Well paint my front door red & call me Elizabeth Arden!



Friday night, I was invited to attend the Peace Couture fashion show at the lovely Italian Club in Ybor!

What is the Peace Couture? This is from their website:

Peace Couture is a multi-media event highlighting local fashion designers, artists and musicians. The latest local fashions will be spotlighted in a spectacular runway show, featuring a live performance by Zulu Wave. The event will also feature a "pop-up" retail area with some of Tampa's most unique vendors of clothing, accessories and jewelry, as well as a "nail art" bar. The featured artists will create site-specific installations in the Italian Club Theatre. After the runway show join us for an after party featuring a performance by GUILTMAKER.

Since my birthday was the day before, I figured it could be a fun little "girl's night out". So I made Emily go with me - kicking & screaming that she had to be seen with me :)



 The Spring of Tampa Bay hosted the event. Here's some information on The Spring taken from their website:

The mission of The Spring of Tampa Bay, Inc. is to prevent domestic violence, protect victims and promote change in lives, families and communities. Since our founding in 1977, The Spring has provided sanctuary and services to more than 60,000 abused adults and their children.

Since the fashion show portion did not begin until 8:30pm, Emily & I browsed the "pop up" boutique portion of the event. Loved it!



Some of the paticipants were:

Stella & Dot - which was funny because when I explained to MattyB that I was asked to cover the event, he was like "oh, for your Stella & Dot biz?" - - I had to then remind him that at a relatively not too long of time ago, I was a fashionable blogger that everyone was vying for. No?

A & A Boutique - cute little "repeat" boutique. Here's where I plan to take all my Louboutins & Blahniks when I tire of wearing them. Wait a sec, what am I talking about? I mean, when I actually OWN a pair.

Creme de la Creme - Tampa's "cutest little gift shop"! Emily was ecstatic to see Tyler candles on their display! I was oogling over their fun cocktail napkins, especially this one...


Bella Faccia Med Spa - they sponsored a "nail art bar". We spent a rather long time here :) I can tie in a quick review of Sally Hansen's Nail Effects here, right? Great. While I didn't actually apply the stickers, they appeared to go on rather easily & turned out fab! And let me just say, the esthetician that was running this fun little nail art bar, has a deeply kept beauty secret. She looked to be about 25....when in fact she was turning 40 the next day! She wouldn't tell me her secret.

my red nails & leopard art, Emily's metallic nails

i was just a wee bit obsessed with how it turned out :) ring is Sidewinder by Stella & Dot

There was also a silent auction going on, with paintings & a scultpure done by local artists. I have never been good at interpreting art. So how would you have interpreted this piece?



So 8:30pm rolled around - we made our way to the 3rd level of this beautiful building.

The fashion show consisted of 4 local fashion designers, a boutique in Ybor and then the Spring Boutique. I was actually really excited for this portion because I had missed our Tampa Bay Fashion Week event, and these designers showed there.

First up was Spathose...."wearable sculpture" - INDEED!






Second, Sandra Hagen




Third, Monstruosite by Dolly Donshey - made me want a blinged out eye patch!




Fourth, Wicked Betty Designs





Fifth, La France which is a vintage boutique in Ybor.







and the show closed with the Spring Boutique



The Spring Boutique portion featured local celebs like Miss Florida, and the lovely Serina Farzan from our local ABC News.

Something informative that was done, a gal came out in between each different designer with an alarming statistic painted on to the back of the canvases that were being auctioned off.

Photos by Kyle Fleming Photography

When the events came to a close, I had the munchies (naturally - shopping does that to you). So we walked next door to the tasty La Creperia Cafe and chowed down!

Shockingly, this was my first experience with Nutella. It was good in the crepe, but I'm not a huge fan of it by itself. Then again, what's not good in a crepe?

Medina Bib necklace by Stell & Dot Photo courtesy of Kyle Fleming Photography

So I never ever claimed to be a good photographer....check out some legit pics of the event here:
http://www.proofing.kyleflemingphotography.com/event/100588

Ha, did you sing that title? No, go back & sing it!

Here's a fun pic of Matteo & I with the birthday girl last night! We had such a great time celebrating with the family!

Thanks Aunt Suz for sending me home with the guac! I'm TEARING IT UP right now as I blog...I'm addicted.

My Saturday was another early morning. I have a love / hate with early mornings. I always feel so accomplished by noon for getting up early, but the waking up part just KILLS me. Especially when Matty & Dexter are sawing logs next to me.