Lanvin for H&M

The above image of four Lanvin for H&M looks just hit the web. If I don't get anything from this collection but the ruffled black dress on the end, I will have sheer joy coursing through my veins and I will dedicate my life to sharing that joy with the world.

What do my fellow fashionistas think about this first look at Lanvin for H&M?

My Nordstrom Nightmare...

Last Friday I went to Nordstrom to purchase a new fall fragrance. I had in mind a few fragrances that I wanted to sample but I was really looking forward to browsing and seeing all the new items in person. Upon walking over to the fragrance department, I was bombarded by two sales people. They greeted me, asked if they could help me and what I was looking for. I stated that I was looking for a fall fragrance. Immediately these two women became glued to my right and left side, talking quickly, grabbing bottles and spraying various scents onto strips of paper, and shoving them under my nose.

My good mood quickly went downhill. One of the ladies backed off, but the other one stayed attached to my hip. She was really annoying the hell out of me but I remained calm. I nicely but firmly explained to her that I was heavily into beauty products and knew what all the latest fragrances were and that I just wanted to take some time and look on my own. Did she take the hint? Of course not, she kept right on, walking right next to me and going on and on and on. Everything I said she agreed with. I told her one musky fragrance that she sprayed on my hand didn’t mix with my chemistry and she agreed. I tricked her a few moments later by saying the same fragrance was really soft and pretty. Again she nodded in eager agreement. I just shook my head at her desperate attempt to make a sale. She was paying no attention to me or what I said I was looking for in a fragrance.

Finally I could no longer take it; I said to her that I just wanted time to browse alone. I thanked her and asked her to please allow me time to shop. She seemed extremely offended but at that point I did not care. Shortly after getting rid of the initial pest, another woman came to the sales floor and started her sales pitch. Granted she was nice and she was just returning from her break but still... How many times and how many ways can I say I’m just looking? A representative from one of the fragrance brands soon joined in and it was right back to the ordeal I was having before. At that point, I had had enough and left the store. I was so irate. Not only was I frustrated that I didn’t get my perfume but I felt disrespected as a customer. A good sales associate should know how to turn their pitch on and off. I don’t understand what was wrong with the ladies at Nordstrom but their tactics were way over the top. They were so pushy and hungry for a sale. I understand there are sales quotas to meet when working in retail. And not to toot my own horn but when I worked retail, I always met or exceeded my quota because I knew how to allow my customers time to shop. I knew when to step in and offer my honest opinion, and I knew how to nicely tell my clients when something was not for them while offering a suitable alternative. I was never hungry for sales or pushy.

Once I calmed down, I called Nordstrom (Yes, I have their number saved in my contacts) and spoke with the manager of the fragrance department. She listened and sympathized with me. She apologized for her team’s lack of professionalism and assured me that she would speak to them about my complaint. I am very proud of the way I handled the pushy sales lady because I have a very bad temper and that situation could have really gone another way. As I get older, I am learning not to react in anger. It is better to walk away, calm down and then follow up with a phone call or email to a higher up.

The manager invited me back to shop with her personally for my fall fragrance. I will take her up on her offer because I love Nordstrom and this was my first bad shopping experience in nine years.

The Fall Blues

While most bloggers are happily embracing their love of fall, excited for the chance to toss on cozy sweaters and rock a pair of hot leather boots, I am alone on my island crying and bemoaning the inevitable. I have the fall blues which will turn into the winter blues as is the case every year.

I despise the fall and winter gets no love from me either. I only get excited about September because of the magazines. I have a great appreciation for fall fashion and beauty campaigns.

The fall season brings all the things I loathe such as rain, high winds, bone chilling cold temperatures, and sometimes snow flurries. Here in Chicago, all of those can occur in one day. I fall shop out of sheer necessity not because I actually like sweaters, coats, and boots. Trust me. I don’t. My color palette for the fall and winter season is black and gray. I really don’t care what the hot colors and trends of the season are. I dress for warmth because my only goal is to stay warm and dry.

The fall is such an ugly time of the year. The sun rarely is seen, the city has this gross gray hue covering it and my mood takes a major nose dive. I need sunshine and warm temperatures to thrive. Please miss me with the leaves littering the sidewalk, the crisp (cold) air, and all that jazz.

 Nevertheless I have a VERY short fall and winter shopping list.

 **At least 4 more sweaters in Gray and black

** Stretch trouser cords from J. Crew

** Black Frye boots

** Dark gray North Face down coat

 **Thick wool socks

 **Knee length wool coat

So I’ll be pushing through this fall and winter season as best I can, like I do every year. The less I have to be outside in the elements the better for all involved.

Are you excited about the fall? I’d love to know why, so please leave a comment!

THE 900 SHOPS PRESENTS ‘SHARE & SHOP’ {Chicago}

THE 900 SHOPS PRESENTS ‘SHARE & SHOP’

From August 19 – August 22, donate gently worn items to local charities and receive a 15% discount at participating shops

CHICAGO (July 23, 2010) — Join The 900 Shops at 900 North Michigan from Thursday, August 19 through Sunday, August 22, 2010 for a shopping event to benefit Dress for Success Chicago, Share Your Soles and The Glass Slipper Project. For four days, customers are invited to bring in gently worn items to The 900 Shops to be donated to these amazing organizations. As a thank you, The 900 Shops will gift shoppers with a 15% Share & Shop Savings Pass for every donated item; each pass is redeemable for one item at any participating retailer and is valid from Thursday, August 19 through Sunday, August 22.

So clean out your closet and get a jump start on fall shopping – the more donations, the more savings on your purchases! In addition to a 15% Share & Shop Savings Pass, the first 100 customers to donate will walk away with a fabulous 900 swag bag. Participating shoppers will also be entered to win a $500 shopping spree to The 900 Shops and will enjoy the latest fall trends on display throughout the center. A special $10 ‘Share & Shop’ parking rate for five hours will be offered with a minimum purchase of $50. For more information, visit www.shop900.com/share&shop
Share & Shop will raise suit donations (in great need of plus-size clothing and professional jewelry) for Dress for Success Chicago, a non-profit organization providing new and gently worn (dry cleaned and ready-to-wear) career attire to underprivileged women; shoe donations for Share Your Soles, a non-profit providing gently worn or new shoes to those in greatest need around the world; and prom attire donations for The Glass Slipper Project, a non-profit that collects donations of formal dresses, evening bags, jewelry and unused make-up for those who would otherwise not have a chance to go to prom appropriately attired.
Participating retailers include: United Colors of Benetton, Solstice Sunglass Boutique, Charles David, Mark Shale, Original Penguin, DNA 2050, Intimacy • Bra Fit Stylists, Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spa, L'Occitane, Fogal, Bernardaud, Christofle, Sermoneta Gloves, Space 519, Scandia Down, Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland, Glasses, Ltd., Enchanté Lingerie, Preggers, Genevieve Lethu, Wolfhome, Caché, Alternatives Shoes, Yolanda Lorente, Isis, Lotton Gallery, Glove Me Tender and Northern Possessions.
ABOUT DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 85 cities in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the UK. To date, Dress for Success has helped more that 500,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.
ABOUT SHARE YOUR SOLES
Share Your Soles is a non-profit organization providing gently worn shoes to those in greatest need locally, throughout the US and to over 43 locations worldwide, touching the hearts of hundreds of thousands. Share Your Soles accepts all types, styles and sizes, including dress shoes and soccer and baseball cleats. With volunteers in 38 states to collect, clean and distribute shoes, efforts reach schools, orphanages and villages in places like Africa, Sri Lanka, Haiti and Mexico. Also active locally, Share Your Soles collaborates with community leaders like Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, on its efforts. For more information, visit www.shareyoursoles.org.
ABOUT THE GLASS SLIPPER PROJECT
The Glass Slipper Project is an organization giving junior and senior girls, who don’t have the good fortune to buy prom attire, the opportunity to find their perfect prom dress, free of charge, and attend the dance feeling confident, stylish and included. TGSP accepts gently worn formal dresses and accessories, as well as unused make-up. Celebrating its 11th birthday this year, The Glass Slipper Project has made prom dreams come true for over 16,000 young ladies, totaling roughly 1,600-2,000 per year. For more information, please visit www.glassslipperproject.org or The Glass Slipper Project Hotline at 312-409-4139.
ABOUT THE 900 SHOPS...

Anchored by Bloomingdale's, The 900 Shops features 70 luxury retailers on seven levels, including Gucci, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Coach, Club Monaco, J.Crew, Lululemon Athletica, Williams-Sonoma and many more. Over its two-decade residence, The 900 Shops has provided the Magnificent Mile with a diverse collection of luxury lifestyle brands, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining Michigan Avenue as an internationally recognized shopping mecca.

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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

Weekend Haul

Hello Lovelies!!! Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend despite Daylight Savings Time robbing us all of an hour of much needed rest. Thank goodness for coffee.

I indulged in some shopping and a movie this weekend. My birthday Amex gift card came in handy because I wanted to get some cute fun items. Mission accomplished ;)

The Weekend Haul - from top to bottom:

Liberty of London for Target coffee mug. I got the last two on the shelf. The collection only debuted yesterday but the housewares were almost gone when I arrived.

Liberty of London for Target shirtdress. I am crazy about this floral print.

Harajuku Lovers "Nerd Girl" tee. I'll wear this to yoga class.

Max Studio Floral top - As you all can see, I love flowers and prints =)

A new journal. Whenever I see a cute journal, I'll buy it. I couldn't resist the Burberry-like pattern of this one. It was only $3.99 at Office Depot. Yay!

**All of the above items were purchased with my own money.**

Shoe-gasm

Bags are my weakness but every once in a while I come across a shoe that causes my heart rate to speed up a little and I relish in a moment of sheer enjoyment... A shoe-gasm.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Gansevoort Platform Sandal (shown above in Pumice) just sent me over the edge. It's a little plain in style but I love the color and the platform heel. I'm only 5'3" so I need a little additional height. I was on Nordstrom's website looking for something to spend my birthday gift card on when I came across these shoes. I think I'll stalk them for a while to see if they go on sale.

I have a couple of cute shirtdresses that would look great with these sandals. Add a fresh pedicure with a couple of coats of Essie Mint Candy Apple and I'll be walking down the Chicago streets as if I have my own theme music playing.






picture courtesy of Nordstrom.com

A Life of Style: Will Work For Clothes...

As much as I love fashion and the thrill of new clothes, I’m the wrong person to be without a job.
Last December I was downsized and playfully dubbed myself ‘The Pink Slip Fashionista’. My friends call me a shopaholic. I admit I do love to shop. There are not too many stores I can leave without making some kind of purchase. What can I say? Shopping is my sport.

Over the past few months I have indulged in a lot of shopping. The deals at my favorite stores were just too good to pass up. Alas, I've entered month number ten of unemployment. Shopping for clothes has become a long ago past time as I'm forced to monitor my pennies more closely (cue the violins, cry me a river).

All the September issues of my favorite lifestyle and fashion magazines arrived with an overabundance of decadent, must have (can’t afford) fall fashions that did nothing but taunt me. It was enough to send me into a panicked fashion state of emergency. Does FEMA help the fashion starved? Could I lobby for NYFW to adopt me?

I was faced with quite a style dilemma. How can I maintain my personal style with such a limited budget. In an effort to make past seasons pieces current, I had to create a plan. I made a list of the fall trends that I like (see below), then I referred to my wardrobe inventory spreadsheet and my closet to see what I have. Once I finished, I realized I only need to make a few small purchases. Some trends I embraced this season and some I won’t even bother with because they aren't my style.

I'm coveting a leather motorcycle jacket to throw over a ruffled blouse. That’s about as biker chic as I plan to go, but unless a new job is on the horizon within the next few weeks, I will be forced to be a biker babe in my dreams only. Why do I always like the most expensive items???

Fall 2009 Trends I Love:
Plaid
Metallic & Sequins
Ruffles
Statement necklaces & bold cocktail rings
Floral prints
White shirts
Gray
Skinny Jeans & Leggings
Ankle Boot or shootie as Rachel Zoe calls them, lol

The motorcycle jacket I'm in love with:

D&G (Yeah I know...) Lambskin Leather Motorcycle Jacket

A Life of Style: A Fabulous & Affordable Skinny Jean

I've been boycotting the skinny jean trend from day one but when I happened upon the Lindsey Skinny Jean on Forever21.com, I decided to throw caution to the wind and order a pair. Priced at a very low $12.50, my wallet won't take a hard hit if the jeans look horrible on me (please fashion Goddess make me look fabulous in them ;~)

Hopefully in a few days I can share with you guys that the jeans fit and look as good as they do in the picture. Stay tuned...

A Life of Style: My Fall 2008 Beauty, Entertainment, and Fashion List

Items marked ** are products that I would love to purchase but due to the economy…they are so not in my budget. Damn this recession=(



Beauty

L’Orѐal Skin Genesis Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate



L’Orѐal Skin Genesis Eye Serum



Tarte Eye Couture Eye Palette**





Pink Clarisonic Skincare Brush**



Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die For**





MAC Cult of Cherry: Tempting Palette, Spiced Chocolate Palette,**



Lavanilla Body Wash in Vanilla Grapefruit and Vanilla Blossom



Philosophy Amazing Grace Perfume Oil



Agent Provocateur Perfume



Sephora by OPI Nail Lacquer:

- On Stage

- Meet for Drinks

- Caffeine Fix

- Brunette on the Internet

- Metro Chic



Viva La Juicy Perfume



Carol’s Daughter Sweet Honey Dip Chocolate Brown Sugah Scrub



Carol’s Daughter Khoret Amen Hair Oil



Coach Legacy Perfume



Coach Bleecker Signature Denim w/patent capacity wristlet**



Entertainment

Books: Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag by Michael Tonello, The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia, and Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fabulous You by Simon Doonan.



Music: Brandy “Human”, Sabrina Malheiros “New Morning", Hil St. Soul “Black Rose”, Jennifer Hudson, Morgan Page “Elevate”,



DVDs: 27 Dresses, Singles, Sex & the City DVD & part 2 of the SATC soundtrack, Mad Men Season One, Sex and the City: The Complete Series, House Party (yeah…a serious throwback, lol), and Diva.



Fashion

2 more pairs of Old Navy Diva jeans, dark rinse denim jacket, black cashmere hoodie, boyfriend cardigan, ruffled blouses, tie neck blouses, Uggs Elsey boots, more ballet flats, scarves, Gap long sleeve favorite tee, trouser cords from J. Crew, and a leather blazer.





Have you made a fall shopping list? I'd love to know what's on it. Feel free to share in the comments section =)

Kohl’s 2008 Back-to-School Campaign Contest!!!!!!

Want to win a $50 Kohl's Gift Card?

Answer the following question:

**What was the name of Lenny Kravtiz's debut album?**

Please email your answer to: alifeofstyle_theblog@yahoo.com

****Contest ends July 31, 2008

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