Blogger Shop Around - Premium Outlets

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Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a Dallas Blogger Shop Around at the Premium Outlets located in Allen, Texas.  The Dallas Shop Around started at 10 am with breakfast and learning more about the benefits of outlet shopping.  

The Premium Outlets offers the VIP Lounge is free to join online and offers great benefits exclusive online coupons, voucners for a free VIP Coupon Book, as well as updates on sales and special events.  Some of the examples of the deals include 15% off a purchase of $100 or more at Brooks Brothers Factory Outlet, 20% off any single item at Cole Haan, 25% off one regular-price item at Last Call Neiman Marcus and much more!  The VIP Lounge is a great way to earn lots of savings.

After the introduction to the Premium Outlets, we headed to Banana Republic Factory Stores to learn about summer fashion trends.  Brady, the store's manager, focused on on three summer trends.  The first trend was to go with bold stripes or exaggerated polka dots.  The trend was showcased with a gorgeous striped maxi and cropped cardigan.

The second fashion trend focused on botanical prints and wide leg pants.  Floral is a huge trend for summer.  

The last summer trend is probably my favorite summer trend, color blocking!  This trend was showcased with a color block top and cropped pants which made the look great to go from work to happy hour. 

Brady also mentioned wearing great shoes this summer and a pop of color with accessories.

After Banana Republic, we headed to Samsonite to learn how to pack for trips.  This lesson was great.  Samsonite has some great new luggages including a new bag that weighs only 2 1/2 pounds packed.  Samsonite offers these great packing cubes that allow to pack in a much more efficient manner.  One of the cubes allows to pack 2 pair of slacks, 1 skirt, 2 polo shirts, 1 t-shirt, and 2 button up tops.  How great is that?  The cubes start at $24.  I definitely want one of these!

Once the demonstrations were finished,  it was time to shop.  The Premium Outlets gave us a $50 gift card to do some shopping as well as provided a $15 gift card from Columbia, coupons, and swag bags from White House Black Market and Vitamin World.  

With the coupons and gift cards, I did great (if you follow me on instagram) you saw my haul as well as some of the outfits I tried on.  I picked up a pink workout jacket from Columbia as well as a red tank (and spent none of my own money).  At New York and Company, I had a $25 off coupon off a purchase of $25 or more.  I picked up a great print skirt (you will see it on the blog tomorrow) and a gold necklace (and again spent none of my money).  Bass Outlet was running a huge sale.  You could buy one pair  of shoes and get two pairs free.  I picked up flats for my new job including a beige, red, and black pair.  Here I spent $60 of my own money but basically got three pair of shoes for $20 a piece.  After the Bass Outlet, I hit up the Kitchen Collection to pick up my free egg skillet and a kitchen tool.  At the Kitchen Collection, I only spent $2.59.  

For all of this, I only spent $62.59!

The event was fabulous!  A huge thank you to the Premium Outlets for organizing the day!  For the event, I decided I wanted to be comfortable while still looking stylish.  I wore my navy LOFT dress, leopard print flats, and carried my orange Cole Haan Bag.

Look at all those shopping bags!

Navy Dress - LOFT, Leopard Print Flats - Me Too (gift), Orange Handbag - Cole Haan, Gold Bracelet - won in a giveaway, Gold Earrings - Charming Charlies (gift), Two Tone Watch - Michael Kors (gift) 

DFW Blogger Meetup

Saturday I attended my first blogger meetup in Dallas.  I was really excited to finally start meeting women in the area.  The meetup was held at Lemon Bar and the food was delicious.  I met some wonderful bloggers and can’t wait to get together with them in the future.

For the event, I wanted to wear something that was my style but staying away from my go to jeans. 

Red Plaid Skirt – Talbots ($10) - Similar 

Black Sweater – JCPenny

Opaque Tights – Target

Buckle Pumps - Cole Haan Outlet (no longer available) - Similar

Black Diamond Studs – Gift – Similar 

North Florida and Southern Georgia Blogger Meetup

North Florida and Southern Georgia Blogger Meetup

Date:  Postponed

Time:  5:30 PM

Place:  BB’s

1019 Hendricks Avenue

Jacksonville, Florida 32207

Since the first blogger meetup was such a success, I am going to plan one for each month.  This month’s meetup is scheduled around First Coast Fashion Week. 

I thought we could have great food, conversation and for those who want to go to the fashion show afterwards can. 

The meetup is open to anyone (bloggers, readers, or fashion lovers). 

Please RSVP by emailing me at fashionbyalicia@yahoo.com or commenting below by November 5th, 2011 so that I can make reservations at the restaurant. 

I hope that I will see you on November 12^th and feel free to spread the word about the meetup!

North Florida and Southern Georgia Blogger Meetup Recap

Last night was the first ever blogger meetup for North Florida and Southern Georgia.  The event was held at Nippers Beach Grille.  Since I organized the event, I was really nervous that it would go well.

I think that event went great!  There were 8 people in attendance including fashion bloggers and Jacksonville fashion industry individuals (I had 15 RSVPs sadly some people didn't make it).  Those in attendance were Tiffany from A Reason To Be Fabulous, Leslie from Luna Teal, Prissy from Rush Our Fashion, Cathy from Minister of Style, Trice from High Heels & Good Meals, Nicole from Vault Denim, and Roxana from First Coast Fashion Week.

The event would not have been possible without the fabulous sponsors who donated items for a swag bag.  I want to thank each of the sponsors who donated so many fabulous items for the event.

Thank You:

Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique

A’propos Boutique

Clothes Hound

Jaffi’s

Karen Kane

Le Lapin D’or

Private Gallery

Tara Lane Designs

Swag Bag

The swag bag included a cocktail ring from Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique, a 20% off coupon to A’propos Boutique, a 20% off coupon to Clothes Hound, a one size fits all bralette from Jaffi’s, a Karen Kane Logo Tote, Karen Kane Silk Scarf, and a Karen Kane Fall Guide from Karen Kane, a 30% off coupon to Le Lapin D’or, a mystery pack from Private Gallery, and a handmade bracelet and 15% off coupon from Tara Lane Designs.

Here are some photos from last night’s event:

Me, Roxana, Prissy, Trice, Chef Kenny Gilbert, Nicole, Tiffany, Cathy 

Photo by Leslie (not pictured)

Love the Shoes

Photo By Leslie (not pictured)

There are more photos on my Facebook Page hope you check them out!

For the event, I wore a print dress from Ann Taylor that I purchased from Pencil Skirts & Lattes, Black Stretch Belt, Cole Haan Pumps, Silver Bangles, Cocktail Ring c/o Anika Burke, and earrings from BaubleBar.

I had so much fun meeting these fabulous ladies.  The night was full of laughs and great food.  I can't wait to have more meetups.

I just want to thank everyone who attended the first ever North Florida and Southern Georgia Blogger Meetup and a huge thank you to the sponsors!!

North Florida and Southern Georgia Blogger Meetup

North Florida and Southern Georgia Blogger Meetup

Date:  October 4, 2011

Time:  7:30 PM

Place:  Nippers Beach Grille

            2309 Beach Boulevard

            Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250

I keep reading about other cities having blogger meetups and I decided it was time for North Florida and Southern Georgia to have one.

I selected Nippers Beach Grille because the food is delicious and would be a perfect place for our first meetup. 

The meetup is open to anyone (bloggers, readers, or fashion lovers). 

Please RSVP by emailing me at fashionbyalicia@yahoo.com or commenting below by September 20, 2011.  Sorry for the early deadline!   I have been trying to put together a swag bag and have some very exciting interests.  However, that requires getting an accurate count sooner rather than later!

I hope that I will see you on October 4^th and feel free to spread the word about the meetup!