Book Smart is the new Chic!

The clutch handbag for me has always been synonymous with being the perfect pairing to any ensemble day or night.  This is especially true when the final touch to your look is the want to embrace the "less is more" adage.  Spring 2013's fashion accessory direction is focusing on pint size chic.

With this new silhouette trend direction, coupled with the fact that I am a book worm at heart, it was an instant love affair when I put my eyes on these book clutches.  Check out my top 4 choices that can accommodate any budget, after all book smart is the new chic!

Olympia Le-Tan
Where: http://bit.ly/V6Y9E0

Monika Chiang
Where: www.monikachiang.com

Kate Spade
Where: http://bit.ly/V1Lx2O

ASOS
Where: http://bit.ly/Sr4EUV

Olympia Le-Tan
Where: http://bit.ly/V1OMHm

[Chicago Shopping] Shop Local for Black Friday & Small Business Saturday!

The biggest shopping time of the year has officially arrived.  This time of year is when retailers make half of a year's worth of profit (yes, approximately 47 to 50%) and keep their fingers crossed they get their profits into the "black".

So this  year, take advantage of the opportunity to not only score on some amazing savings while at the same time supporting local Chicago businesses.  Check out my round-up of top deals happening in Chicago today for Black Friday & tomorrow for Small Business Saturday:

C/Fan Designs:

SARCA: 

True Blessyn:

Edith Hart: 

Sir & Madame:

Cotton Candy Couture:

ENDS/WEALTH CORP.:

Get Inspired for Turkey Day!

Out of all of the American holidays we celebrate there is no other holiday that has a stronger association with food, indulgence and consumption than Thanksgiving.  All of us look forward to gathering together with close friends and family and partaking in a larger than life feast of a meal.

Many of us sacrifice style and fashion for this holiday because let's be real, you want to be wearing your "eating pants" to be comfortable as you are chowing down on mom's homemade stuffing and pumpkin pie.

Check out my 4 outfit inspirations that focus on comfort and style.  This Thanksgiving you can have it all, a stylish ensemble but comfortable enough that you will be officially retiring those "eating pants" (I would personally recommend burning them but that's just me).

[Personal Style] Floor Length Skirt + Tee = Edgy, Comfy, Chic!

I'm officially another year older, another year wiser and naturally another year closer to refining my style. Over the years I've gone through a number of what I call style evolution's.  Through each style evolution that has happened I've always maintained my style mantra "Edgy, Comfy, Chic".  My love and adoration for fashion and style stemmed from my fascination with fashion as an art form.

The idea of drawing inspiration from inanimate objects and giving it life in movement & shape through a beautifully constructed garment is the epitome of euphoria.  This year I partnered with one of my favorite Chicago fashion designers, Arianna Green of ASSATA Designs to create a color-blocked floor length skirt for me to wear for my birthday festivities.  I have been fascinated by the beautiful shapes and silhouettes of Balenciaga's Spring 2012 Collection of big brimmed hats that were inspired by Irving Penn's iconic images, "Hat Women".  

From the moment I seen the dome shaped hat being balanced by tiny models strutting down the runway, the rest of the world admired these beautiful hats & visors but I seen an amazing shape for a skirt.  This next chapter in my style diary continues to grow with the expansion of my signature "Edgy, Comfy, Chic" style mantra by re-defining casual elegance.

What I'm Wearing: ASOS Leather Jacket/ASSATA Designs Custom Skirt/Comme des Garcons PLAY Tee/Dolce Vita Pumps/LINKS of London Bracelets/River Island Friendship Braclets/Spiked Gem Drop Earrings

Love my look? Re-create it now:

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Temps are dropping, snow is covering the ground, and time to break out your cold weather boots.  Now that Fall temps have arrived (although in Chicago it's really hard to tell what with the 60+ degree weather we have been having as of late) shearling, suede, leather and rubber are the key fabrications of choice for footwear.

Fall/Winter footwear should not only provide warmth and protection against the elements but most importantly doing so in style.  The following are my top 6 picks that will keep you stylish & warm:

Ash Shoes
Where: http://rstyle.me/irns7yjnkw

House of Harlow
Where: http://rstyle.me/irnrgjjnkw

Marc by Marc Jacobs
Where: http://rstyle.me/ipjqt9jnkw

Matt Benson
Where: http://rstyle.me/irniehjnkw

Monika Chiang
Where: www.monikachiang.com

Salvatore Ferragamo
Where: http://rstyle.me/h36h36jnkw

Pint size Stunner!

Bigger isn't always better as evident with the current trend of handbags moving away from the larger than life silhouettes to a small and mighty pint size silhouette.  These smaller silhouettes are considerably reduced but they still pack a punch.  How you say? Because the beauty is in the details.  Whether it be an an obscure shape like Anya Hindmarch's evident fruit inspiration or the intricate beading and detail that is signature to Judith Leiber's handbags.

Check out my round-up of my favorite Spring 2013 pint size stunners:

Stella McCartney

Lanvin

Reece Hudson

Anndra Neen

Anya Hindmarch

Emilio Pucci

Diane von Furstenberg

Judith Leiber

Oscar de la Renta

Get ahead of the fashion pack and work this pint size handbag silhouette into your arm candy rotation now:

Where is CSM at? She's been MIA for a whole week!?!!

Last week I took the week off from blogging, social media and social networking to enjoy some much needed R&R for my birthday.  My better half planned a fun filled trip that included visits to New Orleans, Progreso, Yucatan Mexico and Cozumel Mexico.

Now I'm back refreshed, tan & with a liver in dire need of an alcohol detox but most importantly ready to get back into the swing of all fashion/style/trend musings.

Check out some of my pics from my week long excursion (and yes, I've been day dreaming all day long about being back on the beach sipping rum punch):

*Photos taken on iPhone (you read it correctly I've upgraded and now have an iPhone!)