Online Window Shopping…

 

Happy Friday Lovelies!!!!

I engaged in a little online window shopping* at around 8:30 a.m. today. I visited Etsy for a much needed quick vintage fix. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just browsing some of my favorite shops before I began my work day.

Cherry Bloom Vintage is one of my favorite shops. The seller, Tara has a good eye and she always finds the cutest items. Her prices are also very affordable

When I saw this 1960’s Mod Maxi dress all I heard was buy me. So I did. I can’t wait to get my “new” dress.

I also ordered this blouse from a seller that I stumbled upon while searching for something else and if you know anything about searching for one item on Etsy, then one word comes to mind: impossible! LOL!

 

For more information:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherrybloomvintage

 

{*online shopping with no real intent to buy, but more often than not…you buy, lol!}

MATERIAL GIRL COLLECTION UNVEILED AT MACY'S ON STATE STREET {CHICAGO}

 

Material Girl, a line created by Madonna and her daughter Lourdes, will launch at Macy's on State Street at 10 a.m. on August 3.

The anticipation has been building, and now, the public gets to see Madonna’s Material Girl line unveiled for the first time. Hundreds of teenagers are expected to be waiting to see the new fast forward junior collection.

The first 200 customers will receive a $10 Macy’s gift card and a free Material Girl bandeau top. Also, four lucky customers will win a tee-shirt signed by Madonna herself!

Later in the day, shoppers are invited to a dance party. Customers will enjoy fashion, music, refreshments and score a great gift with any $50 Material Girl purchase.

When:
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
10 a.m. – Doors open and gift cards and bandeau tops are distributed
11 a.m. – DJ gives away 4 Madonna autographed tee-shirts
5:30 p.m. – Shopping/Dance party

Where
Macy’s on State Street
Juniors Department, 2nd floor
111 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60602

La Prairie’s Eye for Perfection

INDULGE YOUR EYES IN PERFECTION:
La Prairie’s Eye for Perfection Event at Select Counters Nationwide

For a limited time in August, La Prairie, the luxury Swiss beauty company known for high-performance skincare, is booking appointments at your local La Prairie counter to show you how to get fabulous eyes in just 15 minutes.  Nothing short of perfection, you literally won’t believe your eyes after the specialized Eye Lift Treatment:
• First, RELAX with Skin Caviar Revitalizing Eye Pads
• BRIGHTEN eyes with White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum
• Achieve SMOOTH eyelids with Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex
• Next, EXPERIENCE one of La Prairie’s legendary, luxury eye creams best-suited for you
• Feel REFRESHED with Anti-Aging Anti-Wrinkle Eye Line Filler
• And finally, ENERGIZE with an application of NEW Midnight Blues Cellular Treatment Eye Colour Ensemble 

Following the Eye Lift Treatment, purchase a La Prairie luxury eye cream and receive an “Eye Wonders” gift, which has everything you need to keep your eyes looking fabulous.  This travel-friendly reusable La Prairie Zip Lock bag – an $80 retail value – includes chic luxury-to-go samples of White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum, Anti-Aging Anti-Wrinkle Eye Liner Filler and Cellular Makeup Remover.
Your readers can experience the ultimate in eye perfection by calling a local La Prairie counter to book their appointment.  Select participating retailers include select Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

What Every Well Prepared Woman Needs Part 1

Hello Lovelies!

My fabulous BFF and *Superstar* YouTuber aka The Trendy Socialite, has a new video, What Every Well Prepared Woman Needs. I was more than happy to share a few tips that are featured in the video. And for all you natural hair divas, be sure to check out her other videos too. My bestie is a natural hair guru in the making =)

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.

 
 

MaxMara Fall/Winter 2010 Ads

Now that the August magazines are hitting the news stands and appearing in our mailboxes, we are reminded that fall is just around the corner. The new ad campaigns will be featured in the August and September issues.

This week I will post my favorite brands and their Fall/Winter 2010 ads.

{MaxMara}

Model: Freja Beha Erichsen
Photographer: Mario Sorrenti



I love that MaxMara is using black and white photos. There’s a whole 'I'm cooler than you' feel to these images and Freja’s aloof expression fits right in with the the sophistication of each piece. The 2009 ads used a color palette of camel, black, and dark brown, shot against a plush red couch. This year the company went for a more sleek look. I like.

The big bags, the coats, and the dress are all chanting my name. I despise cold weather but these classic pieces are giving me tons of inspiration for the change of season.







 
Pictures courtesy of http://www.fashion-spreads.com/

Shoe-gasm {Calvin Klein Chelsi}

When you go to Nordstrom it is almost a sin not to check out the shoe department. Chelsi by Calvin Klein was on display and I wanted to grab them and run like hell. I think this is a very haute shoe. I need (want) it but I will not act impulsively. I will stalk them until they go on sale. My favorite shoe guy at Nordstrom no longer works there so now I must find a new shoe guy to cozy up to and get the inside scoop on sales.

In case these bad mamma jamas are in your budget right now, they're $159.95 and you should feel free to order a pair for me. I wear a size 7, lol!

Retailarazzi: PureDKNY

Yesterday I visited my absolute favorite store in Chicago, Nordstrom. Their beauty and fragrance department is amazing!!! I wanted to see MAC's Alice + Olivia collection up close and personal.

I got an extra treat when I saw the PureDKNY display.

That can next to the bottle is a plant in a can. So cute!

PureDKNY's goal is to connect people and nature. The scent is very calming, clean, and fresh. This is definitely not a fussy over the top perfume.

The top notes are Ugandan vanilla, dewdrop floral petals, lotus and Bulgarian rose. A mix of exotic flowers, jasmine, freesia and orchid are the middle notes, and white amber, sandalwood and vanilla in water make up the base notes.

I love the simplicity of the packaging which is very environmentally friendly. A lot of thought was put into the creation of PureDKNY. Not only is the scent pretty but its also empowering Ugandan women, many of whom are vanilla bean farmers.

A great fragrance that will empower and enrich the quality of life for women across the globe. I'm all for that.

PureDKNY will definitely be my next fragrance purchase. Let me know if you try it and what you think!






For more information:
PureDKNY

Confetti Long Wearing Nail Color {Belle Of The Ball}

During a recent CVS visit, I spotted a new nail polish display, Confetti Long Wearing Nail Color. The polishes were $1.99 and there were a wide range of colors. I picked Belle of the Ball, a creamy lavender, and a dark inky blue shade that I can’t remember the name of and I’m too tired to get up and look at the bottle (It’s a lazy Sunday for real on this side of the computer screen.)

For my last manicure, I gave Confetti an opportunity to live up to it’s long wearing claim.

Well I must say this polish did not disappoint. It lasted a full eight days and there were only small chips on the index finger of my right hand and little chips on both thumbs but you'd have to be holding my hand and looking very closely in order to see them *jaw drop*

The above picture is day four of my manicure.

Still looking pretty fresh after four days. I’ll definitely be trying more Confetti nail colors.