Opening Store Party Thursday, June 25th at 5pm ~ 2345 Eastlake Avenue East

Latest Happenings...

Sorry it's been a bit since I last posted a blog. I've been busy-ish...

One noteworthy event was the re-opening of the Crocodile. Hubby and myself met up with the Matt and Kelly (our in-laws) for the re-opening private party. Matt got us on the list so a huge thanks for that!

The new Croc looks alot better. You don't feel as if you're in a fire trap anymore. The layout is much nicer but it still has that dive feeling, and I mean that in a good way. There is a Via Tribunali in the back where they were cranking out pizzas for the party. One place I ment to visit but did not was the bathroom... For all who have been there know the horror that was the bathrooms. Sorry but I can not report on how they looked, one can only assume they are better though! I took a few pictures but haven't been able to upload them yet... Will do that soon. Oh and the evil pole is gone! :)

On another topic: fashion events are starting to pop up more now as Spring is here. I will have more to report soon as the Blush event is this weekend and I'll be there! Check out the UFN calendar as I've posted many events that sound like alot of fun!

Grand Opening of the Lizzie Parker Store at Tweed

Last night, hubby and I headed over to Greenwood to check out the grand opening of the Lizzie Parker Eco-Atelier at Tweed Boutique. I was curious to see how Tweed would setup shop for a designer inside of their store. I've never heard of anything like this so I just had to go and check it out.

When we arrived the first thing we noticed was that Lizzie Parker has her own signage on the outside of the building. (WOW, that's a huge deal!) Once inside, I checked out the space that Tweed has given Lizzie - it's quite a large portion of their lower level, about 45% (and by lower level I just mean you walk down a few stairs into another section of the store, it's not a basement or below the actual shop).

I chatted with Lizzie as I was curious about how this new relationship would work. She told me that her entire line of clothing would be sold here and that she would still be selling her clothes out of other stores in the area. She said that those other stores had been some of her biggest supporters in this new venture. Personally I think that is awesome as it is such a big step for her. Congrats Lizzie!!

Lizzie's Fall 2008 line is what is currently in store. You can check it out online too. (I was admiring one of her blue (or black) cape's.) Love it!! ;)

Check out the photos I took!

There is a NEW Nordstrom in Tacoma

Tonight Dawn and I went to the grand opening gala for the new 138,000 sq ft. Nordstrom at the Tacoma Mall, which benefitted the Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass. I can't say I've been to the old one but from what everyone told me, the new one is by far brighter, nicer and carries more lines than they did before.

As we arrived there was a black carpet for guests to have their pictures taken by Team Photogenic along with a line of smiling waiters/waitresses, dressed all in black, with wine and cocktails. (We both had a pomegranate martini which was delicious!)

Kendall gave us a tour of the many new lines and features of this new store (Dawn will talk more about that on her blog). I think I was most excited by the Deborah Lippman Manicure Bar and the Anastasia Brow Bar. While checking it out we got to talk with the Deborah Lippman rep who told us alot about the product. Their products don't carry the toxins like most nail polishes and last longer than most mani/pedi's. I can't wait to get one of their Star Treatment Manicure!

City Catering Company of Seattle created the appetizers that were being passed by attractive men and women dressed in all black. It never seemed to slow down either, which was nice. I tried something new pretty much everytime. (The crab cakes were my favorite, if you're asking...)

There were several bars setup - they even used space wisely by turning a few cash register areas into makeshift bars. DJ Darek Mazzone was spinning tunes on the 2nd level. Live models were modeling fall fashions on level one and two. They were so good they actually did look like mannequins, especially if you didn't know they were real.

Nordstrom employees are by far some of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to what they are selling. We learned so many interesting facts about products and lines. Everyone was friendly and wanted to help us no matter what it was. Thanks Nordstrom, Kendall and the many employees we met for the fun night in T-Town!

Check out the photos from the evening!

New Boutique in Capitol Hill!

This weekend I went away to Walla Walla for a little bike & winery trip. Seven of us headed East for the 4.5 hour drive, then rode our bikes close to 12 miles while stopping at 8 wineries and 1 brewery. It was a great weekend. Always nice to get away!!

Anyway, that isn't the point of this blog. Since I was out of town, as was Dawn, we couldn't get to the grand opening for new shop, JJ Boutique. Fashion Fan Youa, went for us!! Check out her write-up and pictures she snapped of the new shop - it looks really fantastic and I can' wait to swing by and check it out first hand! (Especially b/c everything is 20%!)

H&M Grand Opening Party

Tonight is the grand opening party for the new downtown location of H&M. Regina and I plan to attend and hopefully get some pictures and get in a little shopping (they are giving us 25% off). We had to RSVP to some "special email" so hopefully it won't be just a cluster of crazy... (I bet it will be though...)

It goes from 7-10pm and DJ Samantha Ronson will be spinning some tunes and Blayne from Project Runway will be making an appearance.

I have been asked to sit on a panel to review graphic design students portfolios at IADT tonight so I have to do that first and then it's North to Seattle for the PAR-TAY!!! (As Blayne would say, "Holla atcha girl"!)

I'll give you all an update either later tonight or tomorrow. Stay tuned!!

H&M, IT'S ABOUT TIME!

This Friday the first H&M opens in Seattle (Ok, Tukwila, not Seattle, but still close)! It's all very exciting and I'm a tiny bit sad. No longer will my H&M shopping trips be reserved for trips to NYC. I loved going to NY and stocking up on the ultra hip, yet cheap, H&M clothing... Now every girls in Seattle will be wearing them too. Personally, I think it's pretty mortifying to run into someone with the same outfit. That may make me a bit nervous when shopping there as I know that place will be heavily trafficked for the first several months it's open. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and can't wait to head over there and check it out. It's a great place for accessories and adorable tops!!

They are opening several locations, the first one in Southcenter (hello shopping during my lunch break!) opens Friday. Downtown and the U Village will follow this Fall.

Check out this article in NWSource about it! Will you be shopping there?