New Feature: Rockin Celebrity Style w/Curvatude

Welcome to a brand new feature.

Under these posts, I will show you how I would rock the style of some of my favorite celebrities.

First up is one of the celebrities who keeps me smiling with her funky devil may care, do it my way style: Rihanna

Chic, fun and simple.

My Curvatude Version

It was truly a pudgy stomach day but who cares!

I love the funky cage top and the boots with the suede heel give me life, so much so that I got them in both the black pictured and white!

Top: ASOS
Skirt: ASOS
Boots: R2 Bauer Bootie, DSW
Bracelet: Mix Finish Braid Necklace from The Limited worn as a bracelet
Tights: Target

Review: City Chic Glitter Flower Mesh Contrast Dress

When the fabulous folks at City Chic contacted me and invited me to try out their goods, I was geeked.

I have always loved browsing their website but had never gotten around to actually purchasing anything, so this was an offer I gladly accepted.

Choosing something was a little challenging because they had so many cute things that I wanted but in the end, I decided on the Glitter Flower Mesh Contrast Dress.

I chose it mainly because I didn't have anything like it and also because I loved the idea of having a dress with a little glitter weaved into it.

{Who doesn't love a little glitter??!!}

Also, I hate not feeling comfortable and dresses that are too short are usually a no go for me and based on the picture, this dress looked like it would not be too short or too long.

Fast forward...

The dress was shipped July 23rd and I got it July 26th. Kudos to City Chic for the crazy fast shipping!

I opened the package up and I think my tweet says it all!

The dress falls just perfectly and I love it!

The glitter is subtle and adds just the right amount of Curvatude that I was hoping it would.

And the dress is very body flattering because I am not wearing any shapewear!
Although I probably will wear a corset when I wear it out.

But as you can see, the banded waist defines and the slightly ballooned bodice keeps all my jiggly parts under wrap!

I am very anal about checking stitching and hems, etc. and the dress is very well made.

Needless to say, my introduction to City Chic is definitely the start of a new fashion love affair.

Thanks City Chic!

Learn more about City Chic here.

....oh and yes those are the Christian Siriano Parisienne Exotic Platform Pumps that I am wearing...

More on these coming up in another post..

Two Days and Counting! Rockin 10 for 30!

Somewhere along the way, I lost a day..

I had it glued in my mind that Sept 1st was Thursday but uh...its not!

It's Wednesday and that kinda threw me this morning when I realized it because I do not, I repeat DO NOT have all of my 10 pieces chosen yet!

But I am not the type to shirk away from a challenge, so I view this little realization as just a part of the deal.

So far of the original list, I have only chosen the items in red.

1. Blazer
2. Jeans
3. Flowy top
4. Solid Color top
5. Skirt
6. Solid Color Dress
7. Sweater
8. Colorful Top
9. Leggings
10. Colorful Dress

I had some new purchases come in from ASOS and they have somewhat thrown a fashion wrench into my plans because I can not decide if I should add this jumper and this V Back dress to the list.

I was originally going to choose this dress, because I felt that I could wear it long or short, with a jacket, sweater or solo.

But right now, today, two days before I am to begin, I just can't decide.

Mind you this is not atypical for me.

I am very motivated by looming deadlines and tend to really crank it in last minute, so while today I am a little razed, most likely tomorrow, I will just go to my closet and start snatching things out and make the dang decisions!

But what would you choose, the short dress or the long?

Would you choose the jumper?

Oh and I have been debating if I should add a vest...lol..arghhhhh!!!

I am realizing that this post should have been a video so you could really get a feel for what I am currently feeling...lol..the drama...

HELP!!!

My 2010 Emmy's Rockin Curvatude Winners!

It was a night of long and short, hot and not but I totally fell in love with the simple, curve lovin  goddess style of these two stunners!

Both Kelly Osbourne and Kim Kardashian brought the heat!

And Kim's makeup!

Divine!

Remember...

My Top 5 Fall 2010 Must Haves

This fall must have list is probably a little different from most of the ones that you will see in your blog readers but for me, it’s the only kind that I can really think of right now.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that I aint salivating over the wonderful fashion on every page in the September issues of my favorite magazines.

Aren't they cool?
I can't wait to rock them
with a long sweater and leggings! 

Nor that I am not geeked to rock the killer cute, fall perfect, green suede boots that I purchased last month…{here they are in black} because I AM!

But I really also dream of spending a lot of those cool fall days, immersed in good books, good conversation, sipping warm delicious drinks, writing, sewing, laughing, breathing and whatever else feels good to and for me at any given moment.

So, my must have list is more of a wish list for each and every one of us…

I wish that you...

1. …shower yourself with love

2. …do fantastic things that you never thought you could or would

3. …spend time with lost loves…hobbies, books, parks…whatever they may be

4. …only share your good energy with people and situations that deserve it

5. …make no apologies for any of the above

You only have one life…

The one you are living….

right now…

Rock it!

Live it...

...Out Loud!

Celebrate You Chicago W/ Spa Week, Single Edition & Joseph Michael's Salon

Last night was the kind of night that I just love.

I attended Celebrate You Chicago, which was hosted by Spa Week, Single Edition & the Joseph Michael's Salon.

The event was the Chicago launch party, celebrating the Spa Week Fall 2010 spa directory.

Of course Spa week is the time that you can book $50 spa treatments that normally range from $75-$500 at some of the best salons in your city.

And as I noted when I wrote about them back in April...

...the good thing about Spa Week is that it gives you the chance to check out places that you might have always wanted to but may have felt were out of your reach financially.

I also like that it's not just facials or massages that are being offered and that you can partake in a variety of services.

Not only did I get my brows fab'd out by the wonderful, crazy fun Ronnie, I got a much needed lil chair massage, laughed and just genuinely enjoyed myself.

It wasn't crazy over crowded like some of the beauty events, so you could really just relax and all my Chitown blogging girls were there.

It was a really fun time and set a great tone for my week to come.

First, the Joseph Michael's Salon is gorgeous.

I walked in and was greeted by Gregory who gave me a tour of the salon and told me a bit about himself and the services that he offers. {I can't believe that I did not get a picture of him!! #fail}

There was a lovely variety of services being offered.

And while I was too busy running my mouth and being social to take advantage of all of the fabulous treatments being offered, my friend Cema arrived early and got the max treatment and had everything on the menu with the exception of the hair and makeup touch ups.

Here she is with moi, all blissed out after getting the works!

Next I spent a little time chatting with Sherri Langburt, the Founder and President of Single Edition.

Who btw has a really cool website and who is doing big thangs to make sure that we single folks realize that we don't have to be sad folks!

I also talked a bit with Michelle Lapidos, Director of Social Media &  Editor of Spa Week Daily.

Here she is talking to the crowd and stressing that it's not all just beauty but Spa Week is also about the wellness benefits.

The brow master in all his fabulousness, Ronnie {Who is now my BFF and EVAH!} at work on Luvvie of Awesomely Luvvie, Aramide of The Sassy Peach, moi and Aeleise of Hair Art Love Studio

I also chatted a bit with Spryos, who specializes in hair extensions.

And just talking to him, you can feel how passionate he is about his work!

I love that!

Learn more about him here.

Uh, and didn't I tell you we are BFF's!?!?!

Ronnie hugged me so tight and long....I totally fell in love!

LOL!

More chica's who were in attendance including Rae Lewis Thornton, Nikia of ChiTown Fashionista, Patrice of Afrobella and Raijen of Swai-rai




Ohh...and shout outs to Danny, who worked the kinks out my neck and shoulders and Margaret who hooked my lips up!

And thanks to Spa Week for a fun night.

And people, make sure you get in on some of these treatments!

You deserve it.

Don't you!??!

Yes, you do!

Spa Week runs Sept 13-19 here in Chicago & the West Coast and Oct 11-17 for the rest of the country.

And for a little twitter fun, tomorrow they are having a #SpaWeekGossip twitter party from 1-2pm cst where they will be tweetin it up about Fall’s 12 hottest spa trends.

Here's to Wellness!

Here's to a Weekend...

Where you...





{{{Huggs}}}

Share & Shop for a Good Cause with the 900 Shops!

Mark your calendars!

I know plenty of us have things in our closets {and our kids closets} that never get worn, that someone else could really be putting to good use, so here's a chance to clean out your closets and do good at the same time!

Join The 900 Shops from Thursday, August 19 - Sunday, August 22 for a shopping event to benefit Dress for Success Chicago, Share Your Soles and The Glass Slipper Project.

The deets...

1. Bring in gently worn items that can still be rocked, that will in turn be donated to these charities.

2. The 900 Shops will reward you for your generosity with a 15% Share & Shop Savings Pass for every donated item; that you can redeem for one item at any of the participating retailers.

And you have the chance to get other goodies, like a swag bag.

And participating shoppers will also be entered to win a $500 shopping spree to The 900 Shops!

Easy right?

These are all great organizations that really help women and children all year round.

I have personally worked with The Glass Slipper Project which runs a huge event around prom time every year

Click here, to get an idea of what kinds of items they are really in need of.

Oh and don't forget while you are cleaning your closet, that it would be a great time to look for your Rockin 10 for 30 items!!!

Rockin 10 for 30 mentions on twitter

Who's Up for a Challenge? Say...10 for 30?

There is this whole movement taking shape of people who are getting rid of or cutting back on the amount of clothes that they own in the name of moving away from our American given right of over-consumption.

I was reading this NY Times article which highlighted the web challenge called Six Items or Less, which basically has people commit to wearing only 6 clothing items that they already own for 30 days.

I thought about it and although 6 items just didn’t seem very doable for me, 10 does.

So starting September 1st I will begin "Rockin 10 for 30" here on the blog.

And while my goal isn’t as serious as the folks on The Great American Apparel Diet, who are not buying any new clothes for a year, I am hoping to forge some new habits out of this experiment.

For one, I hope that it will get me blogging daily and taking OOTD pictures and even perhaps...dare i say it...cutting back on the amount clothes that I buy!!!!

Which by the way, has not been that difficult lately. I have found myself being very focused in stores.

If I am looking for something in particular and I don't find it, I have been leaving empty handed!

Yes.

Empty handed!

LOL

Anyway, here are the 10 items that I have chosen.

1. Blazer
2. Jeans
3. Flowy top
4. Solid Color top
5. Skirt
6. Solid Color Dress
7. Sweater
8. Colorful Top
9. Leggings
10. Colorful Dress

They are all pretty much basics for a wardrobe that should be easy to mix and match with accessories, etc to create a variety of looks.

Right?

Right?

So, who wants to join me?

This would be so much more fun as a group project!!

Note: there will be a couple of times where I may stray due to some upcoming projects but hopefully I can pull of the full month!

And really, I want some cohorts for this!!

Show how creative you can be with just 10 easy pieces!

Who's up for the challenge?

CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara Giveaway Winner

Just a quick drop in to announce the winner.

Plenty of folks viewed the post but not many entered...what is that all about?

I mean who doesn't love free makeup?!?!

Anyway, the winner is Jenn from Spiced Beauty.

I sent ya an email...send me your deets so I can get it in the mail to ya!

Flutter Those Lashes w/ CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara

I meant to give this away months ago when i picked up a couple of tubes on presale...oh well..

No time like the present.

I have tried it and like it but nothing can quite steal me away totally from my Loreal. Voluminous...we just have an undying love affair.

Comment here on the blog to win it!

Make sure you leave your email addy or twitter handle so that I can contact you!

Check out reviews here.

Fine Print: One winner will be chosen at random for the giveaway. The giveaway ends 8/06/10 @ 11:59 pm CST and is open to folks in the US only.

Jennifer Hudson Covers InStyle Makeover

Check out J Hud on the upcoming issue of InStyle Makeover.

She looks fabulous!

She says that she is thinking about rocking a very low hair style, now that she feels that she has "good structure now" {she is referring to her cheek bones}

Moi - I have never really given that much thought...

I love to cut my hair...and as short as it currently is, I still want to cut  more of it off.

She also talks about her current size and her new shopping issues, etc

And while I would never aspire to be a size 6, my own "operationbellybegone" is in full effect because I love my girls and my hips and butt but I am just not used to and I do not want this much belly!

Love This: New Coach Madison Bags

OHHH...

I am so loving the rich fall perfect colors of the latest Coach Madison bags, especially the orange.

Yes, I MUST HAVE the orange, or rather the cinnamon as they are calling it!!

Check these out and more here.!