Gala Recap and Home, Sweet Home!

Miss Ginger is Home, Sweet Home after 6 tiring weeks and 3 really exhausting days! You know Miss G was REALLY nervous about having to walk her Senior VP (the one with the Miranda Priestly reputation) through the store. Well, she couldn't have been lovelier or more complimentary of both stores, so all those nerves were for nothing! Last night, all the hard work paid off with the Charity Gala benefitting NOCCA, the New Orleans Concervancy for the Arts. Miss G is not speaking out of turn to recap the Macy's presentation of a gigantic check to NOCCA for $250,000 dollars to help them establish a culinary arts programs to supplement the performance and visual art programs they already have. The Emeril Legasse Foundation also announced a donation, bringing at least half a million dollars in funding to NOCCA's program!

But Miss G is getting ahead of herself! It all started when Special Events teams from Atlanta, New York, and Houston all converged on the store to transform it from retail hotspot to Gala Central!

They tented, carpeted, and air conditioned a large section of the parking garage to create a FABULOUS ballroom, which Miss Ginger immediately dubbed the "GarageMahal". There was a special red carpet reception for the visiting celebrities and the "high dollah" guests in the tent, and then there was entertainment, food, drinks, and celebrity appearances all over the store. Tommy Hilfiger in mens, Martha Stewart in housewares, Russell Simmons in mens, Steve Madden in shoes- it goes on and on. After the "in-store" cocktails and buffets, all of the guests were ushered to the GarageMahal for Miss Ginger's favorite part of the night- a cooking demonstration by Martha Stewart and Emeril Legasse.

It started with Emeril showing Martha how to make a sazerac, with ensuing discussion about Peychoud Bitters vs. Angostura Bitters, blah blah blah.

Once Martha had her sazerac in hand, she never put it down! Girlfriend sucked on that sazerac for the rest of the demo! She showed Emeril how to make homemade shrimp boil, and I'm sure most in the audience noticed that between blabbing about bitters and sucking on sazeracs, they boiled the damn things for like 8 minutes, which surely meant they were like rubber by the time she took them out!

Miss G was so busy trying to get these great pics of Martha and Emeril for you that she almost didn't notice that Tyler Florence was standing like 5 feet away from her!

She managed to snap one shot before his handlers came to wrangle him into position. Dayum he is a cutie!

After the cooking demo, there was a FABULOUS fashion show created by the FABULOUS Lenny Matuszwski, who produces some of the greatest fashion moments anywhere. The white tent runway show was spectacular, as always! Miss G has worked with Lenny and his team on so many events she can't event remember the first!

Once the show was over Miss G and some of her teammates dashed out to dine, since they were starving! After an italian feast, it was off to beddy bye, and all we could think of was "WE GET TO GO HOME TOMORROW!!!"

This morning was marching bands, speeches, confetti cannons, ribbon cuttings, and mobs of shoppers as the 2 locations had their "official" public grand openings. Now the regional team has left their little birdies to fly on their own, and we have flown home as well!

Miss Ginger is a Busy Gurl!

Miss Ginger is a busy gurl getting these 2 stores ready to open!!! Even though she's literally got hundreds of people here helping her get it pulled together, there is some much to do and so little time to get it done! It's amazing to look at the Lakeside store today and realize that 3 days ago it was pretty much just a mountain of cardboard boxes! "General Ginger" has marched her Army through the fray, and in 3 days time the place looks pretty much like a department store, with the exception of a couple of spots where merch is still en route, or a fixture is missing, etc. It will all get fixed in the next couple of days! Tomorrow's "bog project" is the shoe department, where the stockroom is run and organized, which is the most important part there. We'll send the team through the stockroom to pull samples of every style, and then inventory the balance to set up the electronic locator system so it will know where every style "lives" in the stockroom. Technology has really revolutionized the shoe business in ways most consumers don't even realize.
Miss G saw the very handsome and talented Lennie M in the store today, which means the opening has to be near! Miss G has worked alongside Lennie for years. He is a fashion show producer extraordanaire, and his shows get rave reviews from Paris to New York to Houston to, now, New Orleans! He's producing the tent show for the gala, so it should be spectacular! Here's everything else that's going on for the opening:

Macy's Lakeside Shopping Center, Grand Opening October 25
Directions Catalogs
3301 Veterans Memorial Boulevard Metarie, LA 70002

10/25/08 9:50am
Grand Opening Ribbon CuttingJoin us as we start the day in style!
10/25/08 11am
Martha Stewart Book SigningWe're thrilled to help Martha celebrate the launch of her newest book, "Cooking School." Purchase your copy for $45 and enter our special VIP line to meet Martha and receive an autograph, as time permits.Appearance is subject to change based on availability.
10/25/08 1pm
Meet Shoe Designer Steve MaddenDon't miss this exclusive opportunity to meet shoe designer Steve Madden as he showcases footwear from his latest collection. You'll receive an autographed t-shirt just for coming, plus you'll get a free gift with your Steve Madden purchase of $50 or more made at the event. Special guest host & MTV personality Julissa Bermudez, plus a live dj will be part of the excitement.
10/25/08 1pm
Come Fall in Love with JeansCould you fall in love? Style&co. thinks so. In fact, we're so confident that our brand new line of jeans has your favorite fit, we have our fashion stylist on hand for a special shopping event with refreshments and music.
10/25/08 2pm
Shopping with the Designer: Sunny Leigh at LakesideShop, talk and enjoy refreshments with the designer herself! Sunny Leigh will offer her own expert style and fit tips while you enjoy personal shopping assistance.
10/25/08 2pm
Chef Tyler Florence is cooking at LakesideMacy's Culinary Council proudly presents the one and only Tyler Florence to inspire you with a gourmet tasting of some of his signature recipes. Chef will be signing purchased copies of his cookbooks, while supplies last and time permits. Meet us on Level 3 in the Home Store.
10/25/08 3pm
Jones New York Fall Fashion PreviewCheck out the newest styles and hottest trends at an exclusive sneak preview of Jones New York Signature and Jones New York Collection. Enjoy modeling and light refreshments. Plus, purchase a limited-edition tee illustrated by Sujean Rim just for New Orleans. 100% of Jones New York's profits will be donated to Jones New York in The Classroom, a non-profit organization supporting teachers and children's education. Visit www.jnyintheclassroom.org.
10/25/08 4pm
Clinton Kelly Shopping PartyRSVP to 1.866.226.0449 The famous co-host of TLC's "What Not To Wear" shows you what works for fall. Enter for your chance to win* a $500 shopping spree with Clinton on the spot. Spend $150 on I.N.C International Concepts, Alfani, Charter Club or Style&co. at the event and you?ll receive a copy of his new book, "Freakin' Fabulous," while supplies last. He'll also sign your book, as time permits. *No purchase necessary. See entry form for complete details.
10/25/08 6pm
Rock out with Tommy Hilfiger and Gavin DeGrawJoin us for the grand finale of our opening day celebration! Check out the new fall line during an exclusive autograph session with the iconic designer and singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw, followed by a live musical performance by the breakout artist. Make a Tommy sportswear purchase of $50 or more, and receive Gavin's latest CD plus VIP access to the event, while supplies last.
10/26/08 1pm
Meet New Orleans Queen if Soul, Irma ThomasGet up close and personal with the Grammy® winner at an exclusive signing event. Show us your receipt for a $100 or more storewide purchase and you'll receive her latest CD, "Simply Grand," while supplies last. Then have Irma autograph it for you!
11/11/08 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Meet Waterford Artisan John ConnollyCelebrate Holiday.Celebrate Family.Celebrate Love.The Artisan Tour 2008 invites you to join John Connolly, Waterford Chief of Design, at Macy's Lakeside, beginning at 2pm. John will be available to assist with your holiday selections as well as enhance your Waterford purchases with his signature.As part of this special occasion, we are proud to offer our Exclusive Limited Edition Ashford 10" Vase.(Retail price of vase $325)If you are unable to attend, you may pre-select your choices today.Please call 504-484-4600 for additional information.See details
Macy's The Esplanade, Grand Opening October 25
Directions Catalogs
1401 West Esplanade Kenner, LA 70065

10/25/08 9:50am
Grand Opening Ribbon CuttingJoin us as we start the day in style!
10/25/08 12noon
Meet New Orleans Queen if Soul, Irma ThomasGet up close and personal with the Grammy® winner at an exclusive signing event. Show us your receipt for a $100 or more storewide purchase and you'll receive her latest CD, "Simply Grand," while supplies last. Then have Irma autograph it for you!
10/25/08 12noon
Join Skoodlez at The EsplanadeIntroducing Kingston and Cupcake from Skoodlez, exclusively at Macy's! Join us for an interactive storytime with life-size Skoodlez Kingston the Lion and Cupcake the Hippo, who will be arriving on the Skoodlez Story Mobile.
10/25/08 1pm
I.N.C International Concepts® Fashion ShowJoin us for a runway-style celebration highlighting our own I.N.C International Concepts® collection for men and women! Meet us at the Mall Entrance fashion stage.
10/25/08 2pm
Cubavera presents Nestor TorresCome experience an intimate jazz performance by Latin Grammy® award-winning artist Nestor Torres. You'll have the chance to meet Nestor, receive his latest CD (which he will sign as time permits), as well as a Cubavera graphic tee with any $50 Cubavera purchase, while supplies last.
10/25/08 3pm
Chef Cat Cora is cooking at The EsplanadeMacy?s Culinary Council presents the one and only Cat Cora to inspire you with a gourmet tasting of some of her delicious signature recipes. Chef will be signing purchased copies of her cookbooks, while supplies last and time permits. Meet us on Level 2 in the Home Store.
10/25/08 4pm
Russell Simmons is in the HouseRussell Simmons will make a rare special appearance to introduce his new collection, ArgyleCulture. Get up close and personal at our intimate Q&A with Russell. Plus there'll be great music, hot models and more. Afterwards, Russell will be on hand for autographs (VIP line with a $75 ArgyleCulture purchase made at the event).
10/26/08 2pm
Chef Dave Lieberman is cooking at The EsplanadeMacy's Culinary Council presents the one and only Dave Lieberman to inspire you with a gourmet tasting of some of his delicious signature recipes. Chef will be signing purchased copies of his cookbooks, while supplies last and time permits. Meet us on Level 2 in the Home Store.