Fashionable Speaking...

I like my money where I can see it...hanging in my closet.

~ Carrie Bradshaw, fashionista

Who Rocked It?

Cassie worked a summer chic look in this Herve Leger mini. Audrina slipped into the same hip hugger for an event in Los Angeles. Both ladies looked radiant on the red carpet but, who rocked it?

Photo:people.com

Ladies & GentleWOMEN

Ladies, this fall our options are limitless! Have you ever thought about rocking your man's dress shirt or tie? How about wearing his suit with your heels? Designers are making it possible this fall with looks you'll love that fit all your feminine curves. It's the menswear resurgence taking over department stores. They are overflowing with tuxedo shirts, vests and slacks. They may have a men's edge but the details boast feminine sensibility. It's time to strap on your stilettos and strut it like you mean it.

Photos: bergdorfgoodman.com & nordstroms.com

Give Good Face

I don't know what it is about birthdays but, my last one got me thinking about aging. It didn't hurt that I strolled right into a demonstration of anti-aging products! While cruising Bath & Body Works for a nice fragrant body cream, I was confronted with the realities of wrinkles. Did I mention that I had only turned THIRTY! I was so very skeptical of every fact the demonstrator threw my way. Then, she did the demo on my hand. She used these products by Patricia Wexler, M.D. The Dr. is a dermatologist out of New York and she's created her own line of products. The demo was done on my hand and I have to say the difference was amazing. She started with cleansing and exfoliating. I was hooked. Looking from one hand to the other the difference was SO clear. My left hand was smooth and supple and seemed to have plumped up. The other seemed a little dry and in need of attention. I thought if it does that for my hand, I need it for my face! What happened next? I grabbed a starter kit of the products and headed straight to the checkout. I have since been using the products for nearly a year and the hand demo wasn't a fluke! My skin has been consistently smooth and dewy. To top it off the moisturizer is packed with SPF 30! Love it!

Photo: Bath & Body Works.com

Le Chic Boutique!

There is a lot to be said for being a girly girl. Nothing drives the point home better than Chicago boutique, Le Dress. The name gives it away, this boutique is ALL about dresses, making it the ideal stop for femme fashionistas everywhere. Owners and sisters-in law Eva and Robyn Anderson bring their fashion know-how to the upscale Wicker Park neighborhood. They both have fashion degrees and experience with some of the best. From Dior, Marc Jacbos and Chanel, these ladies have the world of style covered and their boutique shows it! Featuring designers Trina Turk, Betsey Johnson and newcomer Lauren Conrad to name a few. The clothes may draw you in but, there are so many unique features to keep you coming back for more. Let's start with the in house seamstress for all of your hanging hem needs. Need to hide an unflattering angle? Spanx to the rescue! First time customers are in for an extra perk - a free L'emergency Kit (safety pins, mini nail file, mints and double stick tape) to keep you stepping in style. There's also a perk we can all appreciate, prices range from $40-$500. That's right ladies, there's something for every budget.


Photo:ledresschicago.com

Fashionably Speaking...

Be daring, be different, be impratical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play it safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.


~Cecil Beaton - English photograhper and fashion designer

Photo: michael hoppen gallery

Who Rocked It?

Ashlee Simpson and Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks wore the same mini dress to separate events. Ashlee paired hers with nude pumps and pearls and Selita wore hers with black pumps and tights. Both ladies worked the LBD but, who rocked it?

Photo:people.com

Tie it Up

In the time of sky-high, strappy stilettos you may have thought the only laces you'd be tying were sneakers. Well, this fall that's changing. Aside from the metallic trend carrying over from summer, add lace up stilettos and wedges to your must-have list. These styles from Pura Lopez and Rafe are just a couple to hit the magazine pages. Pura Lopez keeps it flirty with the peep toe and sky high heel. Rafe on the other hand keeps it classic with the tassels and wedge heel. The splash of trendy is the silver metallic color. This fall, keep it laced!

Photo: amazon.com

Kissable You

I was in Las Vegas this past weekend and it was a scorching one hundred and seven degrees. Even in the extreme heat, I had lip gloss on the mind. Not just any lip gloss, mind you, it had to be natural. I had my eye on the Korres brand for a while. I stumbled into Sephora for the air conditioning and stayed for the lip gloss search. After looking around for a bit, I asked one of the sales people for a natural lip gloss. The first thing to roll off of her lips was Korres. She said it was probably the most natural product I would find. Their slogan is, "active ingredients that benefit your skin, used the way nature intended."I looked them over and walked away with a lip gloss and lip butter. They are made with all kinds of good stuff including a little cherry oil that makes it smell oh-so-good! One thing I really appreciate is there is no sticky goop all over my mouth. Most glosses leave my lips way too sticky. So much so, that whenever the wind blows my hair is stuck to my mouth. Not good. That's not a problem with Korres. The company makes all kinds of products for skin care and I'll be checking them out in the near future.

Photo: Korres.com

Wax ON, Wax OFF

Let's talk about the economy. In short, it sucks! I think we can all agree on that. In it's current state, this economy has caused many of us to pull back on the not-so-necessities. One of those things may be a little waxage. From the eyebrow to the legs to the bikini... what's a girl to do? Here's an alternative: Parissa wax strips! The strips claim to be the solution to all your waxing needs. Their website boasts information on different types of hair and which waxing products work for specific types. Another great feature of the site... REVIEWS! Past customers have left their views on the how well the waxing strips work and many of the ladies swear by these. Did I mention that the bikini wax strips are just nine dollars for a pack of sixteen strips? Maybe you don't want to do ALL of your waxing duties yourself but, when it comes to saving money, even if you did just one area it could be worth it, right?

Photo: parissa.com

Haute Nails

Fall is coming sooner than I'd like. Luckily, here in California, I can milk summer for another few months. By all accounts, the season is shaping up to be a lovely one. From the bags, shoes and clothes, I'm getting ready for all that fall has to offer. So far I've seen some trends I can definitely get on board with. One particular trend I'm feeling right now are dark metallic manicures. To get the look, I've got my eyes on the Lippmann Collection. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann has a collection full of colors to fall for. While her celebrity clients (Sarah Jessica Parker, Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey) crave her skills, a celeb worthy mani isn't out of your reach. Of all of the new fall hues, my favorite is Pump up the Jam! This hue is all boysenberry goodness for your fingertips. Other faves include Fade to Black and Since I Fell for You. Seems her colors are named after famous songs. Coincidence? No. This manicurist is also a singer. Well, she's certainly hitting all the right notes. Her collection can be found at Nordstrom stores.

Photo: lippmanncollection.com

Fashionably Speaking...

Women dress alike all over the world: they dress to be annoying to other women.

~Elsa Schiaparelli - French fashion designer

Photo:fashionencyclopedia.com

Who Rocked It?

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul wore this olive Versace gown to a recent event and Fergie slipped into the same slinky number at another event. Both of the ladies looked fab but, who rocked it?

Photo: People

Natural Beauty

The windy city just got cooler! Chicago designer, Sarah Fox has made an entry into the jewelry and home accessories scene that makes a statement. Her pieces reflect the beauty of nature using uncommon materials. She combines lace and knits with delicate chains that combine to create the simplest forms found in nature. She also makes lacy designs for the home. Lucky for us, these aren't your grandma's doilies! These hand painted and gold leafed votives are a nod from the designer to the endangered landscape of glaciers. She's clearly got a love affair with nature and we're loving it!



Photo: cursivedesign.com

Armed and Beautiful

In my search for all things natural, I stumbled across a new lip gloss line from model, Theo Kogan and make-up artist Allison Burns. Armour Beauty immediately got my attention because it's packed with lots of good for you and good to you ingredients. With avocado, grape seed and olive oils these glosses will naturally moisturize. I can definitely appreciate that. The glosses also come in a choice of shimmer or opaque finishes, easily taking you from day to night. The names of the colors keep it interesting - a few of my faves are femme fatale, nirvana and
barracuda. Leave it to a model and make-up artist to get beauty right!


Photo: armourbeauty.com

What's the Buzz?

It's Monday - back to the daily grind. Getting back into the swing of things can be hard to do. This creation from Estee Lauder can make it easier. It's a new mascara but, it's not your everyday mascara. This one boasts a vibrating brush to make getting ready in the morning a little easier. It still does all the things you want in a mascara - lengthens, adds volume and separates - but the trademarked LashSonicBrush does it faster! I don't know about you but I could use a little help in the morning. Especially, when I've got a case of the Mondays!


Photo:estee lauder

Fashionably Speaking...

Fashion fades, only style remains the same.

~Coco Chanel - French fashion designer

Photo:astrologyweekly.com

Who Rocked It?

Fab chic on-the-rise Paula Patton wore this Gucci shift out to an L.A. event and Jennifer Lopez wore the same metallic number to a concert. Both ladies paired the mini with metallic stilettos but who rocked it?



Photo:People

Mole Makeover

Our favorite fashionista has had a little makeover. SJP has removed her signature mole. It's a noticeable difference. I think she looks good either way. What to do you think? Better off mole-less or missing her flavor?

Photo: The Insider

Chic Deal

If you only love designer brands... this is for you. Designer Monica Botkier has been making must-have's for the Madison Avenue set for a while now. Her Botkier line carries high end shoes, bags and accessories. In her new venture, she's the designer of the moment and making her designer wares available to even more of the masses through the oh-so-chic Target. For a limited time her glam bags are for sale with the mega-retailer. This gold number is my fave. I carry lots of stuff so the side pockets will definitely come in handy. The feature I love the most is the crinkled finish. Being stylishly chic just got easier and cheaper.

Photo: Target

Feelin' Fly

Diva style? Check. Working girls budget? Check. No worries. Diva fly style is definitely within your reach. I came across a site for girls just like us. Flyjane.net claims to have diva style on a budget. After a few clicks on the site, you realize it's not just talk. Have you seen something on your favorite celeb that you just have to have? Fret not. For less than your car note you can have it! I found these stiletto gladiator sandals and fell in love. The best part, they're less than fifty dollars. I'm pretty sure I can squeeze that into my budget.

Photo: flyjane.net

Fashionably Speaking...

Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest.

~Christian Dior

Photo:blogdorfgoodman