How do you determine your weekend activities? What is your criteria?

It's Friday, the end of the work week and if you're like Bag Ladies, you started planning your weekend on Monday, the beginning of the work week :-). How do you gauge which events or activities might be the best ones and/or the ones you want to attend. Do you check with your pals and take a poll of what they are doing? Do you check to see if the events have garnered any exposure ...are they mentioned online or in the paper? Are folks blogging about the events or are they generating a buzz? Might there be any folks of interest in attendance? And is it cost-effective? Such a tedious effort ...

Well look no further than right here cause Bag Ladies will keep you in the know. If Bag Ladies is gonna be in attendance, then trust that it's a place you wanna be. If you are following our blog, why not follow us around town too. Problem solved ...

Where you will run into us:

Fashionista Flea Market
The ultimate and affordable shopping experience featuring stylish handbags, clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories!

When: Saturday, May 30th
Time: 9a - 2p
Where: Upper Marlboro, MD

Click Fashionista Flea Market for further details

and ...

Premium Selective Affairs ...
THE YOUNG & THE GUESTLIST Hosted by Model & Actress Denyse Lawton and Sponsored by Hennessy BLACK

Meet the New power players this Saturday while the city's industry elite come out to play.
When: Saturday, May 30th
Time: 9p - 3a
Where: Station 9 Restaurant & Lounge, WDC

For more details, visit Premium Selective Affairs

and ...

The hottest wine festival of ths season ...
When: Saturday, May 30th - Sunday, May 31st
Time: 11a - 6p
Where: Bull Run Regional Park

Visit http://www.atwproductions.com/index.php?pr=vvhome for more info. and details ...

and yet another ...

The Breakfast Club
Join the club ...

When: Sunday, May 31st
Time: 3p - 12a
Where: Indulj - 1208 U Street NW, WDC

Ask the bartender for the signature Red Mimosa ...

Bag Ladies keeps it moving. Can you keep up?

See ya on the scene!

-- Lady Erin

It's fashion at your fingertips!!

It's time to get Minx'd! You want twinkle toes like Beyonce' or pinstripe fingernails like Fergie, well Minx is for you. A flexible film that's applied to the nail bed like a sticker and heated, Minx nail fashion, a new and glamorous way to extend fashion to your fingertips. Bag Ladies first became interested after reading about the interview Beyonce' did with Glamour UK during which she boasted about wearing Jay-Z on her fingertips. And Bag Ladies went, huh? After reaching out to the folks at Minx, we found out just how popular this technique is in Hollywood and how every celeb from Beyonce' to Rihanna to Christina Aguilerra are sporting this new look.

Minx is all over the red carpet, in videos and on the scene being sported by all the celebs. Bag Ladies being the celebs that we are certainly weren't about to be outdone simply because we aren't on the West Coast so I paid a visit to Natasha Ray's Ms. Dainty's Mobile Spa/Nail Louge which is the first Washington, DC salon to offer Minx.

Natasha does Minx parties and other exclusive, promotional events. I had the pleasure of meeting Natasha and hearing the story of how she met Master Minx, Janice Jordan who is one of the founders/owners of Minx, Inc. and how she fell in love with the technique. I loved Minx from the first moment I laid my eyes on the available styles and designs. It took me a few minutes to decide between the animal print design which was hot or the metallics but I opted for a magenta design and as Natasha advised, I did a bit of a contrast by applying a black and white design to my one pinky ...very chic! As Natasha says, "the simple application process allows clients to be glammed up in half the time." And this Bag Lady guarantees that once you've been Minx'd, you will never go back to a regular manicure again. However, as simple as the process is, it absolutely can't be done by just anyone. You need someone like Natasha Ray who has the skill and expertise to make you look fab. You leave her not being able to take your eyes off yourself nor will anyone else.

You can take your pick of sparkly metallics, personalized graphics and photo-quality designs that can be customized to feature your fave colors, photos or designs.

Visit Bag Ladies Radio OnDemand and check-out Bag Ladies interview with Natasha during which she discusses the Minx technique and why it's so popular and why her clients love it so. If in the Washington, DC area, don't go anywhere else to get Minx'd ...check out Natasha online at http://www.msdainty.com/ and contact her via email at msdaintynaillounge@gmail.com

To find a salon near you, check out http://www.minxnails.com/Minx-Salon-Spa-Finder.asp

Now get Minx'd!

-- Lady Erin

The therapy that is shopping ...

Whether it's a $14 dollar MAC lipstick or $700 Lanvin pumps, shopping can be an amazingly therapeutic cure-all just so long as you aren't overspending. Otherwise, the cure-all is temporary. But how is it that whether it be shopping online and upon clicking that last submit button to confirm your order or in a store and having the cashier hand you over your merchandise, that you just feel renewed. Your spirit is regained and there is a new-found pep in your step. And we all know there is nothing better than when you manage to obtain that must-have item be it shoes, or a piece of jewelry, a to-die-for handbag or some other item even it means restricting yourself for a couple of weeks in order to save to make that must-have purchase. There's nothing like a productive day of shopping and if you're like me, you tackle it solo. I don't require second opinions or anyone to validate my purchases. I have alot of experience when it comes to shopping so I'd like to consider myself fairly adept when it comes to determining perfect looks and great fits. There is nothing like the pleasure gained from walking out of a store knowing that the purchase made = a feeling of accomplishment so much so that you almost feel the need to light a cig even if you ain't a smoker.

Have you ever attempted to answer the question why more often than not, women tend to find the experience of shopping therapeutic while men tend to look at shopping as a chore? Per Suruchi Dumpawar from Sur's Pensieve, some of the reasons why shopping holds the level of appeal that it does amongst us Bag Ladies or Bag Shoppers:

"Shopping for women is like a put-outer; when women shop they just shut off the other things in their life including their worries, tensions and pressures. It’s a woman’s way of stress busting. Women will go shopping if they are feeling put down and after the escapade end up feeling much better."

"Shopping for women is an indulgence; it’s like treating themselves, and who in the world does not like treats? Women will go shopping, if they are feeling especially good and at the end of it feel even better. (So you see it works both ways ;))."

"Shopping for women is like a trail; It’s a treasure hunt of sorts, they go in search for something and in the process ending up buying a lot more than they had initially thought of, on impulse. (The hypermarkets bank on this and put tempting products on display.) The idea of exploring a shopping mall or a street is exciting for women. (I know I sound ridiculous!)."

"Shopping for women is a way of bonding with their friends; A gang of friends on a shopping escapade, women just love the idea, its one of their ways of having fun, I remember doing this a lot in the hostel, usually it used to be an all gals affair. Needless to mention that even if we were not shopping for ourselves and just accompanying people, we used to have a great time."

"Shopping for women is an ego booster; the fact that they make decisions and so many of them at one time gives them an immense ego-boost. Maybe this does not apply for women who do a fair share of decision-making in their lives. But for the less privileged ones, it certainly makes them feel that they are in control of at least something in their lives."

Now off to the mall with ya! Perhaps I'll see ya there ...

-- Lady Erin

Bag Ladies putting the pedal to the metal ...

This Bag Lady scurried about this week from event to event in the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 Hatchback ...Introduced about four years ago. You know Bag Ladies keeps a whip and we are going to start bringing you more when it comes to putting those Emilio Pucci leather ballet flats to the pedal and that pedal to the metal and this is perfect timing because as we approach the end of the month, this is the best time to buy a car not only because of the economy but also because of the Holiday and because dealers are looking to rid their lots of excess inventory. Sometimes men underestimate just how much of an interest us Bag Ladies have in automobiles ...automobiles are such a reflection of our style and our personality and we look for distinct and specific features.

At first glance, you might not look twice at the Aveo 5 Hatchback although it has a cute kinda putt-putt mobile style. It’s comparable to the Kia Rio5, Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. But the compactness of the Aveo5 actually provides a level of comfort that you sometimes don’t get in a large, voluptuous ride and it handles well unlike some small rides that leave you all over the road. You just jump in, grab that Mulberry Mitzy Tote and go.

All buttons, knobs and controls are visible and within easy reach. I was particularly surprised when I first opened the door and the leather seats and wood paneling were revealed

and although faux, it’s a nice look nonetheless and for a split second, you forget that you are in a more cost-effective vehicle.

But compact cars are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and luxurious as consumers are demanding smaller more fuel-efficient automobiles with the same amenities as higher priced automobiles. Not only that but you get OnStar for emergency assistance and at an additional cost, you can add on the concierge service should you need directions or need to make a reservation. Of course concierge is a must have for us Bag Ladies. You also get XM and an auxiliary input so for all of you that can’t live without your iPod, you're straight and for me it was particularly pleasing because mainstream radio offers no jazz so for this Bag Lady, XM is a requirement and one of the first features I look for when sliding into a new ride. Although ours was a 5-door Hatchback, the Aveo is also offered in a 4-door. One thing I immediately noticed upon settling in for the first time, which could’ve just been the vain in me, is that the vanity mirrors weren’t lit so after daylight there’s no performing any quick makeup checks. Are those violins I hear in the background? There could’ve been a little more pep but nevertheless, the Aveo5 got me to and fro and safely with dual front and side impact airbags and you can’t expect but so much from 106 horsepower.

Although it looks tiny, the Aveo5 affords a lot more space than you might think. The little ones and their social lives required that I cart them around to a couple of parties and I was able to do so with no problem and no squishing and stop touching me bouts and although all the car seats fit, I did struggle a bit and almost broke a sweat which was a tad discouraging. But as a friend said, "this whip has a lot of heart," and in an array of colors such as yellow, red and turquoise you will surely find a color preference that fits your fashion sense. The Aveo5 is at the very least, a fun, sporty ride and if you’re in the market for a small whip, consider. If you’re looking for luxury and style, perhaps your search should continue. Some might argue whether it is indeed as it was created to be, a “premium small car.” But with 25 mpg in the city and 34 on the hwy, you get some bang for your buck.

I would definitely opt for the 2LT, leather seating/wood paneling which has an attached starting MSRP of $15,5k. Yet it doesn’t feel cheap so expect quality bang for your buck and standards to be met and possibly exceeded. I was pleasantly surprised at the Aveo. This Bag Lady wouldn’t rest her Emilio Pucci’s on the pedal of just any whip!

-- Lady Erin

Cocktails as promised!!

You heard it first on Bag Ladies Radio!! Fresh ways to enjoy New Amsterdam Straight Gin such as ...

Queens Cocktail Ingredients:

2 1/2 oz New Amsterdam Gin

1 oz. liquefied honey

1 oz. fresh sweet and sour mix

Combine all ingredients in shaker w/ ice, shake vigorously and strain over ice in a rocks glass or strain into martini glass. Garnish w/ a lime wheel

E&J Gallo's New Amsterdam Straight Gin

Available nationwide ...A modern, new gin option and premium spirit. For those of you not already familiar, Gin is considered a strong liquor (spirit) flavored w/ Juniper berries and you’d be wise not to ask me what juniper berries are. What I can tell you is that they are not true berries but rather a berrylike cone from a shrub, evergreen. Just know that’s where the flavor comes from and actually Juniper berries were at one time widely used for medicinal purposes in other cultures including bladder infections but folks developed more of a taste for these berries than they did for treatment and thus gin was born. And gin being a spirit, refers to the distilling process and the higher content of raw material otherwise it’s the same as all other alcohol. Oh, and an added plus is that gin contains zero carbs!!!! It’s what we mix it w/ it that causes problems.

But as the name implies, New Amsterdam Straight Gin can in fact be enjoyed straight and as I mentioned Juniper berries, that is one of the reasons why this gin won over tastemakers at a San Fran World Spirits competition, there is less emphasis on the Juniper. The claim is that this gin has a modern twist and offers consumers a smoothness not normally found in gin which I thought was particularly interesting along w/ the light, citrus flavor which you definitely taste at first sip. I actually rather enjoyed New Amsterdam Straight Gin on the rocks w/ a little bit of lime squeezed in but as I was sipping for the first time, the first thing that came to mind was that I need some ginger ale and I even posed the question to my better half ...what do you call gin and ginger ale and he was like I’ve never heard of that, doesn't exist. And I was like it would be such a good collabo, there has to be drink and sure enough it’s called a Gin Buck and it’s simply gin, lemon juice and ginger ale over ice. And evidently it’s an old drink; considered a highball and the article I read offered a variation. If you like ginger, mix in a couple pinches of ground ginger and you have an even more delicious Gin Buck. One article said if you find a bartender that knows what a Gin Buck is, he/she is a keeper. If you never considered yourself a gin drinker, New Amsterdam Straight Gin might change you. And if you are a regular gin drinker, get ready for a new twist on an old fave.

New Amsterdam Straight Gin pairs nicely w/ fish, read meat and salads and definitely look to mybagladies.blogspot.com for more cocktail recipes and additional information on this sophisticated, new presentation of gin which also includes a rather attractive bottle. And Bag Ladies leaves you w/ one more recipe ...

Union Square Ingredients:

2 oz. New Amsterdam Gin

2 strawberries

Sprig of basil

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

1 oz. agave nectar

Muddle strawberries w/ the basil until fully mashed, add all other ingredients, and shake w/ ice vigorously, strain into a martini glass and garnish w/ half of a strawberry.

Be sure to let Bag Ladies know how much you enjoyed your sips of New Amsterdam Straight Gin.

-- Lady Erin

Reasons why ...

You wanna know more about this bottle of gin and what type of unique tasting experience you can get out of it? Let us tell you. Tune into Bag Ladies at http://www.bagladiesradio/ tonite at 7p, EST for a cocktail recipe that you can't get anywhere else.

Wanna know more about the whip Bag Ladies was scurrying around town in from event to event this past weekend? Yet another reason to tune in tonite at 7!!

Wanna hear some Reality Radio ...Real Women, Real Talk? Need we say it again? Just tune in!

Bag Ladies, it's all about you ladies! Talk to ya at 7!

Our bag just got deeper!!

You asked and now Bag Ladies is bringing you more! Two co-hosts and myself can't hold it down entirely on our own, so we are adding some additional experts to the bag. We want to keep bringing you the hottest trends … Make sure every time you step out, you do so in style and as a lady … Make sure we keep you abreast of what's going on in the world of fashion. Please join Bag Ladies in welcoming Isabelle Philogene of Tres Urban Chic and gossip columnist, Tiffany Warner.

Isabelle is coming on board as Bag Ladies Resident Style Expert and she's gonna keep us all in the know and looking good. Bag Ladies is so excited to add Isabelle to the team. Isabelle brings w/ her a wealth of experience and when it comes to style, few do it better. Isabelle has styled it all from bridal shoots to promotional spots to fashion shows. So get ready for some new segments like tomorrow’s “How to be a cool, chic jet-setter.”

Tune into http://www.bagladiesradio/ Tuesday at 7pm EST.

And if that's not enough … So many of you that tuned into last week's episode, told us how much you enjoyed the What's Poppin w/ the Paparazzi segment f/ Tiffany Warner. Bag Ladies is bringing Tiffany back and guess what, she's gonna stay awhile. Tiffany is gonna be dispensing all the juice, dirt and gossip on the scene and the behind the scenes. Based in LA, Tiffany is an entertainment/gossip columnist and reporter. So if you wanna hear it first, be sure to tune into Bag Ladies each and every week.

-- Lady Erin