Chi-town Chic

This is Bananas

In the spirit of Gwenyth Paltrow's GOOP, Rachel Zoe is launching a newsletter and website of her own.  Sources say it will start tomorrow (August 4th) and will feature Zoe's thoughts on apparel, accessories, and "lifestyle" (whatever that means). 

Though Zoe claims her opinions will be independent of advertising interests it comes at a very convenient time as her show starts back up on Bravo in a few weeks.  Personally, I am excited to see the train wreck, I mean the Zoe Report continue to unfold...

source 

Girl who cried wolf

Okay...I feel a bit like the little girl who cried wolf.  What do I mean by that?  Well...it was only a few months ago that I swore up and down I would get better about posting...then didn't post for months!  Now I am coming back to apologize and promise posts again.  I am hoping you are still able to believe me!

No, really...I love blogging.  I love reading and writing about fashion.  I love shopping.  I love everything about clothes, bags, shoes, everything retail.  I just needed some time to reevaluate why I was blogging, what I want to do with my time, etc.

Anyway everything is okay...and I can now spend some time returning to the blog world.  THANK YOU for your patience!

More posts to come but in the mean time I will leave you with a wonderful picture of my city: Chicago

The Fashion Show = Project Runway? You be the Judge

Project Runway is all set to resume this summer!  I am thrilled, especially since I thought for sure that court battles would keep the show away for at least a year.
I am not, however, excited about its new destination.  There is really nothing cool about Lifetime.  I mean, seriously, "Project Runway on Lifetime."  That just seems wrong.  I am having a hard time picturing fashion on Bravo without Tim Gunn.

Not as wrong as Bravo blatantly

replacing Project Runway with a replica.  Bravo isn't even trying to pretend that "The Fashion Show" is anything but.  I don't really understand when shows deliberately copy other shows.  Do we really need a Super Nanny and a Nanny 911?  Or America's Next Top Model and Make me a Super Model?  The list goes on and on.

Isaac Mizrahi will be co-hosting the show with Kelly Rowland. (yes, I said Kelly Rowland.  As in Destiny's Child.  I know weird, right?)  They will also sharing judging responsibilities with the Senior VP of IMG Fashion.

The verdict is still out though.  Isaac Mizrahi always makes for good/obnoxious fashion TV, so we will have to see.  Also the move to Lifetime might be enough to kill Runway.  What do you think?  Will The Fashion Show = Project Runway? 

Kenley, Kenley, Kenley

 I always believed in my heart that Kenley Collins (finalist on last year's Project  Runway) was crazy.  And I don't think I was alone in that thought.  Now we have real proof!  Read This.   That is right people...she was charged with assault for, among other things, throwing her cat at her fiance!!! Something tells me that a happy marriage is not in the cards for those two.

 Domestic Violence is not funny...but you have to admit it is kind of funny when the weapon of choice is the family pet (please cat lovers, I already know I am evil, do not send hate mail).  I find secret satisfaction in this because I really disliked Kenley during the show (i.e. I would have thrown a cat at her if I had the option). The woman drove me nuts.

This does not bode well for Kenley's career.  She isn't established enough to be seen as eccentric.   Though she has some really innovative ideas, she will now forever be known as the crazy lady from Runway.  Love it.

Oscar Fashion

I know, I know...I am very late with my Academy Awards post, but I was barely home from my trip in time to watch the show, let alone blog about it.  Now that I am caught up with life I have time.  First I have to say I think this was my favorite Academy Awards show ever!  I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed the actual awards show that much.  I especially loved how past award winners came out and acknowledged each of the nominated stars for the big four awards.  That night it was truly an honor to be nominated.  

Vanillaa was the color of the evening.  I was quite surprised that there was so much cream and white, but I also have to say that I really liked a lot of the gowns.  My favorite of the night was Taraji P. Henson.  In case you didn't know, she played the mom in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.   She looked amazing in her Roberto Cavalli dress.  I loved the layers and feathery texture.  Plus it fit her body like a glove. 

Anne Hathaway blew me away that night.  Not only did she look amazing in her Armani Prive dress, but she sang for the first time (at least the first time I know of) on stage!  Talk about guts.  I wasn't sure how I felt about the dress at first, but at a closer look, the details are amazing!

There were others that I enjoyed, but this post cannot be forever long...need to move on to the extremely questionable choices.

Case #1: Beyonce. What was she thinking? She has a beautiful body with amazing curves...why do this to yourself??

Kate Winslet. Okay...I know it wasn't that bad, right? Except I expect better of her.  She has made some really good fashion decisions recently, so I assumed she would go all out for this occasion.  Apparently not.  This dress was not impressive.

Okay...and I have to ask...does anyone else think that Sarah Jessica Parker could be pregnant?  This isn't a "bump watch" or anything, but her chest looked MUCH larger than usual.  The only time that I have seen her boobs look that big was when James Wilkie was about to be born.  You tell me: Amazing push-up bra or preggers? 

 

 

Oscar Fashion

I know, I know...I am very late with my Academy Awards post, but I was barely home from my trip in time to watch the show, let alone blog about it.  Now that I am caught up with life I have time.  First I have to say I think this was my favorite Academy Awards show ever!  I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed the actual awards show that much.  I especially loved how past award winners came out and acknowledged each of the nominated stars for the big four awards.  That night it was truly an honor to be nominated.  

Vanillaa was the color of the evening.  I was quite surprised that there was so much cream and white, but I also have to say that I really liked a lot of the gowns.  My favorite of the night was Taraji P. Henson.  In case you didn't know, she played the mom in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.   She looked amazing in her Roberto Cavalli dress.  I loved the layers and feathery texture.  Plus it fit her body like a glove. 

 

Anne Hathaway blew me away that night.  Not only did she look amazing in her Armani Prive dress, but she sang for the first time (at least the first time I know of) on stage!  Talk about guts.  I wasn't sure how I felt about the dress at first, but at a closer look, the details are amazing!

There were others that I enjoyed, but this post cannot be forever long...need to move on to the extremely questionable choices.

Case #1: Beyonce. What was she thinking? She has a beautiful body with amazing curves...why do this to yourself??

Kate Winslet. Okay...I know it wasn't that bad, right? Except I expect better of her.  She has made some really good fashion decisions recently, so I assumed she would go all out for this occasion.  Apparently not.  This dress was not impressive.

Okay...and I have to ask...does anyone else think that Sarah Jessica Parker could be pregnant?  This isn't a "bump watch" or anything, but her chest looked MUCH larger than usual.  The only time that I have seen her boobs look that big was when James Wilkie was about to be born.  You tell me: Amazing push-up bra or preggers? 

 

 

Jeans

Find a good pair of jeans can be a nightmare of a process, but once you have found a pair that works it is a tremendous blessing!  I love jeans.  I am fortunate to work in a casual setting so jeans are a wardrobe staple for me. 

Right now I am really liking two pairs:  First, J Brand's bell bottom jean.  They fit really well and give the wider opening at the bottom without making the leg look too wide.  They come in a few different colors...though I am usually a dark wash girl.

I am also loving the "Paigeaholic" by Paige Premium Denim.  They were inspired by the book/upcoming movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic and adorable.  I do not own these but I need to find them soon so that I can add them to my collection by summer!  

Inauguration Fashion

Yesterday was pretty amazing.  The starting of a new presidential administration is always monumental, but yesterday was also historical.  I felt very fortunate to witness the event.  I also felt giddy with anticipation waiting to see what designers were being worn.

Hollywood came out in full force so there are plenty of dresses to talk about; however, this post will focus on the first lady and Dr. Biden. 

I love, love, love the coat Michell Obama wore for the inauguration ceremony.  Designed by Isabel Toledo it was fresh, cheerful, and elegant.  I wasn't crazy about the skirt being the same flashy material, but she complimented the outfit perfectly with the gloves and green shoes. 

I personally think Jill Biden looked great.  I know some people had a problem with the shorter skirt and knee-high boots, but personally I thought she rocked it.  I can only hope that I look that good in my fifties.  And if I do you better believe I will be wearing clothes like that.  Come on, it wasn't slutty...it was just above the knee! 

I can only imagine the tremendous pressure to pick the right gown for the balls that night.  Not only are millions and millions of people waiting to  judge  see you, but when you are attending fourteen parties the dress better be comfortable.  

I thought Jill Biden, once again, looked great in red.  She wore a strapless Reem Acra gown that showed off her toned upper body.  The cut of the dress allowed her to show off her physique while still looking classy and feminine. 

 

I know some people are going to hate what I am about to say, but...I have to be honest.  I did not like Michelle Obama's dress.  I should clarify.  I really liked the dress itself.  Jason Wu designed an absolutely beautiful ball gown. I loved the fabric choice, loved the texture, and loved the way it flowed.  However, I don't believe it was the best choice for her figure.  Our first lady is extremely tall and has an athletic build.  I think dressing that build must be difficult.  I didn't like the way the top of the dress fit her (it allowed her to look wider than I think she is) and I think it would have fit her better if it either had two straps or was strapless. 

Either way, she looked extremely happy with her choice and with her date!

   

 

Golden Globes 2009

I love award season!  If not for any reason other than getting to  judge watch stars as they walk the red carpet.  The Golden Globes this year was no exception.  There seemed to be a buzz of excitement in the air...I think missing it last year brought a whole new appreciation for it.  At the very least the stars seemed happier.  Most likely due to their ability to get up and move around easily during commercial breaks (as opposed to being seated in a theater) to socialize.  Well that and the drinks.

I must say that I love love loved some of the fashion I saw last night and was really disappointed by some others.  Why do people wear dresses that do not fit them?? And why does their entourage tell them it looks good?  In my opinion: if you want to keep your job be honest...do not let me embarrass myself in front of millions! There were some people that showed up in what looked like costumes (Marisa Tomei) or wall paper (Glenn Close), but sadly I didn't have much faith in them to begin with so I will not talk about them in-depth. 

Those that I loved:

I thought Angelina Jolie looked wonderful! She was wearing Versace Atelier. 

I liked what I saw on Evan Rachel Wood.  It was age appropriate and she wore the black without looking dark.  Breaking up with Marilyn Manson has been good to her.  She was rocking Elie Saab.

Eva Mendes looked wonderful in Dior.  Dior just knows how to do glamour.  I also loved how she used her jewelry for a pop of color.

Olivia Wilde was the only one I saw to really pull off the light color.  Many women wore white and wore it well...but I wasn't crazy about some of the other colored dresses.  This dress is by Reem Acra and looks great on her.  She kept her jewelry and hair simple which was exactly what the dress called for.

On to those I did not care for...

Ladies-- I am sorry you do NOT have difficult bodies to dress.  So why are you wearing dresses that do not fit you??  Both Beyonce and Blake Lively are wearing dresses that are at least two sizes too small for them!


Demi Moore wore Dior...what was I just saying about Dior and glamour?? I don't think this dress does anything for her body (and she has a great one...no need to ruin it!)



Some people liked this dress.  I just wasn't crazy about it.  It felt too busy or something.  Granted there were some who were way more offensive, but I expected better from her. 




Drew Barrymore was wearing Dior Haute Couture by John Galliano.  And I actually do not mind the dress.  It's the hair.  The hair is extremely offensive.




There are no words Laura Dern.  There are no words.

Happy New Year: Welcome 2009!

Wishing you a blessed 2009…Happy New Year!