Fashionably warm

The cold weather has hit early in many parts of the U.S. I hardly had my fall wardrobe out when I suddenly had to scramble for winter coats, gloves, and furry items.

In addition to being in charge of the "Haute Headquarters" and mom to three rambunctious little boys, I head the Kansas City chapter of the Pajama Program (yeah, the one on Oprah). I love it all!
We're lucky that our boys don't go thru pj's as fast as their other clothes, so last week was a series of opening storage tubs, trying on and handing down.
More kids than we would want to imagine don't have this luck. Now that the cold weather snapped the Haute Headquarters storage facility (my garage) has to be transformed into a pajama sorting site.
But the racks are nearly empty!

So when you shopaholics are out and about grabbing a few new warm pieces to your fall/winter wardrobe, grab a new pair of kids pjs if you can.
In the Kansas City metro most of the boutiques that participate in Haute Market shopping parties will take the pjs for you and get them to me.

HUGE thanks to the Simmons Beauty Rest company. They are doing a nation wide drive in all their company locations!

Denim Couture in Overland Park has a drop box. I'll be there this Friday night between 6-9 pm giving free Haute Market admission tickets for each pair of new kids pj's you donate!

In Omaha there is a chapter and I'm sure my friends at Runway Boutique and Kajomas will help you too.
If you don't live near these two cities just go to http://www.pajamaprogram.org/ and find out who the chapter president is near you.
You could even get the office involved and have everyone bring a new pair of pajamas in one day.

In just one single drop off I usually need 30 or so pajamas. And our chapter distributes to about a dozen shelters in Kansas City. Many of these shelters have 30-40 new kids a month. Yikes...that's a lot of pj's!

Pajama drive ideas:
Stuff a bus
Pajama day

If you can't buy pjs right now with your already tight budget but want to help, just email me and I can put you to work :)
Have a warm week friends!

Botox and Breast Reconstruction?

Interesting topic for this awareness month posted at New Beauty:

"When a woman is undergoing a mastectomy, getting Botox injections is probably the last thing on her mind. However, her surgeon may think it's exactly what she needs—not to reduce wrinkles, but to reduce pain during the reconstruction process."

Read the full article here:

http://www.newbeauty.com/DailyBeauty/Entry.aspx?ID=2734

Let's talk mock croc

Faux, mock....it's not a crock. It looks similar, costs less and is durable.

Kate Spade's Knightsbridge collection: Lilia bag, $595.
London's fashionable Knightsbridge District is a destination for shoppers from around the globe, and the inspiration for this luxurious tote in vibrant croco embossed patent calfskin. Wear it over the shoulder or as a handheld, adding glamour and polish to both work and play.

Want more croc? Check out the full article here for more fab croc - shoes and even something for your furry friend.

Safe & Happy 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!

Tina suggests that you always keep in mind the following:

Proper fit is key
~ Shoes should not gap around the top edges
Try adding Foot Petals Killer Kushionz to help keep the foot in place and absorb shock

~ 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

~ 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

~ It is better to go up a size and add cushioning than to squeeze your foot into a too small shoe

~ Doubling up on Foot Petals products help to fill the gaps and offer exceptional comfort

Dangers of improper fit
~ Tight fit around toes
Can lead to calluses, corns and eventually bunions

~ 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 - just ask our intern!)

Save the dates!

Party party! These are a few parties and events the hauteness will be attending...that means you should too:

Oct. 8th - Birthday party of Mitzy London's boutique. Cocktails and shopping...our favorite! 119th & Roe.


Oct. 16th - VIP party at Denim Couture Boutique. 135th & Quivira, Overland Park, KS. 25% off all regularly priced items!!! Plus appetizers from PLUSH, sweet sips courtesy of Haute Weekly and more!
Be there!

Nov. 22 - Holiday Haute Market. Loads of fun, shopping and girl time!

25% back from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is celebrating 25 years of providing outstanding service, benefits and value to its Card members by offering exclusive offers and valuable savings at a special selection of luxury brands. As a special thank you to its Platinum Card members, American Express is offering exclusive ‘25 percent back’ savings at some of these Card members’ favorite retailers from September 29 through November 10.

Platinum Card members can take advantage of receiving 25 percent back across several fine retailers and brands, including Cole Haan, Diane von Furstenberg, Furla, Jonathan Adler, Johnnes & Company and Evening Land Vineyards. To take advantage of these exclusive offers, Platinum Card members must simply register anytime now through November 10 at www.americanexpress.com/platinum25. Once registered, Card members will receive a 25 percent off statement credit on their purchases made at these retailers.

Must-read: La La Savings

SHARE THE LA LA…
Give $10 and Get $10 now through October 10th.

We are excited to bring you a very special treat from our friends at Rue La La - online premier brand sale boutique.
It's invitation only so we're inviting YOU!

The Bonus:
Every Haute friend who joins Rue La La between now and October 10th gets a $10 credit.

So join today as a friend of Haute Weekly and you will get an automatic $10 credit. Then send to your friends join and they can get the credit too! PLUS...when your friend buys for the first time, you also get a $10 credit!

Ten friends sign up and buy, you get $100 credit. Simple savings....our favorite term.

Starting tomorrow, Oct. 2nd, at Rue La La....SPANX sale. Ladies, you know we all love them. Models, celebs and especially moms love the forming SPANX products. Join today and start with a $10 credit towoard your next purchase.

About RueLaLa.com
Rue La La (Ruelala.com) is an exclusive, invitation-only online destination where members discover premier-brand, private sale boutiques, each open for just two days. New Boutiques open each day at 11:00 a.m. (EST) and feature a well-edited collection of sought-after offerings from the best brand names in the world at 50-80% below retail. From coveted “must haves” to the discovery of something unexpected, Rue La La offers access to apparel and accessories for both men and women, items for the home and experiences to indulge in at private sale prices from the convenience of your desktop.

Scent of Money

ANDY WARHOL "SUCCESS IS A JOB IN NEW YORK"
At last Bond No. 9 is dropping all pretenses and selling MONEY! (Sort of.)
Introducing their latest eau de parfum, Andy Warhol Success is a Job in New York, with a $cent as $eductively $weet as a dollar $ign.

Just like money, the scent is genderless—a warm and spicy gourmand. And just like money, it lures and intoxicates all who give it a sniff.
Its spicy-citrussy top- notes—coriander, cardamom, mandarin, bergamot—lead into a throbbing heart of jasmine, tuberose, rose, plum and pimento (of all things) that eventually segues into an oriental base of vanilla, patchouli, and amber.

The missing glass slipper?

Now this is a shoe I could display, not wear, and still adore.

Champagne manufacturer Piper Heidsieck has teamed up with Christian Louboutin to create this beautiful glass shoe and champagne gift set.

According to our friends at FaAshion Week Daily, this set is available at http://www.colette.fr/ Oct. 26th.
Start saving your pennies.

It's a HAUTE night!

It's finally here, Haute Market, the most fabulous shopping and fashion experience in Kansas City is tonight!
5 to 9 pm at the Ritz Charles, 9000 W 137th, Overland Park, KS.

Why attend?
~Well, first...because all the fashionable, fun ladies go to Haute Market! :)
~The convenience of shopping over 30 boutiques and designers in one beautiful location
~enjoying much deserved time with your girlfriends
~the fall fashion show for Why Pink!
~complimentary massages from Chateau Avalon hotel
~complimentary reflexology by Reflexology for Better Health
~brow waxing for only $5!
~you can get a pink hair extension from Last Tangle Salon

The fabulous Why Pink campaign is also doing a raffle and silent auction to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
We have over $2000 worth of prize packages!!
A few of the latest prizes added to the pot:

Refresh & Renew Package from Advanced Skin Technologies:
Customized Facial, Pedi-Peel, and Anti-aging , Hand and Arm Treatment. 2 &1/2 hours of beauty services valued at over $200...PLUS products: Vivier Cleaser, Moisturizer, and Eye Conture Cream - valued at $182
Total value of package $385.

$100 gift certificate to Last Tangle Salon good for hair cut, color glaze and products!

Get tickets online until 9am at www.hautemarket.com/events.shtml, or purchase from any of our vendors up until about 12 noon. $10 in advance.
$15 at the door, while supplies last.
Also selling our new pink duffel bags filled with about $75 worth of swag! Just $15!!!

Hope to see you there!

Why Pink fashion show & Komen fundraiser

Good morning my fashionable ones. I've got a list of some fabulous items you can win this Thursday night AND support the Susan G. Komen foundation.
The Haute Market shopping party is also the host for the Why Pink fashion show - our 2nd annual! It's this Thursday night, 5-9pm at the Ritz Charles in Overland Park, KS.

The great people of Why Pink have loads of items donated by local KC area businesses which you can win via raffle or silent auction.
Here are a few of the goodies:

Lunch Certificates, Panera Bread
4 T-bones Tickets, KC T-bones
Gift Certificate to Red Carpet Makeup , $55
Gift Certificate, 2 Tickets to any show, Quality Hill Playhouse, $52
Gift Certificate 1 Hour Whirly Ball Power Play $160
Custom matted framed print of Union Station by TL Goodwin Photography, $250
Gift Certificate for Why Pink Portrait Session $100
5lb Vase Candle, Why Pink valued at $70
Gift Certificate for 30 min. Swedish Massage at la vita bella day spa, valued at $40
Pendant, Leopard Print by Flair, valued at $18
Gift Certificate for spray tan at Adorn Beauty Boutique, valued at $45

There are many more prizes available! Get tickets now for the incredible Haute Market shopping party and experience the hauteness!! http://www.hautemarket.com/

(above donation items subject to change without notice)

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Day 8

Good morning fashionistas.
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City is going strong and on day 8 of the madness. The finale!

Big stars are said to be gracing the tents today:
Joy Bryant and Kathy Griffin are expected at Isaac Mizrahi, showing in the big Tent at 2pm (EST).

At the TRIAS show, 3pm in the Promenade, the expected celebs are Carolina Herrera, Rachel Zoe and Nigel Barker. Yikes...no pressure there.
Ralph Lauren, who is pushing 70, shows today, off site.

Also later tonight will be Tommy Hilfiger at 8pm, shutting down the tents with the finale show.
Of course the usual after parties and many other off-site shows will be happening as well. It's the finale day. Photographers, editors and all are ready to go chill out for a few days and gear up for the next fashion week. It never stops in the fashion world!

(Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

Fall Notes

I am here in NYC taking a bite out of the big apple. It's so fabulous seeing the fashions to look forward to this spring 2010. But seriously? What the heck are we supposed to wear now, right??
Let's take a trip back to February '09 in NYC to find out what is hot this fall...

Color: just about anything goes. Not much of a prevalent single color. A common thread (no pun intended) was monochromatic schemes. Not so much like spring where there are a variety of mixed colors. Like this photo from the Erin Featherston show. A beautiful black dress with the flocked dots. Gives more dimension and interest, but easy to coordinate.

There were some great patterns at Mara Hoffman's show. Her collection showed quite a variety and a lot of creativity. These patterns are bold, but not overwhelming like some who seem to imitate a flower boutique explosion.

And don't forget your hardware. Studded boots, jackets and even tights were spotted on the runway. I don't recommend the tights for everyday, but the boots and jackets are great closet additions.

Keep it simple this fall. I'm playing it safe here at fashion week with a mostly black selection in my temporary closet, but pulling color in with fabulous shoes, jewelry and handbags.

It's fashion week in NYC

Good morning boys and girls. I'm so excited to be reporting from the tents of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week where we get the first look at Spring 2010 fashions. The rain is going to hold off for a while which makes us fashionistas very pleased. NYC is hard enough on the hair..adding rain is just brutal.

Waiting now for the Michael Angel show, then BCBG, my fave. As soon as I figure out this new phone I'll upload some photos.

The mood here in the tents is subdued. Must have been a lot of partying last night. It will surely become more exciting in an hour or so.
Ciao for now.

New store in Lee's Summit!

The Hauteness is so excited to announce the opening of Gennaio Boutique in Lee's Summit, MO.

Gennaio has been a Haute Market vendor many times and has a fabulous store in Raymore, MO.
Now owner Cari January is expanding Gennaio!
"We want to provide a new location for women to find fun, flirty and affordable fashion," says Cari.

Gennaio Grand Opening
Fri. Sept. 11 - Sun. Sept 13.
At Summit Fair Lifestyle Center, Lee's Summit.
(I-470 & US 50 Hwy)

Ask for your one item at 25% off during the grand opening weekend sale! (see store for details)


In preparation for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NY, I visited Gennaio in Raymore last week. Picked out a gorgeous deep purple handbag, a black skirt and fab ruffled blouse. To the left is a fashionistas dream - Cari's store handbag wall!

Avon Offers

Avon is cool again. It's not the door-knocking ladies with their handy travel kit in a avocado green bag.
And if my celeb crush Reese Witherspoon wears it, perhaps I should give it a go, since it's discounted.

I love the Kabuki Brush with it's natural bristles made of goat hair.

The new Smooth Minerals starter kit is a $38.00 value for only $25.
One complete 6-piece collection with all the essentials you need.
Contains pure mineral pigments…and enriched with vitamins. Free of talc, oil and fragrance. Great for all skin types, even sensitive skin.

A Shoe Collaboration

Just arrived in my inbox!!!

Gottex's head designer, Molly Grad, has tapped Lisa F. Pliner to crate the shoes for the upcoming Gottex runway show at the Tent at Bryant Park

“With swimwear the shoe is essential”, said Grad. “The shape of the shoe affects the silhouette of the body. I feel Lisa’s work is both sensual and modern.”

“I was delighted when I was contacted by Molly to create the footwear for her debut runway show. Living in Miami I totally understand Molly’s idea of creating swimwear that is so chic that it can be worn as ready-to-wear. We were fortunate enough to have met in person to start our collaboration together”, said Pliner.

The styles that will debut on the runway on September 14th will be available for wholesale purchase during December shoe market week in New York.

We'll do our best to get a photo to post the real thing as it happens. Gottex, Sept. 14th, 7pm at the TENT.

New rewards for loving handbags!

You know I love my handbags and I love borrowing them even more than buying because then I can have a new handbag each month if I'd like (and if MasterCard allows it).

Avelle members and guests get almost twice as many points as before for every dollar they spend. Avelle is also now making it even easier for fashionistas to redeem their points ($10 for every 1000 points earned) by displaying their points balance right on the Avelle.com homepage, once they've logged in. As always, points can be redeemed immediately on Avelle.com, helping accessory-lovers make their fashion dollar go farther, while always looking fabulous.

Choose your fave bag today. Rent it for a week, a month or more! Send it back when you're bored of it and start over fresh.

(Pictured above is the Michael Kors Skorpios Large Hobo Python Handbag)

Sephora Sales

Great sales at Sephora.com my faithful peeps!

Free Mystic Tan Sample
or
Free Lip Polish
or
Free Michael Kors Weekend bag with purchase...To enjoy this limited-time offer, simply purchase the Michael Kors 1.7 or 3.4 oz Eau de Parfum Spray and enter promotion code WEEKENDER when prompted at checkout. The free Michael Kors Weekender Bag (18 x 14 x 5'') will then be added to your order.

So many deals, so little time. Check out the site and see all the great coupons, deals and steals, plus all the fine print about the offers mentioned above.

Layering for fall outfit idea

A little something I threw together at Denim Couture. A simple burn out t-shirt under the belted jacket - suddenly makes a tee pretty nice to have on hand.

Add another layer with the necklace.

All atop a denim skirt.

Simple.

Denim Couture

11548 W 135th St

Overland Park, KS 66221