Lunch-time lift anyone?

In this give-it-to-me-now age of speedy drive-thru's from everything like lunch to coffee to meds...could drive through face-lifts be far off? The lunch-time lift is as common as actually eating during lunch time used to be.
"Would you like ketchup or topical anesthetic with that mam?"

I can visualize a Starbucks-ish corner location with mini-vans lined up as far as the street and local authorities can handle.
"I'll take the number 11 please"
No, that's not a big-mac, it eliminates the "elevens" between the eyebrows.
And it can be done at drive-thru speed. I've been in and out in under 20 minutes for a Botox refresher between the brows. Still had time for the burger and fries.

So why not do it drive-thru style? I could drive up, lay my seat back so that the esthetician can sit in the seat behind me, administer and shoot off to the next car in line. They could partner with a local sandwich shop and take my order while I'm being pricked, then I pay at the next window and pick up my lunch. I think it's genius! You read it here first fashionistas. No more choosing lunch versus lift. You can have your cake and eat it too!

To do, or not-to-do...

In reviewing the sick amount of money we wasted over the weekend, I thought a to-do and to-not-do would be good for this Monday morning.

My not-to-do:
Our family visited the Kc Renaissance Fest. Had it not taken almost 30 minutes to get there, park and walk 1/2 mile to the gates I would have demanded we leave when I saw it was nearly $18 for an adult to get in. So for all 5 of us (one was under age limit and didn't have to pay) was just over $50. That includes nothing. Just the privelege of walking around. Then we dropped another $60-70 on drinks and snacks, a few games for the kids. I mean really....I could see paying a tenner to get in. But $18?
So I could have bought advance tickets for a few bucks less. If I'd tried that we would not have gone in the first place.

So, sad to say...the Ren Fest did not live up to expectations and show value for our $100+ 4 hours. We only stayed that long because I refused to not walk every path in search of something worth seeing.
I'm sorry to bag on such a KC tradition...but there has to be value equal to the amount one pays to attend.

Other things going on to put on your to-do list:
Monday, Oct. 4th - Complete Your Sytle, Complete your Look .
Caleb's Lighthouse, A Sea of Beads:
Local jewelry designers will be able to assist you in designing the latest trends in jewelry
Bring in an outfit we can help you accessorize..you can make the jewelry yourself in the bead boutique or we will custom design a piece of fabulous jewelry for you.
Handcrafted, one-of-a-kind necklaces,bracelets and earings made by local jewelry designers are always available.
We have the best Bead Bar in Town..come in for a Bead-a-lini Happy Hour 5-7pm.
jewelry making all day long.

Damage Control

I have decided that I should take my role as a responsible member of the media in a more serious manner (yeah, whatever) because it's possible that things I say/write, could be taken too literally (by an eegit).
In some cases, things I have said or done have been taken quite seriously so I'm going to make sure I'm careful about my rantings. Case in point...my dear husband. He's a bit of a male fashionisto. He's quite on top of the men's trends, brands and such. And, apparently, he occasionally listens to me. He commented this morning that he's now finding himself checking out the handbags of his female co-workers, trying to see if the C's on the Coach bags line up on the seams (real) or if they just cut off and start at a new place on the pattern (fake).

Unfortunately most of them are fake. Which in a way, is nice, because he realizes my rantings were not unfounded, that we are truly dealing with a knock-off epidemic in our area. So...girls in the communications company campus (I feel I shouldn't put the co. name here)....you are hereby put on notice, because you are being noticed.

To all of you out there....if you can't afford the real thing, don't buy the fake. There are some fabulously cute bags at Target right now that would do more for your personal styling efforts. Except for my one friend who simply bought hers because it's very cute and colorful and she doesn't give a damn what I say about it....you go girl. ;)

Pedi's and Printz

There are some editors and photographers who choose to endure fashion week the easy way. .. with sneakers and otherwise comfortable, but not fashionable, shoes.
I chose the blistering, painful route of stilettos and platform sandals. Yet this fashion season I was spared the pain because of my new found love....Printz. Of course I also indulged in the ritual of my mid-fashion week massage (Hey, I'm a suburbian. We don't walk, we drive our minivans. I needed a pick-me-up).
In addition to the massage that helped my screaming calves, the Printz shoe pads by Apara saved the day, for 5 days in a row, through 9 pair of shoes.

These little pads are perfect comfort for the feet. I could not have paraded around the tents without them. I tried, the first day. I don't know if I was rushed and forgot the Printz or what. It was horrible. I had to soak my feet in ice cold water when I finally limped back to the hotel room. From then on I had Printz in my shoes and an extra pair in my Prada.

I get my Printz at the local DSW. Two pair per cute little purse shaped box. Also available at select stores online.

The Emmy Ladies (and their dresses!)

Sunday night should be a night of relaxation as you recharge for the work-week. Not for me. I spend it fast-forwarding through the speeches and stupid skits (had to tivo some of the show to play "mommy" before getting back to fantasy-fashionista land) so that I can dissect the dresses of the evening.

Wow! Glamour abounds at the Emmy's. So many beautiful looks and so little time to talk about them.

One of my favorite gowns was the Carolina Herrera worn by Jennifer Love Hewitt. She was bagged on in another blog this morning for this white gown with braided black lines. I thought the gown was stunning, it was her hair that was anything but fierce. Looked more like she'd just had a romp in the hay, if you catch my drift. (photo 2008 Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com)



Christina Applegate was absolutely lovely in this one-shoulder, draped blue and gold dress from the Reem Acra Spring 2009. She looked radiant and full of health considering her recent cancer scare. (photo 2008 Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com)

I think I lost track of Heidi Klum's gowns. I believe she wore eight throughout the evening, but I could be mistaken.

Sandra Oh was another lady of the evening with a dress to die for. Her Oscar de la Renta was a masterpiece of lace. Very classy.

I love the new sleek bob on Kate Walsh (Private Practice). On stage her dress didn't look nearly as stunning as it did outside in the daylight. The mermaid looking gown was created by Zuhair Murad.

Definitely a night of stars and stunning gowns!

Fab Friday Friends Contest

How many friends do you have? Not many? Yeah...me neither. But pretend if you must because you need to tell all the women you know about Haute Market's fabulous weekly newsletter, fashion and beauty articles, and amazing shopping parties.

Refer a friend week!
Send the newsletter to your friends. For each one that subscribes and lists your first and last name as the referrer, you both get entered into the contest to win gift certificates to American Laser Center in Lee's Summit, MO. One for you ($500) and one for a friend ($450).

How?
Open the most recent newsletter we sent to you. Click on the Forward Email link at the bottom. Send to all of your friends and make sure you include a note that they must list you, by first and last name, as the referrer. You get an entry for each litsed referral and that friend also goes into the contest.

This contest ends Friday, Sept. 26th at 12:00 pm CST.

More prizes coming with more chances to win. Share the love and maybe even a prize package!

Shop for a Cause

If you love shopping, you won't want to miss Macy's annual Shop For A Cause on Saturday, September 20th. For just $5, you can purchase a one-day shopping pass good at any area Macy's.

The Shop For A Cause pass entitles you to save 20% off regular, sale, and clearance priced apparel, jewelry, houseware, and technology items. You can also save 10% off regular and sale priced furniture, mattresses, and rugs.

To purchase your all day shopping pass in the KC area, please contact Michele Pfeiffer at mpfeiffer@safehome-ks.org or 913-378-1512. One hundred percent of the tickets sold by SAFEHOME will benefit victims of domestic violence in our community.Click Here To Learn More About This Shopping Event

Binging at Bloomies

My recent trip to Fashion Week proved to be a much more successful shopping excursion than my last season trip. Now that I've "been there done that" I learned how to carve time out of the busy catwalk schedule to get in some much needed NYC shopping.

After lusting after my friends DVF dress I decided I MUST have one. I was on a mission and on my way to Bloomingdales. I fell in love with this Diane Von Furstenberg "Olivier" dress. Cap sleeve, all over negative floral printed wrap dress. Shoulder and sleeve in lace detail throughout. A-line skirt. $365 at Bloomingdales. A bit of a binge shopping trip indeed.

Then I stopped by the MAC cosmetics area for some number 33's. Lashes that is. I was fixed right up and ready to go. Changed into my new dress, killer heels and lusty eyes and marched myself down into the subway and back to Bryant Park. I even have my own Metro Pass. New York is growing on me Toto. This Dorothy may go back to Kansas kicking and screaming.

Save the Date

As Haute Market is based in the Kansas City area, I like to post some of the great events happening in the metro.
Here are a few things to jot down on your calendar:

Plaza Art Fair, September 19th, 20th & 21st.
I'm reminded of my anniversary each autumn, not usually because I simply remember, but because I got married the weekend they held the Plaza Art Fair. This three day affair is always a delight as top artists from around the country set up their tents and show off their creations.

While beautiful alone, the visual arts aren’t the only treat for the senses. The culinary, musical, and interactive arts also delight art fair attendees. With delicious food, wonderful music and interactive art experiences for all ages, something fantastic is awaiting discovery around every corner.
Friday 5pm to 10pm
Saturday 10am to 10pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm

Kansas City Week of Fashion - Oct. 2-9, 2008
A week of fashion related events all over the metro area. From Overland Park, to Raymore to the Crossroads District, there is fashion everywhere in our fair city. Includes Wearhaus's first Thursday trunk show at the Velvet Dog downtown Oct. 2 and the Haute Market shopping party and fall trends fashion show oct. 9.

Fashion Week Wraps

Fashion Week is soon coming to a close but not until this day filled with fabulous fashion shows is through.
Right about now people are shoving their way into the Tent to watch the final three of Project Runway show their latest collections in hopes of winning the competition.

Also on board for today:
Carmen Marc Valvo, The Tent (2:00PM)
Carmen Marc Valvo lifestyle collection boasts fierce femininity for every age and famed tailoring offered in everything from evening wear to sportswear to swim to sunglasses and lingerie.
Expected celebrities to attend: Emmy Rossum, Vanessa Williams, Jaime King, Tamara Tunie, Leven Rambin, Laura Bell Bundy.

Also at 2pm in an off-site location on Greenwich Street is Donna Karan's Spring/Summer '09 collection.

A star studded affair at 4pm.
Badgley Mischa, The Promenade.
Celebrities expected to attend: Brooke Shields, Heather Graham, Molly Sims, Danity Kane, Amanda Beard (Olympic Gold Medalist), Nastia Liukin (Olympic Gold Medalist), Carmelo Anthony (Olympic Gold Medalist), Emma Stone, Amy Grant, Jason Biggs, Jamee Gregory, Ivana Trump, Nathalie Kaplan, Cornelia Guest, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Ramona Singer, Kelly Bensimon, Nina Griscom, Nathalie Kaplan, Carol Mack, Naty Abascal and Tinsley Mortimer.

Fashion Followers

A few more celeb sightings for your Thursday morning...
Mary Kate Olsen attends the Rock and Republic show at the Tent in Bryant Park - actually smiling several times and appearing to be enjoying herself with seatmates Jessica Szohr and Chace Crawford. Loads of the young and hip looked on as R&R put on another fabulous runway fete. Of course the cell phones were passed around and the cool kids laughed about some unknown text joke, but otherwise they were perfectly well mannered.

Also in attendance was hottie Robert Buckley from the hit show Lipstick Jungle. I'm sorry I missed that sighting!

Fashion Week: Celebrity Sightings

If you've ever seen the paparazzi stalking around for celebrities, you know it's an eerie feeling. They were everywhere at New York Fashion Week just waiting for any celeb to come their way. Inside the tents it wasn't quite so bad, but you definitely knew when an A-lister was in the house because the place lit up with camera flashes like the fourth of July for about 60 seconds.

The Haute Market team made several sightings to share with you, but managed to do it from afar instead of the in-your-face treatment the starts usually get.

From left to right:

1-Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. (photo by J. Robert Schraeder)

2-Me with Jack Mackenroth, known for his too-short stay on Project Runway. What you may not know is that he is an All American swimmer. Hence the great bod. (more about Jack later)
3- Nina Garcia was kind enough to stop for a quick pic with me. Love her turquoise gems!

More coming in the coming days!

Box, Jab, Lose That Flab

Haute Market has partnered with Title Boxing Club here in KC to find out what the talk is all about. Be trained by "real" boxing and kick-boxing professionals and benefit from their real-life experience, not by someone who's read about it.

And how can a diva resist when they offer PINK boxing gloves?!? I might even get off my arse and give it a kick. Don't worry, we would definitely video tape the experience, if it actually occurs, so you could all have a good laugh! I think we should organize a lovely bitch-fight in their 18 x 18 ring and see what happens. New Haute Market event maybe? Hmmm...maybe not.

In just a few short weeks Title Boxing Club will open a bigger and better Overland Park, KS location since they have already become so popular and outgrown the original. Also located in Lee's Summit, Missouri!

Go get your gloves on girls. Get fit! Get a TITLE body.

Fashion Week Update

Happy Monday morning! It's mild and NOT raining in NYC today so I'm pleased as punch to get on over to the tents and see what other fabulous frocks will be sent down the runways.

Yesterday I spent some girlfriend time with my best friend who flew in to join me for a few days. We found 5th avenue and our budgets went to hell in a hand basket faster than you can say Prada. Speaking of which...it was my first time in Prada and I absolutely fell in love. All of those beautiful bags lined up and waiting for me to take them home...it was too much excitement for me. I couldn't decide as I loved almost all of them, so bought my favorite perfume for now. I'll be back Prada. Don't you worry.

Bag Borrow or Steal (who have changed their name to Avelle) gave me a fabulous bag to carry around at fashion week. I didn't know what bag they were sending over, so it was a major surprise to find this limited edition Louis Vuitton waiting for me at my hotel!

This Louis Vuitton 'Graduate' Monogram Jokes Tote is emblazoned with jokes dear to Richard Prince, the Graduate bag represents the essence of this artist from New York. Features a combination of acid colors and monogram canvas with karung snakeskin trim.

Thank you friends at Bag Borrow or Steal for lending me an amazing bag for my fashion week trip! I loved the surprise and definitely love the bag.

Keep checking back for fabulous fashion updates on the blog all week. Great news and trends will be seen on the newsletter tomorrow morning. Make sure you are subscribed!

Fab Friday in the Big Apple

Good morning fashionistas! I'm checking in from the tents at Bryant Park where it's been back to back shows for the last three hours. Fabulous collection, as always, from my man Max and BCBGMAXAZRIA. Soft silhouettes and flowing fabrics. I love the loose fitting fabrics that will be forgiving. Bright fuchsia, teal and more graced the runway.

I'd love to tell you more but we must get in line for the Duckie Brown show. Rumor has it that Brad Pitt may be sitting front row. It's not just the clothes at fashion week!

NYC Ready!

Today is the day. Finally I'm off to New York Fashion Week again. It's Spring '09 at fashion week and the tents at Bryant Park will be hopping.

It's packing day right here at fashionista central. I have a dilemma. Do I stuff it all in one suitcase and risk having to pay extra for being over the weight limit, or just bring a second bag and pay extra for that, not having to squash everything? The added bonus of an extra bag is possibly having room for all the goodies I'll score on my shopping excursions. Also, as I'm staying with a friend for a few days and she has a 4th floor walk up. Yes, this means no elevator. All stairs. This is common in New York. It's foreign in my world. I'm not sure I can walk four flights with my handbag in tow, let alone two pieces of luggage. Oh, scratch that. Three pieces of luggage. I also have a carry on. Cripes!

While I ponder my possibilities I'll share with you a morning funny....
My husband and eldest boy came downstairs with curious looks on their faces.
"Mom, why do you need 8 pair of shoes if you're only there for 5 days?" (eight...what happened to the other two?!?)
Eight years old and already perplexed by the female species. Men, they just don't get it. Good thing they didn't notice the 4 or 5 handbags packed in there. And we won't event start with the outfits. Two per day at least! I love New York!!!

Brrrrr....

Fall (or possibly winter) just hit here in the Kansas City area. If it weren't raining I'd be a bit more excited. I love fall because it's just the right weather for wearing some layers and fabulous jackets. I've scored three fabulous jackets in the past week!

This khaki cropped trench by Fillmore was a huge diva deal for me as I picked it up for such a pittance at the huge Deegies Carma sale. Last time I was in, they had just one left, but there are several places online that carry it.
The photo shows the tie in the back. I prefer it in front, but either way, it accentuates the waist and gives you better shape.

Unfortunately the weather in NYC is supposed to be warm this week for Fashion Week. But that just means I have more room to pack handbags and shoes without all my jackets hogging the luggage space!

Shoe Whore Strikes Again

Shoe shopping is one of my new favorite hobbies. It gets slightly out of control at times, and we need to extend the house in order to make a larger closet, but it's all in the good name of fashion. A few of my recent finds:

Two Lips Two Lips Bitten Reptile Platform Sandal, mine are in all gray. $59.95 online at DSW.com, but mine were on sale in the store, I think it came to $20-30. These are a little bit tight fitting but well worth the wiggling to get into them. Ooh la la! Bakers has them online for $39.99 in brown. These will look hot with so many of my planned fashion week outfits that I can't decide which to pair them with!



Madden Girl's Lyisa Menswear Print Platform, just $39.95 at DSW. The purple colors follow the fall fashion trends and give a bit of oomph to an otherwise plain-ish black dress I'll wear them with. Patterened fabric upper, covered high heel and low platform, Also in a blue/brown/green version. I found them elsewhere on the web, but non as low priced as DSW. Zappos.com is $58, endless.com is $49.95.