Brunch at Marni

I love brunch.

I love Marni.

I love them both more when they are together.

On Tuesday my friend S and I attended the Marni Brunch and Fashion Show at their South Coast Plaza boutique in support of the Camino Health Center Auxiliary.  This is the same organization that is putting on the fashion show benefit I mentioned prior that I will be attending later this month.

Beyond the clothes being gorgeous (I could have walked out with every thing in the boutique if my wallet would have allowed), I truly enjoyed my time chatting with some pretty amazing women, all the while sipping on mimosas and indulging in a three course meal provided by the Quattro Cafe.  After the meal shopping began with 10% of all purchases going back to the Camino Center.  Win win for everyone right?!

Spending a Tuesday dressed up in a fabulous boutique was SUCH a nice change from my normal Tuesday routine of running a million errands in workout clothes.  I could definitely use more brunches and fashion shows in my life.

FNO 2012

Last Thursday night was shopping's international holiday, "Fashion's Night Out".  I went back forth between celebrating at Fashion Island or South Coast Plaza.  Both locations were pulling out all the stops and it was a hard choice to make.  I finally decided on South Coast Plaza because I am a HUGE fan of Chloe and since they were hosting a fashion show that night, it tipped the scales for me.

Considering that on a daily basis South Coast Plaza is a shopping mecca for both locals and tourists alike, I was not surprised to find them take shopping to another level with Fashion's Night Out.  Over 100 boutiques within the mall participated in the event with live entertainment, gifts with purchase, cocktails, food, DJ's and special discounts.  Everywhere you turned, there was something going on.

I began the night at the Chloe fashion show and then made my way through the mall stopping at retailers such as DVF, Marni, Intermix, Tory Burch, Coach, Barney's, Bloomingdale's, Madewell and many more.  You never wanted to stay too long at one place for fear that you would miss the next event.  

Because I ventured out on my own (that won't happen again, next year, this is Girl's Night Out for sure), I did not stay too late but had I been there until 9pm, I would have attended the after party at AnQi, which I am sure was a fabulous time.

Did you participate in Fashion's Night Out?  If so, where did you go?!

Red

Remember this post on creating my own look for an event I had?  Well, that was a major fail.  Not a fail on the pieces.  They are both beautiful and are fantastic additions to my closet.  They just did not work together.  The worst part is that due to tailoring, I figured this out Thursday night and with Baby Girl's birthday celebration at Disneyland on Friday, I now had Saturday morning to find something to wear that night.  STRESS.

Lucky for me, Diane von Furstenberg came to the rescue.  Thanks to their gorgeous new boutique at South Coast Plaza, I was able to have a dress in my hands within 20 minutes.  It might just be my favorite dress in the closet now.

Jori Dress

It is extremely comfortable and such an easy dress that can be used for a variety of different occasions.  It also comes in purple and blue, which are equally beautiful.  Perfect staple to have on hand.

Here is the dress in action with the hubby and friends.

Please excuse the phone quality

I wish I had more photos of the event to share but sadly, this is the only one I have.  Apparently I failed on the photographer job too.  

David Yurman Grand Opening

Last Thursday night the hubby and I were invited to attend the Grand Opening of the David Yurman boutique at South Coast Plaza.  This event was held to celebrate the newly open boutique.  David and Sybil Yurman hosted the event and attendees sipped champagne while trying on some incredible pieces.  I have always been a fan of David Yurman (remember this wish list item?) and now am even more so since being able to meet the man behind the designs.
  
As mentioned numerous times, I love when fashion gives back and the Yurmans enjoy partnering with charities that assist with a child's well being.  For this event, a portion of the proceeds were donated to the Harvesters.  The Harvesters are a dedicated group of women founded in 1992 committed to raising funds and awareness for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County,working diligently to eliminate hunger.  The event was a success, raising what equates to 41,000 meals for families in Orange County!

It was a pleasure to be part of such a great event and I may have even walked out with a new pair of sunglasses.  Worked out pretty well that Mother's Day was just a few days a way.

The hubby and I

Me with David Yurman

The hosts, David and Sybil Yurman

Glen Senk, CEO of David Yurman and Thomas Sczyrba, Executive Director of High Jewelry for David Yurman

*All photos c/o David Yurman and the HL Group

DVF For Baby Girl

Happy Valentine's Day!

To celebrate this V-day, I thought I would share photos of DVF's line of children's clothing for Gap Kids and Baby Gap.  I can only describe this collaboration in one word. 

AMAZING. 

The line debuts this Spring and I cannot wait.  As mentioned in a previous post, I have an obsession with Diane Von Furstenberg and am so excited that I will soon be able to outfit Baby Girl in her clothing.  This is possibly my favorite designer collaboration ever.  Can you tell that I am excited?  Add this to the fact that a DVF boutique will be opening at South Coast Plaza this Spring and you have one happy lady here.

Wrap Top, $68

Baby Doll Dress, $68

Flip Flops, $23

One-piece Bathing Suit, $48

Patchwork Blazer, $88

Romper, $68

All Photos via

I hope you all have a fabulous Valentine's Day with your significant other.

What are the hubby and I doing?

Getting take out and packing.

Don't be too jealous.

Brunello Cucinelli + Camino Health Center = A Fabulous Event!

Last Thursday the hubby and I had the pleasure of attending the Brunello Cucinelli boutique opening event at South Coast Plaza, benefiting the Camino Health Center in San Juan Capistrano.  This event was to celebrate the opening of the brand's second California boutique and kicked off a weekend of charitable giving, by donating 10% of all sales from November 3 through November 6 to the Camino Center.  This event is one of many occurring throughout the month to support The Camino Health Center's benefit, The Fashion Show, sponsored by South Coast Plaza, on November 22, 2011 (more about this event and the Camino Center in an upcoming post!).  We had such a fabulous time and I could go on and on with how beautiful the clothes were but I am going to let the photos speak for themselves.

The Hubby and I

South Coast Plaza's General Manager, Anton Segerstrom &
President of Brunello Cucinelli USA, Massimo Caronna

The Fashion Show Co-Chair, Lynn Maioriello and Chair, Charlene Jessop

Thomas Ricotta, Jessica Debreceni and Lisa Carlone, members of the Brunello Cucinelli PR and Marketing Team (and me of course!)

If you would like to get a little more insight into Brunello Cucinelli, watch the below video.  It not only shows the beauty behind their clothes but it will make you want to take a trip to Italy.

All photos and video c/o HL Group and Brunello Cucinelli

Ladies, Where Is Our Fore....Play?

You would think with all the accomplishments made by women over time, we would have been able to create....... a female version of golf!  Now, I am not talking about actually playing golf.  If you are a woman who plays golf, props to you.  I personally can make it through nine holes before I am ready to be done and drink a large glass of champagne.  No, I am talking about an event/sport that gives perfect justification to leave the family for 4 hours, ride along in a cart with buddies, drinking beers, placing bets and stopping every couple minutes to hit a small ball.  Genius move Scotland!

My husband loves golf.  I know he would like to play more than he does but he STILL manages a good amount of games in a month.  And it is a simple response of "Hey babe, do you mind if I play golf Saturday morning?  We are starting at 6am so I will be home by 10am (as if the early ending time completely justifies the entire event)."  I always say okay.  I get it, he needs his "man time", his break from work but I am starting to wonder where my time is.  I wonder what he would say if one Saturday I said, "Hey babe, I am going to head over to South Coast Plaza for 4 hours to drink, shop and eat with friends.  I will be back by 2pm"

Test: I mentioned this to my husband and his immediate response was (back to the justification), the mall does not open at 6am so I would waste (yep, he said waste) the entire day there where as he will be home early in the day.

And then the cost of golf.  WHOLE different story.  Not only is it at least $100 a round, but then of course you need good shoes, clothes, golf bag, clubs, balls, hat and everything else that is "needed" to play.  Yes, I agree that I can spend a good amount of money.  Not throwing stones here.  But really?  You need all that huh?  How much does that entire ensemble cost?

Sooo, this is what I need South Coast...
1. You to open at 6am
2. You to have carts available for me and three friends to drive around in
3. A DVF dress specifically made for driving around
4. Manolos to match
5. Champagne and wine available from servers who randomly pull up to our group
6. Feel free to create a map of the mall with a score card as to how successful we were in each store