TGIF {A Stress Free Weekend}

I am so happy today is Friday. This work week has depleted ALL my energy and tested my already short patience. Each day I leave work feeling as if I have been in a street fight and lost. My job is not physical at all but the mental stress is just that bad. I can say without any hesitation that I have never worked in such a weird environment. The office is devoid of energy and personality, add to that the unneccessary foolishness that takes place and you have five days of complete madness that take quite a toll on yours truly.

I have been in a work related funk all week and I need some peace and quiet. I need a new job but that goes without saying... Today after work, I cannot get home quick enough. I'm turning my cell phone OFF. The home phone ringer will be turned OFF. I'm not going anywhere. I don't want to see or talk to anyone. My weekend is all about de-stressing and getting some much needed rest.

Hopefully when I return to the world on Monday, I will be relaxed and ready to handle what comes my way.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

Prabal Gurung for J. Crew

Prabal Gurung is one of the 2010 runner ups of the J. Crew and Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund. His capsule collection debuts at select J. Crew stores and online next month.

I knew his collection would be interesting and out of my budget but I can still dream...


Exploding Bow Blouse - $225 {I love anything with bows!!!!}

 

Denim Pant - $295 and Bow-Dacious Denim Jacket - $400



Exploding Bow Dress - $395 {This kind of reminds me of the Patricia Field dress Carrie wore in the opening scene of SATC the movie.}



Fit To Be Tied Pant - $198 {A very easy look to recreate if you have the time and skill.}



Rampant Rose Top - $450




Images courtesy of J. Crew

Sex and the City: Complete Collection DVD (Deluxe Edition)

I need to own the complete collection of Sex and the City or the void in my life will remain empty.
Sex and the City is my absolute favorite series. I have seen every episode and I watch the reruns. If I'm channel surfing and find a marathon, all is right in my world.

When I got the DVD of the first movie, I watched it the entire weekend and I am not ashamed to admit that I watch the movie at last twice a month.

I am still completely obsessed with Sex and the City series, movies, and books. This collection is at the top of my Christmas 2011 list. Family and friends that may read this, you do not have to wait until Christmas to get this for me ;-)



Image courtesy of HBO Store

Drugstore Gem: Lumene Time Freeze Eye Perfecting Treatment

Lately I have noticed puffiness underneath my eyes which means I am not getting enough rest or old age *gasp* is sneaking up on me. I believe in fighting the signs of aging. My current under eye puffiness will be a temporary problem. I'm okay with getting older but I'll be darned if I start to look older.

Enter Lumene Time Freeze Eye Perfecting Treatment. I picked this up last week during one of my CVS trips. Lumene products are affordable, gentle and effective. I am very impressed with this eye treatment.

The treatment promises to diminish puffiness and firm the skin all around the eyes. You apply it beneath your eyes and to the lids. The ingredients include Lumene's ever present Arctic Heather, plant proteins, and Metabiotics Resveratrol. Like all Lumene products this product contains over 95% natural ingredients.

Doe foot applicator

After my first use, I noticed immediately how the skin beneath my eyes became firmer and the normal puffiness disappeared. I use it twice a day and I have seen a real difference around my eyes. The treatment costs $19.99 and I had a $6 in Extra Care bucks that I used towards my purchase. Gotta love CVS Extra Care Card and their Beauty Club. Time Freeze Eye Perfecting Treatment is definitely one to add to your product arsenal!

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week: LeJenne by Aldo

Hello Bag Lovers!! Hope your Monday got off to the right start and if for any reason it did not, well there's always Tuesday.

This week's haute bag of the week is from Aldo. The LeJenne is on trend for this season with the contrasting neutral straw and white faux leather trim. I can see toting this cute little number to an Al fresco lunch date wearing a maxi dress and flat sandals or with a chambray romper. 

LeJenne retails for $45

Sportiqe Boutique: Go Bulls!

Cute tee! I could see myself wearing it if I watched the games...

This is the first time I have ever posted anything sports related on my blog. I am that girl whose eyes glaze over when people talk sports, teams, players, and games. The Chicago Bulls are currently on a winning streak and yes, I just found that out a few days ago. The Bulls won last night too, so show off your team spirit with Sportiqe Apparel as the Bulls try to bring the championship trophy back to Chicago.

Sportiqe Apparel makes sitting courtside the ultimate sports fashion statement with original vintage-inspired graphic tees on the softest fabrics. Sportiqe co-founder, Jason Franklin, is a Chicago native and die-hard Bulls fan—so much so that spent his teen years as a ball boy for the Bulls in the 90’s when Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and of course Michael Jordan led the team to victory. So, get ready to sport some hometown pride with Sportiqe’s comfy, cool styles that even a Hawks fans can appreciate.

Sportiqe Apparel starts at $28 is available at every NBA Stadium, Bloomingdale’s and online at http://www.sportiqeboutiqe.com/




Go




Team



Go!!!!!

Fragrance Review: Halle Berry Reveal

Halle Berry's ad for Reveal

The latest addition to Halle Berry's fragrance collection is Reveal. From the name and the ad, I knew this would be a very different scent than Halle and Pure Orchid. Reveal is a glamourous, sexy fragrance that evokes mystery and definitely makes a statement. It starts off light but as it dries it becomes a richer scent.

Reveal is unlike any fragrance I have ever worn. The scent is very unique and I received so many compliments from people wanting to know what I was wearing.

The top notes are red berries, juicy peach, mimosa flowers, and honeydew melon.

The heart notes are plumeria flowers, iris blossoms, neroli petals. The fragrance base notes are vetiver, musk, and cashmere woods.

Reveal is the perfect fragrance for a night out or a night in *wink*

For more information click here

Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week: Dooney & Bourke Florentine

Dooney & Bourke is trying very hard to woo me back into a bag affair with them and the Florentine satchel may be just the bag to tempt me...

Satchels are my favorite style of bag and this is by far one of the best that I have seen in a while. The vachetta leather and rich natural color look amazing in the pictures. I love that the bag has very few details. There is no logo plastered all over the bag, nothing dangling, no excessive buckles, zippers, and other useless elements that I have seen in bags recently. This is just a fabulous leather bag in a great neutral color that can work with a variety of looks.

The Florentine costs $358 which is a great investment because Dooney & Bourke bags last for many years.

I just may break down and make this my spring/summer bag. What do my bag ladies think of this week's Haute Bag?

 

pictures courtesy of Nordstrom

Nuance by Salma Hayek

Actress, director, and producer Salma Hayek has a new line of beauty products coming to your local CVS drugstore this August. Nuance is a full collection of makeup, hair, and skin products.

The inspiration behind Nuance is Salma's late grandmother who worked as cosmetologist. Nuance will be a wallet friendly collection. The items will cost between $7.99 and $19.99.



Pictures courtesy of In Style Magazine

I can say with 100% certainty that I do not need another eyeshadow, lipgloss, mascara, skincare product or body lotions but the product junkie in me will not be able to resist testing this collection.

Style 101: Every Trend Is Not Meant For Everyone

Turbans were a pretty hot accessory in 2010 and earlier this year. If celebrity stylist, June Ambrose has her way, the turban reign will continue and become a staple accessory.

I will not be joining the turban revolution. I tried on a turban during one of my shopping trips last fall. Instead of looking chic and fabulous, I looked old. Going to play bingo at church old. Not cute. I couldn't snatch that turban off my head fast enough and I looked around to make sure no one witnessed my style failure.

Every trend is not meant for everyone. The sooner people understand what trends work for them and what trends work against them, a lot more personal style development can begin. Creating your signature style is the best thing you can do for yourself. Your personal style is your brand.  From the pictures we see of June Ambrose we know that her signature style is comprised of turbans, Status Sunglasses by Grey Ant, and her signature red lipstick, MAC Ruby Woo.

It takes a lot of confidence to walk out your door wearing gigantic sunglasses, sporting a bulbous wrap on your head, and bright red lips. You have to own it and be committed to the look. In addition to feeling secure, be prepared for the looks you are sure to get. If you decide to try June's trademark look, you better be able to sell it like Naomi Campbell on the catwalk. Head held high, strut down the street like theme music is playing with each step you take. Nothing less will be accepted. If you cannot picture yourself in the above scenario, please do not rush out and buy a bunch of turbans. They will collect dust and you will have wasted your money.

Miss Ambrose launched her turban line last month and in the May issue of Ebony magazine, she offers her turban styling tips. I think June wears her turbans well most of the time. There have been times where her turbans were so over the top and huge that I thought she took an extra large bath towel and fashioned it into something so odd that it was just the right mix of gaudy and stylish. There is an art to creating that mix and few people have mastered it. Do not try this at home kids...

Do you have the confidence to embrace bold trends like June Ambrose and make them a part of your signature style? What are some of your signature style must haves? Leave your answers in the comments section!

{{SIDE BAR}} Chrisette Michele hired June Ambrose as her stylist for her latest music release. I thought the purpose of hiring a stylist was to help develop your style not to look like the stylist's clone. Have the celebrity styling jobs stalled for Miss Ambrose and that's what prompted her turban store?


If you want your very own June Ambrose turban, click here


Almost Threw In The Towel...

Several times last week and at least three times this week, I came very close to deleting my blog. There are so many demands on my time that I can't give this blog the time and attention it needs. I'm under a LOT of stress and pressure at work which leaves me in the worst mood Monday through Friday. Oh and did I mention, I'm COMPLETELY drained at the end of each day? I wish working in an office was as hilarious as the TV shows make it seem.

I decided to yet again try and make a go of this blog. I cannot allow my job to take over my entire life. There is so much I want to do and so many areas that I want to branch out into that I feel as if I'm sabotaging myself if I don't at least try harder to do my own thing.

So don't give up on me. I'm here trying to find balance and keep from losing my cool on the job (i.e. go postal).

All new posts starting Monday... Stay tuned ;-)

Guilty!!!!

{Don't judge me...}

"The Makeup Wakeup: Revitalizing Your Look at Any Age”

Meet Lancôme Beauty at Every Age Expert and Co-Author

Sandy Linter

WHO: Lancôme Beauty at Every Age Expert Sandy Linter

WHAT: One-on-One Consultations

WHERE: Lancôme beauty counter at Neiman Marcus; Chicago, IL – Michigan Avenue location

WHEN: April 11th 10am-5pm

Sandy Linter has influenced and inspired the beauty and fashion worlds for more than three decades through her work with celebrities, supermodels and real women. From fashion shoots to red carpets, Sandy has made a name for herself as the foremost authority on beauty at every age. On April 11th, the celebrity makeup artist reveals her beauty at every age secrets, at the Lancôme beauty counter in the Chicago, IL – Michigan Avenue Neiman Marcus location.

“The Makeup Wakeup: Revitalizing Your Look at Any Age” shares Sandy’s inside tips and tricks on how stars stay youthful. From brow-fix-its to sun damage remedies, the innovative guide addresses beauty issues faced by women of all ages and makes beauty at any age easy to achieve.

Now for the first time ever, Sandy is taking her innovative beauty guide on tour, offering fans the chance to meet for one-on-one beauty consultations. All Lancôme purchases of $100 or more will be accompanied by a signed copy of The Makeup Wakeup - a unique beauty bonus.

Show Me the Blog Updates!

As the Communications Director for this year's Show Me the Blog Social Media and Blogging Conference, I want to keep my Stylish Life crew in the loop because I know you all plan to register and attend. So without further ado, here are this week's updates.

• We are very close to a sponsor deal with a MAJOR brand *tosses confetti*
• The team is expanding and in need of a Volunteer Coordinator.
• Hotel Lumiere Show Me the Blog rates are available! Check out the gorgeous rooms here.
• We have a new video posted on the blog.

In the few weeks that I have been involved with Show Me the Blog, I am just amazed at how it is coming together. Conference planning is serious and hard work, Danyelle is working hard to make this year's event a a huge success. I really hope you all plan to attend. If you want to learn more about social media or take your blog to the next level, then plan on being in St. Louis this October. Click here for presale tickets.