Have a HOBO?

The HOBO style bag is still as popular as ever. I love that the spacious interior is not as deep as my arm. Much more easy to reach all the stuff I lug around with me every day.

Check out all the great HOBO's at COACH.

Many of these similar styles can be found at the next Haute Market event. Buy your tickets today and save. $10 in advance, $15 at the door!

Meet The Mavens

It's time to meet more of the Haute Market mavens who will be bringing the chic fashions and latest trends to you at the next shopping party.

If you want fun and fashionable clothing at a reasonable price, visit Frankie & Jules. I love that the are a range of sizes and fits for every body. Frankie & Jules has a top for almost any occassion and a price range that fits my bargain-style.

I recently bought this top, which we featured on our Haute Market fashion show on KC Live a while back. Lightweight to wear now, plus will carry you thru the Fall. Be sure to stop by the

Another fab product is the Lano Company's line of lip balms, massage oil candles and, soon to be released, lip scrub. I love the LanoLight Lumière de l'Amour, accentuated by Roman chamomile, patchouli, eucalyptus and lemongrass oils to stimulate the senses and provide powerful aromatherapy benefits.

Hey Bookworm

My friends ask me all the time "how do you have time to read?". I wonder how people can NOT read. It's my only escape and usually the only way I can fall asleep. I have a treasure trove of books and have to hire a moving van to take them into the book store to trade (I LOVE that concept!).

If you know me a bit, you know I can't NOT buy a Janet Evanovich book. Even if it's one of the old one's they re-released and I know it's going to be crap...I'll still read it because it's better than nothing. Her humor is right up my alley - a bit off, and sometimes politically incorrect.

The Stephanie Plum novels make me laugh out loud. The last one, Lean Mean Thirteen, was no disappointment. Still up to her hilarious foul-ups and back in sexy man, Ranger's, apartment because she has to hide out from someone who is out to get her, again. Pick up anyone of the Stephanie Plum novels you find. You don't have to read them in order, but it is more fun that way.

My latest read, Vanishing Acts, was fantastic. I read it all last weekend because I could not stand to put it down. Author, Jodi Picoult, has an amazing way of telling the story through the eyes/voices of 4 different characters. She pulls you in, wraps you up in her engaging style and doesn't let you go. This story is an amazing tale of being lost, being found and what you find along the way. Truly fantastic, as are most of the books I've read by this author. I've already picked up two more of her novels.

Now you have a few great reads to pick up and curl up with this weekend. Enjoy!

Creature Comforts

Sometimes we don't know how good we've got it until something until one of our everyday conveniences is gone. For me, that's my air conditioner. There are a lot of things I could do without. I would be cranky, but I could forego my daily pot of coffee, my hair spray, my occassional nightcap, even TV. Take away my a/c and there's going to be a fight.


(Here is where I pimp out a friend:)
I have been dealing with Mechanical Services for almost 10 years. If you ever have anything wrong with your heating or cooling, this is who you should call. (677-2226) Cliff, the owner, is just one of the best darn human beings I know. I can't hurt that he reminds me a bit of my grandpa. ;)


We've known for about a week that the a/c isn't at peak performance. Monday, Cliff called me and gave me another price quote for a less expensive a/c, then proceeded to talk me out of buying the more expensive a/c that I wanted and told me to try tinting my windows first. What kind of businessman talks you out of a $4000 sale and into a $0 sale? An honest one. That's Cliff.
I told him I'd think it over and maybe we'd see if we could get through the summer on our clunker.

Yesterday at about 4pm, right when the sun starts baking my kitchen (that's the only thing ever baking in here), the a/c goes out. I panic, call Cliff, and start thinking of hotels I can stay in with my three boys...to add to my panic, hubby is out of town. Long story short, they check it out, give me an option to fix for about $500 and get me through the summer. I opt for the new a/c.
I can tell that they feel bad for me. That's just how these guys are. For years they have kept my family safe, cleaning our furnace every year. Cliff is one of the "good guys". The least I can do is tell everyone I know about him and support his business. Cliff: 677-2226

I'm heading out with the kids and the computer to find anyplace cooler than my house, which shouldn't be difficult to find. I can't wait to come home this afternoon to a new a/c and a cool, comfie house!

Sex Addicts Celebrate!

Strap on your Manolos girls. The fab foursome is back! Well, not quite yet. But it has been officially announced that the fab four from Sex and the City will be doing a film soon. Hopefully shooting starts as soon as next month! All four fab gals will be back, as well as Chris Noth playing Mr. Big.

Can things possibly get better for Sarah Jessica Parker? She's just celebrated her 10th anniversary with hubby, Matthew Broderick, although they've been together for 15. Their adorable little creation, James, is now four. She has her own clothing line. And now she's got a high-paying gig being Carrie Bradshaw again.

Oh what I wouldn't give for five minutes in Carrie's closet. Can you imagine thumbing through rows and rows of those fabulous clothes? Trying on those magnificent shoes? Borderline orgasmic.

I can't wait to find out if Charlotte and Harry get their baby. If Samantha and Smith really make it - because let's face it - that guy is the only real piece of eye candy they have on there besides Choo and Manolo.

Let's hope the script is fantastic because recreating the dynamics and placing them into a 2 hour film is not going to be an easy task!

The Big Cover Up

Something over the weekend snuck into my senses and dug up a memory of crunching leaves, a college campus and football. That can only mean that my favorite season, Autumn, is just around the corner. Far too brief in this part of the country, Fall is certainly the catalyst for good things to come...namely...Fall Fashions!

I absolutely adore the new styles, the layers and the miriad of colors that this season brings to my wardrobe. Take, for instance, this fabulous coat. Now that I've found it, I don't know how I'd live without it.

Havana Coat in Mint N' Chip Their use of vibrant colors and unique designs explains precisely the reason why the designers behind Biya are known for creating a line that is anything but ordinary. This is shown more specifically in The Havana Coat in Mint n Chip with its playful color and detailed stitching along the trim. This knee-length collared coat is also accented with three hidden buttons along the front opening. Buy Now

Then again...when I need to get "back in black" I could really use this black wrap coat.

Wrap Coat with Belt in Black

Ziji designs feature luxurious fabrics with casual elegance and feminine silhouettes that are carefully balanced with masculine details. The Wrap Coat with Belt in Black is the perfect winter garment. This gorgeous coat is comforting for cold weather and has finished hems for a clean look.

The pockets are flush with the side seam and the coat features a loop in center back for the belt attachment. The collar is thick and scarf-like with a button closure. This is a great polished black coat for any occasion.

Buy Now


Good luck finding your perfect cover-up for Fall!

Meet The Mavens

It's body time. Taking care of your outside from your head to the tips of your toes with today's featured Haute Market Mavens.

New on the scene in K.C. but getting around is LOVER Cosmetics. Noticing the need for a local cosmetic maven, owner Ashley Maurin set out to find some fab colors for your face and founded this French inspired line.
This matte lipstick in matador red is a flashy and fun, great for an evening out with your main squeeze.

LOVER Cosmetics will be featuring the new fall color line for the first time at the October 3rd Haute Market!

Next Maven founded the company Nature to Nurture and features Aroma Squeeze, therapeutic aromatherapy dough.

A bit stressed? Open a tub of dough, take out a handful and squeeze. Really work it and take your frustrations out on it. While squeezing you will be releasing therapeutic oils your nose will love and your brain will chill out on. Plus the essential oils and other ingredients will give you some moisturizing benefits.

So don't be tempted to wring the neck of your most annoying co-worker, just have a tub of Happy Aroma Squeeze in your desk and give the dough a good squeeze.

Meet these fabulous gals and see their great new lines at the next Haute Market. Tickets go on sale next week!

We're back!

We've had some blogger troubles lately so it looks like we've not been posting blogs, even though we have. Darn technology :)

Tuesday night Haute Market helped make TV history right here in Kansas City. The fabulous up & coming late night show, After Hours, was taped Tuesday night and we were part of the audience! It was SO much fun to be part of the launch of this TV show.

Hosts, Darron Story and Cara Khan, are fabulous together. The sense of humor, fun banter and fabulous personalities of this duo will surely make this show hit the big-time here in K.C.

Join their friends list on MySpace and watch for the video release of the taping.

A big thanks to The Drop for hosting the After Hours after party. It was an absolute blast to do a little salsa dancing - or at least attempt it.

Cheers!

Fresh Faces

Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder, or is it right at my fingertips if I only knew the correct way to apply? With a cabinet full of beauty "essentials" I'm determined to discover what exactly I am expected to do with the plethora of brushes, pencils, and powders.

Lancome has an educational area to help you learn which tools to use and how to apply. I like the look the backstage artist used for the 2007 Fashion Week, Proenza Schouler models. Light, modern and fresh. Click here to get the scoop.

I'm a bit challenged in the application area, so I prefer a video to show me exactly where, how far up the lid, and at which angle to hold the brush. Much easier were the days when a tiny little tear-drop shapped applicator would do. But the Lancome site is at least helpful and even contains a fun area to customize your own look based on your skin, hair and eye color. Day looks, night looks...many many looks.

To a Tee

As usual, I did just fine on my shopping excursion at the Girls' Wearhouse. I was a good girl and only bought a few things...this time.

Pictured is this fitted tee in the most fantastic turquoise blue color. My friend, Laura, of Vintage Moon Creations, carries this fab shirt for just $36. She said it matched my eyes so I melted like putty in her hands and bought it. It's worth it to have a well fitted, comfortable top that looks great on me. And maybe you if you hurry before she sells the last few left!

I also stumbled across some fabulous lip stick. My best friend hasn't sold Mary Kay for a while, so I'm out of the loop on that. But last night there was a great MK gal named Tracy who let me in on the most exclusive little lip stick secret. Exclusive because the product was a limited edition item and she's nearly sold out. It's the Matte Lip Color Stick and the color stays on for a really long time!

I was telling her how I have a ridiculous amount of lip sticks, and that none of them stay on long for me. She pulled out this beautiful Berry Silk color and I was hooked. The lip color stick is a fat looking lip liner. It works for lining and filling. A two-in one! I top coated it with my clear lip plumper. The color stayed on for hours while I talked, sipped some liquid pleasures and snacked. I bought two since they can't be ordered any more. Email Tracy if you want to try it out.

Happy Friday, Fashionistas!

Dior Glamour

Everyone wants to know "what is the new look for Fall?". Dior has a great web video to feature a few fab looks and how to create them. It's flashy and fun and nearly makes me want to get up and start practicing my smokey-eye look.
Just visit the link and click the Fall Look 2007 button to check it out.

Another fab web find: Free Stuff at Allure.com. They are giving away over 20,000 freebies! Just check it out and register at the right time each day.

That's it for today. Short and sweet because I have to get ready for Girls' Night Out. I already snuck in to the Girls' Wearhouse yesterday morning for a quick peek and grabbed a fabulous new ocean-blue top that is so darling and perfect for this hot weather!

About 12 vendors will be there selling there wares tonight. See you there!

Disney Couture

The good folks at Disney always come up with pretty fab ideas:
Johnny Depp in a pirate suit, rats whipping up delicious treats...and now this.
Disney Couture is nothing new, but the lavish line of accessories looks like it's received an upgrade.

This stuff is definitely not your little girl's jewelry! Sure, pieces like the Alice Blue Bracelet might send young hearts all aquiver with delight, but it's really mommy and big sis who'll revel in all that sparkle and shine. And you may have cried during Bambi (your secret's safe with us), but the enigmatic Bambi and Flower Chain Necklace is guaranteed to make you smile.

Sure, none of this jewelry is exceptionally elegant – eveningwear, it's not – but you'll get some mileage out of select pieces. They're whimsical and youthful, harkening back to those days when all you needed was a cartoon and a Coke to make you happy. Nowadays, it takes something a little more stylish to capture your attention.

A little tip: the Pocahontas Wrap Leather Bracelet is surprisingly sexy. Who knew?
~by East Coast Fashionista

Meet The Mavens

Haute Market is filled to the brim with fabulous designers. We'll be bringing you into our Haute little circle by introducing you to the designers right here on the blog. Get to know these fabulous local business women and find out why Haute Market loves their goodies!

Lisa Burton has a beautiful story to tell about her meaningful boutique goodies. Pink Ribbon Connection was started in honor of Lisa's mother and her battle with cancer. Lisa's cute boutique has expanded over the years and now branched off to Ribbon Chick. Fashionable awareness items that help you "show you care by what you wear", her fabulous tag line.

Apparel, crystal jewelry, even a moving cookbook/story book, dedicated to celebrating those who have lost their lives to breast cancer.
Check out Ribbon Chick today!

Jewelry is certainly an obsession I enjoy. Designer Shara Collins was so obsessed that she named her boutique Obsessions -Unique Designs in Jewely. Creatively mixing natural stone beads with beautiful pendants and quirky clasps, her designs show her immense talent and eye for fashion.

Browse thru her online boutique for a taste of what is to come at the next Haute Market event. Born from a desire for more unique jewelry that coordinated with her every day wear, it's no wonder Shara has been featured in the news and her designs coveted by local fashionistas.

Stay tuned to the Fashion 411 Blog for more designer profiles!

Sideswiped

When the thermometer creeps upward, tempting me to move to regions where snowshoes are in style 9 months out of the year, I'm relieved to find something tolerable to do with my long, thick hair that doesn't involve a quick twist and a large hair clip.

Check out Nia Long and her fresh and flirty side ponytail. What a great way to look stylish and still survive the triple digit thermometer readings.

And I'll share a little tip I received my my personal hair stylist, Vilma, at Xiphium Salon: those totally cute styles the stars wear that look impossible for us Jane's to duplicate because we do a bit more moving around than just walking down the red carpet.....Hairpins. Yep. Loads of them if needed. You simply secure them by placing pairs of them in an "x" shape. Locks it up like Fort Knox.

Try the sideswipe of locks and enjoy the heat ladies!

Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Kitchen Things

Hot off the press from our East Coast Fashionista:

As anyone who has known me for at least the past three years will tell you, I've been undergoing a bit of a kitchen revamp of late. That's putting it mildly, but while they take their time doing their thing, I'm taking some time out to do what I do best – accessorizing.

Some things seem charming at first glance, but probably aren't very practical otherwise. This Bistro Leon wall rack, for example, is chic in an old world sort of way, but would look rather out of place in my modern abode.

However, I do plan to employ this beyond adorable pink butterfly towel, simply because, well, it's pink.




Completing the girly theme is this high-heel cake server, which I was recently gifted with. Apparently the giver was under the (100% accurate) impression that I'm as girly as a gal can get. Yet even I have no use for this goofy utensil, so for now it sits daintily on the side, looking just about as cute as a cake server can look (except for that hottie at the bakery...but never mind).

Fab Feet

It's still open season for open toed shoes and I have a super easy recipe to keep your feet soft and sweet and perfectly primed for your fabulous summer sandals.

Fab Feet Recipe by jennyLou Spa:

Immediately after bath or shower, use foot file on heels, balls of feet or other parts of feet to remove dry skin.
Yes, immediately. Not 5 minutes after.
Indulge your feet in the soothing ingredients of the Footsie Butter.
Put on your Moisture Lock Foot Socks and prepare for your day, or go to bed with them on.
Later, use the toe separators to apply your favorite nail color. Repeat these steps several times a week for softer feet.

Join jennyLou Spa at Bella B's Boutique tonight, along with Jenny Matthews of Mix 93.3 and the Wizards Starting 11 Girls, and of course the Haute Market girls, as we celebrate the launch of the new, indulgent, body product line by jennyLou Spa.
Tonight, 6 to 8pm.
Drinks, food and fabulous door prizes!

Shopping Diva to Mom Mode

I hope you made it to the Summer Blow Out Sale yesterday and grabbed some 50% off goodies. it was nutty! Women scrambling for the best pieces of jewelry, hottest handbag and coolest clothes. I bought a new top from Frankie & Jules, among other things that depleted my bank account yet again. I'm such a sucker for sales!

Today it's "Mom Mode" now. School is starting in just two short weeks. What the heck happened to summer? Now that we'll have a grade-schooler, pre-schooler and toddler all busy with activities, I'm looking for shortcuts.

I don't know how you gals that work out of the home do it. How do you get everyone ready in the morning and get all of you out of the house, to school and to work? Not that working from home is a cake walk. It has taken me an hour just to type this much on the blog between breaking up fights, getting breakfasts, and urging the toddler to keep his diaper on.

Whether you work out of the home, in the home, or your sole job is the house and kids, it's going to be easier to get it all done if we share some tricks of the trade. Email me or post a comment to share your great tip.

Here's my one and only: we have a hanging closet organizer for the older boys. Each compartment is labeled with the day of the week. When I fold laundry (ok, when my hubby folds laundry) I take the clothes and divvy up their outfits for the week. It helps the boys get dressed in the morning in something that matches, plus the pre-schooler learns days of the week and a bit of a reading lesson.

That's the extent of my mom-wisdom. I can give you lots of shopping and beauty tips, but I'm not great at the mom thing. Please help me! After all, it takes a village to raise a child.

Happy hump day!

Cockadoodledoo

Wow, it's very early! I'm up at and at 'em getting ready for the big blow out sale today. I don't think the roosters even get up this early.

I'm sneaking in a quick blog to remind you of the sale and give you some tidbits about the upcoming Haute Market event. I know that October seems miles away, but it will creep up before you know it (much like school starting in a few weeks).

Reminder: Summer Blow Out sale TODAY! You'd be crazy not to check this out. Every vendor will have everything at 50% off or more!

Announcement: I am so excited to announce that Aestheticare Medi Spa has joined Haute Market for the Oct. 3rd event to bring you live demonstrations at the event! YOU may be a lucky gal who gets to try a demo treatment.

Ok, so some of you don't want to admit to Botox or other "enhancements". I'd happily be a poster child if someone can get rid of my forehead wrinkle induced by repeated scowling at naughty little boys who practice artwork on my walls, leave bugs in their pockets and other mischievous doings.

At the Oct. 3rd event, you'll be able to talk to highly skilled and knowledgeable personnel about all the fabulous services offered by Aestheticare Medi Spa. I've already been inquiring about laser hair removal - I'm so sick of shaving.

More info to come. Keep checking back. Make the Fashion 411 blog your home page and stay in-the-know!

50% Off Sale!

Hey fashionistas, the biggest sale of the summer is almost here! Tomorrow is the big Summer Blow Out Sale.
Summer dresses, tank tops, jewelry, handbags, sunglasses, giftables and more!
Everything is at least 50% off!
Many of the vendors in this show have been in past Haute Market shopping parties, so you know it's going to be great stuff!
Free Entry.

Two convenient show times:

Tuesday, July 31st

9am to 1pm

6pm to 9pm

at the Blue Hills Country Club

777 W. Burning Tree Drive, KC, MO. (map)

Burning Tree Drive is about 1/2 way between 135th and 119th off of State Line Rd. West on Burning Tree to the sale!

Bring some friends and your comfie shopping shoes!

Flyer

Look to Fall

It seems like fashion shows are going on every week around the world. In my quest to find out what is hot for Fall 2007, I'm finding that the search is narrowed if I take the opposite approach and ask, "what is NOT hot this Fall?"


An array of cliche's come to mind:
Everything changes yet everything stays the same.
Look to the past to determine the future.


Trends for Fall 2007 are definitely reminicent of every era for the last century.
The space age look of sleek fits and metallic shimmer.
The feminine lacy looks of long ago.
It's all here, just in a newer version.


Colors are not quite the same natural hues, but some much more intense, color-rich choices. According to Pantone, we can look forward to Chili Pepper red, Lemon Curry, and Purple Wine to tempt our taste buds and our shopping cravings. While Green Moss is your typical sage-green sort of color, Stargazer is a beautifully rich, dark teal-like color that sounds perfect for a holiday dress. So don't wimp out and go all black again this year.


In a nut shell, it's pretty tough to put your finger on a single look that is IT for fall. The good news is that there are some fantastic new designs out there for us fashionistas to choose from. The key, for now, pick one look at a time. Don't try the metallic, with the lacy, with the sequins, with the deep teal blue, etc, etc. Find what works for you. Just make sure it doesn't include the same pair of jeans you've had since high school. Let go and let's go shopping!