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Divanomics by Michelle McKinney Hammond Sometimes a fashionista has to learn all about money the hard way… trial and error. But with every lesson learned comes an opportunity to grow, at least that’s what I learned reading Michelle McKinney Hammond’s new book, Divanomics.
After her five star lifestyle went south thanks to a bad economy, Hammond, a self proclaimed DIVA (Divine Inspiration for Victorious Attitude), confronted her worst nightmare, a life without designer clothes, expensive meals and high-end luxury goods that turns out were not that essential afterall. Now that the worst is over, Hammonds has responded by going from fabulous and fly to “Fabulously Frugal!”
Divanomics is honest, humorous and helpful for those on a similar course of self-destruction. Hammonds offers tips, practical advice and commonsense money management strategies on how to take control of your finances and your sanity! The book also offers money-saving tips when it comes to fashion, beauty, home décor, entertaining, real estate and so much more.
We can all learn from Hammond’s mistakes and a few of our own. Get your copy of Divanomics today for just $9.35 on Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/Divanomics-Still-Fabulous-Youre-Broke/dp/141433382X
Other Haute Books:
A Walk For Sunshine by Jeff Alt
You may remember Jeff Alt from CNN-Radio, ESPN, the Hallmark Channel and USA Radio Network. He’s also the award-winning author of A Walk For Sunshine. In his new book, he takes us along his 2,160 mile expedition for charity on the Appalachian Trail. His incredible journey is filled with humor, frightening and inspirational stories about his life in the woods for 147 days. Alt’s story has inspired an annual fundraiser, which has raised over $160,000 for Sunshine Home, where his younger brother Aaron, who has cerebral palsy, lives.Alt’s story about his quest to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail is simply amazing. Get your copy of A Walk for Sunshine today for an inspirational journey about following your dreams!A Walk For Sunshine is available nationwide in bookstores, libraries and online. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to Sunshine Home.
Retails: $15.95To learn more visit http://www.jeffalt.com/
The Vegetarian Slow Cooker: Over 200 Delicious Recipes by Judith Finlayson
If you’re looking to reduce your consumption of meat for a diet rich in vegetables… pick up a copy of The Vegetarian Slow Cooker. You’ll find great recipes for food that nourishes the body and soul! I love this book because it allows me to prepare meals with very little attention to the process. When it’s all over… I get to enjoy the fruits or veggies of my labor!Retails: $24.95What's on your summer reading list?
Staycation was so last year… make this year HAUTE with a getaway designed just for you. If you’re dreaming of getting away for summer don’t let the challenging economy keep you home. Here are my 10 money saving travel tips that will get you out of the house for a memorable vacation. Remember it’s a buyer’s market and deals are plentiful!Haute Travels Tips:-Be flexible with travel consider leaving midweek to get the best fares
-Check airline fees after Midnight to capture discounted tickets
-Compare rates for airfare, hotel/resorts and cruise lines on their sites before you go to sites like Travelzoo (compare multiple travel sites at once), Travelocity, Cheap Caribbean.com or Hotwire
-Ask the properties for discounts and compare competitor’s rates… become a bargain shopper
-Travel to places where the dollar is strong
-When traveling to Europe in the summer consider renting an apartment to save money
-Travel with friends and share the costs or try house swaps… exchange homes with other travelers
-Cut out airfare and drive to a coastal or mountain area near your home
-When booking high-end properties like the Four Seasons, Park Hyatt or Ritz Carlton compare the value-added extras… spa and meal credits, airport transfers and arrival gifts
-Look for properties offering FREE nights with paid nights to stretch your travel dollar and your length of stay
Bonus Tip: Head to Haute spots like Las Vegas where rooms are going for as little as $20 a night!Will you travel this summer?
If you’re thinking that airline fees are getting to be ridiculous—you’re not alone. Just when you thought that there’s nothing left to tack a fee onto… think again. Some airlines are now charging for those cheap little blankets they give you to stay warm.But one French resort in the South of France is handing out cashmere blankets for those booking three nights at The French Riviera’s La Villa Mauresque in St. Raphael, France. That’s right you could be wrapped in luxurious cashmere as you jet off to the French Riviera also known as the Côte d'Azur.Vacationers staying at the 19th century Mediterranean seafront luxury hotel will receive a sumptuous cashmere and wool blanket, shipped directly to their home doorstep before they leave. The complimentary offer is available for guests booking a minimum stay of three nights, prepaying for one night in advance, for arrivals now through October, 2010. To allow time for blanket delivery, prepayment is required three weeks before arrival. Keep in mind the blankets are shipped only to US addresses.About La Villa MauresqueIn the charming village of Boulouris, between Cannes and St. Tropez, on a private seafront, this luxury boutique hotel offers peace and serenity with an infinity pool. La Villa Mauresque features 17 luxurious bedrooms housed in two Moorish villas dating from 1860, most with stunning sea views, others with garden views. Ideally located for exploring the French Riviera, La Villa Mauresque is 30 minutes from Cannes, 30 minutes by boat from St. Tropez, 50 minutes from Nice airport and one hour from the port of Monaco.For reservations, contact your travel agent, call +33 (0) 4 94 83 02 42, email contact@villa-mauresque.com or visit the website http://www.hotelsfrench-riviera.com/. Would you like a cashmere blanket?
Paris, pedicures and pampering are HAUTE! Beauty junkies heading to the city of light know that beauty rituals are a must. So why not indulge in a little shameless pampering with a pedicure—for free? It’s enough to make you say ooOOH la la! You can get a complimentary pedicure by students in their final year of study at the Ecole Superieure de Masseurs-Kinésithérapeutes et Pedicures. Just call in advance and prepare to kick up your feet. A donation of €5 is suggested.Ecole Superieure de Masseurs-Kinésithérapeutes et Pedicures
17 Rue de Liège, 75009
Tel: 4674 6287
http://ecoledanhierdekinesitherapie.frMétro: LiègeWill you get a FREE pedicure in Paris?
June Jacobs Face and Body Travel KitsI love June Jacobs spa inspired face and body products in travel friendly sizes. It’s perfect for travelistas who love fashionable cases for their must-have beauty and spa products on the go!All of the products included in these beautiful kits are paraben and preservative free and packaged within a deluxe, zip around leather pouch that’s convenient for storing all of your travel essentials. The luxurious, travel-sized products included in the Face Travel Kit and Body Travel Kit cover everything you need to cleanse, exfoliate, treat and moisture your face, body and hair while you’re away. Price: Face Travel Kit ($100), Body Travel Kit ($95), Available at www.junejacobs.com and luxury spas worldwide. Biolage Spring Renewal Gift Sets You can never go wrong with Biolage’s limited-edition spring gift sets for your hair. Available in hydrathérapie, colorcarethérapie, rejuvathérapie, fortethérapie or colorcarethérapie, the sets include limited-edition size shampoo (10 oz.), conditioner (5 oz.) and free travel size Biolage Body Care products including hand cream and body wash (1 oz. each). And there’s more… the Body Care gift set is also available with a body balm, body wash and hand cream. Price: $20, Available in fine salons only; for a salon locator please visit www.matrix.comConcentrated Lash Boosting Serum and Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara I love great looking lashes that are all mine. So I started testing the Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum and Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara to boost the appearance of my lashes. The formula is designed to condition and protect lashes to make them look thicker. I particularly like the idea that it also helps to keep lashes from falling out. Stay tuned for my results!What do you think about these products?
So you’re thinking about summer vacation, but not sure you’re ready for the heat and humidity that makes your hair frizz? The keratin treatment also known by many as the Brazilian Keratin Treatment, designed to relax your natural curl and make your hair more manageable, could be the answer for you. I visited Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door Spa in Chicago where hair stylist Charles Campbell counseled me on the pros and cons of the treatment. After determining that my hair was chemical-free, he agreed the Coppola Keratin Treatment was safe to tame my unruly curls.
“If you’re considering the keratin treatment, you must consult a professional to get the facts before you move forward with the therapy,” advises Campbell. Although, many professionals agree the keratin treatment can be used over chemically treated hair, it’s all about the individual’s hair type.
There are many versions of the keratin treatment… Coppola and Global Keratin are two of the most popular. Both smooth and straighten hair by infusing natural keratin deep into the hair cuticle, eliminating up to 95% of frizz and curl, leaving the hair smooth, shiny and luxurious.
Once the treatment is applied to the hair, a flat iron heated to 430-450 degrees seals the keratin product. Once bonded to the hair, the keratin promotes healing and blocks the effects of humidity leaving the hair silky and straight.
Although keratin treatments in professional salons are relatively safe… many other types contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that’s not safe to inhale. Neither the Coppola nor Global Keratin Treatments contain harmful chemicals as stated by the brands. Still, others argue the chemical straightening process is not healthy for your hair and scalp. But so far it’s been three weeks and I have not experienced any problems.
The treatment lasts for about three to five months depending on the hair type and after-care maintenance. Once you get the treatment you cannot get the hair wet for 72 hours. You also have to abstain from pulling the hair back or clipping it for three days. Further, you can only use shampoo and conditioner that’s free of sodium chloride and sulfate or else you run the risk of washing the treatment out.
After two weeks, I tested my hair and spent the weekend in 80 degree heat at Walt Disney World in Florida. My hair held up and not a frizzy strand in sight! I love the fact that my hair is easier to manage when I wash and style it at home. My only issue, my hair is a little too straight so I have to curl it to add volume and bounce.
The Coppola Keratin Treatment starts at $350.00 (prices vary depending on length of hair) at Elizabeth Arden Spa in Chicago.
Haute Tip: Keratin Treatment after-care… I love The Global Keratin's Juvexin moisturizing shampoo and conditioner containing organic, bioactive keratin. It keeps my hair haute!
Will you try the keratin treatment this summer?
Celebrity Chef Todd English’s Bluezoo Restaurant is one of Walt Disney World’s best-kept secrets. Who knew that a restaurant with a Miami-like, energetic vibe was housed at the Swan and Dolphin Resort complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida?
The idea of “bluezoo” came from English’s interpretation of a movie about sea creatures on IMAX that he watched with his kids. The diversity of sea life sparked the idea of a “bluezoo” in his mind. “Having a restaurant in Walt Disney World is very exciting,” said English. “My hope is for bluezoo to be a mix of other Olive Group Restaurants combined with the merriment and fun of Disney.”
Bluezoo is the place to make a splash… you’ll marvel at the interior, created by highly acclaimed designer Jeffery Beers. It’s sleek and sexy with blue lights illuminating a curved bar with a school of aluminum fish completing the backdrop. Iridescent bubbles hanging from overhead light fixtures in the dining room add an aquatic feel that flows throughout the room.Bluezoo is more than a place for fresh food—it’s English’s contemporary take on upscale dining at Walt Disney World. It features a raw bar with daily harvested oysters and littleneck clams, an impressive wine list and a host of coastal cuisine incorporating an innovative selection of fresh seafood, beef, chicken and pork with both international and New American culinary influences.
One of Bluezoo’s signature dishes is the dancing fish, a spit-roasted whole fish that’s presented as if it’s grooving in the air on a stick. You can actually see Executive Chef Chris Windus and his staff preparing it as you walk through the dining room and glance at the open fire grill and kitchen.
The two pound Maine Cantonese Lobster in a sticky soy sauce is another favorite dish at Bluezoo. You’ll also love the Teppan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops over braised beef short rib, and silky cauliflower puree. Olive's Classico Flatbread with roasted tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and torn basil can quickly become a guilty pleasure, but the amazing Shrimp and Grits will have you coming back for more.
If you opt for dessert, try the decadent Warm Chocolate Cake with a liquid ganache center, Maracaibo chocolate cream pudding, and peanut ice cream. It’s like finding buried treasure. You’ll also love the 1000 Grand Marnier Cream, caramelized puff pastry napolean, mango sauce and orange saffron sorbet, citrus comfit, and orange agar.
Prices at Bluezoo range from $8 to $15 for appetizers and salads, but you might want to bring a little extra cash for the entrees with prices from $27 to a little more than $60.
Haute Tip!
If you decided to head over to Bluezoo for adult dining after a day of park hopping at Walt Disney World with the kids, you’ll get two hours of babysitting service. Valet is also complimentary!
To learn more about Bluezoo visit http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/bluezoo/ Will you try Bluezoo?
An American Bistro in Hyde Park is one of the things that make this cozy Chicago neighborhood Haute! Park 52 is Restaurateur Jerry Kleiner’s latest addition to his long list of cool restaurants like Red Light and Carnivale in the windy city. Each has the Kleiner touch when it comes to décor dramatic lighting, hues of red throughout with a touch of soul. If you’re living the cosmopolitan life in Chicago… this is the spot for a fabulous meal and meeting place for cocktails and conversation. It’s also blocks away from the Obama house along with a special menu selection celebrating the 44th President and first lady. Park 52 is where the beautiful, sexy people move and shake in Hyde Park just call or text your party and have them meet you at “The Park.”The menu consists of an array of contemporary dishes like the BBQ Glazed Atlantic Salmon, Roasted Duck Breast and Shrimp and grits. Each selection is flavorful and cooked perfectly. The food is simply good and the service is wonderful.The open kitchen allows curious diners to watch Chef Alain Njike and his staff as they prepare each dish for the ultimate dining experience. Special guests can also enjoy their meal at Njike’s “chef’s” table for a bird’s eye view into a world of culinary delight.Wine lovers will enjoy the vast selection from sparkling Champagnes to Merlot and South Australian Shiraz. You can order by the glass or bottle from the 70- bottle wine list in Park 52’s warm, inspired and inviting setting. Park 52 isn’t the most expensive restaurant in Chicago, but pricing is consistent with the best in the city. Entrees start around $18 and run as high as $27. Although side dishes are served a la carte, there’s more than enough to share. But, be sure to save room for dessert, with summer approaching, you’ll love the key lime pie, bread pudding and peach cobbler.To learn more visit http://www.park52chicago.com/ or call (773) 241-5200Will you check out Park 52?
When I’m on the go the one thing that makes me crazy is bad hair. On a recent trip to Chicago, I made a beeline to Mario Tricoci Salon and Day Spa on Michigan Avenue for a little TLC. When it comes to haute, healthy hair, I leave it to the professionals. Veteran hair professional Frankie took me under her wing and whisked me over to the shampoo bowl to cleanse my hair and scalp opening up the hair shaft to remove product buildup. A relaxing head massage and conditioning treatment left my hair healthy with plenty of shine restoring moisture to keep my hair hydrated. Frankie added a keratin infused product and blew my hair straight. She followed up by pressing small sections of my hair until it was silky with lots of body and bounce.An hour later, my hair was healthy, lustrous and fabulous! When you're in Chicago and you need a little attention for your hair... drop into Mario Tricoci so they can indulge and delight you with innovative services and amazing hair care.To learn more visit http://www.tricoci.com/Haute Tips for Healthy Hair:-Shampoo and condition often-Consult a professional to trim ends every 6 weeks-Research products before using on your hair-Limit the amount of chemicals used on your hair-Limit the amount of heat used on your hair-Always use heat protectorHow do you keep your hair healthy and haute?
June Jacobs offer’s the Vanda Orchid Body Balm as part of her spa collection. The balm is rich and creamy, but not oily offering an intense hydration saturating the skin with a delicate bouquet of orchid extracts, Shea butter, jojoba and sunflower seed oils to soften and protect the skin. A powerful anti-oxidant blend of white, red and green tea extracts combined with Gobi berry, pomegranate and grape seed extracts help to combat free radicals and environmental toxins designed rejuvenate the skin.
Retails for $60... To learn more visit http://www.junejacobs.com/Haute Tip! The June Jacobs' Vanda Orchid Mist leaves the skin refreshed and energized! Retails $48Will you try this new body balm or mist?
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