Now that it’s been a few days, I’ve had enough time to come down from cloud nine and process the greatness of what was my Wednesday night. Let’s back it up for a sec.
A few weeks ago I received an email from the Public Relations rep from the Bethenny TV show (which begins September 9th!). She explained that there was an exclusive cocktail party hosted by Bethenny Frankel called “Calling All My Girls” that is visiting eight cities around the United States, and it was going to be coming to Minneapolis in just a couple of weeks. She then proceeded to tell me she loved the content of my blog and thought that Bethenny’s audience would love it too. Then she invited me to be a VIP guest at the cocktail party!
I had to reread the email a few times and even google searched the sweet PR rep just to make sure this whole thing was legitimate. After some research I realized that it truly was for real. My adrenaline started racing and I quickly put together a response email.
The event was called, Calling All My Girls and it was an exclusive cocktail party for 150 ladies who wanted a night out with the girls and a chance to hang out with Bethenny and help celebrate her upcoming talk show called Bethenny. Of course I was going to attend!
For those of you who may not be too familiar with Bethenny Frankel…
She is a former natural food chef, in 2005 she was a contestant on Martha Stewart’s The Apprentice, and in 2008 she was selected for the reality show, The Real Housewives of New York. For personal reasons she left the show in 2011. Since then she has starred in a couple of her own reality TV shows, Bethenny Getting Married and Bethenny Ever After. She also established her own brand of lower calorie cocktails called Skinnygirl, which have been a total hit. She is a New York Time’s bestselling author and has come out with workout DVDs. To top it off, she has a beautiful little girl named Brynn who is obviously her pride and joy. Whewwww she is one busy woman!
Why people love her…
Bethenny is known as the TMI (two much information) Queen. She will say anything, she will say what she feels and doesn’t censor herself. She is completely open and honest and will answer any question that comes her way. She has a very motivated and driven work tactic that is highly admirable. She is real in the way she presents herself, and connects with her fans because of all of these reasons. She is sweet, funny, and absolutely beautiful, and I got to hang out with her!
Wednesday Night
I jumped on the chance to get all dolled up for a cocktail party hosted by Bethenny Frankel herself! To be honest, I had to google “cocktail party attire” because I really don’t frequent cocktail parties and had an idea of what to wear, but wanted to be sure.
I found this BCBG dress at Macy’s and got a killer deal on it! I truly think it was made for me–it fit like a glove and I loved it! I already had shoes to go with the dress (thanks Hales), a clutch (thanks Jeff and Ana) and just had to buy earrings and a bracelet.
Upon arrival to the party we all had to sign in and get our access bracelets. Immediately cocktail waiters were coming around with Skinnygirl Moscato and champagne and the energy at the Union in Minneapolis was really electric.
I noticed that most of the women there had come with someone they knew and that is because the majority of the women there had won tickets to the party and were allowed to bring one guest. I didn’t even think to ask to bring a guest, so I showed up singular. This was fine with me though! I immediately noticed another blogger there (we wore special badges) and connected with her right away. I also found the woman that had emailed and invited me to the event, and she was so welcoming and kind. I felt at ease knowing I had already met two great people.
Eventually, we made our way up to the rooftop at the Union which was starting to fill up with people (this was a photo before the event hence the people-less rooftop).
On the rooftop we mingled with each other for an hour or so, munched on some seriously tasty appetizers, sipped on cocktails, and enjoyed the beautiful evening. Seriously the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.
They played a video of Bethenny talking about her life and growing up and where she is now, speaking about celebrating life, following our hearts, pursuing our dreams, and then she talked about her upcoming show. This is when reality started setting in that I was about to meet Bethenny!
As she made her grand entrance, we all went crazy! We were so excited to see her and she is just as beautiful, if not even more beautiful in person than she is on TV.
She talked with us for a while, answered some “Ask Bethenny Anything Questions”,” played some games, and then introduced a handful of bachelors who would be mingling with the crowd for the evening.
Next, we were called over in groups to get the chance to meet Bethenny and take a photo with her. When my group was called I was surprised that I wasn’t nervous–just excited. That’s the aura that she gives off though; just completely real. You feel like you’re hanging out with a girlfriend.
On the right is a sweetheart I met named Lizzie! I also got to meet Lee who is a blogger at Fit Foodie Finds!
I got to meet Bethenny! So exciting!
After we all got our turn meeting Bethenny, she came back to the stage to talk to us for a while longer and then finally had to say her good-bye’s. The event was from 6-9 and it flew by so quickly!
Before I forget to mention, the DJ at the event was incredible. Every song she played I would say “this is my song!” Just like my dress was made for me, I think she was my DJ.
I spent the majority of my evening with these two wonderful ladies: Jen and Erica. Erica blogs at Love.Baby.Life and Jen is a friend of hers. I was so happy to have met these girls. They were so genuine and fun!
At 9 pm, I decided I needed to head out; I’m not used to partying on a week night and had to work the next day. On our way out the door we were given a swag bag (yes!!). I peaked in it on the way home but was too exhausted to look entirely until the next day. In the bag: her brand new book Skinny Girl Solutions, Skinnygirl workout DVD, Skinnygirl Stevia and Monk Fruit Extract, Skinnygirl chocolate bar, Bethenny T-shirt, PurNaturals makeup, EOS chapstick (my new favorite!), and a really nice sturdy duffle bag. Amazing swag!
Talk about an adrenaline rush not only when I was at the event, but much of the time leading up to the event. I was wiped! It took me until Sunday to finally feel well-rested and back to normal. I obviously don’t get the opportunity to do things like this too often. Hanging out with the stars is exhausting, but so incredibly amazing! 😉
I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity and I so look forward to her upcoming show, Bethenny on September 9th!! You all should watch it too!
Have you ever met a celebrity?
Omg I’m so jealous! I love bethenny that is so cool!!!!!
She is one special gal!
Oh my gosh I am soooo jealous!!! What a super fun opportunity!!! I can’t believe you got such an opportunity, and I totally would have googled the PR person too to make sure it was legite 🙂 you looked GORGEOUS as always!!!
Ha ha, it’s sad we have to resort to that in this world but it’s best to be safe! Thank you for the sweet compliment. 🙂
Wow, that seems like such a fun night! And I absolutely love your dress!
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Thank you!
GAHHH!!! Next time you get an invite, ask for a guest ticket and then invite me 😉 Just kidding, sort of… I’m SO happy for you that you had this amazing opportunity to meet Bethenny and some new blends 🙂 P.S. Bring that dress to Chicago so we can have a dressy girls’ night out!
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You’re so not kidding! I’ll be sure to ask next time! 😉
Wow, Melanie!! That is so freakin’ awesome that you got to meet Bethenny!!
You looked absolutely stunning; that dress really was made for you.
I already had plans to watch her new show because I love her personality but now I love her even more that invited bloggers to meet her. Seriously, so amazing!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Truckee: Cedar House Sport Hotel
Thank you! It was so much fun and always fun to have an event to dress up for!
Melanie!! It just re-lived the event while reading your post. (Thanks for the shout out). I’m so glad that I had the chance to meet you! It was such a fun night! I wish we could do it all again this Wednesday!! Maybe, we just need to plan a trip to NY to see the show…
P.S. I just posted about the event on my blog…. http://lovebabylife.blogspot.com/2013/08/calling-all-my-girls.html
Me too, except I would need to make sure I didn’t work the next day. I was so exhausted the rest of the week! I loved your recap from the night. So special! Let me know if you gals plan a trip out there!
Omg I’m soooooo jealous!!! I love Bethenny. She is so inspiring.
I have met Robert Irvine, he redid a restaurant for restaurant impossible in lake city, mn. I had a chance to go to the grand re-opening. He signed a cookbook for me and we got a picture with him. I felt so giddy and excited.
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That is so neat! I am so the same way–I feel like a little kid going to a birthday party. Just so happy!
Oh…you’re SO lucky to have met Bethenny!! I love her!!! This sounds like such an awesome event!
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Oh yeah…forgot to mention…your dress is gorgeous!!!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted…MIMM #6 — I’m a Sweat Pink Ambassador!
Awww thanks!
Thank you! She is pretty awesome!
I’m soooooo jealous! I love her! Was she as funny in person as she is on tv? Wonder when she’s coming to Boston…. 🙂
Yes she’s hilarious! She says it like it is and I love that about her!