So there was this rumor about how absolutely nothing happens during the summer in Houston, but apparently, quite a few boutiques didn’t get the memo. Here, smack in the middle of summer and in the middle of the week, is THE night for shop-and-be-seen events. At least until September.

Wednesday Shopping Romp
Of course we love the French. From Coco Chanel and Yves Saint.Laurent to the unabashed adoration of all things breadlike, who could resist? Coquette Boutique is nodding its beret to France in honor of Bastille Day (the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison in 1789) Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m.

Say oui oui to bubbly, brie and local designer Beth Younger’s collection of JulieBeth bags for every occasion. Wearing French colors or a beret gets a girl 10 percent off a JulieBeth bag order.

Go ahead and add J. Silver to the list of Wednesday night’s shopping stops. From 5-8 p.m. the Rice Village jewelry destination is throwing a Girl’s Night Out party complete with bites for girls and pups, Bethenny-approved Skinny Girl Sangrias and don’t-miss gift bags.

Round out the night at the Sip & Shop beauty event at Blvd 610 Bar & Lounge from 5-8p.m. Creator Naima Singletary puts together the periodic shopping parties featuring new clothing, jewelry and beauty lines, plus cocktails and general girlish merriment. Wednesday’s event includes MAC, Lancome, Stila, Smashbox, Urban Decay, Clinique, Bobbi Brown cosmetics at up to 55 percent off, compliments of Bluefire Cosemtics, makeup application how-to’s, giveaways and cocktails. Register for free admission.

The Really Good Nordstrom Sale
Most of the clothing in my closet either comes from Target or Nordstrom, so when Nordstrom holds its Anniversary Sale every year, I jump at the chance to get new fall clothing, shoes and accessories on serious sale.

Stuart Weitzman, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Lafayette 148 New York, Trina Turk, Kenneth Cole and Kooba (love their bags) are among the labels on sale through Aug. 1. On Aug. 2 everything is back to full price at Nordstrom and you'll find me at Target looking for pieces that'll work just fine with my Nordstrom purchases.

The Really, Really Good Tootsies Sale

Every July Tootsies readies for fall by blowing out the store via an impressive sale (designer wares marked up to 70 percent off) and as the sale winds down Saturday, it just might behoove you to ask about the "back room" deals. Unlike the back rooms that line Harwin, the ones that land you in jail and on the evening news, Tootsies secret stashes are legit.

Tootsies staff has pulled fall pieces and included them on the sale circuit too, but as with other discount events, it won't last much longer.