Yedi Inside Out Hearts Cup & Saucer Set

Heart shaped tea cups and saucers?! How cute!! I saw this set in the February issue of O magazine and instantly fell in love! They are glazed porcelain cups and saucers trimmed in gold plating in a variety of gorgeous colors!

I think I just may have to add this sweet little set to my collection. After I get them, I'll have an old fashioned tea party, only this time I'll have real people at the table, not dolls and teddy bears. I hosted my last tea party a few years ago. I was seven. *smile*

You can purchase the Yedi set online at Nordstom.com

Press Play: Janet Jackson Dream Street

As everyone knows by now I am seeing my idol, the fabulous Janet Jackson in 34 days. My excitement level is ridiculous so imagine what I will be like on March 8th?


Wednesday posts are Press Play so from now until the concert, I'll be featuring various Janet videos.

Dream Street was Janet's very FIRST music video from the album of the same name. The year was 1984, fashion can best be described as a nightmare, and I was a music obsessed little girl. I sang Dream Street so much, I'm pretty sure my parents wanted to drive me there and leave me on the curb, lol!

Enjoy!!!



Press Play: Trust Me by Guru & N'Dea Davenport

As much as I love fashion and style, music is another love, so I'll be posting something music related every week in a new series, 'Press Play'

From Guru's (RIP) 1993 Jazzmatazz release, "Trust Me" was a personal favorite. The video didn't offer much but it was a typical early 90s East Coast hip hop effort. The lyrics and vocals were meant to be the substance. My how things how have changed... But I digress. Enjoy! 

Tea & Cupcakes with Rae & Sophie

This afternoon I hung out with my good friend Rae Lewis-Thornton and her adorable dog Sophie. Rae is a MAJOR tea lover. She's very passionate about her tea and has launched a new addition to her booming bracelet business, tea bracelets.

Here's the tea bracelet, Rae made for yours truly:


The silver ball holds loose tea. Those are rose quartz beads. I'll
update you on the charm on the end.



I'm a coffee drinker and a tea novice. When I drink tea, it comes in bag form. Loose tea is where it's at and that's how real tea drinkers like it. Tea is big business and drinking it is quite an experience. The tea bracelets look lovely dangling on the side of a mug.

Whenever I visit Rae, cupcakes are a requirement. I stopped by Sprinkles (YUM!!!) and picked up some treats. Even Sophie got in on the cupcake fun!



Top: Vanilla, Milk Chocolate Vanilla
Bottom: Lemon Coconut, Red Velvet



Doggy cupcake for Sophie - I should have bought 2!



Sophie REALLY enjoyed her cupcake, lol! She's cupcake wasted!!!!!

Rae is going to give me a full Tea 101 lesson and I will share what I learn here with you guys. In the meantime, please check out her fabulous RLT Collection.

For more information:
Rae's blog

Keep up with Sophie on Twitter (Yep, Sophie the dog tweets. Follow her adventures!!)

Monday Inspiration: The Holstee Manifesto

I saw The Holstee Manifesto on Golden Parachutes yesterday and it truly resonated with all that I am going through right now so I'm sharing it here. Hope it inspires someone out there too!

Thanks to Marian at Haute Travels who pointed me in the direction of Golden Parachutes.

For more information about Holstee click here.

The Black Jackson Pollock

Thanks to Twitter I recently discovered an extremely talented artist, Gregory Pitts better known as The Black Jackson Pollock. Someone that I follow retweeted one of Greg's tweets. His Twitter handle, Blackjkspollock piqued my interest so I knew I had to check his Twitter timeline. He sent me a link so that I could learn more about his work and I was impressed by all his paintings. He is well deserving of being called the Black Jackson Pollock.

Greg was even nice enough to send me a painting:

When I opened the package I couldn't help but smile because I LOVE abstract paintings. I had the chance to interview Greg as well. I hope you enjoy learning more about Greg and if you get a chance to visit Miami next month for Art Basel, be sure to to stop by his show.

 How long have you been painting?

I did my first self-portrait 10 years ago. I stopped for a few years while I did freelance photography for various magazines as well as some acting.

Tell me about your formal training?
I do not have any formal training but have done a lot of independent study.

How would you describe your art?
I would describe my art as diverse, abstract and "from the soul." It comes from my gut. Each piece is different and I never know the specific medium until I am half-way through the painting.

What inspires your art?
My art is inspired by life.

Where do you see yourself in the next 2 to 5 years?
In the next 2 to 5 years, I see myself owning a gallery and being in museums in countries I've never heard of and even having my art in the Vatican.

What is the story behind your name, the Black Jackson Pollack?
Actually I did not choose that name. I had been doing photography for 30 years and one night, I was out at an art walk event and stopped by a gallery that had recycled paper from the Philipines for sale. I bought 20 sheets of the paper in different sizes and painted abstract artwork on this special paper. I chose to sell the art and give the proceeds to the organization "Mission Gifts", whose mission is to rescue children and young women from human trafficking. When I took the piece to the gallery, an elderly lady said that it reminded her of a Jackson Pollock and that I should call myself 'The Black Jackson Pollock." I had no idea of who he was because I had been doing photography for 30 years.

Greg's websites:
The Black Jackson Pollock
His art work

Drive Cleaning: A Lifestyle Convenience

My current favorite business in Chicago is Drive Cleaning. A pick up and delivery dry cleaning service that is making me a very happy camper.

Drive Cleaning picks up your dry cleaning or wash and fold laundry on Tuesday or Friday and brings it back within four days. If you schedule a pick up on Tuesday then Friday the driver is bringing your fresh crisp and clean garments to your office on Friday. I have used Drive Cleaning three times since learning about the service and I love it. My clothes come back in stellar condition.

They invoice every month on the 30th and the best part about their service is the delivery is FREE!!!!! That's right the pick up and drop off costs nothing extra. Their prices are comparable to the neighborhood dry cleaners. Anytime I can find a way to check something off my weekend to do list so that I can use my time for something I really want to do is a major plus in my book. If you're in Chicago, give Drive Cleaning a try.

For more information:
Drive Cleaning

The Beauty & Power of the Internet & Social Media

Some days I wonder how I got anything done before the internet. Conducting research using an actual book version of an encylopedia is almost up there with watching Lucy and Ricky Riccardo in their twin beds on a tiny black and white TV. Okay maybe not, but you get where I'm coming from. Over the past six years I have seen the beauty and the power of the internet work in my life in ways I would have never imagined. Now that we have social media in our lives, many of us are forces to be reckoned with. We're online networking, creating and building brands, chatting with the Who's Who in a variety of industries.

A couple of weeks ago I met up with Danyelle (The Cubicle Chick) and Jess (That Tech Chick) for dinner at Devon's Seafood. Local Chicago bloggers Rai (Swa Rai) and Jaye (Curvatude) were also in attendance. Danyelle and Jess are from Missouri and Texas respectively who met online and discovered their mutual love of blogging and travel and decided to start a travel series, The Traveling Chicks.


Fabulous bloggers dining 9/24/2010

I met Rai on Twitter. I noticed that she and  Nikia (ChiTown Fashionista) were just as fashion obsessed as I am and we were always tweeting something fashion related. Once we all met in person, we just clicked. The three of us together equals trouble but I'm the sweet and innocent one *batting my eyelashes*

I even met my bff, Adeea (The Trendy Socialite) in a now defunct online discussion group. That's the beauty and power of the internet. The amount of networking that goes on via Twitter is a wonderful thing to see and experience. I can't speak on the benefits of Facebook since I'm no longer a part of the FB hubbub.

If you do not have some sort of online prescence you are really missing out. What are you waiting for? Start a blog, set up a YouTube channel, sign up for Twitter and get to tweeting! Like it or not this is the age we live in. Embrace it and get involved.

Like Paula Patton said to Queen Latifah in Just Wright, "Don't be hatin' on your girl, when I become a brand."

Stonewater Cove – A Hidden Gem in the Midwest

When you think about planning a romantic getaway or honeymoon, I bet the last place you think of is anywhere in the Midwest. Well take a look at these fabulous photos of Stonewater Cove Resort and Club located in Shell Knob, Missouri and start planning your trip.

Stonewater Cove is also a perfect destination for the family or a weekend with the girls or guys. There's a spa for pampering and adventure activities like fishing, mountain biking and zip lining.

 


Click here to read the official press release

Make It Last Forever {Protecting Your Pretty Costume Jewelry}

Today I want to share a tip on how to preserve silver tone, gold tone and other costume jewelry. Some people brush their jewelry with clear nail polish but I have found that the polish peels within a few months. Using a clear glaze like many craft artists use is the better way to go and will ensure that your pieces are protected and sparkling for years to come.

Supplies you will need:

• Sheet of wax paper
• 1 can of Krylon Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze

This project needs to be done in a well ventilated area or you can wear a mask. The spray has a pungent scent and it may aggravate allergies and asthma. Be careful!!

Gather all your costume jewelry and spread the wax paper out onto a flat surface. Shake the can of Krylon Glaze very well. Lightly spray the front and back of each piece of jewelry, then place on the wax paper. It won’t take long for the spray to dry but I suggest letting the jewelry sit overnight.

That’s all there is to it! Once your jewelry is completely dry, return it to it’s home in the jewelry box!

~Kim

Images courtesy of F21

Celebrate YOU Chicago {Spa Week, Single Edition Media, & Joseph Michael’s Salon & Spa}

Last night I went to Joseph Michael’s Salon & Spa for the launch of Celebrate YOU Chicago’s Spa Week’s Fall 2010 spa directory. Spa Week and Single Edition Media planned a fabulous blogger event at the salon.

There were exhilarating chair massages, manicures, lip treatments, and makeup applications offered to guests. The wine was flowing, sushi trays were plenty, and the Chicago bloggerati was in full effect! I had a blast. Joseph Michael’s staff was extremely friendly and willing to answer all our beauty questions. I think the chair massages were the favorite indulgence of the night because everyone who got up from the chair had the most blissful smiles plastered on their faces. I opted for a manicure in Essie’s Lilacism.

I went on a tour of the salon and had the opportunity to chat with stylist Gregory Dickinson, Joseph Michael’s Textured Hair Specialist, about coloring relaxed hair.

Here’s a few pictures I took of the spa and salon:

Above: The shampoo area & massaging shampoo bowl chairs.

The Pedicure Room

 

Art work

Above: The $50 Spa Week Gift Card yours truly won!!!!!!!!

Chicago Spa Week® Fall 2010 is taking place September 13-19, you can indulge in a full week of luxurious spa treatments for just $50 at many of Chicago’s premiere salons and spas. Massages, facials, body scrubs, acupuncture, Botox… the options are endless and the price is right. I highly recommend you check out Joseph Michael’s Salon & Spa for your Spa Week indulgences.

For More Information:

Spa Week

Joseph Michael’s Salon & Spa

Single Edition Media

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=201505&id=22158024090


http://www.spaweekblog.com/2010/08/17/chicago-party-recap-celebrate-you/

[me] & goji: Cereal Couture

One of the great things about blogging is discovering new products and brands from fellow bloggers. I have the fabulous Miss Jamie over at Rural Glamour to thank for posting about her great experience ordering her custom artisanal cereal blend from [me] & goji. Thanks Jamie!!!
I love cereal. I have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert (lol!), and even as a snack. My cooking skills leave little to be desired and I  hate to cook so I have a LOT of cereal for dinner when I decide not to order in.
[me] & goji is a very user friendly and informative site. You just start by selecting your base and add various ingredients like sliced almonds, dried fruit, coconut, etc. There are tons of options. Then you name your mix. I couldn’t think of anything cute to name mine and since my book was on the bed next to me, I just replaced Eat with Cereal and thus Cereal Pray Love was born.
My mix includes:

• Flaxed and Flakes 
• Wheat Germ
• Corn Flakes
• Sliced Almonds

I just had a bowl and it was really good. I added two teaspoons of sugar and I was good to go. I like the fact that I can get a custom blend of healthy cereal because I rarely make time for breakfast during the work week. Most mornings I eat some fast food breakfast or just have coffee and that’s not good at all. Here’s to a healthy breakfast!
 

For more information:
Rural Glamour’s [me] & goji post
[me] & goji’s website

A Life of Style: Mocha Martini

Mocha Martini - A yummy cocktail for winter nights at home.


4 shots ABSOLUT Vodka (adjust if 4 shots is too much)
4 parts Espresso Coffee (Cold)
3 parts Dark Cacao Liqueur

Chocolate syrup
Cocktail Sugar Rimmer in Chocolate Bar

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Rim glasses with Cocktail Sugar Chocolate Bar and chill. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Drizzle some chocolate syrup on top for an extra chocolate treat.

Enjoy!