Happy Holidays!! I am having such fun using Pinterest in finding new ideas for creating holiday crafts and sweet treats. I found this recipe on Pinterest for Gingerbread men garland and I thought...that looks cute; I'll make some for my boyfriend's tree -- his 4 year old daughter will love this. Well as it would have it, I don't actually have a gingerbread man cookie cutter so I had to improvise (and I did go look for one - and there were none to be found!!). At any rate the recipe was super easy and then putting them together was a snap. Here is the results and then I gave them to Tim and Sofia and they loved them...and put them on their tree!

It was fun to make and even more fun to give! Happy Holidays

Find your happiness!
'elle

Last year I was approached by a woman about my views on fashion...it was my hope that she'd read this little blirb about me and my approach to style and then I could have a wonderful career in something other than market research...but I didn't hear from her...and then just last week I ran across this and it really made me smile. It's funny how you can find something long past and be struck by it all over again.

"Morgan it’s funny when you ask me to describe my personal style I pause and laugh, and think “now that’s a good question!” I say that in as much as I don’t think about it, I just know that I love getting dressed each day – it’s one of my favorite things! I want to learn more about colors, trend, fabrics and textures …everything! I won’t say I’m obsessed, but if I could change careers in a heart-beat I know where I’m headed!!
At the core of all styling for me are the basics like making sure that the clothes work for my body type (i.e. fit) and that they are pressed/hemmed – whatever – in all honestly if I can’t take the time to press the clothes no matter what I put on its not going to look good (in my opinion). It’s the one habit that people should adopt. (or steamers, they’re even easier!!)

Where the “fashion or style” of it comes in, if you will –it’s my mood that morning – how do I feel and how do I want to feel…is it sassy, sexy, powerful or funky …the clothes that I put on help me to feel that emotion. I definitely don’t dress conventionally. I see that easily on the train to work each day – with the gals in their basic black…and me in my red corduroy oversized bellbottom slacks, with my faux fur vest and elbow length gloves and afro hair-do and heels … but it works. It definitely works for me - see, I’m the girl that doesn’t WANT to look like everyone. I laugh when people say that wish they could wear some of the things I do – because you can! You have to believe in what you put together and like I keep telling people I don’t necessary dress for others, I dress for me! And if you happen to like it or be inspired all the better and if not then I hope at least you saw something different today.

Hopefully as I continue to grow in my love of all things fashion and fashionable, that when I’m older and even sassier than I am now… I’ll be on Advanced Style (advancedstyle.blogspot.com) and working it like I was a supermodel!!"

To each of you and your personal style may you alway be beautiful inside and out!

Love!
'elle

At the end of June we, here in Chicago hwe ave the most amazing parade - Gay Pride Parade on Halsted street. Its a long long tradition with participation from people from all over... What I love most about the week of fun and celebration is the wonderful party with friends. This year was the last party (so sad)and each year we have a party theme...years past we had Birds of Paradise...this year was Love Warrior (fighting for love equality for all). I have made my dresses in the past and this year was no different...I had planned on a rainbow colored tutu and after hitting the fabric stores...that was not going to be the case (too many other people were doing the same thing). I like to be different; instead of going with the obvious, I went with classic. I made a classic tutu in a champagne color -- so much fun to make and even more to wear! I can't wait to make one for my friend's daughter. Ready, Set - Tutu!

You should tutu too!

Samantha Sleeper Pop-Up Store

I love my friends for including me in their personal and professional adventures! My dear friend Laura Kramer (www.wanderandrevel.com) is embarking on a new adventure with showcasing and selling designer Artisan Jewelry from around the world. As a start she paired up with designer Samantha Sleeper (www.Samantha-sleeper.com) in a Chicago Pop-Up store in the prestigious Oak Street district this Spring. We both had the pleasure of attending the Samantha Sleeper fashion show at the W Hotel and the opening event of the store. The event was well attended, and I even managed to try on a beautiful dress (seen below in the invite; I tried on the red version - it was stunning!). As part of the fun, I was even included in The CHICago Life Blog (www.thechicagolifeblog.com) for their best dressed for the night! Here are a few pictures from the event. I’m looking forward to the next occasion to get dressed up and support wonderful creative people.


Samantha Sleeper in front of her own design at the Pop-up store, Samantha Sleeper art design, Me and Laura at the store and Me, from The CHICago Life Blog

My love for shoes

I know you know I love clothes and everything fashionable - recently I have come across shoes that I had to have as part of my growing collection.  I wanted to share with you my new finds...I hope you like them.  I have not had the opportunity to wear either yet in Chicago, as the weather has been a little of a challenge, but I'm hoping to sport them very soon.  I'll take a picture of me in them so you can see how I style them - however they would be fab with jeans and a t-shirt! 

You know what they say you learn something new everyday - well TODAY this wonderful Monday afternoon, while surfing around at lunch - found out that Vogue has several sites on its Italian location specific types of women...I fell in like with VBLACk and VCURVE.  Yes my friends, never would I have imagined that you would have these specific sites on VOGUE but I'm so pleased to have found them - I have favorited them for sure.

It has interesting reading like - Why Zara hasn't expanded in the US...they suspect because American women are to "big" for the brand.

Anyway, if you get a chance to get it out I suggest you do. 

Happy Reading!
'elle

I know I know – where did I go once again?  It's been far too long since I’ve written.  Last month, in Chicago we had the Art of Fashion 2012 Event (presented by StyleChicago.com) which hosted events on fashion for the entire week - there were lectures and symposiums and everything you could want to learn more about how to get into fashion or to build your brand in fashion. 

I  being the self-proclaimed fashionista made sure that I attended a few events.  I went to the Designers of the Chicago Fashion Incubator (presented by Macy’s) which is a fashion show for the 'up-and-coming' fashion designers.  I also treated myself to VIP tickets to the big fashion show on Friday hosting all the well-known Chicago designers.

The experience was both educational and inspiring!  I learned that I could  {should I choose} be a designer, I think partly – as I was recently told, I’m "critical".  In my meaning of that characteristic means I’m very much about the details of things – and I noticed in the Incubator show there were lots of details overlooked.  Now I know its easy for me to sit on the sidelines and critique – and perhaps that might be my calling…but I think it helps to make one betterby looking the opportunities to improve.  Fabric choices, fabric colors and sewing were my main hang-ups…aside from the model selections.  Overall it was great to see the show – see how things are produced and executed and I definitely will go again next year.

Standouts from the Incubator show: Elizabeth Smith Fashions (my favorite by far) (efashions.com)Lagi Nadeau (laginadeau.com) and Zamrie (zamrie.com) had some good outfits too

Moving on to the ‘REAL’ show – Friday was where it was at!  The models, the clothing, everything was all on point!  It was such fun seeing the clothing of these designers and it truly made me want to walk the runway.  Designers you may know are Borris Powell, Lara Miller, Michelle Tan and SWABY (Shernett Swaby) and many others.

If you love fashion like I do, and trust me living in Chicago you see it all the time on the streets...its nice sometimes to purposefully seek it out by those that do it very well.  Hooray for Chicago and their Fashion scene – not quite that of NYC and others, however we’re making progress Forward. 

Until next time…
‘elle

Pictures of the shows/designers & Me!