Thank You Reese Witherspoon

I just came across these photos of Reese Witherspoon in Hawaii last week vacationing with her family, and I was inspired to write this simple post just to say thank you, Reese!

Thank you for being a normal size yet being successful.

Thank you for being confident in your own skin.

Thank you for setting a good example for women and little girls everywhere – including your own daughter.

 

Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

As I work on my New Years Resolution to get healthy for my wedding it’s inspiring to see a celebrity whom I know is active and fit, yet is not as skinny as a rail.

By the way, this is not to say she is not skinny.  She is obviously petite and in shape.  I’m just thankful that she looks like she actually eats real food and not just a piece of grilled chicken breast with 4 asparagus spears for every meal.  You know the folks I’m talking about.

I needed to see this today.  Maybe you did, too.

Holiday Gift Guide: Hello Kitty Nail Tin {Giveaway}

Thanks for checking out my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!  Be sure to check out Our Ordinary Life and Mommy Mandy for more great gift ideas!

* * *

I’m sure you’ve noticed from my site that I’m a bit of a beauty and fashion nut.  I have an obsession with all things girly, including nail polish.  Naturally, when a girly girl has a daughter, the odds of her also being a girly girl are pretty high.  I can officially say that Audrey Grace is about as girly as they come – which is totally fun for mom!

Even though I generally think Audrey Grace is a little young for even pretend makeup and nail polish, I saw the Hello Kitty Nail Tin by TownleyGirl and thought I would make an exception. (As in, she can only wear it and play with it at home, not out in public.) The nail tin comes with fun polish, nail art, and of course can be used as a lunch box or a place to store treasures long after the products are used!

If you the Hello Kitty Nail Tin set right now at Toys R Us you’ll get free 2 day shipping and also get a free Hello Kitty Bowler Bag with purchases of $30 or more.

Lucky for you, I have an awesome Hello Kitty Cosmetic Tin to giveaway to one of my lucky readers!

Mandatory Entry Method:

• Leave a comment here telling me why you’d love to win this – is there a special little girl in your life who just adores Hello Kitty? Maybe she is a makeup fanatic?

Extra Entry Methods (leave a separate comment for each):

• Visit Mommy Mandy and enter one of her Holiday Giveaways. Come back here and let me know you did it. (1 entry)
• Visit Our Ordinary Life and enter one of her Holiday Giveaways.  Come back here and let me know you did it. (1 entry)
• BLOG ABOUT IT!!! 5 entries.
• Tweet this contest.  (1 entry)
• Like Chic Shopper Chick on Facebook. (1 entry)
• Follow me on Twitter. (1 entry)
• Like Design Public on Facebook. (1 entry)
• List this giveaway on any contest site for 3 entries.
• You can always leave a comment on any non-giveaway post. (1 extra entry per post commented on. just go to “home” posts are up front, please comment on all new posts and leave your extra entry comment)

No purchase necessary to win.  Contest only valid for residents of the US.  Winner to be chosen by random.org on or after December 2nd. Winner has 48 hours to respond to notification email or another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure:  Townley Girl sent us a nail tin to review, however these opinions are 100% mine and I’m thrilled to share them with you.  

Look for Less: Duchess Kate’s Reiss Dress

While the whole world is busy asking the question “is Duchess Kate pregnant?”, I’m busy looking for a few great holiday dresses to wear.  I was just browsing ideeli and I noticed this JB by Julie Brown Marlena Ruffle Detail Dress that has similar detailing to the white Reiss dress that Duchess Kate wore in her official engagement portrait (and again on their Royal Canadian Tour).

The look is very flattering, and considering the popularity of everything that Duchess Kate wears, I thought it was worth noting that a similar style was on sale at ideeli.  (ideeli is members only, but if you need an invite to ideeli I have one!)

Because of the 3/4 length sleeves, it would be a great dress for cooler weather, paired with tights, boots, and a blazer. The dress comes in Green or Black, and at $50, it’s a steal.

Happy shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide: Scared Panda Eco-Friendly Tees

 

 

** This post is a part of my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, created in partnership with Amanda of Mommy Mandy and Kristin of Our Ordinary Life.  Please check out their Holiday Guides for more great gift ideas! **

I’m not big into wearing t-shirts but every now and then a few really cute, great shirts do actually make it into the rotation.  Since early October, the “Anchored” t-shirt from Scared Panda has been one of them.  Featuring the Manhattan skyline (one of my favorite places!) and designed by Brooklyn resident Brad Jonas, the shirt reminds me to refuse to be overwhelmed – there is always something so much bigger than what I might be dealing with.

Plus, it’s just stinkin’ adorable!  I have gotten at least one compliment from strangers on it each time I’ve worn it – about 3 times now.

If you’re looking for a gift that also allows you to give back this holiday season – this is it.  10% of every sale of this t-shirt goes to Scared Panda’s non-profit partner Growing Home, a Chicago-based non-profit that provides job training through an organic agriculture business.  Talk about giving to give back!  I love it!  Plus, each shirt runs around $18 and during the Holidays includes free shipping and gift wrapping – so you have a great gift wrapped and shipped for under $20 smackeroos!

Better yet?  All of their tees are printed using only eco-friendly inks and is produced locally in the US!

Best yet?  I have an early Holiday Gift for you!  Use the coupon code “PANDAS” to receive 10% off your next order.

Go, shop, and be well!  Happy Holidays!

 

Disclosure:  Scared Panda sent me a t-shirt to wear.  All opinions on its awesomeness are my own.

We Covet: Teresa Scanlan’s Coat In the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

 

One of my favorite television events of the year is coming up – and for once, I’m not talking about any sort of awards show.  I’m talking about the 85th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  I have such wonderful memories of this parade – I distinctly remember my 7 year old self sitting firmly in front of our large console television and watching the giant balloons go by as delicious smells of a southern Thanksgiving wafted from the kitchen.

Of course, this year’s parade will return with the usual suspects - Kermit the Frog, Snoopy the Flying Ace and Spider-Man – alongside the loveable Clumsy Smurf, Buzz Lightyear and Mickey Mouse and I’ll be planted yet again in front of the TV with our two pajama-clad kiddos watching them float by.  This parade always ushers in the beginning of Christmas for me – the official start of the holidays, but this year I have the inside scoop about more than just Santa and the cool balloons.

My sources at Ann Magnin tell me that Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011 will be featured on her own float wearing a stunning coat by Joseph Ribkoff.  The gorgeous knee-length ivory coat has a feminine ruffle and an eye-catching fabric rosette – proving that is possible to look chic and stay warm (a la our favorite fashion icon, Kate Middleton). And honestly – wait until you set eyes on this baby – it will be the most coveted item on your Holiday Wish List.

I know it already is on mine.

 

2011 Holiday Gift Guide

I’ve scoured the stores, the shelves, and the internet for the hottest gifts for the 2011 Holiday Season.  Together with Kristin of Our Ordinary Life and Amanda of Mommy Mandy, I’m set to bring you the best gifts for everyone on your list for 2011.  So, what are you waiting for — dive in!

The Smell of Fall With Better Homes and Gardens

Ahhhh.  My house smells like fall.  Or Blueberry muffins at least – which is close enough for me.  Lord knows if something is baking around here, it MUST be for a holiday!

Except, I’m not baking.  I have this bad boy plugged in by my kitchen sink and when you walk in the entryway to my home, you can smell the blueberry – I’m not kidding.  Actually, the first night that I plugged it in, I left to pick up dinner, and when I walked back up to the house I could SMELL THE BLUEBERRY OUTSIDE.  Yes, you read that right.  I ran inside and pulled Morgan back out with me to prove it, but of course his nose was adjusted to the smell so he just thought I was crazy.  Which I am.  But not for that reason – it really did smell like blueberry muffins out there!

Anyway, in the past I have found Wax Warmers like these to be a bit out of my budget – 30 bucks a pop?  No thanks, I will light a candle.  But hey – I LOVE these, and they are only $15 bucks each at Walmart.  Half the price and I can smell the blueberry OUTSIDE?  Where do I sign?

In addition to the cute warmers like the one you see above, they have a bunch of awesome seasonal warmers – like an apple and a gourd.  I actually have the gourd sitting in my living room, warming my some “Soft Cashmere Sweater” as we speak.  Can’t you just FEEL the cold weather?  I love it!

Not to mention – check out these great winter scents – Warm Vanilla Creme, Wild Berry Cheesecake, Baked Apple Streusel, and Vanilla Caramel Spice.  Love them all.

So what do you think?  Will you try these out?  Have you tried a wax warmer before – if so what are your thoughts?  Please share them in the comments!

Disclosure: I am a Walmart Mom and was compensated for my time with regards to creating this post.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  I really do like this awesome Wax Warmer – and even my fiance has taken to turning it on himself when he want to give the house a nice boost. 

Must-Have: Colored Denim

It all started with a pair of J Brand Mid Rise Skinnies in Electric Blue. They were comfy like leggings (hello, Japanense Twill!), structured like jeans, and right on-trend. I wore them to work with a cropped trench, out in Brooklyn with a hot pink silk tank, and lunching with friends paired back to a simple tee. OBSESSED MUCH?

The answer is yes. But after awhile, my eyes began to wander. And my heart began to lust. First it was a purple pair, a Spring style that I hunted down relentlessly all over the Upper East Side-to no avail….huge bummer.  I did, however, find them in Emerald Green and now we are insperable! These jeans have become my new uniform.

There are a multitude of ways to wear colored denim, but this is my go-to look:

Of course, the bright denim takes center stage in this ensemble. I tone down the bright factor with some of my wardrobe staples-an easy tee and classic blazer. My favorite tees are the v-necks from Old Navy and my all-time favorite blazer is the Gabe from Theory. Jazz it up with a great necklace-currently, I’m into big gold collars-and you are all set!

Have you jumped on the colored denim trend? What’s your favorite way to wear it?

We Love: TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

This post brought to you by TRESemmé. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hi.  My name is Erika and I have lots of hair.  Tons.  Loads.  Mucho.

You get the drift.

A while back my stylist Meggan told me that I needed to stop washing my hair every day because over-washing was just drying it out and causing it to become brittle.  And frankly, who likes brittle, dry, hair?  Not me.  I like shampoo commercial quality hair.  Or at least hair like Sofia Vergara - my goodness her hair is so shiny!

Anyway, back to Meggan and her suggestions about not over-washing my hair.  She suggested that I try a dry shampoo to get me through the days that I am not washing – just a few quick sprays of my hair towards the roots to eliminate oil and odor.  So, for the past 2 years, I have been a dry shampoo convert.  Devotee.  Fan.

I love the stuff.

Which is why when I heard about TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo I was eager to hop on board and learn how to use it and to see how I could work it into my daily hair routine.  I swear, I couldn’t get by on a weekly basis without it, so if you haven’t tried it yet I highly recommend it.  Here are some quick tips for getting the most out of your TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo:

1. Shake it well before you spray and in-between bursts to get the best results.
2. Lift sections of your hair and spray lightly at the roots.
3. Hold 8-12 inches from your head and spray in short bursts.
4. Don’t spray like hairspray (all over and continuously) – remember short bursts at the roots.
5. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes, then use your fingertips or a brush to distribute the product evenly.

The line is great, and is made to revitalize your hair without a single drop of water.  Plus, it’s infused with citrus so that your hair smells fresh and clean.  Check out this how to video to learn more (and enter to win a $500 gift card while you’re at it!)

See, isn’t it awesome?  Be sure to pick up a bottle for yourself and check it out!

Gossip Girl Fashion: Season 5 “Yes, Then Zero”

Tonight is the season premiere of Gossip Girl’s highly anticipated 5th season.

Frankly, there are a lot of questions I need answered.  Who is pregnant?  What will Dan do when he finds out Vanessa sold his book for publication?  What is going to happen to Chair (Chuck/Blair) in the midst of all of the royal wedding planning? How long will Serena stay in LA?  And perhaps most importantly…

What the HECK happened to Dan’s hair?  Ew.

No matter your level of Gossip Girl curiosity, I’m sure you at least want to know the thing that we all do – where are all of those amazing clothes from.  So, here is your Season 5, Episode 1 Gossip Girl Fashion preview for “Yes, Then Zero“.

 

Serena’s Purple Dress in LA with Nate

Catherine Malandrino Dress
Azzedine Alaia Platform Shoes $838

Serena on-set in Los Angeles

Maje Cream Silk Studded Tank Top $80
Alice + Olivia Shannon Printed Maxi Pleated Skirt $484

Serena in Los Angeles

Rag & Bone Aubry Top (sold out)
Theyskens Theory Beaded Vest (sold out)
Rag & Bone Feather Skirt $277

Blair Waldorf

Oscar de la Renta S/S 2011 Dress
Nancy Gonzalez Clutch

Diana Payne (played by Elizabeth Hurley)

Herve Leger Bandage Dress
Jimmy Choo Nude Sandals

 

 

Hanes Helps To Find a Cure – And So Can You!

Did you know that over 80% of women diagnosed with Breast Cancer have none of the known risk factors?

So, while heredity and other links are occasionally found, over 80% of women who are diagnosed will have had no clue that they were even at risk.  Breast Cancer is a terrifying disease that ends the lives of women way too prematurely – women who are mothers, sisters, friends, and wives.  We need to work together to find a cure to keep Breast Cancer at bay – and you can help.

As one of the Comfort Crew Members I am working with Hanes to help raise money for the NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation) through the month of October.  If you click the image below, it will take you to a Facebook page where Hanes has launched a new initiative to Share the Comfort.  For each Comfort Package that you send, Hanes will donate $1 to the NBCF, up to $25,000.

While the Comfort Crew members are all very friendly, we are also all competing to send the most traffic to the app.  Whomever among us sends the most visitors through to the Share the Comfort tab will have $2000 donated in their name to their local chapter of the NBCF.  This means if we all work together, we can donate a total of $27,000 dollars to Breast Cancer Research this year alone.

Please, if you’ve ever been personally touched by breast cancer, click the image below and send a Comfort Package to your friends and family, and encourage them to do the same.  If you have never been personally touched by this awful disease, I implore you to still click and send – and let’s work together to rid our world of breast cancer.

 

Disclosure: I am a member of the Hanes Comfort Crew, however I am not paid in any way, shape or form for this post.  I am affiliated with Hanes because they are a great company, with great products, accomplishing great things, and I have been and always will be a fan of their tremendous efforts.  So, I suppose this is the anti-disclosure statement – but I wanted you to know how seriously I take this commitment and this post.  Please, click and share!

Fashion Week: J Crew Spring/Summer 2012

images via style.com

Well, this is definitely not your mother’s J Crew. Or mine, even.

Jenna Lyons has done it again, this time transforming the prepster cool looks into an almost unrecognizable mashup of prints, color, and texture. Familiar highlighter pinks and citrus tones make their return for Spring. They bring with them familiar J Crew standbys like chambray, slubby silks, and sequined stripes.  The styling was part Tory and just a touch menswear…if you peered really deep, you can see a little bit of 2011′s Spring J Crew peeking through.

Was it tailored? Yes.

Playful? Yes.

J Crew? I’m not so sure.

Ms. Lyons has thrown me for a loop this time. Is this another J Crew revolution or just an update to their current recipe for success? I’m going to have to let this one sink in for a little bit. What’s your initial reaction?

Fashion Week: Diane von Furstenberg Spring/Summer 2012

all images via style.com

Get out your shades, ladies! DVF’s Spring collection is full of punchy, cheery colors and many lively prints. If optimistic is what she was going for, well I give her an A-plus. Familiar shapes like wrap dresses, cropped pants, and toga styles were broken up by menswear-inspired blazers and punctuated with lighthearted prints. The kimono styles and wide obi belts were a welcome update to the expexted DVF wrap dress.

The diverse silhouettes and creative juxtaposition of the styling showed just how versatile this collection is. Sophisticated prints, fabulous frocks, smart work looks-in DVF’s neck of the woods, things sure are looking up!

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