{Girls’ Night Out} Francesca’s Personal Styling Party

Francesca's, private party, girls night out idea

Close your eyes and imagine this:

Err…don’t close your eyes or else you won’t be able to read this, you silly goose!  Just imagine:

A beautiful boutique filled with accessories, sweaters, dresses, and skirts.  CLOSED to the public, but open to just you and your girlfriends.  Leisure shopping, no rush.  NO KIDS.  Super friendly personal stylists to help you pull together outfits and accessories.  Pink moscato champange.  Killer discount. No husbands around to tell you to hurry up or that it’s too expensive…

No, it wasn’t a dream or fantasy.  It just happened in real life, thanks to the awesome team at Francesca’s in the Arboretum of South Barrington.  The amazing store manager Andrea mentioned that they do private parties when I was shopping there last month with my sister, so I took her up on her offer.

We got there at 6:30 after the store closed and browsed around for a bit to get acquainted with the products and accessories, and chit-chat with the girls.  It was a girls’ night out so there was lots to talk about!  Actually, we mostly talked about our kids and what they were up to while “mommy was away” for the evening.  We noted how shopping is so much different without having to push a stroller or tend to a screaming baby.

Francescas 6

Francescas 8 Francescas 7Francescas 9
Then, they asked us whether we were looking for dressy outfits or more casual looks.  I was going for casual and comfy things that could be dressed up with accessories or layers.  Based on that, they started pulling their favorite pieces for me to try on.   Even while I was in the fitting room, they were passing along accessories, leggings, cardigans – anything that would help complete the look.  This must be how celebrities shop and I could seriously get used to this!

Francescas 11 Francescas 10

Here were our lovely personal stylists for the evening:

Francescas 2

I think the best part was how genuinely nice and helpful the girls were.  They seemed like they had a ton of fun, too, even though they all stayed past their normal business hours to host this event for us.  There was no pressure us to buy certain things or have a minimum purchase or anything.  They really made us feel welcome and worry-free and even provided cookies, cheese, crackers, and soft drinks.  I was even allowed to bring a bottle of Pink Moscato Champagne (all gone as you can see in this pic!):

Francescas 5

As the night went on, they started stacking our items along the cash wrap in little (or not-so-little) piles with our names on them.  We braced ourselves to see what our total damage was as they rung up each item at the end of the night.

Francescas 12

We made new friends and caught up with old friends.  If there’s one thing that’ll bring us together for a perfect girls night out – it’s SHOPPING.

Francescas 13

My apologies go out to the husbands of my friends who may have seen a significant dip in their bank account as a result, including my own.  Sorry, Jeffy!

xoxo // gracielle.

Note:  Mommy A-Z does not represent Francesca’s in any way.  I just really had an amazing time with my friends and all opinions are my own.  The store manager offered a 20% discount for my friends and me for our purchases that evening, but that has nothing to do with this blog – she’s just awesome like that!  Thanks for reading.

Comments

  1. Gracielle, this is seriously my idea of heaven. Uncrowded shopping for nice clothes, wine, cheese and crackers! Seriously. And no strollers or tantrums! Everything looks beautiful.
    Tamara recently posted…It’s Because You Care.My Profile

    • Thanks, Tamara! It was a perfect evening! We were supposed to top it off with a fancy dinner, but we were all broke by the end of the night and just ended up grabbing Chipotle!

  2. What an awesome evening!! You’ve described my total dream scenario complete with Champagne!! I’ve never done anything like that, but man…I’d sure love to! I love the pictures!! You guys rocked it! –Lisa

  3. Wow!! Now that sounds like a really fun way to shop!
    Rachel G recently posted…Christmas Wish ListMy Profile

  4. I think there is a Francesca’s not too far from me, would LOVE to do this with my girl friends! Is this a service they offer to anyone interested? I know many boutiques do private shopping events.
    Deanna recently posted…Winter Favorites.My Profile

    • Deanna, you totally should do it! Ask the store manager at your local Francesca’s if they do private styling events – doesn’t hurt to ask, right? If not, then definitely go to the one in the Arboretum of South Barrington (if it’s not too far for you and your friends). The store manager’s name is Andrea – her and her staff are absolute dolls!

  5. That sounds like a really good time. Maybe if I shopped like that I would actually like shopping! 😉
    Jeanne recently posted…It Was A Little HecticMy Profile

    • I could totally get used to shopping like a VIP! It definitely set the bar pretty high considering it’s the holiday shopping season with messy stores, large crowds – no thank you!

  6. A Francescas store just opened up where I live. I stopped there this weekend. I really like their jewelry and handbags.
    Julie recently posted…Chicken EnchiladasMy Profile

    • I was drawn in by their jewelry and handbags, but not sure if I agree with their price points on those items. Once I started trying on the clothes and layering the pieces is when I officially got hooked!

  7. Sounds amazing! Does it cost anything?

Trackbacks

  1. […] to layer basic pieces with tights, boots, scarves, and accessories to make it my own.  I hosted a girls’ night out with my girlfriends and they actually shut down the store for a personal styling event where they […]

Speak Your Mind

*

CommentLuv badge

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.