It’s friends with benefits, scoop style.  We didn’t quite get to our 2,000 fans goal, but we did make lots of new friends!
We’ll be drawing names from all of our Facebook Friends on Tuesday, to give out the following prizes.  There’s still time to friend us! Here’s the link to our FB page.   

Prize Pool:  You could win one of the following:

Tickets for two to the Southern Women’s Show.
$25 to 72shoe.
$25 gift certificate to shop at the new bevello store in Phillips Place.
$25 gift certificate to shop at Fresh.
$25 gift certificate to shop at her therapy in Ballantyne.
1 brand new bottle of Chanel’s hot fall polish color Graphite. ($25).
Four $25 gift cards to ICLondon stores.
Two $50 gift cards to Guliani’s Fine Jewelry in Blakeney.
A cute Trio of rfp cosmetic bags from Cottage Chic.

Cookie Johnson, fashion designer, philanthropist and wife of Magic Johnson, will make a special appearance at NM South Park to show off her collection of premium denim for women with curves: Cj by Cookie Johnson.

On March 3 Cookie Johnson will appear in-person at Neiman Marcus Charlotte, and her denim line will be featured in a special runway show during the store’s Fashion Rules! party that evening.  The party begins at 6:30 pm and you, scoop readers, are invited.  Reservations are limited though, so please call 704-442-7960 or email rsvpcharlotte@neimanmarcus.com to reserve your place.

There’ll be drinks and hors d’oeuvres, trend-spotting, a Fashion Show, and, possibly best of all besides meeting Cookie, a Runway For the Rescues Pet Fashion Show.

Again, you’re invited since you read the scoop, but you’ll need to put your name on the list.  Call 704-442-7960 or email rsvpcharlotte@neimanmarcus.com to reserve your place.

Cj by Cookie Johnson was founded on the concept of creating high-end denim for women with curves. “I wanted to let women know that no matter their shape, they can look good and enjoy premium denim,” says Johnson. Partnering with Michael Glasser (creator of Seven for all Mankind, Citizens of Humanity and Rich & Skinny jeans) Johnson was able to combine her experience as a busy, full-time mom and years working in the retail industry to bring her vision to life.  For more information on Cj by Cookie Johnson, please click here.

Fashion and Retail.  So glamourous from the outside looking in.  So manic, so mind-bending and so often NUTS on the inside.  (And we say this only with love).

Style Sanctum in Huntersville, a “Fashion Art Studio” for children & teens interested in creating style and fashion, is hosting Beyond The Runway, a series of monthly topical discussions featuring people with real industry experience.  Created and moderated by Style Sanctum founder (and Parsons grad and Bergdorf/Neimans alum) Nicole Sinclair, the series is designed to bring a dose of reality to our fantasies of fashion.  Adults and teens are welcome.

This Saturday, Feb. 26 the guest speaker is Laura Vinroot Poole, owner of Capitol and Poole Shop. Vinroot Poole has been featured in Vogue, Garden & Gun and T: The New York Times Style Magazine, and is credited with bringing Charlotte quite a bit of fashion recognition in the industry.

Tickets are $10 per person and must be purchased online here at www.stylesanctum.com.  The event is from 11:30am-1pm monthly at the Style Sanctum studio, 13024 Eastfield Road, Charlotte, and features a catered lunch and gift bag for attendees.

The Beyond the Runway series will continue in March on 3/19 and on April 16 (topics and guest speakers to be announced closer to event dates).

How about treating your dearest one(s) to the US Premiere of the newest Cirque de Soleil TOTEM, right here under the big top at our very own Charlotte Motor Speedway?  The Cirque has a special Valentine’s ticket discount available thru 2/16 – Buy one, get the 2nd half off. Read all about it here

Here’s a UNIQUE Valentine’s gift that will stay around longer than the candy or flowers. Shannon Dawn Photography is offering a February special just for scoopcharlotte readers: an hour photo session for $50 for up to two people including edited digital images returned in less than 48 hours. Email Shannon here asap if you want your pics in time for Monday! The deal is good thru Feb tho’, so you can also set it up as the gift and get the photo’s later.  Please visit her website at  shannondawn.zenfolio.com.

SLOAN and STEP:  30% off EVERYTHING. Regular AND sale pricing,  Includes jewelry.  Sunday only 1-5 pm.

ICLondon:  Buy one item, get 10% off…Buy two items, get 20% off…Buy three or more items, get 30% off,  Sunday only 1-5 pm.

monarch:  50% off all Fall/Winter* & $59 designer denim.  Plus over $700 in giveaways from SwapHandbags, Blydesign and Satin MedSpa.  Check out more deets here. Sunday only 1-5 pm.

Cottage Chic:  40% off a LONG list, check it out here. Plus, enter to win a Sara Happ Lip Scrub and Lip Slip set ($50 value).  Sale started Tuesday.

Petal: Spend More to Get More:  spend $100 get a $25 gift card….$200 get a $50 gc…..$400 and up get a $100 gift card.  Plus  the first 10 customers to buy at Petal get a free pair of earrings.

Laura James Jewelry:  Draw your Discount!  Up to 25 percent off* Sunday only 1-5 pm.

*monarch 50% off excludes white & warren holiday at 25% off.  *Laura James Jewelry discount excludes personalized jewelry and cannot be combined with other offers.

Other sales & events to note:

HandPicked stores are having a Customer Appreciation Day this THURSDAY, 2/4, with $10 off a $50 purchase, $15 off over $75 and $25 off your purchase of $100 or more.  Plus, Girls’ Night Out that evening and special $10 buys perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts.  Check out their flyer here.

Fresh on Providence Rd. is hosting a SuperBowl Sunday Sale for their gals too.  Buy one sale item at 50% off and get another FREE.

Black & Blue in Morrison is having a Blydesign jewelry Spring 2011 Trunk Show this Friday thru Sunday, You’ll get a B&B gift card with every Blydesign purchase, plus 20% off last season’s Blydesign jewelry. You can check out their flyer here.

Asana Activewear has a sale on their tops – Buy one top, get the 2nd one for only $10.  Good through Sat 2/5 only.

TRC-W in Phillips Place is toasting Valentine’s Day this Saturday and next, with pink champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries to enjoy while you shop their gorgeous selection.  Plus pick up the necessary gifts and TRC & Billy Reid next door.

While at Phillips Place, shop the KLa weekend sale-on-the-sale, with 50% off sale prices Fri-Sun only.

Neiman Marcus has this Gift With Purchase from Estee Lauder right now – valued at over $185, the multi piece kit comes with this Goyard style tote with your purchase of $60 or more in EL….thru Sunday 2/6.

This Friday, February 4th is NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY for Go Red For Women.  Go Red is the American Heart Association’s nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together and wipe out heart disease.  You can read more here.


Click the ad below to learn about a fun Valentine’s Day promotion at the stores at Morrison.

For all of you fashionable Brides and Bride-zillas, this weekend is the Carolinas’ largest bridal event -The Bridal Showcase.  Held twice a year at The Charlotte Convention Center and sponsored by Belk, Party Reflections & Carolina Bride Magazine.  Over 100 wedding professionals showcase their products and services in fashion, photography, honeymoons, flowers, catering, bakers, rentals, and plenty more.  Sunday, January 23, 2011, 12pm-5pm. Tickets: $12 at the door, or $10 online (Buy now and save $2).

Fashion’s Night Out is a global celebration of fashion & style and the folks who work it, love it, shop it.   In its 2nd year in metro areas around the world, Fashion’s Night Out will be celebrated  with shows, store events and major shopping parties this week.  Here’s the scoop on FNO Charlotte:

Fashion’s Night Out with the Boutiques at Butter on Thursday, 9/9.

Butter (the bar) and local fashion entrepreneur Effie Loukas (Lotus & Civilian) have teamed up with local boutiques to bring you a night of fashion & fun at the NC Music Factory.  Each boutique is partnered with a local salon and will showcase their newest Fall/Winter looks.   Pretty much every store you’ve ever shopped is participating.  (Sloan, Step, Fresh, Scout & Molly’s, The Pink Hanger, KLa, Her Therapy, Petal, Black & Blue, Our Place, Jordanos, JTPosh, Hong Kong Vintage, JStudios Boutique) and they’ve booked almost 100 models for the fashion show.  It’s gonna be EPIC.
The party starts at 8 pm and the outdoor fashion show in the courtyard is from 9-10.   The after party will continue til 2 am at Butter.  The event will benefit the American Heart Association and the invite can be viewed here.  For reservations & general info and/or VIP tables contact: viptables@buttercharlotte.com or call 704.295.1565.

Fashion’s Night Out at Neiman Marcus on Friday, 9/10.

Neiman’s is participating in Fashion’s Night Out around the country, and they’ve planned a fab party with a unique Style Showdown as the centerpiece of the evening in Charlotte.   Gathering the local Fashion Mavens under one roof, three local stylists will compete before a panel of fashionable judges to style a runway show using the trendiest of this fall’s fashions.  It’s a veritable Who’s Who of Charlotte Style:  Catherine Horgan, Nicole Sinclair and Melissa Lamkin will compete before a panel including Rachel Sutherland and yours truly.  As always, the lite bites and wine are the best at a Neiman’s party, the crowd is chic and everyone is welcome.   You can view your invite here. Best of all?  The NM beauty event kicks off Friday and there’ll be makeovers, samples and beaucoup beauty for all.  Read about the NM beauty event and our BEAUTY BAG GIVEAWAY here.

In keeping with the theme of this year’s global FNO, “Shop.  For Something Good.”, both events will raise funds for a charity.  The Butter party supports the American Heart Association and the Neiman Marcus party supports our local library system.

Other store promo’s not to miss this weekend:

In addition to going to Half Off their Dot Sale, Step by Sloan is hosting a Cordani trunk show this Friday. Owner and designer Michael Ciccia of Cordani will be there to show you Cordani’s extensive collection of shoes and boots for Fall, 2010.  Sizes will be shipped in specifically for the trunk show so you take home your newest find by Cordani.  In case you don’t know to this incredibly comfortable line, this is the perfect time to be introduced.

KLA in Phillips Place is having a contest right now at their store where you can register to win a $100 shopping spree.

chezElle continues Fashion’s Night Out  this Friday from 12-6 with free servings of Pinkberry from 12-4 then cocktails. Plus, Take 20% off all purchases and the first 30 customers receive a gift certificate from chezElle and a free FNO tee.

Petal in Dilworth will have champagne, cupcakes and the first 20 customers get a gift certificate.

FRESH on Providence Rd. is also continuing FNO at their store on Friday, when they’re staying open late (8pm) and partying New York style.  They plan to transform the store, and  there’ll be prizes & giveaways.  Plus when you make a purchase you’ll get a BIG APPLE (worth $25 off your purchase) will be entered in a drawing to win 2 tickets to Charlotte’s Fashion Week (9/23).

The Pink Hanger will continue it’s 3rd Anniversary deal throughout the month of September.  Earn a $50 gift certificate with each purchase of $250 or more to use on your next purchase. Limit: 1 gift certificate per day, but you can shop and earn as many days as you like, all month long.

COPLON’S has a Linda Cunningham trunk show this Thursday and Friday and just announced they will be the exclusive location in Charlotte to show the entire Miu Miu collection. Ready to Wear, Shoes, Bags. Yum.

And Mack & Mack emailed this coupon for 10% off their  summer sale items.

Tim Gunn hosted a Summer Fashion Show to a packed house Saturday at Southpark, answering questions from the crowd and charming his way through dozens AND dozens of photo’s with happy fans.   Affable and honest, Mr. Gunn walked us through a range of summer fashions by Juicy Couture, Kate Spade and Lucky Brand Jeans, giving style pointers and practical styling advice throughout the show.   While the fashions themselves weren’t anything you can’t see in the stores (and that was the point) the commentary and tips were fun, fresh and  entertaining, and the Kate Spade shoes were drool-worthy.

As you may know, I had a chance to chat briefly with the veeerrrrry approachable, charming and downright dishy Tim Gunn before the show. (more…)