October Obessions

MUSIC:


In the mood for a great clubbing tune..? Check out the song "Bulletproof" by La Roux, an electropop group from England. New to the American music scene, this band is definitely worth a listen :)





Another great band from "across the pond" worth listening to is, Phoenix. Debuting their first album in 2000, this French alternative rock band has produced many hit singles since then, including the song "1901." Recently featured in a Cadillac car commercial, this song features an upbeat sound with a killer hook. Alternative beat with a poppy vibe, if you ask me.


TV:

This fall numerous networks debuted many new TV shows. One show that has caught my interest is ABC's Eastwick. Based on the novel, "The Witches of Eastwick" by John Updike, this drama follows the lives of three women who come to learn they possess supernatural powers. Although the show is far from quality television, it does have a Sex and the City meets Charmed meets Sabrina the teenage witch vibe to it that makes it a bit likable.


FASHION:

Looking to glam up your wardrobe? Here are two of my favorite Fall Fashions:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Crocodile Embossed leather hobo

* Beautiful color for the fall! Also available in black and white and can be purchased at Bloomingdales

Tory Burch Leather Riding Boots
*Fabulous find for your feet! Also available in black and can be purchased at bloomingdales.

Warm up this Fall with Soup from "The Soupbox"

As the temperature begins to drop around Chicago, warm up with soup from the Soupbox. Made fresh everyday, this quaint cafe offers diners with 12 fresh soups. From original soups like Chicken Noodle, Minestrone and Tomato Bisque to rather unique soups like Cream of Asparagus, Green Chile Chowder and Mexican Tortilla, there is definitely a soup for everyone on their menu.

Unsure of which soup to have? Feel free to ask an associate for a taste of any soup. Vegetarian? No problem! The Soupbox offers various vegetarian soup options, including hearty fresh vegetable, fresh broccoli & white cheddar and tomato-basil to name a few. Also, although none are currently offered, The Soupbox plans on incorporating gluten free soups to their menu in the coming months.

Not hungry for soup? The Soupbox also offers 12 delicious salads. From classic Caesar to Grecian, to to even "create-your-own," you are hard pressed to not find a suitable salad for your taste bud.

Located at 2943 Broadway(between Oakdale and Wellington) as well as at 50 E. Chicago (between Michigan and Wabash), this cafe is open seven days a week from 10am-11pm.



For more information on the Soupbox, including prices and nutritional information, go to www.thesoupbox.com


*photos are the sole property of The Soupbox

Karl Lagerfeld's “Coco ècolo” Spring 2010 Collection

With hundreds of designers launching their 2010 Spring/Summer collection at this Fall's Paris Fashion week, one thing remained clear: Chanel still rocks the runway like no one else. With a packed house at Paris's Grand Palais, fashionistas and everyone in between observed a show of immense beauty in a rustic setting.

This season, the runway was transformed into a Marie Antoinette inspired farm so as to coincide with Karl Lagerfeld's theme of rustic yet eco-friendly chic.


Debuting a "Ready-to-Wear" collection that appeared "natural" but still eloquent, Lagerfeld truly amazed onlookers with a collection that balanced classic Chanel with current fashion.

To the right is a piece from this amazing collection. While the pants are baggy casual, the jacket embodies classic Chanel.
(Is that jacket not fabulous?! )



To watch Chanel's Fall 2009 Paris Fashion Week Show, go to www.chanel.com.

To view all 72 pieces of the extraordinary collection, go to http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/S2010RTW-CHANEL?page=1

Photo of Sasha Pivovarova (right) is sole property of Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com

Photo above is sole property of AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/06/chanel-models-roll-in-the_n_311446.html

"The Hills" Stays Alive With The Sound of Kristin Cavalleri

As the newest season of MTV's The Hills gets under way, one has to wonder what is in store for this scripted reality television series. With Lauren Conrad, aka "LC," no longer headlining the show, it was of no surprise that MTV hired Kristin Cavallari to take her place. Referred to as "the bitch" Cavallari first made a name for herself on MTV's hit reality show, Laguna Beach. Since then Cavallari has been stirring up drama wherever her Christian Louboutin shoes takes her.

Thus, is it presumptuous in guessing that this season will be comprised of all drama? Judging by the horrendous first episode last Tuesday, I will say yes. Then again if I was a cast member who, like Cavallari was being paid over $90,000 an episode to take LC's place, I would definitely make sure I caused a scene. For lets be real [for once], nobody likes boring.

And so, as episode 2 of this seamingly dull series premieres, I will continue to wonder why the American public continues to watch this oh so scripted and totally fake reality show. In the beginning of the series we all wanted to be Lauren. I mean who wouldn't want to drive a nice car, live in a posh LA pad, and pretend to work for Teen Vogue? I know I would. But now, the drama and the mascara filled tears are getting a bit old. As for the "characters," their personalities have become so fake and fabricated, how can anyone take an interest in them? Their 15 minutes of fame are almost up, so enjoy it now before "The Hills" becomes "so last year."

For more on "The Hills," check out mtv.com

*Photo above is the sole property of Miranda Penn Turin and mtv.

The Glitz and The Glam. But is it all really for family?

Since the premiere of Jon & Kate plus 8, the American public has been fascinated by this reality television series. Chronicling the lives of parents Jon & Kate and their eight children, this program offers a look into the anything but typical day in the life of a large middle class family. With twin girls and sextuplets, the life of the Gosselin family is a heartwarming story Americans have come to love.

Yet, over the past few seasons we have witnessed the stress life can have with raising 8 children. From all the bickering and bantering between Jon & Kate, to the recent reports of infidelity, and the investigation into the violation of child labor laws, this heartwarming story of a large and loving family has spiraled into a heartbreaking one.

With the demise of this family, one wonders why Jon and Kate didn't stop the production of this television show? Although this show offers this family opportunities they wouldn't have received otherwise, it really has destroyed them. The fame this family has received over the success of this show has torn this family apart. Every move made by the family as well as Jon & Kate individually has been monitored under a closely watched microscope. How can you lead a life so closely watched? How healthy is it to raise children under the watchful eye of the press? As we know, the media is not anyone's friend. They will turn any slight slip up into a major headline. That is their job. The fact that these parents allowed for their family to be subjected to this is absolutely mind blowing.

Interview after interview, Kate states that the reason why they do this show is for their children. How else would they be able to afford to raise eight children? The decision to do this show was simply a financial decision, or was it? Since the premiere of this reality series, Kate has launched two books and has appeared on numerous high profile talk shows. She is even in talks of getting her own talk show. One has to wonder then, is she promoting the show? Or is she promoting herself?

The answer to that question may be unknown, however the glitz and the glam that has come with being "Jon & Kate plus 8" has torn this loving family apart while giving the limelight to a woman who despite going through a very public separation, has loved every minute of the spotlight given to her. Although TLC has renamed the show to "Kate plus 8," the reasonable and logical move to the show would be to cancel the series in order to preserve what is left of this family.