On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: - Frontline

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: - Frontline

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

Four perfect cocktail dresses

Erin Keane

Issue date: 11/23/09 Section: Frontline

The Holidays are here again! After that initial tryptophan fix, a rush begins: shopping, decorating, and best of all, parties. Ever since I was a little girl, one of my favorite markers of the season was the purchase of a new Christmas dress. My mom would dress my sister and I in jewel toned taffeta frocks with full slips underneath, garnished by lace bows in our hair and black patent Mary-Janes.

This sense of ceremony failed to escape me as I've grown. I still treat myself, each year, at the Holidays to some sparkly new cocktail attire. After all, decking the halls doesn't have to stop at turning on those twinkle lights.

This year glamor is at its height with velvet, metallic, lace, and sequins in high demand and I've found 4 great cocktail dresses that are contending for my 2009 purchase:

(1) I'm dying for the metallic "Quasar Cocktail Dress" at mod-cloth.com. To truly let it shine, I'm imagining it with black opaque tights and a black ruffled t-strap Mary-Jane. I'd add a little black cardigan for Christmas Eve mass that I can take off for the after-party.

(2) Velvet is one of my favorite things to wear to mixers in December, and I love this open backed dress from Kimchi Blue at Urban Outfitters. There is nothing better than looking sassy chic coming and going, and this dress achieves that while being completely tasteful. Maybe with a metallic tight and black cage heels to toughen up this sweet outfit.

(3) A sucker for romance, lace is one of my favorite things to wear all year round. This lace-trim LBD from Free People is a great investment. Not only for seasonal use, you can wear this baby to nearly any occasion. Such is the way with classic basics. Black dresses are one of my greatest weaknesses because they are a blank canvas for accessorizing.

(4) On New Year's Eve there is nothing more fun than heading out on the town with your friends. Looking glitzy is go-to on this last hoorah before the long haul that is winter in this town. Topshop.com is one of the most fabulous things to happen to my fashion life, and this Silver Sequin Shift Dress by Rare is no exception. This dress with those same black cage heels would be epic.

The Indomitable Power of Jeans and a T-Shirt

City Chic

Erin Keane

Issue date: 10/12/09 Section: Frontline

For the past year all we've been hearing from the media, from our parents and friends is about the economic downturn, recession, and lay-offs ad nauseum. Talk of tightening the proverbial belt was bound to trickle down to the literal one. Even fashionistas are pondering what to wear in lean times, wondering how to get a lot of look for a little cash. The answer is simple, go for the classics- sound, inexpensive pieces that are versatile enough to carry you through a year's worth of look with only the need to accessorize. Sticking to the basics this fall and winter with jeans and a plain white tee is going to give you the mileage you want from two of fashion's most simple go-to's.

Perhaps one of the best pieces of sartorial advice I can give is to keep it simple. My favorite purchase this September was a 6 -pack of men's, white v-neck t-shirts. I went for a size medium so they have that chic slouchy fit that American Apparel and Urban have us paying beaucoup bucks for and my 6 were only $10. I can spill on every single one of these white t-shirts and still not feel bad about it!

Paired with a pair of skinny jeans and blazer or motorcycle jacket and you have an on trend day look that will turn the heads of tourists on Michigan Ave. Style up the look with dark denim, some long, layered chain necklaces and a pair of booties or pumps and you'll be looking fabulous whether you're out in the West Loop or Wicker Park on Saturday night.

The options are literally limitless. All you need is a little creativity to make your basics go for miles. Don't forget to shop your closet, or even better your mom or grandma's to find cool old accessories that will give your jeans and tee a truly unique touch. After all, there's nothing better than looking fabulous for next to nothing.

http://www.chicagoflame-inferno.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=f5dc4e73-e82f-4772-b2e6-5d6987a91f57

Guest Post for Sassafras: ABC's and 123's: Updated Fall Basics that Won't Break Your Budget

http://sassafraschic.blogspot.com/2009/09/abcs-and-123s-updated-fall-basics-that.html

Project Runway Season 5: The Finale has Come and Gone

I cannot believe that Project Runway Season 5 has ended. Where was all the hub-bub? The big deal reunion show, the viewing parties? I felt no great amount of suspense during this season, and to be honest, I was much less excited about this than I typically am for the Season Finale of ProjRun. Nevertheless, I still want to talk about it.

Let's talk about PR first, an all female top-three. Bitchfest '08, that is what this entire season has been and appropriately ended as such. Kenley and Leanne were being snarky to each other in the confessionals and Korto, at all times looking as if she's about smack a bitch, or cry at any moment. I did truly enjoy all of their collections and appreciated the strength of their points of view.

Kenley sent nothing but vintage reproductions down the runway. Her painted fabric was cool, but it would have been cooler if she had been more innovative and not copied every other designer in history's patterns. She is the snarkiest of the bitches on Project Runway, and she started out okay. This is what too much air time can does for a person who is socially retarded.

Korto's line was lovely. She is truly a master at infusing her african/tribal point-of-view without it being too heavy handed. I died over the green, silk-taffeta mini dress, and her finale dress. Bottom line: her clothing is extremely accessible. Home-girls gotta keep doin' what she's doin' because the design world has room for that at present.

Really though, Leanne was the clear winner of ProjRun Season 5. Her wave inspiration and love of architectural construction married so well in her collection begetting clothes that were wearable, whimsical, and indelibly chic. The colors were delightful, and I might venture to say that her Bridesmaid dress was one of my favorite garments of the season.

One of the things I love most about ProjRun is that it does not choose politics or production value over true talent. There is no "America Votes" element to PR; Nina, Michael, and Heidi evaluate if the clothes are truly high enough caliber to make it in the fashion industry. It's a low bullshit operation.

KikiSay: To the winner go the spoils! Congrats Leanne, we all knew it would be you halfway through the season.