Freebies: National Pancake Day

Breakfast fans, rejoice! Everyone's favorite pancake house, The International House of Pancakes, that is, will be giving away free pancakes today, from 7am to 11pm. If you're into that kind of thing, stop by your local IHOP, and fill 'er up with a short stack (that's 3 pancakes for you short stack novices). Personally, I am a HUGE fan of pancakes (who isn't?) however, I have to tell you that I'm honestly not sure that there are any IHOP locations near me...and I'm pretty sure it's not in the near proximity. If I were to scope it out, however, I'd be chowing down on the short stack with a bit o'maple and strawberry syrup. Yum. Oh, and to get your FREE pancakes, IHOP requests a small donation towards their Children's Miracle Network charity. Pancakes and a good cause? Does it get any better?

Fashion's Night Out Fun, Even For a Peon

On Thursday, Sept 10, I, along with fashionista extraordinaire and almost-sister Catherine, attended Fashion's Night Out - a one night event kicking off New York Fashion Week in which stores from Fifth Ave Flagships to SoHo boutiques stayed open late, had dj's spinning rockin' tunes, and offered free champagne. Be sure to check out Catherine's video coverage which is soon to be posted on her site!


Stores visited:
Saks
Juicy Couture
MAC
Henri Bendel
Elie Tahari
Chanel
Burberry

Budget Breakdown:
1 glass of seltzer (mistaken for real water) - FREE
2 glasses of champagne - FREE
1 bottle Baby Goth Girl MAC Style Black nail polish: $13
1 FNO T-shirt: $30
1 Tom Ford perfume sample: FREE
2 Subway Fares: $4.50
1 bathroom use at Chanel: FREE

Elie Tahari
Here, I got my fancy FNO t-shirt and listened to some music on a giant tuba.

Juicy Couture on 5th Avenue featured 1920's style flappers who frequently broke into dance. Oh, and they had a full pink bar serving champagne (2 free glasses for me).

MAC Style Black Collection

A new collection on preview for one night only, featuring, you guessed it, black. Gorgeous eye shadows and nail polishes lead the collection, however I do have some reservations about the black lipstick.

Kick Off Fall with Fashion, Food, and Freebies

Since Fall is my favorite season, and we're having unseasonably fabulous weather here in New York, I'm celebrating by attending some free yet fabulous events going on over the next couple of weeks. From fashion to food to fresh city air, you basically can't go wrong.

Fashion's Night Out
The first of its kind, Fashion's Night Out is a one night event kicking off Fashion Week tomorrow, Sept. 10. Designed to boost the industry and get shoppers (like you) into stores (like Saks & Bergdorf), this event will feature free cocktails and grub and discounted fashion pieces. Stores throughout the five boroughs will stay open until 11pm and word is that every notable designer will be out enjoying the festivities as well - even throwing in a performance here and there. Want the inside scoop? Check out New York magazine's Frugal Guide and Full Event Calendar. Ok, I do find it a little patronizing that suddenly the retail industry is hurting and therefore now the peons are invited to participate and spend their money, but the bottom line is that I really want to go. It seems fab and perhaps I'll score a super deal on some seasonal super trend. At the very least I hope to get some free wine and cupcakes out of it.

Hoboken Italian Festival
Moving on from chic to...not so chic, it's the Hoboken Italian Festival. Also kicking off tomorrow, Sept. 10, this 4 night festival will feature local cuisine (e.g. pizza, cannolis) and live music. Though I've never been, I'm not one to pass up NJ classic foods and will therefore be finding some time this weekend to attend. Check this site for a full schedule of events. My only reservation about this event is that it is unlikely to be as fantastic as...

The Feast of San Gennaro
A September staple in the calendar of Rachel. Each year husband and I attend and try lots of fried culinary delights, from skewered meat to fried corn cakes to fried calamari to tiramisu to...the list can go on and on. Like the Jersey shore boardwalk enlarged and displaced into Manhattan, carnival games, circus freaks, and live cheesy music permeate this Little Italy phenomenon. This is a festival that should not be missed. Running from September 10 - 20, it gets beyond crowded, so if you want to try food of any kind, I recommend a night after work and, I cannot stress this enough, get there early and on an empty stomach! Since my new office digs are in the downtown area, there is a high chance that I will be making multiple evenings of it.

Is that enough to get you started for September? I have a busy week ahead...check back for photos and honest reviews! Anyone else attending any of the above? Let me know if you want to meet up!