Images from my article...

Examiner is having issues with posting my images and slide show on their site. They are going through a transition with new software... so the issue should be fixed soon, but I wanted to make sure everyone got to see the images that are crucial for the article.

Indian summer in Chicago

Check out my latest article at Examiner.com! We are being blessed with the most amazing weather (watch it will be below zero since I said that!) and it's not time yet to put away the summer stuff and drag out the fall. We are in a limbo period here. In my latest piece, I give you many different looks from the key staples of summer and fall: shorts, skirts, dresses, pants, and tanks.

Chicago Fashion and Styling Tips

Vogue's Sept. Issue and Lady Gaga

I am a magazine junky, true to form. Well, specifically speaking, fashion magazines. Vogue was my first (I think like all fashionistas, it is). Debra Messing was on the cover in a beautiful red chiffon gown. Ever since then, Vogue been my bible, bible of fashion. My favorite time of year is Fall (and Christmas of coarse) when the leaves change, kids go back to school, and fall fashion issues come out. This year I was kind of left like a child after Christmas, when I did not get my Red Ryder gun. I was not impressed with Halle Berry's spread, nor of any of the fall fashion. What has happened Anna Wintour? I love you and your mag, so please, I am demanding fashion; that is all! Fashion is what a fashion magazine does, right? Thanks for the 726 pages of non-sumptuous fall fashion, but I appreciate you trying to expand my vocab. Not.

Onto more pressing matters... it was leaked this morning that LADY GAGA is going to have her own fragrance. True to many pop-stars, I am not surprised she has jumped on the perfume empire bandwagon. However, I am very excited for her choice of scent and how the bottle will look. I hope its spicy and a truly incredible bottle. I might display it.

I was kind of bewildered when I seen the VMA's the other night. I applaud LADY GAGA and all her winnings. She was truly moved by winning all those awards. Clap-clap Miss Gaga. Yet, I am still having nightmares of her meat gown. Let me just say what everyone was thinking: What the fuck? I think McQueen was amazing for sending her many, many gowns for videos, performances, and appearances. R.I.P. Alexander McQueen, however you need to come down from fashion heaven and give her a good talkin' to. PETA, I am sure will be after her sooner or later for that little stunt.

Next.... GOSSIP GIRL FASHION AND FEVER

I am going backstage at Shinedown!!

So what do you wear when you are meeting celebrities? My father won tickets on the radio for Shinedown, Sevendust, Chevelle, and Puddle of Mudd! Not to mention we have backstage passes! I am super excited and about to shit my pants! I have never met anyone important (okay, you know what I mean). Wonder if I am on VH1 or something incredibly cool? Since I am currently packing and in the process of moving, my attire is a little limited.

This is a rock/metal/alternative concert (and did I mention I am meeting them?). I need to dress accordingly. First off no gym shoes, black wedge sandals. Okay, check. Skinny jeans are a must: sexy, comfortable, and will protect my legs from chaffing of spilled beer. Oh, and make me look like I have a butt! Always a plus right? I hit a mailbox (I did literally once! Damn that woman!!), I need a top. I cannot go topless no matter how much the stars would appreciate it, my father and husband would probably not.

Target. Target, the holy heaven of my existence (Forever 21 you are still my lover) has new "pre-fall" pieces out that will be perfect! Mossimo Black label has more edgy/glam-rock clothes right for the look I am going for. I meander in and I spot a beautiful black tunic with rosettes around the v-neck made out of zippers. Oh this top screams sexy, rock, and glamour. I snatch it up and zip over to the jewelry section. Defiantly no necklace, would be way too much. Earrings and bangles or maybe a cuff would be nice. I find the perfect pair of brain chain link earring (double stranded) with the same texture as the zipper rosettes. The cuff I think I want a little contrast. I find the most amazing brass and raw silver cuff. It has black suede lines around it and silver studs.

Perfection. My look is complete. I think I will have an amazing time and look amazing doing it!

(I did purchase an acne kit, scar eraser, battery powered pimple patches, and a microdermabasion mini-peel, hey a girl's got to make sure her face looks good too!)

Check out my article on what to wear to a concert: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-60065-Chicago-Fashion-Tips-Examiner~y2010m8d10-What-to-wear-to-a-concert-in-Chicago

New Article Up on Examiner

My latest feature is more or less a continuation of the last article. So you get the job your were murdering for, then what? What are you suppose to wear to keep up that perfect little image you portrayed during the interview process? That degree of perfectionism must be kept up at least until the 90-day probational period is over. In my article, I discuss how this can be done and which designers have the hot trends for 9 to 5.

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-60065-Chicago-Fashion-Tips-Examiner~y2010m7d25-Chicagos-9-to-5-wardrobe-basics

When the job you wanted, isn't anymore

I hate when you get so excited for a job interview, take the utmost care to plan what you're wearing, land the job, then you hate it. This may or may not be my case, but I know it is many others. Why do we stay at jobs that we do not enjoy? The money? Possibly, well who I am I kidding? That is the main reason we all stay and endure pain and drudgery.

I have this rule. I call it the "Three Year Assessment" or "Clothes Out". If I am feeling a little on the latter about my job, I look at my work scenario, have I been there almost three years and my clothes feel right going to this job?: If the answer is yes, stick it out and it could be hormones or a bad week; if the answer is no, time to start applying for bigger and better things. If I have not been at a position for even close to three years, I look at how what clothes I am wearing and how I  feel in them.

I know you may be thinking I have lost it, but seriously, consider the fact. Your clothes tell so much about you. You have no idea how much can be assessed by ones' wardrobe. If I enjoy dressing for work and am wearing my usual stylish pieces, I can chalk up my displeasure to something that may be out of my hands (hormones, crazy co-workers, horrible hours, w/e); if I am not dressing like Jessica there is serious trouble and I need to get out quick.

I learned this in college (yes, that is what I got out of my four years and $30,000 in loans!). I hated college so much that I was wearing yoga and sweat pants almost everyday (almost, because other days I would just wear my scrubs). Scary coming from me right? Yes! It is like a form of clothing/work depression. I even saw a social worker for this. She did not help, but I learned that I had to endure the rest of the school year and then get the hell out! 

The moral of the story is, if your clothes (coveted clothes) are not feeling right when you are in whatever (school, work, etc), it is not right for you. Repeat, it is not the clothes, it is the situation you are in! Am I right or am I right?

Follow me on Twitter

Hey fashionistas! I am on Twitter now. Find me in the fashion section as "realisticglam"