Event: Paella Parade

Paella anyone?

This Thursday I will be at Millennium Park Rooftop Terrace sampling Paella at El Coto de Rioja Paella Parade^TM, a celebration of Spanish food and culture. Following last year’s successful Paella celebration, seven local chefs and restaurateurs will come together to compete and showcase Chicago’s top Paella-making skills, vying for the titles of Best Use of Ingredients, Most Creative, Prettiest and the top prize: Paella Parade Pleaser.  

Guests will have an opportunity to taste each chef’s unique version of Spain’s most beloved signature dish during the competition while sipping delicious wines from El Coto de Rioja. Good times!!!!

Why not skip cooking and join the festivities this Thursday, June 23 from 6-9 p.m. at Millennium Park's Rooftop Terrace, 205 E. Randolph Street. Click here to purchase tickets.

Participating Restaurants:

Province Restaurant

161 N Jefferson

Chicago, IL 60661

www.provincerestaurant.com

Chef/Owner: Randy Zweiban

Emilio’s Tapas Restaurant (2 locations)

215 E Ohio Street

Chicago, IL 60611

www.Emiliostapas.com     

Chef/Owner: Emilio Gervilla

Socca Restaurant

3301 N Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60657

www.soccachicago.com

Chef/Owner: Roger Herring

Four Corners Tavern Group (7 locations)

3258 N Southport

Chicago, IL 60657

www.fourcornerstaverns.com

Chef: Demonthenese Davis

Carnivale Restaurant

702 W Fulton Market

Chicago, IL 60661

www.carnivalechicago.com

Chef: Mark Mendez

Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park

1550 N Kingsbury Street

Chicago, IL 60642

www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Chef: Won Kim

Tapas Gitana (2 locations)

3445 N Halsted

Chicago, IL 60657

www.tapasgitana.com

Chef: Andy Novak

Click here for more information about Paella

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week: Isabella Rosellini Bulgari Bag

Legendary actress and style icon, Isabella Rosellini teamed up with Bulgari for a handbag collection last year. This spring 2011 design was created by Matthew Williamson. The satchel style and varying hues of green lace chevron leather pattern makes this bag a very modern classic. For a mere $2,850 you can call this bag yours.A very haute and expensive bag...

Event: Havaianas Beach Pop-Up Shop

HAVAIANAS IS BRINGING CHIC BRAZILIAN BEACH STYLE TO CHICAGO WITH THEIR FIRST EVER BEACH POP-UP SHOP

Chicago, IL (June 17, 2011) – Havaianas, the world’s most stylish and comfortable flip-flop, is bringing Brazilian chic to the Midwest with the opening of an exclusive beach pop-up shop in Chicago, IL.

The Havaianas Beach Pop-Up will be located at 1600 North Lakeshore Drive, at North Ave Beach, situated right near the North Ave Beach House.  The convenient location will allow beachgoers to have access to the official footwear of the summer and indulge in their favorite prints and patterns.  The beach pop-up will be modeled after a traditional Brazilian fruit stand and will exclusively feature “Make Your Own Havaianas.”  

“Make Your Own Havaianas” will offer swimsuit-clad consumers the opportunity to customize their own color combinations with a choice of 10 different flip flop straps and bottoms to mix and match with over 20 different pins styles. 

Once available only at VIP functions and for celebrities, the “Make Your Own Havaianas” beach pop-up will offer guests the opportunity to customize their own flip-flops just like some of their famous celebrity idols, including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Ivanka Trump, Nicole Richie, Natalie Portman, Kourtney Kardashian, Maria Menounos, Ke$ha, and more.

With the success of the first U.S. Havaianas boutique in Huntington Beach, CA and the highly-anticipated demise of a very drawn out winter, it was the perfect time to open a beach pop-up.  Having a location in Chicago will not only cater to the warm weather shoe needs of Midwesterners, but the unique design of the beach pop-up will also provide an innovative and stimulating atmosphere for customers to express their own personality through their customizable Havaianas footwear.  From the sneakers to the flip flops, shoppers will have the chance to experience the unique collections inspired by Brazil’s vibrant culture.

Store Hours: Open on Thursdays-Sundays from June 30^th through July 31^st, 11am-7pm

 

About Havaianas:

Havaianas flip-flops are truly the best rubber flip-flops in the world.  The ultra-high quality of Havaianas is due to a top secret rubber recipe that makes the flip-flops as soft as marshmallows.  While there are many copy-cats in the marketplace, Havaianas fans know there is no substitute for authentic comfort and style.  Havaianas are continuously showcased on fashion show runways around the world and can often be spotted at some of the world’s highest caliber events.  An affordable luxury since 1962, every pair is still lovingly designed and manufactured in Brazil – offering hundreds of unique colors and patterns to fit your every style and need. 

www.us.havaianas.com  and follow @Havaianas on Twitter and become fans on facebook.com/havaianas

The Makeup Show Chicago

I attended the first day of The Makeup Show on Sunday and had a blast. The show was well attended by beauty industry professionals and the truly makeup obsessed. In addition to the popular brands showcasing their products, there were seminars and plenty of networking opportunities.
There was so much too see between the two levels of Venue One. I wanted the chance to check out Inglot Cosmetics but the beauty lovers were completely surrounding the booth the entire time I was there. I couldn't even get close enough to see anything! Inglot was clearly a show highlight for many attendees.

I was able to chat with David Klasfeld, founder of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) and I am now in love with Lip Tar and OCC Tint (reviews coming soon).

This was the first Makeup Show for Chicago and I'm guessing from the eager attendees and overall positive reception of the two day event, they will be back next year.

 



David Klasfeld, OCC founder & the back of my head, lol.







Reggie Wells



  

Beyonce's Latest Essence Magazine Cover & The Makeup Show Winner

The dreadful blonde weave, the black eyebrows (the overly arched left one is REALLY working my nerves), and that bright lipstick...

Was Joan Crawford the inspiration for this cover???

Not feeling this cover at all... Anyhoo, without further ado, the winner of the ticket to Sunday's show is... Brandy!!!!  Email me ASAP :) 

Essie French Affair Mani

This week's mani is a playful pink from Essie, French Affair.

GIVEAWAY TIME: Wanna Go to The Makeup Show?

The Makeup Show Chicago

What better way to start the four day work week than a giveaway? I have a ticket to the first day of The Makeup Show taking place Sunday, June 12, 2011 right here in Chicago.

Here's how to enter: Like The Stylish Life on Facebook and tell me in the comments below what are you most interested in seeing at The Makeup Show?

A winner will be picked on Wednesday, June 8th!!!

Good Luck =)

Last Night in London...

Breathtaking! Stunning! Classic and elegant...

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a dinner for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Winfield House. Let's take a moment and focus on Mrs. Obama's black Ralph Lauren gown, her bold accessories, and sleek hair style. I love it! She looks amazing!


I love how President Obama is looking at her ;-)





images courtesy of Getty Images Editorial

Jilly from Philly

I am loving the cover art for Jill Scott's upcoming CD, The Light of the Sun. Hot picture! I can't wait for June 28th, we are long overdue for some new music from Miss Jill.

image courtesy of JillScott.com

Lyrical Foolishness: Run The World (Girls)

I have a like/dislike thing for Beyonce. Rarely do I like her hit singles which are typically the songs written solely by her. Single Ladies grated on my last nerve but I really liked If I Were A Boy and a few of the unreleased songs from her last CD. 

Her latest offering Run The World (Girls), is another one that caused me to scratch my head when it debuted. I have only heard the song once and that was one time too many. The epic (according to the masses) video will remain a mystery because I cannot bear to hear the song ever again. The lyrics are just awful. Banal and nonsensical rush to my mind as perfect adjectives for the lyrics of Run The World.

Mrs. Carter's self appointed patron saint of female empowerment schtick is getting old and repetitive. Take a gander at the stellar lyrics below and if you will excuse me, I'm going to go read a really thick book or maybe I'll get all up in some dude's grill and tell him he might think he freak this like I do...but he don't. Yeah. That does seem like the thing to do. And for the bitches who can't fade her, do they not run the world??? How can we girls determine if we are in fact a girl who runs the world or not??? Exactly who is included in this world of girl domination??? So many questions... :/
 
Girls, we run this mutha (yeah) - repeat 3 times
Girls, we run this mutha
Girls

Who run the world? Girls

Some of them men think they freak this like we do
But no they don’t
Make your check come at they neck
Disrespect us no they won’t
This goes out to all my girls that’s in the club rocking the latest
Who could buy it for themselves and get more money later
I think I need a barber
None of these bitches can fade me
I’m so good with this
I remind you I’m so hood with this
Boy I’m just playing
Come here baby
Hope you still like me
If you hate me
My persuasion can build a nation
Endless power our love we can devour
You’ll do anything for me

Who run the world? Girls

It’s hot up in here DJ don’t be scared to run this run this back
I’m repping for the girls who’re taking over the world have me raise a glass for the college grads
This goes out to all the women getting it in get on your grind
To other men that respect what I do please accept my shine
Boy you know you love it how we’re smart enough to make these millions
Strong enough to bear the children then get back to bidness
You better not play me oh come here baby
Hope you still like me if you hate me
My persuasion can build a nation
Endless power our love we can devour
You’ll do anything for me

Who run the world? Girls
Who are we
What we brought
The world
Who are we
What we brought
The world
Who are we
What do we brought
We brung the world
Who are we
What we brought
We brought the world
Who run the world? Girls

Yay. Girl Power.

Style 101: Khloe Kardsahian-Odom {Proper Fit Matters}

Proper fit is very important...

Last week, Khloe Kardashian-Odom was spotted going into DASH in Calabasas in a very unflattering ensemble.

The outfit is actually cute but Khloe did not use her garments in the best way to flatter her shape. For starters the pants are entirely too tight. Camel toe is never the goal...

Khloe is a tall, very curvy girl with a short torso. The tucked in denim shirt just over emphasizes her short waist, wide hips, and large bum. When you have a short torso, wear longer tops to give the illusion of a slightly lower waist line. Sidebar: why is her bra showing?

If only she had worn the denim shirt untucked and found some red skinny jeans a size and a half larger... Her outfit would look great. The shoes and the belt are the only things she got right. Paparazzi was on hand to catch Khloe's fashion crime and the gossip blogs ripped her to shreds. Let this be a lesson kids, always do a full length mirror check before you leave home and buy clothes to fit the body you have not the one you think you have.

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