Yes, Marley, that is all true. I flew into John Wayne, Santa Ana, OC airport from Boston. There was a free shuttle to and from the airport to the hotel where everyone stayed.

I think that we stayed at La Quinta Hotel. I think that it is going for $63 a night right now. It was a wonderful, clean hotel with free breakfast.

Can someone just confirm that it was La Quinta ?

Yes, SNA (John Wayne in Santa Ana/ Orange County) is the most wonderful little boutique airport, super nice. We should stay at one of the hotels near there again. None of the L.A. traffic and right by Vicki's and great shopping.

I absolutely loved that we were staying together in the same motel and in practically adjacent rooms. So fun, like having sleepovers again!

I really hope we can find a date that most of us can be on board with. I am really looking forward to this.

Thanks, Marley, for bumping and to you OC fans who are familiar with the area. Yes, we're here and ready to kick into gear once we get a solid date from our peers.

Isabel, I can't confirm on the name of the hotel; hopefully, someone else can. Was this the same hotel where Claire, AJ and Aida stayed the prior year?

According to my email records, last year's Shoptoberfest started Friday, October 12th.

I know the name and addy of the hotel, but I do not want to post it on the public forum, just to be extra paranoid and safe. I can tell you it was not La Quinta. Isabel, I will PM you!

AGH! So tempted! Will depend entirely on whether I can take a day to fly down since I just started at work. I would have to make it a three day weekend, but that would be worth it!

Oh, and the later the better for me.

Looks like we're moving into Shoptoberfest territory again and having Una here for three days is even better. Has anyone heard from Aida and her schedule?

Claire, I know you preferred Sept. Would the Oct. dates work, too?

Zap can't come if we move it to October.

I removed the info regarding the hotel because there are concerns ( rightfully so ) regarding have the place and times that we will be away.

If anyone wants the info, you can pm me.

Thanks !

I can do sept 13-15 or oct 26-27. My best friend lives in OC and we have been trying to get dates together anyway. Would you guys be opposed to her joining us for the shopping expeditions?

Sona, I think it would be lovely to meet a new friend and have her join us for shopping!

So as of right now, it looks like the weekend of 9/13 yields 11 available + 2 maybes. I counted Zap twice since her ticket is already paid for. That makes 11 available, 1 maybe. No Anna or Una, partial Rae participation.

Weekend of 10/11 has 9 available, 4 maybes (again counting Zap twice as a maybe since her ticket might still be good). No Isabel or Sona.

Weekend of 10/25 has 12 available, 1 maybe. No Zap.

Pretty neck-and-neck at a possible 12 to 13 to 13.

BTW, Zap? I would totally hang out with you any time!

Sona , that would be such a treat !!!

so should we flip a three sided coin???

..she laughs trying to be a comedienne....

Rae, not only are you good putting outfits together, you're also very good with numbers! This is such a close one and I wish we could all be together. Are these statistics showing some of us who can make all the dates, others two and then those available for only one?

Do you want to give it another day or two and see if we have a few others who may change the tally? I know we can't wait too much longer as work schedules have to be finalized, etc. and we must do it soon.

Shoptember? Shoptober?

I'm not a definite so don't weigh options based on me... Am keeping fingers crossed though!

Let's wait and see when Zap's voucher is good. Then at least we will have some definite numbers to work with. As others mentioned to me in PM, Zap did a lot to help out with last year's event, and then was unable to join in the fun - we really should have her here!

I just wanted to get the heck outta Dodge in September because it's still so hot here then. But I don't have any conflicts in October either.

Hi guys,
Don't feel obligated on my account. It's all good, go with the majority.
I am having a super dumb day today. What date in October should I check for then? The later weekend in October is a definite no go, the voucher will be expired by then.

Ok, I re-read the entire thing. Go ahead and finalize your plans for that last week in October. I can always make a little trip there to see my SoCal ladies. Majority rules!

Ms. Zap, I think from Rae's tally that Sept. was in the lead and you do deserve a trip here, so is the September date still a good one for your schedule and your preference in order to use your voucher?

Go ahead and plan without me. If you pick a date I'll look at my end of things. Frankly I'm not much fun right now to be around, work has turned me in a real b****.

Oh, Anna, this means we need you around us MORE than ever so we can surround you with hugs and birthday cheer.

It IS really hard to coordinate everyone's life into one breezy getaway weekend, but we'll do our best. I mean, Claire was almost willing to crawl through the desert to get here; that's how much fun we'll have together! Anna, please keep us in the loop.

Hi Vicky,
How are you counting? I was going by number of confirmed. If that is the case please go ahead and settle on that 10/25 (12 available + 1 maybe). I will see you all SoCal ladies regardless before my ticket expires. In any event, I am not doing too well in very large groups these days. I might end up being a total bore.

( and I know that Miss MK, my 'sista from another 'mista... smooches)

And Zap, I have a ticket to NYC that will need to be used sometime between now and January. Just sayin'...

Yey! So what are we waiting for???

Ok, ladies, it looks like we may have a solution! We will now be celebrating both Zaptember and Shoptober... the SoCal contingent is going to be spoiled this year.

As stated above, Zap is going to look into when she can make it out using her voucher from last year's ticket. SoCal YLF will then meet up with her in the Pasadena/LA Area - this will give us the chance to hit up some new shopportunities and also keep to a smaller group. Date TBD.

The Third Annual Shoptoberfest (wow, it's so fun to call it that!) will go on as discussed earlier in the thread. Party at Vicki's, hotel slumber parties, and all our favorite haunts in the OC. Looks like October 25-27 has the most available with the least possible conflicts - can we go ahead and nail down that date?

Also, a note on flights: last year, some ladies were able to get better flights into LAX. If that is the case, I am more than happy to pick you up from and drop you off at the airport. I drive right past it on my way to OC. I have a small car, but it seats three passengers comfortably, four if need be.

How does it sound? The sooner we have a date, the sooner we can start planning the fun stuff!

Rae, thank you so much for this "Best of the Best So. Cal. Solution," which means not only two different shopping venues, but two dates to accommodate everyone!

I'm so happy our YLF autumn season with Zaptember and Third Annual Shoptoberfest is set! Looking forward to both weekends. Woo-hoo!

Great news. Have fun planning!

Yay!! Can't wait!! Zap, you are more than welcome to stay with me at the Bachelorette Pad if you like! I can provide current houseguest references!