Clothing Made Just for You at eShakti!

Hello Lovelies! Sorry I've been away so long this time. I was out of town for a bit and unfortunately am now sick again (I blame it on all the school stress), but today I'm back to tell you about an awesome online shop I recently had the pleasure of working with!


As I'm sure is true for many of you, ordering clothing online is somewhat risky for me. I'm not super skinny (by any means) nor do I have normal body shape, so ordering something without trying it on usually doesn't work for me. However, eShakti has helped change that with their awesome range of sizes (0-26W) and more importantly, custom sizing! When I first heard about eShakti I figured custom sizing had to cost and arm and a leg, but I was totally wrong! The clothing and accessories they sell are not only stylish, but affordable, and having any item made into a custom piece just for you is only $7.50! Amazing! I had this lovely dress custom made for me and have gotten so many compliments on it!

I love that it's somewhat sheer, but still appropriate for fall, as well as the Grecian cut and braided detail across the waist! And of course, I love the gorgeous bird pattern!

After receiving so many compliments, I can definitely say I will be ordering more dresses, skirts, tops, etc from eShakti! Plus, you can sign up for their emails and get great special offers and discounts!


If you've never purchased anything from eShakti, I recommend you do so ASAP! Right now they have a deal where first time customers get $20 off and free custom sizing on their first order! Shipping is also free for all orders over $100, so be sure to shop soon! Here are some of the gorgeous pieces I am thinking about buying next:

Fall Quartet of Hues Dress - $89.95

Cotswold Crochet Wrap - $24.95

1000 Blue Moons Skirt - $59.95

And if you want a dress like mine, but notice that they've already sold out, check out this option, which is a similar cut and color:

Grecian Grape Dress - $54.95

So have you ladies ever had a custom made dress or other item of clothing? Would you be more willing to buy clothes online now that there is an affordable option for custom sizing via eShakti? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Also, be sure to check back soon for a bit of a "life update" to see what all I've been up to!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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I Love the 90s

Good Morning, Gorgeous! Lately it seems we've been talking a lot about the 70s when it comes to fashion, but today, let's talk about the 90s.


Recently I've been seeing a lot of outfit posts from some of my favorite bloggers that remind me of the 90s. Teresa wore a very 90s dress this week, Tanvi wore floral print skinny jeans that remind me of leggings I had long ago, Jessica has been sporting crop tops throughout the summer, Carrie can be seen in boyfriend jeans and chunky heels, and Sara is bringing back plaid. This trend is not just happening in the blogosphere, either. I have seen people wearing 90s inspired outfits everywhere- even if they don't know it.


Think about...when was the last time floral, hippie inspired dresses were popular? The 90s. The last time Keds were cool? The 90s. What about flare jeans and wide leg pants? You guessed it, the 90s. Even the ever so popular romper is nothing more than a reincarnation of shortalls (overall shorts). And of course, who didn't notice the reappearance of (cringe) Hammer pants?


But what about the 90s hair and makeup? Well, that's coming back to. This fall, it's time to put those straightening irons away. Hopefully none of us will start wearing poodle perms or "mall bangs" again, but softer looks with big, flowing curls are definitely making a comeback. Braids have also been seen all over, reminding me of the styles my mom used to create for me before I headed off to school. Not even the latest makeup trends can say they aren't inspired by the 90s. Deep wine colored lips, thick brows, and dark blue hues are all reminiscent of the trends that were popular when I first started getting into makeup.


So, how does one capture the 90s without falling prey to the not so hot trends of the time. Remember your history. Look back at photos of yourself from the time and see which styles are worth reviving and which should remain solely in history (this might not be useful if you were too young back then). Here's a look I put together reminiscent of the trends of the 90s (flares, dark lips, and soft, curly tendrils) without copying that era exactly.

The last time I wore a Fred Durst/Chicago Bulls inspired color scheme? 1999.

Blouse: Thrifted (Summer, 2011)
Tank: American Apparel (Fall, 2008)
Jeans: Citizen's of Humanity (Winter, 2010)
Shoes: BCBG Paris (Fall, 2005)
Jewelry: Bracelet- The Limited; Watch- Swiss Legend; Necklace- Martine Wester; Earrings- ??? From Venice Beach

Makeup: Lips- Lancome Lip Liner in Mauvelle, Lancome Lip Stick in All Done Up; Eyes- Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow, Smashbox Eye Lining Crayon in Black, Benefit BadGal Lash; Cheeks- Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten in Honey Dipped; Brows- YBF Brow Pencil in Taupe 

So if there is such a huge presence of 90s trends in fashion right now, why are so few people talking about it? Perhaps the influence of the 90s has been somewhat subconscious or perhaps it's been overshadowed by the hype of the 70s. Perhaps it's not being created on the runways, but rather on the streets. Regardless of where they came from, the fashions of the 90s are making a comeback and they won't be ignored.


But, why now? It's 2011, right? Right. It's 2011. What does that mean? That means generation Y is entering its prime. Those of us that grew up in the 90s are now working, having families, and influencing society. Those of us in our late 20's and 30's shared glory days with A.C. Slater and the kids of 90210, so perhaps nostalgia is contributing to this trend. Plus, not to get too political, but the 90s were good to us. By the end of the decade the economy was thriving and Clinton had a budget in place that would have eliminated the national debt and created a surplus by the year 2010. The 90s went out with a bang rather than the wimper that ended the first decade of the new millenium. I can't be sure, but I would be surprised if a longing for the way things were wasn't contributing to the revival of the 90s.


So, do you love the 90s? Have you noticed this trend slowly building across the country? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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Chicago Blogger Meet-up Recap

Hello Gorgeous! This past weekend I was thrilled to take a break from my school work to go hang out with some fabulous bloggers from the Chicagoland Area! Some of these gals you might recognize from a meetup I went to at the beginning of the summer, but I also got to meet many other amazing ladies for the very first time! Lisa from Archives Vintage was sweet enough to put this event together (thank you!) and picked the perfect place for us to meet: Deliciously Vintage.

What I wore: Asymmetrical dress by Nanette Lepore (purchased at Off The Fifth for about 85% off); Pumps by BCBG Paris; Zebra Print Clutch by Halston; Watch by Swiss Legend; Jewelry by Tara Lane Designs.
Thanks to Sara of It's About the Look for taking my photo before I had to leave to pick up my very drunk fiance from a five hour long beer tasting. :)

Showing off our Kensie treats from the fabulous gift bags Tabitha put together! L-R: Emily of Sartoriography, Andrea of Blonde Bedhead, Tabitha of Defining Tabitha, Randi of Not Just Mom, Yours Truly, & Sabrina of Defying My Closet; Photo by Juliana of That Shop Girl

More Lovely Chicago Bloggers- doesn't everyone look fabulous?!

Deliciously Vintage was definitely a wonderful (albeit dangerous) place to host the event. We all did a little browsing while we were there and I saw so many pieces that I would have loved to take home with me!

This amazing dress on display in the front of the store was one of the many things I wish I could have purchased! If you live in or near Chicago, you should definitely check out this store. It's absolutely beautiful!

Here's a group shot of some of the amazing girls I mingled with. Unfortunately, I was already gone at this point, so thanks again to Sara for sharing this photo! Top Row (L-R): Randi of Not Just Mom, Emily of Sartoriography, Lisa of Archives Vintage (the fabulous girl who put this all together), Leilani of Thriftaholic, Sara of It's About the Look, & Nikia of ChiTown Fashionista; Bottom Row (L-R): Piper of Cheap & Chic in Chicago, Tabitha of Defining Tabitha, & Sabrina of Defying My Closet

For a full list of attendees, check out Lisa's Chicago Blogger Meetup Homepage. I had a blast catching up with the gals and meeting even more fabulous Chicago bloggers. It's always fun to meet the people behind the blogs you love, and the blogging community is always so supportive! Not only did I have a great time with everyone, but at the end we were also given some amazing gift bags Tabitha put together filled with treats from Uncommon Goods, eShakti, Kensie, Payless, & more!


Thanks again to Lisa for putting this together and Tabitha for helping with the gift bags! I had a wonderful time and look forward to hanging out with these amazing gals again soon!

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Weekly Preview: Sales on Beauty & Fashion

Hello Lovelies! It looks like this week is going to be one of the nicest in terms of the weather here in Chicago! Highs in the low 80s make me so happy and the lower temperatures are getting me excited for the arrival of my most favorite season of all, autumn! I love the weather, the changing of the leaves, and the smell of fall so much, but what really makes me love fall is the fashion! I don't think any season is more fashionable than fall! I love that you can add layers without having a heat stroke, but you also don't need to add so many layer that you look like the Michelin man. :) With that said, I'm definitely shifting my shopping focus from summer to fall, and here are some of this week's sales that can help you do the same!

Monday, August 15th:

Featured Sale: Favorite Handbags for Fall - 11:00am CST on Gilt Groupe

Philosophy Skincare - 10:00am CST on HauteLook

James Jeans & Rich and Skinny Jeans - 10:00am CST on HauteLook

L.A.M.B. Shoes - 10:00am CST on HauteLook

Charles David Shoes - 10:00am CST on RueLaLa

Badgley Mischka Dresses - 11:00am CST on Gilt Groupe

Fall Shoes - 11:00am CST on Gilt Groupe

Vera Wang Lavender - 11:00am CST on MyHabit

MaxStudio - 11:00am CST on MyHabit

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Shoes - 11:00am CST on MyHabit

BCBGeneration Shoes & Clothing - 11:00am CST on Ideeli

Rocket Dog Shoes - 11:00am CST on Ideeli

Buffalo, Jessica Simpson, & Betsey Johnson Outerwear - 11:00am CST on Ideeli

Tuesday, August 16th:
Featured Sale: Seychelles Shoes Fall Preview - 11:00am CST on Gilt Groupe

Laundry by Shelli Segal - 10:00am CST on HauteLook
Dolce Vita - 10:00am CST on HauteLook
Bruno Magli Shoes & Handbags - 10:00am CST on HauteLook
Christopher Fischer Fall Preview - 10:00am CST on RueLaLa
Lola & Sophie Apparel - 8:00am CST on Swirl

Steven Alan Handbags - 11:00am CST on MyHabit

Senna Cosmetics - 11:00am CST on Ideeli

Capote Knits - 11:00am CST on Ideeli

Wednesday, August 17th:

Featured Sale: Stuart Weitzman Fall Preview - 10:00am CST on RueLaLa

Hale Bob - 10:00am CST on HauteLook

Romeo & Juliet Couture - 10:00am CST on HauteLook

Halston Heritage - 10:00am CST on RueLaLa

Dolce & Gabbana Fragrances - 10:00am CST on Biva

ABS by Allan Schwartz Jewelry - 11:00am CST on Ideeli

Boutique 9 Shoes - 11:00am CST on Ideeli

Maduzi & Rock Revival Jeans - 10:00am CST on Beyond the Rack

Thursday, August 18th:

Featured Sale: Paige Denim - 10:00am CST on HauteLook

Jessica Simpson - 10:00am CST on HauteLook
Enzo Angiolini Shoes - 10:00am CST on HauteLook
Charles Jourdan & Botkier Shoes - 10:00am CST on RueLaLa


Friday, August 19th:
Featured Sale: 

Skova Jewelry - 

11:00am CST on Ideeli

Pure Sugar - 10:00am CST on 

HauteLook

GO SMiLE - 10:00am CST on HauteLook

Mulberry Handbags - 10:00am CST on RueLaLa

BCBGMaxazria Shoes - 11:00am CST on Ideeli

I realize I featured mostly accessories this week, but fabulous boots and luscious leather handbags are must haves for the fall! Is autumn your favorite season as well? What do you like about the precious days we have before winter sets in?

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