Feels like 100! Yowzers!!

With “feels like” temperatures of 100 Degrees, we know you must be anxious for ways to beat the heat, so how about 5 ways to stay cool?

1. Head over to one of Central Florida’s beaches (New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach or Daytona Beach).

2. Don’t wanna drive? How about jumping into one of the city’s community pools?

3. If you can swim and you’re not afraid of what might be swimming in there with you, how about joining the ever-famous Lucky’s Lake Swim?

4. Hate the water? Why not soak up some of the finest air conditioning in Central Florida with a stroll through the beautiful Mall at Millenia?

5. Slather yourself in FroYo at one of Orlando’s bazillion frozen yogurt shops … and maybe eat some, too.

I love me some Brio Tuscan Grille. So when I saw this little e-mail come through my inbox, not only did I immediately respond, I knew I had to share it with our audience. Who wouldn’t want the Grand Prize of FREE lunch or dinner for an entire year?

The contest started yesterday and goes through November 7th. The only thing I request is that if you don’t end up winning the grand prize (which you won’t, because we will), but do win the 2nd Prize, you include Kim & I as two of your eight friends! Not a bad deal, eh?!

If you’ve never visited a Brio before then you’re really missing out…at least in my opinion. We have two locations in the Central Florida area: Mall at Millenia and Winter Park Village.

Fan of eating? I certainly am!

Not so much a fan of cooking? Well, maybe this will help change your perspective.

Rick Bayless, once a contestant on Bravo TV’s hit show “Top Chef Masters” and founder of Chicago’s Fontera Grill, is coming to the Macy’s at Mall at Millenia…and he wants to give you a private lesson! (OK, so it’s not really a private lesson since it’s open to the public, but you’ll still learning some great cooking tricks!)

Rick’s specialty is food with a Latin flare, and this coming Sunday the 17th he’ll offer tips on how to prepare dishes like Achiote Shrimp and Bacon Tomato Guacamole (my mouth is watering), and you’ll probably even get to have a taste or two. There will also be a book signing of Rick’s latest book, Fiesta at Rick’s, immediately following the demonstration.

The event begins at 2pm, and here are the location deets:

Macy’s at The Mall at Millenia
Home Department, 2nd Floor
4298 Millenia Blvd
Orlando, Florida 32839

You can find out more about Rick by visiting his site, and Following him on Twitter.

Ashley & I had the opportunity to attend The Mall at Millenia‘s Fashion Show yesterday and I have to admit, it was a really cool event. You may have your own opinions about what a “mall” fashion show would be like, but I think this event really exceeded expectations. The music was great, the vibe was great, and we thought the show’s host, Giuliana Rancic, did a fantastic job.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

For the complete photo set, check out our Flickr page.   And, check out the interview between Jeanette from J’s Everyday Fashion Blog and Giulina Rancic.

Orlando is truly gearing up for Fashion! Before Park Avenue Fashion Week gets underway, there’s another Fashion Week you should be super-excited for: The Mall at Millenia Fashion Week 2010!

Running Saturday, September 25 through Sunday, October 3, the event begins with a heart-pumping fashion show from retailers such as BCBG, Bebe, Betsey Johnson and True Religion and is hosted by none other than E! News and Reality TV Star, Giuliana Rancic.

Not only will you be surrounded by some of the most fantastic fall trends, but you’ll be doing so in Central Florida’s No. 1 Fashion Destination, the beautiful Mall at Millenia.

For more details about other Fashion Week events, head over to The Mall at Millenia website, Follow them on Twitter @MilleniaTweets, or join their community of Fashion Fans on Facebook.

Wedding bells ringing soon? Crate & Barrel at The Mall at Millenia is hosting its first event of the season September 26!

This is such a fun idea for brides- and grooms-to-be!  Bring your partner or friends and have the store to yourself for two full hours.

Crate’s staff will be on-hand to answer questions and assist with registries … there will be music, food and drinks, and guests leave with a special gift.

Wanna go? Make sure to call the store to RSVP 407/226-8826!

Psst … follow Crate & Barrel Orlando on Twitter, too.

What started as a Pottery Barn Bed & Bath is now a full Pottery Barn in Orlando’s Mall at Millenia.

I snapped a couple photos in the beautifully merchandised store today …

What: Pottery Barn
Where: Mall at Millenia (Lower Level Near Bloomies)
4200 Conroy Road
Orlando, FL 32839
407/355-3552

Despite the lack of posts in the shopping category, I’m a pretty big shopper and a connoisseur of customer service … especially when it comes to retail.

A few weeks back, I stopped randomly (and for the first time) into Talbots at the Mall at Millenia. I’d always thought Talbots was for old ladies (no offense), but was surprised to see several chic options for work.

In the end, my quest for a black skirt resulted in the purchase of a skirt, sheath dress and scarf. Amazing deals, classic looks and an unbelievably friendly staff. I even remarked that I never know how to tie scarves and was handed an adorable booklet with more ways to tie scarves than I could ever imagine existed.

All and all, it was a great shopping experience. Then, to top it off, this weekend I received this in the mail:

Color me impressed, Talbots. You’ve made me a fan.

Haven’t heard much buzz about this new store opening, so I thought I’d share the info here.

If you’re a fan of Nordstrom, you’re bound to be a fan of Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom’s off-price division. The store carries merch from regular Nordstrom stores, as well as goodies from their Web site, but at 50-60% off the original price.

Like many of the other discount retailers (Marshalls, TJMaxx, etc.), Nordstrom Rack gets multiple deliveries each week, so shopping often is best!

The new store opens this Friday, November 6, outside of the Mall at Millenia. More info here.

Like shopping? I know klynn does.

Enjoy watching fashion reality show “Project Runway”? Hello, I’m on of the biggest fans.

Well if you answered “yes” to one or both of these questions your day has just been made. OrlandoSentinel.com reports that a new Michael Kors retail store is set to open at the Mall at Millenia.

The Mall at Millenia seems like the perfect fit for this “lifestyle” store. Here’s a little about what consumers can expect (the “Mission Statement” found on MichaelKors.com):

Michael Kors is the leading American fashion designer for luxury accessories and sportswear. The company’s heritage is rooted in producing polished, sleek, sophisticated American sportswear with a jet-set attitude….”

At the time of this posting no open date has been announced for the store.