July 22nd at the DKNY store on Madison Avenue in New York City, 25 of the wives, fiancés & girlfriends of the Yankee professional baseball players rounded up to raise money for the Catch 25 charity.

Kim Giardi (wife of Joe Giardi) hosted a private DKNY Fall fashion show and shopping event with a portion of the proceeds benefiting her and her husband’s charity, the Catch 25 Foundation. Over $40,000 was generated in under an hour with 10% of the evening’s sales going back to the charity.  New York women love to shop and it certainly scored a homerun in my book!

Key attendees included Laura Posada (wife of Jorge Posada), Joanna Garcia (engaged to Nick Swisher & coming out with her own show Better With You which premiers this Fall on ABC. Most people know her from Gossip Girl as Nate’s love interest), and Erin Robertson (wife of David Robertson).

(Pictured: Laura Posada & Joanna Garcia)

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Bites, cocktails, fashion, and music.  This was the scene on Thursday, July 22nd in the Men's store inside Saks.  Set to the sounds of summer by DJ Ricardo Gil, hors d' oeuvres by 5115 Grille, and cool cocktails by Grey Goose, this was the super hot "Haute Boys of Summer" soiree.

Besides learning the art of shaving by Dolce & Gabana and taking advantage of a one night only 15% discount on all merchandise, there were ultra sexy male models on hand sporting the latest looks.  Ladies, the party went wild when the models changed in and out of their looks never leaving their platforms.  You could even pose and take a photo with the hunky men for $5.00.  All donations received that evening (thousands of dollars raised) benefited AIDS Foundation Houston, Legacy Community Health Services, and LIVE Consortium.

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Calling all bargain shoppers!  Your weekend plans may need to include a short trip up I-10 to Katy, Texas.

Katy Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in South Texas, will welcome Coach Factory Store to its already popular retail mix at its grand opening celebration, on Friday, August 13 at 10:00 a.m. Katy Mills’ newest fashion-forward retailer will occupy more than 8,000 square-feet and will be located in Neighborhood 3.

As part of Coach Factory Store’s grand opening festivities, shoppers will enjoy 20% OFF the entire store all day, on Friday, August 13.

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The Fashion Group International in Los Angeles hosted a fabulous sangrialicious soiree on Wednesday, July 21st at the JW Marriott in downtown Los Angeles. I’ve been dying to check out this hotel since it’s the new hot spot in downtown (and being connected to the Ritz-Carlton isn’t too shabby either…). We were greeted by complimentary Sangria and a fashion forward LA crowd at the “Heat Up The Middle of Summer” networking event. The views of downtown were amazing and if you haven’t been to LA Live yet, I highly recommend you check it out. There are so many fab restaurants to choose from too, Wolfgang Puck, Katsuya, Flemings, Rosa Mexicano, and many more. Being downtown always makes me feel like I’m out of town!

Between the model walking around with all her designer duds being raffled off and the humming of convos across the patio, I was in fashion heaven.

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On Saturday, July 17, 2010, guests gathered at The Raleigh Hotel – Cabana Grande at 9:00 p.m. for the debut of True Religion Swimwear Collection Spring 2011. True Religion Swimwear brought an American vintage vibe to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2011 with its eye-catching men and women’s swimwear and accessories.  This was my first show at Miami Swim so literally I had zero expectations but walked away totally impressed after the whole experience.   After catching a glimpse of their collection, I was inspired to get a spray tan, buy a new swimsuit with a hippie-chic flair, then head off to the beach!  I sat in the second row, had a clear view of the catwalk, and managed to take this amateur video. 

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVYhF5Bt7XQ

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Sunday, July 18th, in the Cabana Grande at South Beach’s historic The Raleigh hotel, Brazil’s favorite beachwear brand, Cia.Maritima, showcased its 2011 collection as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. Models rocked the catwalk sporting over 40 fabulous looks.  I picked out a few of my favorites, which was very difficult to narrow down; the photos are at the end of this story. 

2010 marks Cia.Maritima’s 20th anniversary. The collection was launched in its native Sao Paulo in June 1990. Since its inception, Cia.Maritima has staged annual runway shows in Sao Paulo, and has also shown on the runways of New York, Miami and Europe. In its shows, the collection has been worn by the world’s top models including Giselle Bundchen, Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova and many others. The swimwear has also been seen on the beach on such celebrities as Blake Lively, Whitney Port and Denise Richards.

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Los Angeles-based designer Trina Turk brought “Acapulco Gold” to Miami Beach with her first swim and spa collection.  July 16, 2010 guests celebrated her first swim appearance featuring the glitz and glam you can expect from this leading lady. 

Trina Turk set the stage with a dynamic collection inspired by the opulence of the Mexican world-class resort. The Swim & Spa 2011 collection, “Acapulco Gold,” included a strong variation of looks that included a range of exotic influences, vibrant colors and hypnotic prints. Acapulco’s pure exotica and tropical motif was featured throughout the collection of swimwear, beach apparel and accessories.  (Pictured: Trina Turk).

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Parties, pools, and runway presentations--this is the excitement surrounding Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2011 in Miami's South Beach.  In a last minute splurge decision, all for the love of fashion and for my RSVP Social fashionista readers back home in Houston, I booked a first class flight to Miami, pulled a few media strings, and made my way to the festivities in style!

For five full days and notorious nights, the swim industry is sizzling, where ten square blocks of South Beach are filled with bikinis, golden tans, sultry sand, and flowing cocktails in breezy private cabanas. The Raleigh hotel sets center stage for all of the action.  Featuring a pretty intense schedule, the event is an international icon featuring ready to wear collections by designers like Christian Audigler, Ed Hardy, Trina Turk, True Religion, Beach Bunny Swimwear, and countless other designer greats. (View my very candid pics below).

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If you have not noticed from my recent postings, summer, travel, and the beach is definitely on my mind.  In fact, I think Miami Beach is my new second home.

Whether you are sipping ritas pool-side, setting sea on a yacht, or relaxing on a white sandy beach, I have taken the liberty to search for the perfect beach tote bags which may one up your new "babelicious" bikini or slinky sandals.

Juicy Couture is always a good brand to turn to when it comes to "casual couture".  They have the cutest cover ups and jumpsuits, so why not complete the look with a sassy bag? This yellow and green fruit print tote retails for $148 at Neiman Marcus.  Sweet like pie!

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Alexandra Hart is a true artist.  I had the pleasure of meeting her during one of her collection showings at Peran & Scannell Jewelers.  

In her San Diego studio, you can find Alexandra Hart hard at work creating voluminous, sculptural jewelry taking cues from the organic world.  Her work accentuates nature’s beauty, exploring concepts of allure and defense.  Her metal creations look more like undersea creatures with futuristic elements.  Although some pieces may look intimidating to put on, they are comfortable to wear and make a boundless statement to say the least!  “It’s all about form,” says Ms. Hart.  Examining each piece, holding them, and allowing one’s fingers to sweep over the bumps, spikes and curves, the person is left with an indirect experience of what true natural forms feel like.

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