An Almost Overwhelming Shopping Experience

Hello Fab Ones! How is the long weekend treating you so far? I hope you’re all relaxing and enjoying yourselves.

I just had to tell you guys about my Saturday which was spent at the Randolph Street Market. I’ve been on the Market’s mailing list for quite some time but never had the opportunity to go due to schedule conflicts. I was determined not to miss another one so I skipped out of class early so I could experience the market for myself. I met up with my girl Nikia from ChiTown Fashionista and two of her friends.

Those of you who know me, know that I love to shop. I love to browse. I love to buy. I can easily spend an entire day shopping. I. Love. To. Shop. The market was almost an overwhelming shopping venture for me, but like the trooper I am, I soldiered on ;) There was so much vintage clothing, jewelry, home decor items, vintage furniture, restored furniture, artwork, vases, designer handbags (I’m talking Hermès Birkin, Chanel, and Goyard steamer trunks). As a devout handbag lover, I was damn near faint at the sight of the vintage Louis Vuittion and Goyard luggage.

I was hoping to find some vintage sundresses but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Many of the vintage pieces I found were too big. I was salivating over this green floor length Helen Roper-esque caftan that I was forced to leave behind *sad face* So what did I buy?


Silver leaf pin: $3.50, Gold plated money clip: $2.50, Silver & Gold cushion pin: $3

I just fell in love with both the pins and the money clip is for my brother’s birthday. I saw so much more that I wanted but I behaved myself. There will be other markets and I will be back.

If you’re in the Chicago area and have never been to the Randolph Street Market, I highly suggest you check it out. You won’t be disappointed. This is one market where you can find any and every thing you’re looking for and even items you didn’t know you wanted, lol!

Here are a few tips I learned for any future visits:

• Wear comfortable flats.
• Carry a small across the body bag so your hands are free.
• If it’s sunny wear your sunscreen.
• Bring cash (there was an ATM station but I believe in avoiding fees at all costs).
• Bring a bottle of water.
• Don’t forget your hand sanitizer (touching all the vintage items makes for some slightly unclean hands).

For more information:
Randolph Street Market

Here Comes The Sun {Apply Sunscreen}

Nina Simone’s 1971 album cover ‘Here Comes The Sun’

Here comes the sun little darlin, here comes the sun I say, its all right, its all right! Little Darlin its been a long cold & lonely winter, little darlin it feels like years since you've been here!

Those are the lyrics to one of my favorite Nina Simone songs, Here Comes The Sun. I often find myself humming it when the sun and warm weather actually arrives in Chicago. The past few days the sun has been beaming and the temperatures have been in the middle to upper 80’s. Yes!!!!

I spent two days in the sun and can you believe I forgot to put on sunscreen? Yes, brown people need sunscreen too. Realizing I was all out of sunscreen, off to CVS I went to spend my $6 in Extra Care dollars towards the purchase of somebody’s sun shielding agent.

Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock was the first one I checked, but the $14.99 price tag made me pause. Luckily CVS has an identical version for $7.99 ($2+ for me once my Extra Care bucks were applied):

I won’t be going outside again on a hot, hot, hot day without misting myself with sunscreen. There are higher SPF levels if you need it but, SPF 45 will suffice for me.

Enjoy the sun but don’t forget your sunscreen!

My Natural Nails & I

 

Years ago I wore acrylic tips, acrylic overlays, and silk wraps over my natural nails. I really did not need those nail enhancements but back then airbrushed designs, rhinestones, and other designs were all the rage. Looking back I am more than a little embarrassed at my slightly around the way girl nails sans the bad attitude, extensions, and Fendi bag. I’ll chalk it up to youth and thank God there are no pictures of my unsightly bedazzled all to hell talons.

Now I’m a much more classy and refined woman who would never go there again. Spa manicures and pedicures are my favorite inexpensive pick me ups. My friends are always amazed at how I’m able to make my mani/pedis last longer than the typical one to two weeks.

Well to begin with I don’t do my own nails. My hands aren’t that steady and the end result would look crazy so to the nail salon I go. I always bring my own polish because I have seen some nail technicians thin their polish with acetone remover. Shady. I just feel better bringing my own. I also bring my China Glaze Self Adhesion Base Coat which grips the polish once its applied and last but not least my Seche Vite top coat. Most nail salons use Seche Vite or OPI’s top coat. I prefer Seche Vite though. My favorite polish brands are Essie, OPI, and Zoya. Using these products can make my pedicures last two weeks and a few days and my manis last up to ten days, which comes in handy when funds are low.

In between manis and pedis I apply Nailtiques Protein Formula 2 and a coat of Sally Hansen Natural Tint clear polish. To keep my cuticles moisturized I use Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream or Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle & Nail Pen, but Viamin E oil works just as well too.

So there you have it, my natural nail tips. If you use any of the products mentioned let me know. How do you care for & wear your nails?

Fall 2010 Fashion Week Trend: Fantastic Hats

Fantastic Hats at Behnaz Sarafpour, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Charlotte Ronson.

Style tip? What’s the easiest way to transform your look? One word: accessories. And the accessory of choice this season appears to be the hat. Designers used fantastic hats as a way to transport this season’s looks to other places - whether it’s decades past (as at Behnaz Sarafpour), mythology (a la Charlotte Ronson’s Arabian Nights), or Marc by Marc Jacobs’ modern cowboy.

Fall 2010 Fashion Week Trend: Purple

Purple at Erin Fetherston, Phillip Lim 3.1, and Luca Luca.

Style tip? Purple is coming in all shapes, sizes, and hues this season. Try, if you dare, a bright shiny purple, a la Phillip Lim’s dashing cocktail dress. Or opt for a softer shade of purple, as at Luca Luca and Erin Fetherston. Whatever the shade, purple looks positively polished on simple silhouettes. Just let the color shine.

Fall 2010 Fashion Week Trend Return of the 1970s

Return of the 1970s at Marc Jacobs, Vena Cava, and Peter Som.

Style tip? It may be 2010, but it felt like the year 1970 on the runways. Bohemian prints, maxi dresses, and flowing vests and sashes all graced the runways. How to get the look of the 1970s, but circa 2010? Make maxi dresses and bohemian dresses look modern with muted, more neutral colors. And accent your look with a bold lip color for a look that’s less au naturel and more modern sophisticate.

Parkas at Cynthia Steffe, Vena Cava, and Cynthia Rowley.

Style tip? What item of clothing can complement a dress just as well as a tee and jeans? The parka, that’s what. Parkas are the jacket of choice to pair with both casual and more formal outfits. We love the parka for its versatility and its comfort - plus, the hood and the extra pockets make it as practical as it is fashionable. Wear your oversized parka with slim fit clothes for a classic big-over-small look.

Lingerie & Lace at Cynthia Steffe, Alexander Wang, and Herve Leger.

Style tip? In 1990, Madonna introduced the world to underwear as outerwear with her iconic cone bra. Twenty years later, lingerie is still inspiring the world of sportswear. Case in point? Alexander Wang’s lingerie-meets-tailored suit look, which mixes feminine lace with masculine fabrications and tailoring. Then again, the lingerie influence need not be quite that overt. Cynthia Steffe suggested frilly underthings with a fitted ivory dress full of tiny pleats. And Herve Leger’s body conscious look merely outlined the bodice and skirt suggestively. How to wear lingerie & lace inspired looks in real life? We love the mix of masculine and feminine - a lacy cami under a structured blazer, a slip-type skirt with something more tailored up top. The key is to suggest rather than to show.

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

How adorable is Banana Republic's Cork Roll Clutch? This darling little bag also comes in Bronze but the silver appeals to me more. The bag is $60 but I plan to stalk it until I catch it marked down. Ya'll know I style stalk in my spare time.

Until next time! The Haute Bag Lady has left the handbag department...

Trend: Short Shorts

Short shorts are so on trend this season and if you dare to go so short here are a few options:


Top row: American Eagle Favorite shorts & American Eagle Frayed shorts
Bottom row: Delia’s Emily Sateen shorts & Target Mossimo Sateen Pleated shorts


Rocking short shorts takes confidence and the right top and shoe combo to balance it all out. A skimpy tank top and stilettos paired with short shorts says “Hello Hoochie Mama.”

Try options like these instead:

If you opt to wear shorts for a night out then a sexy cami worn under a lightweight fitted blazer would work well with the stilettos but make sure the shorts are satin or a less expensive sateen. Think glam and dressy not hoochie hot mama on the stroll, lol!

Bridesmaids' Dresses: 2010 Trend

>"For all their hard work and dedication, don't they deserve to look their very best that day too? Of course they do; so, let's find some of the best in bridesmaid dresses for 2010."..

You have taken the time to select your most important girls to be your attendants on your wedding day. These are the girls that will help you plan and party your way to the aisle. They will stand beside you during the ceremony but will be behind you every step of the way from the engagement to the I do's and beyond. For all their hard work and dedication, don't they deserve to look their very best that day too? Of course they do; so, let's find..

..some of the best in bridesmaid dresses for 2010

Black

Bridesmaid dresses in black will be very popular for 2010. The advantages of wearing black is that

• it suits most skin types and is the most flattering of colours regardless of body shape.
• Since the economic downturn, black has become a popular colour mainly because it can be worn time and again making it a perfect colour choice for brides that want to give their girls something that won't end up at the back of the closet.
• If black is too severe for you, other monotone shades like grey and brown are very "in" too.

A Whimsical Collection

We had to share the lovely Fall 2009 Collection from Jim Hjelm Couture Bridal. From classic lace to gorgeous floral detail, these gowns will fit any bride’s fairytale wedding. We love the whimsical and classic feel of these fabulous bridal gowns. Every detail is breathtaking and flawless! Make your fairytale a reality and check out Jim Hjelm Couture locally at Stardust Celebrations in Plano.

Summertime Smooth

Hot sunshine and summer like temps have arrived in Chicago and the time has come to get our skin nice and smooth to the touch. Sally Hansen’s Spray-On Shower-Off foam is my new favorite hair removal product. I use it on my arms. Yes, I have hairy arms and I’m sure I’m not the only woman in the world with this problem. Am I???? C'mon! Where my she-wolves at?

Just spray the foam onto your arms or gams, let it sit for a few minutes and spray off. Ta-da! Smooth and totally hair free arms and legs. Score!!

I follow up with Aveeno Positively Smooth Moisturizing Lotion. This lotion claims to help you shave less often. Stay tuned. A full review is coming soon.

Keep it smooth (and hair free) this summer ladies!


For more information:


Sally Hansen Spray On Shower Off

Aveeno Positively Smooth Lotion

Disclaimer: This review contains a product that was purchased with my own money.

Gorgeous Groom Fashion

Check out this inspiration for the grooms! We just love these sleek options and amazing designs from Oxxford. With the slimming pinstripe detail and gorgeous patterned ties, these fashions are sure to have your groom looking his best. Whether it's a dapper suit for the rehearsal or a necktie that pops for the wedding day, there are so many styles to choose from. You can find Oxxford locally at Stanley Korshak in Dallas! Enjoy

Obsessed with Sex And The City 2

This week I am ALL about my girls, Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte. How obsessed am I? let's see, I have two no make that three outfits planned. Yes I know I won't be walking the red carpet but one can't go see SATC and not represent in all her fashionista glory.

I have managed to remain blissfully ignorant of any spoilers and extended sneak previews. I know the girls will have an adventure in Dubai, Aidan returns, and I'm okay with suffering through Liza Minelli's rendition of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" (Ugh! I hate that song so much). The things we do for love, lol!

Wednesday night I will enjoy an advanced screening of SATC2 and I'll return with my review.

Until then!

Audrey Hepburn’s real wedding dress

I’m not actually the biggest Audrey Hepburn fan but you can’t deny that she’s a timeless style icon that so many women look up to. Today, we’re taking one of her dresses into centerstage: the Givenchy wedding dress she wore in the 1954 flick Sabrina. I’m not sure if this was the first wedding dress to make use of black lace embellishments, but that’s just the thing with Audrey Hepburn: she can take something old and wear it with so much grace, its style and class factor instantly transcends time. Incidentally, Audrey Hepburn’s real wedding dress was far simpler and has a more interesting story to tell.

Since Sabrina, a lot of designers took their cue from Audrey Hepburn and started including black lace embellishments into their white wedding dresses. Check out these some Audrey Hepburn-inspired wedding dresses for ideas on how to incorporate elements from the iconic Sabrina dress onto your wedding dress.

Asian Women Fashion Clothing

FLANMARK is one of the fastest growing companies for the production of women's fashion clothing in USA. Under the name brand FLANMARK are collections of the top women's fashion clothing, meet the requirements of modern fashion - fall jackets, women's coats and jackets. FLANMARK is a major supplier of clothing in the Washington region.

Jackets Women

Women's jackets brand FLANMARK - is not just the top women's fashion clothing, the clothes for young and active, for those who aspire to the beauty and comfort. We pay maximum attention to material quality and relevance of models of women's jackets.

Decide with the model and buy a garment you can on this site.

Women coats

Responding to requests from the beautiful half of mankind, the company FLANMARK offers fashionable women's fashion clothing containing a diverse collection of women's autumn and spring coats. Staying at the height of fashion this season FLANMARK focuses on a variety of styles of women's spring coats. The quality of fabrics, cut and professional fashion models fitting coats women's collections is on the traditionally high level.

Warning We have opened wholesale clothing new collection autumn-winter 2008/09. You have the opportunity to buy wholesale and retail spring coats and jackets in winter! On a cool spring weather, you can buy our stylish women's coats, stylish women's jackets made of impermeable material.

We offer cooperation to entrepreneurs and companies working in the field of sales of outerwear. As major suppliers of clothing wholesalers we offer a wide range of outdoor clothing in bulk. We wholesale clothing allows you to buy women's coats and jackets in special circumstances. In order to buy women's jackets and coats in bulk to sign an agreement "sale". Learn more - visit dealers.

Womenswear FLANMARK

FLANMARK - one of the most successful and continually developing the companies that manufacture and sell women's fashion clothing manufactured in USA. Collections of women's fashion clothing designed with all the requirements of fashion, especially for the most volatile elements of the upper garments, such as coats, jackets for women and much more.

Fashionable women's fashion clothing

women's fashion clothing wholesale can always choose the catalog of women's fashion clothing. Our company is a manufacturer of women's fashion clothing guarantees the availability of products of any parameters in the presented range of products, including this regard and women's fashion clothing big sizes.

Selling women's clothes

FLANMARK company sells quality products, bringing to market new models and delighting their clients. Collection of women's fashion clothing is quite diverse: you can pick up a coat or an elegant and stylish women's jackets. Selling women's clothes made us both retail and wholesale. You can always buy trendy clothes wholesale, if you buy from us on two or more items. Catalogue of women's fashion clothing will always help you to choose the best suited for you coat and female models windcheaters. Fashionable women's fashion clothing big sizes, of course, will love the fair sex, which are the size above 50. Buy women's clothes, you can always by our managers who will help choose clothes suitable for you. Also, for example, if we buy a coat wholesale, then you can save on the difference between wholesale and retail price. We offer cooperation on mutually beneficial terms for companies that sell women's fashion clothing wholesale. Dealers fashionable women's fashion clothing offered in bulk, taking into account discounts and special offers, you need more information on the registration of the contract of sale of bulk clothing.

Interior Designs Photography

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