A Bandage Dress

I think that copying designer trends is ok if you do it tastefully and with just a few details here and there. With the Herve Leger bandage dress by Max Azria however, I sort of love that you can find it at any price range, knocked off not only by brands like Guess and Express, but by Azria's own second line BCBG. This look has revolutionized the cocktail dress, I am excited to sport mine tonight for New Years Eve (and will be counting down until I get dressed rather than midnight!) It's a simple concept of bandage style pleats that look sexy and body conscious while simultaneously giving you a look that Spanx would only dream about. Everything is lifted, tightened and smooth, it only looks like you have to have to perfect body to wear it! That is a happy way to look at the new year!

BCBG Version $196

Bebe Bandage $89

What to do NEXT after the holidays

I have been intrigued by the black and white wall paper, hot pink accent wall, chandelier combo on Coventry's NEXT store front window for a while. The gallery paintings and photographs that line the walls into the boutique are equally curious. Now that I've been working retail I feel guilty going into stores with no intention to buy, especially when I have a discount but I'm glad that I let my curiosity get the best of me to go into this store. All dresses on sale for $39, the Converse tennis shoe line up had much more style than any pair found at footlocker and the Marc Jacobs men's collection can transform any Case computer engineer student to a cool guy in no time. Stop by to see how this store can challenge your daily style.

New Years Eve Plans

Still looking for plans to countdown to 2010? I've got you covered with a list of fun activities for you and friends to do, now just go pick out your dress!

ROMANTIC:
Renaissance Hotel: Arrive and find deluxe accommodations with champagne waiting for you in your room. Head downstairs and immerse yourself in the romantic atmosphere of Sans Souci restaurant and savor an exquisitely prepared three course meal for two. After dinner enjoy live entertainment and the best view of the downtown holiday lights in our Lobby Court Lounge. "Take the elevator home" and wake up refreshed to start the New Year and enjoy breakfast buffet for two in the Brasserie restaurant. Priced from $329 plus tax per room.

BOOZE CRUISE: 
Nautica Queen Cruise: New Year's Eve Package $75 - Board at 8, dinner at 9, cruise from 10 to 1AM. Includes Hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, bottle of champagne per couple

MUSICAL:
Cleveland Pops: Concert and Dance with the Three Redneck Tenors; Concert at 9pm, dancing afterwards, call 216 231-1111 for reservations.

FANCY:
Fat Fish Blue "Black and White Ball": four-course dinner, music all evening, and a two-hour cocktail hour with appetizers; $54.99 per person; reservations recommended; 216 875-6000

SAMBA PARTY:
Sarava Brazilian Restaurant: $15 at the door after 10 PM. Enjoy DJ Kris and The Samba Joia Brazilian drum line will play the best Samba ~ Bollywood ~ Bhangra ~ Salsa ~ Merengue & many rhythms from Brazil and around the world. Dinner menus also available.

Happy New Years Eve Planning!

Nine

I've been waiting and waiting to see this movie ever since I first heard that I could see Sophia Loren, Penelope Cruz, and Nicole Kidman in the same film. Added bonus it sounded like Kate Hudson would also be making a movie for a change that wasn't a total flop. Finally last night as the snow piled up around our house and driving conditions worsened I walked 1.5 miles through the storm to see the movie... maybe I could have waited til the dvd. It was beautiful, the actresses glistened, and the costumes were pretty over the top. The plot of the movie was that a director couldn't think of a script for his upcoming blockbuster and that at the end of the day people don't care about the lines but about how the actresses looked and moved across the screen - it seems like this director thought the same. It could probably be used in the background of a dinner party or while getting ready to go out for the evening but not strong enough to be the main event.

Fall into the Gap!

It wasn't until one of my best friends (also named Natalie) came home from D.C. this week that I remembered how exciting it can be to shop at the Gap! The two of us have plenty of reasons to not like it, she started her career at the Promenade location at 16 (yes, remember when it was part of the Promenade and such a big deal?!) and I was a Banana Republicer at the Crocker Park branch. All of the videos for proper use of box cutters and register training combined with hours of folding and still we are true fans of the empire. It might just be nostalgia but it could also be the greatest cotton basics (tees, pants, underwear) on sale with an additional 25% off that makes this place such a great staple. Stop by to get your extra stocking stuffers!

Sad not to see B. Murphy sporadically!

Sad I have been seeing you sporadically. Retail is retail during the holidays - I need to be there at 7:30 this morning and with few sizes and styles left it's going to be a very long day! MTV did a post of Ms. Murphy's best Clueless quotes to cheer you up about the sad news of her passing, they're kind of awesome and her crush on Paul Rudd is still relevant, we will remember her fondly:
"Why should I listen to you anyway? You're a virgin who can't drive."
"Cher, I don't want to do this anymore. And my buns — they don't feel nothin' like steel."
"I hope not sporadically!"
"You know, I don't care either way — just as long as his you-know-what isn't crooked."

A Christmas Staycation

Looking to get away during the holidays while avoiding crowded airports? The Renaissance Cleveland is doing a special Christmas Story package through February 7. Starting at $149 you can get a night with deluxe accommodations at the hotel in the city where the movie was filmed, buffet breakfast for two in the Brasserie Restaurant, two tickets to A Christmas Story House and Museum and A Christmas Story gift bag featuring items from the film! It's so festive you might 'shoot your eye out'!

Rodarte for Target

While most are counting down the days to December 25 I am anxiously awaiting the 20th because it is when the legendary sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy launch their Rodarte for Target collection. The two art students from Berkeley, CA founded their company in Pasadena in 2005 but the cool-girl looks immediately shot to the East coast with such notable looks as a dress bedazzled with the word Obama in Sonia Rykiel's tribute collection in 2008 and last minute wedding dresses for fashion editors at Paper magazine (less than 6 weeks). They've moved quickly up the ranks and now they're at the ultimate place for fast-fashion - Target (Tar-jey!) Here are some looks from the collection, most pieces are under $40 and those cute lace tights are only $12.99. University Heights, Mayfield Heights and Avon Targets are confirmed to be stocking the line.

 

 

Sweet Dreams

Last week I decided it was time to come to terms with my pj wardrobe - some nights I was looking pretty rough with a pair of pants that had holes in them, a t-shirt I shrunk in the drier that seemed fine for sleeping but was also an old cross country top from high school that probably could have been tossed. I know you're not going to hit West 6th in your pj's but for your own sense of style and reward at the end of the day sometimes it's nice to look at this neglected drawer.

1. Dump out the entire drawer and place into keep, donate, toss piles.
2. Get a pile going that maybe should be in other drawers but you throw in their because it's already a mess ie. sports bras, tights, socks... this should be a drawer of serenity.
3. Fold your keep pile neatly and organize so that it's easy for you to find an outfit, this could be pants on the left, tops on the right, or you can do top, bottom, top, etc. so the outfits are already made
4. Fill in! Pajama shopping is fun because for the most part you can find them on sale and you can pick a fun color palette without being practical. I'm currently after all things purple and lavender with some black and white tank basics to mix and match.
5. Store list:
-Nordstrom Rack - 25149 Cedar Road Lyndhurst, OH 44124, cute PJ Salvage and Ralph Lauren
-Victoria's Secret - Crocker Park, shop for cute boxers during their semi-annual sale
-Costco - it's true they come up with the cutest sets from Carol Hockman to Calvin Klein
-TJ Maxx - You can shop their lingerie department and athletic section for good basics.

Loganberry Books

I will keep this short because once you visit this book shop in Shaker Square you will have too much to read. If in doubt about a great holiday present or if you're trying to find a literary muse in history - check out the annex at Loganberry Books.  Their website updates their book club which this week includes The Elegance of a Hedgehog - a personal favorite that will have you wanting to be a concierge at a Parisian hotel/apartment. http://loganberrybooks.com/

Cute Gifts under $25

$5 - Harper's Bazaar 12 month subscription Love their "What to buy, keep, store" section

$9.99 The Luxe Godbersen's sensational bestseller is the first title of an exciting trilogy. Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene in 1899, but are soon caught up in a whirlwind of scandal when a family secret threatens their position.

$14.99 Metallic Bi-fold Wallet

$19.50 Sparkle Henley - It's just for sleeping so why not shine!

$24.50  Lancome Definicils Mascara

I miss you!

Sorry about not posting yesterday. I am working retail everyday this week - not the Monday - Friday kind but the Sunday - Saturday kind. Ugh. When you're shopping for your holiday gifts have patience with your sales person, if her sunny disposition is not coming across it could be for a couple of reasons, one: if she's not wearing matresses as shoes she probably can no longer feel her toes. Two: From all of the standing she probably is on the borderline of a pinched nerve in her back. Three: Too many trips to the espresso bar raised her sugar levels earlier but are now crashing. On the upside - now that I'm at the mall I can stalk the sales including these pink satin ballet flats I picked up yesterday at J.Crew for $49.99 - so perf with my polka dot tights, major pick me up!

Vine and Bean

I'm so happy that a delicious breakfast place exists that combines so many perfect ingredients - a "mama mocha" (low fat from the papa version), an open fire place, awesome menu, live music. Who could ask for anything more? When friends suggested this place on Larchmere in Cleveland last weekend I threw on a favorite sweater from high school, jeans and my uggs and felt right at home as I sank in to a veggie egg pie served with a side of homemade banana bread. On the 12th the Black River Belles, Oberlin's first female bluegrass band, will be performing (shown). Check out the Vine and Bean this weekend for a special treat to yourself. Updates on the menu and musical guests listed daily http://vineandbeancafe.com/

J.Crew Christmas

I finally had a chance last night to go through J.Crew's holiday catalog last night - why is everything so cute? I've weeded through my many highlights to find the pieces I think will be the most classic and look cute when you style them with jeans on your own instead of their matchstick ankle pants, puff coat, converse, fur hat  combo...

PS. Got my car back, it is fine but the cost of repairs is equal to or greater than my whole month of November working at Nordstrom for extra shopping money... shoot.

1.  Silk Frances Cami - Will look amazing under a v-neck sweater now or with a mini skirt in the summer. $88 (I'm sure less after xmas)

2. Porto Leather Driving Mocs - $125 but made in Italy and cheaper than Tod's by a long shot (aka you don't have to be a 35 yr old Italian girl still living with her parents in their Milan apt to afford)

 3. Scoopneck corsage tee - Last year they put the details on the side of a tank which was lost under cardigans and couldn't be worn solo in Cleveland winters. Love it fo $34.50

4. Super Skinny Satin Belt - I have a super skinny patent one from last year I've probably worn 350 out of 365 days since I've owned it!

5. Wool duffle coat - Amazing. Already on sale from $298 to $208.

 

The Rapid Transit

New York has the subway, DC the Metro, Chicago the El, London the Tube, Boston the T, and we have the Rapid - snazzy!

Last night I was minding my own business driving home when whack! The car behind me just slammed into me out of the blue. Since moving back from New York I have gotten comfortable with a cooler style knowing that I don't have to bundle up to walk a mile to get to the train. When I got out of my little car last night scantily clad in a cute blazer, skinny black pants and sling back Miu Miu's with toe cleavage I found myself racing through my trunk for something, anything, of my old cosmopolitan life, a spare Ugg I forgot to take out, a coat, help! Luckily no one was hurt and I'm leaving now to pick up my rental car but I'm thinking today that I need to let Cleveland public transportation play a bigger role in my life. Maybe the rapid can be sketchy at times and you have to be on the look out but if we all started using it we wouldn't have to run into each other with giant machines everyday and maybe we would enjoy being more social and green? Lucky for me I was going about 30 mph and Tigers wife wasn't there with a golf club but it kind of makes you wonder... go to http://www.riderta.com/ for schedules. Have a fun and safe weekend!

Stew Good

I got a recipe for this stew from the New York City version of Daily Candy about 2 years ago and still love to use it. It is super tasty, makes a ton (especially if you add a bag of frozen veggies) and you can pack it up into containers for lunch for the whole week. All of the money you save on lunch out can go to a holiday present for yourself!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2-3 large white onions, coarsely chopped
• 2 ½ lbs. beef chuck
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 8 0z. tomato sauce
• balsamic vinegar
• red wine
• 1 bouillon cube (optional)

Directions

1. Saute onions in olive oil in a soup pot over a light flame until they are translucent. Add garlic and salt. 2. In the meantime, cube meat, removing fat. 3. Add meat to onions and saute on all sides until lightly browned. 4. Add a generous splash of balsamic. Let evaporate. Add a generous splash of red wine. Let evaporate. 5. Add tomato sauce, bouillon, and enough water to cover the meat. 6. Lower flame and let simmer for a few hours, until the meat is tender, adding water as needed but mostly just let it "stew". Get some good bread to dip in and enjoy!

At Home Spa

Tis the season for long lines, too many sugar products and anxiety over planning a perfect holiday. It's just that time to get to a spa and unwind with a purifying facial or relaxing treatment - the only problem is that there is no time and with extra expenses this month the extra spa bill could lead to more tension. I love getting facials at Denise Alexander in Rocky River and if you book one with Denise she doesn't allow for a tip since it's her salon. If you go once just to get a feel for what a good facial can do for you it's easier to replicate - here are the tips I have picked up though so you can start early at home:

Step 1.  Exfoliate with St. Ives Apricot Scrub, every beauty counter has told me that this $4 product is better for you than their fancy creams

Step 2. Steam your face for 15 - 20 minutes, either fill sink with hot water and put a towel over your head (may have to empty and refill if it starts to cool). Or try the Conair steamer that for $24.99 comes with an exfoliating brush attachment.

3. Finish with a mud mask from Queen Helene, it will really help decongest anything left in your pores after your steam treatment. Available at a drug store with the St. Ives - Marcs, CVS, etc.

4. Finish with the best moisturizer for your skin type and enjoy your new glow!

Laura Mercier Event

This week there is a special event going on at the Laura Mercier counter at Nordstrom. The brand synonymous with "the flawless face" is offering skin tutorials by appointment to get you glowing and pretty for the holidays. You can book an appointment to work with a trained Laura Mercier specialist for skin analysis and tips on makeup application on Friday or Saturday. If you have some girlfriends who are also in need of a new look you can call to host your own little party at the department. Call and ask for the Laura Mercier counter at (216) 378-2121 for your meeting with a specialist. Make sure to try their tinted moisturizers and nude lipsticks they're a favorite in my makeup bag for a faux natural look.