Last week I attended the very fabulous Moulin Rouge event hosted by the ever fabulous Kim Caldwell down in Los Angeles. It was a magical, charmed, treat-filled long weekend from beginning to end! I've had the great fortune of attending a lot of events and I have to say, this one will always hold a very special place in my heart. I have had a really rough time with some things lately and I was able to tuck all of that away and not think about it for a few days. This little artsy get-away gave me a chance to clear my mind and be a little more objective about things. Exactly what I needed.
I am still dreaming of all the fabulous fun, classes, people and shopping and I still can't believe I was there! Seeing all the beautiful pictures and then catching glimpses of myself or full on pictures of me among them. Wow! It was kinda hard coming back to reality. It always is, though, so that doesn't surprise me anymore. In fact, I missed work on Tuesday. I was SO exhausted and I was fighting off the "Moulin Flu" that so many of the girls came down with! But here I am, a few days behind but feeling fully recovered and ready to get everything unpacked from my suitcases and my mind.
I couldn't imagine a better way to start this event...the supremely talented and super cool Denise picked me up from LAX on Thursday. So nice of her and I am very grateful! She also picked up my sweet buddy Rachel so I got to see two of my favorite girlies within 20 minutes of arriving in L.A.! Lucky me! We popped over to the hotel (ohmy The Belamar is fabulous!), picked up Valita (my super roomie!) and headed straight away to the L.A. Fashion District for some amazing shopping!
Super sad that none of my pics I took from this adventure were on the camera when I went to upload. I have no idea how I managed that. Seriously, that has never happened! So I am extra thankful that Denise took some great pics and posted them on her blog. We had such a fun day! Here's a few pictures borrowed from Denise's blog...(thank you Denise!)
Me, Valita and Rachel (picture taken by Denise Hahn)
I just wanted to stop and soak up these dresses. What an amazing visual feast!
(picture taken by Denise Hahn)
Dear Denise (picture taken by Denise Hahn)
Rachel and Valita (picture taken by Denise Hahn)
Here's a picture of my new treasures I collected on our Fashion District adventure. I have to say, I showed tremendous restraint. I think it was probably because it was just so overwhelming and I knew I only had two suitcases!
I do have to confess that I was quite smitten with those little blue labels and I bought just about all they had! Denise took a picture of me being very happy about this...
(picture taken by Denise Hahn)
Those of us traveling started to fade and so Denise took us to one of her favorite lunch spots in the area, Tiara Cafe. It was wonderful! The first of the weekends many sweet potato fries and cupcakes were consumed there.
After all the great shopping and wonderful lunch, our amazing guide, Denise, swung us by an adorable cupcake shop called SusieCakes and a newly opened wine shop called The VIntage Shoppe. Most of us bought something at both shops. :-)
When we returned to the hotel, I was already feeling like I had had a very full day...and Moulin Rouge hadn't even officialy begun!
The hotel...
The decorations around the event were spectacular!
There was a marvelous French Martini soiree as a Moulin warm up hosted by Cheryl and Joy but I was very Hold Dear focused and missed out on that party.
I have lots of fun goodies left from all the Moulin packaging frenzy so watch for a big shop update in the next few weeks!
Once things started winding down from the vendor event, I did get to come up for air and get around to a few of the other vendor tables. There were so many wonderful vendors!
Here's a list of who was there!
Broken Jewels
Loulou L'Amour
Here's a pic of the goodies I bought...
I didn't buy this on vendor night but this piece of Jenny and Aaron's kept calling to me so before I left, I knew it had to come home with me.
As a super fun surprise, Miss Kim had L.A. Photo Party come and set up a photo booth. Omigosh this has got to be one of the funnest things ever! I loved being able to create souvenirs right then and there with my pals plus it was so entertaining watching the others have their pictures taken.
Me with assorted girlies...Rachel, Valita, Denise, Karla, Stacy, Cheryl, Natalie, and Colleen.
And then one of me and sweet Cheryl! Cheryl gifted this beautiful frame to me so I knew I needed a fun pic of her and I to go in it! :-)
After all this, a group of us went into the restaurant at the hotel, Second Story, for some of their famous mac and cheese (it was very good and HELLO, they had Cholula so I was very happy!) It was such a great day but oh man, I was so glad I brought my Sock Monkey Slippers because my feet were worn out from the day!
I have a Moulin Rough Part Deux post in the works so I'll be back with some pics of the class projects, swaps and from the Flea Market/Shopping Tour!
XO!
Oh, how marvelous!! Those little dresses!! What goodies!!
Posted by: Laurie | March 28, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Looks fabulous, Michelle! Kim seems like quite the party planner! :)
Oh, those blue labels. Oh, oh, oh! How I love them. I've seen the red ones like that with the journaling lines, but never blue! What a great find.
And, I will be holding my breath until you do your shop update. yay!
Posted by: Jessica at Kids Napping? I'm Scrapping! | March 28, 2011 at 02:04 PM
That looks like so much fun, Michelle. I am glad you were able to take a break from everyday life! Some day, I am going to make it to one of Kim's events! Thinking of you and your fam!
Hugs,
Suz
Posted by: Katsui Jewelry | March 28, 2011 at 04:22 PM
A www..I love that you put our pic in the frame!! Xoxo
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl stoneham | March 28, 2011 at 07:09 PM
Love your pics, Michelle had so much fun hanging with you and I cant wait to visit you some time!
Posted by: denise hahn | March 29, 2011 at 09:17 AM