Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

Junior Drake

It's Not The Bag. It's The Girl.

Two years ago while shopping in Loehmann's, I spotted a gorgeous brick red leather bag with brass hardware. I picked the bag up to further inspect it and was amazed at how soft the leather felt. The bag was big, looked great on my arm, and had a pretty lining of a black woman fom what looked the the late 1950s or early 196os. I was in handbag love.

Junior Drake? Hmm... I had no recollection of the brand and figured it was a Los Angeles based company. Something about the bag said California to me.

Sadly, I had to leave the bag behind, but as soon as I made it back to work, I visited Junior Drake's website. From that moment, I was hooked!

Junior Drake bags definitely get you noticed. I get a lot of compliments when I carry either of mine. I love the inspiration for the brand and the modern yet vintage look of each bag.

If you're not familiar with Junior Drake, please visit their website. I can see this brand becoming a major player among luxury accessories.

My goal is to add a couple more bags to my collection. I'm watching this line very closely and cannot wait to see what's next.

Junior Drake

Pictured: Patsy Brown aka Junior Drake and the Mitra Hobo.

Praying for Haiti

Take a moment to read a great post, Help for Haiti: A Little History

Donate:
Red Cross

Yele

And The Winner Is....

I'd like to apologize for the delay in announcing the Happy Birthday Contest winner. I had a three day headache which sent me to my bed.

But without further adieu...

*Drums*

Amanda!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And that's not all, I'm feeling generous so I have some beauty goodies for the 2nd & 3rd place winners:

Piper & Nikki!!!!

You guys have 24 hours to email me (alifeofstyle_theblog@yahoo.com) with your mailing info.

Congrats & thanks for playing the Happy Birthday Contest!!!!



How winners were chosen:
Contestant names were written on small pieces of paper, tossed into a hat and shaken up. I carried the hat over to my neighbor's and asked her to reach in the hat and pick three names (Yes, my neighbor looked at me like I was a little weird but so what, I buy the candy bars her kids sell.)

Happy Birthday Contest

Tomorrow, Saturday, January 9th, is MY BIRTHDAY and not only will I get gifts, but one of my fabulous and lucky readers will get a gift too.

That's right, in honor of my birthday, I'm doing my first contest of Twenty-10. Yayyyyy!!!!

The Happy Birthday Contest:

** You have to subscribe to or follow A Life of Style.

** Answer 3 trivia questions by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010.

** Answers must be submitted by email: alifeofstyle_theblog@yahoo.com

The Questions:

1. What Italian city is considered "the fashion capital of the world"?

2. What stylist says "bananas" and "I Die"? (TOO EASY)

3. Who is Ann Lowe and what is she most famous for?

The Prize:

$50 Nordstrom Gift Card

Good Luck!!!!

Press Play: Lisa Shaw - Tomorrow

Lisa Shaw is huge in the house music/electronica/ world. She is sometimes called the Sade of the club scene. I have her debut cd, Cherry which was released in 2005 andI've been hooked on her music ever since.

Lisa Shaw has worked with deep house dj and producer, Miguel Migs on several Naked Music tracks.

This video for Tomorrow is from her most recent cd "Free". I love the simple elegance of this video. There's not a lot going on but there is certain air of mystery. I think this is my favorite track on Free.

Enjoy! Be sure to check out more of Lisa Shaw's music, I promise you'll love it.

More info:
http://www.myspace.com/lisashawmusic

http://www.naked-music.com/

http://www.saltedmusic.com/lisashaw/free.html

Healthy, Sexy, & Beautiful 2010

One of my favorite beauty bloggers, Mischo Beauty has a new challenge, "A Healthy, Sexy, & Beautiful 2010"

I am on board and I hope all of you will join as well. My diet is really poor so I take a lot of vitamins and supplements to balance it all out. I'm sure my thinking is inaccurate but until I can discipline myself to eat a lot better the vitamins and supplements will have to suffice.

My HSB 2010 plan:

1. Decrease the amount of coffee I drink. Instead of my daily beloved Grande Non-Fat, No Whip, White Mocha from Starbucks, I'll make a cup of green tea.
2. Cut back on the red meat.
3. Drink 3 liters of water a day.
4. Start taking yoga again. I used to take a yoga class every Saturday but I slacked off.
5. Instead of reaching for the cookies, chips, or candy (and some days I have all three) choose a piece of fruit.
6. Weekly steam facials.
7. Eat breakfast everyday.
8. 30 to 45 minutes of quiet time a day. Cut the phones, the tv, and the iPod off. Log off the internet and enjoy the quiet while reading, journaling, or praying. Good mental health is important too.

So are you ready to get Healthy, Sexy, and Beautiful in 2010?

If you're on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/Stylish_Living (that's me)

www.twitter.com/MischoBeauty

#HealthySexyBeautiful1010 (to join the HSB2010 discussion)

For more information:
Mischo Beauty's HSB 2010 Challenge

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

I'm a bag lady. A Haute Bag Lady that is. Satchels, totes, hobos, clutches, and shoulder bags, I love them all. I especially love high end, drool worthy, cost more than a mortgage designer bags.

Even though the high end bags are way out of my budget, there's no harm in looking, is there?

I find stylish bags in all price ranges and I've built quite a collection over the years. I'll share pictures of my bags in this feature as well.


Today's Haute Bag Lady Pick:



Chloe Python Shopping Satchel




Gorgeous toffee color, very roomy, brass hardware. I'd probably remove the shoulder strap and carry it in my hand. This is purely a fantasy bag. It costs $3820.00.

I would never spend that much money on a bag and God bless those who would. It sure is pretty isn't it?

www.chloe.com

Happy Holidays!!!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!! A Life of Style will return the week of January 4, 2010.


Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Kwaanza.

Enjoy the holiday season and see you next year!

A Life of Style & The Kreativ Blogger Award

I'm WAY behind on my blogging game and I will get better. I promise.

I am a major Twitter addict. It's my favorite social networking site. My tweeps (people I follow) are some of the most creative, positive, and motivating in Twitterland. One of my favorite stylish Tweeps, The Style Master, nominated me for a Kreativ Blogger award last month (Hush! I said I was behind on my blogging game. #dontjudgeme)

Thanks Style Master for the award!!!

When a blogger receives the Kreativ Blogger award they have to:

1. List 7 things that you don’t already know about me.

2. Name 7 other blogs to receive this award.

3. Leave a comment on each of the blogs I nominated.

4. Thank the person who gave you the award.

7 things you MAY NOT know about me:

1. I listen to all genres of music. If my iPod is on shuffle you'll get a mix of Jay-Z, Hector Lavoe, vintage Diana Ross, Vivaldi, Michael Jackson, Pearl Jam, Snoop, Bebel Gilberto, Ryan Leslie... You get the point. I love music. Good music that is.

2. After every yoga class, I fall asleep. Not just a short nap but a deep sleep. So much for reaching my zen, lol!

3. As much as I love makeup, I'm no expert at application. I usually have my face done at a MAC or Nars counter for special events.

4. There's a good chance I'm the only Chicagoan with zero home town love or loyalty. Honestly Chicago does nothing for me *Kanye shrug*

5. I sometimes google old boyfriends and cackle with delight at how pathetic their lives are.

6. Last month I thought an apartment in my building was being broken into and I was impressed with how quickly I reacted. I grabbed a basket of magazines and tipped it over in front of the door. I grabbed my purse, cell phone, and Minnie Mouse blanket and hid inside my walk-in closet. I called 911 and was told that someone already called. Luckily it wasn't a break-in just a domestic dispute. While I was in the closet, I envisioned myself going all Charlie's Angels on the robbers. A flying kick here, a throat punch there. Yeah, 100% bad ass! Lol!

7. I'm a perfectionist and a control freak. Some see those traits as flaws, I think they're personality quirks that keep me on my toes always striving for the best.

Okay, I'm giving awarding the Kreativ Blogger Award to:

Haute & Hair (@TrendySocialte) - My BFF. This chica knows hair!

ChiTown Fashionista (@ShoeLovaDotCom) - Fellow Chicago blogger just as fashion obsessed as I am.

The Art of Accessories (@TheAofA) - Great blog about accesorizing to compliment your personal style.

Haute Travels (@HauteTravels) -The best mix of beauty, fashion, and travel in a blog.

LuxeTips (@LuxeTips) - Tips on living the luxe life written by a luxe mom on the go.

Mischo Beauty (@MischoBeauty) - Great site for beauty, skin, and hair information.

Fatback & Sushi (@RuralGlamour) - A quirky lifestyle blog with a unique twist.

The Windy City Winter Blues

It is officially winter in the wonderful Windy City aka Chicago. Frigid air, snow, and freezing rain brings on the winter blues. I get a bad case every year. Every time, I put on my many layers of clothing and top it all off with my heavy down coat, a little piece of my soul dies. I'm totally kidding but I do get a little annoyed. Despite the bone chilling cold, life must go on. There are still doctor's appointments, salon visits, job interviews and other social committments to attend. I find that the key to battling the winter blues is a creating a comfortable and warm home environment.

My comfortable warm home environment consists of my heat being on 70+, my favorite blanket (soon to be replaced by a pink Snuggie or a KN Kozy), a good book, a stack of magazines, or a DVD. I enjoy all of these while curled up on my sofa and sipping hot chocolate. My favorite is Mexican Hot Chocolate which I plan to make sans a mix one day.

Here's a recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate from Epicurious:

Ingredients:

2 cups reduced-fat (2 percent) evaporated milk
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup chocolate liqueur
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ancho chili powder
10 cinnamon sticks
1 dried red chile
2 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, broken into pieces
1/4 cup heavy whipping

Preparation:

Whisk evaporated milk, whole milk, liqueur, vanilla, sugar, cocoa, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and chili powder in a heavy saucepan. Add 2 of the cinnamon sticks and chile and cook gently over medium-low heat until warm. Add chocolate and cook, whisking until melted. Gently bring to a high simmer; reduce heat and simmer until liquid thickens and reduces slightly, whisking often, 10 minutes. Combine heavy cream with remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and beat until peaks form. Ladle 1/3 cup hot cocoa into each of 8 teacups; top with 1 tablespoon whipped cream and garnish with a cinnamon stick

If that's too much work, just order the Mexican Hot Cocoa mix from Moonstruck Chocolate. Enjoy in your favorite large mug, grab the latest issue of Vogue or Harper's Bazaar, and shut the cold city out.

picture courtesy of Epicurious.com

A Life of Style: I'm Cocoa Buttery

My nemesis, winter has arrived to spread bitter cold and icy air all over the city of Chicago.

Gotta love Midwest living...

This winter I am fighting dry skin with cocoa butter. Palmer's Cocoa Butter is a long time favorite product. I slather it on while my skin is slightly damp and rub it in very well. Then I breathe in all that warm cocoa buttery scent. Aaaahhh...

Next I spray on CVS Pharmacy Cocoa Butter Dry Oil Spray. This helps seal the moisture in and is a great way to layer all that wonderful cocoa loveliness.

My skin stays smooth and moisturized throughout the whole day.

Stay Cocoa Butterlicious!

(p.s. pay no attention to my cluttered bathroom shelves. I'm a product junkie.)

A Life of Style: What The Pink Slip Fashionista Wore

Soooo.... I have officially been unemployed for one year. I am bored and well past ready to go back to work. Major cubicle withdrawals and missing office camaraderie. I just need someone to HIRE ME but first I need the phone to ring for an interview, but that's another post.

Despite the fact that I'm not working, I still get dressed everyday. Blue jeans have become my everyday go to wardrobe staple. I have over sixty pairs so I can rotate quite often. I find that jeans are very easy to create various looks, just change the top and accessories. Perhaps I've gotten a little lazy with my style - who could blame me? Despite that, I think I manage to look very cute and never frumpy or boring.

Viva la blue jeans!!!


out of work fashonista by citydiva19 featuring Gucci bags
'>That's today's outfit. I have some errands to run and I'm meeting a friend for lunch in an hour.

A Life of Style: Book Review - 101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle

Hello World!

I was given the opportunity to review Dawn Del Russo's new book "101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle"

This is a fabulous primer to keep in your bag and refer to often. The book is filled with tips to remind us to always be the best person we can and how to maintain it all.

I think the book would be a great gift for a young lady starting out on her own and even women who are already established in their careers can benefit from these 101 tips. Sometimes life (the job, the man, the kids, family demands, etc...) gets in the way and we forget those little things that serve to boost our confidence and brighten our days. Nothing puts a smile on my face quicker than a fresh manicure, a new lip gloss, or cupcakes.


Take a peek inside Dawn Del Russo's book via Amazon.com

A Life of Style: Target & Macy's Retail Therapy

Hello Stylish Ones! How was your weekend? I hope it was time well spent. My weekend was a pretty low key affair with a bit of retail therapy to lift my spirits.

<--- (The boots that forced themselves into my life. left: Bandolino Burke & right: Merona Zandra Flannel Rain Boots)

As some of you know, I am addicted to Target. Everytime I go to Target, I walk out with way more than I intended to buy. This Saturday was no exception. I told myself I was only going in to pick up my prescription and leaving. Yeah right! As soon as I walked inside Target, I was assaulted by a sign "Mossimo Long Sleeve Crewneck Tees $7" Before I knew it I grabbed a cart and tossed in three of the tee shirts. So the Target magnetic pull began and I was leisurely strolling down aisle after aisle. I'm convinced that once I enter any Target store, an invisible magnetic force locks in on me and refuses to let go until I have walked every square inch of the store.

"My name is Kim and I'm a Target addict."

In addition to the tee shirts, I got new rainboots, tights, and some funky argyle socks. Totally forgot about picking up my prescription so I had to go back. Hilarious.

Now on to Macy's. I avoid Macy's at all costs. Marshall Fields was my store and I was heartbroken when Macy's took over the historic State Street Marshall Fields location. Yeah I should probably get over it but I won't and no one can make me. I was on my way home when I got a text from a friend informing me of a great sale on boots and shoes at Macy's. Shopaholic that I am, I met her there. A pair of Bandolino boots twice marked down caught my eye. How could I resist? In addition to the boots being marked down, the sales associate informed me of a 25% off coupon that I could purchase for $5 (the five bucks was going towards a charity to feed the hungry). How could I deny the hungry a meal? I took the bait and the boots.

Now back to job hunting... Toodles!