Cash, Check or Charge?

Cash: Sasha Gathered Bow Clutch, $24.95, www.dsw.com

Check: High Fashion Python Print Clutch with Bow, $69, www.endless.com

Charge: Valentino Satin bow clutch, $795, www.net-a-porter.com

I've been eyeing this Valentino satin clutch for a long time now but who, pray tell, has $800 to spend on a clutch? In these hard economic times I realised that it was high time for another "Cash, Check or Charge" post. I Like Her Style's mantra is, "if you can't beat 'em, you don't have to join 'em." So if you can't spend $800 on a clutch, don't. There are two economically friendly alternatives featured above at just $25 and $69... Enjoy!!

Jcrew Fenton-Fallon Necklace

Remember that lovely bow bracelet I wrote about the other day, well JCrew has a very similar necklace by Fenton-Fallon. And it only costs $295, so I don't understand why the less amazing bracelet is $198. But the necklace is so pretty. Too bad it too big for my petite frame. So I will continue to wait for the bracelet to go on sale.

Video of Chance Combs

Diddy's secret baby isn't so secret anymore. The little cutie has made her YouTube debut singing a Christmas carol. She looks so much like her little sisters, if you can call a few months younger "little sisters". But that isn't their fault. I hope the three of them don't become the Hilton sisters in fifteen years or so.

Thandie Newton

Thandie Newton at Columbia Pictures Premiere of '2012' at Regal Cinemas LA Live on November 03, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
Thandie Newton was radiant at the "2012" movie premiere last month wearing a Prabal Gurung dress. When you wear something as elegant as this you don't need much else to make the look complete. Thandie opts for a statement ring and show-stopping red lips. If you need a bag to hold all your essentials, as most of us do, a classic and simple clutch will do. Don't forget vertigo heels and you're good to go!

Steal Thandie's Style

Dress: Mazerine Dress by DVF, $255, www.shopbop.com

Shoes: Carlos by Carlos Santana Privilege, $110, www.piperlime.com

Ring: Sterling Silver Marcasite Mother-of-Pearl Ring, $39.99, www.target.com

Lipstick: Jungle Red, $24, www.narscosmetics.com

Thandie Newton is the epitome of style and eloquence. Stealing her style will never fail you. If you can get away with it, don the bright, jungle red lipstick with the DVF dress. If not, don't fear. This post will help you figure out what shade of red is perfect for you. Where a dress like this for your next birthday soiree or a first date with that special guy. ;)

First Photos Of Poor Little Mason Dash

Thank God, that Kourtney Kardashian didn't name her newborn store after her son. Dash was her father's nickname. It is short for Kardashian. I know this because she is on the cover of this week's Life & Style magazine with little Mason Dash. At least she waited a whole week to have his photos taken, unlike Kendra Wilkinson who whored her baby out the moment they got him home from the hospital.

Anthropologie Toasted Meringue Cuff

I'm waiting for this bracelet to go on sale. I love it...but not quite enough to spend a $198.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

We had a wonderful Christmas and I just wanted to share a few pictures and memories. It was R's first Christmas and she enjoyed every bit. I put some of the decorations in her room and she liked to go around to each one and wave after waking up from a nap. She would even kiss the reindeer and baby Jesus if you asked her to. She loved listening to Bing Crosby on the record player and I'm pretty sure she is the only person to head bang to The First Noel.

On Christmas morning we opened our stockings and she was more interested in the packs of gum Jeff and I got than the toys in her stocking. She played with them for at least an hour. Later that day I dressed her in a vintage dress and bonnet that belonged to my mom when she was a baby, she was precious.

I hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season and I wish you a Happy New Year! If all goes as planned, there will be some exciting things happening with Salvage Life in 2010.

Curio Avventura Stroller

Here is another stroller that will probably never see America's shores. Designed for a densely populated urban country, the Curio Avventura is narrow enough to fit through a Japanese subway ticket gate. And it is a stroller designed for parents who aren't driving huge SUVs, it can fit in the back of a small car.

There is a normal version of the stroller, the A and a sports version, the R. By replacing the front wheels the Avventura R can be used off road, as a jogger, or as a bicycle trailer.

 

The stroller comes in four different frame colors: black, yellow, orange, and olive green with a choice of a black or grey seat. Sooner or later you will be able to purchase the seats in additional covers. It is rather unusual that a stroller has more color options for the frame than the seat, but the yellow and black reminds me of Bumblebee from Transformers.

 

I think the stroller is perfect, but others may find a few problems with it. The seat doesn't seem to recline, so it can only be used after the baby can sit well on its own. Curio is recommending it for kids 6months to 3 years. And the handle seems fixed at 940mm (about 37inches). Not so great if you are tall. And there is no cupholder. But the tubing is a lightweight 22mm alluminum bicycle pipe, so you can use bicycle accessories. So add your own cupholder, lights, or even one of those cute bicycle bells.

The stroller will cost 69,000 yen ($755) for the type A and 78,000 yen ($854)for the type R.  The Curio Avventura will be available in Japan in early 2010.

Thanks a Bunch

Happy Holidays and thank you to all of you lovelies that have been supporting Houston's Weekly Chic for the past couple of years. I entered the blogosphere with zero expectations, and because of you lovely readers, it has truly been my pleasure clicking the 'publish post' button every day. Thank you, and warm, fuzzy holiday wishes to all of you and your families!
B

Happy Christmas

Where am I?

First, the random.org winners from the Drink Me Label Giveaway are: Heather (theoneredhead) and Megan (from a day in Meg's life)!! Congrats ladies!

Can you guess what part of the country I'm in right now? I'll give you a hint, you can barely drive down the street...

Alma

This a cute little short film about a naughty little girl's adventure in a doll shop. It's a little creepy, but not in a scary way.

Alma from Rodrigo Blaas on Vimeo.

Tonight's Teen Mom Preview

MTV has a bit of a double standard. They wouldn't show Snooki from Jersey Shore getting hit (Even though everybody had already seen it.), but we get to watch Amber slap Gary up side his head.


Amber is ten times more mature than Gary, and he she has every right to be upset with him. But if MTV showed him hitting Amber everyone would be screaming about domestic violence. Gary needs to clean up his act or Amber will grow tired of his butt and leave. But Amber shouldn't be hitting him especially in front of their daughter.

And another thing I have wondered about. Why are these girls' parents so accepting of them having sex with guys 4 or 5 years older than their daughters? If your 15 year-old is dating a twenty year old don't be surprised if she turns up pregnant.

Pretty Boxes

I never knew that the Twelve Days of Christmas came after Christmas (26 Dec-6 Jan). The Twelve Days of Christmas Kit was inspired by a San Francisco family's tradition of hanging little boxes filled with gifts on the Christmas tree. The kit comes with everything needed to hang 12 heirloom quality boxes, a booklet describing the history of the 12 Days of Christmas, a gift givers guide, and a handy card to carry with you to see if a gift will fit in the box.

If the $70 kit isn't in your budget, you can always do the same thing with almost any tiny gift box or bag.

And don't you just love the little boxes hung over the fireplace.

Seeing beauty in the small things.

Today I went to Trader Joe's and as I was lugging my groceries to the car I noticed this unexpected scene. The owner's of this house that backs up to the TJ's parking lot have put a wreath on their ally door. It is so sweet that no one has taken it or destroyed it...a little pinch of beauty this holiday season.

I'm Famous!!

Okay, not really. But my friend Dallas is, and that's why a photo of my office wall is featured in this month's Cleo Magazine (it's the one with the white stag)! The picture to the left of Sydney (that's my deer's name, yes I named him, don't judge me) is a Dallas Shaw print.

Candied Orange Slices

This is the project that just wouldn't end. It took four hours to cook three large oranges in a large oval skillet. I think i would have given up in a normal skillet.

I can't wait to serve the candied oranges with chocolate ice cream. But I don't think I will be making them again. It just took too long.

Pump Up Your Christmas Tree

Was at a girlfriend's Christmas Party over the weekend, and I knew you guys would all adore her tree. She didn't feel like hauling out her decorations, so she found the prettiest little size sixes in the house to glam up her evergreen.

One of these..
A couple of these...


Don't forget this one
And voilà! Holly & her shoeriffic Christmas tree!

Say "I do" to Salvage Life wedding dresses

Every once in awhile a customer takes the time to send pictures of them wearing items purchased from Salvage Life, which is one of the most delightful things to receive. A beautiful girl named Cami from St. Louis was married to the love of her life on Oct. 4th, wearing a one-of-a-kind vintage dress she purchased from our online store. I love how she accessorized with a flower headband and layered necklaces. Here she is...




I currently have four similar dresses in the shop and will have more in the spring.

Hang it on a tree

I always love finding beautiful ways to display baubles. Here are some lovelies from Red Envelope. I hope Santa brings me one of these.

Susan Powell's Husband May Be Arrested Soon

Family members say they wouldn't be surprised if Joshua Powell gets arrested in the disappearance of his wife, missing Utah mom Susan Powell.

Relatives of Joshua Powell spoke out as police in West Valley City said they now believe foul play is a "likely possibility" in her disappearance. Police say they now consider Powell a person of interest in the case.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he gets arrested in the next seven days," Joshua Powell's brother-in-law Kirk Graves told ABC News. "Even if he's innocent, there's more than he's telling us."

West Valley City Assistant Chief Craig Black told "Good Morning America" today that it was a "likely possibility" that Susan Powell's disappearance involved foul play.

"Josh's reasons for not wanting to approach the police department or come and work with us in a little more forthcoming manner have kind of generated some controversy among the officers," Black said. '"And it's something that's been questioned by the community members who have been following the case."

Powell has refused to answer direct questions and, police said, he would not take investigators to the remote camp site where he told police he tooks his two young sons in the middle of the night of Dec. 7, the last day Susan Powell was seen alive.

During the interview Tuesday with his lawyer present, Powell responded to basic questions about the clothes his wife was wearing and what her jewelry looked like, Black said, but even after being reminded that this was in the best interest of his wife, Joshua Powell refued to answer "hard, direct questions."

He declined to elaborate on exactly what questions Powell would not answer.

Black said the case is still considered a search for a missing person, but are preparing for a criminal investigation.

"All the leads at this point indicate that this is where it will end up going," he said.

Graves told ABC News that he has known Powell for 15 years and that while he's never seen him get violent with his wife, he can be controlling. The family's commitment lays more with Susan than Joshua right now, he said, but they will continue to support him and hold out hope for Susan's safety.

"For Susan's sake he needs to really open up and talk to everybody," Graves said. "People will listen to him."

Powell's attorney, noted Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer Scott C. Williams, has denied that his client has been uncooperative and that the only reason Powell is the focus is because of intense pressure on police to solve the case.

Powell failed to show up for a scheduled interview with investigators on Monday, and on Tuesday answered only a handful of detectives' questions, West Valley City Police Capt. Tom McLachlan said.

The captain said that Powell's attorney has made statements that would lead the public to think he's served up his client to police "on a silver platter," but McLachlan said Powell would only answer a few of the investigators' questions.

Powell, he said, "is not fully cooperating, and while he's cooperating at some level it is certainly not the level we would like."

Black noted that at this point, the Powells' neighbors have been more helpful in answering questions than Joshua Powell has.
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Christmas Decorating Ideas

Here are more Christmas decorating ideas that I have clipped.

You don't have to have a huge tree to make an impact.

 

I think this a project I will do with my boys during Winter break.

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I love the candy canes.

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Mama &Papas Mylo

You can now preorder the Mamas & Papas Mylo for a March delivery. The base price for the stroller and carrycot is £695. And the website has this fun interface where you build the exact color combination that you want.
Update: It seems the company has given Gwen Stefani one early. I think it was a big mistake. Because she has been seen pushing her oldest son in it, and he looks all cramped in it. Not the look you are going for with a luxury stroller.

New Alice In Wonderland Trailer

Alice in Wonderland Trailer #2 in HD

Trailer Park | MySpace Video

David Goldman Will Have Son Returned From Brazil

A Brazilian court ordered Wednesday that 9-year-old Sean Goldman be returned to the custody of his father, David, in the United States, but his Brazilian relatives were expected to try to block the order, a Brazilian official said.
Outside his home in New Jersey, David Goldman told reporters he was heartened by the news, but would not consider his efforts successful until he and his son are reunited. He departed Wednesday night on a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport for Rio de Janeiro.
"I'm hopeful," he said. "I can't be optimistic because I've gone down there so many times, always under the guise that the rule of law will be followed and Sean will come home to me and his family, and that doesn't happen."
The 3-0 ruling by the Federal Regional Tribunal in Rio de Janeiro upheld a June decision by the 16th Federal Court in Rio, which ordered Sean returned to his home in New Jersey in accordance with the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abductions.

But a Brazilian official with knowledge of the case predicted Wednesday's order would be appealed. So far, the boy's Brazilian family has filed 40 appeals, most of them procedural but one substantive.

The Brazilian high court is to take up any appeal on Thursday, said Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, who has been pressing the case for his constituent. "Frankly, every possible nuance has been appealed by the other side," he told CNN's "Situation Room." "Remember, this is an abducting family, they're kidnappers, but they have had a great deal of sway with the court."
The Supreme Court could still allow Sean Goldman to be returned to his father in the United States while it decides any appeal.
Goldman, a former model, said he had last spoken with his son in June, but they did not discuss the custody battle.
The case began in 2004, when his wife, Bruna Bianchi, took their 4-year-old son from their home in New Jersey to Rio de Janeiro for what was to have been a two-week vacation. She never returned, instead remarrying there and retaining custody of their son. She died last year in childbirth.
Goldman has argued that, as the sole surviving parent, he should be granted custody. But the boy's stepfather and his other Brazilian relatives have argued that it would be traumatizing to the boy to remove him from what has been his home for most of his life.
The case has drawn high-profile input, including pressure for the boy's return from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who said Wednesday in a statement that she was pleased to hear about the decision.

"We appreciate the assistance and cooperation of the government of Brazil in upholding its obligations under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction," she said. "And it is my hope that this long legal process is now complete and that the Goldman family will be reunited quickly."

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Where Is Susan Powell?

Utah authorities say they suspect foul play may be involved in the disappearance of a 28-year-old mother.West Valley City Asst. Police Chief Craig Black says Susan Powell's disappearance is so out of character that it's now a criminal investigation.
Powell was reported missing Dec. 7 when she didn't show up to work and her two children were not dropped off at day care.
Her husband, Josh Powell, says he went camping with their boys, ages 2 and 4, in subfreezing temperatures about 12:30 a.m. that day and returned in the evening.
Black says Josh Powell has been uncooperative in providing any details that might explain what happened to his wife. Black says Josh Powell also hasn't specified where he went camping.
He has not been named a suspect.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The husband of a missing Utah woman has complied with a police request to submit a DNA sample, his attorney said Wednesday.
Josh Powell provided West Valley City police with DNA on Tuesday, which is routine in missing persons investigations, Scott Williams said.
"On the possibility that some DNA of some evidentiary value is ultimately obtained, the police need a DNA profile from as many people as possible," he said.
Police have said Josh Powell is not a suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Susan Powell, who was reported missing Dec. 7 when she didn't show up to work and her two children were not dropped off at day care.
Josh Powell has told police he went camping with their boys, ages 2 and 4, in subfreezing temperatures about 12:30 a.m. that day and returned in the evening.
Investigators said they haven't been able to verify the camping trip because snow has covered the site — Simpson Springs on the historic Pony Express Trail in Utah's west desert.
Police Chief Thayle Nielsen told KSTU-TV that authorities have a "strong interest" in Josh Powell but he did not elaborate. Asst. Police Chief Craig Black did not immediately return a message left Wednesday.
Authorities have provided few details on their investigation into Susan Powell's disappearance, although they have termed it "suspicious." The Powell home was locked when officers initially arrived and they broke in, fearing the family had suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Susan Powell's father, Charles Cox, said police found a wet spot in the home being dried by two fans, but police have declined to comment on that.
Investigators said there were no signs of forced entry at the home and they found Susan Powell's purse and cell phone there.
Susan Powell was last seen by someone other than her husband on Dec. 6 — a family friend who ate dinner with her at the couple's home following church.
Friends and family said it would be out of character for Susan Powell to leave her two children and not contact anyone.

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Elin Nordegren Isn't Wearing Her Wedding Ring

Tiger Woods wife, Elin Nordegren was seen out and about with her children, without her wedding ring. Maybe she just forgot to put it on. But she did manage to remember to put on the rest of her jewelry.

Hank Baskett IV

He isn't even a week old, but mom Kendra Wilkinson already has baby Hank pimped out to a magazine. Ok Magazine must have been waiting for the family when they came home from the hospital. He's still wearing his hospital bracelet.  At least he's really cute.
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