Holiday Time

I was just sitting here racking my brain for something holiday-ish to post about. Maybe decorating for the holidays, dressing for the holidays....
then my Outlook chimed that a new message arrived.
I simply have to share this joke with you and wish you a happy Friday!

Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates.
"In honor of this holy season" Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven.

"The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on.
"It represents a candle", he said.
"You may pass through the pearly gates" Saint Peter said.

The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys.He shook them and said, "They're bells."
Saint Peter said "You may pass through the pearly gates".

The third man started searching desperately through his pockets andfinally pulled out a pair of women's panties.
St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, "And just what do those symbolize?"
The man replied, "These are Carols."
And So The Christmas Season Begins......
(thanks for the joke, Julie - you made my job easier today!)

Snap!

I joined the new hairless craze! Well, not completely. I am starting with my underarms to see how it goes. So far, so good. I survived!
Some of my visits to the med spa have left me a little woozy. Remember the Botox incident? (see prior blogs for details - I'm not reliving it again for you)

The laser hair removal was a SNAP! Seriously. Like a very quick, tiny hot snap. Then the laser-thingy got really cold to relieve the treated area, so all was good.
It took about 15 minutes to do both underarms and then I was outta there to run my other errands. Easy peasy.
I'm a huge baby when it comes to pain, so believe me when I tell you that this is no big deal. If you've been wanting to try but didn't know what to expect...well, now you know.
I may even get adventurous and try the bikini area next!

Becoming Redundant

A new home-party type beauty biz is creeping across the country. I came across it at the event I visited last week in Miami.

BECOME is a brand of skin care boasting "age resistant" products, developed in Australia and selling world-wide.
You host a "home clinic" instead of a "home party".
The marketing is done well and the packaging is beautiful.

There is no make up to this line. Strictly skin-care.
Hydrating serums, cleansers, body wash, etc.
I respect that aspect. They aren't trying to do everything. They are focusing on a more specific need and trying to be the best.
However, the multi-product sample packet was suspiciously similar to that of an Arbonne sampler. I don't have patience for a 4-6 step skin routine at morning and night, and the tiny packets all attached together...trying to rip them open once my hands were wet, some spilling because they were liquid...ugh...I made a mess. I'm more of a two-step gal, sadly. Then I cheat with a little Botox later. Hey...I'm not saying it's the right way...it's simply my way.

It seems the ladies we met in Miami are on the ground-floor of this new-to-the-USA product line. It was great to talk to them and hear their excitement. I love hearing women talk about something they are passionate about.
There is no telling how long this will take to spread to our beloved Midwest, but if the excitement of those ladies is contagious, it won't take as long as fashion typically takes.

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to our two winners of the "Refer A Friend" contest:
Jennifer R., of Overland Park, referred Jen G., of Shawnee, (which makes it easy on me for remembering names)
and they both won the following prize package:
~Zeno acne eliminating device donated by Aestheticare Med Spa, retails at $175!
~A first-time massage at Massage Envy, $39.
~Two admission tickets to the February Haute Market shopping party!
Each of them scores that great prize pack worth over $200 each!

Now for some buzz:
Have you seen the new kid in town...at Macy's?
Jenni by Jennifer Moore is the cutest and most comfortable line of intimates that I've tried in a long time. I love these cute hipsters (no that's not me). Just $7.50 each or 4 for $19.98 at Macys.com.

Long-sleeved thermal Henly on sale for just $14.99 and the comfortable terry-knit sleep pants only $11.99! I can't believe the prices for this comfortable line of goodies.

Important Event Notes

Some quick reminders on this happy Monday!

Today is the last day to get entries to the "refer a friend" contest.
Check out this prior blog for complete info.
Prize package worth over $200 each - two winners! Winners will be announced in the Gift Guide email out tomorrow, Tuesday.

Tuesday, Nov. 27th, is the last day to buy tickets online for the Dec. 4th VIP Holiday Shopping party where guests will enjoy 25% off everything in-stock from our designers at the event! Great last-minute gifts at great prices!!
Very few tickets left so get yours today.

This week I have some great product reviews, news about a new line of beauty products hitting the scene and more!
Make the Fashion 411 Blog your home page! Just click your Tools button at the top of the page, Internet Options and Use Current.
Stay in the know with Haute Market!

Shopmania

Are you sipping coffee and surfing the net after a long morning of shopping?
Me neither. At least, not the early shopping part.
Not that I haven't been awake for a while. Nothing like cramming a family of 5 into a little hotel room and having a noisy two year old who wakes at 5:30.

Nope, I'm not braving the cold to do shopping this early.
We only have shopping to do for the kids at this point. I shopped for my friends at the last Haute Market and off our gift guide last week. So nah nah...I'm almost done. ;)

If you need more shopping help, there will be 6 more great gift ideas in this upcoming Tuesday's newsletter as we feature PartII of the Holiday Gift Guide. I'll also keep reseaching to find great new fashions, deals and steals as always. I wouldn't want to let down my loyal fashionistas.

I'm signing off because the hotel pool opens at 7am and I have to get the little monster out of the hotel breakfast room before we're kicked out.

Cheers!

Sales and Silliness

The early bird gets the worm today. I just heard about a sale this Friday and I am SO mad that I won't be here for it!

Two Chic Blvd. is having a sale this Friday from 10am to 3pm and if you've not been there when there is a sale...trust me...you don't want to miss this.
It's not just clothes either. For the holidays they have stocked up on loads of gift items!
jennyLou Spa body butters and chill pill bath fizzies are currently available at their store and have discounted prices if you by multiples! Every gal on your list needs a body butter!
Girly Cocktails are a new line of drink mixes that you also need to pick up for your girlfriends.
Of course there are plenty of great new items for you, my pretty fashionistas. MEK jeans just arrived, great jackets with faux fur trim...all the rage this season, and so much more.
AND...Two Chic Blvd. has tickets for the Dec. 4th VIP shopping party. Get yours now. We're just about sold out here at Haute Market central.

Ok, now for the silliness...My Michelle has a new work out plan for you. Get some new shoes from Two Chic this Friday...make sure they have a decent heel height...then go walk about 5 miles. Helps if you pretend you're in South Beach. Of course you may stop to shop while on your work out. Guaranteed to make you burn the next day. Between the two of us, after walking like that, were were some hunka hunka burning loves the next day. Of course now we're back to being spoiled Midwest girls who walk no where and drive everywhere. Yes, even to the mail box occasionally. We sure have it easy here. :)

Cheers!

Fun Fashion from South Beach

We managed to do a little bit of shopping in South Beach last week and wanted to show off our favorites. Stumbling upon a fun little boutique turned out to be quite a good time. Especially when the sales clerk is a cute young man from some where in the Carribean telling you that you look great in everything you try on! And for some reason the store had two cages with the most adorable puppies inside. I guess it was bring your pet to work day.

Michelle found this great top that cinches slightly at the waist with a stylist black belt, buttons up the front and is the most amazing color of purple - "the color of the season" (our cute boy kept reminding us).

I found only this simple little shrug and upon asking what it was made of, our cute boy-clerk didn't miss a beat when he said "puppy". I thought I would pee my pants! So Cruella DeVille I must be, for I bought the "puppy shrug" and it was all I could do to not ask the rest of the cute internationals we encountered if they wanted to pet my puppy. Instead My Michelle and I giggled every time someone commented on it and asked what it was made of...laughing to the point of hysterics. And that was pretty much how the rest of the night went in South Beach.

And if you want to stay awake in order to party 'til dawn like the locals, I suggest a Cherry Bomb: a very large daiquiri glass filled with several shots of cherry vodka, Red Bull and probably some other stuff but I couldn't recall on account of being high on Red Bull. Dancing machine I was...sleepy I was not.

View more South Beach photos on our MySpace Page.
Cheers!

No Place Like Home!

Dorothy hit it on the nose with that one.
I am so glad to be home. Miami is nice in that the weather is gorgeous and the beach is amazing, but at lot of it I could do without.
The drivers are certifiably insane. Someone is always honking at another, running reds and cutting one another off. Makes getting anywhere such a feat, and a miracle to do it in one piece.

I love our clean streets, smooth roads and the gentle beep-beep someone does if I'm still day dreaming (or yelling at the kids) when the light turns green.

I will miss the warm sand and cool ocean breeze. That's for sure. The outdoor cafes are also something I'll miss. Walking down the sidewalk on Ocean Drive takes you, literally, thru the middle of the restaurant seating and right next to amazing displays of their delicious platters, all to tempt you to stop and enjoy.

Time did seem to move a little more slowly in South Beach. 10 minutes resting on the hammock felt like an hour.

The shopping in Miami was ok, but really nothing more than we can get here. The shopping party we attended was definitely a let down. I was hoping to get some great tips and ideas. I left with a bit of a swelled head because I was so happy to learn that Haute Market is definitely unique, chic and full of great vendors. We have it good here gals...in so many ways.

Check out the Haute Market MySpace page for more great pics. Remember to get the hottest ticket in town this week - the Dec. 4th Holiday VIP shopping party is about a dozen tickets away from being sold out!

Quick Hello!

Hey fashioinistas. We're hanging in the hotel room, watching the waves...and of course we're listening online to Mix93.com. I just IM'd the morning crew...did you hear them talking about us just a few minutes ago? Ha Ha. Even in South Beach people are talking about us.

We checked out another shopping party company last night. Dang KC gals...you've got it good with Haute Market. My Michelle and I are so excited to see that Haute Market is definitely classy, chic and has the BEST vendors ever!!! I bought two things last night...sad.

It's my birthday!!! Just a few minutes until we find a Starbucks then go get our massages. This massage place is on an island, smaller than what we're on now. Can't wait! Massages pool side, Watsu pools...yum yum.

I can't say that there is a lot of fashion to report so far. The legs are long and the skirts are short. Except for this guy.....

Mi Miami!

We're here, we're here! The beach is literally just a few paces out the back of our hotel. I have a feeling this is going to be a good trip my friends.
My Michelle is having a Bloody Mary and is so bloody tickled about it. That and all the hot bods jogging on the boardwalk right behind us!
I'm ready for shopping and lots of research so we can write off the trip and send you lots of fun photos.
Yikes...speaking of hot bods and photos...a photo shoot is going on right now and ooh la la....I can't concentrate enough to type. Gotta go.
Once our room is ready we'll get some photos downloaded for you.
Tonight we check out the big shopping party and tomorrow is massages and shopping.
Catch ya later Midwest gals!
This is your Miami Fashionista, signing out!

EDITED:
photo of the view from our room. Uh huh...that's the ocean out there!
And one very bad photo of us after rolling out of bed and getting on a plane for 3 hrs...but at least we have palm trees! :)

Countdown to Sand

Some days I just don't know what to blog about. Some days don't turn out to be fashionista days. Today is one of them...already. Too early for kids to be fighting, email to be crashing.
I'm going to have to focus on sand.
Usually I hate having sand all over me...right now I'm thinking of how good it would feel to lie down on the hot sand on Miami Beach.
After that, I'll stroll over to Ocean Drive and do some window shopping, maybe even slip in to a few boutiques and get so crazy that my credit card company calls to make sure someone didn't steal my card. :)
Ahhhh....now I'm feeling better. (note to self to bring extra credit card)
I've got the camera battery charged to take lots of photos and videos for you.
If I haven't tossed this damn laptop out the window, I'll have it with me to keep posting blogs this week and hopefully give you a peek at the Miami fashion scene.
I'm sure My Michelle (the detail guru) has her typed and printed list of what to pack, so I'm going to buzz her and see if I can copy that list.
I've got the mini bottles of X-Rated Fusion Vodka for making our on-plane drinks and toasting to my first girls' trip. So my job is done. :)
This is the KC Fashionista signing out from the Midwest. Next blog I'll be the Miami Fashionista!
Cheers!
(p.s. I have 35 tickets on me for the Dec. 4th event, available only thru online purchase. The vendors each started with 5, except Two Chic Blvd. who had 10. So check with them if you want to buy tickets other than online)

Tanked My Travel Toast

I am not a happy lush today. I've just read the list of permitted items for air travel and it looks like they are going to put the kabosh on my bringing a big bottle of champagne on the flight. Also on the list of no-no's is my sword, saber and cattle prod. Good to know.

The TSA has 86'd my plans for toasting my first girls trip until we reach Miami. The worst part is that now we have to schelp around to find someplace to get our goods. At least they'll probably have fresh orange juice.

Now what in the world does a midwest girl pack for South Beach? Thankfully I was in shopping mode all summer and picked up some great summer dresses when My Michelle and I went searching for deals at several end of summer sales. Those outfits with tags still on and shoes that have barely scuffed soles are doing dances in my closet knowing they'll be on the beach in just a few days.

Hey chic chicks, post your travel tips right here on the blog. And if you know a great place we should visit while in Miami Beach, definitely let us know! I'm off to my friends at the Wine Bar & Lukas Liquor to get some mini bottles, because under 3oz is allowed. Yahoo! (oops, there's the yahoo-ing again).

TSA Prohibited Items List

On The Road Again

I don't get to travel a lot having such young kids, and I've NEVER been on a girls weekend. So I am totally thrilled to be going to Miami this week with My Michelle. (You know...the one who does all the work at the events so that I can have fun?) I have to refer to her as My Michelle, because one of my fave vendors is also a Michelle, Michelle of All Things Beaded, so when we talk about them behind their backs ;) we need to know who is who.
Anyway...

My Michelle and I are going to Miami this week to check out another party program - the one that inspired me to start Haute Market - and to celebrate my b-day.

My first girls weekend EVER and it's on the BEACH! Yahoo. Hmm...better stop with the yahoo-ing so it won't be so obvious that we're tourists from the Midwest. Probably will be obvious since I'll have no trace of a tan.

This week I am researching travel tips. All these new rules and regulations about what you can bring on the plane have me concerned. I need to know that we can bring our ingredients to make Mimosas. We're flying out at 7am and I think the occasion calls for a drink!

Feel free to post or email your travel tips here.
I can't wait to scope out all the Miami fashions and share them with you, my loyal fashionistas!

Sex, City and the Eco Bag

I still watch re-runs of Sex And The City as I anticipate the completion of the upcoming movie staring my 4 fave gals. While we wait, HBO can keep us busy shopping for memorabilia.

My chic NYC friend just sent me the link to this eco-friendly dry-cleaning bag with a Carrie-quote on it.
"I like my money where I can see it...hanging in my closet."
Amen sister. $29.99 at the HBO store online.

Remember we have the newsletter contest going on...over $400 in prizes await some lucky subscriber. Check below for Tuesday's blog post for info.

Safety Alert! Toy Recall

I won't usually post about toys and kids...but today it's very important. My kids begged for the Aqua Dots and thank goodness I refused because now they are being recalled around the world.

The news reports say that the product, made in China, allegedly has a coating that has been made with a very toxic chemical that can cause severe reactions in children if the pieces are injested.

Quoted from a report at MSNBC.com:
"Scientists say a chemical coating on the beads, when ingested, metabolizes into the so-called date rape drug gamma hydroxy butyrate. When eaten, the compound — made from common and easily available ingredients — can induce unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death."

Kids and pets...we all know they eat stupid things. Keep them safe.
Throw it deep into the trash today my friends. Don't risk it.

Who's Preggers?

This facination the media has with who is or isn't pregnant in Hollywood is slightly amuzing, but bordering on bordom.
Christina Aguilera just announced she's pregnant. Oh really? Duh CA. We could tell that from a mile away. Plus, remember your good friend, Paris, she announced it for you months ago at the late night party? So sorry if we didn't act surprised for you this week at your official announcement.

Then there is Jennifer Lopez still denying rumors. Honey...do you really need the media attention that badly that you need to string them along until you make an "official" announcement. Even your clothing designer is blabbing it all about town. Not to mention that your beautiful bump is totally showing.

Listen girls...flaunt it, show it and tell the whole world about it. Congratulations!

Photos by Jacob Andrzejczak/Getty Images

Sweeps Week

**EDITED TO EXTEND CONTEST!**
Everyone else has sweeps week, so we want in on the fun.

It's CONTEST TIME! We want to be the biggest and the best and we need your help. Please share the Haute Market newsletter with all your friends and co-workers. You could be well rewarded.

Win a FREE *massage and a Zeno zit-zapper, one for you and one for a friend!
Plus two free tickets EACH to the Feb. 10th shopping party.
That's a prize package worth over $200 for each of you!
Here is how it works:
Open the newsletter that we send every Tuesday.
Click the link at the bottom to Forward To A Friend. Send to all the chic chicks in your address book and tell them to sign up for our fabulous weekly newsletter and to put YOUR NAME down as the "how did you hear about us".
It must be your first and last name.
For every person that signs up, referred by you, you get an entry to the drawing.
If you win, we'll pick one of the people that you referred and she wins too.

Get it? Spread the Haute word and you could win. It's that easy! We'll draw the winners next week and announce it in the Gift Guide newsletter coming out Tuesday, the 27th!

Remember, your friends must list your name in the "how did you hear about us" field of our sign up form online.

Special thanks to Aestheticare Med Spa for the Zeno Acne Clearing Devices and to Massage Envy for the massages!
*Massage certificate value=$39. One hr massage for new customer is $39. Winner is responsible for any taxes and gratuity.

Looking Picture Perfect

Not to brag, but a lot of my friends thought I looked really great on my recent TV interview. I take no credit for that. It was my make up artist, Staci Broski. She's amazingly talented.
One little trick she used on me that day was fake eyelashes. They were so awesome! I'm sure that close up I looked like I had a tarantula on my eye...it sort of felt like it too.

I found some individual lashes that might be a good start for novices like myself. Ardell Duralash at drugstore.com, and they are on sale with free shipping. Not bad! They have some good reviews, even from a KC local. I think I'll give these a try for my upcoming photo shoot. Let me know if you've tried them and what your thoughts are!

Finally Friday

This is definitely the busy season and if you're looking for some great shopping, it's everywhere. I'm exhausted looking at the event calendars of all my Haute Market vendor friends. Some of those crazy gals are doing two shows a DAY! Nutty!

I'll be hanging out at church tomorrow. Well, I'm hoping for holiness by association, actually. There is a craft show at Trinity Lutheran Church, 7740 hedge Lane Terr, in Shawnee, tomorrow from 10-3. I'll be there with December event tickets on hand should you want to swing by and get a few for you and the gal pals.

Several of my vendors are in the Ladies of Charity sale going on at the Ritz Charles. Mandy's Way, All Things Beaded...I know those two are there and have December event tickets with them too.

Have a great Friday everyone! :)

Shop for Safehome

There is another great shopping event on the horizon.
Shop in Overland Park tonight from 5-9pm. Enjoy refreshments, massages, and of course, fantastic shopping. Many Haute Market vendors will be there selling there wares so get there early to grab your favorite things.

This mega trunk show takes place inside the Holy Spirit Catholic Church – St. Elizabeth Hall, on 103rd between Quivira Rd. and H-69. (map)
There will also be some great raffle items and the proceeds from this evenings event will benefit the Keeler Women's Center and SafeHome.

Hope to see you there!