Yes it’s still hot out, but I’m already think about fall.  It’s always been my favorite time of year. Maybe because my birthday is during the season or because of all the fall fashion. I enjoy this time of year because with all the  back-to-school clothes I’m so looking forward to the change in the season. Really I’m just tired of the 100 degree heat and ready to wrap myself in a sweater.

Here’s an outfit I put together with a little inspiration from my closet and a few items  I wouldn’t mine having.

So now that I have time to catch up I want to say thanks to all the women and the few men who attended the 3rd annual Reflections of  Style Fashion Show last week. The event, which is sponsored by flaire for women, Fab Femmes and The Telegraph benefits the Community Hope Center.

Let me say that it was a blast. I also want to thank all the vendors who came out and sold their wares and got their name out their too.  I’m a girl who loves fashion and can’t resist spending a night checking out all the great things, lus it was for a good cause.

My co-worker, Jill Moon and I, were also pretty excited because we got to dress up for the occasion.

Be sure and check out more pictures and the makeover winner video on flaire’s and Fab Femmes facebook pages.

Tonight is the 3rd annual Reflections of Style Fashion Show at Julia’s Banquet Center in East Alton. I’m so looking forward to it. Why? Well not only does the event raise money for a great cause – Community Hope Center -it’s also  a fun “girl’s night out.”

I want to say that the committee in charge of the show has done a fabulous job once again. It’s great working with so many different women too.

Tonight my friend and co-worker, Jill Moon, and I will be unveiling a mother/daughter duo who won a Fab Femmes makeover contest. The contest was highlighted in flaire for women in May and Ellie Dralle and Andrea Dipazo were the winners.

I want to personally thank those who made it possible for these two to get a day of pampering and to go on a shopping spree.  Stylists Cassie Miller and Julie Pearson at Fringe Salon in Alton gave the women new coifs; Teena Clark with Teena’s Day Spa in Godfrey is doing their makeup; and Katherine Smith, Madison County board member Dist. 5, Tom McRae, Wood River Township trustee and candidate for Madison County Board, Dist. 14, as well as Matt Rice, candidate for Madison County Recorder provided the ladies with a shopping spree.

Without the generous donations from these individuals the makeovers wouldn’t have been possible. I also want to welcome Ellie and Andrea into the academy of Fab Femmes. Be sure and check out the video of their transformation on The Telegraph‘s starting tonight.

There ware still a few tickets available. Cost is $30. Hope to see some of you.

So I just got back from my vacation — rather a summer staycation — because I didn’t go anywhere.  I wanted to go somewhere, but with my son still in summer school it was next to impossible. So what did I do? Well for starters I went to a St. Louis Cardinals ballgame, had a 4th of July party and spent time at a friend’s swimming.

Since I didn’t take a trip I didn’t have to pack anything. Although it’s fun to go places, the hardest part is remembering to put everything in your suitcase. It never fails either, whenever I go somewhere I ultimately forget something. It’s either deodorant, toothbrush or hair gel.  The best part about not remembering incidentals is I can always find a local place and buy new.

It’s the bigger things I’ve left behind that aggravate me most. I’ve gone on a trip and left my flat iron behind. Every curly girl knows that you cannot achieve the straight look without one. I mean it’s essential to creating that smooth look and without it you get frizz.

During my staycation I’ve wore my hair curly. One, because it was humid and I didn’t want to take the time to do it so it could frizz anyway and two, I wanted more “me” time.  Whenever I straighten my hair it takes approximately one hour, with curls – five minutes. My one friend calls it “sexy beach hair.” It’s a pain sometimes, but the longer it gets the more manageable my curls.

Now that I’ve returned to work I’m still wearing my hair curly and will continue to do so until so long as the humidity is on a staycation in the Midwest.