Things to do in Naples this Labor Day Weekend

So many cool things to do in Naples this week leading up to the Labor Day Weekend - I say let's start celebrating starting now!  Here are a few reasons you need to come to Naples this weekend!

Kick off Friday night with Happy Hour at Shula's Steak House Naples!  We are starting early with 2 for 1 cocktails, wine and beer on between 4pm and 6pm. Enjoy my absolute favorite blackened beef tips, B.B.Q. shrimp (another fantastic choice) and loaded baked potato skins.  Live Jazz begins at 5pm.

After getting warmed up at Shula's head over to Mercato’s First Friday Concert from 6-10pm.  With a band performing called Love Funnel & The G Rub - how can you not want to get out there and visit The Pub (I love their Bloody Mary Garnish Selection), Pure for their White Grape Martini & Small Plates?  Don't forget to stop by & say hi to my new friend Tamela at McCormick & Schmicks! Whew....are we still JUST talking about Friday?  Who ever said Naples is a sleepy town?  There are SO MANY things to do in Naples!

Chill out poolside when the Hilton Naples Hotel Labor Day Weekend Pool Party starts ROCKING on Saturday & Sunday!  Team Shula will be hosting their annual Naples Labor Day Weekend Pool Party at the Hilton Naples Hotel. We'll be grilling up Premium Black Angus Burgers, plump & juicy Hot Dogs and our Chef's secret marinated Chicken Breasts. Drink specials include Frozen Pina Coladas & Strawberry Daiquiris, Canned Beer, Cocktails, Soda and Water. Celebrate your Naples Labor Day Weekend with us!  Yeah Baby...Count me IN!

For you more adventurous types - you KNOW who you are:  Clyde Butcher's Labor Day Muck-About is the place for you...one of Collier County's most famous residents is bringing those of you who are brave enough on a Swamp Walk in his own Paradise called Big Cypress Swamp.  I went on a Swamp Walk last week and I've got to tell you ... it is something everyone should have the chance to experience in their lifetime!  Cool waters, beautiful scenery - it almost seems prehistoric when you are out there!

So what are you waiting for...is there a reason NOT to come to Naples this week?

Team Shula at Naples Winemaking 8/27/10!

Crash the party! Stomp some grapes! Join Tom, Maurica and the Team Shula gang at Naples Winemaking on Friday, August 27, 3:30pm for an impromptu wine tasting! At Naples Winemaking Team Shula will learn how to create your own barrel of hand crafted premium wine. NWM imports hundreds of tons of California's finest grapes from regions such as Napa, Amador, and Lodi. Using state of the art equipment, they create premium wines you can share with your friends, family and clients.

Dream about Naples Florida Weddings ?

Lucky in Love?  This Sunday, August 29th,  our very own Wedding Planner Extraordinaire, Paige Simpson, will be at A Sophisticated Bridal Showcase being held in Tampa.  Tickets are on sale for $10.  Paige has planned  Naples Florida Weddings for over 15 years & has the know-how, resources & contacts to make your own Naples Wedding Dream Come True. 

Her many happy couples rave about her ... comments such as:

"If I had one word to describe Paige Simpson it would be AMAZING!!!"   Click here to read how much this special Bride appreciated Paige


"Without hesitation I would highly recommend The Naples Hilton and especially Paige Simpson for your wedding!"
Click here to read The Mother of the Bride's fantastic experience with Paige.

"The Hilton of Naples has the best thing in the world going for them... Paige Simpson!"  Click here to read this Happy Bride's experience with Paige

Paige also checks in regularly with all the latest & greatest styles & etiquette on her Weddings in Naples Blog.

So make sure if you are interested in beach weddings or a ceremony weddings in Naples, stop by Booth #13 at the Bridal Show and say hi to Paige...I promise you...she will make you Lucky in Love & Marriage!

"Whose Line is it Anyway?" In Naples, FL

Photo courtesy of Avant-Garde Images, Inc

I have always loved Wayne Brady & the group who performed on the show "Whose Line is it Anyway?" In Naples, FL, we are fortunate enough to have a local talent troupe called the Naples City Improv.  The Hilton Naples Hotel hosted a live performance at the hotel in July & they did not disappoint! 

You never know what to expect as each performance has it's own unique energy & is driven by the audience.  The Improv group uses suggestions from the crowd to drive their "games."

If you missed their July performance at the Hilton Naples Hotel, catch them this Saturday at Fred's Food, Fun & Spirits for their dinner show. Begin with dinner at 6:30pm and the one-hour Naples City Improv show follows at 8:00pm.  You can do dinner or just watch the show or both.  Call Fred's at 239-431-7928 to make a reservation.

Best of all, Naples City Improv is always a family-friendly show and wants to make sure that YOU have a good time every time!

WCR Social at Shula's Naples 9/1/10

Members and prospective members invited to WCR-Women's Council of Realtor's Happy Hour Social at Shula's Naples on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 5-7 PM. Enjoy wine tasting, appetizers and half price drinks. Toast to colleagues and an upcoming prosperous year as everyone gears up for season. Shula's Naples is located inside the Hilton Naples 5111 Tamiami Trail just .02 miles south of the Waterside Shops.

Talk Radio Host Dave Elliott, 98.9FM will also be at Shula's Naples on Wednesday 3-6 PM!

Advance Purchase Tickets: 239.430.4999 - $10 advance/$15 door.

Naples EVP Pro Volleyball Tour

Spike up your summer on Vanderbilt Beach! Slap on the sunscreen and join us at one of our favorite Naples events, the Naples EVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. Here's your chance to see Mark Paaluhi and Kim Whitney, voted "players of the year", compete against players from Hermosa Beach, Santa Barbara, Miami Beach, and more. The fun begins at 10:00am on Saturday, August 24, 2010. At the end of the day relax nearby at the Hilton Naples Hotel for just $89. Click on this link to book your room and ask for rate code K5. See you on the beach!

Mercato Restaurant Week ~ Restaurants in Naples at a great discount!

Mercato's Restaurant Week takes place until Thursday, August 12, 2010. Enjoy diverse dishes, multiple courses & many unique restaurants in Naples ~ all at a great discount



In addition to these dining deals, the retail merchants are also offering fantastic summertime specials.  My new favorite accessory place, Charming Charlie, just opened 2 weeks ago...everything is organized by color that makes it so easy to accessorize any outfit.

Z Gallerie was a fabulous surprise!  I always admired their lamps, furniture & artful way they designed their windows as I walked by wistfully window shopping.  I always assumed the price-range of their home decor was way out of my wallet's league.  The allure of the bling & shine of their window made me take a walk inside and I was in home accessory heaven.  Great style at great prices make this my new go-to for all my household decor as well as a great place to buy gifts.  Two new favorite shops found in one day!

Mercato is located just minutes north of the Hilton Naples Hotel and open 7 days a week.  Click here to see restaurant-specific specials and offerings.

First Friday at Mercato

Reggae inspired Pieces Island Band are the feature performers tonight during First Friday at Mercato celebration from 6-9pm.  Mercato Shops are located just a few miles up the road from the Hilton Naples Hotel.  Shopping in Naples is an art form & Mercato is our newest shopping venue.  It also features Silverspot Cinema to see all the latest movies.  Great way to kick off the first weekend of August!

Johnnie Walker & King George Scotch Featured at Shula's Steak House Naples Scotch Tasting

Marcy Rudershausen ~ Master of Scotch

There's nothing like sharing a dram of fine Scotch whisky with friends while enhancing your appreciation of it. Bring your friends to meet the Master of Scotch, Marcy Rudershausen, at the Shula's Steak House Naples Scotch Tasting event being held on Thursday, August 19th from 5:30-7:30pm.

Marcy Rudershausen has been a Johnnie Walker and Classic Malts Brand Ambassador since 1998. In 2003 she achieved the distinction Master of Scotch, one of seven in the United States. She is an expert on the Johnnie Walker portfolio, numerous single malts and, really, anything Scotch. Marcy is also the only Master of Scotch fluent in English and Spanish. Her passion for Scotch was handed down from her Grandfather and Father and she takes great pleasure and pride in continuing the tradition.

In addition to Marcy's expertise, you will enjoy samplings of Scotches paired with selected heavy hors d'oeuvres.

To match your preferences, you have a choice of one of two Samplings:

6 Scotch Sampling featuring: Johnnie Walker Red, Black, Green, Gold, Blue & King George Scotch - $50 advance / $55 door:

Need more tickets?

1 Ticket $50.00 2 Tickets $100.00 3 Tickets $150.00 4 Tickets $200.00

3 Scotch Sampling featuring: Johnnie Walker Red, Black & Green - $20 advance / $25 door:

Need more tickets?

1 Ticket $20.00 2 Tickets $40.00 3 Tickets $60.00 4 Tickets $80.00

Shula's Steak House Naples is located off the lobby of the Hilton Naples Hotel

Naples Wine Tasting - Wines Around The World

Crois de Susana Balbo an Argentina Malbec
Originally uploaded by Hilton Naples

Wines from around the world will be featured in Shula's Summer Wine Series on Monday, August 16, 2010 from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Join Shula's Steak House Naples located in the Hilton Naples Hotel for Naples wine tasting and complimentary appetizers. Featuring Crois de Susana Balbo a fun and delicious Argentinean Malbec with ripe fruit flavors, a Ranui Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Australia with flavors of passion fruit, mango, pineapple and pear, and a Dr. Pauly Bergweiler Noble House Riesling from Germany with ripe peach and apricot flavors. $10 per person in advance, $15 at the door. Contact 239-430-4999 or purchase your tickets below.

Need More Tickets?

1 Ticket $10.00 2 Tickets $20.00 3 Tickets $30.00 4 Tickets $40.00 5 Tickets $50.00 6 Tickets $60.00