Trusty Freebie Friend, J, and I arrived at the door shortly before 6pm. The entrance was staffed by workers in Marimekko outfits, preventing anyone NOT on the list from entering. Luckily, we were on the list, so in we went!
A Marimekko wonderland awaited us!
Bars on both side covered in Marimekko fabrics, staffed by young men who poured wine, beer, and signature cocktails that included: green grapes, white cranberry juice, St Germain, Ketel one, and Sprite. Delicious!
There was a DJ and the entire store was decked out in Marimekko prints and products. In the rear of the first level was the actual Marimekko shop, with more fun stuff than one person could ever take in on a single visit. Plates, bibs, clothing, bags, duvet covers...and more!
Here is photo of J posing happily on a Marimekko bed:
But let's talk freebies!
Drink: A+ (two bars with plenty of bartenders, signature top shelf cocktail, and good wine too, served in nice Crate & Barrel glasses)
Food: A+ (they really went for locavore, high end appetizers! Menu consisted of: twice baked fingerling potatoes (Best App of the Night!), beet soup with hard boiled quail eggs, smoked salmon and dill on pumpernickle toast points, radishes with herb cheese, grilled duck breast on carrot pancakes, olive oil cake)
Ambiance: A+ (great DJ, plenty of stuff to browse, plenty of happy people, plenty of cushy couches to lie on)
Swag: A++ (Although swag is not a prereq for a great freebie event, it does help. On our way out we scored cute cotton black and white bags (great for the farmer's market!) stuffed with OUR CHOICE of Marimekko pillow!!!EEEEEEE!!! See mine here:)
I will now go into Rule #1 of Freebie Events: Bring a Fantastic Freebie Friend (or two!).
Freebie Events are, by their nature, madhouses filled with people you've never met and will likely never see again. Not too fun without at least one trusty friend to get excited by all things around you, drink cocktails, and mock certain ridiculous sights that you see at a Freebie Event. For example, once when C and I attended a freebie summer event at Sotheby's in London, the hors d'ouvres girls were in nothing but yellow mini-slickers and carried snacks in upside-down umbrellas - NOT A LIE!
As someone who can get carried away by Freebie Events, I will also acknowledge that it's a good idea to have someone who knows you nearby to make sure you don't embarrass yourself. (Last night I spent 5 minutes trying to fish out a giant delicious-looking green grape from my cocktail, until J reminded me that we are not chimps.)
At Marimekko, I was lucky enough to have two FFFs, J & C, with whom I last shared International Free Macaron Day in the spring. They both love freebies too and are gung-ho about attending "lifestyle events" such as these.
So, thanks a million J & C (especially C, who informed us about this event in the first place!) for being the best FFFs a gal could hope for!
Now a new section that will come whenever Freebie Events happen: The Quote Vote.
As Freebie Events are fertile ground for ridiculous quotes, it makes sense to have a Quote Vote whenever a freebie event inspires certain hilarity. I have placed the current Quote Vote at the top of the blog. Don't forget to cast your vote!
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