Trendy Chic on the Beach

I went on vacation for a mere 6 days.
Unsurprisingly, my writing/style addiction got the best of me.


It was a primarily relaxing trip.
Fort Myers Beach, FL: So gorg, so easygoing. But there were down points.


After hunting down a local spot for my sugarfree & soy cappuccino...The Tuckaway Bagel, uber-delish... I couldn't help but notice all the bling & neon flash on the beach bods all around me.
My stress levels peaked at the sight of such brights/ bedazzlements done all wrong.
A for effort but overall FAIL. Let's work together on this one, guys.


Epiphany:
Accommodate the trendiest taste on the beach-front surf shops of Smalltown, USA. With eyes wide open, I believed & achieved.


The 90's are so right NOW & so are these (uber-reasonable) pieces. Live/Love/Die for it.
Mix these pieces with studded denim shorts &/or a white fringe tank (maybe with some Jeffrey Campbell Litas you just so happened to order?) So set.


Onward:

Be that hot: $14.99
[CVS]

Dreams come true: $14.99
[CVS]

So totally Malibu Barbie: $4
[ Random Bait Shop .?.?. Right?!? ]

Flirty backside.

Don't act like hotpants aren't your fav this summer: $14
[ Shipwreck Motel Gift Shop ]

So "Sun Valley" Cher: $8
[ Shout out to my peeps at Swimmin N' Sunshine! ]

The peace signs hold a particular 90's vibe, but go any way for a hint of retro: $2
[ THRIFT ]

FRILLY. BLOOMER. HOTPANT. SHORTS: $15
[ Mango Bay ]

Biker bitch: $6
[ um...too many margaritas...? ]

A mid-waisted, wide leg linen pant w/ rope belt for Mom: $20
[ Swimmin N' Sunshine ]

My new pal: $6
[ THRIFT ]

Now, I feel better. Grab these goodies & update that worrisome wardrobe.
You'll (look &) feel better too.


Remember, I do this out of love:
DO NOT SUCCUMB TO THE PUKA SHELL NECKLACE, PEOPLE...So not hot.


Plenty more to be discovered at:
Local Color, Winds, South Seas Trader, East Winds & Aloha, just to name a few. And don't forget all the resale/ bait/ gift/ WhateverTheHellTheyWantToSellUnderOneRoof shops.


XOJP

What’s it take to tickle me PINK? Beating breast and ovarian cancer.

Girls just want to have fun.

Plenty of us (and handfuls of handsome men, as well) celebrated just that at this year’s Tickled Pink event. 

From sparkling grapefruit mixers to slam-‘em-down Spicebox Whiskey shots, this party had every attendee jump, jive and shakin’ their tail feathers…all while flashing their fantastically fuchsia feather boas. 

You’ve got to love an event where men are sporting pink boas.

It couldn’t have been a sexier look.

Friday, February 24^th, Chicagoans got together to celebrate a serious breast and ovarian cancer tush-whoopin’ by raising mega-bucks for the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.

A little wine, sushi and raffling made the soiree seriously sassy to boot.

On a personal note:

These cancers have horrifyingly woven their way through my family history. I have experienced the many sides and emotions brought on by cancer’s oftentimes relentless battle. Therefore, it was my absolute honor to roll out in shades of rose to celebrate women’s strength, courage and success in fighting back.

Take that cancer, you big jerk.

Held at the lovely River East Art Gallery, I expected a good time. Little did I know, what I was in for:

Upon meeting a bounty of absolutely wonderful new pals like Bright Pink’s Lindsay Avner, FOX Chicago’s hilarious Kori Chambers, Mia of Mia in Style and one remarkably ravishing drag queen, I realized I was in a sea of disease-fighting divas (and div-o’s?) and it felt perfectly: killer.

I was lucky enough to boogie down with my fab friends Kathryn Janicek, Jessica Zweig, Joran Thompson, Tara Peitzer, Megan Taylor, Jessica McCafferty, Katie Cahlmann and maaaany more, as well.

This was a night of celebration with no matter for who you are, what you do or who your date is. Tickled Pink’s energy was encompassed by the focal cause and the positivity filled the room like an epidemic.

 

The results? Over $50,000 to Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.

That, my friends, is the way to tickle this girl PINK.

 

Get in on the girl power:

y-me.org

brightpink.org

XOJP

Olivia Palermo Gets Saucy with TOPSHOP's Hottest Holiday Frocks

Last night, Olivia Palermo stopped into the Chi to fill us in on her TOPSHOP fav's this season.  

Each piece is currently featured in the Michigan Ave. store (duh, where else?) meanwhile making all Chicago fashionistas drool... especially over her beloved fringe fad. 

Olivia put together some seriously fly winter wear and featured the looks in a mini-fashion show open to all Chicago beauties.

More complimentary goodies (a.k.a. jess.undressed's fav type of gifts ever):

mani's by Astrowifey, hair flair by Kelly Cardenas Salon, yummy 'tizer bites and Grey Goose-Cider drinks! 

Dani and Eric worked on my 'do that night. 

FYI: Your curls set my world on fire (without the 3rd degree burns.) Thanks again.

As for Ms. Astrowifey, I will be seeing your artistic and talented rear-end (and hands...) seriously soon. Check out her skills!

Oh, how the holidays rock.  Seems like everyone loves to give more than receive!

Hopping on the bandwagon, I'd like to give all of my readers a week trip to Maui each! 

But being that I am still a (super fly) recession-ista I will give you this instead: 

HAPPY HO HO HO HOLIDAYS and a MERRY CHRISMUKKAHWANZAA to all! 

PS: Be sure to check out Olivia's new website: www.oliviapalermo.com


XOJP 

Whitney, Whitney Oooh Ahhh

It can be difficult being tall, gorgeous and successful.
Personal experience, obviously.

Another chic chick who knows a lot about this is Whitney Port, star of MTV's The Hills and The City...but you knew that...

Actually, she is so familiar, she is heading straight to the Chi to fill us in on such devastation. 

November 12th calls for Design Your Life, an event designed to encourage fabulously fashionable, independent women (boys, you're invited too).

This fashion and lifestyle interactive seminar is inspired by Whitney’s book 
True Whit: Designing a Life of Style, Beauty and Fun. 
Smart too, eh? Perfect!

Basically, if you want to be simply marvelous like Whitney, you should come. I'll be there...what? Any grand gal knows, we can always use a few new tips.

The especially cool thing is that Miss Whit will be directing us on what we need to add to our wardrobes, divulging the must-haves from her fashion design brand Whitney Eve, and highlighting the go-to Chicago shops of which to fill our winter wardrobes with.

Come learn a valuable lesson from a true beaut...the array of autumn-inspired drinks, hors d'oeurves, goodies and red carpet photo shoot doesn't hurt either. 

Get it girl.

whitneyport-dime.eventbrite.com

Thanks for the photo, Dime Productions!

Ready to Revert?

I am currently bombarded with things to do:
people to call,
literature to read,
mirrors to clean,
etc.
Oh yes. 
Don't forget the loads of laundry that need washing.


It can all wait my friends! I have found the key to Procrastination Station!


A break from real life, this is a free time-waster and a darn good time.
Check it out.
I saw this commercial that really lit my dorky world on fire. (click the link if you want in too) 
Crayola Story Studio: The place to revert to childhood...and a great place for kids to learn and play too, I guess.


You can make yourself into a cartoon.  Naturally, I went the Indian-chief-rock-star in a knight suit direction. Please note the mega-fly crowd surfing.

I can finally breathe easy knowing that - no - my personal life is not fully in order but - yes - I just made a totally cool picture and therefore do not care. At least I'm crowd surfing somewhere...


If you can't beat 'em (the lazy thoughts in your head insisting you HALT your productivity)
Join 'em! At Crayola!


XOJP

Dance Dance, No More Sweat Pants

My friends Ben and Jerry have been very good to me.  They are readily available and so totally sweet EVERY time.  I want them all the time and my boyfriend isn't even jealous.

Yeah, the guys can be a little over-the-top (calorically), but they have even worked on that...for those times when I'm feeling rather half baked about my physique.

Well Ben.  Jerry.  I'm getting kinda over you and my new friends, The Pussycat Dolls, are one upping you.

The Pussycat Dolls Workout DVD is helping me: 

shake some stress

have some fun

revisit my high school-poms-dancing days 

get off the couch and into a summer-ready figure

These days spring is the new summer...and winter is the new spring.
SO.  Technically, if you want to shape up for summer, you better get your a$$ movin' NOW.  Time is a-tickin' and your thighs are a-jigglin'.  

If I may suggest, go grab your wallet (though it doesn't have to be very full...you can find the DVD for under $10 at Walmart and even cheaper on Amazon) and treat yourself to this fun, sexy workout DVD.


After Nicole Scherzinger's glittery bra entrances and inspires you, you'll thank me.
And my rock hard dancer legs.

This one goes out to you, Mr. Washington.

The 900 Shops Mall...
a land where every stylish son-of-a-gun can shop till they drop. And go absolutely broke.


This President's Weekend (Feb 19-21), The 900 Shops Mall will be hosting its THIRD annual 9.75% discount from all purchases ...

President's Weekend shopping @ 900 Shops Mall = no Cook County Tax

((f r e e   a t   l a s t !))

Come prepared by downloading/printing off your pass OR grab one from the mall's 1st or 6th level concierge...no schmoozing neccesary.


PLUS! Take advantage of the Alexander Hamilton Rate. . . $10 FOR ALL DAY PARKING


Visit your participating pals J. (Crew), Max (Mara) and Karen (Millen).  And don't forget to give a shout out to Michael (Kors) for me.


XOJP