Girl's Night Out - Fashionista Holiday Happy Hour

Grab your girlfriend and join The Fashionistas for their last 2009 event!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2009

6:00pm-10:00pm

1020 U Street, N.W. 2nd floor above Lee's Flower Shop

Washington, DC

(Metro accessible, U Street Cardozo Metro Station)

The Fashionistas Present ...Beauty, Bags and Bangles HOLIDAY BAZAAR

A sophisticated happy hour featuring an evening of bargain shopping, holiday cheer, makeup marathon, glam goodie bags, haute raffle giveaways and MUCH MORE! Prices of good and services vary for each vendor. CASH ONLY

***Light appetizers will be served.***

For additional information: Find us on Facebook: Fashionista Flea Market or email via urban_charm@hotmail.com

Holiday Travel - Virginia's December Getaways

December girl getaways in Virginia are awaiting you! Throughout the area, there are several holiday events planned, perfect for escaping the season’s stress and reconnect with your girlfriends.

Here’s a taste of what Virginia has in store for the holidays:

Candlelight Tour

Alexandria is filled with historic homes, churches and taverns. Grab your mom or best girlfriend to visit them aglow with holiday cheer during a Historic Candlelight Tour. For one weekend only, take a candlelight special tour of Carlyle House, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, and the Lee-Fendall House. During the tour, enjoy seasonal decorations, entertainment and light refreshments. The event takes place on December 12 – 13, 2009. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended and can be purchased online via Gadsby’s Tavern.

Kwanzaa Workshop

Curious about Kwanzaa or if you want to learn more, reserve space for you and a girlfriend to attend a fun, interactive program at the Alexandria Black History Museum. The Kwanzaa workshop will review the principles of the holiday, and show ways to make Kwanzaa gifts and crafts. The workshop is a great way to learn about the African American holiday and best of all it’s free! The workshop is held on December 12, 2009 - for more information, visit the museum’s website at http://www.alexblackhistory.org/

100 Miles of Lights

In the mood for a roadtrip? From Richmond to Hampton Roads, southern Virginia displays a fantastic 100 Miles of Lights. The light show displays amazing holiday lights and decor, events and travel packages throughout various cities. Visit the light festival and accomplish your holiday shopping with great combination packages. The Best Western’s Williamsburg 2/night holiday package includes tickets to Christmas at Busch Gardens and a $20 Prime Outlets gift card with rates starting at $144/night.

This is only a sample of what Virginia has to offer during the holidays! For tons more activities to spend time with your girlfriends, check out Virginia for the Holidays.

Need more holiday ideas?
More Virginia Holiday Events
Gaylord National Packages
Potomac Mills Shop & Stay Getaways
Pura Vida New Year's Eve Surfing Camp

Enjoy!

Holiday Travel - Potomac Mills Shopping

Gathering girlfriends together for Black Friday shopping? Before you make your list and check it twice, check out a few of these holiday specials for DC area’s Potomac Mills outlet mall:

Black Friday Shopping

After you fill up on turkey, take a quick nap and then head to Potomac Mills for Black Friday shopping. The Mills will open at MIDNIGHT, offering shoppers 21 hours of deals and steals for holiday gifts! The first 200 shoppers to arrive will receive a travel alarm clock and the mall will feature special events during the day like live music, cookie samples, Rejuvenation Station (Lounge) and more! Visit online for a listing of Sales (www.potomacmills.com).

Shop and Stay Getaways

Avoid the traffic rush and make a getaway out of your holiday shopping plans. Here’s a listing of Woodbridge, Virginia hotels that offer shopping packages, just in time for the holiday season.

Best Western

800-543-2392

http://www.yourdchotels.com/

Starting at just $89.00!Package includes one night stay, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, free Potomac Mills Coupon Book, well-equipped fitness room, free wireless internet access and more.

Comfort Inn

http://www.comfortinndumfries.com/

Starting at just $89.00+ Tax!

Package includes one night stay, complimentary hot breakfast buffet and FREE Potomac Mills Coupon Book. Brand new hotel, conveniently located off I-95, Exit 152B, and only 5 minutes from Potomac Mills. All of our spacious rooms feature a microwave and refrigerator, FREE wireless/wired high speed internet, FREE Sport & Health Club Guest Use, FREE Shuttle Van for Groups (10+ rooms). Hotel also features afternoon refreshments, business and fitness center, in-door heated pool and in-door heated hot tub.

Country Inn & Suites

www.countryinns.com/woodbridgeva

Starting at just $109.00 plus tax.

Rate valid for a standard room with one king bed or two queen beds! Breakfast is included, plus receive a complimentary Potomac Mills Coupon Book! Fairfield Innwww.marriott.com/waspm Starting at just $109.00!Package includes Potomac Mills Coupon Book, Early Eats breakfast, indoor swimming pool, 24-hour coffee and tea, guest laundry, same-day dry cleaning, free in-room high-speed internet access and more.

For more Shop & Stay Getaways near Potomac Mills mall, visit online: http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1260

For more information on Potomac Mills, visit:
- Travel 101 for Potomac Mills tips.
- Lastest Potomac Mills postings.

Holiday Travel - Virginia Getaways

Plan a girlfriend getaway this holiday season and explore the best of what Virginia has to offer this season. Virginia has done as fantastic job of putting together heart-warming holiday events that are perfect to share with your girlfriends, mom or sisters. Mark your calendars for these girlfriend-worthy holiday events!

Festival of Trees

Load up the car with snacks and take a weekend getaway in the mountains in Big Stone Gap, Virginia for the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park’s Festival of Trees. With over four floors of decorated trees, mantles, banisters and doorways, you’re bound to get in the holiday mood and brainstorm a few decorating ideas during your visit. The festival began on November 15 and lasts through December 31, 2009.

GardenFest of Lights

I don’t know about you but something about Christmas lights just puts me in the holiday spirit! For a holiday spirit-filled atmosphere, visit Richmond’s Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for its GardenFest of Lights event. Just a short drive from DC, plan a day trip to view over a half million holiday lights arranged in botanical themes. The festival includes activities, dining, music, as well as the new Lotus Bridge. Take a Black Friday shopping break and join Illumination NIght on November 27, 2009 which will feature a hot air balloon in the Rose Garden and performances by the RVA Hoop Lovers.

Christmas at Mount Vernon

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens is decking its halls and celebrating 12 Days of Christmas. Stroll through the historical mansion and garden and view amazingly decorated trees, gingerbread version of Mount Vernon, chocolate demonstrations and more. For an insider look into the mansion, visit during the Candlelight festival for special candlelit evening tours of the first and second floors. And of course, you’ll have the opportunity to shop for gifts ;)

There are plenty more of Virginia festivals that will take place in December. Stay tuned for more holiday events to share with your girlfriends!

Girlfriend Getaway Location - Virginia Holiday Festivals

Plan a girlfriend getaway this holiday season and explore the best of what Virginia has to offer this season. Virginia has done as fantastic job of putting together heart-warming holiday events that are perfect to share with your girlfriends, mom or sisters. Mark your calendars for these girlfriend-worthy holiday events!

Festival of Trees

Load up the car with snacks and take a weekend getaway in the mountains in Big Stone Gap, Virginia for the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park’s Festival of Trees. With over four floors of decorated trees, mantles, banisters and doorways, you’re bound to get in the holiday mood and brainstorm a few decorating ideas during your visit. The festival began on November 15 and lasts through December 31, 2009.

GardenFest of Lights

I don’t know about you but something about Christmas lights just puts me in the holiday spirit! For a holiday spirit-filled atmosphere, visit Richmond’s Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for its GardenFest of Lights event. Just a short drive from DC, plan a day trip to view over a half million holiday lights arranged in botanical themes. The festival includes activities, dining, music, as well as the new Lotus Bridge. Take a Black Friday shopping break and join Illumination NIght on November 27, 2009 which will feature a hot air balloon in the Rose Garden and performances by the RVA Hoop Lovers.

Christmas at Mount Vernon

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens is decking its halls and celebrating 12 Days of Christmas. Stroll through the historical mansion and garden and view amazingly decorated trees, gingerbread version of Mount Vernon, chocolate demonstrations and more. For an insider look into the mansion, visit during the Candlelight festival for special candlelit evening tours of the first and second floors. And of course, you’ll have the opportunity to shop for gifts ;)

There are plenty more of Virginia festivals that will take place in December. Stay tuned for more holiday events to share with your girlfriends!

Holiday Girl Getaway - Kid Style

My 8 year old learned early-on the importance of spending time with her friends. Pure friendship, at its best. This holiday season, we took time out from the hectic holiday season, and invited 3 classmates over for her sort-of annual holiday sleepover. Crafts, fashion show, baking and much....much chatter. This year we added a twist and lucked up on The North Pole - a neighborhood house that goes ALL out with holiday decor, complete with a visit from Santa and his Elves.

Take time out this week to enjoy the simple things. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Holiday Travel Essentials

Season's Greetings! I must say, I absolutely love this time of year. Not only do I enjoy the holiday cheer and spirit of giving, but I'm a sucker for sales!! I make it a point to finish up shopping for others early, so I have time to spoil myself with a diva-licious gift to ME! :)

Whether you're headed to spend time with family, girlfriends or your long distance love-bug, the goal is to look and feel fabulous. We've come across these amazing travel essentials that are certainly fit for a diva and will last well into the New Year. Enjoy!

Psi Bands

Ladies, trust me - keeled over in your car or plane seat due to motion sickness is NOT a good look! Prone to motion sickness or nausea? You need to check out Psi Bands. Psi Bands (pronounced "Sigh Bands") were created by two fashion-forward moms-to-be looking for a drug-free way to treat their ongoing morning sickness.

Not only do these bands relieve sickness, they are drug-free, hip and fashionable! You can wear them without looking like a runaway hospital patient with the typical white plastic band! Grab your Psi Band before your flight to see your love-bug and breathe a sigh of relief! You can purchase online or in stores of major retailers.

Casauri Triple Zip Pouch

How many times have you stood in line at the airport, fumbling for your driver's license or credit card? Me: countless! Why hunt through the endless sea in your handbag, when you can simply pull out this vibrant, Casauri Triple Zip Pouch from Artful Wears? Large enough to carry your license/passport, credit card, along with other diva essentials and most importantly, it's super cute. I'm torn between the Sun Stripes or Blocks option.

"Clean" and "Dirty" Lingerie Bag

LOVING these! No more stashing your dirty laundry in a plastic grocery store bag - also from Artful Wears, these "Dirty" and "Clean" Lingerie Bags making unpacking after your festive journey much easier and stress free.

Shuga Bud earphones

Santa, I need these added to my stocking! Shuga Bud earphones from Crazy for That are hot! These earphones will keep you looking sharp while grooving to your favorite tunes. Shuga Buds are also a great way to dress up your IPod! A wonderful stocking stuffer for your favorite diva..i.e YOU ;)