I have always dreamed of getting up before the rooster crows on Black Friday. In this fantasy, I am the first person in line. I score big with some amazing sale items, and win the respect and awe of my friends and family for being such a smart shopper. I come home, almost smug with the fact that I have completed my Christmas shopping before most people have had their first cup of coffee that morning after Thanksgiving.

And a dream is all it ever is…because EVERY YEAR, once that alarm goes off at 4am, I quickly turn it off and get back to sleep. The thought of crawling out of my bed to brave the crowded parking lots and crazed shoppers cannot compete with those few extra hours of sleep I so covet. I blame it on the turkey…and then trudge through my Christmas shopping during the weeks that follow.

Well, this year, I have discovered the perfect alternative. On November 19, Working Women of Tampa Bay (WWoTB), a networking group for professional women, has teamed up with local, women-owned businesses to create a private shopping event that will feature the deals of Black Friday, but without all the craziness. They call it “Pink Friday.”

What makes this event even more appealing (as if a night of networking, shopping, saving and supporting our local business women was not enough), is that there are prizes involved, too. The first 100 women will receive a free drink, appetizers, and a swag bag. Plus, all guests will have the opportunity to be pampered in their stress-free escape zone sponsored by Wisdom Hypnosis.

Pink Friday kicks off Working Women of Tampa Bay’s Annual Holiday Shopping Challenge.  Members are encouraged to shop from each other during the holiday season from November 19 through December 19. Shoppers will have a chance to win the following prizes:  A 2-night stay at The Sirata, Busch Gardens tickets, a Girls’ Day Out sponsored by Century Buick & Aguiar Plastic Surgery, a Stress Relief package from Wisdom Hypnosis, and a Holiday Beauty Basket from Beauty Be Natural.  The more they shop, the more chances they have to win.

Founder of WWoTB (and CRAVE Tampa Bay Lady) Jessica Rivelli says, “The mission for Pink Friday and our Holiday Shopping Challenge is to give our members and other women in the community the opportunity to shop from each other during the holiday season. Local retail sales help support friends, family and neighbors. We believe events like Pink Friday help boost our local economy and increase consumer confidence in our community.”

Pink Friday occurs on November 19, 2010, from 6– 9 p.m. at the St. Pete/Clearwater Marriott on Roosevelt Boulevard.  Pink Friday is sponsored by Beauty be Natural, Tampa Bay Parenting, Tampa Bay Woman Newspaper, Grafx Tampa, Icon B and Icon Savvy.

To register for the event or learn more about the Working Women of Tampa Bay organization, go to www.workingwomenoftampabay.com. Pink Friday is free to Working Women of Tampa Bay members and costs $5 for non-member guests.