Party Planning 101

Happy to report that I might have a new calling in life - Party Planner!!  Last weekend, Rainbow and I hosted a baby shower for our friend Kristen.  The theme (cause you have to have a theme) was High Tea.  We didn't know the baby's gender so we went with a baby green color on the invites and the decor and things turned out beautiful.  We had baby 'onesys' as decoration, we had a baby shower banner that looked liked it came from etsy.com.  Everyone received a tea cup in which to enjoy their tea, as it also served as their party favor - genius right!?

Rainbow made great finger sandwiches and I did the desserts.  The baby diaper cake after a little negotiation turned out beautiful...we garnished with fresh flowers and it was the the star of the show.

Shall I say that its in the details my friends when planning a party and being a great hostess - well it is.  And its hard work, but its more gratifying than I thought possible.  I cannot wait to host again! - Anyone having a party??!! 

Happy event planning, even if its a weekday dinner 2 at home.

I've missed you!

Happy New Year, albeit its February already...but I'm going to re-engage with my blog! {even if it goes into a black hole!}.  I've already started thinking of topics and ideas to share -  from a personal style & fashion to interior design. 

I shall start with my current shoe obsession of Jeffery Campbell.  Don't get me wrong this would not be my first pair either - found another pair to love last summer at Chicago- Laura's Shoe store.  In my effort to overshare, I posted this same photo on Facebook for all to see.  This is a reward myself for my good "hip" behavior i.e. I haven't done anything too crazy since my new hip replacement, therefore these will be my naughty new pleasure.  These have come with ohhs and ahhs and some Oh-Nos, but I don't care...I love them therfore I shall have them.

Jeffery Campbell - Lift

Its nice to be back.

Why I love Fall...

So I have to tell you how excited I am, not that I returned from a wonderful trip to Portugal (and it was completely wonderful – that will be another post in and of itself) but because when I got back, it had officially turned to Fall (Autumn as some you like to call it…). My friends know that this is by far my favorite time of the year – why, you might ask?


1. Food. This is when you can create culinary warmth; loving food that is meant to fill the stomach and warm the heart. Comfort Foods surpass the salads from summer – instead we get Mac’n Cheese, Roasts (or anything in a croc-pot), Mashed Potatoes, pies – Hot Ciders and great big/bold Red Wines all Fall long…these are just a small listing of my favorite things.

2. Magazines. I took w/me on vacation my Vogue and ELLE magazines, approximately 2lbs of extra weight, it was worth it. Looking over the fabulous Fall Fashions that I couldn’t wait to purchase and wear! In addition, I kept getting new thick versions of Fall’s fashion update, for clothes and home – I have a stack still to go through, I’m loving it…inspiration on every page.

3. Clothing. The Fall weather brings about the perfect time to layer…to experiment, to do all those things well – I guess you could do in other seasons, but for some reason are more fun in Fall. I’ve already managed to work in my vintage faux fur cape from an estate sale (love it!) and my grey shawl w/faux fur trim…(yes, I’m on a fur kick) and my grey suede lace up boots. Ladies, there are so many great things this Fall, I know I need to get the list out to you shortly, but it’s just a plethora of colors, styles for everyone and it’s just overwhelming…all I think about is what am I going to wear, what can I buy and how can I put it together to make a marvelous statement when I go to work, the store or out w/friends.…I think I’m officially obsessed!!

4. Friendships. Lastly, the warmth that we offer up in Fall is great, getting together is still important but it takes on a new meaning (for me anyway) – hanging out with friends in front of a toasty fire to chat, meeting up in a pub for a cold beer or hot cider, or having a casual Sunday dinner w/friends…its warmer – its cosier, its special…as it should be.



Happy Fall everyone!

Passion + Fashion = Happiness

The weather is changing and so am I. As some of you know, I have longed to play in Fashion, but I found myself in another career altogether. It’s been very, very good to me, but during this time of my life (newly single, almost 40 and with a non-stop creative mind) I have decided to follow my true passion and pursue a career in fashion. Now don’t get me wrong, I have no idea what that will be and I’m exploring all my options, but what I do know is that I’m damn good at it. Not only that I LOVE DOING IT…I see colors, patterns, textures and I can put them together. I can’t stop thinking of things to buy and trends and for clothing and home décor…and then sharing that with my friends!!


I could go on and on, but what is most important for me is that I’m taking the right steps; I’m turning down opportunities that aren’t leading me in the Fashion direction. So I’ll take you on my journey and we’ll see where this takes me. In the meantime – let’s talk about tonight!

FASHION NIGHT OUT!!
Said to be the biggest night in Fashion followed by the start of NYC Fashion week, it’s going to be a great week ahead. I have the schedule printed for both the fashion week runway shows and tonight’s events held here locally in Chicago. I’m going to FNO with some gal-pals tonight and I’m so excited…so much so that I had the hardest time trying to figure out what to wear…I still had to go to work, so I couldn’t be too edgy, but I wanted to look super cute too! So I settle on my current outfit, I think it accomplishes both…Vera Wang brown heels, Target navy wool short skirt, green-white striped sweater and my Fourth ‘n Town blue striped jacket…accessories and I’m ready to go. I’ll post pictures from the event.


This is my entry into a whole new phase…
Let’s toast to passion, fashion, and making it happen!


‘elle

Haute Couture?

I grew up with a mom that sews (anything!) she could make pretty much anything and everything.  And of course I wanted to be just like her, so I learned how to sew a few basic things as well…with a very strict directive from her when starting the process "do it right or don’t do it at all".  As I got older, my pieces stayed pretty simple, pink pants (with elastic bands), skirts, dresses etc. nothing too crazy. My mom however, made my prom dresses and all sorts of things that I wasn’t yet accomplished enough to execute.

Lately, I’ve gotten the bug to sew again…now, don’t get me wrong, I was still fixing buttons, lengthening hemlines, modifying curtains etc. you know - basic things. 

My project to bring me back to sewing for real came with my Gay Pride Parade dress. I saw the material at JoAnns and fell in love (I had just come back from Hawaii, so likely still had floral on the brain) with the material. The theme for the Gay Pride was birds of Paradise so it was perfect!….now all I had to do was execute the plan.

I thought I got an easy pattern but that wasn’t to be, so with assistance from my mom and a long night of cursing, wine and more cursing, I managed to complete the dress in time to wear for the party. It was a test of wills…mine vs the pattern. I have to say I like the dress. I’m now inspired to do more projects…so on my list now are a pair of scarlet red corduroy pants w/large cuffs (I can also make extra long to work with heels)…a plaid dress, with some unique ribbon details that I found and a new swanky dog bed for beau (with beautiful ivory fringe!) that will be beautiful in the living room.

They won’t be perfect, but they will be one-of-a-kind works of art and isn’t that what Haute Couture is all about?

Let your heart guide your style

‘elle

Nude the New Black?

Regardless of what you call it Nude aka: Camel, Beige, Fawn, Taupe, Mushroom, or Buff…has become the hottest color (or non-color) this summer and I see it going into Fall/Winter as well. Tell me what gal out there hasn’t been looking for the perfect Nude platform heel? I know, I have a pair! (but, I don’t know if I count…). What I do know is that the shoe should match your skin tone so as to elongate the leg. It allows you to wear pretty much anything and this shoe will go with it perfectly. Wow, a shoe can do all that? Yes it can my friends – so quick run get a pair!

Now that I have my perfect elongating heel, I want a Fall/Winter coat in the same color scheme. Some of you may know I’m on the hunt, and trust me its rare that I actually hunt for much – I generally like to “run across something I like…” but in this case, I feel the need to hunt and find my perfect coat in my perfect color. Let me tell you that it’s not easy…do I go stylish/ trendy or classic and tailored?? I even saw a great cape – not practical with these Chicago winters, but would allow me to showcase my black elbow leather gloves!   Once again I digress....

So my friends, my search continues…stay tuned, as soon as I find it I will definitely share…and those to-die-for Nude heels I found – Joan & David, Nordstrom Rack – Deerfield, IL.

Happy Shopping & Styling

'elle

Don't Wait - Get Started Now

I'm talking about Fall/Winter shopping...trust me I know you're probably thinking I'm crazy when the entire country is under a HEAT WAVE, but Fall/Winter will be here soon enough and you will want to be prepared with you winter wardrobe. [espeically those of you that live in Chicago like myself , where the winters last a Long, Long, Long time!]

So here is what I'm liking right now...

I saw some awesome grey suede boots, lace up with a peep toe that will be super fun with skirts, skinny jeans (dare I say that I actually where them) and dresses! 

To go with those boots, I found a grey shawl with a faux fur trim that will be super fun and add a little 'something special' to whatever I'm wearing, even if its just jeans and a t-shirt!  And lastly, I'm on the hunt for the perfect camel coat/cape...nothig too fancy, but I've wanted a camel something for a while - kinda like my DEEP DESIRE for red boot cut pants (someday i will find an affordable pair!!).

At any rate, I wanted to let you all know that you should be thinking about what the next season brings, look at what you have, send it to the cleaners (like my garage sale find - white faux fur coat - $5) get the buttons fixed, or whatever, assess what you have and what you need and what still fits!!! Then make your list and go shopping...if you see those fun tights grab them now as they will likely costs more later or won't be there when the season actually hits.

No need to think summer new buys, its here and half way over; its time to think to cooler times ahead...stay thirsty my friends...but more importantly stay fashionable!

love
'elle