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

The Stylish Life: Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week

This week's Haute Bag Lady pick are these absolutely adorable grosgrain boxy bags by ASOS. These bags make me want to channel Audrey Hepburn. Can't you just see rocking a cute black sheath, large sunglasses, a hot pair of pumps and carrying this little bag? The pink one is on sale for $41.38 and the black one is $51.72. A real steal for either one and a great alternative to a clutch for a night out. Quite vintage-esque, wouldn't you agree?

What do my fashionistas think of this week's pick?

Been Gone So Long...

Hello Cuties & Hotties!

I'm back! I had a little setback last week which made me sit down for a few days. Let me tell you how much can change within a few hours. Last Tuesday I was at work, doing my usual duties, watching the clock, lamenting how badly I wanted the day to end, etc.. I'm eating an apple and then the room appeared to go by 90mph, it felt like the walls were closing in on me, I got extremely nauseous, and had shortness of breath. Another Vertigo attack. I was diagnosed last May with Vertigo and since then I have had two attacks.

My coworkers panicked and someone called 911 which I did not want them to do. As quickly as an attack comes on, it typically ends within a few minutes or hours. There was no convincing them not to call and before I knew it I was being placed on a stretcher and lifted into the back of an ambulance. Great. Here's where it gets fun kids, I spent SEVEN HOURS at the hospital being poked, questioned, and had every doctor putting their finger in my face telling me to follow with just my eyes. I was tired, dizzy, starving, and pretty annoyed. There is not much that can be done for Vertigo. I was given some medicine and held against my will for another few hours. I wanted to go home. The after effects of Vertgo can be debilitating. The days following an attack can leave you with a severe headache and extreme exhaustion. When I got home, I thought I was feeling better, so I decided to do a couple loads of laundry and clean up. Bad. Decision. I know when I've been beat so I went to bed. Of course, I woke up with a massive headache and just getting up to make breakfast was too much work. Here I am a week later feeling much better. Did you miss me? Just smile and say yes, lol! Thanks. I missed you all too. Now back to the business of style...

 

Pick Up My Purse & Go…

 

Hello Lovelies! I’m taking a bit of a break from my typical subject matter to let you guys have a peek behind the curtain that is my life.

The title of today’s post says it all; I am ready to pick up one of my haute handbags and go. Calling my current state a rut is a gross understatement. In my mind, I’m selling most of my material trappings and bidding adieu to Chicago and my job. Lately I have been pretty miserable. I try to hide it because I don’t want to be a dark cloud to others. The truth is I took my current job because I was tired of job hunting. Having been unemployed for nineteen long months, I was at my wits end and my savings were nearly depleted. I took the first thing that was offered to me. Big. Mistake. My job is just that…a job. It’s not my dream job, but I give all my energy over to it because I conditioned myself to do well in the workforce years ago. I refuse to fail at anything I do.
Inside little pieces of me are being pushed out and I’m moving further and further away from the things I want to pursue. I spend eight hours a day at work, staring at a computer, poring over spreadsheets, and reading reports. By the time I make it home, all I want to do is rest which translates into no energy to blog, no desire to be around people, and my dreams remain on hold.

I wear my emotions for all to see. If I’m mad, you know it. If I don’t like you, trust me you will know from the look on my face. At work, I’m very focused on the work and I interact very little with my coworkers. I’m sure my office mates can tell that I’m not as jovial as I was when I first came on board. It’s not the job, it’s me. After three months, I had to face the reality that I do not like my job. You all have no idea how guilty I felt when I said that out loud. Wasn’t I being ungrateful? Millions of people are out of work, and I have the nerve to not like my job. I had a lot of damn nerve! Had I not spent countless nights praying for a job? Did I miss something while I was out of work? Was I too focused on working again when I should have been pursuing my dreams? I never know what to choose when I come to the fork in the road. I don’t have the security of a significant other who can handle the bills while I do me. Everything falls on my shoulders. I have to take care of myself. If I don’t work, I don’t eat, I could end up homeless. Those thoughts terrify me and keep me stuck in a job and city that each day I loathe just a little more. I’m too old to go back home to mom and at thirty-faux (*smile*) shouldn’t I have it all figured out by now?

I’m supposed to be somewhere else doing something else. Wouldn’t it be grand if I knew where and what? I have a mantra taped to my wall at work: NONE OF THIS MATTERS. I am on the path to my purpose. I am seeking a change. This is what I do, not who I am. I look at those words about ten times a day. I pray the answers come soon because I am slowly but surely losing the battle that is going on inside me.

Thanks for reading my mini vent! I'll be back with my normal fabness (is that a word???) really soon.

Marc Jacobs Bang



Above: The tame Bang ad



Above: Full frontal Bang! Whoa!!



A bottle of Bang

 Hello Marc Jacobs! The MJ newest fragrance for men, Bang features the designer naked. It's very in your face and does get your attention. I haven't smelled Bang yet but it does have a nice blend of: three peppercorns, primal masculine woods, benzoin resin, vetiver, white moss, and patchouli.

Would you buy Bang for your husband or boyfriend? What do you think of the ad?

Get Organized: e.l.f. Studio Large Brush Holder

My makeup brushes are housed in two large coffee mugs on my mini vanity. The coffee cups have served me well but I need something different. Something like e.l.f.'s large brush holder. I really need (want) this.

Both the top of my mini vanity and dresser are a mess. Time to get organized and find a place for everything.

How do you store your makeup brushes?

For more information:

e.l.f.

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

The Stylish Life Loves Carol’s Daughter Almond Cookie

Hello Lovely Ones! I hope everyone had a great weekend.

I have been thinking about fragrances a lot lately. Some people have signature scents and wear the same scent every single day, year after year. I can’t commit to a signature fragrance. There are so many amazing scents out there and I like a variety of blends. Sometimes I like a crisp, clean scent, other times I gravitate towards florals, musks, or tropical and fruity perfumes. My scent preferences are all over the place.

I rarely wear the same fragrance more than two to three days in a row. The top of my dresser is completely covered with perfume bottles and their accompanying lotion or body cream so that I can layer my scent.

                   

Carol’s Daughter Almond Cookie has been one fragrance in heavy rotation since I purchased it earlier this year. I tried a little sample of the Shea Souffle on the back of my hand and while I was trying on shoes I kept smelling the amazingly warm scent of Almond Cookie. I was hooked. I went back to the Carol’s Daughter section within Macy’s and purchased the spray and souffle. When I purchased the set the weather was still cold and I thought Almond Cookie was more suitable for chilly temperatures. To my delight I have found that it is a great year round scent. The scent is warm and inviting but not at all heavy. There is an air of sensuality to Almond Cookie and nothing about it says a fresh baked batch of cookies. This is a scent that will surely get a guy’s attention ;)

The notes in Almond Cookie are almond, marzipan, sandalwood and vanilla. The perfume is heavily concentrated and will last all day and well into the night. The matching shea souffle is lightweight and very moisturizing that leaves your skin soft with a lovely sheen. If you’re in the market for a new scent for the fall, check out Almond Cookie.

For more information: Carol’s Daughter Almond Cookie collection

Macy’s Giveaway!!!!

 

I have a $50 Macy’s Gift Card for one lucky reader!

No tricks or gimmicks to this giveaway. Just leave a comment detailing what you would buy if you won. That’s all folks, lol!

Deadline to enter is Tuesday, August 3rd at 11:59 p.m. (CST).

A winner will be chosen by Random.org

So what are you waiting for? Leave a comment already!! Good luck!!!

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week {Longchamp Le Pliage Eiffel Tower Duffle}

The newest addition to my bag family is the much coveted, hard to find, possibly sold out Longchamp Le Pliage Eiffel Tower Duffel. This is a very chic carry on bag and I adore the tilted Eiffel Tower print. I thought this bag was completely sold out until fellow Chicago blogger, Nikia, featured it in a blog post. Luckily the bag was still on their site and in my haute little hands within a week. Yay me!

Longchamp Le Pliage bags are high on my list of bag love because they are as durable as they are classy. The fact that they fold up so neatly is a nice plus as well. I have two mini Le Pliage totes in gray and new navy. I plan to use my Eiffel Tower tote for a few upcoming weekend trips. I tend to over pack even when I go to my mom’s for an overnight visit so my goal is learning to pack better. I want to be a savvy and chic traveler. Here’s hoping. I know I’ll definitely be traveling in style carrying my Longchamp!





As always for more information: http://www.longchamp.com/

Spa Chakra and I {Spa La-La}

     

Last Sunday I was treated to a 90 minute deep tissue massage at Spa Chakra. I will admit that I have never had a massage, in a spa setting that is (*Giggles* Oh behave!). The thought of a stranger touching me just wasn’t that appealing no matter how relaxed I would feel afterwards. This is a new year and I promised to take better care of myself. I tend to be tightly wound, always balancing a million things, and stressed out more than I should so I knew I was long overdue for a massage.

Upon entering Spa Chakra I was amazed at the serene atmosphere. I was promptly greeted and offered a seat and brought a glass of water. I sat down in the plush black chair and forced myself to take it all in. The apprehension I felt began to melt away. The young lady behind the desk asked me a series of questions to make sure my massage would meet my needs. She wanted to know if I wanted to feel relaxed or invigorated and she allowed me to pick out a special fragrance that would be added to the massage oils. I think I chose mandarin.

My masseuse, Cordelia, came out a few minutes later to show me to my room and we passed through the Guerlain (swoon) Beauty Bar. I wanted to stop and play but I dutifully followed along. All treatments at Spa Chakra begin with a relaxing foot soak.

The foot soak

 

After my foot soak, I returned to my room to get ready for my spa service. The room was so peaceful that I wanted to bottle the vibe and carry it home. Cordelia was so sweet. I told her my hesitation about having a massage and she put my mind at ease. She had a very gentle spirit and I felt comfortable talking with her. Ninety minutes later and I was a massage believer! Why had I waited so long to have a massage again???? Can I book another one now???? Cordelia worked out all my kinks and told me that she recommends I continue getting massages and really learn to unwind. That was the most relaxed I had felt in a very long time. I will definitely be back! As a person who has a hard time relaxing, I truly enjoyed myself  and realize I sometimes take myself way too seriously. This was a wakeup call that I really need to let my hair down a lot more and stop stressing things I have no control over. Yes. I got all that from a 90 minute massage. Ha!

The Guerlain Beauty Bar:
 
 

I was invited to experiment with all the makeup but I was so mellowed out that I just really wanted to go home and relax. You better believe that next time, I'll be all over the beauty bar.

Spa Chakra is located within the Palmer House Hilton. For more information click here.







The Stylish Life Disclosure: This was a complimentary spa service. I was not paid for a favorable review of Spa Chakra. This is an accurate and honest review of my spa experience.

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 Ad Campaign

Check out Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2010 ad. The dresses and styling are 1950s inspired looks. Check out the retro vanities. Of course, I want ALL the bags *mad scientist like laughter*

{Louis Vuitton}

Models: Kristy Turlington, Natalia Vodianova, and Karen Elson
Makeup: Pat McGrath

 
I especially like the ladylike elements – full skirts, cinched waists, demure hair styles, and the gloves. We really need to start a ladylike fashion movement.