Holiday Glam Fashion Show

The Cincy Chic Holiday Glam Fashion Show is this Friday (Dec. 7) at Lexus RiverCenter and there are only a few tickets left so make sure you RSVP! The event features complimentary drinks and fare, shopping, festive photobooth, and fashion show featuring “holiday glam” looks. Bring a gently used coat for St. Vincent de Paul and get a free swag bag! In that swag bag, we'll have lots of goodies, product samples, and gift certificates. One of them that I'm super excited about is this Jeffrey Bartlett certificate. Jeffrey makes custom menswear (click here to check out a fashion show he did for Cincinnati Profile recently). The certificate is for 2 custom shirts for the price of one (I believe shirts range in price from $150 - $595). He said I could post the certificate for my blog readers in case some of you aren't able to come to the event! So, here you go! What a great holiday gift idea for that well-dressed man in your life!

2013 Lexus ES Premiere Event

I recently helped Lexus RiverCenter and Performance Lexus plan and host a "2013 Lexus ES Premiere" event. We held it at Kenwood Country Club and I suggested a fall theme... calling it "The Event of the Season: 2013 Lexus ES Premiere."

The day of the event ended up being a beautiful, crisp fall day and we had a tremendous turn-out. We had a string quartet, yummy drinks and fare, a fall-themed photo booth, swag bags for everyone, gourmet cookies from Queen City Cookies I customized with a Lexus logo on it, amazing door prizes (spa packages, flights to Mexico, and a stay at a luxury resort in Atlanta just to name a few!), and a grand prize of a 2013 Lexus ES one year lease!

The event was spectacular! See below to check out a few pics, and click here to see the full album!

Lexus vehicles on display outside the Kenwood Country Club

Lexus LFA on display outside the Kenwood Country Club

Customized gourmet cookies from Queen City Cookies

Attendees enjoying the event inside

Lexus ice sculpture

Attendees mingling alongside two 2013 Lexus ES models

String quartet

Lisa Bernstein the GM at Lexus RiverCenter and me

Mr. Dever (who owns both Tri-State dealerships) with Bernard, the 2013 Lexus ES one-year lease grand prize winner!

Bernard giving the thumbs up to his winnings with Michael (sales rep at Lexus RiverCenter), Lisa and Dan Kommeth (GM at Performance Lexus) 

Me having fun in the photobooth! :)

Cars & Cigars Event Recap

Last week, Cincinnati Profile hosted an awesome "Cars & Cigars" event at Lexus RiverCenter. We had Straus Tobacconist provide an awesome spread of cigars and Lexus had a fine line up of cars for us to feast our eyes on. But the one that stole the show was the Lexus LFA in Sunset Orange. Wowwwwww! What an amazing car! As if the eye-catching color didn't get everyone's attention... Ken, the service manager, started up the engine and everyone in the entire building turned their heads! It was awesome! Make sure you subscribe to Cincinnati Profile to make sure you find out about our next events! Click here to see all the pics from the event! Here are just a few of my favs....

Me and my sister-in-law and mother-in-law!

The LFA!

LRC Service Manager Ken Kocher talking to attendees about the LFA!

Cars & Cigars event attendees

Enjoying a cigar with a view of lots of Lexus cars!

Cars & Cigars Aug. 16!

We have an awesome event coming up at Lexus RiverCenter next week called "Cars & Cigars." It's free to attend and lots of fun people always show up! Click here to RSVP!


Cincinnati Profile "Cars & Cigars" Event

Thursday, August 16, 6-9pm Lexus RiverCenter - 633 West 3rd St. Covington, KY 41011
Enjoy complimentary drinks, check out the latest from Lexus, shop menswear with Corwyn Apparel, mix and mingle, and smoke a cigar out on the patio. Bring your own cigar or buy one at the event from Straus Tobacconist. Sponsored by Phillip Ray Brann - Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Advisor. Both men and women are encouraged to attend - you just need to be a Cincinnati Profile subscriber (it's free!) to get in! Click here to see photos from our previous events! Brought to you by Cincinnati Profile, an online publication for men in Greater Cincinnati.  

Fabushoe Friday: Driving Shoes

My new Ryka driving shoes!

Happy Fabushoe Friday!

So, while these are more practical than fabulous, I got tired of killing my car mats with heels so I bought some driving shoes!

Believe it or not, it was actually a car mechanic's idea for me to buy the shoes! I had re-ordered new mats several times at Lexus RiverCenter. On the third time, he pointed at my 6-inch heels and asked, "You wear those often?" Of course, I said yes, to which he replied: "You know, it might be a good idea to look into some driving shoes." He paused... adding, "You could buy a lot of those," pointing to my heels, "instead of these," pointing to my shredded mat.

Now you're speakin' my language - point taken!

Not only are they more comfortable than heels, but they truly are a great investment! I was buying new all-weather mats for $100 about twice a year because my heels kept digging a hole in them. I was also ruining my heels, because the back of the right shoe would get scuffed or the material would rub off. Translation... thanks to my drivers, I'll have several hundred more in my annual shoe budget now!!! :)

I did some research on which ones to buy, and to be honest, I was disappointed in the selection. A lot of the women's drivers look like moccasins. I like the men's driving shoe selection a lot more because they have a sportier look.

I ended up going with a shoe that's technically made for yoga. The only thing that really makes a shoe a "driver" is the extra rubberized lip at the back of the shoe, which this pair had. I also liked that they had a cute scroll design on top and could pass for a ballerina flat if I decided I was done with heels for the rest of my work day.

Typically, I just keep them in my car door pocket - putting them on when I get in, and putting them back in the pocket when I get out. Or if I need to wear them walking downtown between meetings or something, I have a dust bag for them in my purse.

Being a heel girl, I was hesitant purchasing frumpy flats, but I'm so glad I did! I highly recommend getting a pair if you, too, love your heels but don't want to Fred Flinstone your car mats!

Save the Date – Cincy Chic Wearable Art Fashion Show July 26 at Lexus RiverCenter!

Get out your cals, gals and guys! We're putting together an awesome fashion show event and you'll want to save the date! It's going to be our third-annual Wearable Art Fashion Show on July 26, from 6-9pm, at Lexus RiverCenter! This year, we're featuring an amazing local jewelry designer, Lisa Robin Jewelry, and Amy Kirchen's custom couture! Both Lisa and Amy dream up their designs from scratch and work side-by-side with the manufacturers to create the final product so each piece is truly a piece of wearable art. You'll definitely want to see this show, featuring incredible Tri-State talent, and shop with other local fashion-focused artistans. Below are all the details - click here to learn more and RSVP!

Wearable Art Fashion Show
  When: Thursday, July 26, 6-9pm
  Where: Lexus RiverCenter, 633 West 3rd St. Covington, KY 41011
  Enjoy: Complimentary drinks, hors d'oeuvres, shopping, photo booth, and fashion show featuring local fashion designers Lisa Robin Jewelry and Amy Kirchen custom couture. Bring gently used jewelry or clothing for St. Vincent de Paul Cincinnati to get a free swag bag!
  Supporting Sponsors: Lexus RiverCenter, Performance Lexus, PNC Bank, The Plastic Surgery Group,  St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Cors & Bassett Attorneys at Law LLC
  Fashion Show Sponsors: Lisa Robin Jewelry, clothing by Amy Kirchen, Mitchell's Salon & Day Spa
  Booth Sponsors: Bella Forza Fitness, MissElaineous Studio, Mary Kay by Britt Born, Origami Owl with Julia Tudor, originalitees, Paparazzi with Stephanie Scott, Miche Bags, Village Wine Gallery LLC,Yelp!
  Hosted by: Cincy Chic, an online lifestyle publication for women in Greater Cincinnati

2013 RX350 Reveal Event at Lexus RiverCenter!

Happy RX350 Reveal Day!! As I mentioned last week, Performance Lexus is having a Reveal Event tonight and Lexus RiverCenter will be having an event to unveil the new 2013 RX350 as well!

The event at Lexus RiverCenter will take place June 27th from 5-7pm at their beautiful facility that overlooks the city! Click here to see my blog post about all my fav things about this particular dealership (it's where I bought my car!!) 

Hors d'oeuvres and fine wines will be served as well as giveaways! You might be the lucky winner of three limited-edition Lexus timepieces that they're giving away! 

I've already checked out the new RX350 and it's great! You can see my review here!

Hope to see you at Lexus RiverCenter or Performance Lexus tonight so you can check out the new 2013 RX350 for yourself!

Eco-Fabulous Fashion Show Next Friday

Our next big Cincy Chic event is coming up next Friday at Lexus RiverCenter! We'll be featuring all five of the Lexus Hybrid models, shopping, photo booth, refreshments, and a fashion show showcasing designs by local DAAP students! I'm so excited! Hope you can come!

Eco-Fabulous Fashion Show
Friday March 16, 6-9pm

Lexus RiverCenter 633 W. 3rd St., Covington, KY 41011

Enjoy complimentary cocktails, shopping, and a fabulous fashion show with looks designed by DAAP students at 8pm showcasing eco-fabulous designs


Event is free to attend. Those who purchase a $10 ticket will receive a swag bag and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Civic Garden Center.

Presenting Sponsor: Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance

Fashion Show Sponsors: Mitchell's Salon & Day Spa, Glass Zipper Boutique
Supporting Sponsors: PNC, The Plastic Surgery Group, Krombholz Jewelers, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Lexus RiverCenter, Performance Lexus

Vendors Include: Bella Forza Fitness, Mary Kay by Britt Born, Votre Vu by Julena Bingaman, A Village Gift Shop at the Century House, Vogue Vert, Stella & Dot with Beth Harris and Summer Weidenbein, and Charmed by Galite.


RSVP to: http://ccgogreen2012.eventbrite.com

Hosted by: Cincy Chic, an online publication for women in Greater Cincinnati

Unveiling of the New 2013 Lexus GS350

Lexus RiverCenter is thrilled to announce the unveiling of the all NEW 2013 Lexus GS350! And there's even better news, you're invited!

Make sure you save the date for this! The unveiling will take place February 10th from 5pm-7pm.

There will be beer, wine, trendy hors d'oeuvres and a hot, new car!

Their showroom is located at 633 W. 3rd. St. in Covington. RSVP here and we'll see you February 10th!

Thanks to my intern Sara Elliott for helping put this blog post together!

Big Game Giveaway Lexus-Style

click to enlarge

Interested in winning a 70" flat screen TV, two high-end La-Z-Boy recliners and a $500 gift card to the Montgomery Inn before this year's SuperBowl?

If you're thinking, "Why, yes, yes I am" then I have some good news for you.

I just got an email from Lexus RiverCenter that says they're giving away all of the above awesomeness to one person. How do you get to be this lucky person? Just test-drive any car they have on the lot! Sounds easy enough to me!

Looks like the winner will be selected on Feb. 1, so make sure you get in for your test drive before then! Happy driving! Hope I get an invite to your SuperBowl party if you win! :)

click to enlarge

Online Scheduling Amazingness!

While you can't always predict when your car needs service (like when my neighbor hit my parked car when she was parallel parking a couple weeks ago), there are some things you can predict... like oil changes, tune ups, etc. And for those things, Lexus is making it even easier to schedule those into your busy bee life with online scheduling of maintenance.

I'm excited about this because it'll save a lot of time and frustration... no more having to wait in the long line of people who had the same idea to get an oil change that day.

Lexus RiverCenter and Performance Lexus are both offering this online scheduling. So, basically, you go to their site, under "Service" click "Schedule Service." There are four super easy steps to follow and no hassle. No more calling and scheduling over the phone, just a few clicks of your mouse and you're ready to go. Enjoy!

Thanks to my intern Sara Elliott for helping me put this blog post together!

Lexus Makes the Holidays Happy for the 9th District School Chorus!

Today reminded me what the holidays are all about. Magic, surprises, generosity and joy. 


Lexus RiverCenter and Performance Lexus donated $10,000 to the Ninth District School chorus in Covington this afternoon. After the kids caroled, Lexus reps surprised the pint-sized singers with Fabulous Fur coats and lots of presents! Check out all their surprised little faces in this video!

CARoling Dec. 6 at Lexus RiverCenter!

What better way to get in the holiday spirit than to see and hear some adorable carolers!

You can at noon on Dec. 6 at Lexus RiverCenter!

Lisa, the GM at LRC, told me that kiddie carolers from the Ninth District School chorus in Covington visit the dealership each year to sing a few holiday tunes. How cute! So, if you have some time that day, and need a little holiday cheer, I'm sure they'd love it if you could attend! How great would it be to have a big crowd for these kids!

Lisa says she'll also have some special treats for all attendees as a thank you for attending! Please RSVP to Lbernstein@lexusrivercenter.com (along with how many people). See you there!

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales at Lexus RiverCenter

Black Friday and Cyber Monday is right around the corner! While you expect the deep discounts at the malls and stores like Best Buy, you don't typically think of your car dealership offering them too. Well, Lexus RiverCenter continues to surprise. I just got an email on Friday from Ken Kocher, the LRC service manager, telling me about some great deals they were offering for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Black Friday Sales: 
On Friday Nov. 25 only, customers will receive 20% off ($135 max discount) any scheduled service or repair - 10k, 20K, 30k, 60K, 90k - when you bring three or more can goods for the FreeStore FoodBank.

I also saw this Black Friday Sale promoted on the LRC facebook page:

Cyber Monday Sale: 

Schedule any service online on Monday Nov. 28, 2011 and you will get $100 in coupons that can be used during your visit and future visits. You get five coupons valued at $20 each, and you can use one per visit.


11/21-11/23:
Bring in three or more non-perishable food items (donations go to the FreeStore FoodBank) Monday Nov. 21- Wednesday Nov. 23 and receive 10% off any repair or maintenance service.

Click here to learn more about the sales!

Testimonial Time! Sharon's GS 350

Sharon and her GS 350 from Lexus RiverCenter

So, I'm hanging out in my second home, Lexus RiverCenter, last week getting a car wash, enjoying some yummy coffee and hopping on the wifi to get some work done.... I look across the waiting room and see a friend of mine who's doing the EXACT same thing!

I didn't know she owned a Lexus. So, we get to chatting and she tells me that she just bought a car there, and she bought because of all the same awesome perks I'm always raving about! I asked her to write a testimonial for the blog so you know I'm not the only one who buys a car based on free coffee and car washes. :)

Here's her testimonial!

From the moment you arrive to Lexus RiverCenter you experience exceptional service.

The staff is amazing.  They will do everything possible to make sure you are 100% satisfied with every visit to their dealership and make you feel like the most important customer every time.  There are so many places that you can purchase a car, but not everywhere provides a welcoming atmosphere with all of the amenities of Lexus RiverCenter.  Multiple waiting Lounges, great coffee and complimentary car washes….you can’t beat it!

Lexus RiverCenter has great service, wonderful follow-up and reliable cars!! The staff will listen, respond and have thorough knowledge of their vehicles - communication is key - a most valuable asset!  A few of the great reasons why I decided to purchase a Lexus from LRC.  Thank you, Paul Suchanek and Lexus RiverCenter for my GS 350!

Sharon Laine, Burlington KY

My Favorite Things about Lexus RiverCenter

So, a couple weeks ago, I wrote about my favorite things about Performance Lexus. Well, the Lexus dealership on the KY side of the river is Lexus RiverCenter. I actually bought my car there!

I get it serviced and washed there a little more often because it's just a few miles away from our house, but also because (I know I'm a dork for geeking out about this) they JUST started offering complimentary hand-washes for their clients.

This is huge because it's exactly the care I wish I could provide myself… Ah, the days when I had spare time and would wash my car by hand every weekend… but they do it for you while you get other things done in one of their lounges.

They actually have three different customer lounges: a TV lounge, a quiet lounge, and a JAVA lounge. They all have complimentary coffees, cappuccinos, hot cocoa, and snacks. They have free Wi-Fi throughout the dealership and a business center for those work-o-holics like me who like to get ahead on some work while they're there.

I just learned about this too… they offer complimentary gourmet lunches throughout the year (prepared by a culinary chef), Customer Appreciation cocktail receptions to mix and mingle with other Lexus owners (I went to their last one and it's amazing networking!), Free Nitrogen fill-ups, New owners clinics to learn more about and enhance your Lexus experience, and they even lend-out their dealership facilities for events sponsored by non-profit organizations as well as local business partners. 

More often than not, when I'm there to get the car washed/serviced, Lisa the GM has some sort of fun event planned there. She'll invite me over for a drink, bite to eat or a sweet treat to take on the road with me! It's so fun - not your typical dealership!

It's actually almost my favorite time of the year to be at LRC! Every year, Lisa has the dealership professionally decorated for the holidays. I'm usually the one who gets their tree up the week before and am wrapping gifts in a rush the night before. So, I go in there to enjoy the decor and holiday spirit I wish I was Martha Stewart-ish enough to actually do at my house! :)

I can honestly say though, LRC is the one dealership in the Tri-State area that has earned a reputation for being completely different and innovative in their approach to wowing their clients. Lisa has truly set the bar extremely high so you can refreshingly expect the unexpected at LRC!

Review: Lexus HS 250

I recently took a roadtrip to Philadelphia, and my friends at Lexus RiverCenter let me try out a HS 250 for the ride. I was excited because "h" is for "hybrid" is for "more money to spend on FUN things on the trip versus gas!"

And man did it save on gas! I put it in eco mode and it really helped on the gas mileage. The gas gauge didn't even flinch until I hit Columbus (more than 100 miles!). Granted, in eco mode, I didn't have the power I'm used to with my IS 350. It did have a "power mode" button you could push if you needed a little extra umph, but I actually didn't end up using that! Probably a good thing, too, because 71N was a speed trap and you have to be really careful around that curvy Pennsylvania Turnpike.

I only ended up needing to refuel one time on my entire 9 hour trip, which I was really happy about. And, when we were driving it around in the city, the electric kicked in when we were just coasting from one red light to another. That saved on gas too.

It surprised me how much it looked and handled like my IS 350, but the fuel economy was SO much better. So, if power isn't a high priority, but saving at the pump is, I highly recommend this HS 250!

Check out the webcast below where I give you a tour of the car and my favorite features it had to offer!

Recap: Cincy Chic's Eco-Fab Fashion Show

Brenna models a romper made out of seatbelts.
(David Sorcher | Special to Metromix)

Hope everyone had fun at last week’s Eco-Fabulous Fashion show at Lexus Rivercenter. I know I had a blast! Click here to check out pics Metromix took! If you were there and got pics in our photobooth, click here to go to our Facebook page and tag yourself in the photo album!

The clothes were amazing, the crowd was big and the event was a huge success. Basically the concept of the event was to have a fashion show featuring clothes made by DAAP students out of re-purposed materials. We also had other eco-friendly vendors there to shop with. Swag bag were for sale and we raffled off a weekend lease of a loaded RX. 100% of those proceeds went to the Civic Garden Center. We raised almost $800 for them with this event! So excited!

And because of the "Eco-Fabulous" theme, we were able to feature the new Lexus 2011 CT 200h. It's sleek, sexy and oh-so-much-more sustainable. Just an FYI, the new CT is the most efficient luxury hybrid Lexus offers. It pairs a combined MPG rating of 42 with lower CO2 emissions... without skimping on all the things Lexus is known for: speed, technology and luxury. It's really a great car.

I love that people came for the fashion, and left with lots of ideas for how they can go green! Can't wait for our next event at Lexus RiverCenter, which will be May 6 for the Cincinnati Profile Bourbon/Cigar Tasting! Mark your calendar and make sure you're subscribed to Cincinnati Profile to be the first to learn more about the event!

Eco-Fab Fashion Show Sneak Peek

To say I'm excited about today's Eco-Fabulous Fashion Show at Lexus RiverCenter is an understatement. First of all, I brought on a national client for it (Vitamin Water Zero...woohoo!!). Second of all, we have 350 RSVPs and it's sold out. Third of all, it's benefiting the Civic Garden Center which is an amazing organization making our city pretty. And lastly.... it's going to just be a ton of FUN!

There will be food, drinks, music, shopping and a eco-fab fashion show with clothing made out of re-purposed materials. And the jewelry is also made out of re-purposed/recycled materials. The jewelry vendor, Serket Jewelry, sent me a sneak peek of some of the jewelry that will be in the show. The pics are just showcasing some of the jewelry that will be at the show.

For a sneak peek of some of the clothes that will be in the show, check out the bottom of this post for a segment we did on Wednesday on Fox19!

Lexus RiverCenter was so kind to give us a weekend lease to auction off to raise funds for the Civic Garden Center. The car will be a loaded RX for the weekend, 2011 AWD model with navigation, Bluetooth, backup camera, parking sensors. The winner can pick it up on a Friday and bring it back on a Monday…weekend of their choice!

Enjoy the pics and video, and hope to see you at the event!


Model Brenna Nicole' Lee Principato (also model for Fox 19) is wearing a skirt made out of a variety of ribbons. The light blue top is made from a bed skirt. Jewelry: necklace is made from plastic lids that are on milk jugs, juice, etc then added chains and butterfly components. The headband is made from red bull labels.

Model Nataly Silva is wearing a 2 piece dress; top is created from ladies fashion belts woven together then cut to shape the bodice. The layered green and gold skirt is made from curtains. The jewelry: necklace is made from the lid of a jewelry box with attached beads and the flower is made up of bridal flower pedals and rhinestones.



Model Nataly Silva with hat with magazine clipping fringe

EVENT INFO:

Eco-Fabulous Fashion Show

Brought to you by vitaminwater zero

Date:
Friday, March 25, 6-9pm

Fashion Show at 8pm, showcasing eco-fabulous designs from several local DAAP students. Drinks provided by Lexus Rivercenter. Food provided by Behle Street Cafe.

Location:
Lexus Rivercenter
633 W. 3rd St. Covington, KY 41011

Vendors include:
SerketJewelry
Mitchell's Salon and Day Spa
FENNOfashion
Keep It Tight Fitness
Miche Group
Spice and Tea Exchange
Votre Vu by Julena Bingaman
Purdy Everyday
Yelp
Nature's Bath

After Party: Join us for the official after party at Behle Street Cafe. Complimentary parking in the rivercenter garage directly behind Behle Street Cafe.


PHOTO CREDITS:
The photographer: Alicia Calton located in Lexington, Kentucky check her out on Facebook: "Alicia C. Photography"
The makeup artist: Galvin Mason
The hairstylist: Amanda Fiehrer
Jewelry: Serket Jewelry
Clothing: made by Courtney K., who is only 17 and attends the School for Creative and Performing Arts

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Eco-Fabulous Fashion Show At Lexus Rivercenter

I’m so super excited for our “Eco-Fabulous Fashion Show” event coming up March 25 at the Lexus Rivercenter! We did a go green event last year, and it was great. But this year, we’re taking it to a whole new, even more amazing, level.

Last year, we had some designs that DAAP students made on display throughout the venue. It was neat to look at them, but none of them could really be worn. But this year, the DAAP students are making eco-fab designs that are going to be worn on the runway! The outfits will be made out of repurposed household items and/or eco-friendly products. Think couture gown out of dryer sheets whisking its way down the catwalk… yeah, amazing.

Serket Jewelry is sponsoring the fashion show portion of the event, and is designing all the jewelry for the models. I interviewed her in this previous blog. I just love how innovative Lyn (owner/designer for Serket) is, so I’m sure she’ll have incredible designs and concepts for you to enjoy at this show. I’ll have a sneak peek here of some of her designs soon on the blog after Lyn and my fashion show intern go and check out the DAAP designs.

Also, this year, Lexus has a brand new hybrid it’ll be featuring. AND vitaminwater zero just came on board as the presenting sponsor, so you know there will be great swag!
I hope you can make it! Here are all the details…

Eco-Fabulous Fashion Show

Brought to you by vitaminwater zero

Friday, March 25, 6-9pm
Fashion Show at 8pm, showcasing eco-fabulous designs from several local DAAP students. Drinks provided by Lexus Rivercenter. Food provided by Behle Street Cafe.

Lexus Rivercenter
633 W. 3rd St.
Covington, KY 41011

Vendors include:
Serket Jewelry
Mitchell’s Salon and Day Spa
FENNOfashion
Keep It Tight Fitness
Miche Group
Spice and Tea Exchange
Votre Vu by Julena Bingaman
Purdy Everyday

Click here to RSVP by March 24! Event is free to attend. Those who purchase a $10 ticket will receive a swag bag and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Civic Garden Center.

After Party: Join us for the official after party at Behle Street Cafe. Complimentary parking in the rivercenter garage directly behind Behle Street Cafe.

Hosted by: Cincy Chic, an online publication for women in Greater Cincinnati