May

27

Big fashion night in Columbia.

Filed Under Eat and Drink 

Yesterday afternoon, Allison Barnes from Southern Living was in LaRoque with AnnaBelle to get a feel for the shop for a piece in the magazine. The Shop Tart was there to get a feel for all the cool new stuff AnnaBelle has in the works, including a reversible skirt (Business on the inside, party on the outside, or vice versa. Gorgeous either way) and some shorts similar to the dressy silk ones we’ve been seeing in all the magazines (But with bigger, better, non-bulky pockets.) A mother, her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend were there and the daughter, looking for a graduation dress, found the perfect one at LaRoque after going to several other shops and “trying on hundreds.” While AnnaBelle fitted her for a few minor alterations, those amazing cookies from Devine Foods next door kept the boyfriend busy, although he seemed to hold his own with all those women. Later, another mother-daughter team stopped in for dresses for an upcoming wedding. The mother scored a dress she had spotted a week before in the window and loved. The little brother, dragged along for the trip, also enjoyed a cookie. No wonder all the boys love AnnaBelle. Have you tried those cookies? If she gave you one, you would love her, too, if you don’t already.

VanJean was bustling, too. In the morning, the Shop Tart popped in to rifle through the sale racks. Somehow, though she has seen it all before courtesy of her obsession with new shipments, she always finds something new. Frankly a new, recesso-fabulous price can make what’s old seem new again. Gorgeous top and lust-worthy skirt? Scored! Later that afternoon, Phillip Lim Sales Director Chiaki and New York Store Director Esteban from the big city were in VanJean chatting with the ladies. That evening, owner Melissa Blanchard wanted them to enjoy a true southern dinner, so off to Mr. Friendly’s it was. The Shop Tart met them there and felt a little light-headed faced with all that fabulousness, but Chiaki and Esteban were as down-to-earth as anyone she has ever met. Esteban, who entertained the heck out of the table with a true-life New York City shoplifting story, might be an even bigger fan of Morrissey than the Shop Tart is*, which proves beyond a shadow of a doubt how very cool Phillip Lim is. He has a lot in common with Mary and Kindall, who are not afraid to chase down would-be shoplifters, though it’s a bit more harrowing and involves trains in the big city. On the other hand, our police have more time to follow up with the perpetrators. Chiaki has an adorable nine-year old daughter. In a photo on her mother’s phone, she is grinning and wearing a fab trench. Of course, the Shop Tart had to know who did the trench. Donna Karan, bien sûr. Oh, to live in New York City as the daughter of someone in fashion…why do these things never happen to the Shop Tart? And…um…by the way…HOW COOL IS IT THAT THE SHOP TART GOT TO HAVE DINNER WITH PEOPLE FROM PHILLIP LIM? Answer: So cool. You will not be surprised to see how well Esteban and Chiraki rock the comfortably fabulous and modern style that is Phillip Lim. Fried pickles, green tomatoes, and grits were enjoyed by all.

The ladies of VanJean with Esteban and Chiraki of Phillip Lim.

Because Mr. Friendly’s is the place to go with out-of-town guests who want a taste of southern style, AnnaBelle and Allison from Southern Living were dining on the patio. The Shop Tart joined them after dinner to dish about shoes, dresses and all sorts of other fascinating subjects. Allison is so much fun and the Shop Tart thinks if she ever wants to move to Columbia, we would love to have her. In a super-classy move, the Shop Tart graciously offered to finish the dessert they had left on the table. Yum. Can’t wait to see the piece on AnnaBelle, but don’t hold your breath, because these things can take a year. Frankly, this is a good thing for you, dear reader, because you have months to place your orders before she gets too busy. Look at these two lovely ladies…

Allison Barnes of Southern Living and AnnaBelle LaRoque

The Shop Tart came home and tumbled into bed (after washing her face, applying sufficient skin-care products and brushing her teeth, of course. And drinking a cup of tea. And watching her first episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey on the laptop. Oh, let the new addiction begin…) She dreamed fabulous dreams, all about fashion and magazine people being interested in her favorite town in the world. Mwah!

In other news…

  • The aforementioned VanJean sale? Yup. Go get fabulous deals on things you can wear right this second. Did the Shop Tart mention how she loves Phillip Lim?
  • Everything at Kicks is 25% off.
  • Check out the cuteness at KD’s Treehouse right now…
    KD's Treehouse
  • Since they were closed on Monday, Solstice is offering a great lists of half-price wines this evening. Enjoy!
  • Thursday and Friday take 20% off spring and summer merchandise and 10% off denim at M Boutique.
  • Enjoy a complimentary (that means free, yo) wine tasting tonight at Cellar on Greene from 5 to 7 pm. The tasting is free if you buy one item from the menu (And we all know that Wine + No Food = Sloppy Drinker) and $5 if you don’t.

Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!

* Although not, perhaps, a bigger fan than Mr. Shop Tart. Had to add that so Mr. Shop Tart wouldn’t throw a fit.

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