More Wedding Ideas

Good Morning, Gorgeous! I have been procrastinating on my work this morning by browsing Etsy for some great wedding ideas! I created a list of some of my favorite finds, and wanted to share them with you!

Click here to see my original list and check out each gorgeous item!

I love the idea of having lots of personal touches, and the contrast of nature and luxury. What do you think of these finds? Which are your favorite? I'd love some feedback!

Also, don't forget- there are only a few days left to enter the Jezzy Belle's Vintage Giveaway!

Tweet

I Miss You...

Hello Lovelies. As I'm sure you've noticed, I've been on a bit of a hiatus since last week. I'm sure you've missed me (right?!) and I've missed you too (like the deserts miss the rain). Unfortunately, I can't guarantee that I'll be back to posting daily anytime soon.


If you have been a reader of Haute Lunch for a while now you know that I'm a grad student and sometimes my work load can be pretty heavy. This semester has been particularly intense and I don't see a break heading my way until I defend my master's in late November/early December. Until then I'm hoping to be able to post every other day or so, but there might be weeks like this past one that I just have to put the blog on the back burner while I burn the midnight oil reading, writing, grading, and analyzing data. I hope you all will stick around and know that I'm still reading every one of your comments and love hearing from all of you!


Check back tomorrow for a brand new post and don't forget to enter the Jezzy Belle's Giveaway! Thanks for all your support!

Tweet

Bracelets & Necklaces & Earrings... Oh My!

Hello Beauties! Over the last couple weeks I have added a lot of new items to my Etsy shop and wanted to share a handful of them with you! While bracelets are still my primary business, I've been trying to add more necklaces and earrings as well. Plus, I decided to sign up for a craft fair in November, so I need to have lots of baubles ready by then! Here are some of the most recent additions to my Etsy store, Tara Lane Designs:

I hope you all enjoy being periodically updated on the progress of my shop and love my creations just as much as I do! I really love having a creative outlet and making things with my own two hands. I think the gratification received from creating something on your own is some of the best there is, and I am glad I can share this passion with others!


Also, if you're in the Chicagoland area and are interested in coming to the craft fair I'll be participating in, it will be Sunday, November 20th from 10:00am-3:00pm at the Holiday Inn North Shore which is at 5300 W. Touhy in Skokie, IL. Admission is just $3 if you purchase tickets in advance, or $5 at the door. I'm a little nervous about the fair, but also really excited to try out a new avenue for selling my designs. I love talking to people both online and in real life, so I'm sure I will enjoy myself. Stop on by if you're in the area! I'd love to see you there!

Tweet

September Birchbox Review

Hello Gorgeous! I recently received my September Birchbox in the mail and have tried out some of my samples, so I'm ready to share it with you! If you haven't heard of Birchbox before, it is an awesome monthly  service that sends you 4-5 personal deluxe beauty samples for just $10/month! So far I have been quite happy with my selections and think Birchbox is a great value for the price! If you're interested in seeing what I have received over the last few months, check out these previous reviews: June, July, August.


This month's box is a celebration of the one year anniversary of Birchbox! The samples inside were supposed to be highly personalized based on each member's beauty profile, but I can't say that I was in love with everything I received (but hey, that's what samples are for, right?). Here's what came in my September Birchbox:

Clockwise from upper left: Birchbox Friendship Bracelet, Jouer Lip Enhancer Balm, Harvey Prince Eau Flirt Perfume, Blinc Mascara, Incoco Nail Polish Appliques, Lash Card, Product Description Card.

I know a lot of people were thrilled with the contents of this month's box, and although I like it fairly well, I can't say that it's my favorite (that still has to be June's box; It was amazing). Now that I've had my box for a few days I have had time to try everything except for the nail polish appliques, but I'm sure they will look just as cute as the Sally Hansen ones I posted a how to for back in April.


My favorite item from this box so far has to be the Blinc mascara. It's different from most because it doesn't just paint your lashes, it encompasses them with little tubes (once it's dry) that can only be removed with the combination of water and pressure. This means that your mascara will never run if you get stuck in the rain or have a good cry, and that you don't need eye makeup remover to take it off. I just removed it while I was washing my face before bed by gently pulling my eyelashes with my wet fingers. The little mascara tubes came off easily! I must say, this is a pretty cool invention and the only negative I can think of is that it tends to smear before it's dry.


My next favorite item is the Jouer Lip Enhancer. It is supposed to soften, moisturize, and plump your lips all at once. I like it because I can put it on by itself and my lips still look nice, even thought they're lipstick free. Not sure if I would buy the full size, but it's only $14 so it might be my next lip balm purchase.


The other two beauty products I tried so far were the Harvey Prince perfume and the Lash Card. Neither of these blew me away. The perfume says it's supposed to "inspire desire" but my fiance said it mostly inspired him to sit farther away from me. :( I must agree though, and definitely wouldn't ever consider paying $98 for this fragrance. The Lash Card, which is supposed to be used behind your lashes to keep you from smearing your mascara during application, was effective, but I don't usually smear my mascara so it isn't a product I would normally use.


So that's what I got in my September Birchbox! Happy birthday to the Birchbox team, and thanks for keeping the high end samples coming! Are you a Birchbox member yet? If so, what has been your favorite box thus far? If not, what are you waiting for?! Sign up now! :) I'm sure you'll love the monthly surprise just as much as I do!

Tweet

Jezzy Belle's Vintage Giveaway!

Hello Lovelies! I have some exciting news! My newest sponsor, Jezzy Belle's Vintage, is giving away $30 store credit to one of my fabulous readers! Jezzy Belle's has amazing vintage clothes, shoes, accessories, and house wares, so everyone will be sure to find something they love! Here are a few items that are $30 or less that I would love to have (in addition to everything I featured last week)!

This blue suede skirt ($27.50) would be perfect this fall! Not only are leather skirts popular this year, but bright jewel tones are also in, making this skirt doubly trendy!

This genuine eel skin handbag would also be great for fall and is just $12!

This khaki smock dress ($30) is actually a rare plus size vintage find, and I love the neckline detail!

Of course, I might not limit myself to just $30 since there are so many gorgeous treasures at Jezzy Belle's! If I were to spend a little more, I would love to have this:

This mod mini dress is yet another double threat as it is both color blocked and features colors like mustard yellow that are super trendy this season!

So those are a few things that I would get, but since I can't win, I want to know what you would get if you won!!! This is an international giveaway, so all are welcome to enter!

Here's How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry- You should be a public follower of Haute Lunch via Google Friend Connect (see sidebar) to enter. New followers are welcome!

• Visit Jezzy Belle's Vintage and tell me which item(s) you would buy if you won $30 store credit.

Additional Entries-

• Add Jezzy Belle's to your favorite shops on Etsy (1 entry).
• Follow Jezzy Belle's on Twitter and leave your twitter name in your comment (1 entry).
• Follow Jezzy Belle's blog, Fancy NoPants via Bloglovin' (1 entry).
• Like Haute Lunch on Facebook and leave your user name in your comment (1 entry).
• Follow Haute Lunch on Twitter and leave your twitter name in your comment (1 entry).
• Tweet this message and leave a link to your tweet in the comment: "Enter to win a $30 Jezzy Belle's Vintage Store Credit from @haute_lunch! http://bit.ly/pikkVK #etsy #vintage #giveaway" (1 entry).

*Please leave a separate comment for each entry. You can submit up to 7 entries total. See below for contest rules and deadlines.

Rules: Only one of each entry method listed per person/family/household. No entering on behalf of others, using extra identities or others identities, no automated program entries, etc. This giveaway is only internationally, ages 18+. All entries must be received by 11:59 pm Central Time on Monday, October 3, 2011. Three winning entries will be chosen using random.org and winner will be contacted via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

Tweet

Missoni for Target Woes

Hello Gorgeous! So today is the big day! The Missoni for Target line is now available in stores and online, but apparently that doesn't necessarily mean buying a Missoni designed piece is going to be easy. This morning, I had one of two options. This...

Photo of Harlem Target Tweeted by NYC Shopping Guide

or this...

Since I hate lines and giant crowds of people, I opted for shopping online, or at least attempting to shop online. Unfortunately, the Target website ended up crashing just as I was checking out, so now I have to wait to make these Missoni for Target flats, as well as I set of mugs that I can't even access a photo of right now, mine:

Did any of you checkout online before the crash? Or perhaps you braved the lines and actually went to the store? What did you get? What would you get if you could actually do some online shopping? Honestly, at this point if my items are no longer in my cart when Target comes back online, I'm just going to forget the whole thing and do without. I don't think any material item is worth me being stressed, so I'll just keep the target tab in the background and see what happens later today. Good luck to the rest of you trying to score a Missoni for Target treasure!

Tweet

Sponsor Love: Jezzy Belle's Vintage

Hello Lovelies! I’m happy to announce that Haute Lunch has a fabulous new sponsor, Jezzy Belle’s Vintage! Jezzy Belle’s is a carefully curated vintage shop on Etsy that sells lots of gorgeous vintage clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, and much more! There are even some plus size selections, which are usually impossible to find in vintage shops! On top of all that, you can shop Jezzy Belle’s vintage no matter where you live as international shipping is available (just be sure to send a message first to get a shipping quote)!

Deborah, the shop’s owner, clearly has an eye for style and I found lots of beautiful treasures while browsing Jezzy Belle’s! I highly encourage you all to take a look for yourself as there are so many amazing vintage items! Here are some of my absolute favorites currently for sale:

While Jezzy Belle’s primarily sells clothing, shoes, and accessories, there are also some housewares and other trinkets I’d love to own! This mod cream and sugar set is absolutely adorable, and the red cocktail ring would add elegance to any ensemble! Of course the nerd in me would love to have this retro abacus as well!

I love these vintage sun glasses, which are perfect for a 70’s inspired look! These 60’s era pumps are also gorgeous, but unfortunately a tad small for me (I’m totally jealous of those of you who can wear these size 7 shoes)!

I couldn’t do a feature on Jezzy Belle’s without sharing a couple of the gorgeous dresses for sale! I love this yellow shirtdress, which would work perfectly for the fall as well as this elegant white Grecian style dress that is simple yet amazingly chic! I also could not resist these lovely rhinestone earrings from the 50’s, which I think would look great paired with the white dress!

Be sure to follow Jezzy Belle’s on twitter for coupon codes and early notifications of upcoming sales! Deborah also has a blog called Fancy NoPants (love the name) where she talks about her shop, her life, and her love of food and anything fabulous!

So, what are your favorite items from Jezzy Belle’s? Don’t you just love how the vintage styles in this store work so easily into the current trends? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Tweet

Remembering September 11, 2001

Today, the 10th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, is a sad day for our country, but also a day of hope and remembrance. I encourage you to take a moment to remember those who have fallen and think about the impact this tragedy still has on our country and the world today.

Photo courtesy of Time Magazine

Tweet

Guest Post: Top 10 People to Follow During Fashion Week

Hello Lovelies! In celebration of Fashion's Night Out and the beginning of Fashion Week, I have a guest post for you today written by the lovely Sarah Ellis from Handbag Heaven! While you might remember her for her fabulous Thirsty Thursday Drunken Grapes recipe, today Sarah is sharing with us her top 10 picks for tweeters follow during fashion week! Thanks so much to Sarah for putting this fabulous list together! I know I found a few new twitter folks to follow after reading it! So now, without further ado, her are Sarah's picks:

It’s here! Fashion Week, the most anticipated event of the year in the fashion industry. While front row seats to any shows at Bryant Park are reserved for industry professionals and celebs, social media outlets like Twitter have provided HUGE insight for us “regular” fashion devotees. During September 8-15, Twitter feeds are abuzz with up-to-the-second updates with what’s coming down the runway. But if you want to be in the know, you’ve got to following the industry’s best!

I’ll give you the 411 on the Top 10 People to Follow during Fashion Week. Let’s start with the who’s who:

1. Joe Zee @mrjoezee: Creative Director for Elle Magazine, this guy has the best connections out there! With front-row invitations and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to designers he offers rare insights into the craziness that is fashion week. AND he tweets tons of pictures. Can’t beat that! He’s also one of my favorite “personalities” and gives GREAT insight and personal narrative!

2. Women’s Wear Daily @womensweardaily: In need of little explanation, women’s wear daily is the only daily publication totally devoted to the fashion industry. They are serious about fashion and VERY serious about fashion week. Their coverage is hard to match.

3. Vogue @voguemagazine: When anyone hears the name, “Vogue” they know it means fashion. One of the most trusted and revered fashion magazines, they’re another obvious follow for fashion week. And, of course, Anna Wintour, the most-watched fashion editor, is a highly prized asset at any show. Because designers know, if Anna loves it, the world loves it.

4. The Moment @themoment: The New York Times coverage of culture and style mixes both fashion show coverage and the after-hours happenings. After parties feature the cream of the crop when it comes to big names in the industry - and they’ve got the press pass.

5. Jessica Stam @Jess_Stam: Quickly rising in the highly competitive world of high fashion modeling, Jessica Stam is a highly coveted runway model. Not only seen on the runway, but in front row seats as well as many after parties. You’ll get coverage from every angle with her!

6. Bryan Boy @bryanboy: Popularized as an offbeat fashion blogger, Bryanboy has quickly gained a name for himself in the fashion industry. With tons of photos and commentary on shows and parties, you’ll get a unique perspective on the week.

7. Oscar PR Girl @oscarprgirl: A great one to follow all year round, Oscar De La Renta’s PR girl tweets about the fashion industry in a new and personal way. Get clever commentary on the happening’s of fashion week and a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the week is pulled off!

8. Nina Garcia @ninagarcia: There’s only one Nina! Another personal favorite, Nina has a classic eye for fashion. As fashion director for Marie Claire magazine, and a long running judge on Project Runway, she knows what works and what doesn’t. Her personal insight is highly valued!

9. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week @mbfashionweek: The official New York Fashion Week twitter coverage. Need I say more?

10. DKNY PR Girl @dkny: In the same vein as Oscar De La Renta, comes another personal view of fashion week via Donna Karan New York’s PR gal. More people, parties, and photos! Plus humorous looks at the craziness that is fashion week.

There you have it fashionistas! Follow these people and you’ll be living in fashion heaven this week and next!

Author Bio: My love for fashion runs deep, as does my affinity for hoarding handbags. As a writer for Handbag Heaven, I’m looking forward to fashion week where fashion celebs gather to show off the best of their style so I can get great ideas for ways to pair fall and winter handbags! With my wedding around the corner, fashion week will keep me from stressing out too much :-)

Tweet

Favorite Fall Trends

Good Morning, Gorgeous! Unless you live in some of the southern most states, the weather yesterday was no doubt a signal that the seasons are changing! The air was crisp and cool and smelled so clean, which is definitely one reason why I love fall so much! I also love fall fashions and can't wait to break out my sweaters, jackets, and boots! This fall it seems some of the trends of summer are carrying over, but there are new looks on the horizon as well. Here is a list of some of my favorite fall fashion trends so far:

Maxi Skirts & Comfy Sweaters - from Glamour

70s Inspired Working Girl Dresses - from Glamour

Jade Green Galore - from Glamour

Bright Colored Pants - from Glamour

As you can see, at least two of these trends (the maxi skirts and bright colored pants) are continuations of looks we have been sporting throughout the summer. However, these looks have been warmed up for fall with darker hues and comfy, textured fabrics.


So what fall trends have you noticed lately? Which ones are you most excited about? Which would you prefer to ignore? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Tweet

Birchbox Giveaway Winners!

Good Morning, Gorgeous! The three lucky winners of the Cynthia Rowley Tip to Toes Treats Limited Edition Birchboxes are Janna, Mrs. G., & New York State of Mind! Congratulations, and thanks to everyone who entered as well as Birchbox for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway! Also, don't forgot to take advantage of the Labor Day sale going on over in my Etsy store! Use code LABORDAY2011 to save 15% off your purchase!

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend (in some of the countries, anyway)!

Tweet

Labor Day Sale!

Hello Lovelies! Besides long weekends and spending time with friends and family, one of my favorite things about holidays like Labor Day is the fact that there are always lots of amazing sales. Lucky for you all, I've decided to have a Labor Day sale of my own! Now through Monday night you can save 15% off anything in my Etsy store with code LABORDAY2011!

Even if you're not looking for a new bauble yourself, each piece comes wrapped in its own box with a little bow so you can send your bestie something extra special! Head on over to Tara Lane Designs now, and be sure to use the code LABORDAY2011 at checkout for your 15% discount!

Tweet

Thirsty Thursday: Mimosa

Hello Lovelies! Sorry that it's been nearly a week since I last posted. It seems the first couple weeks of the semester are always brutal for us grad students as we have so many things to do as well as new undergrad research assistants to train, etc. Pretty much my entire non-school life has been pushed aside, but I'm hoping that after this week is over, things will get back to normal!


Today I wanted to share with you a Thirsty Thursday treat! I'll definitely need an adult beverage when I come home tonight, and one of my favorites that we always seem to have the ingredients for is the mimosa! Now, I'm sure most of you know how to make a mimosa (if not, it's just equal parts sparkling wine/champagne and orange juice), but I bet many of you have yet to hear about the new Coppola Sophia cans. That's right, I said "cans."


My first reaction to sparkling wine in a can was not a good one, but I've had Sophia before, and I knew that while it wasn't the best sparkling wine out there, it was certainly good enough for mimosas. Plus our favorite liquor store had the cans on sale for $1 each, so I had to give them a try!

I love that the cans come with a little bendy straw, and that there's just enough in each one to make a couple mimosas. The other great thing about using these Sophia cans as opposed to opening an entire bottle of sparkling wine is that I don't waste anything. Although my fiance also enjoys mimosas, he doesn't drink them as often as I do which means I would either have to finish an entire bottle of wine myself (which is a bad idea), or we would have to put half the bottle back in the fridge and let it go flat (also a bad idea). Needless to say, I'm totally sold on these fun little cans!

Yeah, I drink low acid orange juice, so what?!

Of course, you can make other drinks besides mimosas with them, such as bellinis or my personal favorite, kir royals, but you could also just take these along on a picnic and sip them in the sun!

Have you ever tried wine in a can? What other ones out there are worth a shot? I know I can be a bit of a wine snob (no Two Buck Chuck for me), but I'm pretty open about packaging, so long as the product inside is delicious!

Tweet