Fashions Night Out 2012

As you may recall, back in 2010 we sort of stumbled upon the fun that is Fashions Night Out, a night in which all the stores on Fifth Avenue, in SoHo, etc. open their doors and basically throw a big party. We ate caviar, we drank champagne, we rubbed elbows with celebrities. It was one of our favorite New York City nights. Last year, my sister was in town for Fashions Night Out, so we once again hit the red carpet in Rockefeller Center and took advantage of the evening (although it was much more crowded than the year before). This year, given that we have a baby and all, we weren't sure it would work out for us. But hey, our baby is awesome, so why not give her a night out like the baby fashionista she is?

We decided we would choose just one or two things to try to do this FNO, as most things didn't get started until 6:00 p.m. or later and we run a pretty regular 8:00 bedtime in this house. When I saw that Darren Criss would be making an appearance at Saks, I knew that was our event. My baby is a documented Darren Criss fan, so she donned one of her more fashionable outfits and we were off to Fifth Avenue.

Ready for a fashionable evening!

Unfortunately, we were too late for Darren - by the time we arrived, they weren't even letting people get in line anymore. I was afraid that might happen, but wasn't willing to sacrifice Ellie's afternoon nap for the sake of lining up. So, what can you do? We'll have to catch Darren next time.

We left Saks and went over to Rockefeller Center to check that out. They had their red carpet set up, with models lined up along the Promenade. They also had photo booths so you could get the full red carpet paparazzi experience.

With Ellie on the red carpet

Ellie and Eric in Rockefeller Center

Models on the Promenade

Posing!

We stopped into Papyrus for some hors d'oeuvres and champagne. At last year's FNO, I was pregnant (although it was not yet public knowledge) so could not partake of all the free booze. This year I made sure to make up for lost time! (Responsibly, of course.)

Looks like I'm not the only one who wants in on the champagne action.

We then went over to Nine West, where Nigel Barker and Chrissy Teigen were scheduled to appear. Nigel was there already but Chrissy Teigen ran late, so we didn't get to see her. But, they gave out cake pops that kept Ellie occupied for some time (through the wrapper - no cake was actually consumed by babies).

Nom.

This was Ellie's first time at Rockefeller Center and Radio City, so we made sure to document the occasion.

She's in awe!

Alongside Radio City Music Hall

Next it was down to Macy's to see what was happening there. They had another red carpet set up in Herald Square, and some music playing outside. We had to stop for photos and a little dance party, naturally.

Photo op!

Girls on the red carpet, and Ellie's first dance party!

Inside, we saw Clinton Kelly, drank some vodka, and then saw Bachelorette Emily Maynard and her chosen man, Jef Holm. Ellie's first celebrity sightings!

Left: On the wooden escalators in Macy's

Right: Clinton Kelly

Jef and Emily

It was nearing 8:00 by that point, so we called it a night and made our way home, where our sleepy little fashionista went right to bed. Once again, she was so good the entire time we were out - at worst, she was just hanging out in our arms, and at best she was looking around, smiling and talking. She rocked it!

Another fun NYC night in the books!