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Taneisha Jordan / October 12, 2011 9:00 am
'The Price is Always Right' Game (which I rocked at!)
Who knew that HomeGoods was such a fun place?
Last week, bloggers were able to shop the wares at the HomeGoods store located on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. One might think of “HomeGoods” and immediately conjure thoughts of scary, tabletop decorations or mismatched track lighting but neither were available (thank goodness). The HomeGoods concept comes from the same chain as TJ Maxx and Marshalls, so it is expected that one would get goods deals walking in the door.
HomeGoods contains nothing but the best housewares and furniture pieces, with lo, affordable prices. Many were even name brands you wouldn’t expect to see in HomeGoods, like Kate Spade or Ralph by Ralph Lauren. Between one of a kind merchandise to exclusive high-end designer goods, if you’re looking to furnish your home, what would be better items with up to 60% the original price?
The scavenger hunt that all bloggers participated in!
Who doesn't love Kate Spade dishes starting at $10?
It's Christmas time!
- Taneisha Jordan
Photo: Second City Style
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Alia Rajput / October 7, 2011 9:00 am
So we’ve completed the first week of October and surely by now, you’ve all noticed that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in full swing. And while countless companies are doing their part to support the fight against breast cancer with “pink”- themed products and services, there are other ways to give a voice to the important cause. This week, Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign kicked off its “Shine A Light on Breast Cancer” social media program. This year, the BCA Campaign launches an integrated digital program that centers around a Facebook application that will live on the BCA Campaign’s Facebook page. They invite guets from all over the digital waves to add their own personal messages of hope. The application was inspired by the BCA Campaign’s Global Landmark Illuminations Initiative, through which more than 200 prominent global landmarks are lit in bright pink lights as symbols of hope and empowerment.
Mrs. Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of The Estée Lauder Companies, stated “This year, The BCA Campaign took its important breast health awareness message to new heights through a multi-faceted, exciting and provocative digital program. Our first-ever global website, combined with our “Shine a Light on Breast Cancer” social media program translates into a new and inspiring High-Touch vehicle to encourage women and men from all corners of the globe to come together to rid the world of a disease that has no boundaries, for a future free of breast cancer.”
If you only do three things this month to show your support in the fight against breast cancer, let this be them:
*Write your own personal message of hope on the BCA Campaign Facebook application to spread the unwavering support for breast cancer patients, survivors and their families
*Tune into the BCA Campaign Online Press Conference with Elizabeth Hurley and Estee Lauder and BCA Campaign Spokesmodel and Marisa Thalberg, which covers the history, breadth and key objectives of the Campaign, along with essential facts about breast cancer and the importance of healthy living. (Bonus: Elizabeth Hurley answers one of the Second City Style questions!!)
*Check out our own carefully edited 15 Pink Picks for Breast Cancer Awareness, which features some of the best (and most charitable) “pink” products out there, benefiting a number of breast cancer research foundations.
For more information, visit the BCA Campaign’s first-ever global website and follow @BCAcampaign on Twitter for information on breast health, healthy living and the BCA Campaign.
-Alia Rajput
Photo Source: BCA Campaign
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Alia Rajput / September 8, 2011 11:52 am
Inside the Robert Verdi Chic Tweets party
Here are a few of the fashion week fixes we found:
From Maybelline New York: Top trends for Fall beauty include – Bold lips are still here but are more berry and plum in shade, Smokey, dusty eye looks with metallics are all the rage, and beautiful, porcelain skin reigns supreme this season. Shop all the trends at maybelline.com
From Remington: Remington’s new Ultimate Stylist puts multiple style choices at your fingertips – with the exclusive curl slides, you can go from straight to curls or waves! www.remingtonproducts.com
Remington's Ultimate Styler takes you from curly to wavy!
The Cynthia Rowley and Band-Aid Brand fashion emergency kits!
From Sheets™ brand Energy Strips: Sheets brand Energy Strips dissolve in seconds and give you the energy you need to get from the fashion show to the after-party to the after-after party. Sheets Energy Strips com in cinnamon or berry flavors and are $5.95 = 10 pack / 4 pack = $2.95. takeasheet.com.
From Band-Aid® Brand by Cynthia Rowley: Fashion Designer, Cynthia Rowley has joined forces with Band-Aid Brand to fix your fashion emergencies and celebrate the national release of Band-Aid® Brand by Cynthia Rowley adhesive bandages. Band-Aid® Brand by Cynthia Rowley Adhesive Bandages are available now at cynthiarowley.com.
From Plastics Make It Possible: Plastics Make It Possible® highlights the ways plastics inspire innovations that improve our lives, solve our prob- lems and help us design a safer, more promising future. Plastic fibers and fabrics help give clothes their shape and help you look your best whether you are working out the gym or headed out for a night on the town! plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
Me with Kristin Booker of @fashionstbeauty receiving our bright Plastics Make It Possible totebags (check me out tweeting away!)
Robert Verdi being fabulous, as usual
From Hanes: Two key legwear looks: From Super Sheers that won’t run to flawless Black-out coverage, Hanes Silk Reflections has the essentials to build your Fall hosiery wardrobe. Ultra Sheer Tights, Blackout Tights, Blackout Thigh Highs $10 Ultra Sheer; $12 Blackout haneshosiery.com.
From Jewelista.com: Jewelista.com is an innovative, new online shopping destination where fashion discovers jewelry that features jaw-dropping collections from 15 jewelry designers from around the globe. “We are going to turn all of you fashionistas into Jewelistas!”
The beautiful Michou mesh bracelet we received from jewelista.com
From Sebago: The new exclusive Artisan Collection Shoe Styles for Spring 2012 is now available. All handsewn and developed in the factory by each artisan, Sebago has partnered with young and innovative designers like Kimmie Smith, MDot, and Ronnie Fieg. sebago.com.
Sebago shoe styles designed by Kimmie Smith
These amazing sponsors and more were all on hand to give us the low down on their fabulous products, each designed to make the fashion week experience more enjoyable and a little less exhausting for everybody! For more information on Robert Verdi and the sponsors in the Chic Week Twitter party, visit robertverdi.com.
– Alia Rajput
Photo Source: Luxe Laboratory
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Taneisha Jordan / September 7, 2011 1:00 pm
Michael Kors is releasing a new online website: all Kors, all the time.
DESTINATION KORS is the new online lifestyle destination centered around the world of Michael Kors, curated by the designer himself. One part editorial site and one part digital dashboard, DESTINATION KORS is the first of its kind to integrate all facets of a luxury brand – from the designer, to product, to e-commerce – all in a seamless, unified destination. The site will also serve as the content engine housing the brand’s digital touchpoints, such as Facebook, its popular Twitter page, and eventually retail points of sale. DESTINATION KORS will also offer localized editorial features in each of the brand’s markets, starting with Japan and China this fall, and all locations by early 2012.
“I am so excited to have an online destination that can serve as the home to everything this brand is about,” said Michael Kors. “With DESTINATION KORS, I can create engaging, interactive content for my customers and fans. I can also showcase who I am and what I represent in the fashion and lifestyle space on a digital level.”
You can take a peek right now at destinationkors.com!
- Taneisha Jordan
Source: Destination Kors
Photo: notbenetravel.com
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Alia Rajput / August 30, 2011 3:00 pm
Hey fashion fans, get ready for your closeup! Lord & Taylor has just announced that consumers now have the opportunity to submit their favorite New York City-inspired photo to be displayed in the store’s Fifth Avenue window.
The windows, including the winning photo will be curated by Candy Pratts Price, Creative Director for VOGUE.com, and displayed for this season’s for Fashion’s Night Out!
From now until September 9th, anyone may submit their own photos of what inspires them in NYC via a special Facebook application on the store’s fan-page. Candy will select the images to be displayed in the windows and new images will also be accepted live during FNO.
The projected, dubbed “Candy Loves NYC,” celebrates New York City and offers consumers the opportunity to share their love of the city in the store’s windows and online. Candy has chosen four themes, one per window, that she will be
selecting images based on including:
• Favorite Art Moment- Candy loves the Dubuffet in the Financial District
• Favorite Green Space- Candy loves chic spaces to relax outdoors
• Favorite Place to Meet-Up- Candy loves salsa dancing at Guantanamera
• Quintessential NYC Photo- What says NYC to you? For Candy it’s all about yellow cabs and the Met.
“I am thrilled to be partnering with Lord & Taylor for this exciting Fashion’s Night Out project,” noted Candy Pratts Price, Creative Director of VOGUE.com. “I am a true New Yorker and love the fact that Lord & Taylor is embracing the city. I can’t wait to see the places that are close to me in New York in the Fifth Avenue windows and also discover new places other New Yorkers love.”
So start that brainstorming now and we’ll look for YOUR New York-inspired photos during New York’s Fashion’s Night Out! Follow this link to link to submit photos: http://apps.facebook.com/candy-loves-nyc/
-Alia Rajput
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Alia Rajput / August 15, 2011 3:00 pm
The opening act to Glamorama 2011
After speaking with the stars of the show, we were definitely ready to see what Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama 2011 had in store for us! With amazing seats to catch every inch of the action, we sat back and waited to be wowed.
The show began with on a tranquil note. Modern dancers gracefully unfurled onto the stage to a choral rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep” and for a moment, we forgot we were there for fashion! But Show Choreographer Myron Johnson’s signature sense of inventive movement soon shone through as the girls tore their tutus off, revealing outfits with a striped referee motif and were joined by male break dancers to jam out to the opening number.
Sonia Rykiel
Sonia Rykiel was on the fashion lineup first, serving up a sumptuous Parisian boudoir as her backdrop. She showcased her signature knits in rich, earth tones like crimson, emerald and slate gray and displayed both ladylike silhouettes and voluminous outerwear, perfect for fall layering.
Jean Paul Gaultier Collection
The Jean Paul Gaultier Collection was next with sassy suits in tweed and brightly printed separates. The theme seemed to embody a ladies who lunch aestehtic, as many of the models slinked in with cat- eye glasses, pillbox hats and furry cuffs. A standout piece was this cobalt-colored, slim-fitting dress with a head-turning ruffle down the center. Love!
Jean Paul Gaultier Collection
In between designer’s we were treated to more performances, including an adorable ballroom dancing set by the young dancers we had seen on the red carpet, which morphed into an amazing break dancing set that included more pint-sized performers. And finally, both grown ups and tots took the stage for a rousing, black-light lit spectacle of tightly coordinated moves to the beats of today’s biggest pop stars like Britney Spears, Rihanna and Lupe Fiasco.
Tiny ballroom dancers!
Blacklight dancers
Next in fashion was Armani Jeans with achingly handsome male models walking a moving sidewalk and jumping off to pose. And then came Marc Jacobs. Models were styled identically to Jacobs’ fall 2011 runway, sporting head to toe polka dots in some variation and the chin-strapped berets which Jacobs made so famous at last season’s fashion week shows. Tracy Reese came through with her specialty— bevy of beautiful gowns and flirty dresses and Far East Movement took the stage as the best possible background behind bar 111′s urban and slightly boho line.
Marc Jacobs
Tracy Reese
The big fashion reveal of the evening was Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse, a capsule collection available only at Macy’s as part of the retailer’s designer capsule series. Designed as an extension of the designer’s signature style, the collection featured refined dresses, airy tops and modern tweeds for Lagerfeld-esque flourishes like high-collared necks and crocodile prints.
Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse
Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse
The last highlight of the evening was Cee Lo Green’s performance, which began intimately as he took the stage and spoke to us, Chicago, like we were old friends. As the set continued, things started to heat up and the audience went from waving their hands in the air, to dancing in their seats to getting on their feet for the final number of Cee Lo’s hit “Forget You”, (a Macy’s rep later told me that out of the four cities that Glamorama tours, she had never seen an entire theater on their feet, dancing in the aisles like that before). With all of us singing along and the dancers, big and small, taking the stage to back him up, Cee Lo closed the show out right with his crazy energy, soulful vocal stylings and a final burst of confetti!
Cee Lo Green!
Press and industry professionals alike, all agreed that few other shows offer up this much fun. Still dancing out of the theater, we continued the night onto the after party!……
-Alia Rajput
Photo Source: Steve Starr
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Alia Rajput / August 11, 2011 3:00 pm
Belvedere Vodka's Belve Music Lounge at the W City Center
Sick of the post-Lollapalooza coverage yet? Of course not! And it’s a good thing too, because we got the scoop on one of the swankiest after parties, hosted by Belvedere Vodka at the W Hotel City Center. The Belve Music Lounge was an exclusive post-concert event on both Friday and Saturday nights, boasting two floors of tragically hip people, thumping beats and Belvedere cocktails! Many were literally fresh off the fair grounds (I saw one girl cleaning the mud of her boots in the ladies room!) while others were decked to the nines, just for the occasion.
Belvedere cocktails
Black Lips performing in the W Hotel's Ballroom
Fans enjoyed Belevedere music-infused cocktails like the Belve Beat, Grapefruit Rocks and Belve Lemonade. The sponsors included Charity – Rock the Vote, Benefit Cosmetics, Redbull and SOUL by Ludacris, each of which provided guest services such as mini makeup applications, listening stations, prizes and giveaways.
DJ White Shadow
Belve Girls with the Belvedere Vodka Ipad App
The Friday evening performances kicked the weekend off with the up and coming artists of VH1 You Outta Know, including Two Door Cinema Club, Grace Potter, Fitz and the Tantrums and DJ White Shadow. Saturday night guests were treated to the haunting vocals of Skylar Grey, as well as DJ MOMJEANS, Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe and Black Lips. The Belve Music Lounge closed out Saturday night with celebrity guest DJ, Elijah Wood.
Mia Moretti
Skylar Grey
Elijah Wood
Yet Wood wasn’t the only celeb spotted in the Music Lounge. Twilight’s Kellan Lutz made an appearance as did LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian, Channing Tatum, David Arquette and Amber Heard among others. Yet famous or not, music lovers of all kinds flocked to Belvedere Vodka’s Belve Music Lounge last weekend for a premiere experience in the Chicago scene—and were not disappointed.
Kellan Lutz
-Alia Rajput
Photo Source: Belve Music Lounge
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Alia Rajput / August 11, 2011 10:20 am
Let’s face it: who isn’t excited about British retailer Topshop (and men’s wear line Topman) opening their Chicago flagship next month? And we have to had it to them, the British Invasion has done well to alert the city that they’re coming to the neighborhood, even going so far as to host an official after party for the biggest Chicago concert of the year, Lollapalooza.
The interesting decor of Bar Deville included exposed brick walls, gilded mirrirs, chandeliers and deer antlers!
But in true Topshop fashion, the venue was no fancy rooftop or uber-chic lounge. The one stop shop for for edgy, urban street style fashion chose an unassuming corner bar tucked into the heart of Ukrainian Village, Bar Deville. Yet the small neon sign outside the bar belied the thumping, style-savvy party within. With many fresh from the concert grounds, the three-roomed watering hole teemed with hipsters, fashionistas, hip hop scenesters and fun-loving people all around. For the easy to please, tall boy cans of PBR were served by modelesque waitresses in slinky blue sheaths. For the more adventurous, Grey Goose was serving up various concoctions with their flavored vodka, mixing in everything from lemon to ginger to lavender.
The crowd gets pumped up for headlining performer Tinie Tempah
As the bar filled up, DJ Kid Color and DJ MoneyPenney kept the music stylings spinning until the headliner of the evening, Tinie Tempah took the stage. The crowd filled the back room and broke into a well-oiled dancing machine as Tinie rapped, sang and grooved to the Lolla-loving fans of Chicago. Topshop proved they know how to throw a good party, even as the new kids on the block and oh yeah—did I mention we can’t wait for them to open their Chicago doors at 830 North Michigan Avenue on September 7th?!!
Taneisha and I with Kelsey Lynn Kreling and Samm Mackin of Laundry Magazine
-Alia Rajput
Photo Source: Second City Style
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Taneisha Jordan / July 21, 2011 9:00 am
Behny and the cast wants you to "Be Our Guest"!
As the story goes, “a tale as old as time…”, a musical event for all ages has finally stopped in the Windy City! “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” takes the fabled classic and hits the stage with all of the lights, explosions and fun that one would expect. Second City Style got so close to the stage on opening night, we could have reached out and joined in on the fun ourselves!
I’m sure everyone knows the story but just in case, here’s a quick refresher: a selfish and over-bearing prince is turned into a beast when he sends an enchantress disguised as a old woman away to the bitter cold. The spell must be broken by loving another and being loved in return or he will remain a beast forever.
The Beast (Dane Agostinis) gives Belle (Emily Behny) an embrace
A young French woman from a small, provincial town named Belle comes wandering into the house after the Beast is caught holding her father hostage. Belle asks to take her father’s place in the castle and soon she learns that everyday household objects are enchanted by the spell as well and have come to life! The Beast must break the spell before time runs out or he and his household staff will be doomed for eternity.
Mrs. Potts (Julia Louise Hosack) tends to her son, Chip (Sebastian Hedges Thomas)
The cast featured of bevy of all-stars… from those making their National Tour stage debut to critically acclaimed veterans of the stage. The Beast is played wonderfully by Dane Agostinis. Even through the roars, you could tell the pain, anguish and anger that the Beast felt when Belle failed to follow his whim immediately. Smart and spunky Belle was played by Emily Behny. Keeping in with the story of being vulnerable and feisty, Behny easily let the strength of Belle shine through without looking contrived and over-dramatic.
And no Disney story would be compete without a bad guy! National Tour newcomer Logan Denninghoff played Gaston, the devious yet charmingly handsome man of the town. Even SCS couldn’t help but swoon a little when he came on the stage! He was just that good!
All of the staff has turned into household objects!
The play features the animated film’s Academy Award-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. With musical direction by Carolyn Violi and directed by Rob Roth, nothing was short of spectacular. “It has been wonderful to bring the entire original design team back together to work on this new production of Beauty and the Beast,” said Roth. ” It has been so much fun getting together to re-explore and re-invent the show for this new NETworks tour. The theme of ‘Beauty’ is about seeing past the exterior into the heart of someone, and this is reflected in the design for the show, which is about transparency and layers, seeing past one thing and into another.“
Logan Denninghoff as Gaston and the cast having a drink or two
The critically-acclaimed, international sensation has played to more than 35 million people worldwide in 21 countries for over 13 years. Already the seventh longest-running Broadway musical play to date, the story delighted children of all ages. Between the little girls dressed as Belle herself and the elderly couples gushing over the infamous Beauty and the Beast wilting rose, no one walked out disappointed. I doubt you will either.
There is still chance to check out the play for yourself. Beauty and the Beast runs at the Oriental Theatre for a limited six-week engagement through August 7, 2011. Seating for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast are on sale now, with ticket prices ranging from $18 to $85. Individual tickets are on sale now at all Broadway in Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St., and 175 E. Chestnut St.), the Broadway in Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000 or by visiting online at www.BroadwayinChicago.com.
- Taneisha Jordan
Source: broadwayinchicago.com
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Taneisha Jordan / July 19, 2011 1:00 pm
Gwen Stefani‘s kids are always fashionable, so it’s no big surprise that she would want to start a fashion line. It will be in luck for the money conscious consumer that it will be at Target and not a L.A.M.B. production…. and sadly, not for adults. The brand, Harajuku Mini, will give babies, children and “tweens” a chance to own some of Stefani’s patented Japanese anime-inspired, fashion-forward clothing items. Prices for the line will range from $3.99 to $29.99.
“Harajuku Mini is a dream come true,” said Stefani. “I’ve always wanted to do a cool children’s fashion line inspired by the supercute and playful kid’s clothing you find in Japan. The whole idea is about being creative, expressing your own individuality and having fun getting dressed. Target has given me the creative freedom to design kid’s clothing that is different than most anything you usually see out there with great quality, attention to detail and most of all, available at amazing prices.”
The children’s line will hit stores and Target.com in November.
-Taneisha Jordan
Source; Photo: WWD
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