What better then to spend a Sunday with the girls nibbling, sipping, shopping, and flirting with the camera all on a lavender carpet? Not much except to know that our antics were actually helping local businesses get a much needed economic jump start.

Celebrity stylist Derek Warburton (Derek Loves Shopping) and Simply Chic Public Relations, hosted the Shopaholic Sangria Sunday brunch at Room 18 in the boutique infiltrated Soho/Nolita hood. In effort to stimulate local Nolita/Soho businesses, encourage the use of fresh local produce, Room 18 was a chic, charming, family owned and most suitable locale choice.

The Shopaholic Sangria is made with house wine infused with fresh fruit from local New York farms, which can be found on Saturdays at the Union Square Farmers Market, with most notably the fresh raspberries from Fruit Valley Orchard. The Shopaholic Sangria is available in both red and white, and is a refreshing compliment to Room 18's fresh crepes, Asian-influenced tapas, and assorted brunch fare.

Room 18 is also a perfect blend with DerekLovesShopping.com- a premier website devoted to fashion and fabulousness. So, of course, the attendees included; Alex McCord, Simon van Kempen and their two boys, Francois and Johan, my besties Stephanie Newhouse and Jen Marden, celebrity blogger Tia Walker and her effervescent Mom- Peggie, askmelissa.com gorgeous writer Jennifer Wright, and Eli Biehl, the Celebrity Chihuahua. I was delighted to discuss Derek's love of ribbon utilization and obsession, whilst pondering my passion for feeding the economy by continuing to shop... Hey, we all need to do our part, why not join Derek on his crusade and declare your love for shopping too?

To see more photos, click here

*photo 1 by Zach Hyman/patrickmcmullan.com (L-R: Sabrina Chapman- Simply Chic PR, Derek Walburton, and Justine McCarthy- Simply Chic PR)

*photo 2 by Zach Hyman/patrickmcmullan.com (L-R: Francois, Simon van Kempen, Derek Walburton, Johan, and Alex McCord)