Are you ready for the holiday shopping season? Get in gear and join your Sun Sentinel shopping bloggers for the Meet Market at Chima Brazillian Steak House.

Enjoy light appetizers with special 1/2 price well drinks and $4 select martinis and wine specials.

Discuss your shopping strategies, the latest trends and the best deals with SunSentinel shopping bloggers Kathy Haines, Marcia Heroux-Pounds and Erika Pesantes, just in time for Black Friday!

Tour FG Lifestyle Salon and enjoy complimentary chair massages and mini-makeovers to help you feel your best. Celebrity cosmetics innovator, stylist and beauty expert to the stars, Francesca Guerrera, will show you how to hit the look you want for this years’ holiday parties. And don’t miss the raffle for hair, pedicure, manicure, facial, spinning, yoga and Pilates classes!

Boca Leche clothing boutique will also be displaying the hottest seasonal fashions, and offering special pricing to our guests.

Each guest will receive special gift bags with special treats from Chima, Boca Leche and FG Lifestyle Salon.

Only 60 readers will get to participate in this exclusive event, so reserve your spot today at http://meetmarket1118.eventbrite.com.

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Can't decide how to accessorize an outfit? Don't know what really works for your body type?

Try the free personal shopping service at Filene's Basement, 17651 Biscayne Boulevard
in Aventura. Filene's says it is offering a "budget-friendly" makeover to shoppers with fashion expert Maysa Barrial, the store's new personal shopper.

Maysa holds a degree in fashion design and is member of the Image Consultants of America.

"Looking great has nothing to do with the amount of money you spend. It's about being creative, finding deals, and styling them well," Maysa says. "This year it's about reviving what you already have and building upon it with bold, versatile, feel good pieces."

All of us can use a little help, especially when it's free. For an appointment, call

Schedule your free session Monday- Saturday at Filene's Basement in Aventura by e-mailing her at personal.shopper@filenesbasement.com or calling 305-936-2497. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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The last time I blogged about election clothing, it was about the brouhaha over Cindy McCain's gazillion dollar outfit at the Republican Convention.

Now, there's an even bigger brouhaha surrounding the buzz about Michelle Obama's Inaugural ball gown. Women's Wear Daily posted a feature showing what various designers sketched for her for the Inaugural Ball. The post has had nearly six million hits, and climbing.

WWD's What should Michelle wear?

I, for one, have been surprised that Michelle Obama is constantly called a style icon and compared to Jacqueline Kennedy. Most of her dresses are so plain, no spunk, and what were the red blobs on the election night dress all about? What do you think? Will Michelle Obama be the next Jackie O or Lady Di, the style icon of our time?

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When I heard that Miami-based Michele Barouh was going to make an appearance at Boca's Bloomingdale's my reaction was a big yawn.

Mea culpa. I shouldn't have let my subscription to W lapse. How can I be your fashion guide if I miss a watch designer whose designs are worn by celebs such as Jennifer Aniston and Paris Hilton?

Michele, namesake of Michele Watches and Creative Director for the brand, will be at Bloomie's today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Fashion Accessories on Level 1. She will help you design your own Michele Watch and she'll sign your watch purchases during the event.

Bloomingdale’s Boca Raton is located at 5840 Glades Road in Town Center at Boca Raton.

Better hurry. She's there is a few minutes

XOXO-- Shopper Girl

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Looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend? To kick off the official launch of FAO Schwartz within Macy's locations there's a big grand opening celebration at Macy's Dadeland this weekend.

Celebrated author and mother, Jenny McCarthy, will be there on Saturday September 27th at 2:00 p.m.

Children and families are invited to join the fun and activities. There will be balloon making, face painting, and other family festivities.

Children will be invited to create their own version of the FAO Schwartz Toy Soldier hat for a chance to win $1000 shopping spree. Contest held on site and all decorating materials will be provided.

Heck, I want to win $1000 shopping spree!! Can adults play too?? What would you buy if you won a $1,000 and HAD to spend it?

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I'm a fan of InStyle magazine http://www.instyle.com/instyle/
I'm a much bigger fan of any help that gets me to that state of fabulosity (Kimora, thank's for coining that word). So when I heard that the magazine's editors created Instant Style, I had to buy.

Although I know what looks good I don't always do justice while shopping or getting dressed (there have been a few fashion faux paux). If your fashion impairment has to do with putting an outfit together, then start turning these pages.

The book's useful layout is full of pictures and explainations on what works for different body types. There are tips on wardrobe pieces that are a must.

These suggestions won't be soon outdated because as every fashionista knows, classic pieces of clothing, shoes and accessories are timeless. Not that your wardrobe doesn't need the occasional update, but if you invest wisely, purchases go a long way.

The book retails for $29.95 at major book stores like Barnes & Nobles http://www.barnesandnoble.com/index.asp but there is currently an online offer for $23.96 and members pay $21.56. Check Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/ for prices ranging from $19.77 or less for used copies.

Wishing you a stylish life,
Heather.

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You thought shoe shopping was a hassle. Check out Britney Spears trying to shop at Off Broadway Shoes Warehouse in Hollywood.

By the way, with her bucks, why is she shopping discount with the budget-minded folks? Maybe she would get rock star treatment if she stuck with shopping for Jimmy Choos or Manolas If anyone knows how to pick a venue, it should be Britt..

Come on, Britt. Was this another publicity stunt?

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Maybe big TVs are a guy thing. I’m not even a sports fan, but I’m fascinated with BrandsMart bringing what it's calling the world’s largest plasma HDTV to Miami Saturday and Sunday.

The 103-inch Panasonic—about the size of a queen-sized mattress—will be at the BrandsMart just off the Palmetto Expressway at 4320 NW 167th St. You can check it out 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. You can even buy one if you’ve got $70,000 to spare.

- J.T.

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If you love Nicole Miller's fashions, you'll want to see what she does with furniture.

The Seventh Avenue clothing designer who made a breakthrough with her smock dress in the early 80s, has attracted a galaxy of star clients, including Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson, Kim Cattrall and Paris Hilton.

Known for designing the perfect black dress and other simple designs, she has created a furniture collection for Excelsior Designs that's sleek and sophisticated.

Meet her in person at these two events:

Nov. 1: 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the first floor of Carls Boca Raton, 6650 North Federal Highway. They'll be hors d'oeuvres, spirits and music. Must RSVP. Call 954-949-1700.

Nov 2: 2:30 p.m. Carls Palmetto, 1400 NW 167th, Miami. Light refreshments will be served and music will be from Lynn University Conservatory of Music. Must RSVP. Call 954 949-1700.

The Palmetto event will also include a drawing for prizes, including a chance to win a Nicole Miller Bryant Park console with a retail value of $3,908.

Don't wait, Nicole fans. Space is limited at both events. - C.V.S.

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