All Star Pop-Up Shop Truly Captivating

Charlotte, NC – NBA All Star Weekend 2019 was a fun filled celebration and celebrity packed event for all to enjoy. During the weekend I attended The Captivating Spotlight Pop-up Shop curated by Charity Washington. This luxurious pop-up shop and social experience was to have been hosted by none other than the fabulous NeNe Leakes of Real Housewives of Atlanta fame. Although, due to circumstances, NeNe was not able to be present, there were plenty of celebrities, socialites, and influencers in attendance to fill the gap.

Event organizer Charity Washington – wife of retired NFL player Leon Washington – is a Charlotte native and owner of CharityLuvs which was created to “cater to the needs and extensive demands of high-profile men and women who seek personalized style recommendations for their everyday appearances in the public eye.” She has been in the fashion business for about 12 to 13 years styling some of the most influential people in the industry like Jay-Z, Anthony Hamilton, Dwight Howard, and Adrian Peterson. Charity and her partner Lena Huggar — wife of R.L. Huggar, lead singer of R&B group Next — opened their glamorous boutique, Elle Mari, in Atlanta in August 2018.

The shop’s name was derived from the store owners’ middle names. Huggar’s middle name is Danielle, so the last four letters of her name and Washington’s middle name Marie is shortened for Mari. In three to five years, Elle Mari is predicted to expand to Charlotte and another Atlanta area as well as expand into the beauty industry.

I was delighted to meet Love and Hip Hop New York Yandy Smith-Harris, who was promoting her skincare line named Yelle. The skincare line stands out as the first natural plant-based formula with Yelle organic infusion, coconut milk and honey that is paraben-free without toxic ingredients. It currently offers four specialized skin care systems to address common skincare concerns. The systems range from $69 to $130 each.

Charity brought the glamour, glitz and fashion to the Captivating Spotlight Pop-up Shop. Music by Power 98’s Vonyetta set the mood. All VIP attendees received a self-care bag full of goodies from Pink Haircare, The Mane Choice, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and various other make-up and skin care brands. Bloggers, influencers and marketing gurus, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners in attendance, sipped on yummy cocktails while they shopped and networked. There were photo opportunities with your favorite reality-television celebrity and ballers.

For some this weekend was all about basketball but, for me, this event is spotlighted in my memory as truly captivating!

PHOTO via @charityluvs