What goes well with grey? PINK!

When it's cold, dreary and grey... there's nothing wrong with having some good ol' fashioned candy-hued, campy and flirty fun! So imagine my excitement when I received an invitation to preview the new Victoria's Secret PINK store in Water Tower Place, off Michigan Ave. on Thursday afternoon.

How much am I a fan of Victoria's Secret? Enough to have gotten the attention of their corporate team... I guess I am the cray-cray bra lady. But you know what? It's almost impossible to find 32D-DD bras that don't look like maternity/nursing or sports bras. And at a reasonable price of under $100 a bra? Bring it, send me your catalogue, make them in cute colors/patterns and I will buy what you have in stock...

(Reminder: I just got a post card/ saw a commercial that they have new Angels bras in store. And that's kind of my jam...)

I love the tee shirt -friendly bras in the PINK collection. They also have great tank tops and camisoles for effortless lounging or for cute workout wear.

Here's a preview of what the new PINK concept store will look like:

So when is the grand opening? The new store will be open in Water Tower Place (845 Michigan Ave) this Thursday on Nov 3rd, and will be open to the public from 10 am. The grand opening will feature a DJ, goodies and a free PINK Chicago water bottle with purchase (until supplies last, of course).

They will be having a tour and reception for members of the press. I'll try to score a little more scoop than I did for you, readers, at their Summer Bombshell launch this past summer!

For those who LOVE bling, VS PINK at Water Tower Place will host a "Bling Your PINK" weekend from November 11 -13, 2011. At an in-store kiosk, customers will be able to personalize their purchases of sweatshirts, tees and more by adding customizable crystals in the name or design of their choice, free with any purchase over $50.

I'm a little old (my intern unintentionally reminded me that I'm officially old now earlier today) for some of their more bold stuff, but with the holidays coming up a custom sweatshirt or pair of yoga pants would make a super fun and girly gift!

I don't know who is more excited for Thursday... myself, because I'm excited for a new shop to be opening up so close to work... or my husband, because he knows I'm coming home with a few flirty goodies!

GRAZIA photoshoot in Dubai

Leave it to the Italians to prove that women can be sexy anywhere.

Italian magazine GRAZIA shot one of their editorials in Dubai, and it's very inspirational:

I love the idea of a patterned silk scarf protecting one's hair while paired with a classic A-line frock. I might have to try the look the next time my husband and I head towards Palm Beach county or New Orleans.

I'm on Pinterest

The girls at work finally convinced to me to join Pinterest. You can follow me or see my inspiration boards, which are a mixture of architecture, modern design, art, fashion, a future kitchen makeover and only the finest pictures of dogs being forced to wear clothes. I always keep it classy.

A stylish man.

Holy eye candy in my inbox! It must be my birthday!

I don't know which I love more: model hottie Gerard Sallo or the styling by Ingo Nahrwold. Bravo, you two. You are making the world a far more beautiful place:

I've never seen Unabomber Chic be so rugged and sexy!

Love my new haircut!

Finally! A weekend where I've been able to relax, feel better and take care of myself! I've had more than my fair share of therapeutic bath salt-infused hot baths this weekend.

Yesterday I went to our local neighborhood Bumble & Bumble salon, Solo, for the first time. I rarely make my next appointment on the spot, but I really felt like I found my salon here. I was just really happy with the friendly service, the refreshments offered (herbal peppermint tea, don't mind if I do...), the music/atmosphere, prices (not cheap, but in my opinion they're reasonable) and products. I also really liked my stylist, Jacob. I highly recommend him because he's honest, upfront about any extra charges, and has a keen eye for proportion and detail. I'm extremely protective of my hair and he exceeded my expectations for a first time interaction with a stylist.

Here's a picture of my new hair cut from last night:

I cannot rave enough about the Bumble & Bumble heat-activated conditioning treatment. It takes about 15 minutes and only costs $25... but look at how shiny my hair is! I love, love, love it... and Jacob claims it should last eight weeks! I bought travel sizes of the products he recommended to try them out at home and see how I like them. I love that Solo carries travel sizes, because I like to bring styling products when I travel and the selection at Aveda is pretty unpredictable. 

I finally rocked that Moschino dress at the Sofitel Hotel last night.  

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Preparing for winter, Chicago-style.

Yesterday, I stopped by Nordstrom to pick up a new umbrella (I'm sick of being cold AND wet, what am I? A newborn?) and treated myself to two pairs of leather gloves.

I finally went for it and bought a pair of black leather full length gloves. I can't wait to wear them with cropped coats, sleeveless sheaths and kimono-style sweaters.

My husband likes to joke that I have an outfit ready for ANYTHING-- paired with my AG black jeggings, a turtleneck and knee boots, we can add "jewel thief" to the repertoire.

I also picked up a cropped pair with bow detail and a metallic plum finish. I'm wearing them today with a black military-inspired Burberry dress, grey tights, black over the knee high boots, black short coat and a camel check Brooks Brothers scarf. They add that perfect unexpected touch! Can't wait to meet my husband at Ruth's Chris tonight after work!

Is anyone else already stocking up on cold weather accessories?

When did my husband order a valet?

This morning, I received a confirmation email from Amazon that I ordered a suit valet/ organizer. I was initially confused until I checked the shipping address and saw that it is being sent to my husband's office.

My husband ordered this to keep his extra suit tidy (in case he needs a last minute back up for a client meeting or court appearance):

I think I find this so amusing because 1) he never shops for himself except for ordering books online and 2) he thinks I'm a nutjob for wanting to give our California-closets a "makeover."

I also think it is funny that he ordered it in mahogany finish... His desk is dark, but it's more of a walnut instead of mahogany. But this valet manufacturer has the male brain down: if there's thing that it seems all straight men like, it's dark mahogany wood. Men are funny.

Want.

I seriously think I need leather leggings to get me through the Chicago winter. I'm majorly crushing on these Escada ones from Bloomingdales.

Side note: I think Bloomingdales has become my favorite department store ever (shortly followed by Barney's). Their buyers really ensure a great selection. They carry several different fits and silhouettes. They have a wide price range from mid-range to the big runway designers. And I am completely addicted to their home department-- when it comes to home decor, Bloomingdale's is high-style one stop shopping!

Sam and I have a shopping field trip planned for Halloween weekend at Old Orchard, so I'll wait to go to that location. I found a sales associate (Rita) there that I really like... she pulls the best stuff that's cut on the small side. She knows her merchandise SO well and makes the best suggestions. I'm hoping she'll know of a pair that fits just as tight on me and possibly give me the same look for less!

Choosing a new hairstyle!

What better way to entertain myself while in bed with food poisoning (I ordered the filet from Tuscany, by the way) than to grab ideas for next weekend's hair appointment?

I'm obviously thinking about long and layered:

Anyone else planning on a new hairstyle for fall?

Style inspiration: Flaunt magazine's men's editorial

Stylist Long N'guyen perfected "casual hotness" for Flaunt magazine:

I like your Indiana Jones hat.

Style inspiration: Red

I just love everything from Apparat + Stereo.

I need to find a killer red dress. It's like they sang at the beginning of The Nanny, "she's the lady in red when everyone else is wearing tan!"

Glitter.

Lately, I find myself so attracted to everything sparkly, shiny and glittery. I'm usually not such a fan of what my wedding florist dubbed, "razzle dazzle."

Last night I popped into Walgreens for eye makeup remover and had to purchase another bottle of Essie nail polish and some glittery limited-edition L'Oreal "Project Runway" eyeshadow compact for purple and silver smokey eyes:

I will admit that I kind of love the idea of a purple smokey eye paired with a dark, glittery marine-hued manicure for fall. It'll add a bit of glamour to all that black and grey I wear.

I think right now I'm in a point in my life where I feel like I have a lot to celebrate. And every day, I try to keep the party going.

Live every day like it's New Year's Eve. Or this:

Who is Theory cutting these terrible pants for?

If this is Theory's F/W offerings, then I won't be purchasing pants.

"it's genius" by Essie

Confession: as if I didn't have enough problems getting out of a Walgreens for less than $100, I absolutely love that the drugstore chain now carries salon-quality Essie products.

Seriously! The super posh Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa I sometimes go to (*as in, someone gave me a gift certificate to use for one of their $150 manicure/pedicures or massages) uses Essie...

I picked up this sparkly berry wine color called, "it's genius," that looks very similar to Louis Vuitton's signature "amarante" vernis leather:

It's the perfect berry for fall: it has just enough shimmer to be ultra feminine but it's dark and muted enough to come across mature as well. It's well worth the extra $8 on your next toothpaste, candy, birth control and cleaning solution as seen on TV shopping trip...

If only I knew how to replicate this...

Somehow, I woke up this morning with perfect, wavy "Victoria's Secret" hair. I knotted it in a scrunchie (sexxxxxxy) half asleep late last night and when I woke up, voila! Perfect hair.

This may never happen again for the rest of my life.

I have a hair appointment scheduled for next weekend at Solo Salon here in the West Loop. I'm hoping it works out for me, since I can easily walk there, they use Bumble & Bumble products and I like to think that they named the salon after Harrison Ford at his sexiest.

I have to get my hair blown out anyways since we have a black tie event later that night, but I am going to ask (nicely) my stylist if he can show me how to do this at home.

Let's play a game!

Okay, the game is called "Beauty treatment or jalapeño-hands home remedies":

Submerging my hands in milk...

Slathering honey and Greek yogurt all over my hands...

Massaging olive oil and dish soap under my nails...

Alternating between burn cream, Shea butter and a bag of ice...

If you guessed that I was a flipping idiot and cut hot peppers with my bare hands, you would be correct.

I was joking with my husband that it just seems like I'm handling the pain better because I cannot wrinkle my brow muscles. Yeah, I got Botox two weeks ago (to prevent office-related wrinkles from reading and staring at a computer screen) and let me tell you, having needles stab you in the face HURTS.

But jalapeño-hands? Thousand times worse.

At least the olive oil, Greek yogurt and honey gave me dreamy smooth hands!

I'm dropping hints early.

Don't you think that a pink sapphire eternity band set in rose gold would make an excellent holiday gift or anniversary present?

I do too... The nice sales people at Burdeen's Jewelry told me that it would take about 4 weeks to make one custom for me in a size 3, so I guess there's no such thing as "dropping hints too early" when custom jewelry is involved!

Chat with a Project Runway winner!

Tomorrow night, Project Runway winner Rafael Cox will be answering any fashion questions via American InterContinental University's Facebook!

Rafael Cox, a finalist on the ninth season of Lifetime’s hit show Project Runway, will host a one-hour live chat on American InterContinental University’s Facebook page at 8 p.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Cox, a vibrant Atlanta native, is a graduate of the School of Design at AIU’s Atlanta campus.

Participants are invited to ask questions about Cox’s experience on Project Runway and his journey to get there. Learn about how he became a fashion designer, current fashion trends, and more. To ask Rafael a question, simply log on to www.facebook.com/AmericanInterContinentalUniversity during the Oct. 11 live chat.

“Rafael always offers insightful perspectives on fashion design, and is so willing to share what he’s learned from his unique experiences,” said Sondra Corso, Fashion Design Program Chair at AIU Atlanta. “Anyone interested in fashion is going to enjoy hearing what he has to say.”

Next Fashion Chicago 2011: Oct 17

 The city's most anticipated week of fashion, "Fashion Focus Chicago," will commence with a bang on October 17, 2011 with Next Fashion Chicago's premier fashion show event at Germania Place (108 West Germania Place) from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The show, produced by Rose Mandel/Mandel Productions and sponsored by Grace PR, will be a fast-paced, theatrical production with a European style runway showcasing bold and luxurious fashions presented by some of the city's brightest designers and boutiques.

The show, emceed by Candace Jordan, author of CandidCandace.com and host of Watch312.com, and Marcus Riley, Multimedia Entertainment Reporter for NBC 5 Chicago, will celebrate the start of the weeklong fashion activities organized by the Mayor's Fashion Council Chicago.  A specialized soundtrack by DJ Laura B and 24 male and female models will make the stunning ensembles come alive. Featured designers: Sahar Dada,  Elda de la Rosa, Sujata Gazder, Hector-Javier MonArrez, Mira Couture, Fraley Le, Gary Gonzales and Cleons. Featured stores: Furla, Bottega Contessa, Sofia and Caché.

Tickets are available for purchase online at: www.nextfashionchicago.com or at the door.

Great find: Cole Haan ballet flats!

I scored another great find at Nordstrom Rack off Chicago Ave on Friday!

This time, I managed to find black patent leather Cole Haan ballet flats with Nike Air technology in a size 5 and for only 89!

What a great pair of flats for a city (train and walking) commute, no?

I was very, very tempted to purchase a few of the Burberry items they had (namely, a tiered silk black day dress, military-inspired wool peacoat and a checked cardigan) but ultimately just can't drop that kind of cash without my husband cheering me on. When he's all about it... it makes it more of a guilt-free purchase.

Did anyone score any Columbus Day deals this weekend?

Marc Jacobs is breaking my heart.

Do you know that feeling when you suspect that your relationship is on the verge of breaking up, but you really hope that you are just imagining disconnect and that everything is really fine?

That's how I feel about my relationship with Marc Jacobs. Nothing is confirmed yet, but there are rumors that he's leaving his Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton fans. I hope it's just a rumor, but gossip points to him leaving us for a relationship with Christian Dior.

I understand the creative and financial appeal for the move to Christian Dior. As a creative, he will not only oversee ready-to-wear but also be given the opportunity to create couture. As of right now, Louis Vuitton is not really on the LVMH's couture schedule. Financially, Louis Vuitton is the brawn of the LVMH brand and while they do offer clothing (of which Marc Jacobs has been critically successful designing), most of their sales are from handbags, accessories and luggage. John Galliano's behavior has left a real branding crisis for the couture jewel of the LVMH, and it would make sense that the LVMH would try to salvage the brand by replacing him with a talented and popular designer.

The Louis Vuitton brand also depends on its classics and consistency. So unlike his own label and Christian Dior, which puts out mostly only new designs for each season, Louis Vuitton will still be selling many of the styles that Marc Jacobs designed for several years. My last purchase, the Stresa PM in monogram fabric, features a signature Marc Jacobs push lock closure. It is a fairly new style and I expect it to be popular for quite a few years (maybe not as common as say a Neverfull... because it is twice the price).

Adding to the "he's leaving!" rumors, it seems Marc Jacobs performed his swan song by closing his Paris runway show with Kate Moss:

His entire collection is very soft, feminine and girlish. In fact, it falls into the cherie-mademoiselle fantasy associated with the Christian Dior brand.

You can view the full collection here.

Am I being selfish? Definitely. At least I'm not losing Christopher Bailey at Burberry Prorsum... My poor husband would need to send me off to an asylum (maybe he needs to anyways).

Serious question

Do you think Abercrombie still sells thong underwear for pre-teens? Or did they pull it off the shelves permanently after some "outraged" parents complained?

I ask, because my tried and true one-size-fits-most Hanky Panky low-rise thongs are now sliding off my hips.

It's so annoying this morning!

The power of accessories

Anne Klein's F/W ad campaign makes it clear: accessories really are the punctuation to an ensemble.

I absolutely love this look... I feel inspired to incorporate it somehow into my work attire.

Love this.

Admittedly, I hate this. I think the hat, thick framed glasses, hoop earrings and turtleneck neckline is a whole lotta going on around her head. Lose one.

I need some sexy, skin tight black leather gloves... stat. Why don't I already own them?

"She's a glamour girl. She's a glamour girl. Her hair is SO high!"

If you knew that I titled this post after a Chicks on Speed song, I think we should become friends.

I've had the tune stuck in my head all day.

I finally have the necklace I won Saturday night at Equestrian Connection's silent auction:

How girly and fun is it?!

I'm usually not a fan of retro, but I think it will look totally appropriate with printed dresses. I'm planning on pairing it with a black jeweled Lavender by Vera Wang cocktail dress for a black tie event I have in a couple of weeks.

Style inspiration: The Fountainhead

How about some serious style inspiration this Monday morning?

We watched The Fountainhead this weekend and it was quite the visual delight. You know, made when Hollywood consisted of subversive intellectuals that weren't afriad of fetishism or bold statements:



And seriously, why can't construction workers dress like Roark with his unbuttoned white dress shirt and hat? Why can't I wear a full length black sequined gown just to have dinner with a man I generally despise?

Current obsession: Gap Body tees

I'm admittedly a tee shirt addict, but I found my closet full of specialty-cut tees (circle cuts, pleats, henleys) with several key basics missing.

For some reason, Gap Body has stayed off my radar for a while. I've gotten gifts from there that I love (I love, love, love their pajamas) but it never occurs to me to actually go in there myself.

I am so glad I did! All of the tees are reasonably priced (I think my most expensive one, a tunic with a funnel neck collar, was only $30) and incredibly soft. They are made with a very figure-flattering Spandex and cotton blend.

I picked up an assortment of basics like V-neck tees to layer under blazers and cashmere sweaters:

And this totally caught my eye after I already rang out:

I'll have to swing by their Michigan Ave. location and pick up the romper too!