Eye Candy

I found some great sale items at Couture Candy. I love this feminine top reflecting the romantic spring trends. Simple, sassy and great for a casual jeans look. Or dress it up with a skirt. Either way, you're sure to turn heads.
Couture Candy is known for their boutique-style service and high end designs. Fabulous brand-name jeans can be found, as well as trendy accessories and tops. Check out Couture Candy today and let me know what fab finds you score!

BIG SALE!

Be sure to check out the Just Between Friends sale at the Overland Park Trade Center today. It's a huge baby/kid consignment sale. I've never seen anything like it. Rows and rows of kids clothes, car seats, outdoor toys and more. Tables full of kids toys, many still new in the package! AND...Haute Market has a huge corner of the room featuring 5 of our favorite vendors:
All Things Beaded
Bigg Eye Creations
jennyLou
Two Chic Blvd
Surburban Threads
All items are new, chic and fabulous. Most are discounted!
It's just $2 to get in the door for fabulous savings.
Haute Market shopping party tickets will be available at our booth as well. Stop by and say "hi!".

Cheers!

Eye On Trends

Tarragon, Strawberry Ice, Cafe' Creme. No, this is not the new flavor list at Starbucks...it's the color palette for Spring 2007 by Pantone. Pantone surveys the designers of New York fashion week to bring us their yearly report of color trends for the season.

Shown left is Silver Peony. Many of the colors in the palette are surprisingly pale, but with a few great pops of color in between. I've picked a few of my fave's to share with you.


Have the need to shop now? Check out the Haute Market spot at the Just Between Friends sale, going on all weekend. We'll have tickets on sale for the April 24th shopping party too!
Cheers!

This Week in KC

Get ready because this week is loaded with fun and shopping!

Today: The Girls Wearhouse is open 10-2 and they have our Spring Fashion Fling admission tickets on sale! Go grab your tickets and a few chic new spring tops.

Tonight: If you like country music, my friend, Lance Combs, is entertaining at Tymber.
If you want a little more rock & roll, Drew of Drew6 will be at the Cactus Grill in Leawood from 5:30-8:30. You party girls can catch Drew, then go see Lance!

Thurs-Sun: Shopping mania at the Just Between Friends sale at the OP Trade Center off 115th & Metcalf. Haute Market will have 3 booth spaces to put together a mini market of some of our favorite vendors with HUGE discounts!

Friday Night: A benefit for SAFEHOME by the new professionals group, SAFEHOME Circle. Wine-Tasting fundraiser at Tonic, 7938 Santa Fe Drive in Overland Park, KS, Friday, March 30th. Tickets $30. All proceeds benefit SAFEHOME! To purchase tickets please call 913-378-1512 and speak with Michele. I have my tickets, I hope you do too!

Q & A about Make Up

Finding the perfect pair of shoes is easier for me than finding the perfect make up. I am forever floundering at the mercy of Loreal, MAC, Maybelline, etc.
I shot an email to my friend and faboo make up artist, Staci Broski, of 7thRow to get some make-up 911.

Me: I have a terrible time getting my make up to last all day long.
I (usually) wash my face morning and night. Every few days I use a gentle exfoliant.
I've experimented with many brands and it's always the same...by early afternoon I need to reapply my foundation/powder because it's gone.

Any advice for me and the Haute Market fashionistas?

Staci: Foundation Primer is ONE key to keeping your foundation on all day.
As long as you are exfoliating, at the very least, once a week ( up to 3 X’s recommended), you will find the surface of your skin more satisfying to work with.
There are several foundation primers on the market...The one that works REALLY well for myself and my clients is Laura Mercier foundation primer.
It retails close to $28.00 at Nordstrom Oak Park.
1. Wash Face/exfoliate
2. Apply your moisturizer
3. Apply thin layer of Laura Mercier foundation primer all over face and neck (flat foundation brush to apply moisturizer & primer recommended)
4. Apply makeup!
**Having trouble with Eye Shadow creasing or fading? ...Use MAC Eye Paint.
Choose a color close to your natural skin tone (as not to compete with colors you choose to wear)
Apply a very thin layer from the brow bone to the lash line.
Your eye shadow will stay ALL DAY!

I always suggest starting with the eyes first after the first 3 steps. Then follow w/the rest of your look.

Wow...those are some great tips! Can you believe she gives us some of her best secrets?! Let's try this method and see how it goes girls. Feel free to leave comments about your make up trials and successes! Thank you Staci!!

P.S. The final winner of our Gift of Gab contest is...
Shannon W. of Lenexa! She wins a great list of prizes which includes Deluxe Admission tickets to the April 24th shopping party!

Fashion vs. Fantasy

After a long week and a half of Spring Break at home with the kiddo's, I'm skipping the fashion talk and going for a bit of fantasy today.

I stumbled upon a trailer for an upcoming movie filled with plenty of fantasy, thrills and fabulous cast.

Stardust is filled with stars: Claire Danes, Michelle Pheifer, Robert DeNiro, Peter O'Toole, and cutie patootie: Charlie Cox. Unfortunately it's not scheduled to release until August, and hopefully the wait is worth it. The story is about winning over your true love while finding out what true love actually is.

On the fashion side, the costumes are quite stunning. With so much frilly, romantic influence on the styles this season, the costumes might not be far from what will be on the racks this fall. (click the photo for the movie info page and trailer)

The First Female Rapper

I think I've uncovered who the first female rapper is. I found this completely by accident. I was watching a Nelly Furtado video, which was like a car wreck...it was so bad but I kept looking. Suddenly I spy a video title that says "Blondie vs. The Doors." Surely another car wreck is about to happen so I rubber-neck it to another page and there she is. Her short shorts, frizzy hair parted in the middle...Blondie, the first female rapper.
Watch here:



On another note. Here is a very hip new purse from Diesel.

And a similar style with not so similar price tag, from Target. Enjoy your weekend fashionistas!

The Underwear Theory

Today is one of those days - there is nothing fashionable or chic about it. So I'm going to be my "authentic self" (per Oprah), and share with you how I'm just a normal (and slightly neurotic) chick like everyone else.

I did my best to get myself presentable and get out of the house. The babysitter came on time. That was about the only thing that went well.

Humidity flattened my hair before I walked out the door. Two of the three kids are sick. Then the realtor called because someone wanted to show the house in a few minutes. Ugh.

I finally left. Drove three blocks, realized I'd forgotten the Spring Fashion Fling postcards at home - the whole reason for me going out today.
Whipping a U-turn while applying my make up, I drive back three blocks and hop out of the car.
Notice that I don't mention putting the van in park? Yeah...because I didn't.
I don't realize this and assume my van - which has recently been replaced with a newer model - is P.O.'d at me, has become possessed and is trying to run me over!
I'm actually trying to push on the front of the van as if my 5ft 3" frame can hold back a moving mini van!
Thankfully I have a Dukes of Hazzard flashback and somehow catapult myself around the door, into the moving van and throw it into park before I crash into the garage door.

This brings me to the underwear theory, because I chose a cuter pair of underwear today versus a regular boring pair.
The old advice of wearing nice underwear in case you get in an accident is a silly notion. No, I'm not promoting wearing funky undies with stretched out elastic and holes. I'm just pointing out that while wearing pretty underwear is a nice thing to do for yourself, or your significant other, it's not convincing to say that I should do so in case I'm in an accident.
Here is why...do you really think that your pretty underwear is going to be clean should you get into an accident? I think not. I'm pretty sure that had the van actually run me over and into the garage, I would have, at the very least, pee'd my pants, therefore messing my pretty pink undies.
Now you know the underwear theory.

The One and Only, Drew!

Interview with Drew, of Drew6!

What is it like to be playing so many great gigs right here in your own
stomping grounds?
I mostly enjoy doing it when the weather warms up. People are in a
much better mood as we head into the summer.
In a perfect world, I’d be on tour a lot more. That day will come, and I’m sure then, I’ll wish I was playing more in the city I live in.
Let’s just say playing in your home town a lot has it’s positives and its negatives.

At what point did you realize, "hey, I’m making it!" ??
I knew this is what I wanted to do at a very young age. I was singing before I could talk. As you accomplish one goal that seems great, you find something more that you want to accomplish.
This is living. Always moving forward. Your definition of "making it" is constantly changing.
I know I am already a big rock star, I just need for the rest of the world to find out about it!

Who do you love being compared to?
My dad. And myself in the past. Because I’m getting better.

Obviously I’m going to ask…who do you hate being compared to?
If you are getting at "who people think I look like and sound like," well I’d mostly just like people to think of me as Drew. I work very hard to build an image and a sound that people will remember.
When you are in Kansas City and you don’t look like everyone else, people are always going to say, "you remind me of so and so... " These comparisons vary wildly. I try to take them in stride, and sometimes I even take at as a compliment. I would like to be "incomparable" in the minds of my audience, but even huge celebrities are always being compared to someone.

What is in your CD/MP3 player right now?
I think most people would be surprised at the variety of music I listen to. Maybe not. My IPod has about 8000 songs in it. I buy the whole CD. I’m a fan first, if I like an artist, I’ll buy everything they put out.
I have lots of music for enjoyment, some to study the writing and the production.
By the way I don’t burn the songs, I buy them.
I listen to Robbie Williams and Kevin Max because that’s what I do. I listen to Kelly Clarkson because I want to see what Max Martin did with her production to make a hit.
I listen to Fall Out Boy because it’s current and I wonder what makes "This Ain’t A Scene" palatable to the same audience who thinks Backstreet Boys isn’t cool (when it’s written and produced in almost the exact same manner).
Then I’ll put on Leon Russell, Johnny Cash, some Motown, because these are my teachers. My guilty pleasure is George Michael.
My favorite hard rock band, The Cult.
Sheryl Crow, The Black Crowes, Counting Crowes, because I like the lyrics. Depeche Mode because I like the band. You get it, impossible to name them all...

So I hear a few of my friends are stalking you, in a good way…what is
it like to have so many fans as repeat guests at your gigs?
Unless you want to play music in your basement for your entire life, your fans make your career. I don’t have a basement in my current house, and I want to play to millions of people.
There’s a story I read in one of my motivational books. Something about if you took a normal city (and they actually used Kansas City as an example even though it was a national publication), and you did a show for a thousand people, and there was only one person that truly liked your music -- that would translate to being a bona fide "star" in America.
If you multiplied that by all the cities and you won over just one person for every thousand. They did the math, not me. I’m not a math guy. But I know that every single person at my show matters, if I play to 18,000 at Verizon with Maroon 5 or I play to 3 on a weeknight at an acoustic show. You’d better be on, because the time you give "less" is the time that you will have had the chance to make that one big connection.
You can’t "make it" alone. All of my fans, and even "stalkers" as you say, matter to me.

What music do you really love to sing/play?
My own. It doesn’t mean I don’t love singing Chris Isaak. But I’m in this business to make myself known. A nd to move people with my music.

Thanks so much Drew! I loved seeing/listening to you and look forward to more.
You can catch Drew at several locations around the metro area. Check out his web site!

Terrific Tuesday!

It's definitely a terrific day if you are Becky H. of Raymore. She's won this weeks drawing for referring her friends to the Haute Market web site and newsletter. Thanks Becky! Your prizes are on the way.

Next week is the final drawing and the prize package includes tickets to the next event!
How to enter?
Be on our newsletter VIP list.
Get your friends to sign up for our weekly newsletter and put your name as the "how did you hear about us" person.
For each person that lists you, you get an entry in the drawing.
It's that easy.
So get the gift of gab...the more you talk about Haute Market, the more entries you could get.

Make sure you read yesterday's blog entry about getting your feet ready for sandals, and check back tomorrow for our interview with local cutie and rock star, Drew of Drew6!

Playing Footsie

It's time to get those terrific tootsies in shape for sandals. If there is one thing I can't stand it's a chick showing toes with a two-month old pedicure. Eew!

You don't have to go to a spa to have nice toes, though it is a fabulous, and much deserved, treat for us chic chicks! In the comfort of your own home you can follow a few quick and easy steps to faboo feet.

First, have a shower. This is a good substitute for the long soak in a foot bath. Use a pumice stone to get rid of the scaley yucky stuff.
Once out of the shower coat your feet with your favorite moisturizer. Mine is Mango Butter and Cocoanilla Body Cream by AYU Inernational. Then apply your favorite color of nail polish and let it dry while you do your hair and make up.

At night use these fabulous footies to hold in the moisture and soften your feet while you sleep.

Bliss Softening Socks 1 pair FREE Shipping. 115% Price Protection. why try? bliss softening socks form a feathery film around the foot, creating an instant moisture barrier to help alleviate dryness and battle the buildup of corns and calluses. Besides, what misguided sole thinks that her feet couldn't use some improvement? instructions for use: As a quick treatment, wear bliss softening socks for 30 minutes over bliss softening sock salve or bliss glamour glove gel. For terrorizingly tough toes, keep your bliss softening socks on overnight. coming clean: To keep your socks clean and fresh, simply turn them inside out after each use, wipe them down with a cold wet sponge, lay them flat to dry, and dust a little bit of baby powder or corn starch on them to eliminate sticking. If properly cared for, your Softening Socks should last through 50 uses before they require replacement.

Treat your feet at least every other week to a little pampering. You deserve it!

Sun Kissed

Get a little kissed with this great self-tanner from AYU. Amber Kiss and Silke' Smooth are two great self tanning products from a K.C. based company and former Haute Market vendor. On eis a gel, one is a lotion. Both great at giving you that healthy-glow so many talk about, without all the sun exposure.

Also, try this tan extender for a longer lasting tan.

Great products from great local companies. Haute Market searches out the best for you!

Weekly Prize Give-away

Join the VIP Club (newsletter list) for weekly updates about what's happening in fashion, local shopping and for fantastic discounts and deals.

March holds a weekly give-away that you could win!
The Gift of Gab Give-away!
Be on our email list. Tell your friends about it. Get them to join and list you as the person who referred them.
The more referrals you get, the more chances to win! So go gab!
Next Tuesday's give away:
This funky, embellished t-shirt from Frankie & Jules.
$25 gift certificate to Two Chic Blvd.
Note Card pack from Bigg Eye Creations
Join now!

In & Out:

Here is a quick tip list for what is "in" and "out" in the fashion trends world:

In: color. colorful fabrics and prints are everywhere. There doesn't seem to be one single color, rather than a fun array of colors to fit your style and skin/hair color. This fun dress by Stella McCartney has great color..just not sure where I'd wear it.
Out: pure pink. It was fun when suddenly all was pink. But soon it looked like the malls had puked pink. Of course you can still wear pink, but the all-pink craze is over. Find another color to accessorize with. You don't have to throw out the clothes, just find some new colors to pair them with.

In: flouncy fabrics with romantic subtleties. There are loads of soft fabrics floating down the runways, like this one by Toni Maticevski. Delicate knit tops, feminine, soft sundresses. Uli nailed it on Project Runway with her loud prints and soft fabrics for the season. Definitely Miami inspired clothes on the racks this Spring.
Out: tweed. You know the tweed prints that were everywhere 2 or 3 years ago? The pink with the flecks of color, the fringe on all the edges. It's a little over done. Let's end that trend.

One last tip: remember that fit is it. Make sure your outfit fits YOU, not just the mannequin. Flouncy and soft does not mean slop. Keep searching until you find the fit and style that is so you!

Find your style at the April 24th Spring Fashion Fling! Details here.

We Have a Winner

Want to win great prizes during our March Madness give away? You have to get entries first. How? Join our newsletter list. Then refer your friends. When your friends sign up too, and put your name down as the "how did you hear about us?" person, you get an entry. Refer more friends, get more entries.

This week's winner is:
Jennifer Siehndel, and she's won...
~$25 gift certificate to Two Chic Blvd
~Note card pack from Bigg Eye Creations.
~gorgeous jewelry set from ArtWear Designs, $50 value.

Tickets are now pre-selling for the April 24th shopping party at the Wine Bar! Only 200 tickets available for this limited event. New swag bags, discounted shopping and so much more! Check it out.

Shoe time

I love shoes. I don't have reason to buy more, except that I love to see many pairs of shoes lined up neatly on my shelves. Naturally I frequent Shoes.com often. Today I found some cute shoes and a sale!

These black wedge-heels by Kenzie look sassy and fun. About $80 at Shoes.com. And another black pair by baby phat. Both are so cute. Decisions, decisions. Check out the sale link below too! Happy shopping!

baby phat - Women's Eugina Wedge baby phat keeps your look regal with this spellbinding dress wedge. Patterned satin fabric upper in a dress sandal style with thin front strap featuring rhinestone detail arch strap with inner elastic panel and t-strap with rhinestone encrusted baby phat feline logo charms. Heel panel anchors ankle strap with adjustable buckle and elastic panel. Smooth lining cushioned footbed with heel pad. Braided satin 3/4 inch midsole rises to a 4 inch high wedge heel. Flat traction sole.

Spring Fashion Fling

Come have a fling with us at the Wine Bar near 135th & State Line Rd, Tuesday, April 24th.

Not sure what to wear this spring? We'll have 3 vendors with clothing, sure to have a few goodies for your spring and summer wardrobe. Plus few jewelry designers and accessory boutiques to put on the finishing touches.

I took a peek at the Spring '07 runway shows, as usual they make it look like anything goes. A lot of white is going on, and of course bold splashes of color.
To the left, a fun outfit: Gwen Steffani for L.A.M.B.
Sweats, now that's an outfit I can pull off.


Remember Laura's line from Project Runway? I love this dress (left). The feathers, the feminine style. I think it would look stunning on so many body shapes.

And Uli's color collection..Jeffrey's wild side..I was so excited to see some of their styles up close at Macy's when they held the INC Fashion Show. I still get shivers remembering how close I was to Tim Gunn!

Here is THE most important thing to remember when shopping: Fit, Fit, Fit. Don't buy it if it almost fits. I don't care how much you love the color and how fabulous it looks with your skin tone. If the shoe fits, buy it. If it doesn't, keep looking. Even Tim says so.

Plans for tonight...

Shopping with the girls, then out for a nightcap and some acoustic tunes.
Tonight is another Girls Night Out at Girls' Wearhouse. Shop from 5-9. Drive south on Metcalf, pass 159th, right on 162nd, Wearhouse is about a block down on the right. Look for signs and lots of cars.

Once the shopping shuts down, join some of the Haute-girls at Old Chicago (119th & Metcalf, 9 to midnight) tonight to listen to the acoustic tunes of Drew, of Drew6. I hear he does a mean Bon Jovi.

Tell the hubby to put the kids to bed tonight because you have haute plans with your haute friends. Don't worry, it's basketball on TV tonight. He probably won't even notice you've gone out. Cheers!

oops...

I didn't give you your daily dose of fashion and diva-licious news. So sorry. Ya know...it's just been one of those crazy days and I'm human. During my normal blogging time, I took a shower and washed my hair instead. The whole schedule was off from then on. But at least I finally had clean hair.

The good news is that things are really rolling for the April 24th event to be held at the Wine Bar. AND...I've started planning the June event for you...which will be at least double the size of any of our other shows!

If you're on the VIP newsletter list, then you should have received our email blast yesterday with the link to our pre-sales ticket page. Get tickets soon. This VIP event will have just 200 tickets available.

Once you're on the newsletter, spread the Haute Buzz to your friends. If your friend joins the newsletter and lists you, by name, as the person who referred her, you get an entry to the Gift of Gab contest. So gab on!

I've got to leave you now. Someone should really be watching the kids. There is lots of giggling going on. With three boys, that's surely something bad. Cheers!

Look Ma...

I'm thrilled about the Sunday Star Magazine article about several of our recent Haute Market vendors! Heather, if you're reading this..we LOVE you for that fantastic write up!
Click the photo to see the entire article.

Here is a list of the featured vendors:
Urbantique - Cowgirl T-shirts
Beyond Broken Mosaics - mosaic belt buckle
Vintage Moon (Laura Timmons) - Blue Tunic
Apple Scraps - pendant

Each Haute Market event has some returning vendors, and some new vendors. We want to change it up and keep it varied for you. Check the vendor page for each event to see who will be at the next shopping party.

On another note:
A quick congratulations to our first March contest winner, Beth Wade. She got an entry because her friend joined the newsletter list and listed Beth as her "how did you hear about us" person. Join our newsletter and refer friends. Maybe you'll be next weeks winner! Prize packages valued at over $100!

Rare Treasures

With so many people dabbling in jewelry, it's wonderful to find a designer with work that is extremely unique and beautiful. Unless you've been unconsious for a month, you've probably seen Leigh Ann Prier, of Rare Adornment, and her fabulous designs around town lately. She was on TV with Haute Market in February, she was a vendor in our Feb. shopping party, and her jewelry was featured in the Star Mag last month as well.

Have you always wanted to learn a new jewelry technique? Learn how to work with PMC (precious metal clay) through Leigh Ann's classes. Intro to PMC, PMC 101, Etching and more.

Stroll through the Rare Adornment web site for a peek at Leigh Ann's impressive portfolio of jewelry art.

Check out the class schedule and get signed up today, before they are full.

Rare Adornment has several rare treasures you'll want all for yourself!

Spaces & Faces

If you haven't seen the Haute Market MySpace page, then check it out and make Haute Market your friend. It's a very lively place where we have met loads of local designers, music artists and business people. http://www.myspace.com/hautemarket

I know..a bit of a lame blog today. My middle son turned 4 today and we're doing some partying, it's sort of my day off.

If you need something inexpensive to do with kids during the day, Cosmic Mini Golf at the Great Mall. $3 a kid (under 5) and no one else was there with us at 10am. It was great. We did all three courses and the boys loved it. Now I have to set up a basketball hoop and play, his Highness has spoken.

I'll be back fresh on Monday with new blog material, newsletter coming out on Tuesday and MAYBE I'll even start selling tickets for the April 24th shopping party! Be sure to be on the newsletter list for first chance at tickets. Only 200 this time, so get yours before we sell out!

Cheers!

Lovin' Swag

I have had great response about our last Swag Bags. I'm so grateful to the SkinMilk & Sea Breeze company for sending hundreds of samples to Haute Market over the last 6 months. I hear some of you even got some in the mail due to their huge national campaign.

Here is a new twist on a concept most of us mom's have tried...Stuff-A-Friend. You mean I can now keep the 15 screaming, rowdy birthday party goers at home and stuff the animals here? Excellent!

Just order the animals you want to easily assemble at home. Kits come with Stuffing, Instructions, Wishing Star, Birth Certificate and Take Home Carrier.
Just $15 each with a huge selection of animal friends to choose from. I love it! And thanks to Chris, of Stuff-A-Friend, for including some goodies in our last Swag Bags!

Another great Swag contributor was Kelly from MopTop hair care. Unruly hair care products to the rescue! If you have hard to manage hair, very curly hair...MopTop and Fuzzy Duck have the solutions.

Kelly, who was nicknamed "fuzzy" in school, has been working on the development of this product for years. She's come up with a great product to tame your locks and end the "fuzzy" nicknames forever!

Give the products a try with this great travel pack, $20 online. Includes 2oz each of : * Gentle Clarifying Shampoo* Daily Conditioner* Detangler & Refresher Spray* Light Hold Anti-Frizz Gel.

These are just a few of our fabulous Swag Bag contributors. Check out our Goodie page for a peek at the Swag for our April 24th event. The list is growing!

What They Wore

I haven't bothered to find out what others are saying...here is my unbiased opinion of the big night.

Bad ideas:
I'll get right to the point...
What in the hell was Gwyneth thinking? That dress, that hair..horrible! Apparently she and Nicole Kidman planned a twinsies hair night as they both had that same bad do.

Gwyneth, in that dress, looked washed out, hippy and blah. Definitely not the Gwyneth from past awards shows where she knocked it out of the park.

Jennifer Lopez or Helen of Troy?

Faboo list:
~Helen Mirren. Definitely dressed like a queen in this Christian Lacroix gown. Stunning.
~Reese Witherspoon. I like the dress on stage a lot better than on the carpet. But still very chic and beautiful.
~The Smith's..gorgeous! Jada wears this Carolina Herrera gown like the star she is.

Making Beautiful Music

I know one day I'll be able to say "I knew her when..." about the talented Jillian Riscoe. This young lady has a fabulous voice and great heart. She'll go far, fast. Enjoy our interview:

What is your favorite music “style” to sing?

I definitely love all types of music, but if I had to pick a “style,” it would have to be the pop/rock category…but with an alternative twist.

Where did you learn to sing like that? You sound like a seasoned artist!

Thank you Jennifer, I appreciate that! I’ve been singing long before my first day of preschool came along; I’ve been around and sang all types of music with many talented people along the years, so I guess I’ve picked up on some of it.

Have you taken voice lessons as well?
To tell you the truth, I began taking piano lessons first. A while after I started them my teacher suggested vocal lessons and I liked them much better. I began doing vocal lessons exclusively from about ages 7 to 13.

Are you really 17?

Yes ma’am…I just turned 17 a few months ago.

What was it like to record your first CD at 10 years old?

When the decision was made to record a CD, it was definitely cool and different for a normal 4th grader to do, I’ll tell you that.
My voice teacher actually brought up the idea to my parents and I….I recorded 10 cover songs. I think it did and didn’t phase me…I new it was different because I didn’t see a lot of little kids going in and singing in professional recording studios.

When is your new CD coming out?

As far as my new, all-original demo CD, it will be this spring of 2007. I’m very excited for everyone to hear it, I co-wrote all of it with the very talented Jeff Derdich, of the local band Fat Finger, who has worked with Jessica Harp, and it’s been great. It’s a new sound than no one has heard from me before and I can’t wait to get it out to everyone.
Also, I’ve begun to work with Song Factory Productions, who are an awesome group of guys who have a great line of credits. Big things are coming up and I appreciate the support you guys are giving me!

What do you see yourself doing in the next 5 years?

Big things. (Honestly, it’s a long list. J) I hope to be in a position where I’m working with talented, creative people and begin to accomplish my career goals and help out those who have helped me get to where I am with my career.
I'd love to be picked up by a major label, of course, but I'm not going to take the first one that picks me up and tells me to do this or that. I want to settle with a group of people that agree upon my goals and how well we can work with each other.
You have to be business savvy in this industry because there are alot of sneaky people out there, but I know there are also some awesome people and I'm on the hunt to find more.
A couple more things on the list: touring, "getting" to people with my music and creating success by doing what I love.

Do you have some gigs in town where people can come listen to you sing?

Over the years, I’ve sung all over locally. I’m hoping to have some live shows soon featuring new material; so you and your friends are most definitely invited to wherever they might be!

Thanks so much for your time Jillian! I hope to hear you live soon. J

Check out Jillian's MySpace page and see her video and listen to her fabulous voice!

Monday Make-up

Kansas City Makeup Artist Staci Broski of 7th Row has a professionalism and commitment that heralds her as an essential asset to creative teams & production projects. She has worked with incredible photographers, agencies, companies & artists. (not to mentioned did my make up for the KC Live interview s few weeks back!)
We sat down with Staci and asked for her most valuable tips…Here’s what she shared with us:

"My most valuable application tips would be….Take care of your skin.
Good water-soluble cleaners are the most effective, gentle way to cleanse your face.
One of my favorite things to do before a shoot is have the subject exfoliate. This insures the perfect application for makeup.
Exfoliating rids the dead skin cells & makes room for plumper cells to come to the surface.
Skin types that should stay away from exfoliating are:
Extremely sensitive skin, thin skin & those with skin disorders like rosacea, eczema,
dermatitis etc.
The surface of your skin sets the tone for makeup. Take time to prep your canvas before starting application.
....(Oil of Olay regenerist Microderm product ) is perfect. It's about $21.00 at Target.This will resurface the skin allowing the makeup to go on beautifully and look as flawless as possible.
(this product is GOLD and will help everyone look their best!)
For more information about Staci visit her website at http://www.7throw.com/ .

And, a side note...a fabulous contest you can enter today with our friends at Charming Sam. Enter to win a $50 gift certificate for some of their fabulous jewelry designs.

More Swimming

Get ready for a fabulous swim suit season with the original designs from Cali Roberta, of Kansas City.

Pick from her latest creations or have your own custom made swim suit perfectly fit for your haute bod.

Custom designs start at $120, or choose a design like these pictured for around $80.

Cali also has cover-ups if you're a little shy, or maybe playing it coy.

Shop Boutiques This Saturday

Get your comfie shoes on girls. There is a new elementary school trying out their first Spring Boutique shopping event this Saturday. Jewelry, clothes, home decor and fabulous gifts!

Shop from many vendors who have been in recent Haute Market events. Sunrise Point Elementary, so new I can't find it on Yahoo maps, near 159th & Roe.

Sunrise Point Spring Boutique
Saturday 10-3.
15800 Roe Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66224

Wine Buzz

It's no secret that I'm a girl who loves her wine. After all, I am hosting two wine tasting events in a row. :) At our house, we like to have on hand, and try, several different types of wine. Our latest trip to Lukas Liquor not only helped me score their awesome wine bar for our next event, but also we found several great bottles of wine.

My latest favorite is Liberty School Cabernet.
From the web page: "Very dark reddish-purple, clear garnet edge. Blackberries and blueberries, ripe and fruit-forward. Juicy and fresh, sweet berry fruit and a whiff of vanilla; appropriate acidity.

I agree, fruit forward but I wouldn't say sweet. Definitely easy drinking. At around $12 or 13 per bottle, it's a good value.

If you prefer a sweet white, mine still is the Piesporter Michelsburg. I can never remember if it's the Schmitt Sohne or the Jakob Demmer. One of them carries it in a large bottle with a screw top. Perfect for a trip to our friends house where all the ladies love this wine. Very refreshing, moderately sweet and fruity. Always ends up empty.

Hope you find a few sips to enjoy. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know if you try these two recommendations. Cheers!

Fat Tuesday, Fat Sales

I dug up some sales this morning that you'll surely want to check out.

ULTA has a great 'free gift with purchase' offer. This 14-Piece Cosmetics Collection is yours FREE with any $17.50 purchase of ULTA Cosmetics or Formativ Skincare.

Collection includes Bronzer, 2 Nail Colors, Silkywear Lipcolor, Super Shiny Lip Gloss, Lip Plumper, Lip and Eye Pencil, Eyeshadow Palette, Lip Brush, Shadow Brush, Blush Brush, Oil-Free Makeup Remover, Mirror and Cosmetics Bag. You choose the warm or cool color collection.

Doing some decorating? Check out the Designer Linens Outlet. Save up to 85% on famous maker bed & bath. Nautica, Liz Claiborne and more. Plus they have a Presidents Day sale ending today. Save an extra 50% on decorative pillows and shams, use code PRESIDENTS7.

Super sales and savings. Happy Fat Tuesday!

Where Are They Now?

I'm going through Project Runway withdrawl so I started seeking out some of my favorite designers from the series to check out their latest designs.

Daniel Franco is making it big and still getting noticed. One of his fabulous designs was seen on the red carpet recently. Audrina Partridge ( on right side) of "The Hills" wears Daniel Franco in January '07.

While I don't like all the side cut outs DF does, his style is amazing, unique and he definitely knows how to dress a woman's body. Just not THIS woman's body. :)

Check out Daniel's MySpace page to see more of his designs and watch for his new line coming soon.

Alison Kelly was another one of my favorites. Though not one of the top dogs, I think she will be there in time. Check out her site to see her latest collection.

Keep the up and coming designers in your sights. They'll be the fashions we're following soon!

Join the Circle

Our friends at SAFEHOME have a new group dedicated to helping spread awareness and end the circle of violence. Check out the new MySpace page for the SAFEHOME Circle.

The SAFEHOME Circle is a group of adult professionals who provide fundraising and volunteer support for SAFEHOME, a non-profit organization whose mission is to break the cycle of sexual and domestic violence and abuse. The SAFEHOME Circle offers opportunities to meet new people and network with other professionals while playing a vital role in SAFEHOME’s efforts to serve victims and their families.

Save the date!
Wine-Tasting fundraiser at Tonic, 7938 Santa Fe Drive in Overland Park, KS.
Friday, March 30th.
Tickets $30. All proceeds benefit SAFEHOME!
To purchase tickets please call 913-378-1512 and speak with Michele. For more information about SAFEHOME, visit www.safehome-ks.org.

I hope you can make it to this event! We've already booked our babysitter and are using this as our couples night out. It's a great opportunity to support such a fantastic cause. Cheers!

Haute Bods

I promised you a tip on how to get a haute, hot bod in time for swimsuit season. Keep an open mind now my dear because no one knows what you do in the privacy of your own home.
Me? I'm fine doing my moves on the dance floor...but hey, where ever, just try it.
So let go and let yourself have some fun. If you can sit still during this song, then I don't know if there is hope. If you're like me and you just have to get up and dance...well, I think if we do this daily we'll be haute & hot by spring!
Enjoy this hot video and watch the dancing they do around the 3 minute mark. It's sure to shed pounds.

Perfect Day for a Swim

Today would qualify more for the polar bear swim, but we still need to start thinking swim suits. I know..."Ugh". After three kids I'm not exactly first in line for the hottest new bikini, I am, however, very excited about these chic cover-ups I saw on the ANK Fashion Show video.

Full cover-ups like the one pictured left (about $100), beautiful skirt covers, and more are available this season in a variety of colors and styles.

Something in a more affordable price range, still with a bit of style, can be found at Target.com. This gauze-like tunic is just $16.99. However, I do not want to catch you in those awful eyelet skirts or terry tube dress covers.

Stay tuned for more great blogs this week. Now that we have our swim suit hunt started, we must get grooving for that haute summer bod! Cheers!

Get Out!

There is no school today...great. And if you're in the Olathe school district, like me, you also get to enjoy no school Thursday, Friday and Monday. Thank goodness there is another great shopping event this week. Just in time to give us a break from the cabin fever.

Haute Market is happy to introduce the Girls Wearhouse. This cute little boutique is becoming less of a secret every day. Open just two days a week, and once a month for a girls' night out event, The Girls Wearhouse is located one block west of 162nd and Metcalf.

This Thursday, from 5-9, enjoy shopping from several of Haute Market's recent vendors. Vintage Moon Creations, jennyLou Boutique, Two Chic Blvd., All Things Beaded, and Urbantique Designs will all be at this Thursday's girls' night out event.

jennyLou will have a discount table of products up to 50% off! Two Chic Blvd. and Vintage Moon just confirmed that they have a clearance rack of items, some up to 90% off!

The Girls Wearhouse, 7230 W. 162nd, suite D., Overland Park, KS.

Get out of the "cabin" and into this girly little boutique full of great products!

The Morning After

Thanks to everyone who attending the Retail Therapy event yesterday. It was a packed house for the first hour, but it was worth it! Many enjoyed some great deals, and sipped some yummy wine. The JCCC Culinary team did a spectacular job on the food. Lobster, salmon..my we were spoiled!

Hey ladies...let us know your favorite Swag item!

I was so pooped that I missed the Grammy's last night! I'm sending out a "YOU GO GIRL!" to fellow sorority sister, Carrie Underwood, for capturing the best female country vocal performance for "Jesus, Take The Wheel" and best new artists awards. The photos circulating show her in a stunning evening dress and some beautiful earrings. Please tell me she has hair extensions because hair that long and gorgeous is just isn't fair otherwise!

Congrats to the other ladies who rocked the award show as well. Dixie Chicks, Christina Aguilera and Mary J. Blige kicked some grammy booty!

Later this week...photos from our event and talk about swim suit season. ACK! Some great looks hot of the runway and to the Fashion 411. Stay tuned!

Ticket Update!!

If you are looking for tickets for the Retail Therapy event and don't want to pay online, I've just heard from my friend Jennifer, owner of the Beach Club Tan...she has some tickets left. If you're near 95th & Antioch, you can buy tickets at her location on the SW corner through tomorrow, Saturday!

What They Wore

No, I haven't heard from Regis & Kelly yet, but I remain hopeful. ;)

Many ladies have emailed me asking to give them info on what our models wore yesterday on KC Live. Here is the list.

Julia ~ Tank top ($49.95) and matching jacket ($99.95) embellished with crystals on an appliqued cross. Also has matching sweat pants.
Black suede handbag $45 and sunglasses from jennyLou boutique. Cluster necklace by AppleScraps $40 (one of the pieces says "kiss me".


Laura ~ Bali-inspired blue tunic $40
Long necklace with semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystal cluster $35.
Matching bracelet $50 & earrings $30.
Chanel inspired sunglasses and black hobo-style handbag ($45), jennyLou boutique

Leigh Ann ~ Fleur d'lis long sleeved tee ($21.95) & fitted black jacket with white stitching ($74.95) both from Frankie & Jules.
Offset pendant handcrafted from find silver and bronze on 30" strand of kukui nuts $100, by Rare Adornment.
Red Faux croc handbag $36, jennyLou Boutique

Amy ~ Day-to-night outfit by Frankie & Jules in browns and creams. Top $34.95, skirt $30.95
Brown handbag from jennylou
Soldered pendant with bird scene by Apple Scraps $40.

Jennifer ~ Long black sweater/jacket from Frankie & Jules $34.95. Can tie or has a belt.
Ribbon necklace with fuchsia pendant by jennyLou $32.

TV Day!

Yay! We all looked fabulous on TV and I didn't look nearly as nervous as a felt. Whew! Well, my friends said it was great, my hubby said "you looked like you were going to pee yourself at first." Thanks hon'. I actually was desperate for the loo right before I sat down. :)

My tips for TV. Do NOT drink 3 cups of coffee prior to. Do definitely hire Staci Broski to do your make up. I felt like a million bucks having treated myself to a professional make up application. I think I looked pretty swell too. Staci, thank you so much!!

The models were fantastic! And they are all designers/vendors in our Retail Therapy event this weekend. Visit their booths and you'll probably find them wearing some of the items from todays modeling. You can easily get the same looks. Just ask any vendor for help and we'll put together a replica, or another fantastic look just for you.
In order of appearance was:
Julia Morgan ~ Frankie & Jules
Laura Timmons ~ Vintage Moon Creations
Leigh Ann Prier ~ Rare Adornment
Amy Cecil ~ Apple Scraps

Pictured left to right: Julia, Leigh Ann, Jennifer, Amy, Laura.

Way to go girls!

Community News: Family In Need

Skip your latte today and donate that money saved to help a local family in need. This could be your child, your newphew, your neighbor, your child's schoolmate.
I'll summarize the email that was in my mailbox today:
Cory is an extraordinary 11 year old boy who once enjoyed playing on his Blue Valley Football team and other regular boy things. Now he's lucky to be able to go to school and learn with the rest of his friends. Cory was diagnosed with a horrible muscle cancer last April. He has undergone over 50 chemotherapy treatments, dozens of radiation treatments and endless needle pokes.

His parents, according to friends, are Cory's angels. They have teamed up to be sure Cory has a sterile home, is never alone when staying at the hospital. They can change his chest tube, his sterile patches and know every protocol for every treatment he needs.

It's a 24 hour job. And that also includes taking calls from collection agencies, holding their jobs, going thru stacks of mail and bills, trying to keep their house, their cars and everything that is "home" to Cory. Not only is Cory's well being at stake, so is everything else in their lives.

Unfortunately their insurance has a $250,000 cap. That was used up a long time ago. Cory's parents sound like amazing angels and he is lucky to have them. But these angels sound tired and in need of a few extra wings.

If you can help, please visit their web site and make a donation to Cory's fund. If you cannot donate at this time, a simple prayer is a thoughtful donation of your time.

So skip that latte today and send a few buckaroos Cory's way. It will put a higher spring in your step than any amount of caffeine. We'll also have a collection container at the Retail Therapy event this weekend.

To My Adoring Fans

Ok, I'm totally kidding. Don't think that I have my head in the clouds. I've had so many great emails this morning that I thought I'd answer some common questions about my pending celebrity status right here. (ha ha)

Yes, I am excited to be on TV. Yes, I'm TOTALLY nervous. I'm actually NOT an extrovert, so this will be quite an adventure. The KC Live hosts, Brett & Meredith, are really great people from what I hear. Several of our recent Haute Market vendors have been on their show and have nothing but wonderful things to say.

Yes, I finally have my outfit picked out. As of last night about 10pm. It's nothing special, I want the models' outfits to be the focus. Luckily I do not have to model. Just talk. And lordy can I ever talk!

I'm most thrilled for what this opportunity can do for my designers and vendors. It's tough starting your own business and putting yourself out there. You have to wear many hats, hear a lot of "no's", and have a great support system of other biz buddies. I hope Haute Market continutes to bring great designers and boutiques together forming great business relationships and creating some fantastic shopping events!

I hope you have your tickets for the Retail Therapy party this Sunday. The swag bags are awesome, the designers have great products, and you'll hear the details for the next big event coming in just two months!!

Cheers!

Sneak Peek

The Retail Therapy event is nearly sold out! Get your tickets now or be left out in the cold!

At the event, we are hoping to unveil the next two to three events, so bring your calendar and schedule your year full of girls-night-out events with Haute Market!

Schedule your Tivo for this Thursday at 10 am on NBC to watch some of the Haute Market girls on KC Live. We'll be modeling several outfits that you can purchase at the Retail Therapy event, complete with handbags, jewelry, sunglasses and more. Plus see the goodies that we'll be stuffing into the pink swag bags for the first 200 advance ticket holders in the door on Sunday, Feb. 11th.

Making Up

Too busy, don't care, just not a girly girl. Many excuses for not making yourself up, all very lame. Come on ladies. It's not that tough to dash on a bit of this and that to go from 'blah' to 'ah-ha'. I'm no pro, but I'll pass on tips to you that were given to me over the years.

Eyes can be the most revealing part of a person. What do you reveal? Drab, tired and overworked? Or haute hot hottie?
Here are a few easy fix ups:
Brows. Bushy and bold is NOT in. My friends at Beach Club Salon Maximus on 95th and Antioch have a great eye brow waxer to fix you right up!
Next, if you have light brows, give them a bit more color and definition. I was taught, by makeup artist Stacy Broski, to use a narrow, slightly stiffer brush, and apply some of my dark brown eye shadow to my brows, which are very light. I love that I don't have to buy a second product for my brows.

For your lids, apply a lighter base color all over. Next put the darker color on the lower part of the lid and into the crease. Sometimes I'll use a light color to apply a very thin line just under my brows and on the outsides to create a lighter effect and more pop.

Of course, you must use mascara if you weren't born with lusious long lashes like my husband and 3 boys. How unfair is that?!?

Now you have no excuse girl friends. I expect lovely lashes, lids and brows from you now.

This & That

One week until Haute Market is featured on NBC's "KC Live" tv program! Tune in at 10 a.m. next Thursday to see me and a few of our designers show off some great looks you can get at the Retail Therapy event.

We still have some tickets left, but you'd better get yours quick. We're running low. You can buy tickets conveniently online, or from any of the designers in the show. See the ticket page for details and more locations.

VIP's!!! You must be on our VIP list (newsletter) to get hot haute deals. Bring your VIP card that is sent to you via email upon sign up. Many of our designers are giving exclusive discounts to VIP members! Just join the newsletter for VIP status plus special ticket discounts, early event invitations and more. There are a lot of perks for being a Haute chick! Join now!