Ok Triangle Ladies...

I expect to see you ALL here!

I hope that all of you Raleigh readers can come join this great event. I can't wait to meet you there, if you do make it!

Party with skirt! and Dress for Success

Update: We’ll be giving away some great prizes at our event! Tickets, jewelry, gift certificates...watch this space for more info!

The most awesome party ever happens this month, and you are so invited. skirt! has teamed up with the Triangle chapter of Dress for Success to hold our first-ever skirt! After Work event.

What is it? A skirt drive to benefit Dress for Success.

What should I bring? Skirts, of course! But we’ll also be accepting jewelry, scarves, belts, and other interview attire.

Where? The gorgeous, delicious 518 West Italian Café on Glenwood South.

When? 5:30 til 7:30pm. Tuesday, September 30.

Why? Because it’s a benefit for an amazing women’s cause, a chance to meet the skirt! team, as well as some of the men and women who have appeared in our issues. Oh, and did we mention we’ll be giving away prizes?

How much? It’s free to get in, and the signature skirtini will be $5 for those of you with donations. Other drinks will be regular price.

If you’re wondering what a skirtini is, this is where you come in. We’re currently running a recipe contest for the signature drink of skirt! Is the skirtini sassy, light, and fruity? Dry and witty? Or rich, elegant, and chocolate-y? You decide!

Come up with a recipe for the ultimate skirtini, and enter it here. The winning beverage will be christened The skirtini, and will be served at our skirt! After Work events every month, starting with Skirts for Success on September 30. See you there! And get mixing!Be there or be boring!

skirt!: Presents for the Pantry

Congrats to skirt! After Work for raising almost $500 at their November event for Triangle Family Services with their silent auction of tree skirts!

Go ahead and put their December event on your calendar now and bring some friends - it'll be a fabulous time:

Wear your favorite holiday skirt and bring your non-perishable food items to 518 West Italian Café on December 16th for skirt!’s holiday bash!

$5 naughtinis and nice-tinis will be available, and at the end of the night we’ll tally up sales and find out if skirt! readers are naughty or nice...The food drive benefits the Inter-faith Food Shuttle - a GREAT local organization!

I Shouldn't Tell You This...

...because I'd like to keep my odds of winning high, but... 518 West has a Facebook Page and they're giving away a $25 gift certificate.

I know right - awesome!

I have been there at least once a month for the last six months: it's where all but the most recent skirt! After Work events have been, Amber and Daniel had their rehearsal dinner there in September '08, and E. Riley just hosted our bridal luncheon there two weeks ago.

If you haven't been, you've missed out.

For lunch, get the Grilled Pear Insalate - I swear by it.

Grilled Pear Insalate

Grilled Bosc pear with field greens, walnuts, gorgonzola and a honey-walnut vinaigrette...

small... $5.50
large... $8.75 I'm hungry just thinking about it! And such a good deal for only $8.75 for the largest portion.

PS: They have a blog, too.

PS #2: If you win, you have to take me to lunch. Sound fair?

PS #3: The boys who valet are the nicest ever. (It's complimentary and you should tip them. They do an excellent job.) Note: I valet when it's cold and when I'm running late. Duh.


(Images: 518 West's website.)

What's Your Guilty Pleasure?

Mark your calendars!

From skirt!Raleigh Editor, Faith Dwight's, blog:It’s all happening Tuesday, January 13, from 5:30-7:30pm at 518 West Italian Café on Glenwood South and, as always, we’ll be benefiting a worthy cause.

This month, it’s Interact of Wake County, and we’re asking you to bring every woman’s guilty pleasure – lotions, creams, shampoos, and other pampering products – so that the women who benefit from Interact can experience a little pleasure of their own.I haven't been able to go since the first Skirts for Success event but I am starting the year off on the right foot - networking and contributing to a great cause!

PS - My guilty pleasure? Late-night TMZ on Sunday nights/Monday morning (seriously - like 1:00 am) before starting the week off. I'm not a tabloid follower, but TMZ is hilarious - "keeping Hollywood real since 2007".