Online Garage Sale!!!

I use to be a shopoholic in my past life and would purchase anything that I saw on sale just because I couldn't pass up a good deal. Recently, I went into my closet and noticed that I had a ton of clothes with tags still on them and shoes that I bought that I have never worn. I tried to convince my husband to build me another closet, (that would make five walk-in closets) and flat refused. He told me that I had better start giving things away. Being the entrepreneur that I am, I wanted to find a creative and lucritive way to purge my old designer frocks so that I can make room for the new ones! On a serious note, As I am aging, I realize that I am indeed a minimalist and want to scale down my wardrobe to staples and vintage items that I can have for a lifetime. So I came up with the concept of an online garage because I am too much of a diva to stand in the alley in front of my garage, hoping that someone will come by. With all of this technology at my disposal, I figured out that there has to be a better way. So every week I will feature a new item that will be on sale. This week I am featuring this Michael Kors shoe that I bought 3 years ago. I never wore the shoe and I bought it a half size too small; I couldn't pass it up at the time because it was orginally $130.00 and I paid $49.00 for them. I am going to sale them to day for just $20!! Everything that will be featured will never be ove $20. So join in and find some great deals.

Style and Socal Etiquette...Can Elizabeth Hasselbeck of the View Handle it When President Obama Comes to "The View"?

The View talk show is making History! The View will become the only daytime talk show to interview a sitting president! Barabara Walters will even be present for this Historic event. Barbara Walters has been visibly absent from the talk show because the world renowned journalist had heart surgery early this summer and wasn't scheduled to come back until September. Although I know what an honor it is to have a sitting president come to the show, I am beginning to wonder if Barbara Walters' motives have more to do with Elizabeth Hasselbeck's lack of decorum and her recent controversial statements about certain issues. The conservative Hasselbeck has been known to spar with her more liberal co-hosts and is no stranger to controversial statements. She once argued that the morning-after pill should be banned even in cases of rape and incest, and she criticized ESPN's Erin Andrews for being the victim of a stalking because she was "wearing next to nothing." She also has been known to go on "anti-Obama" rants whenever the president's name is mentioned. If she brings up the Jeremiah Wright racial youtube video- that surfaced during his campaign-I am going to loose decorum, for the first time, and jump through the television!!! I think that Barbara Walters suspects that Elizabeth probably can't hold it together so she is most likely making this appearance to make sure that Elizabeth's "View" won't permanately damage the reputation of the show. So tune in at 10:00 on channel 7 to witness history and to see if Elizebeth controversial "views" will get her in trouble once again!

Glamorama made it's Chicago debut on a cold Friday night in 1999. Glamorama was created so that different cultures and different generations can come together to create something new, while at the same time raise money for local programs and charities such as the Art Institute of Chicago and Cancer research. For 11 years Macy's has been putting on this extravagant eventin Chicago that has lured celebrities, models and fashionistas to the Chicago threatre for good music, outstanding clothes and one hell of a party!! This year is no different. On Friday, August 13th, Grammy award-winning singer Macy Gray & Eric Hutchinson will help kick off the annual fashion extravaganza, Macy's Glamorama is never disappointing. The show will open with an over-the-top theatrical fantasy, the fashion show at the Chicago Theatre and an after party at the Macy's on State Street. Glamorama, which debuted as Marshall Field's Fash Bash in Minneapolis in 1992 and in Chicago in 1999, raises money to support cancer research and the arts. Over the past seven years, Glamorama has raised nearly $2 million for The Art Institute of Chicago, and over the past 14 years, Glamorama has contributed more than $3 million to Children's Cancer Research Fund in Minneapolis. So I would say this is difinately something to check out!!!
Ticket Levels:
$50-$75 Show Only
$175 Show and post party access
$285 Premier show seating and post party access
To order call ticketmaster at 1-800-982-2787 visit ticketmaster.com or visit The Chicago Theatre box office. Tickets are also available thru the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana 630-623-5300 or visit ronaldhousechicago.com for additional information.

Trends for Fall 2010

I have canvased many blogs, magazines and designer websites to bring you the Fall 2010 industry picks for the must-haves this season. As I scoured the websites, I began to notice a trend of my own...that most sites just recycled the trends they predicted would be hot for Fall 2009 and they are trying recycle them for this season since many people didn't invest in them during the last fashion cycle. Most industry leaders predict that the Military look, metallics, sheer clothing, leather clothing, knee high socks, knee high boots and capes will be all the rage this season; but I happen to disagree. I think the knee high boot may last another season and the military jacket may also make a cameo, however, I don't think that many women feel sexy or mature in knee high socks and sheer clothing without a camisole. A woman, in this day and time, wants to transition through her day easily and with as minimal fashion mishaps as possible. Today's woman is a minimalist, she has many responsibilities and very little time; so something affordable, comfortable and stylish-that can take her through her day- is very important. I am taking a leap here and I am going against some of the industry grain and making predictions of my own. I predict that:
1. Jackets will make a comeback this year. Not only military jackets but stylish jackets that can be worn with an evening skirt or just with jeans.
2. Accessories are also going to be very popular this year. Because of the economy, many women are not going to have the disposable income they use to. So belts, hats and scarf are going to win out over a new wardrobe. Accessories always updates and refines an otherwise outdated assemble; and with this economy, I predict that alot of women may be recycling their clothing this season.
3. Shoes/boots are also going to be a hot investment this year. Instead of purchasing thousands of dollars in trends that may not last next season, Invest in staples such as shoes and boots. You will get more wear out of them and save money in the process. Industry insiders are predicting that bulky heals and heels that have a bit of architecture to them will be hot this fall.
4.Camel color and Browns will re-emerge this fall as well. Calvin Klein debuted
his Fall collection during New York's fashion week and he displayed natural colors, grays and a hit of black as must-have this fall. Very feminine, hints of color and comfort seemed to be a focus of his designs.
Finally, my last prediction is that women will find what is right for their own body and just squeeze in the trends and the "must haves" where they can. In my opinion, fashion and finding your style is suppose to be an adventure... an adventure that you travel in your own time and according to your own schedule and comfort. Be a risk taker and find your comfort zone and who knows, maybe you will become the next trend setter!

New Trend Alert: Reality TV...The New Soap Operas??

With the cancelation of longtime daytime soap operas such as "Guiding Light" and "As The World Turns", many viewers are wondering what to expect from daytime TV. Recently, it has been announced that "The Real HouseWives of Atlanta may be taking over the time slot once held by one of these popular soap operas. This leaves me asking the question, "Is Realty TV replacing Soap Operas as the new daytime trend?"
Although reality television is suppose to be real life events as it is happening, these television dramedies are more like soap operas than actual real life situations. I was just watching Chloe and Kourtney tales Miami yesterday and the question of authenticity arose. On this episode, an employee of the Dash store that the Kardashins own, was having a "private" conversation with one of the other employees about her possibly having Herpes and instructed the friend "not to tell anyone". Are you kidding? You are on national television announcing to the world that you have Herpes and you are telling your friend not to tell anyone?! I really don't believe that moving reality shows to daytime is a worth while strategy. Although they are entertaining and comical, I think that it is to brash and too much of an emotional overload in the morning! Soap Operas are filled with drama, intrigue and betrayal as well, however, it is something that is not suppose to be real and it allows you to live in another world temporary. The Real HouseWives, Chole and Kourtney, Jersey Shore etc.. have too much profanity and fighting for my taste for a morning program. Tell me what you think. Leave a comment below!

Chicago is on to something big...no huge! I recently visited the South Loop Hotel on 28th and State Street in Chicago Illinois because I heard that they were featuring a band that was totally hot! When I stepped into the venue, I was immediately captivated and mesmerized by the sultry sounds of the band and the crowd of women that evidently assembled to hear the music and to get the attention of the eye candy featured on stage! The band took me back to places where good music usually takes you. They played hits from The Police, Depche Mode, Rolling Stones, Little Wayne, and SADE but added their own flavor to these popular tunes. The Band is presently working on their album, "From the Basement to the Boulevard" which will be featured this Fall. But until then and before they blow up, you can get a front row seat twice a month at the South Loop Hotel beginning at 8:00pm. The band will be playing again om Friday, July 30, 2010. Come and join me!!!

While everyone is going GaGa over everything yellow, The nude shoe, has quietly and delicately emerged as my “must have” for the 2010 spring/summer season. Although nude clothing was cited as a necessary item in every fashionista’s closet, the nude shoe was understated in most mags but has become, for me a timeless classic like the little black dress and stilettos! Nude shoes are the perfect neutral so you can pair them with any color. The nude shoe is an affordable classic that you should definitely invest in!