My Luxury Garage Sale "Off the Cuff" Interview

I'm so honored that the ladies of Luxury Garage Sale decided to feature me on their Off The Cuff blog this week!

In this interview, I talk fashion (of course), reveal some of my style icons and share the details on my favorite shopping partner. Can you guess who it is?

Head over to their blog (here) to read the full interview. And while you're there, make sure you peruse their current selection of consignment goodies.

My Winter Style...on Refinery29

Guess who made the cut for the Refinery29 Winter Street Style post?!

Click HERE to check out the feature. Then, click through the slideshow to see how my fellow Chicagoans brave the cold in style!

hat: Double Stitch
coat: ASOS
handbag: Celine
boots: NYLA
cute face: my mama


*Special thanks to the Refinery29 Chicago editor, Shani Silver, for the feature and Amy Creyer for the amazing photo!

Our 2011 Highlights & the First Giveaway of 2012

2011 was the year of elevation for ChiTown Fashionista. With several mentions on major websites, invitations to premier fashion events and the successful execution of our own events, this blog has grown tremendously in the past 12 months!

I've decided to highlight some of my favorite moments and blog posts of 2011. But not without making it interactive and potentially rewarding for my readers!!



This photo collage represents the best of 2011. And here's where the fun begins...

Below is a list of the photo descriptions:





Leave a comment that matches each photo with its corresponding description and you will earn the chance to win a $100 AllSaints gift card! Yes. The very same AllSaints that had me swooning at their grand opening in Chicago last summer.

Remember to also include your email address in your comment. I need to be able to reach you if you should win, right?

You won't be scored on your answers...I refuse to add that much pressure. However, if you're not sure, educated guesses are highly encouraged. [I'm having flashbacks of standardized testing days]


GOOD LUCK to you all and thanks a million for supporting ChiTown Fashionista!


**This giveaway ends Monday, January 8, 2012 at 12:59PM CST. Winner will be selected at random.**

My Refinery29 Style Feature: Outfit Details and Behind-The-Scenes Photos

With 2012 in full swing, I had to take time to reflect on one of the best moments in 2011, both personally and for ChiTown Fashionista.

When my Refinery29 feature posted in November, I immediately took to Twitter and Facebook proclaiming my feelings of both gratitude and honor.  Throughout the year, I had received a few mentions on the website but this was my first independent feature. AND it involved a photo shoot!

The experience was amazing and certainly unforgettable. Pulling together looks for the photo shoot was a bit nerve wracking. Knowing that the photos would be on Refinery29 (you know, the best online source for the latest style, shopping and fashion trends) meant that I had to properly represent ChiTown Fashionista and ensure that I did not disappoint my readers. But once the outfits were squared away, it was time for the fun part!

Here are a few behind-the-scenes photos just to give you a sneak peek into how the day went...

CONTINUE READING...

NYFW Chronicles: My Street Style Features!!

As mentioned in my previous NYFW post, some photographers captured my "street style" when I was at Lincoln Center.

Below are two of the features. Make sure you click the photo to see the entire article, one of which breaks down my entire outfit.


TypeF.com
Yes! I made it on Tyra Bank's new website about all things fashion and beauty.

ConcreteLoop.com
My "sleek and scholarly" look is featured on one the most popular black celebrity entertainment blogs.

Click HERE to view my full photo

Thanks to the above sites for featuring me! This has made my first Fashion Week trip even more memorable.

CBS Chicago's Most Valuable Blogger Award: Vote for ChiTown Fashionista

I'm excited to announce that, unbeknownst to me, I was nominated for the CBS Chicago's Most Valuable Blogger Award in the 'Everything Else' Category!!

I've been campaigning for the past week on Twitter and Facebook. But, of course, I had to write an official post to inform all of my readers. Because without my invaluable readership, I wouldn't have received this nomination in the first place!

Please vote for ChiTown Fashionista once a day, every day, until September 9th (click the image below to visit the site).

Oh, and spread the word to your friends, family and social networks.  I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance for your continuous support!  xo

ANNOUNCEMENT: Shopping Correspondent for "Chicago Like A Local"

Hello, my lovely readers!

For months, I have been wanting to share some exciting news with you. However, time was needed to hash out and solidify the final details.

Now, I can officially unzip my lip to let you know that I will be the official shopping correspondent for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau's newly launched blog Chicago Like A Local!

The CCTB has gathered together a group of local experts to provide visitors with all they need to know about Chicago Shopping, Dining, Sports, Entertainment and Family Fun...but from the perspective of a local. All of the contributing bloggers will present to visitors places and activities that are not necessarily mentioned in Chicago tour guides.

Being a part of CCTB's new endeavor is indeed an honor! There's nothing that gives me more joy than exposing the masses to the great shopping options in Chicago.

Due to the fact that ChiTown Fashionista was created as a platform for local designers and boutiques, I'm still working out how to avoid overlapping topics on both websites. I'm sure it will all come together in due time. At ChiTown Fashionista, I will continue to feature local designers, fashion and shopping event coverage as well as fashion trends. Over at Chicago Like A Local, it's all about shopping; where to find the best of the best in clothing, jewelry, accessories and vintage. I'll also discuss the best places for menswear, home decor and furniture.

I'm currently building a list of places I want to showcase. This means I will be hitting the pavement even more to explore this great city and discover local treasures. Shop owners, beware. I'll be heading to your neighborhood with my camera and notebook in tow.

Visit (and bookmark) ChicagoLikeALocal.com and let me know what you think. Once you're there, simply click on 'Shopping' to see what is now my second home in the blogosphere!


P.S. I would love to hear from you about which shops you think visitors and tourists need to be aware of. So, feel free to leave a comment below listing your favorites.

Thanks Refinery29!

As a fashion blogger, there is nothing more rewarding than being recognized by Refinery29. Known as the "global style hub", it is the best online source for all things related to fashion, beauty and shopping.

Within the past few months, I have been featured on Refinery29 not once, but twice (excluding the many syndicated posts)!

In April, ChiTown Fashionista was named one of the best Style blogs on The Ultimate Chicago Blogroll. (Click HERE to view the complete list)

And this month, I was included as one of Chicago's Best and Brightest Style Bloggers. (Click HERE for the article)

"Elated", "grateful"and "honored" are the first words that come to mind when describing how I feel. And to be in the company of so many other amazingly talented Chicago bloggers is beyond major!

Cheers to Refinery29, and Chicago editor Shani Silver, for shining the spotlight on Chicago bloggers and giving us a platform to reach an even bigger audience! #thankful

Vintage of the Future: My guest blog post for MoMoMod.com

Want to know what these items have in common? Click here to check out my guest post for MoMoMod's "Vintage of the Future" blog series!

ChiTown Fashionista mention on IFB's Links á la Mode!

Yep. That's right! We have been mentioned on the Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) site for this week's Links à la Mode. *happy dance*

Check out the full article below. You'll see I'm in the great company of some pretty amazing bloggers.

It's a bloggy-blog world....
Edited by Jessie Thorpe of Denimology
Hi all! I'm Jessie from Denimology and I am happy to be one of IFB's new Links à la Mode editors! In the last couple of years, bloggers are being heard far and wide and across the globe. I am happy to be sharing the locations around the interwebs that interest little ol' me with all of you. Included in this weeks links: how to fake that you've gotten enough sleep to Gilt's Disaster Relief Fund and a first hand account of Target's Go International dress collection launch. Get to clicking and show your fellow blogger's some lovin'.

Links à la Mode: March 17th

• Aesthetic Alterations: Tips on how to acquire authentic Hermès scarves safely on ebay
• Blah Blah Becky: The fashion world's pattern du jour
• Chic 'n Cheap Living: 70s minimalist chic via Zara's Spring/summer 2011 collection
• ChiTown Fashionista: A quick chat with Jimmy Choo's Tamara Mellon
• Cross That: intersection of fashion and photography: the dreamy mind of Rodney Smith
• Denimology: Denim Outfit of the week - Denim Outfit of the Week
• Fashables: Target's Go International Designer Collective Dresses Party
• Fashion is Evolution: Why sleep masks rock, how they can be stylish, and my quest to make a masculine one for my boyfriend
• illustrator Claire: Shorts, suspenders and sluttiness
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: The Role of Blogs in the Community
• Joanne Faith: Killer Fashion Blogging: 50 Tips, Tools and Other Tactics to Take Your Fashion Blog to the Next Level
• Make The World A Prettier Place: The Adorable Style of Emma Pillsbury
• Piewacket: Cherry blossoms and a Digital Mag
• Sample Sale Sites: Gilt City Disaster Relief
• Starting From Scratch: How to fake you've gotten plenty of sleep
• Street Stalker: A review of Dior's A/W2011 Collection from Paris Fashion Week and John Galliano's farewell show
• Styling You: How to style a jacket with a maxi skirt
• Superstylin: Style Showdown: Beverly Hills 90210 vs. My So-Called Life
• The Column of Samantha Tyler: When occultism comes to fashion: too much or brilliant?
• The Fashion Turd: Skull-tastic! Mexican folk mask from House of Guadalupe
• The Style Circuit: Neutrals: Why They're Essential to Any Spring Wardrobe

SPONSOR:
Shopbop Wedding Boutique: Jen Kao, Rodarte, Marcus Lupfer, Bridal Jewelry, Honeymoon Lingerie, Bridal Shoes, Bags, & Bridesmaid Dresses

ChiTown Fashionista Featured on Rue La La!!

Hello readers!

I've got some exciting news. *sounding the trumpets*

ChiTown Fashionista is featured on Rue La La as a guest blogger!




In the post, entitled "Blogger Bliss: Chic in Chicago", I describe some of the latest trends in Chicago street style.

Check out the items below to get an idea of what is mentioned:









Click here to view the full post on Rue La La. Check it out and comment, comment, comment!

Thanks to the staff at Rue La La for providing ChiTown Fashionista with a national platform to highlight Chicago fashion. And an EXTRA SPECIAL thanks to my readers for supporting me and spreading the word. I love you all to pieces!


P.S. If you're not a member of Rue La La, click here for the ChiTown Fashionista invite.



Photo Credits:

Women’s Look-
1. Screen tee- PalaceSkateboards.com
2. Striped tank- Delias.com
3. Floral Skirt- Delias.com
4. Vintage sunglasses- Ssense.com
5. Crossbody bag- SteveMadden.com
6. Earrings- ASOS.com
7. Ring- ASOS.com
8. Maxi dress- TheOutnet.com

Men’s Look-
1. Screen tee- Dillards.com
2. Shoes (both pair) - Yoox.com
3. Denim pants - Farfetch.com
4. Suspenders - Kohls.com
5. Button down shirt - JohnstonMurphy.com
6. Sunglasses - Ssense.com
7. Socks - Nordstrom.com