Undecided.

I'm not afraid to admit ...

... when I'm shopping, I refer to designers as if they're my friends. This only applies to designers who have self-named labels, such as Michael Kors. "Oh, Michael, I love that top!," I say when I'm looking at a piece from the Michael Kors collection. I believe this is a trait I've inherited from my ma, whose favorite designer to "talk" to is Liz Claiborne. I distinctly remember shopping with her and my sister and hearing her say, "Oh, Liz, there you are!," when she came across an assortment of Liz Claiborne items.

Like a number of women, I also like to think I'm semi-similar to Carrie Bradshaw. My college girlfriends gave me a keychain that says, "I'm a Carrie" and I still carry it proudly. After all, I'm a writer and I have curly hair. I just have to work on the whole Jewish thing.

A very happy 35th* birthday to my ma, the most fabulous woman around! And Happy Halloween to all of you!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

*This is her Wii Fit age, but close to her actual age!

OMGee - Jimmy Choo prepares collection for H&M

Well, it turns out there is a (shoe) God(ess) and she has answered our prayers! According to Vogue, Jimmy Choo is joining forces with H&M and launching a collection Nov. 14.

The fashion house will bring its stylish, sexy shoes to H&M stores around the world and also will launch a clothing line at the store. That's right- for the first time, Choo also will design women's and men's clothing and accessories. The complete collection will include clothes, shoes (!), accessories and handbags, and nothing will retail for more than $299. (I know, I know, $299 is still not affordable, but here's to hoping most items retail for $50!).

According to the official press release, Choo will decorate our feet with high heels, thigh-high boots, gladiator flats, cropped heel boots and ballet pumps that include crystal embellishments, animal prints and studs. The clothing will include dresses, leggings, jumpsuits, cardigans and embroidered tops.

I guess this recession has knocked a little sense into everyone, and I'm glad Choo is making more people's feet happy. I can't help loving labels when they make merchandise so pretty ... and semi-affordable!

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

*photo courtesy of H&M

I'm not afraid to admit ...

... I'm make-up dependent. I love the flawless coverage, the sparkle it gives my cheeks, the subtle way it accents my eyes and the shine it adds to my lips. Today, I woke up with panic pulsing through my body as I realized ... I left my make-up at my parents' house, I don't have a car, the train ride's an hour-and-a-half and I have a wedding this weekend.

Awesome.

What can you not live without?

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Of coupons and cleaning

Besides nearly losing my mind when I moved, I also lost my Swiffer. A trusted friend and duster, I knew I needed to purchase a new one as my apartment has wood floors, and although my ma may tell you otherwise, I'm a bit of a clean freak. Even a little anal, some may say.

My most recent money-saving tactic has been to search for printable coupons online before I go out to buy something. I logged online and - alas! - I found a whole coupon book of cleaning products. 

Although there's not a coupon for a traditional Swiffer, there is a coupon for a free pack of refills when you buy a Swiffer and other offers for Cascade, Dawn, Febreeze and Mr. Clean products. They expire in March 2010, so sign up and keep those dust bunnies at bay!

If you want to clean up other areas of your life, say, your eyebrows, I suggest a visit to Charles IFergan salon, 106 E. Oak St. The salon offers amazing deals through StyleChicago, and so far I've received a free hair cut and a free eyebrow wax, both of which were desperately needed.

After trying to cut down on my beauty expenses by visiting a beauty school and then a discount hair chain (works for some people, but my curls did not appreciate either haircut. I looked rather horrid), I went to Charles IFergan with a coupon and got a much-needed beauty overhaul!

With hairs cut and pulled, I felt fierce and rejuvenated. If you're looking for a new place to get pretty, Charles IFergan is offering 50 percent off any hair cut, color or spa service. There's also a number of other deals geared toward new and existing clients. Make sure to mention the deal when you call and print out the offer so you have a hard copy to show the receptionists. Then, get beautified!

And don't forget to use the Internet to your shopping advantage! You can save (and buy that dream condo sooner than you thought!) by searching for printable store coupons. I've recently found coupons for Nine West and Victoria's Secret, and there's all kind of others out there!

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Get flattered at MyShape.com

When it comes to my body, I tend to know which styles work for me and which don't. Defined waists are a yes and empire waists are a no. I stray from minis and typically don't go near shorts of any kind. But I do love dark-wash jeans, structured jackets and knee-length dresses.

With that said, a little help is always welcome.

The recently launched Web site myshape.com offers fashion advice that flatters. The site allows you to input your measurements and selects clothing styles and shapes that are best for your body type, and the recommendations are free! You can purchase clothes on the site but if you want to go cheap, remember the styles your online personal shopper recommends and incorporate them into your current wardrobe.

Your body will thank you - it likes to be showed off, too!

Happy Sweetest Day to my sweets!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

You know you're not an adult when ...

... you count mimosas as your daily vitamin C intake. It's still orange juice, right?! Here's to hoping Sunday's dose of the orange flu-fighter is enough to ward off colds!

Duffy's, 420 W. Diversey Parkway, offers an amazing Sunday brunch. All-you-can-eat and bottomless mimosas from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. - perfect for da Bears season ... and the flu season.

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Awareness, pampering for Breast Cancer month

October's here and along with the crisp air and bright red leaves comes Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And along with Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes the 5th Annual Pretty in Pink event!

Every day in October, you can get spa and salon services at participating businesses for $31. From a brazilian wax to eyebrow shaping, facials, massages and manicures, you can pamper yourself and still have some change.

Plus, 100 percent of the proceeds go to Bright Pink, a non-profit that provides education and support for young women at risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

If your inner beauty diva is in need of pampering this month, don't forget to mention you're a Pretty City reader, as the prices are exclusively for the site's readers. While you're at it, sign up for the free Pretty City/Chicago Beauty newsletter - it offers amazing salon and spa deals year-round!

Don't forget to be proactive and give yourself a breast self-exam this month - early detection is key! 

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

A little move makes for a lot of venting

With all this packing, cleaning and hauling, I'm a little bit tired and a lot a bit whiny. And when I'm whiny, pet peeves manifest. For all the things I love about our glorious city, here's a few that I highly dislike. And for balance, it's followed by things that make me happy.

Things I highly dislike:

1. Moving. One elevator, a narrow staircase, a narrow doorway and heavy boxes make for a crabby mover and crabby helpers. Here's to hoping I only move one two more times in my entire life.
2. Driving in the city. Just because I'm driving doesn't mean I'm a moving target. Lady in the red jetta, you should be glad I have fast reactions. I totally meant the evil eye I gave you.

3. Hands-free devices. I don't care how easy it makes talking, you look crazy. And I always think you're talking to me on the bus, which makes things awkward when I respond to you.
4. Tools. It's a catchy word that I love to say, but it's not something you want to be. Is it really necessary to buy $90 T-shirts, wear sunglasses in the dark and flaunt your money to feel cool?  

5. Slow walkers. If you're walking in front of me, please keep traffic moving at a steady pace. And please don't light up a cigarette because I'll end up inhaling more than you. This kind of anger while walking is also known as walk rage, which has all the same symptoms as road rage except you can't beep a horn. But you can carry an air horn. 
6. People on the CTA that are stinky/talking too loudly/coughing on me/sitting on top of me/listening to their music too loudly/all of the above. Sometimes I like to hear your conversation - especially when you talk about scandalous topics - but most of the time I just want to relax, and that's hard to do when you're being a #4.

7. Posers. I like nice things, too, but this doesn't mean I have to plaster myself in them (in high school, maybe, but not now). A Gucci bag, shoes and purse? Overkill. And just because you drive a Mercedes doesn't mean you have the right-of-way. Please don't hit me.
8. Traffic Management Authority. I know you're just doing your job, but you don't have to be mean. Or scary. Yes, I forgot to turn on my turn signal but does that really justify having a conniption fit in the middle of the street? It was really embarrassing for both of us, but probably more so for you.

I told you I was bitter. But to balance it out, here's some Things I Love:

1. Fall. It's here! And rainy but it's here! The leaves turn colors, I can break out a sweater or two and start watching da Bears.
2. Sleeping to rain. Good thing, because I'll be doing it tonight!

3. Surprises. But not, "shoot, I only have $100 left in my account?" More like, "Yes! I have an extra $500 in my account!" And then someone gets you flowers/buys you a drink/makes you dinner/gives you a million dollars.
4. Girls' nights. I can't disclose names, but the last time I had a girls' night with one of my bestest friends, she brought an extra pair of undies because she knew we were going to laugh so hard that she'd pee herself. True story.

5. Random acts of kindness. People helping the elderly off buses, opening doors, giving up their seat for that very pregnant lady on the El and offering a helping hand - it melts my heart.
6. Fluffy things. My hair, warm blankets, dogs. Pretty much anything that has a little fluff to it is awesome (minus my hair on humid days).

7. My family and friends. I know I'm like a broken record on this one, but it's true! I mean, my beau helped me move, my friend Maur offered her car (I protected it well from red Jetta lady!), my fam is coming tomorrow for round two of moving and all my other friends have been giving me boxes and asking about the move. They make life so much sweeter.
8. Having a driver. And by driver I mean a CTA bus driver. People watching is so much easier and I get to look out the windows and view the amazing culture of our city. So many fun places to go and so many fabulously dressed people. I deem us the coolest city ever - even if we have some bad drivers, tools, posers and slow walkers - I suppose that's what makes the world go 'round!

Time for you to share your likes and dislikes! It feels so great to vent. Now I'm less angry and ready to clean my apartment!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie