A Week of Glamour with Joanna Krupa & Morgan Marie Beauty

Our weekend event posts usually consist of what’s happening all around Chicago, but today we want to share some upcoming events the MDPR team is looking forward to next week!

Monday, November 4:

Monday is the season finale of The Real Housewives of Miami and what better way to watch the last episode than with the star of the show herself, Joanna Krupa! We can't wait to watch her tie the knot with longtime fiancé, Romain Zago.  

What makes this event even more amazing is all of the great sponsors!  The evening wouldn’t have been possible without: Acchaa Spa, A Mind and Body Total Fitness, Citizen Stone, Christian Karin, Fly First, Leah Chavie Skincare Boutique, ParadigmNext, Sugar Hills Bakery, Public Hotel and CS Brides. 

To purchase tickets, visit privateviewing.eventbrite.com. Proceeds will benefit Joanna’s charity, Angels for Animal Rescue.  

Let's send well wishes to the new Mrs!

Tuesday, November 5:

Our second event of the week is just as exciting—the ladies of Morgan Marie Beauty are throwing a preview party of their first ever holiday collection!  The beauty line will be introducing a limited edition palette of 5 shadows, 2 blushes and a bronzer, an invisible blotting powder, 10 new lipsticks and 6 new lip glosses. All MMB products will be available for purchase, so you can event knock out some holiday shopping. 

Guess will enjoy makeup touchups and tips, raffle prizes and signature cocktails and sweets! The ladies will also be revealing the first face of Morgan Marie Beauty! Can you guess who it is?

We hope to see you next week! 

By Ashley Siech, MDPR Contributor 

It's the Little Things

What do diamonds and luxurious bites have in common? They both require inspiration and a creative vision to be brought to life.

Dana Gordon, the founder of Dana Rebecca Designs and chef Elaina Vazquez, the founder of Boutique Bites, work in totally different fields, but both share an artistic vision that has made their companies so successful.

We wanted to find out just how creative Elaina could get. Could she blow us away with bites inspired by something as small as a piece of jewelry? We asked her to pick her favorite Dana Rebecca pieces and craft an edible creation to go with it.

Elaina Vazquez. Photo by Marcin Cymmer.

The result was a stunning display of sparkle, gold and caviar. Proof that it's the small things that inspire inventive design. To learn a little more about Elaina, we asked her about the design process, sources of inspiration and what she loves about her job. Now dig in and enjoy this visual feast.

MDPR: When did you found Boutique Bites? How did you start experimenting with bite sized food?

I started Boutique five years ago when I was 26 with the vision of bringing fine dining to catered events. I started experimenting with miniaturizing everyday foods like cheeseburgers and hotdogs and quickly became known for my stylish mini bites. 

I developed the concept for Boutique Bites while I was living in Las Vegas working for Joel Robuchon. I wanted to bring beautiful, stylish, upscale food to catered parties.

Heart-shaped croque monsieur sandwich.

Photo by Marcin Cymmer.

MDPR: Tell us about the process of designing an event. Where does your inspiration come from and how does it all come together?

The inspiration always starts with the client and what they are envisioning. For wedding clients, I ask them what their favorite restaurants are, what the feel of the event should be, etc. Once I have a good idea of the type of food my client is looking for, I design a custom menu and proposal for their event. From there we put together the design concept for the event. How should the food station look? Would lucite chairs work best in the space? Should we use textured linens? All of these details start taking shape and we work with the client all along the way to execute their vision. 

I source inspiration from fashion and lifestyle magazines, Pinterest, jewelry, plateware in stores, flowers and many other places. 

Risotto filled mushroom cups with edible gold. 

Photo by Marcin Cymmer.

MDPR: What have been some of your favorite creations?

My mini lobster tacos and mini cheeseburgers are our best sellers for hors d'oeuvres and I still love them. The day we figured out how to make mini Chicago-style hot dogs that taste like the real thing was very exciting. We make the buns in my kitchen. I also love my truffle mac n cheese bites. 

Purple potato chips with osetra caviar and gold dust.

Photo by Marcin Cymmer.

MDPR: What do you love about your job?

I love how different every event is which really gives us the opportunity to come up with new ideas consistently. I also love working with so many talented people in this field. 

Lobster tacos.

Photo by Marcin Cymmer.

MDPR: Your bites not only look amazing, but taste great as well. Tell us about the ingredients you use.

Thanks! Taste is the most important part of any dish, so we work on the flavors first and presentation second. I love to use ingredients that are slightly unexpected, like saffron in the polenta, edible gold on the risotto and caviar on potato chips. I go to Green City Market when I can to buy local produce. The rest is sourced from farms and purveyors.

Beet crostini with gold dust.

Photo by Marcin Cymmer.

If you have a favorite dish you would like to see bite-sized tweet your idea to us at @MonikaDixonPR and @BoutiqueBites.


By Allison Sickert, MDPR Writer

MDPR's Guide to Fashion Week

If you have been on the Internet since yesterday, then you know what's happening in NYC....New York Fashion Week, of course! All of us on the MDPR team are major fashion lovers, so we're dying to be there for all the action. Unfortunately, that's not the case, so we've figured out how to stay up to date on all the glam happenings. If you too have major FOMO about the greatest week in all of fashion, you definitely want to read on. We're offering our secrets to following along with everything - from the shows to the street style to the oh-so juicy gossip. 

Who to follow on Instagram:

Elizabeth Holmes at @eholmeswsj (writer)

Aimee Song at @songofstyle (blogger)

Karlie Kloss at @karliekloss (model)

Glamour Magazine at @glamourmag (magazine)

Eva Chen at @evachen212 (editor)

Elana Fishman at @elanafishman (editor)

The Cut at @cutblog (magazine)

Fashionista.com at @fashionista_com (website)

Rachel Zoe at @rachelzoe (stylist)

Watch the shows here:

New York Fashion Week Live

New York Fashion Week

View all the collections here:

WWD

Style.com

Vogue

The Cut

See the latest street style here: 

Huffington Post

Vogue

StyleCaster

E!

New York Mag

Get all the gossip here:

Fashionista.com

Celebrity-Gossip.net

Fashion Week Daily

Styleite

Scope out the front row crews: 

Pop Sugar

The Cut

As the shows have just begun, we can't choose our favorite looks just yet. We will, however, dish about the street style looks that have us swooning so far!

Monika's pick

Allison's pick

Emily's pick

What street style looks have you excited? Share them with us via Instagram or Twitter at @monikadixonpr! 

By Emily Cleary, MDPR Social Media Director 

Tiffin at the Langham

From fashion photographer, contributing Glossed & Found fashion editor, blogger and stylist to a wife and loving mother of two, Helen Berkun is fueling Chicago’s fashion industry with her eye-catching editorial campaigns and her own eclectic sense of style. Because of her expert eye for design, MDPR wanted to take Helen out from behind the scenes for a chance to shine the spotlight on her many talents. And, what better way to embody Helen’s enthusiastic spirit than to draw inspiration from Audrey Hepburn (à la Breakfast at Tiffany's), an icon for style and elegance. Chicago’s chic new Langham Hotel served as the perfect setting to reflect Helen’s personality and elegance.

MDPR: You have so many talents and are involved in so many things, but it seems like you follow the philosophy, "choose a job you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." What does a typical day look like for you?

Helen: You're right; I absolutely live by that philosophy. I am so blessed to actually do what I do. My day to day life is different, but I think that's another reason why I love my job so much. It's always so exciting! Every day really is a brand new one. If I'm not traveling, which happens often, I typically wake up with my kids around 6:45am. We do the common morning routines, and then I drive my son to school. If I'm working from home, I go to the gym first thing and then I'm back to my home office answering emails. I get about 300-400 per day. Because I wear so many hats - photographer, stylist, creative director, blogger - a regular day may mean that I'm retouching, meeting with clients, pulling for shoots, contacting show rooms for sample pieces, on-set shooting or styling, or writing trend reports for different magazines.

MDPR: What is one of your favorite campaigns you have done? What are your favorite types of jobs to work on?

Helen: Everything I do for Glossed & Found becomes my favorite editorial. I've been fortunate to work with many celebrities, photographers and several incredible magazines. However, working with G&F is like working with my best friends, my family. I can't explain it. I have so much love for this online magazine blog, it’s like my baby. Each editorial becomes such a labor of love, and it's so rewarding to see it all come to life. It's incredible to be recognized for being part of this unbelievable family. I also have to admit, we have a blast at our shoots!

MDPR: Who is currently your favorite designer?

Helen: I'm always in love with Alexander McQueen. I think Sarah Burton has done a fantastic job of designing the collections and staying true to Lee's vision of the brand. For more affordable pieces, because let's face it, I'm a big high/low mixer and I hate spending a lot on clothes with the exception to shoes and bags, I love Zara and ASOS. This season I also love the Tory Burch collection. It's very wearable and I just adore all the prints and ladylike layering she did for the Fall '13 looks.

MDPR: Where do you draw inspiration for your personal style and how do you style yourself differently than you style your clients?

I'm definitely inspired by street, motorcycles, Gwen Stefani, music and my life. I'm always on the go, and in the summer it's not uncommon for me to go to a fashion event and then come home and go for a ride with my husband on our Harley. I also need to be versatile enough to meet with clients during the day and spend time with my kids at the park in the evening. My wardrobe typically goes from day to night and from stilettos to biker boots. I style each client based on their needs because let's face it, we all have very different lives. I like to hear about their personal style and dress them according to that. It's important to me that the clothes don't wear the client; you can see when a person loves what they have on and when they simply can't pull it off. Trends are fun, but they don’t work on everyone.

MDPR: This shoot is inspired by “Breakfast at Tiffany's.” What characteristics do you feel you share with Audrey Hepburn?

Helen: Oh boy! In all honestly I could never be as graceful and classic as Miss Hepburn. I'm a total tomboy and a bit clumsy. I say what's on my mind without sometimes thinking about it and I don't think I'm nearly as refined. However, many say that Miss Hepburn was a nurturer and a protector and I can definitely relate to that. Especially being a mother and a wife, there isn’t anything I wouldn't do for my family!

Look 1 

Dress: Alexander McQueen

Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti

Ring: Alexis Bittar

Earrings: Alexis Bittar

Photo by Marcin Cymmer

Photo by Marcin Cymmer

Look 2

Dress: Rare Opulence

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Earrings: Golden Dream Jewelers

Jacket: Yigal Azrouel

Rings: Engagement ring by Golden Dream Jewelers

Photo by Marcin Cymmer

Photo by Marcin Cymmer

Look 3 

Dress: Tracy Reese

Bag: Alexander McQueen

Necklace: Lanvin

Shoes: Miu Miu

Photo by Marcin Cymmer

Photo by Marcin Cymmer

Photo by Marcin Cymmer

While Helen's look might be more eclectic and playful than Audrey's, we can undoubtedly say that the two share one thing in common. Just as Miss Hepburn left a legacy of success and respect in her field, Helen is quickly forging a similar path of excellence for herself.

We want to know (and our star does too), which look do you love the most? Comment below or tweet your choice to us (@monikadixonpr) and Helen (@helen_berkun)! 

By Rebecca Taylor, MDPR Team Member 

What We're Loving - Tom Ford

When Tom Ford comes to your city, you know you've got some major fashion cred! We were so giddy about the infamously chic designer making our city its newest home that we had to be one of the first to visit. Wasting no time, we headed over to 66 East Oak Street early Friday to witness the opening day of this fashion mecca. And let us tell, it did not disappoint. Every decor detail - from the lighting to the marble floors - was flawless. And the merchandise...where do we even begin? The icing on the (very stylish) cake was a second-floor surprise that only an elite few shoppers will ever get to experience. We'd love to say more, but Tom Ford himself (we wish!) swore us to secrecy!

By Emily Cleary, MDPR Social Media Director 

Birthday Wish Lists

September is going to be an exciting month for the MDPR team as both Emily and Allison have birthdays to celebrate! Naturally, much of the office chit chat as of late has been centered around what items the gals have their eyes on as prospective b-day gifts. For today's #FridayFashion post, we asked the girls to narrow down their list to just five items (a difficult task for any fashionista), and here's what they chose.

ALLISON

Dress:

"I've been looking for a dress with longer sleeves for fall and this J.Crew one fits the bill. I'll wear it with tights and booties when the weather cools down."

Heels:

"Pointed toe heels are in again and I have my eye on this classic black pair by Vince."

Purse:

"Coach's Legacy bags are based on purses from the 70s with a few modern updates. I love the double turn locks on their Guesset bag and the rich cognac brown leather."

Trench:

"If I could splurge on one item it would be a Burberry trench. I dream of having one in my closet someday!"

Boots:

"My leather boots are pretty worn so it's about time I invest in a new pair. I would love to unwrap these riding boots from Madewell."

EMILY

Pants:

"I've been searching high and low for a wearable but still edgy pair of (vegan) leather pants, and I finally found them in these 7 For All Mankind skinnies. The paneling and zippers add the perfect amount of interesting detail that I look for in all of my items."

Booties:

"The Steve Madden booties are not only practical, but totally on trend due to the cutout. I see myself wearing these everyday, with everything from jeans to dresses to shorts (as long as the weather allows)."

Dress:

Every girl needs a new birthday party dress, no? You can't see it here, but the back has a low cutout. That and the studs around the neck make this BCBGeneration dress perfect for a fun celebration."

Purse:

I love bold colors (not that you would know that from the other items on my list), so this hot pink Deux Lux purse is just calling my name. It's also spacious and has studs, so what's not to love?"

Coat:

"Not your traditional coat. The two-tone and fringe-detailing of this BB Dakota coat make it a standout piece, and I look for that in something I'll be wearing almost everyday during fall and winter." 

Here's to hoping all their wishes (or at least one) come true! 

Got any items on your wish list we need to see? Tweet us at @MonikaDixonPR! 

By Emily Cleary, MDPR Social Media Director

Three Tech Destinations for the Fashionista

You're getting ready at night and can't decide on the perfect outfit. So what do you do? Ask your closest friend, of course. Not anymore! With a whole world of fashion app users out there, you can now get a truly unbiased opinion from someone halfway across the world. That's just one of the many reasons that you need to explore these three fashion apps and social media networks!

1. Pose

This iPhone and iPad app is the answer to the what to wear dilemma. Snap a pic of your look(s) and ask for opinions. Or, if you see an outfit you like for fall, add it to your 'Fall into Fashion' collection. The best part? There's a tagging tool that allows users to identify the brand or individual items in their outfit. What does this mean for you? No need to fiercely surf the web looking for the latest item of your dreams. Simply click the item and find out where and how to get it. Essentially, Pose lets you see and shop looks put together by the trendsetters of the world! Or at least the millions that have caught on to this savvy network.

2. Keep

If you've ever experienced frustration on Pinterest because you see something you have to have, but can't find where to buy it, then Keep.com is for you. Keep.com is an image-driven feed of products that will make your friends say, 'Where'd you find that?" This website not only gives you inspiration, but the power to make that inspiration real through purchases. With the latest trends in fashion, decor, accessories and design curated by a community of top tastemakers, you're bound to find your newest obsession when browsing through Keep.com's never ending stream of beautiful items. Really love something? 'Like' it. Need to have it? 'Keep' it. And don't forget to 'follow' your favorite Keepers. 

3. StyleBook

Although this iPhone and iPad app is new on our radar, we can definitely see ourselves getting hooked quickly. Remember the jealously you felt in the 90s when you first saw Cher's high tech closet in Clueless? Well, be envious no more. StyleBook allows you to virtually organize your closet piece by piece, map out your next outfit, test out store items with your outfit for compatibility and even allows you to get stats on your clothes to determine which items you (gasp) repeat most often. With Stylebook, mixing and matching the items you own becomes incredibly easy, and the organizational aspect will make sure you never forget about an item in the back of your closet. 

Being tech-savvy never looked so chic!

By Emily Cleary, MDPR Social Media Director