I know quite a few of you are bloggers, so if you haven’t had a chance to meet with fellow bloggers in your community, now’s a fabulous time to do so. BlogHer, an online community of women bloggers, is probably the fun-nest group of fellow blog geeks you could ever hope to meet.
On Sunday the D/FW BlogHer group had a private shopping party at Charming Charlie’s, a gorgeous, colorful boutique in the Plano area, near Preston and Park. (They have locations throughout Texas as well as Georgia.) Their discriminating selection blew me away — everything is arranged by color, so you could wander through the yellows of every shade imaginable, then hop on over to the green corner, or perhaps make your way to the purple/lavender area. What surprised me even more were the prices — I saw nothing over $50, a real eye-opener for someone like me who was a recessionista (am I the only one absolutely sick of that word?) way before Lehman Brothers collapsed. Beautiful handbags (including the massive ones that can double as luggage that I always bemoan and yet always seem drawn to), stacks of brilliantly edited jewelry, and lovely clothes and shoes filled every corner of the shop. I loved everything — the lighting, the displays, the many, many options to choose from, whether you’re the granola type or you lean towards the classic Audrey Hepburn look.
The only drawback? I found the perfect black button-down with a fitted bodice and white trim with a slight pouf on the short sleeve. (Actually, Jes found it!) When I tried it on, though, it was a wee bit too small for me, so I went back to the rack to find the next size up. The only other one left, though, was a Large, and when I asked the very helpful clerk about any other sizes they may have in the back, she apologized and said that all they have is what’s on the floor. Bummer.
I did end up walking away empty-handed, but not because I couldn’t find anything else. Actually, if I’m to be honest, I guess I just found too much and couldn’t really narrow it down to anything in particular. Plus, I was having too much fun chatting with the fellow bloggers, and the next thing I knew, it was already time to go! I didn’t even have time to really scope out the hors d’oeuvres table, and anyone who knows me is familiar with my obsession with food, so you know I must’ve been really pleasantly distracted.
I wish I’d taken photographs, but you’ll just have to take my word for it: the place is definitely worth the drive over to their nearest location to you. I plan on coming back for sure, only this time I’ll be on a mission, specifically to come out with at least another bag (as if I needed more, but who really needs a handbag?) and perhaps some pretty bangles to boot. We’re still in the middle of summer, and I could use a pick-me-up from all this depressing heat.
By the way, for those of you wanting to meet fellow blog addicts, the lovely and fascinating bloggers who were at Charming Charlie’s:
- Jes @ Chirky.com
- J @ Conscientious Confusion (She wrote about the BlogHer party, too, and has some photographs of her purchases. Loved both the watch and necklace!)
- Bobbi Janay from When Did I Go From Kid to Grown-Up?
- Vanessa from Random Ramblings from My Crazy Life (I totally love her blog banner!) and The Aisle Files
- Shauna and Holly from Burbmom.net
I’m still kicking myself for not bringing a camera to the party, but next time, next time. I promise!
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{ 7 comments }
Hey Marjorie – I found the Charming Charlie's photos they took on Flickr here! They have great pics of the store!
Man, that sounds like so much fun, Marjorie. I don't know there's anything like that in DC. Will check. Thanks for the links. Still putting serum on my face every day. Running behind in everything, including reading your blog….
No, you are not the only one sick of recessionista word. Kinda cute, but I was one a long time ago as I've lived in personal recession since 1999. The word is cute & predictable when it first appeared. Now, ugh. And you'd think some of these people have never had constraints before. Even self-imposed ones….
ciao, will catch up with you soon.
Susan/Giulia
Dear J, thanks so much for sending that link! Man, I'm bummed that I didn't get to take part in the photos — which just reinforces my determination to bring my camera basically wherever I go now.
You guys looked gorgeous, by the way!
Dear Susan, bonjour! If there isn't anything like that in D.C., you should maybe email BlogHer about starting one over there. I'm sure there is one, though.
How's the serum working for you?
It's so funny how so many magazines and blogs are jumping on the "recessionista" bandwagon, as if they're just now discovering the art of frugal chic. A lot of us women were practicing that way before the economy crashed and could've used that info then, too. It's weird seeing articles like "$10 Beauty Buys at The Drugstore!" like no one's ever found them before, or that no one ever knew about the "secret stash" of cheap-but-effective products at Target and CVS.
Oy.
Salut,
Marjorie
It was good to see you.
You too, Bobbi Janay! Hope to see you at the next one!
Salut,
Marjorie
So fun to meet you! I shopped enough for both of us…
Holly, merci for the comment! I'm determined to actually buy something the next time we do something like this. The economy needs it. Yeah. That's my excuse.
Salut,
Marjorie
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