How Do You Mu?

Last night I went to TRATA for the launch party of Mu, LiDestri's latest line of cafe-inspired cocktails.  Coffee break meets happy hour?  Yes, please! I got to taste all three flavors:  Vanilla Latte, Coco Cappucino, and Chocolate Chai - all were DE-LICIOUS!  I even had a Mu-tini complete with marshmallow garnish.   Yum-o!  Rochester A-List did a phenomenal job with the event, there was schmoozing and boozing (two of my favorite things!)  and who doesn't love a swag bag?

Truffles, Pink Limoncello, coasters, coupons, recipes, a magnet and
postcards (one of which says "I would like an iced coco cappuccino with a side of Bradley Cooper")
Love that!

Since outfit posts are a big hit around here, I tried to get a photo for you.  However, this is what happened when I attempted to have my mother (who was babysitting) take an outfit photo for the blog:

Tada!

So I decided to take a picture of myself in the car instead...

But, all I could get was my head...

You can see the full look here, where I'm posing with the models who were dressed up as the various Mu cocktail flavors.  Aren't they gorgeous?!

I'm wearing Guess shoes, a.n.a jeans via JCPenney, Express tank,
Forever 21 blouse, H&M necklace, and Banana Republic earrings.

It was a wonderful night, spent chatting with great people, and getting to be one of the first to try some fabulous new cocktails.  Mu will definitely be making an appearance the next time I host a Mom's Night Out.  Looks like they landed a new customer!

Cheers!

xoxo

Jenny

Who Wore What? ~ Smile for Hope 2012

Today marked the third annual Smile for Hope event at Eagle Vale to benefit Safe Journey, a local non-profit for victims of domestic violence.  The event was organized by Jennifer Lathrop of Sweet Pickle Photography.

For a $30.00 donation, families received a portrait sitting and a digital photo by Sweet Pickle. They ate,  shopped, and raised money for a great cause.  All of the vendors were local women business owners and there was a representative from Safe Journey there with information about the organization.  It was great to see so many people come together for a lovely afternoon to raise money and awareness for domestic violence prevention.

In addition to shopping, raising money for charity, selling raffle tickets, and shamelessly promoting my blog, I couldn't help but spy out some great fashion.  Look at who wore what at Smile for Hope:

Erin Roth at her Scentsy booth.
Eshakti dress, Payless shoes,
FahSye mango wood bracelet, Joel Halen glass necklace

Sarena Gates (left) in Wet Seal dress, Rue 21 shoes,
and Motives Cosmetics.
Hair and makeup by Katie Altobelli (right)
Katie, owner of Beautiful You, in an Outback Red dress,
Lia Sophia bracelet, and Dankso shoes.  

Close up of Sarena's hair.  Side View.

Back View

Sara Eck, bargain shopper and owner of
Big City Bags and Jewelry.
You should have seen my face when she told me
she bought her dress  at Sears for $3.99!
She paired it with black boots, vintage leggings,
and a bag and jewelry from her own collection.  

Love the layered bracelets!!!

Fun, affordable, vintage style jewels.
(Most of her jewelry is under $19!)

Amy Michaels (another frugal fashionista) told me that
everything she was wearing was $10 or less!!!
 TJ Maxx boots, jeans and top from the VOA,
 Target dress and jewelry from Big City.

Brandie Antenucci looked so put together
 in this casual, cool look.  
Crocs shoes, Banana Republic jeans and sweater,
Limited scarf, Coach clutch, and Pandora bracelet.

And here's what I wore:

Anthropologie dress and belt, DKNY tights,
Aldo shoes, Stacey Kay Collection earrings,
vintage ring and bracelet.

Accessory Close Up

A huge thank to you to all the lovely ladies who let me photograph them and feature them on my blog and to everyone to who came out to support Smile for Hope.  Stay tuned for more editions of "Who Wore What" on the Flower City Fashionista blog.  Can't wait to promote individual style and local businesses in Rochester!

Don't Be Afraid of the Mall this Fall by Lauri Bonnell

Thanks to Jennifer for letting me do a guest blog post this week! I'm really excited, but I have to say right off the top that I don't really consider myself a “fashionista.” I read one definition of fashionista that said: “one who has a penchant for shopping (okay, that's me) and natural flair for combining current and vintage fashion trends” (that part is so not me). I'm your typical mall shopper. Give me Gap, Banana Republic, or the Limited over a boutique store any day.

It's not that I don't want to shop at those cute little boutiques, it's just that as a stay-at-home mom of two preschoolers, I just find shopping at the mall stores to be faster, easier, and cheaper. And once you know how they operate (sales cycles, coupons, etc.) you can really work the system to get the best deal. But that's not to say you can't be fashionable when shopping at the mall because you definitely can.

Here's my latest example; I just got this adorable ruffle skirt from Banana Republic:

It was originally $49.50, but it was already on sale and then discounted another 25% making it only $20! Woot woot! This skirt is great addition to any wardrobe because it's cute and comfortable, the nautical theme is classic, and the blue and white stripes basically act like a neutral. You can pair it with just about any color to really spice it up – red, coral, mustard yellow. The possibilities are endless.

Also, while at Marketplace Mall I discovered a great new store. Charming Charlie is a “fashion accessory boutique” located in the Bon Ton Wing, although it also has its own exterior entrance. I like to shop at Eastview Mall a lot so I hadn't heard of this store yet, but it is definitely worth checking out. It was full of adorable purses, accessories, and tons of jewelry all for very cheap. I'm talking about beautiful necklaces and earrings for between $10-$50! They also have a nice selection of clothes and shoes, which were also very cute, but not quite as inexpensive as the rest. I wanted to buy myself a necklace, but I actually had such a hard time deciding which piece was the best one to buy that I walked out with nothing! I don't think that's ever happened to me before! Check out this article for photos: http://henrietta.whec.com/news/news/charming-charlie-opens-marketplace-mall/54022

So don't be afraid to shop at the mall – and on the (gasp!) sale rack. You never know what kind of treasures you'll uncover.

Lauri Bonnell is a freelance writer and lives in Brighton, NY. She's a contributor to the MomsLikeMe Blog on HerRochester.com and writes the Brighton Blog for the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.

ROC'n the Runway Part 2

For your viewing pleasure, some more pics from Friday night's Peek @ Blue:

Me and the lovely Fon Sakulsurarat, graphic designer and photographer extraordinaire.  
See her work here:  www.ideasigner.com
and here:  www.iloveroc.com

Me and the hubs (that's his game face)
I'm wearing a Banana Republic dress and can not for the life of me remember where I got those earrings...
Hair by Jessica Shade of Oggi Domani Salon in Pittsford

The Fashion Show

Everything I am wearing is for sale at Blue

The skirt on this gown is gorgeous!

If anyone else has pictures to share, please email them to me at jennifersanzo@yahoo.com.  I'd also like to send a big virtual thank you to everyone at Blue and ABVI/Goodwill for letting me be a part of such a wonderful event.  I'll be sending good karma and ready shoppers your way.