Savor the last days of summer. My copy of the September 2011 Vogue is in the mail, on its way to me right now, and days are getting shorter. Stores everywhere are merchandising for “Back to School” wardrobe shopping. All the signs are here that autumn is fast approaching. This surfer inspired fashion video featuring Raquel Zimmerman is inspiration for you to truly savor the last days of summer.
Here are some great ways you can take in the Chicago summer.
Go to the Lake Michigan beach.
Take a bike ride down the lakefront.
Watch the sunset from a rooftop bar.
Dine outside at your favorite cafe.
Sit in a park and read fashion magazines.
Hit up a street festival or block party in your neighborhood.
Go golfing at the Diversey driving range.
Day trip to Michigan or the Indiana Dunes.
Go for a swim at your nearest public pool (ok, so maybe not this last one).
My little brother is returning to high school in Arkansas tomorrow as a senior. It’s his last “first day of school.” This summer flew by faster than any other summer in my life. I’m going to do a more in-depth post about this summer tomorrow for you to read while you’re surfing the internet at work. Today you should be outside soaking in the last days of summer, not sitting inside reading my blog!
My third and final giveaway is a package identical to the first giveaway, which contains an iPod Nano, two pairs of colorful American Apparel socks, and hot pink leggings. These giveaways are designed to get you all excited for the launch of Australian indie rock band Strange Talk’s music video on Monday, August 15th at 10 a.m. Make sure to RSVP on Facebook so you don’t miss a chance to win some more great prizes! The music video has new technology that will give viewers the ability to click on products in the video for a chance to be sent that product as a gift! Several thousand items will be given away during the premiere. Don’t lose out!
The mystery company who is sponsoring all of this – Strange Talk’s new music video and my giveaway – is ALL about color. They’re obsessed with helping consumers preserve color, save color, and highlight color in our lives. My readers know I love color as most of the looks I photograph are full of bright hues. I am also obsessed with brightly colored hair on people like Rhea above, who is probably my favorite person I’ve ever photographed. How do you integrate color into YOUR life?
For a chance to win the iPod Nano, the rules are the same for the previous giveaways:
Amy Creyer with fashion blogger friends Katie Schuppler, Taneisha Jordan, & Alia Rajput
Artrageous was the 2011 incarnation of Macy’s Glamorama. The show was themed around outrageous art. Famous artworks were prominently throughout different parts of the show. The most adorable children waltzed under Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night and break dancers flipped through the air beneath iconic works by Keith Haring. Glamorama is produced in conjunction with the Ronald McDonald House Charities, whose international network of homes provides room and board to families of hospitalized children undergoing serious health problems. Without the Ronald McDonald houses, tens of thousands of parents would be separated from their children while undergoing what is often the most traumatic period of their lives.
I kicked off the evening downstairs at the media rope line. I photographed Glamorama chairwoman Candace Jordan, who is one of my favorite people to run into at events. Her blog Candid Candace and Chicago Tribune society column, The Chicago Scene, is a “must read” for anyone interested in Chicago’s social life. Above Candace is pictured with 12-year-old Alisha Christlieb and her mom, who are this year’s Ambassador Family. Alisha was born with a number of birth defects and her parents were told that she would never be able to walk, eat on her own, or even breathe on her own. 12 years later, Alisha is a 4.0 straight “A” student. Candace became visibly emotional when Alisha told the media about how much Candace and all her efforts to promote the RMHC means to her and her family. It was a really touching moment to witness, to see how much Candace truly cares about making a difference through philanthropy and volunteering.
The runway portion of the evening was kicked off by Sonia Rykiel and followed by Jean Paul Gaultier, whose Parisian-themed presentations were immensely popular with the Chicago crowd. The audience spontaneously erupted in applause for one of Gaultier’s fur coats, which was classic Chicago. Armani Jeans, Marc Jacobs, and Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse (Macy’s) also presented their Fall 2011 collections at the fashion themed extravaganza.
After the performance at the Chicago Theater, guests headed across the
street to Macy’s on State Street’s seventh floor for the official
afterparty. I was delighted to run into my aunt, Laura Howlett, whose
company provides McDonalds with cleaning products in over 32 countries.
She was there with her client, a McDonalds senior executive, obviously! I kicked back and relaxed with my good friends Corri McFadden and Jena Gambaccini. We celebrated Corri’s new reality TV show and my Bing video with Jena!
