Fashion Group International of Arizona’s must-attend Spring 2012 fashion preview and trend report is straight from the New York, London, Milan and Paris. Top experts in the industry, including Marylou Luther of the International Fashion Syndicate, editors from Paper, W and InStyle magazines, and directors from Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales create the FGI trend overviews.

WHEN:  Thursday, February 9
6:00-6:45p.m. NETWORKING
Bring business cards to Mix & Mingle with fellow fashionistas
Wine and Light Appetizers provided

7:00-8:00p.m.  SPRING 2012 TREND/RUNWAY PRESENTATION
Spring 2012 Ready-To-Wear Trend Report followed by an expert Style Panel that will share insights on the major trends for Spring and how they relate to Arizona.
MTM Agency will enhance the local panel discussion with informal modeling.
8:00- 8:30p.m. Q&A
Ask our panel questions concerning the Trends and Retailer favorites for the Valley

WHERE:  Studio Movie Grill, 15515 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

COST:  The event is $45 for FGI members and $55 for the general public. Space is limited.
Pre-payment required and can be charged at http://www.runwaytoreality.eventbrite.com or rsvp with a check payable to FGI-AZ and mailed to Autumn-Lynn, PMB C5-614, 7942 West Bell Rd, Glendale, AZ 85382. Reservation deadline is February 8.

GIVE BACK:  Bring an item from your closet to donate to the Fresh Start Self Esteem Room. Donations should be gently used, interview appropriate clothing and accessories.

Image Rodarte

Welcome to Scottsdale Prada, or shall we say, Benvenuta to the Italian retailer who so elegantly snuck into Scottsdale Fashion Square this week. reports the Phoenix Business Journal. The remodel of the old Banana Republic space took forever and the “Prada” sign was an agonizing reminder of what we were dying to see. I even emailed the public relations director in New York months ago for a sneak peek at the store and the answer, “NO.” The universal language of “no.”

I don’t feel so bad about the brush off when Lynn Ducey for the Biz Journal wrote this week, “The store had long been the subject of speculation, and the retailer has kept quiet about its arrival and opening date. A call to Prada officials in New York was not immediately returned on Tuesday afternoon. However, a call to the store in Scottsdale confirmed it’s open.”

So I plan to go at some point. Though I have long sworn off Prada for an unnecessarily testy customer service experience I had a few years back. Did I ever tell you about that? Prada’s not so fond of their own handbags breaking. Really? ME NEITHER!!

Image Prada

TOMS introduces Ballet flats for Spring. They’re here. Click thru to see their super cute video of how cute you will look prancing in the new style here.

I love cheesecake and my son loves brownies. So why not sandwich the two together? Simply bake your boxed brownies, cut out heart shaped brownie bites, fill with no bake cheesecake and top with a quick sweetened strawberry sauce. I used Chocolate Chunk brownies for an extra shot of chocolate and the old-school quick Philadelphia No-Bake Cheesecake recipe with cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. That’s it for an easy Valentine’s Day dessert.

Inspired by vintage aesthetics while constantly updating with modern statements, Denimocracy handcrafts products that are both beautiful and sexy, with fabulous fits, luxurious fabrics and amazing quality.

The original creators of the 5-pocket legging, Denimocracy gathers its inspiration from individuals around the globe. Launched in 2009 and headquartered in the heart of the Los Angeles Fashion District, Denimocracy maximizes all of the best design, washing and finishing resources available in the birthplace of premium denim.

More information at www.denimocracyusa.com.

Set your alarms and grab your most comfortable shopping shoes for the spring styles unveiling at My Sister’s Closet and Well Suited Saturday, January 28 at 8:00 a.m. Both My Sister’s Closet and Well Suited will open their doors to more than 80,000 “Out with the Cold, In with the New” consigned designer and premium clothing, shoes, accessories and more. It’s the perfect time to spring clean your closet for a style makeover. Lines are typically out the door for the opening at all 12 locations in the Valley. Skip the lines and shop furiously from your keyboards beginning at 8:15. Pre-shop the sale at www.mysisterscloset.com.

Chloe Blue Heart Sunglasses

HERE ARE A FEW SNEAK PICS BELOW OF WHAT’S IN STORES TOMORROW AM!!!

We’re giving a virtual high-five to locally owned Remix Watches today for their celebrity success at the Sundance Film Festival this past week. Celebs including Paris Hilton, LMFAO’s Red Foo (above in his custom grey/yellow Remix Watch), Jason Mraz and KayCee Stroh were spotted rockin’ the colorful new watch line from Scottsdale.

We love ours. To get your own, visit www.remixwatches.com.

Eva Franco Dice is Nice Dress – Mod Cloth $248, Essie “Orange, It’s Obvious” Nail color $8, Haskell Bracelet Fuschi &  Orange at Macy’s $28, Antik Batik Orange Bracelet from Stylebop.com $49, Karen Walker Eyewear $250, Diane Von Furstenberg Botswana Ballet Flat $1,653.

It’s “a gift with purchase” week from Estee Lauder at Neiman Marcus Scottsdale Fashion starting January 25. I love Estee Lauder’s Matte Primer, which is a classic. And always, of course, their Advanced Night Repair is a daily must.