Modern life: telling your friends "we need to catch up more often" over and over. And when you do, it's a rushed coffee or wine, with plans to do it properly with the whole squad when you all actually get a chance and/or have an excuse to make an occasion of it. Well, get everyone to mark this one in their diaries, because this is how you and your pals do it right.
Close your eyes, imagine the perfect fun-filled girly weekend away, and this might just be it! Just as the weather’s heating up, shopping and dining mecca Pacific Fair is hosting a tropical-themed summer shopping party on 9th and 10th September (we know, the words shopping and party together already spell good times, and we haven’t even told you the best parts yet!). It’ll be two days of ultimate retail therapy for fashionistas, foodies, selfie-lovers, long lunchers, the sneaker set and families. We’re talking high fashion, epic discounts, cute activities, bubbles, gifts and a whole lot more, all amidst the gorgeous tropical shopping oasis of Pacific Fair.
Love a good selfie? You can add some tropicana vibes to your ‘gram by heading to the bespoke pineapple selfie room near Peter Alexander for the perfect novelty snap (and a chance to win one of two $500 Pacific Fair gift cards… we’d selfie up a storm for that). Then get a head start on lust-worthy new season trends at the exclusive fashion parades at 11am and 1pm each day, starting at The Resort stage, on the grand staircase on Pacific Fair’s ground floor.
We’re loving the sound of the Coco-Crazy games zone outside Country Road—when was the last time you got the chance to try your hand at coconut bowling, a flamingo toss or giant Jenga? (Yeah, we thought so). You can also chill in the Lei-Low zone and have a cheeky go on the claw machine to win Snapchat spectacles; or in the all-important Summer Sips bar near Ginger & Smart, where there’s free bubbles between 11am and 4pm, and fashion blogger-spotting is a competitive sport.
If you’re bringing the small people, there’s some totally adorable activities stationed outside Myer that they’ll love, like felt popsicle craft (um, cute!) each day from 11am-2pm, and tropical face painters adorning the faces of kids (and big kids) with sparkly pineapples, flamingos, or rainbows from 10am-4pm.
If you’re after art of a different kind, you can stop by the Lust List Illustration Station (near Ginger & Smart from 11am-4pm each day), where incredible illustrator Sally Pratt from The Lust List can sketch you one of her chic personalised pieces to take home. Plus, if you spend $300 or more (like you needed an excuse), you’ll score a sweet gift with purchase: a super-sleek white neoprene beach bag with a Lust List-designed pocket that will majorly up your beach cred this summer.
As if that wasn’t enough, there’s makeup pop-ups, chances to win the hottest kicks on the market, and live music on The Resort stage each day. But let’s be real: what you’re really there for is to get your shop well and truly ON. And what a time to be alive, because amongst all the fun, there’s phenomenal discounts from so many retailers, including luxe Aussie designers like Dion Lee, Alice McCall and Aje.
Phew! There’s so much going on, our heads are spinning; we’re a hundred per cent locking this one in and taking a trip down the coast. So round up your gal pals, because this is a summer event for the history books!
Image credit: Pacific Fair
Editor's Note: We've partnered with Pacific Fair on this content because we love a good party. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make The Urban List possible. For more information on who we choose to work with, click here.