Undecided.

Worth It!: Beta Boutique's Stacked Rack Sale

Yes, it's the Mother of all sales. The one that will bring women and men from all over the Chicagoland area to one central location, 233 W. Huron, to paw over items until they find the piece that completes their wardrobe.

I've written about Beta Boutique in detail here and here, and I always enjoy walking into their store to adore the clothes. This weekend, on Saturday, Jan. 30, and Sunday, Jan. 31, the store will hold its Semi-Annual Stacked Rack Sample Sale from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and noon-5 p.m., respectively.

Their permanent store is located in Wicker Park but for this event they brought out the big guns and rented an 8000 square foot space in River North, which they will fill with designer stock and samples.

All items will be reduced 40 to 90 percent off, with prices starting at $5 and nothing marked more than $150. There will be items for men and women in sizes extra small through extra large. To get a sneak peek, click here.

I personally love the above dress from 5P1T and this sweater (left) from Lara Kazan. Heck, I like all Lara Kazan's designs. So back off if you see me Saturday - I will fight you for that last Lara Kazan top.

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

What's your six-word memoir?

Inspired by Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure, I decided to write my own:

Like my hair: independent, luxe, unruly.
 

Here are some others from the book:
Well, I thought it was funny. - Stephen Colbert
Almost nothing was under my control. - Joel Stein
Nobody cared, then they did. Why? - Chuck Klosterman

What's yours?
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Adventures in urban living: dealing with rude neighbors

Last night, as I was peacefully trying to sleep, a traumatic, scarring event occurred that made me feel like one of those poor Gitmo detainees that was forced to listen to loud music on repeat: I heard my neighbor having loud sex, on repeat.

It was quite possibly the most disturbing night of my life. Now, I'm not naive. I'm fully aware that this is the consequence of living in a building with other people, where you share walls. In fact, in my old building and in this current one, I have heard trysts and never was bothered. I was able to quickly turn on the TV, listen to music or drown out the noise in some other fashion.

But not last night. It was like they were in my room. I turned on Conan - that did nothing. I turned the volume up louder - no help whatsoever. I closed my eyes and tried to go to sleep - nada. My only choice was to pray it would end soon.

In the meantime, I thought of all the passive aggressive ways I could let them know I looked down upon their behavior (Respect your neighbors! Especially when it's late on a work night). And I had plenty of time to concoct my revenge, as their session went on FOREVER.

Here are my thoughts:
- Write a note and stick it to their door. Do not sign my name, naturally, as I'm being as passive aggressive as possible.
- Gift wrap a roll of duct tape and place in front of their door. Ask them to please mask their voices next time.
- Give them one free pass (I'm pretty sure they're the people I've faintly heard before, so I could just hope they keep their voices down next time).
- Go all religious on them and let them know I don't think God appoves of hearing his name used in that manner.
- Let them know that should be a very private moment and I don't care to be a part of it.

Any other ideas? HELP!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Chic finds on Etsy

I've found that visiting Etsy is a great way to start my day. The bright rows of fabrics, pottery, jewelry and other handmade items give me a morning boost that beats coffee. Plus, I often get motivated to make things of my own ... or at least think in a more sustainable, innovative way.

This morning, I found some locally made items that are both fashionable and functional. Have a great day!

These head warmers are a nice way to keep your ears warm and look adorable. Chrissycreations is selling them in any color under the sun for $14.99, plus $2.99 for shipping. I've also seen them at Leahey & LaDue Consignment, 3753 N Southport Ave. Keep your ears toasty!

Decorative plates are a great way to pop color into your kitchen. WickedlyGoodWares offers hand-painted plates for $27, plus $6 shipping. A unique way to decorate your kitchen (after all, the plates are one-of-a-kind) and serve food.

 
 
I also found amazing vintage clothing, like this black velvet cocktail dress for $60, plus $9 shipping from bootstrapvintage. I love the clothes in Mad Men, and this fits in perfectly.

 

Have a wonderful day!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie 

Girls' night at Trousseau

Get your girls together and prepare for a night of free fun! Trousseau, 3543 N Southport Ave., is hosting a night for you and your girls from 6-9 p.m. Thursday.

All you have to do is arrive with your friends and you'll get to sip on cosmos and get pampered while watching Sex and the City. You also can shop around their racks, find a swimsuit (warm weather will be here soon!) or something pretty for Valentine's Day.

Benefit will be on-hand for mini makeovers and Pinky Nails will give mini-manicures, while Art & Science offers bang trims and flat iron touch-ups.

If you make a lingerie purchase, you'll also receive a swag bag. It's the perfect way to unwind and spend some quality time with your girls. Go treat yourself!

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Get by with a little help from our friends

When I'm having a rough day, there's always a friend or family member that can pick up my spirits. They're always there to lend me a voice, a shoulder or a hug, whether they realize it or not.

This week, with the horrific earthquake in Haiti, people need our help - bad. I could barely stomach watching NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, as it was difficult to watch without crying for the people and their losses.

So today, do what you're able to help the people of Haiti. Say a prayer and wish for a quick recovery, and if you can, give. The American Red Cross has a $10 text message donation, and all you have to do is text Haiti to 90999. You don't have to enter your credit card or any other information, but a $10 donation will appear on your next phone bill. You can also donate on its Web site.

Bill Clinton had some notable quotes on Haiti during his Nightly News interview and in a Washington Post op-ed. He said, "In the coming days, stories of loss and the triumph of the human spirit will be told. They will call us to help -- not just to restore Haiti but to assist it in becoming the strong, secure nation its people have always desired and deserved."

Let's hope the Haitian people can find hope and in time, peace, strength and security in themselves and their country.

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

I'm not afraid to admit ...

... I have always been a bit clumsy and absentminded, and those two traits combined make what some (very nice) acquaintances call charm and what others dub a walking time bomb. You decide: Take for instance a simple visit to my friend's this weekend. I woke up Saturday morning and the car wouldn't start. Certain that it wasn't my wrong-doing (I turned off the headlights!), I called my dad panicking ... until I realized I had left the overhead light on for more than 12 hours. Opps.

I don't think the guy who had to help me jump my car in the snow thought I was very charming. Or my parents, who had to keep fielding my frantic calls. "The car's broke"! "I didn't do it!" "Oh, wait ... I did."

Don't leave me hanging ... there has to be some other walking time bombs out there! Fall onto the bus? (Been there!), share it. Got your foot stuck in a sidewalk grate? (Done that!), spill it. Slip on the ice? (Not yet this year!), shed light on your charming side!

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Get physical: $5 fitness magazines at Amazon

Update: While the deal below has expired, Amazon also is offering $5 and $10 promotional gift certificates with the purchase of certain magazine subscriptions. View the titles here. The offer expires Jan. 31. Have a great Sunday - off to the Oriental Theater to see The Addams Family with my mom and sister! If you're in the mood for a Sunday theater day, check out Hot Tix, where you can find half-price theater tickets. xo, lm

Amazon has quickly become my favorite place to find deals on magazines. I signed up to receive e-mail alerts about their magazine deals, as their $5 magazine sales are great for presents ... and to treat yourself sometimes.

Right in time for the new year, they're offering a year subscription to these fitness magazines for $5. You can't join a health club for $5, so this is an inexpensive alternative to joining a gym this year, or a nice supplement to get advice on remaining healthy throughout 2010.

The titles include Eating Well, Fitness (my mom and sister's favorite), Vegetarian, Yoga and Backpacker, and the deal expires Jan. 9.

Click here to make your selection!

xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Pizza and martinis? OK!

Red Ivy and Moxie are both offering great deals in January to get you out of your heated home and into their cozy Lakeview establishments. And with these deals, it'll be hard to miss it ... even if there's a blizzard and it's -145.

With Moxie's chic decor and giant, comfy booths, it's the perfect setting for something I'm sure we all have on our resolution list: stay in better touch with friends. Catch up with all your girlfriends for $3 martinis on Tuesdays during January and make sure you get up for work the next morning by downing buy 1 small plate, get 1 free. Yum!

Next door, Red Ivy is offering $3 medium thin crust pizzas and $2 imported drafts on Wednesdays in January. Grab a seat in one of the many booths or tables, chow down on Palermo's pizza and bust a move to their music. Make sure you have your wing women in tow because there's a good chance there will be some cute boys in the crowd. 

Next week, get your girls together and go! What else will you do on a Tuesday or Wednesday? Your TV will still be there when you get home. And you can Facebook stalk later (or on your phone while you're there. I've found that group Facebook stalking is highly entertaining.).

Here's to many girls' nights - filled with giggling, gossiping and glamour - in 2010!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Novice chef: entree salad, where to buy local produce during Chicago winters

I was looking to make something light for dinner, since my holiday appetite consisted mostly of cannolis for breakfast, kolackies for lunch and pasta for dinner. Anything sugary and starchy was in my diet, and today I felt like eating something light and refreshing.

I opted for a salad with pears, bleu cheese and walnuts. For dressing, I used balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and it was just what my holiday-abused body needed!

I could hardly mess up this dinner, as it was mostly assembling and little cooking. I did add chicken - and since I'm a vegetarian it was a Quorn chick'n pattie - and then it officially was the perfect winter salad! It filled me up without making me feel like I couldn't move for the next two hours.

What do you eat to keep from feeling too heavy during the winter?

If you really want to make a difference and buy from local farmers, there are ways to do so during the winter months, once the farmer's markets have packed up. Delivery services like Irv and Shelly's Fresh Picks sell local and organic produce, meat, fish, dairy and eggs, and even baked and prepared goods. I haven't used the service yet but I have researched it and am weighing pros and cons before I add it to my winter budget. The pros seem to far outweigh the only con I can think of: it's a little more expensive than the grocery store.

Fresh Picks delivers local, organic items year-round and is based out of Niles. The bulk of its supply comes from Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, while some of it is imported (you trying growing bananas in the Midwest).

Newleaf Natural Grocery delivers and has a brick-and-mortar store that offers mostly local and organic produce, among other items. Then there are co-ops, like Dill Pickle Food Co-op, which says it "offers one of the largest bulk grocery sections in the city." You do not have to be a member to shop at the co-op but if you want to join, read the details here.

Would you consider enrolling in a service or joining a co-op to support local farmers and businesses throughout the winter months?

Share your thoughts!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie