The fact that the cost of my beloved latte is now equivalent to (or less than) the cost of a measly one gallon of gas has led to less big spending on shoes, accessories and clothing in general. After weeks, upon weeks of hearing about the “dyer” state of the economy while watching the news, I decided that I could still contribute to the stimulation of our lackluster economy and be sensible while doing it. So out I went, in search of some fabulous fashion at a fraction of the price. I have found some pretty impressive items at stores such as Target and Macy’s without much effort in the past but I was feeling like I wanted to experience a new shopping discovery. In trying to think of a place I could go in an effort to do a little guilt-free shopping, I recalled a lunch date with one of my girlfriends in which I complimented her great top and shoes. I remembered that she had told me she picked them up at Marshalls. I had always driven past Marshalls and of course I knew of it but I had never ventured in. I decided that this was the day I would try it out for myself and see how many “lattes” it would take for me to get some stellar goods.

I have to say that overall, I was pleasantly surprised. What I liked most about it was that they offered a wide variety of items that can be found on department store shelves (at double the price) right now. Not what was on the shelves three seasons ago, like some other discount stores. Among other things, my favorite finds were a great pair of bermuda shorts, a fun brown and light-blue print skirt and a couple of cute tops. All great for summer. I was pretty impressed with my Marshall’s experience at this point…and then I ventured into their Shoe Megashop and was truly in heaven. There was such a large selection of great shoes offered at a fraction of the price, so I didn’t feel guilty about buying a couple of them! I snagged a great pair of Madden Girl, by Steve Madden peep-toe pumps retailing for $69.99 for a sale price of $29.99 and they are super cute and fun. I couldn’t believe how great this store within a store was. Honestly, it was more than just a shoe department – there were enough shoes to house and entirely separate store. My second pair of shoes was a grecian-style, strappy flat that will go great with my bemudas and skirt! The great thing was that I was able to get all of it for the amount that I have paid for just one handbag in the past and that made me feel pretty good. This fantastic spending experience does not mean that I will not continue to buy such handbags, mind you but it is nice to know that such a place exists for great, affordable and fashionable finds. I think I will refrain from said handbag splurging until the cost of a gallon of gas levels back off to the cost of two lattes – or at least one and a half. If you, too are feeling less than thrilled at the high cost at the pump, I recommend trying to find these types of deals yourself, allowing you to still look fabulous and give Charles Gibson with ABC Nightly News something else to talk about for a change.

One word: Fabulous.  All kidding aside, if you are a true SATC gal, you will love this flick. They really did the series justice and stuck to the character’s storylines where they all left off.  While I will admit that the mushy-ness that occured in spurts throughout the film threw me because I wasn’t used to witnessing it in the show so much, the entire movie itself was beautimus!  I would recommend it to anyone as a great film (and have).

Carrie still has her man/self/love issues, Charlotte is still perfect, Miranda is still work-obsessed and Samantha, well, she’s still self-obsessed.  Although I must say that they showed a much softer side of her than I was used to seeing - hello, she spoon fed Carrie.  I loved the fashion, loved the shoes, loved the bags and loved, loved, loved the scene with the 80’s music and make-shift fashion show in Carrie’s apartment - with champagne.  Like I said, if you love the gals, you’ll love the flick.  I do have to tell you that I adored the shoes Carrie was wearing in more than one scene and I will be dedicating my next few evenings to locating them.  They looked sortof biker-girlish and feminine at the same time.  I loved them to death and must find them to see if I can afford to buy them!

It really was a perfect night: a girlfriend I don’t get to spend as much time with since the arrival of our little guy, some margaritas and a walk down the memory lane of my pre-baby and pre-marriage days.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my life and family as it is now but it was so much fun to take a break from it all and relish in true woman-hood and fashion goddessism with a friend whose been through it all right along with me.  Loved. It.

Ok, it is officially past my bedtime and am afraid the combination of being up so far past my bedtime and the level of tequila consumed (pre and post movie), would yield a crappy review.  So, I will be writing my critique tomorrow.  Small teaser - I loved it but did have a couple of complaints.  All in all, the gals did me oh, so proud! 

Have I not been super excited about the release of this movie since, hmmm, I don’t know - forever?!  I have got big plans, people, big plans for this Friday night.  Myself and my equally obsessed pal set these plans about a month ago and have been anxiously awaiting Friday May, 30th ever since!  If there is anyone who does not know what I am talking about you might as well just stop reading now…not just today, for the rest of time.  You really shouldn’t even bother skimming this blog ever again because you obviously have no clue about what I am all about. 

My girls are back and I am super pumped about catching them on the big screen this Friday night.  So, the big plans are dinner, cocktails (a no-brainer) and then the flick - probably to be followed with a few more cocktails as we discuss this monumental event that has just transpired in our lives.  And truthfully, there is no better pal to be in the company of in the transpiring of this event, as she is the one I have  spent hours, upon hours stretched out in front of the tv with; both of us mesmerized by the life of these gals who put the sex into the city.  I will most definitely be blabbing about it come Saturday and probably Sunday, so keep back if you aren’t catching it opening night.  Ah yes, Friday, I am looking forward to it just as a child does Christmas and just as that child opens the ever-worn flaps of his advent calendar in complete angst over the big day, I will be perched on my couch flipping through ever-worn scenes on my SATC dvds in complete agnst over my big day.

You’d have to be living under a rock somewhere not to notice that “going green” has become somewhat of a fad.  Yes, since the very first paparazzo lens caught a celeb toting her “I’m not a plastic bag” bag, appearing to do the right thing for the sake of our Mother Earth is what’s hot.  It is pretty difficult not to follow suit, I must admit.  I mean, I’ve been a recycler and I don’t by styrofoam but I’m not at my local organic supermarket seeking out organic beef and milk, either.  I am certain these products are better for me but at the same time, I’ve been eating high quality non-organic foods up ’til now and so far, so good. 

My point?  The fad extends pretty far into clothing and while I have yet to succumb to this trend myself of “dressing green,” I must admit that Baby Chezglam looks darn cute in his new green digs!  Call him the follower, not me.  The things kids will do to be accepted these days - tragic, really.  After this 11 month-old phenom confided in me that the other kids wouldn’t let him play with the shape-box because he was the only one not sporting organic cotton, I had no choice but to snatch some up.  I’m not sure what this means for the future.  After all, the kid still has plenty of non-organic cotton duds (as do his fashionable parents) and I am certain we will continue to wear them.  And I can say with 100% confidence that we will not soon be making our own attire out of recycled clothing or something equally laborious and un-fashionable.  Still, though never hurts to help out the environment…one baby at a time!

You want to know something sad? I think of something that I could write on this happenin’ blog of mine at least once a day and am still having issues with finding the time to do so. While I realize that this is a dismal once-monthly updated blog, I will not quit because it is my belief that I will have the time to write on chezglam again and when I do, it will be utterly fantastic! Now that I have gotten that all out of my system, here are just a few things in life that have been making me feel nothing short of glam:

1st: Just because the finale was on last night; David Cook, the man who I loved from day one (well, really since I picked up watching it like a month ago) was crowned American Idol. I was trying to figure out if he got money or something and found out that apparently, he gets a record deal. This worries me. In a “Moment Like This” sort of way. I didn’t start digging Miss Clarkson until well after her Idol ballads topped the charts and she began to sing - I guess - from her roots? Whatever, I like her better now is the point I am trying to make and I hope to God that that album David C. won doesn’t turn out to be a sad re-make of a Goo Goo Dolls album!

2nd: Mama’s got a brand new bag! No, it’s not designer…haven’t you heard we are in a recession, people?! It is super fun and perfect for summer, though. Love it.

3rd: I have discovered and fallen in love with Nutella.  I have known about it for quite some time, as I am a self-proclaimed Food Network junkie and Giada is always using it in yummy desserts and I really cannot tell you why I would simply glance at it as I grabbed my jar of Jif. Well, a few weeks ago, the flirting was over and I went for it.  I made this de-lectible dessert using it with some grilled pound cake, fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream and fell so, so in love. After reading the label and discovering it has a little less fat and calories than regular peanut butter, I am now spreading it on everything from English Muffins topped with bananas to a piece of sourdough. Do try it.

4th: Our little man took his first step a couple of days ago and that should be enough said there. Way glam.

5th: I got a new writing gig - nice, right? Hence my lackluster performance over here at chezglam. Never the less, it is a super exciting site for professionals to use as a resource in climbing that ladder we are all so familiar with. Check it out if you like. Or don’t, because honestly, it has nothing to do with shoes, bags, celebs, lattes, wine or fashion. What in the world was I thinking?

’til next month…

Upon venturing out on my latest shopping trip, I decided that I would go out of my way to shop SJP’s Bitten line.  I have been wrestling with issues concerning this line in the past because first, come on, it is SJP and second, it is exclusively offered at Steve and Barry’s.  Now, I love a gal with the heart to offer good fashion to the everyday woman BUT upon my visit, I happened upon a sign advertising that everything in the store was $8.98.   With part of me excited about the low price, I decided it would be worth my effort to forage through what I expected to be the cheap wasteland of attire.

After the forage, I emerged with a couple of pieces that I deemed worthy of adding to my wardrobe but I must admit that after the initial urge of retreating due to the mere fact that every gal and her sister would be sporting my look, I succumbed to the adrenaline rush in response to the advertised price.   I refused, however, to give on the denim jeans.  Ladies, not one single good pair of denim jeans can be found for $8.98.  I don’t care if the Daly Llama sewed them himself, it’s just not happening.
I must commend SJP on her endeavours to share great fashion with the everdaywoman but she should keep in mind that a woman who is sensible about fashion is not going to blow 9 bucks of her hard earned money thinking it is going to help her channel Carrie from Sex and the City.  Nice job, SJP, very nice job, indeed.

Having a birthday isn’t all bad, is it?  I got a few new digs and a jogging stroller for the continuation of my running efforts, post-baby (I have to say, by the way, the running was just smidge easier pre-baby).  At any rate, hitting the road has done me a lot of good; physically and mentally and the new Under Armour digs and stroller will be all the more motivating.  The added bonus behind the recent birthday was the extra bit of cash laying around and relishing in the thought of what I can buy myself! 

I have been in the market for a new pair of shades for about a month now without much luck.  Mostly because it has been difficult to find a pair that I am willing to spend the money on.  This all changed, you see, with the passing of the birthday and the new fundage with which to do whatever I please.  Helllooo Ray Ban!  I have been catching Ray Bans on the likes of Sienna Miller, Kate Moss and the uber fab Kate Hudson and have been wanting a pair of my own.  Upon visiting the site, I will have some major decisions to make…the all new Top Gun style or a pair of plastic frames.  Hmmmm.  I am thinking I will be sporting the new Top Guns.  See there, who says birthdays always have to be a bad thing?

Here I am dead smack in the middle of my Sunday afternoon and while I had originally planned for stress, anxiety and irritability, as my in-laws are in town, I am happy to report the exact opposite.  Yes, here I sit, a nice aged Wisconsin Munster and sea salt crisps in hand paired with a 2005 Fenn Valley Pinot Grigio that we picked up on our trip to Saugatuck, MI - that goes wonderfully with a sunny 67 degree day.  Karma must be on my side today ladies and gents (assuming gents are readers), because it was my good karma that led to the in-laws going on a hardware store run with Mr. chezglam at the exact same time that the ’new addition’ decided to go down for a two hour nap. 
So, it’s 3:00 in the afternoon…never a better time for such a delicious pairing, in my book.  And to be honest, this is really all the glamorousness I need for today.  But I do have to share with you that for the first time last night, I made my own pasta sauce and felt pretty saucy myself for pulling it off.  I had been wanting to try it for a while and decided that it was high-time I man up and just do it (don’t think I didn’t buy a jar of Newman’s Own for backup, either).  The result of my endeavour was more than I expected.  I must first credit Mr. chezglam with the prepwork of the sauce, as he did all the chopping, etc… while I went out on a much-needed jog.  Upon returning, I was greeted with a plethora of chopped veggies and my very own glass of Pinot Noir (hey, it’s the weekend). 
Instead of looking up a recipe, I decided that I had enough cooking experience in my repertoire to go it alone.  So, I channeled those Top Chefs that I religiously observe and will share with you what I came up with.  My bit of glamorousness (well, to me) to share with anyone who wants to give it a shot and achieve their own bit of feeling fab for creating something that is healthy and deeelish.  Bear in mind that I am going to keep it informal because I measured nothing.

Olive Oil (or is it EVOO, per Rachael Ray?)
The yummiest - and hugest - looking onion you can find (or some shallots, I think they are sweeter)
Lots ‘o Garlic
A shot or two of balsamic vinegar
Crushed Red Pepper (little or a lot depending on how hot you like it)
1 lg. can of crushed tomato
1 sm. can of tomatoes w/ green chilies (I used Ro*tel)
Fresh chopped basil

All you have to do is warm the skillet, add the oil, add the onions and saute.  Then, add the garlic - be sure to only let this cook for about a minute more, as the garlic burns EASILY.  Next, add the balsamic, crushed red pepper and all the tomatoes (and their juices).  After you let it simmer away for at least 30 minutes, throw in your chopped basil (this is important to do last, as basil is an aromatic) and there’s your homemade sauce!I decided to sear some asiago cheese and spinach chicken sausages in with the sauteing onions, pulled them out and them placed them back in once the sauce was combined.  This worked out in my eyes…the chicken sausages were cooked through with crispy skin and had the flavor of the sauce to boot.
So there you have it, my glamorous sauce recipe.  Be sure to think of me when you conjure up a batch.  I do hear the previously mentioned party coming through the door now.  Thus, marks the end of my Sunday escape.  Oh well, the glass of wine should help take the edge off…cheers!

I am going to be honest with you and say that this blog has not been numero uno on my list of things to do and while that does sadden me, it is for good reason.  First, and I am going to get a tad personal here, we have a new 20 pound, 31 inch long addition running (well, crawling) around our house and he has been the focus of all of my attention for about 10 months now.  For those of you who are wondering, no I am not Oprah and it is not a dog, it is a baby.  A hilarious, goofy, super fun baby who manages to take up every single waking (and non-waking) moment I have.  On top of that, I have progressed by leaps and bounds at my professional situation, leading to more time at the office.  Thus, I am at a crossroads.  While, I feel I am still a true fashionista armed with all of the fabulous celeb and fashion dirt, I am afraid there are times that I barely have enough energy to retrieve the newest issue of Elle out of the mailbox, let alone read it (along with the plethora of parenting mags I subscribed to in efforts of being the perfect mother). 

I do identify this as a serious situation because I love this site; I love clothes, shoes, martinis, espresso and all things fantastic that go along with them.  Never the less, here I am…stuck in between being a fantastic, uber chic, all-knowing (cut me some slack), fashionista and an over-worked, un-informed, tired mama who admitedly leaves the house for the grocery bearing an Adidas workout suit accompanied by my newest pair of tennies…the shame; oh, the shame.  What is my reason for blogging, ahem, blabbing about all of this?  It is simple.  My life has changed, as all lives do and instead of attempting to continue on exactly as the person I was before, I have decided to go with this “new me.” 

It’s not so terrible, afterall to start to take note of the simple things in life that make us happy, aside from the Jimmy Choos.  So, fear not what few readers this blog may have, chezglam is not doomed to the black hole of the internet.  I vow to continue to focus only on the glamorous elements of life but will simply take on a new angle.  One of which I hope will both gain new readers and peak interest among the other women out there who are like me…fabulous, vibrant women who love all things fab and, due to life’s changes, begin to notice that there are a lot of things in life we come across that are so very glamorous for many different reasons.  From clothes, to pots & pans, to the best damn glass of wine your work week has ever seen; yes, glamorousness is all around us and it is my intent to identify and showcase these nuggets ‘o glam at the all-new house of glam.  Feel free to share your glamorousness with us all as well…