Go Red, Live Long

            Mall America is home to many events, ranging anywhere from concerts to book signings to the occasional star sighting. This first weekend of February was no different in the idea of an event, but the kind of event held was very different and near and dear to each of our hearts – literally. Saturday, February 5^th Mall of America was home to the American Heart Associations Go Red for Women campaign promoting heart health specifically in women. While heart disease affects both men and women alike, what many people don’t know is that heart disease is the number one killer of women each year. Statistics show that every minute, one woman dies from heart disease in the United States (Myths & Truths of Women and Heart Disease).

            That’s a pretty scary fact, right? That’s why the AHA (American Heart Association) has launched the Go Red for Women campaign to raise awareness about this growing problem and to educate women to better their lives, as well as better the lives of all of the women they will tell and impact.

Upon visiting the rotunda, where the event was centered around, your eyes are overwhelmed with the color red. Everyone attending the events were encouraged to wear red, not only to show your support, but also because many retailers in the mall were offering special discounts and incentives for customers choosing to support such an important cause. This is not only a traffic driver for the mall stores, but also a morale booster for participants and mall go-ers. When I first arrived to the event, I was overcome with a sense of unity and togetherness. All of these women, from many different walks of life, had come together to support a cause that is special to them. Being part of the crowd, you could sense the pride between these women. They were here because they believe in this cause, and because they wanted to not only better their lives, but also better the lives of their friends, aunts, sisters, daughters and co-workers. Each of these women attending these seminars was leaving with the most powerful gift of all – the gift of knowing how to change their lives for the better.

One of the most interesting things about the Go Red campaign at the Mall of America was their use in the mall’s space and all of the different activities the AHA had set up for visitors. In the main rotunda, there was a fashion show for heart disease survivors modeling clothing provided by Macy’s and the University of Minnesota fashion design students. In the Nordstrom court, Medtronic set up a “Family Fun Fitness Area” for families with kids to play, while Macy’s court had Health East professionals on site to provide free heart health screenings. Lucky for me, my numbers were right on track and the woman told me I had a wonderful and strong heart. A free check-up is always nice, especially when the results are favorable. The last stop I made was at the Bloomingdale’s court to watch chef’s from my favorite restaurant in the Mall of America, CRAVE, prepare heart-friendly dishes. I unfortunately couldn’t get close enough to see what they were preparing, but the delicious smells made me questions...could this actually be good for my heart? If so, I’ll gladly change my diet for the better of my heart!

The most rewarding thing to me out of it all was the sense of belonging. I didn’t know a single person at this event but somehow, at every stop I made; I ended up chatting with a couple women about their occupations, interests, why they decided to stop at the event. Each woman had a unique story and wanted her voice to be heard. Through it all, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks for bettering my heart health, and I hope each of you will take the time to learn what you can do to better your heart health and Go Red with your support!

For more information, please visit:

"2011 Wear Red Day Is February 4th." Save the Date - Wear Red. Blogspot. Web. 09 Feb. 2011. <http://go-red-2010.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-wear-red-for-women-day-is-february.html>.

"American Heart Association." American Heart Association. American Heart Association. Web. 06 Feb. 2011. <http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/>.

"Myths & Truths on Women and Heart Disease." WomenHeart: Welcome to WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. WomenHeart. Web. 06 Feb. 2011. <http://www.womenheart.org/resources/mythstruths.cfm>.

Live event observation. Mall of America. 5 February 2011. 11 A.M. to 2 P.M.

By: Chelsea Brown

So many dinner options...with a weeks worth of time to indulge.

So many dinner options…with a weeks worth of time to indulge.

Minneapolis + St. Paul Mag presents this year’s list of must-dine restaurants for their annual restaurant week and this year’s line-up is a showstopper.

            Many of us have our favorite restaurants around the Twin Cities with their own special meaning to us – your favorite place to have breakfast, the best spot for happy hour and your favorite place to take a first date. But what happens when you’re sick of the same old scene week after week? Trying a new restaurant can be risky – what if you don’t like the food? What if it’s more expensive than you imagined, or the vibe just isn’t your style? Lucky for you restaurant newbies, it’s that time of year when Minneapolis + St. Paul Magazine releases their week of restaurants which features some fancy fare along side some dives, with special event pricing.

            Welcome yourself to one of the hottest new trends in the Twin Cities, restaurant week, which runs from February 27^th to March 4^th. During this week, residents of the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs are encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone and visit a restaurant that they may not usually go to, with the incentive being restaurants getting increased traffic and customers experiencing new and different cuisines. What makes this even so popular? The reduced price of dining for customers and the chance to get out and meet new people. Since so many other people are out trying the same new thing as you are, it’s the perfect place to go people watching or meet new friends. With dinner clubs back on the rise, this is your gateway event to some of the area’s hottest dinner events.

I’m not a foodie…what’s in it for me?

            With the fine dining and restaurant hopping on the rise, this week is a hot event for foodies and the casual diner alike. You could bump shoulders with some of Minneapolis’s most well-known critics or swap glances with your next door neighbor with the annoying Pomeranian named Pookie. It’s a great way to get out and experience a culture outside of your own and bring along a couple friends for the ride. If you’re not a huge food junkie or interested in the world fine dining, find some time to visit a couple locations if not only for the brag rights. Knowing what’s popular (and delicious) could come in handy when you have important clients or guests in town and you need a way to impress them in a pinch. Minneapolis + St. Paul Mag takes the difficulty of searching for that perfect restaurant out by offering a complete list of restaurants participating in the event, as well as locations, pricing and a menu.

With so many options, where should I start?

            If you’re looking to go big, visit Fogo de Chao, located in Downtown Minneapolis. It’s one of the most talked about restaurants in the area for a reason – they’re a Brazilian steakhouse with a killer desert menu. With cheesecake that will send you over the moon in bliss (I’ve been there many, many delicious times) and prime cuts of steak for $30, this is a must eat. If you’re a little more casual and looking for something sweet and simple, stop by Amore Victoria in Uptown for the most amazing Italian Toast (like French Toast, but the restaurant is Italian) in the area. With thick cut slices of freshly baked bread covered in powdered sugar and drizzled with pure maple syrup, you can’t go wrong. It’s a quaint little restaurant with a downhome Italia family vibe. The listing (on the Mpls + St. Paul Mag website) has almost every kind of cuisine covered in the area, which means there’s something for everyone. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are enough restaurants with cuisines for you to visit a different corner of the Earth each night of the week. Bon Appetit!

By: Chelsea Brown

For more information, please visit:

http://www.mspmag.com/

http://www.mspmag.com/promotions/wherewe'llbe/180719.asp

Flippin' Syles- Flaring Competition Brings All Sorts of Styles to T.G.I.Friday's

It’s a Wednesday night at T.G.I.Friday’s in St Louis Park where one of our own FRM students was set to compete in “Chicks That Flip”. Jackie Wilcox, a fellow student, and currently a bartender at T.G.I.Friday’s, competes in “flaring” competitions for the restaurant so many times a year -- also known as bottle flipping (Pictured Right). The competition was made up of 10 different bartenders from locations such as; St. Louis Park, Bloomington, St. Cloud, Apple Valley, and Burnsville. From these locations came many loyal fans ready for the happy hour and the competition to begin, but with these fans came the styles they rocked as well. 

As 10 P.M. approached, the restaurant scene started to dwindle and the focus turned to the bar where the competition was about to begin. Fans, family members, co-workers, and other fashionistas began to crowd around to support and cheer on the “Chicks That Flip”. The more people that showed the more styles that were mixed together. The styles varied from Jersey Shore, rock-inspired, a touch of floral, to country/cowboy, and minimalistic. While some of these different looks are emerging trends, others aren’t exactly something that should be seen in public, we’ll get to more of that later though! 

Living in Minnesota, it’s always delightful to see floral patterns; it almost gives you that sense of spring that we all, especially now, long for. Unfortunately, it is winter in Minnesota; which brings out our different styles of vests, jackets, and tops. At Friday’s, these were the fashions that were the most eye-catching. Sitting at one table, you could find a combination of rock-n-roll-inspired leather jackets to simpler styles of cardigans (Pictured Left).   At another table, the “bling” sparkled in the light from over-accessorized women. Another one of our own FRM students, Natalie Stokes, can be seen modeling a two-toned fur vest at the event (Pictured Left). Her fur vest, paired with a black and brown long sleeve shirt, is just what a girl needs to stay warm in these cold harsh conditions; although, Jackie heated things up with her amazing performance that night. 

On a not-so-hot note, there were the Jersey Shore influences and untamed cowboy styles! Jersey Shore, now airing its third season, has become a part of many young individuals’ everyday style. This influenced style was taken on by mostly men at this event. Although many were dressed in their jackets and sweaters, the fitted T’s and muscle shirts with enormous graphic prints were just aching to come out. Among these looks was a distinct hairstyle also seen on this popular reality show. Many know this as the “Pauly D” hairstyle -- tall in height, dark, eccentric, and full of gel. Although he wears this style very, well not everyone can or lets say should. 

The last style that was attracted to this event was the look of the untamed cowboy. This was not your everyday, clean-cut, southern-looking cowboy, or even a style that took on the latest western trends. This look was the grungy, uncoordinated, and all around look of a cowboy that came from playing with the pigs. Let’s just hope that public displays of affection, and looking like you rolled in the mud are not two of the up-and-coming trends! Overall “Chicks that Flip” certainly drew out a crowd of many different styles. With family member co-workers, friends, and just overall supporters each brought a twist to the types of styles that were seen at this event.


By Delaney Nelson 

A Grand Place to Be

A Grand Place to Be

By: Kara Koepplin

Grand Avenue, a place where people shop, eat, work out, drink coffee and window shop. The perfect place for me to do some people watching and trend-spotting. The first thing I noticed was that everyone seemed relaxed and happy, no one seemed in a rush and most people were walking at a slow pace taking in the day.  Grand Avenue is always busy, but never hectic. I think that’s why I love going there so much. My plan was to walk around as much as I could, even though this Minnesota weather doesn’t make it that easy to enjoy being out side this winter, I geared up appropriately and went for it.  I parked at the south end of Grand and planned on walking my way down to the other end and back. I killed two birds with one stone and met my friend at Café Latte as well for one of their to die for Cinnamon Soy Latte’s.  Upon getting out of my car and approaching Grand Avenue I immediately noticed my wardrobe was similar to others. The ensemble went a little like this:  a hat, gloves, big scarf, puffy coat, skinny jeans and boots. The styles were different in their own ways, but in general that’s how people were dressed. Since I couldn’t really spot anything particularly unique I decided to focus on how different yet similar the outfits and styles were.

Similar yet different

Grand Avenue’s shoppers age from all ranges, but I did notice on this particular day around 1:00 it seemed like a lot of Mothers with children and people in their early to mid- twenties. I definitely did not notice anyone walking around in their sweat pants and a sweatshirt for that matter. Everyone on Grand Avenue that day seemed very well put together and seemed like they effortlessly put together a quick, yet trendy outfit. The trends were all similar yet different in their own ways. I mean the typical apparel this time of year you tend to have to be more creative with anyway, but to much of my surprise it’s amazing how the same looks appeared to look differently on each individual. I noticed all the different versions of hats, a lot of the beret styles in black and grey as well as the Northface stocking caps. Scarves were typically big and bulky ranging in all sorts of colors, my favorite one was a knit red scarf that the individual wore wrapped around at least two times letting it hang and look almost un-finished. I think the look of a messy scarf always is always somehow more attractive than a perfect one, funny how that is.  Tim Serbus pictured below likes to call himself the “Scarf Ace”. He gave himself the nickname because he has a ridiculous collection of scarves, he told me. I had to take a picture of him when I saw him working in Juut Salon off Grand. His work apparel was plaid shirt, skinny black jeans and a blue scarf to match.  Even men are wearing scarves now, which I must admit I am very keen of. Tim jokingly stated that “ Scarves are a must this winter, if you don’t have one for every outfit you better get shopping!”. Ugg boots were spotted quit a bit this day as well. They are definitely still in trend this winter and frankly I don’t think that they are going anywhere in the near future. The most popular colors still being the black tan and grey ones. Almost every other woman were wearing them. Uggs may not be the cutest boots made on earth but I can admit, I myself even own three pairs because living in this weather those boots are almost a must.  I also took note that coats this year are all puffy! The puffier the better is what it seems like. The most popular color seems to be black, some were belted and some were not. Even though puffy coats make you look a tad bigger than you actually are I think it was made trendy this year because we had to, the single digit temperatures really gave us no other option. I must say though, most can pull it off.

I Spy A Unique Item

When I was sipping on my delicious coffee at Cafe Late I noticed a girl wearing the most unique necklace. The pendent was miniature eyeglasses, something that I had never really “seen” before. They were so cute and miniature that the necklace made me giggle a little.  I immediately asked her if I could take a picture because it’s not usual that I notice unique items like this. I thought it was a great necklace and something that could definitely become a trend.  She wore it with a grey sweater dress, leggings, blazer, leg warmers and tan boots.

At the end of my journey on Grand Avenue my conclusion is this; you can take what trendy and make it your own. The styles I saw were the same key components to a typical yet necessary outfit for this winter. As long as you wear it like you mean it, I think any outfit can be considered your own look even if others maybe wearing the same or similar items.

 

What to Expect, When You're Not Expecting

What to Expect, when you’re not Expecting

The New Age Baby Shower

Author: Gabrielle Nielsen

         

   We've all been to that baby shower where it's at noon on a Saturday; there are sandwiches, fruit punch and baby games that consist of you trying the mashed up peas and carrot medley.  Of course the number one rule is NO BOYS ALLOWED.  However, there is a new trend taking place where baby showers are more like formal cocktail parties, with fancy drinks and appetizers and no silly games.  Best part about this party?  You can bring your significant other and you may even walk home with a cool prize.  So, what does this all mean?  It means that the rules of baby showers are going to change and you must know what to expect, what to bring for a gift, and of course most importantly, what to wear.

            I had just received my second baby shower invite in the mail about a month ago.  I thought I had read the invitation wrong when it said 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and that I could have my boyfriend tag along.  This has been a trend occurring more and more among showers.  The hosts figure, why follow the old rules of baby showers and not make new ones?  Now you can go to a baby shower that is more formal and more of a cocktail party.  An added bonus of this type of baby shower is; since the times of holding a shower are later, you can take off from the baby shower and head straight downtown for more fun.  Also, don't shy away from bringing your significant other.  Showers that are considered "Jack and Jill" encourage you to bring your boyfriend, husband, etc.  Everyone should celebrate a new life coming into the world.  What to expect in the kitchen?  Appetizers, small desserts, and an array of cocktails.  Artichoke dip, brushetta, cheesecake bites, cupcake pops, etc. are just a few things that could be on the menu.  The real emphasis lies on the cocktails.  If the baby is a girl, expect cosmopolitans or a raspberry mojito.  If it's a boy expect, a blue lagoon or a blue margarita.  Either way, you won't be let down at this shower!

Now, what to get?  Gift giving can be quite a challenge when buying for someone who isn’t saying “I would like those black boots in a 6 and a ½ “or “that sweater would be nice in red”.  So, what to get the little bundle of joy?  Your best bet is to cross your fingers and hope they are registered somewhere.  When I went to my first baby shower, it was a long, traumatic event trying to find the perfect gift that someone else probably didn’t already buy.  However, with gift registry it’s easy.  Just go to the machine where the registry is located, type in some information on the parents hosting the event and it will print off a list of items they requested.  The list is a lifesaver because it includes the item, the price, quantity, and even sometimes, where it’s located in the store.  I was in and out of Target in less than 15 minutes.  The majority of people register at Target which keeps it easy for you because where ISN’T there a Target?  Other places include Pottery Barn, Babies ‘R’ Us, Wal-Mart, and Amazon.com.  Unfortunately, we’re not all as lucky as I was to hit the gift registry jackpot.  So, some ideas that never fail are baby clothes.  New parents are going to want clothes galore.  Two tips: sometimes parents get overloaded with newborn clothing, so shoot for the toddler clothing instead and also, for those on a budget; buy the clothes off-season to get them on sale.  Plus, when the actual shower rolls around, you’ll already have your gift and you’re ready to go!  Another good & frugal idea is to buy diapers.  You can’t even begin to imagine how many diapers new parents will go through, so why not help them out buy giving some as a gift.  They’re inexpensive and in the long run, will save them money as well.  Of course you cannot go wrong when buying toys.  Parents will surely appreciate gifts that will keep the new baby occupied as they have .5 seconds to themselves.  Toys range anywhere from $.99- $50 and make sure to have a wide age range so that the parents can be set with toys for up to a year!  Don’t make this part stressful and just know that anything you give will be helpful!

Finally, what to wear?  No, this isn’t a fashion show, but since baby showers are leaning away from the picnic in the backyard and moving more toward cocktail parties, dress is important.  If the setting is at a trendy restaurant or is more formal at a home, being fashion-forward is your best bet.  A pair of dark skinny jeans, a cute top, a black blazer, chunky jewelry, and of course black heels has always been my “go-to outfit” and is perfect for this type of event.  It’s dressy enough for the party however, isn’t too formal or uncomfortable.  If you’re feeling that you may be over-dressed, ditch the blazer and just do a fun, flowy top.  If you feel that you’re not dressed up enough, ditch the jeans and wear a high-waisted skirt.  Keep in mind to keep it appropriate.  No super low-cut shirts and no microscopic mini-skirts.  Think of this event as you’re going to work, but instead you work somewhere fabulous where you like to show off your love for fashion and following trends.  You want to show respect with what you wear but you also want to be you.  Some great places to shop would be Nordstrom, Express, Forever 21, Bloomingdales, and any independent boutiques around town.  To be extra creative?  Wear mostly all black except for a shocking pink or neon blue blouse depending on the sex of the baby.  You’ll stand out for sure and the host will love that you took the initiative to be so creative and thoughtful!  Now, you can finally bring your husband or boyfriend.  So, what should he wear?  Keep him just as formal yet casual.  Dress pants or khakis will work well on the bottom and a button-up, sweater, or polo will finish his look perfectly.  If you dress him up too much, he may be uncomfortable and no himself (which you really don’t want to do considering he’s at a baby shower) but he also still needs to respect the setting of the shower.

            It looks like you’re already to go!  I personally love that times are changing and events that we once took part in were dry and basically boring.  Now the rules have changed and the shower includes everyone and feels more like and exclusive party.  You’re dressed with your loved on beside you, perfect gift in hand, and you know exactly what to expect.  Have fun!

To Read More:

-       Verra, Jnet. "Inexpensive Baby Shower Gift Ideas For a Mom To-Be." Articlesbase. 25 Jan. 2011. Web. 05 Feb. 2011. <http://www.articlesbase.com/gifts-articles/inexpensive-baby-shower-gift-ideas-for-a-mom-to-be-4103007.html>.

-       Leslie. "Ensure a Successful Baby Shower With New Baby Shower Trends." Marketwire. 25 Jan. 2008. Web. 05 Feb. 2011. <http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Ensure-Successful-Baby-Shower-With-New-Baby-Shower-Trends-From-Custom-Creations-Leslie-810768.htm>.

-       "Baby Shower Trends for 2011." Oh Baby Baby Planners. 24 Jan. 2011. Web. 04     Feb.   2011. <http://ohbabyplanners.blogspot.com/2011/01/baby-shower-trends-for-2011.html>.

Images From:

-       Pratt, Jean. "Dinner With Friends." Style Observer: Putting It All Together. Gift Girl Corporation, 30 May 2010. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. <http://styleobserver.com/2010/05/dinner-with-friends/>.

-       http://www.safbaby.com/governor-schwarzenegger-recognizes-potential-toxins-in-baby-toys

-       http://pregnancy.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/07/how_many_diapers_to_buy.php

-       Petek. "Summer Sun, Cocktails and Pink Nail Polish." Whimsical Popsicle. 17 Sept. 2010. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. <http://whimsicalpopsicle.blogspot.com/2010/09/summer-sun-cocktails-and-pink-nail.html>.

You Are What You Carry

You Are What You Carry
Author: Gabrielle Nielsen

If it's true that you are what you eat, than is it true that you are what you carry?  Handbags were simply just something that helped woman all over the world carry their daily necessities, but these days, it's become so much more.  "It is an absolute indicator of who they are and what their style is", says Rachel Zoe, one of the world’s most noteworthy stylists.  The global luxury handbag and accessories market is about a $24 billion dollar business says Lew Frankfort, Coach CEO. Handbags have become a staple in many women's wardrobe and the certain style of a handbag shows a lot about the character of a woman.  Bloomberg BusinessWeek has decided to reveal what bag makes what woman with help from a panel of style experts including, Rachel Zoe, Kate Schelter (New York stylist and brand consultant), Amy Fine Collins (International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame honoree), and brilliant handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff.

I have worked for the luxury handbag company Coach for two years and have been able to see firsthand the customers that purchase bags.  Working in the handbag industry really opened my eyes to how a handbag can make a certain woman feel.  When she spends hours in the store trying to find that right handbag for her, it can be frustrating to me as the seller and of course to her, as the buyer.  However, when she finally finds the perfect one, the happiness is indescribable.  She’s so happy to know she’s carrying a bag that screams everything about her and her style and she also knows she deserves it.  These are just a few of the styles I thought were the most interesting:

"The Eternal Prepster"
This is a woman who is conservative and classic.  She also has a secret fetish
for carrying a "status symbol".  The woman carrying this bag is "practical and
loves a bag where she can carry all her essentials at once."  This woman is a hard-worker but also loves traditional fashion.  Their suggestion: Longchamp's classic Le Pliage canvas bag $135.  It's perfect for carrying all of her essentials and the vibrant red color is sure to make a statement.

My suggestion: Tory Burch ‘Tory-Small’ Nylon Tote ($175.00, found at Nordstrom).  Classic and simple, yet a perfect shape and it incorporates the Tory Burch logo that adds that “status symbol” effect.

"The Upwardly Mobile Do-Gooder"
This woman is passionate about the environment and doing better for society.
This woman is also typically a part of the younger generation. A great bag for her is
a burlap bag designed by FEED, which is a philanthropic organization whose main goal is to curb global hunger ($60).  An even bigger upside to this bag:  1 bag provides one child in Africa with school lunch for a year.  This is perfect for the modern day hippy.

My suggestion: I agree!  This is a perfect bag for an environmentally conscious gal who also likes a good deal!  Also, how can you possibly pass up the fact that 1 bag equals a school lunch for a year for a child in Africa.

"The Lady who Luxes"
We have all seen this woman and all secretly want to be her.  She's feminine and
fashionable, with an expensive taste.  "This woman is a label freak", says Amy
Fine Collins.  She's always dressed to impress but her secret weapon: her Louis
Vuitton bag ($1,030).  This bag is sure to turn a few heads in her sexy, stylish way. "You'll never find her outside her house without the "it" heels", Rebecca Minkoff comments.

My suggestion: Madison Leather Sophia Satchel ($358, found at Coach).  This bag is glamorous and fashionable yet the Coach brand is also a love of that “label freak”.  Extra points: Just as expensive looking yet less than half the price of a Louis Vuitton!

"The multitasker"
This young, modern "Renaissance Woman", not only has a 9 to 5 job but she also
has a lot of other tasks on her plate from day to day.  She's looking for convenience withoutgiving up style.  Her best handbag look: Marc Jacobs cross-body bag ($595).
This bag lets her carry everything she needs for her busy day, yet is youthful
looking with all of the oversized zipper and buckle detailing.  This tote "is to allow her to
be hands-free", adds Minkoff.  She can get things done while being a fashionista.

My suggestion: Deena & Ozzy Zip-Front Moto Satchel ($68, found at Urban Outfitters).  This bag is perfect for a hands free lifestyle.  It has handles of course, but can quickly become a cross-body bag in the blink of an eye.  It also has a very vintage look to it and the color will go with any outfit imaginable!

"The Party Girl"
Who doesn't like a good party girl?  Dressed to impress and carrying only the sleekest bag, Rebecca Minkoff's clutch ($295) is what every serious party girl needs.  It has a removable strap that can turn this small over-the-shoulder bag into a clutch.  Kate Schelter says this owner "still young enough to go out at night after work." Happy hour anyone?

My suggestion: Tory Burch Vintage Lux-T Embossed Metallic Leather Fold-Over Wallet Clutch ($250 on sale for $175, found at Bloomingdale’s).  The metallic purple color is sure to make the right “party girl “statement.  It also can be carried as a clutch or an over-the-shoulder thanks to a small chain link strap.  Love, love, LOVE this bag!  Plus, it’s on sale!

 

"The Early Adopter"

This bag is for the girl who doesn't care if she's even carrying anything in her bag, she carries it because it's about to be a big trend.  She does her research to see what's going to be hot and then buys, buys, buys.  She's a little ahead of her time but not too far out there.  Suggestion: Alexander Wang bag ($825).  Collins states, "You make it work because you love it."  He also adds, "People think she's on the cutting edge."

My suggestion: Rampage Faux Leather Should Bag ($98, found at Nordstrom).  This bag has immaculate detailing which gives the bag a real edge.  It’s very trendy yet not too risky.  It’s perfect for any occasion and perfect for the “early adopter”.

 

"The Hoarder"
Everything but the kitchen sink?  That's what this girl throws into her bag every day.  She carries a lot and her life is a little chaotic.  An unstructured Cynthia Vincent bag is the right bag for her because it’s virtually bottomless.  Zoe says it's for women who are "rolling with their entire life."  Go big or go home is what I say!

My suggestion: Hinge Perforated Leather Hobo ($168, found at Nordstrom).  This bag is a bottomless pit.  Anything and everything you can imagine will fit into this over-the-shoulder bag.  It also has a very fashion forward look to it with the perforated leather.  A definite must for the girl who needs everything with her!

Finally, you can your own make a statement while also on a budget.  So whether you're the party girl who just needs her lip gloss and i.d. or you're the hoarder who needs just about everything before she walks out of the door, always remember your handbag screams a lot more about you before you even open your mouth.  

For More Information:

www.finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111851/you-handbag-your-self

Images By:

-       http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/tory-burch/womens-handbags?origin=radio-filter-dropdown

-       http://www.feedprojects.com/shopping_product_detail.asp?pid=49368

-       Chinchilla. "Coach- Madison Leather Sophia Satchel." Absinthrill. 24 Nov. 2010. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. <http://absinthrill.blogspot.com/2010/11/coach-madison-leather-large-sophia.html>.

-       http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18128256&pushId=W_ACC_BAGS&popId=WOMENS&navCount=18&navAction=jump&itemCount=80&itemdescription=true&parentid=W_ACC_BAGS&startValue=1&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority

-       http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=508693&CategoryID=5286&cm_mmc=LINKSHARE-_-ShopStyle-_-Crawl-_-Crawl&LinkshareID=J84DHJLQkR4-EDSA5MsLqVrjxYLfM8AqlQ

-       http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/rampage-faux-leather-shoulder-bag/3152615?origin=category&resultback=0

-       http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/hinge-perforated-leather-hobo/3127482?origin=category&resultback=0

In the End... Fashion's all that Matters by: Jamie Paulson

“By Myself”

Walking onto the general admission floor with all the strobe lights and laser lights flashing and the music pulsating all around me, I realized thigh-high boots were definitely the wrong shoes to wear. I was surrounded by people forming and joining mosh pits while opening band, Pendulum, was jamming away on the stage. At this point, it dawned on me that the style was more grunge punk rock than trendy “rock star’s girlfriend” style. During the intermission before Linkin Park was to take the Xcel Energy stage, a girl tapped me on the shoulder to compliment my boots. Amanda Freund was dressed in a cleavage baring black mini-dress with black lace-up knee-high boots, and she accessorized with multiple strands of silver necklaces. After immediately bonding over feeling over-dressed, we parted ways to enjoy the concert, and I continued to cover style at the Linkin Park show at the Xcel Energy Center.

“Somewhere I Belong”

            As I walked the corridors between intermissions, I noticed a similar trend in the crowd. Easy comfort and grunge punk rock style was the name of the game. Everyone was wearing t-shirts (noticeably a lot of Linkin Park concert shirts), jeans, and skateboarding sneakers. I began talking to a group of women and asked why they chose the outfits they did for the concert. One woman stated she wore her military-inspired leather blazer because it “is trendy, and I have seen one of the guys in Linkin Park wear a jacket similar to this in a photo shoot. Plus, it’s Minnesota, and I have to wear a jacket. Why not look cute too?” As for the other girls, they chose their shirts because they were comfortable and it allowed them to move and dance freely.

“Breaking the Habit”

All four of these girls were just a small sample of the people that were wearing skinny jeans or jeggings. This was not a trend that I saw just on women. There was a large population of men there that were also wearing these styles of jeans. However, the men and women were wearing different styles of these jeans. The men took their skinny jeans inspiration from the 80’s style acid-washed jeans. This made their jeans the focal point of their outfits. As for the women’s skinny jeans, the style was more subdued, because they were wearing basic light or dark denim jeans to be complimentary to the shirt that they were wearing.

“Blackout”

            The color that dominated a majority of the concert goers clothing was black. Everything was in black, from jean to accessories to shirts to shoes. Black was definitely in. While I was perusing the souvenir stand, I noticed that all of the shirts and sweatshirts were black except for two, which were purple and white that had black screen-printing on them. I asked Linkin Park fanatic, Tracy Zitzow, why she chose to wear a black shirt. She stated that, “Linkin Park’s music is a little dark. It provokes a mood which allows me to breakout and express my feelings. So, I figured that black was the most appropriate color for this event.”

“One Step Closer”

            As the encore song, “In the End”, ended and the lights came on, I took a moment to check out all the other concert goers. They were collecting their belongings and heading out into the brisk St. Paul night. As I was putting my boots back on, because dancing was just not happening with them on, I gazed up and saw Amanda from earlier in the night. I trotted over to her as quickly as I could without tripping. We raved about the concert and decided to go check out some more fashion, because in the end despite the casual, laid-back look… fashion’s all that matters. At least to Amanda and I.

Spring Private Preview Party...

       It’s Thursday night and for some the beginning of the weekend. For me, Thursday night is just another weeknight spent watching TV and going to bed early. Earlier in the week I received an email invitation for a private preview event at the retailer Second Debut called, Second Chance Spring Private Preview event. So instead of following my normal routine of laying low I purchased tickets, put on my favorite sea foam green blazer I purchased at a boutique in Soho, New York last summer and arrived within minutes. 

      Second debut is located on Excelsior in Saint Louis Park and it is a second hand designer goods retailer offering both men and women clothing, accessories, and footwear. I arrived right at the scheduled time of 7:00pm and was one of the first ones there. They scanned my ticket and greeted me at the door. There were refreshments and goodies such as, cookies, bars, and candy. Miss Bloomington was there helping check the customers out at the registers. There were models showcasing a variety of styles that you could find in similar styles in the store and how to put them together. 

In the next room there was artwork for sale from local artists. I am an artist and I enjoy seeing art and being able to support local artists. Most of the paintings were landscape and floral, but there were some acrylic abstract paintings I fell in love with, but my wallet cringed when I saw the price. It was fun to shop through the mixture of two forms of art together and be able to admire both in one place. I always like to go to a shop or boutique and shop for clothes and also be able to find pieces of artwork for my home or as a gift.

      The people attending the event were dressed up, but also dressed to shop. Mostly young adults and middle aged men and women filled the shop searching through the racks looking for the next great thing to add to their wardrobe. The racks were organized like any other store such as missies, ladies, mens, sale, etc…  Dressing rooms were filled and people continued to scurry through the merchandise to find the good stuff before it was all picked over. 

       The merchandise was as assortment of blazers, light jackets, t-shirts, tank tops, denim pants, shorts, professional wear, dresses, shoes, jewelry, and purses. I was intrigued with the purses and ended up purchasing a green leather Hobo International clutch for a great price! I snatched a chocolate chip cookie as I was exiting the event and left satisfied in both my purchase and the experience. Event or not, I will definitely go back to see what other treasures I can find.