ITALIA

I am going to Italy!! I can hardly believe it myself! I will be there for nearly a month, beginning in late August. Although I will be staying primarily in Treviso (about 20 minutes worth of Venice), I will be travelling throughout Italy, taking cooking lessons, EATING!!!, enjoying life and of course fashion, and hopefully, learning Italian! Have any of you been to Italy? What was your favorite experience?

Fall is here...sigh..

Fall is here and with it my favorite fashions and foods of the year! It's a beautiful fashion season - camel is the new black, bulky sweaters are back in jewel toned hues. Pair a long camel toned sweater with a short skirt and textured tights for a look that is pulled together, polished, and still has some flair and individuality to it! Boots with peep toe are still in, and during fall we can enjoy them without fear of snow, slush or mud (well, let's hold our thumbs!). My pics for getting the latest fall fashions:

Bloomingdales (ok, who doesn't like to fill that lil brown bag to the rim?)
Nordstroms (love their hand carry service..makes me feel much more important than I actually am!)
and my new favorite fave? Akira!! so exquisite, unique, feminine, and even affordable..love it, can't get enough of it..my only complaint is that I didn't think of it first!! For those of you outside of the Chicago area, check it out online...I hope you fall in love too!..
http://www.akirachicago.com

Now..you know about the fashions, and I am sure you are drinking your pumpkin spice latte while reading this, or perhaps planning for Halloween and Christmas already....but, I am sure you want to look great in that fall wardrobe, and have the energy to make it through the holiday season! Don't forget to visit the local gym! If you need some help..just email me! I would be happy to recommend some great health clubs and Chi-town trainers..I would know!! I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the best!!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Nordstrom, Michigan Avenue

I will be a visiting Make-Up Artist at Nordstrom, Michigan Avenue this weekend (May 29th, 2010). Stop by the Clinique counter and say hello..We have lots of new colors, and amazing promotions going on! Call ahead if you would like to try a new look, or just learn new application techniques. 312-464-1515, and ask for Leigh Ann in Cosmetics!

NINE brings sexy back!

Whew!!!!! The holiday rush is finally over, and we professional shoppers (professional window shoppers ok too!), can finally move about the avenues at our own pace...No amateurs in sight!!..However, I would be remiss in mentioning the holidays, even in passing, without giving a shout out to a dear friend and colleague. Alexander Ross, resident makeup artist for Nars (Nordstrom, Michigan Avenue), was recently highlighted in Vogue Magazine!! Cheers Alex, you are the best and now the whole fashion world knows it!! http://origin.www.style.com/vogue/voguedaily/2009/12/holiday-sparkle-at-your-service/

Now..back to fashion! Jimmy Choo is at H&M, making killer fashion and a Carrie Bradshaw lifestyle affordable to everyone. If you want to get ahead of the game for next season, check out the movie NINE.. big big style trends will be headed your way next fall from this beautiful and stylish movie; why not hit the sales and see if you can pick up a few of the accessories already! My first try after H&M? Victoria Secret! Femininity never goes out of style; however NINE is going to catapult it up ten notches after awards season! Just check out this trailer below if you haven't seen the movie yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJpwwdOomtY



Cheers, and see you soon!

Coral Party - July 31st, 2009

Everything came up coral at the 30th birthday party of one of Chicago's premiere makeup artists', Ralph Johnson. The party was held in Ralph's penthouse, which featured amazing city views, a fantastic art collection, and great company with some of Chicago's most talented makeup artists and fashion consultants, in addition to some of Ralph wonderful personal friends from Chicago and North Carolina alike. Ralph somehow found a way to incorporate his favorite color (coral) into potent but pretty drinks, decorations, and even gourmet snacks. Martha Stewart doesn't have a thing on Lancome's Ralph Johnson.

I can't wait to see Ralph and this talented group of makeup artists again on September 19th. We will be coming together again, this time at Nordstrom Michigan Avenue, to bring fall makeup trends straight from the runways, to the heart of the midwest.

Mary Jane has finally grown up..

It looks like Mary Jane has finally grown up; and I love it. Style, sex appeal, and class...all rolled into one gorgeous shoe. But of course, what woman wants only one pair of shoes? Monogamy for the foot simply does not exist.

Best Fashion Accessory of 2009

Ladies...3 words for you.

FULL LENGTH MIRROR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been strolling Michigan Avenue today, working and doing research for Good Life Junkie..And what I have seen is atrocious. Women dressed in hundreds and sometimes thousands of clothing, which doesn't fit, needs ironed, doesn't match, etc! If you want to know if your butt looks big in an outfit, ask your mirror, not your friend! If our friends told us the truth, we would stop calling them friends! Ill fitting clothes draw attention to your flaws. The first thing that will be noticed is the exact body part you wish to hide. Come on ladies, check yourself out every time you leave the house!!