Another Frederick's of Hollywood party!

Tonight was another Frederick's of Hollywood flagship store party.  After seeing how busy it got last time, I decided to leave extra early and arrive as doors opened.

Excellent idea.  I got there right at 6:00 and that was such a great decision.  I dressed up more this time: short dress, black stockings, and heels. And it was cold outside.  I'm glad I only had to wait outside long enough to have my ID checked and name found on the guest list before I got inside.  No line, no real waiting.

They were doing manicures this time, so I went right upstairs to that station and waited behind just three other girls.  Within minutes, the line had grown to at least ten people behind me. (Ha!  I win!) I always do my nails red, so this time I went for an awesome taupe color...and already began to ruin it as I left the chair and grabbed my bag. Oh well.  I am not meant to get manicures—the last time I tried, I ruined that one too, even after waiting.  At least it already happened before shopping.  Now I didn't have to worry about them anymore.

Just like last time...discounts!  I got a cocktail, went right to the party dresses, and found two great ones...plus an excellent plaid Christmas corset.  I actually asked the dressing room girls to talk me into it.  I picked up a few more things and accidentally ended up spending half my rent.  Oh well.  Totally worth it. I love Frederick's, and that is why I'm a shareholder.

And again, like last time, I got a gift bag with all sorts of goodies.

Frederick's of Hollywood party

On Wednesday, I received an invite for a special event at the Frederick's of Hollywood flagship store in Hollywood.  As this store has taken a lot of my money (alllll those shopping trips), I had to go: Cocktails!  Discounts! Gift bags!

Emphasis on discounts!  Time for a shopping trip again!

I arrived about a half hour after it started, and there was a line from the door around the corner.  I did not expect that.  I also did not expect the girls in line to be dressed as if they were going into a club.  Little party dresses all over...making my long sundress look lame by comparison. There were a few people in "regular clothes," so that did make me feel a little better.

On all my other trips to the store, there were a handful of other customers, but never anything overwhelming.  Employees were always on top of things and offered assistance, dressing rooms, "let me hold this at the register for you..."—but last night, it was busy.

The staff was definitely doing the best that could, though.  I had a drink in one hand, a few items in the other, and several times I was offered help in finding a size so I didn't have to juggle a way to look through the clothing rack.  The line for the dressing rooms was insane, but the staff there also was good about running out to grab a different size if necessary.  It was very well-organized...just busy.

After an hour and a half, I spent far more money than I should have. (But I'm a shareholder of FOH stock, so eventually they may pay me back...right?) Whatever, I got some fabulous stuff and felt all fancy at the store party/event, so I win.

My shopping bag + gift bag (and all the gift bag goodies)

10 Things in L.A. - Third Street Promenade

After last weekend's partial attempt, on Friday I did Third Street Promenade for real.

There's actually not much to it, if you're not really looking to go shopping.  It's set up in a way that reminds me of Disneyland's Main Street USA.  Really, any closed-off fake street reminds me of that, though.

There's some cool intersections with a real street, where, on the crosswalk light, everyone mobs the intersection and walks right across the street (and not just the crosswalk).

But basically, it's a lot of shops in a row.  The real appeal I think is in the convenience and the "closed off" factor.  Otherwise, it's just an outdoor strip mall with your average Banana Republic, Chipotle, Old Navy, Forever 21, McDonalds, and other stores and restaurants.

But I did really like walking in the middle of the "street."

First time in the Fashion District

I never go "downtown."  I tend to stay within a 5-mile radius of my apartment (except for work), because everything I need is nearby—super convenient neighborhood.  I do like going to Hollywood sometimes to "play tourist" and explore the Kodak Theater, Grauman's Theater, Walk of Fame, etc...because sometimes it still blows my mind that I actually live so close to that stuff.  But I don't go downtown.

Today...I went downtown.

Okay, so I had been in the area a few times before to go to events at the Staples Center, but that's different—you drive in, park in a lot, and walk to the arena.  I've never gone shopping or exploring or anything outside the immediate space around Staples.

It was interesting.  I tend to picture downtown anywhere to be the business center where everything happens.  Washington, DC and Chicago may have set that precedent for me.  New York City's financial and theatre districts also follow my theory.  Downtown Los Angeles is a little more seedy (at least the area where I was).  I guess my version of "downtown" is more like Museum Row and that area on Wilshire.  Even touristy Hollywood Boulevard is more like my image.

And parking?  Ugh.  I knew I'd be dealing with street parking and meters, but I circled the block (a few blocks) several times (like 5) before finally finding a spot on a side street.  I am so thankful for my GPS.

I went to the shop pictured above (on the recommendation of my dance teacher) to pick up super cheap stockings and professional fishnets.  They also have costumes, accessories, and fun little pieces like hats, gloves, corsets, fluffy tutu skirts...and the owner even told me they could order something if I needed it and they didn't have it.  Overall, definitely worth the excursion and parking woes.