Designer Dress-Up: Rent-the-Runway Pop-Up Shop at the Andaz

me, in Nanette Lepore from Rent the Runway

No, I didn't abandon my 30 for 30 challenge (I wore this to the event), but I did get to play a grown-up version of dress-up at the Rent the Runway Pop-Up Shop event, hosted at the uber trendy Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood.

There were racks of gorgeous Valentine's Day-worthy designer dresses in shades of red, pink, and black, ranging from candy-colored Herve Leger bodycon dresses to sequined show-stopping Badgley Mischka frocks. Taking advantage of the curtained dressing rooms, well-stocked accessory table, and helpful stylists, I tried on a few that caught my eye (I mean, when will I get another chance to wear such gorgeous things?). After chatting with fellow bloggers Tiara (The Dope Girl) and Heather (LA Fashion Snob), and raiding the candy bar, I settled on a sweet one-shoulder red satin Nanette Lepore, and headed to the Beauty Lounge for a mini makeover courtesy of Lancome and Prive. I even got to chat a little with Darais, Lancome's national makeup artist! He was super friendly and helped with my makeover.

Hey, we all deserve our "Cinderella moments".

Here are some photos from the event: (more on Facebook)

eye-popping reds and sequins

Herve Leger in almost every color

the amazing purple and cream candy bar

Tiara and Heather

a cocktail by Hpnotiq and an assortment of pastries (and I still cannot get over the donuts! SO delicious)

Tiara, getting her makeup done by Darais

House of Harlow jewelry from Rent the Runway

glam clutches by Kate Spade and Badgley Mischka

the beauty lounge

me, Darais, and Tiara being silly

me, post-makeover (makeup by Lancome, hair by Prive)

Tiara, me, and Heather in our Rent the Runway dresses (photo credit: Rent the Runway)

For those of you that aren't familiar with Rent the Runway, the concept is quite simple: you get to rent designer dresses and accessories for a fraction of the retail price! Use it for anything from dances to parties, weddings to vacations--anything you want. I wish it had been around when I went to prom (not that I hated my dresses, but I didn't wear them again anyway). You just pick the things you like, the size (plus a free back-up size--clever, right?), the date you need them, and you're good to go. Shipping is free (both ways!), so you don't even need to worry about that. You can be assured that there's a fresh selection to choose from--they have a rotating stock of over 150 designers, 25,000 dresses, and 4,000 accessories each season!

Convinced? I thought so. You can join here.

Want to see more photos from the event? There's more on Facebook.

A huge thanks to Rent the Runway for hosting such a wonderful event, Darais and Carolyn of Lancome for the smokey eyes and scarlet lips, and Mathieu of Prive for the va-va-voom hair. I really enjoyed myself.