Here we are, back again in this glorious time of year for colorful scarves and my fancy Black Sparkle Ear Mitts®! So, this season has been a busy one so far. We have been tackling gift/craft shows left and right! This week we are packing up and hauling out for the wonderful shows in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Arlington, Texas, Des Moines, Iowa, and both Texarkana and Fort Smith in Arkansas. This week’s shows should be exciting ones! The nearer to Christmas and Thanksgiving, the better the gift and product offerings!

In Des Moines, Iowa, we will be showing off our winter spirit with Ear Mitts® Bandless Ear Muffs at the annual 2010 Gift Mart put on by the Jr. League of Des Moines. This show offers premier vendors and shopping proceeds that benefits the local community. This fundraiser for the Jr. League of Des Moines is a “cause worth shopping for”.
The dates are as follows:
Thursday, November 18, 2010 – 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Friday, November 19, 2010 – 9:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday November 20, 2010 – 9:00am – 3:00pm
If you are finding yourself huddled up in the cold of Des Moines, Iowa this weekend, come and stop by to do some hot shopping!
Our next stop is the Mistle Toe & Moss Holiday Market in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This special-event driven shopping experience has something for anyone and everyone. This year they are offering a Preview Party Gala on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 from 7pm – 10pm. The Plantation and Pearls Preview Party Gala is a $40/person private event which offers exclusive first-looks on all of the shopping, auction items and live entertainment. They are also offering cocktails and cuisine from some of the finest restaurants and caterers in the Lake Charles area to entice your shopping mood.
Thursday, November 18, 2010 from 10am – 12pm noon, the Junior League of Lake Charles will be offering a Southern Sassy Brunch which includes chef demonstrations, complimentary mid-day cocktails and a fabulous brunch. This brunch comes with the incentive of door prizes and entertainment for only $25 a person and table reservations for 8 at $200. So in case you missed the opening preview Gala, perhaps a girl’s night out was what you were waiting for! The Belles and Bordeaux Ladies Night includes shopping, hors d’oeuvres, and a wine tasting courtesy of The Wine Store. This event runs $25 a person on Friday November 19, 2010 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Gather your gals, put on your shopping heels and come join the fun! The final special event for the weekend is on Saturday, November 20, 2010 from 8:30 – 3:30pm (times vary) for Beignets with Santa. Bring the children for pictures with Santa, story time, and yummy beignets!
The whole shopping weekend is filled with exciting offers and raffles along with give-a-ways and a great time for shopping which all earned proceed from the events/raffles will be given back the community projects sponsored by the Junior League of Lake Charles.
Also going on the weekend is the Holiday Market put on by the Junior League of Fort Smith, from Fort Smith, Arkansas. This shopping event is from Friday, November 19, 2010 until Sunday, November 21, 2010. There will girl’s night on Friday with cocktails, food and shopping for the gals. On Saturday evening there will be a Jingle Bell Bal-Gala with gourmet dinner, open bar and silent/live auctions as well as live entertainment. The Junior League is also offering Snacks with Santa on Sunday for the children for $10.
Come out to Fort Smith if you find yourself in need of some early Christmas shopping with the family or a fun girl’s night out with the ladies.
We will also be attending the Mistletoe Fair in Texarkana, Arkansas. This year is the 25th year for the Junior League to put on a shopping extravaganza that is expected to see more than 10,000 shoppers this year! There are multiple children’s events being held this year. Be sure to reserve a spot before it’s too late! This includes breakfast with Santa and a Santa’s Workshop event for the kiddies to learn and experience the making of treats for when Santa comes to visit. Don’t hesitate to come visit us at the Mistletoe Fair for some unique shopping and a full-on holiday experience!
The last stop on our list this weekend is in Arlington, Texas at the Peddler Show. The Peddler Show is the “perfect street of shops” and gifts for all of your Christmas/Holiday needs, or even if you are looking for something warm to wear in the cold autumn air (that’s my excuse!). The Peddler Show will be held at the Arlington Convention Center which is right near the home of the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Peddler also offers one-time admission fees for the whole weekend! So get that ticket and shop until you drop! Then, come back the next day for more! Peddler Arlington runs Thursday, November 18, 2010 – Saturday, November 20, 2010.
Phew! That’s a lot of coverage for us this weekend! We are in and out of a few different states and one fabulous shopping event after another. Hopefully we will see you there!