New Blog Location

The blog has moved to my Haute Weekly site. New and IMPROVED!

Please come visit http://www.hauteweekly.com/ to read our fabulous articles about fashion and beauty, and to visit our new blog home.

I hope you will love it!

Get your fringe on

I am loving the fringe trimmed dresses for spring. Just not sure I have an occassion to wear it. So we've take the fringe trend to handbags to find some affordable options in great styles.

View more here: http://www.hauteweekly.com/artman2/publish/fashion/Haute_Trend_For_Less_Fringe_Handbag.shtml

Watch Haute Market LIVE!

Haute Market shopping party is just a half day away and I've finally (I think) figured out this web streaming stuff. Old dog, new tricks.

Watch the event via our live streaming web cam Sunday, Feb. 21st from 1 to 3pm central time.

Honestly, I'm not sure what will happen. Hopefully we'll interview some fashionistas, spot great styles and maybe even get a few to confess their fashion sins. You know out of a room of hundreds of women, someone wears a scrunchie, or beige hose, or crocs.

Tune and and let's have some fun!

Have you ever had to trash a pair nice pants after catching them in your shoes and tearing them?
It's not a happy thing.

SmartyPants has the fix.
Delivering a style-savvy, innovative and easy-to-use solution that helps women look and feel their best is at the core of the SmartyPants mission.


Adhere the SmartyPants strips to your pant hem and cry no more for ruined pants. The clear SlickStrips that can be reused (if you choose), but don't forget to remove before laundering or dry cleaning. At just $14.95 for three, it's a great investment to save expensive pants!

Visit SmartyPants today!

Big thanks to SmartyPants for contributing a pack of strips for all the Haute Market goodies bags we'll be handing out this Sunday!

Fashion Week -spring trends

It's Fall Fashion Week in New York City but most of us are still feeling the smack down of the recent winter storms and can just barely manage looking at what's coming for spring.
As an attempt to inspire and give hope that spring will eventually arrive, here are a few of my faves from Spring 2010 fashion week are posted on the Haute Weekly facebook fan page

E.M.U.lator - the Emu Oil

Recently I was given a sample of E.M.U.lator, Emu Oil, by Giella.
I've only been using it about a week but I do like the way it feels on my skin and look forward to seeing improvements!

The 411 from E.M.U.lator creator Giella
Ingredients: Pure emu oil and Vitamin E oil

Price: $38.00 or $55.00 depending on the size 1/3 oz or 1 oz.

Benefits of Emu Oil
It is quickly and easily absorbed into the skin, rather than simply "sitting" on the top layer of your skin cells, as most other oils and lotions do. It travels deep in your epidermis.

Emu oil is
· non-comodogenic, so it will not clog pores or cause acne or other skin ailments
· anti-inflammatory as emu oil contains linolenic and oleic acids; the essential fatty acids your body needs to nourish its cells
· a deep, penetrative moisturizer; a cell nourishment with essential fatty acids
· helpful in combating the effects of the aging process. Research has shown that emu oil can thicken the skin, which reduces the appearance of aging. It also regenerates collagen which helps keep our skin supple, elastic and smooth.
· Healing. It can be used for scars, burns, arthritis, & muscle aches. In fact, many people use 100% pure emu oil for relief of symptoms related to numerous conditions, including eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, rheumatism, and hair loss.
It also helps soften stretch marks.

for more info:
www.twitter.com/giellacosmetics
www.blog.giella.com/
http://www.giella.com/

Surviving Fashion Week, Parties and Platforms

New York Fashion Week is just a few days away and every smart fashionista will have an arsenal of style survival tools.

My bag includes:

Foot Petals products.
This Stiletto Survival Kit: Tip Toes, Heavenly Heelz, Strappy Strips and Killer Kushionz, plus Sole Stopperz will help you strut safely on realway or runway and help preserve the soles of your new shoes.

These come in handy for a day of setting up and strolling around Haute Market shopping party and for braving the tents at Bryant Park.
On sale now!

Thanks to the generous contribution of Atkins Bars to the Haute Market goodie bags, I am addicted to the Endulge bars and need to buy them by the case.

I keep one or two in my purse for those times when I dash out the door to get to a meeting on time, or to catch the subway at fashion week. Quiets that rumble in your tummy in a sweet way!

Once my morning coffees are emptied (or after a long night of Fashion Week after parties) Green Machine by Naked juices helps me get my mojo back and stop me from dragging through the morning.

Yes, the green color is weird, and reading the label knowing you'll be drinking broccoli, spinach and other salad ingredients is a bit concerning...but trust me...it's my magic in a bottle!

Of course I have the beauty bag stocked full of face refreshers and eye brighteners...but that comes later.

Fashion Week Twitters

The latest 140 character bites about fashion week and our favorite designers:

Rachel Roy: "http://twitpic.com/11ysn5 - This is what is getting us through fittings- sugar and cafe! -RR"

InStyle: "Fashion Week Sneak Peek: BCBG, Max Azria and Herve Leger! http://ow.ly/14qjC"

BCBGMaxAzria: "The BCBG cast is confirmed & the run of show is done! Oh! Max Azria show music is done too! Now on 2 everything else! Gonna be a late night! "

MichaelAngelx: "Why are my martini's running out- sad"

Alice+Olivia: "http://twitpic.com/11jhki - @ricpipino creating hair looks for our show, model catching up on her reading"

Bryantparkhotel: Fashion Week and @BryantParkHotel Perfect together one last time. #NYFW. A few rooms still available

MalandrinoBuzz: "Preparing the show at the Chelsea Art Museum in NYC http://bit.ly/drjoIH #MalandrinoFW2010 "

leannemarshall: "Coordinating things for the show with our beauty sponsors (Zoya and Beauty Society) and Nine West! Getting excited for Feb. 14"

PERRYELLIScom: Morning followers! Exactly 1 week til our Fashion show! Can't believe it's the final week. Who's watching w/ us live thru the webcast? #NYFW

Spreading Hauteness to annoy

S0000....I am checking my stat stuff and finding out who links to me when I come across this forum of people who are a "downtown" crowd of Kansas City and who seem to adore bashing anything and anyone remotely involved with, living in or exuding suburbia. Specifically Johnson County and even our fun Haute Market event. The forum seems to be all about downtown and what is going on there with it's supposed revitalization and such. So of course many of the forum members bash Cordish, who even if they have good intentions, seem to always be the subject of bashing from all sides of the metro.

So to have my say in response to some of their posts:

~yes...the vendors going into the Garment District probably buy inventory according to what their market requests. They will probably still sell some of it at the GD because that's what people buy. I hate Ed Hardy attire and blinged shirts that say MOM (as if we couldn't tell) probably as much as you do...but it's not going away any sooner than the wife of your beloved mayor. ;)

~not everyone living in the 'burbs does so out of preference but more so to be near their job, have a large yard for their kids and schools without cops frisking at the doors.

I would love to have a downtown loft if I could afford about 4000 square feet of running space for my boys, had a job for both hubby and myself down there, and ease of getting to a Target, Hen House and Walgreens, not to mention a nice parking place. Oh, and I like grass and trees and having neighbor kids nearby.

Oh...and our streets were clear of snow before it was done snowing. ;)



Oh WAIT....I DID used to live in Midtown, park in an uncovered lot, walk next door to the bar or sit on my deck to listen to Ida belting out tunes from across the lot. Plus I got to watch the helicopters circle over as the cops went on a high speed chase through my 'hood. Gawd I miss that excitement.

Life in the 'burbs is easy. Doesn't mean we all drive suburbans and sit around gossiping while the kids are in school and our husbands work 12 hours a day.


~You're an idiot if you don't want suburbians to come to downtown to spend their money. Who cares what they wear. Can't be worse that when the future farmer teens walked around with their gigantic hats, boots and belt buckles. As long as they are spending money in our metro, I turn a blind fashion eye.


So I'm thinking of going downtown to walk the streets in my best suburbia get-up to shake hands and get to know all these haters and maybe even let them take a photo with me to show our solidarity from across the state line. ;) Or maybe I'll just drive in circles and wave out the minivan window and throw bon bons.

And hey....thanks for all the links from "rag". Helps my site rankings tremendously! And I do like your forum, by the way. Good to see someone supporting downtown.

Love and hugs from the 'burbs ~ Holly Hauteness

Private Handbag Sale

Avelle (the new Bag Borrow or Steal) has a different accessories sale each day this week!

Each day this week Avelle is holding an amazing one-day sale on something different.
Everything is guaranteed authentic and in like-new condition, with many styles even brand new. But hurry! Quantities are limited.
Remember, there is no public access to these sales.
Join the newsletter list today!

TUE FEB 2 ONLY
50% OFF BRAND NEW CHAMAK JEWELRY
A Private Sale special purchase – and another perfect Valentine'sDay gift. (Drop a hint now!)

WED FEB 3 ONLY
60% OFF BRAND NEW TREESJE HANDBAGS
Special purchase! Irresistible modern styling & gorgeous details. A rare opportunity to buy these luxe bags!

THU FEB 4
ONLY70% OFF SELECT PATENT LEATHER HANDBAGS
You'll shine with stunning patent and patent-trimmed styles from top designer names.

FRI FEB 5 ONLY
60-70% OFF BRAND NEW GUSTTO HANDBAGS
Your chance to own handbags coveted by celebrities at special purchase savings.

Go to Avelle.com now! Start making your wish list. Don't forget to rent a great handbag for Valentine's Day!

Lilo Designs at Haute Market

The Feb 21st Haute Market shopping party in Overland Park, Kansas, has many new faces and hundreds of new products you will love.
Lilo Designs, making unique jewelry with an island flair, will definitely turn heads.

Owner, Noelani Robertson, has the inspriation needed to add a touch of ALOHA to each of her designs thanks to her Hawaiian heritage. Coupled with a decade of fashion retail experience means this chic lady is one savvy designer.

" Nothing makes me more proud than to see the joy of peoples' faces who are sporting Lilo Designs", comments Noelani.

Combinations of grey come together in this elegant piece of freshwater pearls, coin pearls, and Swarovski crystals. A coin pearl hangs in the center from sterling silver hammered links, $60 at http://www.lilodesigns.com/

Get your Haute Market shopping party tickets now! Just $10 in advance online or from any of our vendors. $15 at the door.

This is a 21 and over event. Leave the kiddos at home and enjoy this fab afternoon with your girlfriends!

New vendors at Haute Market! TAWNINI

This week I'll be teasing you with photos and info about some of our newest boutique and designer additions to Haute Market on Feb. 21st.

Tawnini, owned by Tawni Herburger, comes to us from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She shares my love for flirty dresses and furry things!

This boutique definitely fits right in with our Haute Market theme and is a must-see at the next event!

Pictured left is a fabulous faux fur vest retailing at $64.99. To the right, Gray Esley Dress $49.99. Just a few glimpses of what more you can find at the Feb. 21st Haute Market shopping party!

Get tickets now either online or from any of our event vendors.

Remember, this is a 21 and OVER event. Leave the kiddos at home and come enjoy an afternoon of fashion and fun with your girlfriends!

Cyber interview with HydroPeptide Founder

We shared some of your questions with HydroPeptide’s founder, Dr. Louise Peck.

1. What is a peptide and why is it so important for it to boost collagen?

Peptides are small protein fragments that nourish, repair, and send neural-messages. They’re basically cell communicators that can naturally stimulate diminished collagen and other important skin tissues as well as relax repetitive wrinkle-causing facial expressions. You may be surprised to learn that peptides are one of the most expensive raw materials used in anti-aging skin care.
Why is it important to boost collagen? Collagen naturally diminishes as we age. Different peptides have the ability to stimulate different types of collagen, elastin, and other parts of the skin matrix. Diminishing collagen is a major cause of fine lines and wrinkles.

2. How quickly can a peptide product work to see results, typically?

Peptides begin to go to work immediately. However, because peptides stimulate your own collagen production, visible results are noticeable after a complete skin cell cycle. The average skin cell cycle turnover is 28 days, but can take up to 45 days in older individuals. Your skin will look amazing from the first time you use HydroPeptide, but expect to see fine lines and wrinkles to start disappearing in around 4 weeks.

3. What are dark circles caused by?

Dark circles are caused by leaking capillaries. As capillaries age or you become stressed (there are also other factors), they leak hemoglobin with collects underneath the thin skin under your eyes. This causes dark circles.

4. What is a product/chemical/ingredient (besides alcohol) that we should avoid using on skin? Particularly face?

These always depend on your skin type, but people with sensitive skin should avoid retinol and retinoid. These can irritate sensitive skin. I would also avoid prostaglandin. Prostaglandin is a drug used in eye lash growth products that can permanently discolor the iris and have other permanent side effects.

For more info visit: http://www.hydropeptide.com

In 2004, HydroPeptide became the first skin care company to incorporate peptides into every product. Currently, the HydroPeptide collection includes 19 different peptides to boost collagen and fight wrinkles. The HydroPeptide Polish and Plump Peel recently won Fitness Magazine’s Beauty Award for “BEST skin refresher” and the HydroPeptide Eye Anti-Wrinkle Dark Circle Concentrate is the winner of a 2009 DAYSPA Editors' Choice Award for best eye cream.

Haute Market 2010

Save the date!
Feb 21st, Sunday 12-5pm.
Football is finished and we deserve some payback sistas!

Haute Market shopping parties are not for the faint of heart. This is 4-5 hours of power shopping with your girlfriends with energetic music pumping in the background, cash bars to keep your whistle wet, and dozens of Kansas City's best boutiques and designers all under one roof!

How to handle Haute Market:
1) comfortable shoes are often ugly, get some Foot Petals for those Haute Hot shoes and strut in style and comfort (see below for tips from a pro).

2)Have the 3 C's ready: cash, credit cards and checks. Most of our vendors take all three, a few only cash and check.

3)an extra stash of cash just for the cash bar. the Haute Pink Martini's are divine (drink responsibly. I have enough problems keeping the intern sober, I'm not babysitting you too).

4) LEAVE ALL MUNCHKINS AT HOME!!! This is 21 & over event. I love my kids but I need some grown up time away from them...so don't ruin my fun and bring yours. Not in a stroller, not on a leash, not in a house not with a mouse.

5) Get a ticket ahead of time either online http://www.hautemarket.com/ or visit the Vendor tab on the Event page to find other stores and designers who have tickets for sale.



Now some tips for your feet:

Tina Aldatz, certified pedorthist and creator of Foot Petals (http://www.footpetals.com/), has some great tips and tricks for women as we say goodbye to our flip flops and flats and get ready for fall boots and heels!

Proper fit is key
o Shoes should not gap around the top edges
· Try adding Foot Petals Killer Kushionz to help keep the foot in place and absorb shock
o Heels should fit snugly and not slip or slide freely inside the shoe
· Foot Petals Haute Heelz and Heavenly Heelz will keep feet fitting properly in shoes (great for platforms) and also help prevent blisters
o The ball of the foot should fit into the widest part of the shoe
· Foot Petals Tip Toes will cushion the ball of foot and stop feet from sliding forward
o It is better to go up a size and add cushioning than to squeeze your foot into a too small shoe
o Doubling up on Foot Petals products help to fill the gaps and offer exceptional comfort

Dangers of improper fit
o Tight fit around toes
· Can lead to calluses, corns and eventually bunions
o Loose fitting heels
· Can lead to blisters on skin
· Can cause instability when walking and cause ankle injury (especially in platforms and high heeled boots)

Thanks Tina! Wise words, great feet!

Show Your Style

It's time to show us YOUR personal style. put together your favorite look and show us on our Facebook fan page!

Is your specialty layering necklaces or coordinating shoes? Show us! take a pic take a pic!

Go to Haute Weekly's fan page and show off! Just make sure you don't give us something to put in the HauteMess file ;)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Johnson-County-KS/Haute-Weekly/40251013476

You don't have to make it look like a runway shot. Just stand in front of a full length mirror with your phone and go for it!

Cougar Style

This is not a good thing. If you have cougar-style you are NOT being complimented my friends.
How to do the animal print trend without looking like a cougar is not so much an art, but being smart. Little bits. That's all it takes.

Dressing head-to-toe in animal print is not only a ferocious mistake, but you may suffer from mistaken identity should the local police be busting up the back alley parties, if you know what I mean.

Leave it to our new expert, Danielle, to send us some great animal print ideas for your wardrobe. Because the "call of the wild" is not a booty text.

Bringing you fashion and beauty advice, tips, news at HauteWeekly.com
Changing the Midwest one scrunchy at a time.

Shoe Lust, Shoe Must

I must have this shoe. That is all I have to say.

Ok...no it isn't.

I must, MUST have this shoe. It is at Nordstrom.com for $149.95 and it must be mine. Only a touch of black. That's good. I've committed to buying no more (or at least fewer) black shoes. It's pink...I can do the pink, obviously.

I wonder if I could make a mini version for Izzy the kitty. hmmmmm...

OMG it would look faboo with the ruffled black Betsey Johnson coat I have.

I know...the bow really isn't me, but can't we look passed that to the real issue of I-must-have-this-shoe?

Let's go shopping girls....

Skin Care exclusive discount offer!

Recently I asked a few questions of Dr. Judith Hellman about winter skin care. she had some great info and is sharing an exclusive offer with us!


Please explain some of the major differences in skin care for women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.

In their twenties, most women only need to worry about proper cleansing, minimal moisturizing (according to skin type) and lots of sun protection, to help them later in the coming decades. I generally recommend a glycolic/salycilic treatment pad, which both cleans the skin, maintains the pores open and the glycolic acid restores elastic tissue to the skin with daily use. (See GlySal pads on my website).

For oily skin or acne prone skin, I add my Green Tea Antioxidant Serum. Not only is green tea a superb antioxidant, it also functions as an anti-inflammatory agent, hence its use in acne prone skin, and helps reduce oiliness.

In their thirties, women need more moisturizers, since with aging, the skin can hold on to less of its own moisture. Moisturizers restore the barrier function of the skin and also provide extra moisture. This is a good time to start using an eye serum to prevent or treat fine lines around the eyes. My personal recommendation is the Plumping Eye Serum, which contains hyaluronic acid (HUA). HUA is a normal constituent of the skin, and functions to maintain moisture in the skin. It restores volume and needed water content by hugging on to water in the skin and not letting it be depleted. It's a great way to protect the delicate eye area, which is the first to show signs of aging.

I would also start thinking of an antioxidant, and I often recommend to my patients my Q10 antioxidant cream, a very light moisturizer, tolerated by all skin types, to help maintain the skin and protect it from environmental damage. Sunscreens are still (and always) very important.

In their 40's, women need all of the above, except more of it. The skin tends to get dryer, and I recommend adding a Glycolic acid cream (I have one with 15% and one with 20% GA). Below the 15%, the product is not very effective. Since the FDA forbids department stores and drugstores from selling high percentages, these products are available from dermatologists and at times, plastic surgeons.

In their 40's, women benefit from using a Vit C containing serum. Vit C is a needed element for collagen synthesis in the skin. My own Vit C serum also contains a growth factor, TGF Beta, which "invites" collagen making cells (fibroblasts) to the skin where the serum is applied, and the use the Vit C to restore collagen and decrease fine lines, help build up the collagen to tighten pores (yes, pores do get larger as we age), and also provide antioxidant protection (the Vit C). In this age group, I often recommend that women use the Plumping Eye serum on the upper lip as well, which is the second area to develop wrinkles. Last but not least, sun protection is still (and always) important.

+
Just wanted to remind people about the body- it's still part of your skin! I recommend a moisturizing lotion with Glycolic Acid, nature's supermoisturizing anti-aging substance (my body lotion has 15% to be actually effective, not just a 'feel good' item). Makes the skin smoother, plumper and gets rid of the fine flaking we get especially in the winter, with indoor heating.

To try some of these products check out http://www.bigappleskin.com/ , but be sure to check out our private link to exclusive Haute Weekly prices!! http://bigappleskin.com/products-promo.asp

Thank you Dr. Hellman!

Meet our new peeps

After a year of troubles and set-backs, I'm so happy that we've been able to add a few great fashionistas to our Haute team. It's going to be a fun year!

We have Danielle Hayes, former owner of Western Glamour, mom to one and one on the way. She's the coolest cowgirl I know, even if she has goats and such. At least she named the goats Dolce and Gabanna. She'll be writing great articles about her obsession with fashion and helping me navigate the world of social media. Check out her personal blog: http://www.glamcentric.com/

Stephanie Herter is working on bringing great event sponsors and added fun to Haute Market shopping parties. In her spare time that is. She also has two kids and owns City Girls Boutique in the KC Metro.

Great news!!! Megan, the intern, graduated!!! She's now our PR Princess helping boutiques and designers grow and spreading the Hauteness. Megan will share great pr tips here: http://twitter.com/Fionafashionist

And finally, our new mascot. I was tired of being the only girl in the house so a few days before Christmas we brought home a 10 wk old kitten. She's our cougar in training. She's pictured left reading Allure magazine and drooling with me over the shoes.

She has a name but we can't tell you yet. There will be a contest and cool prize later if you guess it. See our Twitter Party info below to join the fun.

Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest updates, sales and fun at the Hauteness!

Bringing you fashion and beauty advice, tips, news at HauteWeekly.com
Changing the Midwest one scrunchy at a time.

need style guru!

This post is not my usual random ramblings of the non-sensical nature. This is a style emergency and I need a guru STAT.

It's one thing to sit here and post tips and advice...or to tell someone they look like a lumberjack wearing that horrible plaid dress. It's entirely another to dress myself to be recognized as a decent and sorta-smart business-woman.

So...tomorrow morning I have to do a photo shoot with other business people who have also won this certain business award. First of all, I'm least likely to be spotted on the street by someone who would say "my that's certainly a smart business woman". So this is out of my element.

Second...they said wear neutrals for our dark background.

Huh?

I think I have one neutral dress other than loads of black.

Black is too easy so all that is out. I have to make a statement. I'm supposed to be one of the fashion-chicks in town.

I can't just go out wearing my red Alexander McQueen. There would be a domino-effect of coronaries.

I have these three dresses just pulled out of the closet.

The teal one is my latest treasure because I bought it during fashion week, during Fashion Night Out in NY, and MAX was IN THE STORE! I could probably use one size smaller, plus I was in a magazine spotted wearing this. So is that out? It's SPRING 2010 and I've already worn it. ACK.

Funny, these are all BCBG.
I am thinking the neutral with black boots, long black necklace or 3 layered. ???

Seriously...what do I do? All this must be decided by 9:30 tomorrow morn. help! I could just wear skinny jeans tucked in fab black boots with understated buckle, with a few layers ending with sweater on top. Crapola. Whatever it is in the end, it has to be with tights and boots cuz this momma has no time to shave AND do my hair/makeup.

Work it baby! Resolution time.

I resolved, several years ago, to make no more new year resolutions. I've proudly stuck to that for many successful years. Of course with that seems to be an ever expanding hip area and back side, but at least I stuck to it.

If you are looking for some functional yet not "butch-looking" work out gear, Rue La La has Zobha on sale now.

Great tanks, pants and cozie looking hoodies. Most more than 50% off.

I have bought many items from Rue La La and have always enjoyed my purchases and the experience. They have a great referral program to reward you for bringing friends, so it's worth a peek peeps!