My Favorite Capes & Ponchos For Fall 2011

As I mentioned the other day I was quoted in the Red Eye about capes and ponchos for this season. In Chicago it is so important to have great outerwear because that’s what most people see about 75% of the year. Having a non traditional coat is just a fun way to spruce up your outerwear collection without compromising practicality.

Because I only got to pick one of my favorites for Fall 2011 for the Red Eye, I decided to dedicate an entire blog post to the best capes and ponchos in a variety of colors, styles and price points…so you’ll be sure to find one you love!

PhotobucketSee By Chloe Wool Cape with Leather Fringe and BucklesPhotobucketRag & Bone Leighton wool and cotton-blend cape (as seen here)

Photobucket Minkpink Hendrix Fringed Poncho Wrap

PhotobucketGypsy 05 Hooded Poncho in Asphalt

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Emilio Pucci Leather-trimmed tweed cape


Elizabeth & James Salma Poncho

Which one is your favorite? Will you be sporting a cape or poncho for Fall? Let me know in the comments section below!

Chicago Event: Starfruit Cafe Fashion Design Competition

With Lifeway Foods, Starfruit’s parent company, being one of the main sponsors for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Starfruit Chicago is continuing the “fashion and fro yo” collaboration with a fashion design competition.

On Thursday, October 6 four designers will showcase the looks that they think best embody Chicago Fall fashion. You’re invited to choose your favorite designer by logging on to the Starfruit Facebook page, and vote by “liking” their designs. At the end of the night, Chicago’s fashion influencers–Kevin Aeh (Shopping & Style Editor of Time Out Chicago), Erica Bethe Levin (Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Cheeky Chicago), Borris Powell (fashion designer and boutique owner), and Jessica Zweig (co-founder and Director of Sales and Marketing for Cheeky Chicago)– will collectively pick a favorite look from one designer and, combined with the Facebook votes, will announce a winner!

So stop by Starfruit’s Lincoln Park Location  (2142 N. Halsted) next Thursday for a night of fashion and delicious frozen yogurt (which happens to be my go-to in Chicago!)

Spring 2012 Trend: Bandeau Tops

Last week I shared with you the new sheer skirt trend for Spring 2012, and after viewing the collections from Milan…there’s another trend coming to town. Bandeau tops were all over the runways for Milan Fashion Week (and not the kind you wear under sheer tops). These are detailed, meant to be seen, bandeau tops worn with both pants and skirts. Some were shown with jackets and some without (I’d personally recommend a jacket) but this is another trend I’m curious to see whether or not it will translate to the streets. What do you think?

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Versace

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Prada

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Dolce & Gabbana

Photos: Style.com

Chicago Gourmet 2011

For the first time ever, I attended Chicago Gourmet yesterday at Millennium Park. How I’ve never been to this before, I’m not sure…but basically it’s a “eat and drink as much as you can in 5 hours” festival. With tastings from various chefs and restaurants all around the city to an insane amount of liquor sponsors, let’s just say it was a really fun event 🙂

The only downside is that it rained all weekend which made getting dressed for an outdoor eating event a little more difficult. But thankfully my Loeffler Randall rainboots saved me (cute, functional and affordable…I highly recommend them).

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By the end of it though, I could barely move because I ate an insane amount of food. The highlights of my day included the pumpkin and chocolate mousse with spicy almond crumble from Henri/The Gage (pictured above) and the red velvet cupcakes from C-House. I’ve had my fair share of cupcakes (especially red velvet) but THESE were on another level.

To sum it up, my Chicago Gourmet experience is what really made me cross the line from foodie to fatty…and I don’t hate it.