Monday, November 30, 2009

Aaja Corinne's Personal Style: Look #5

I had so much fun in the Bahamas! It was sunny and scorching hot...these colors definitely describe my mood...

Look #5:
Dress - $27.80 (Forever 21)
Gladiator Sandals - $19.50 (Wet Seal)
Camisole - $2.50 (Forever 21)
Earrings - $3.80 (Forever 21)
Bracelet - $6.80 (Forever 21)
Anklet - $3 (Freeport, Bahamas Straw Market)

Total Cost: approx. $65

Stylist Spotlight: Mariel Haenn


Might be the dopest stylist ever. PERIOD. You know her by the avant garde looks that she creates for Rihanna, but she has also worked with many other well-known celebrities including, Ciara, Meagan Good, Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Lauren Conrad, Keri Hilson, Vanessa and Angela Simmons, and Kerry Washington to name a few. Check out her site @ http://www.marielhaenn.com.

Target: The New Face of Fashion


Have you been to Target lately? It's definitely the go-to place for every college students domestic needs, but if you haven't heard, it's also a new destination for your fashion needs. In the past year or so, Target has been partnering with well-known designers to bring updated collections to the store. Past designers include Alexander McQueen, Isaac Mizrahi, and more recently Rodarte, Zac Posen, Mossimo, Anna Sui, and Jean Paul-Gaultier. I think it's a great business venture for both parties, bringing recognition to Target's fashion department, and also providing additional revenue streams to high-end designers during these tough economic times.

Target has been running ad campaign entitled 'Frugalista Finds' that I think is quite nifty. They show a series of women modeling key items styled in various ways. Visit Target's 'Style Boutique' at http://style.target.com, and next time you drop in for some laundry detergent, take a shortcut through the fashion department. :-)

Rhea Durham

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Rhea Durham Wallpaper

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Rhea Durham and Mark Wahlberg

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Rhea Durham Picture

Rita Wilson


Rita Wilson Picture

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Rita Wilson

Rhona Mitra

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Rhona Mitra Picture

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Rhona Mitra Wallpaper

Contemplating the Scissors

I'm contemplating a new haircut. I really like Keri Hilson's...what do you think?...

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Black Friday Weekend Sales!!!

Sooo, I think I had a ball shopping these Black Friday sales. H&M had $5 and $10 Fashion Finds AND a Buy one, get one free special. The new Steve Madden on State Street is distributing scratch-off cards, up to 50% discount off your purchase. The new Puma store on State Street is on point! They have select items at 30% off, and these boots that I really, REALLY love!!! I wandered into Loehmann's today, and I surprisingly really liked the selection. They are a designer discounter similar to Marshall's or A.J. Wright; they carry brands like Rock & Republic, Juicy Couture, Free People, Michael Kors, etc. They are offering Buy one, get one 50% on all denim, 50% off fragrance gift sets, and 20% off on fragrance and beauty products. One more day until the weekend's over! See what good deals you can rack up! :-)

Friday, November 27, 2009

Renee Zellweger

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Renee Zellweger Picture

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Renee Zellweger

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Renee Zellweger Wallpaper

Renee Olstead

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Renee Olstead Wallpaper

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Renee Olstead

USL / NASL Updates

Our good friend and Miami Ultra Robert Scorca went over the team sites for all the members of the NASL and here is what he found:

Minnesota Thunder has not had a news update since Oct. 15th before the news of NASL broke out.

Atlanta Silverbacks and St. Louis Soccer United have updates mentioning that 7 teams are part of the new league. This is before Crystal Palace Baltimore and Tampa Bay Rowdies joined the new league and before the NASL name was chosen.

Miami FC, Carolina RailHawks, Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps, Crystal Palace Baltimore and Tampa Bay Rowdies all have the most current info posted. This includes 9 teams and the NASL name. No this is not a typo about Montreal!

The Vancouver Whitecaps team site ties into all the other teams home sites. Also in google if you type in NASL there is the new NASL listed with google links to all the NASL teams. This is good because it mentions the other teams under each NASL team, the reserve teams, and woman's team. Being google there is no guarantee this is correct.

The USL site tells a different story. If you go to the team sites for the Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Tampa Bay Rowdies they are still members of the USL-1. How do they do this? Under the news for the clubs they are updated prior to their news release mentioning the split. Vancouver team news stops on Nov. 3rd, Tampa Bay's stops on Nov. 18th, and Montreal stops on Nov. 10th. The Charleston Battery team site is updated to Oct. 28 so there is no mention of them dropping down to the USL-2. I guess the USL philosophy is no news is good news.

The USL news site is updated much more frequent.
Nov. 4 there is a post titled "New era under way for USL-1" This article mentions that in attendance are representatives for the following. Austin, Cleveland, New York, Puerto Rico, Portland, Rochester, Tampa Bay, Edmonton, Ottawa, Baltimore and Detroit. With things breaking the way they are I am sure these cities know how to reach the NASL's front office for a place to play.

Nov. 10 there is a post titled "USL Statement regarding USL-1" This came out in response to the TOA's application being sent to the United States Soccer Federation.

Nov. 20 there is a post titled USL statement regarding Tampa, Baltimore. This mentions about both clubs being under contract to the USL. This was in response to Tampa Bay and Baltimore being mentioned as entries of the new league which is at the time of the article being named the NASL.

For further updates be sure to check out:
The Kartik Report
Inside Minnesota Soccer

A special thanks to Robert Scorca for his research on this topic.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

SCARF identity

Scarves...definitely a trend this season. I think that they are the perfect accent to an outfit. Finding a scarf with the right combination of colors can totally pull a look together, and also give it a splash of color (as shown by Rihanna above)! Consider her look without the scarf. It wouldn't have an obvious focal point because of the monotone colors. Lesson for the day: COLOR, COLOR, COLOR! It is the most important element of design because it is what the eye identifies with before anything else.

What's your scarf identity? I have quite a few different ones, but my favorite is a neon, multicolored checkerboard print that I purchased from Urban Outfitters. Forever 21 is also a great place to find a wide assortment of scarves. Chicago gets really cold in the winter...I advise you to stock up!

***Scarf Tip: If you have a scarf that you absolutely love that's just not thick enough to keep you warm this season, try twisting it with a thicker scarf for a functional and edgy look!
-compliments of Kristin D., Store Manager, Coach

Design Elements

The design elements of this color-blocked dress by Yoana Baraschi are amazing to me! Even if you don't have the perfect hourglass figure, the lines and shapes created by the garment will give that illusion. Also, minimal detailing and the use of black as a 'slimming' color further enhances the shape created at the heart of the garment. I found this dress on http://www.chickdowntown.com/. It's a bit pricey at $306, but a little black dress that fits you just right is always worth the investment...especially one with a little spice!

Reese Witherspoon

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Reese Witherspoon Wallpaper

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Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhall

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Reese Witherspoon

Expensive Taste on a Budget

Do you have expensive taste that your bank account just doesn't support? Visit http://www.instyle.com, and under the 'Shopping' tab, you'll find a link that reads 'Sale Alerts.' By following the four-step process, you sign yourself up to receive e-mails when your favorite brands go on sale! Choose from an extensive list of designers that the editor has handpicked. :-)

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Alice Evans

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Alice Evans

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Alice Evans Picture

Karmaloop.com



A-Morir by Kerin Rose glasses

Of course Rihanna rocks these. They are a bit pricey, ranging between $200-350, but definitely stylish! I found them on http://www.karmaloop.com, a streetwear clothing website, featuring brands such as Luxirie by LRG, Harajuku Lovers, and Betsey Johnson. They definitely have nice stuff and good sales every so often. Join the Facebook group 'Karmaloop.com Rep Code: JS25504' for special promotion codes from one of the reps!

Burrito's take on the War of the Soccer Leagues! USL vs NASL and quesadillas too...

Hola amigos! Burrito bring you the War of the Soccer Leagues between USL and the new NASL that the TOA will begin in 2010. We still wait for ok from USSF but Burrito's connections say it going to happen one way or another! Burrito want to warn you carnales this may be a little long so go get something to eat, or drink a cafecito and relax and read Burritos futbol poetrys!

First Burrito break down United Soccer Leagues Division 1 - USL-1

Austin Aztex
Aztex remind Burrito of Mexico except they in Texas... Team was so-so finishing almost last and they make a bubu during last season that cost them 2 points! They recently release 14 players! They faithful to USL. But no one cares.

Charleston Battery
They finish 4th in USL, they just announce they are going down to USL-2! Pobrecitos! It is a step down for them and for USL.

Cleveland City Stars
Stars ends season last and reports say "las Estrellas" are going to go down to USL-2 again. Things not go well with them this last year. They faithful to USL.

Portland Timbers
Timbers finish first in league but not Champions and choke in playoff. They don't care about the TOA group and careless about USL even though their president get award for being best executive or whatever. (He only get it cause all other teams are gone) They going to MLS so 2010 is only preparation for the big league! Yawn.

Puerto Rico Islanders
PR is ok with whatever happens, they finish 3rd in USL and play Concacaf champions doing mas o menos this year. They are keeping their eye out to see what happens with NASL but for now remain with USL. Puerto Rico also have hot womens!

Rochester Rhinos
Not happy with USL, Rhinos are also not too fond of TOA. But they see no changes to USL so far. Rhinos might surprise everyone and jump ship if not this year then in 2011 for sure.

New teams
New York and Tampa are expansion USL teams pero Tampa say they with the TOA...

Maybe teams:
USL announce Edmonton and Ottawa along with Baltimore and Detroit as possible teams. We now know Baltimore went with TOA so Burrito think other teams might go to TOA too unless USL secure some pesos from the other cities pronto!
Rumor has it another Minnesota team will come into USL-1 but that weird cause Thunder still exist kinda since they still have website! ... And then there is another team called the Minnesota Kings going into NPSL... that make 3 teams in Minnesota! A caray, 3 teams!?!? So if we take Baltimore out and Cleveland out oh and The Battery, well Burrito really can't add so someone need to tell Burrito how many teams USL will have this season, 5? Not looking good for USL-1.


TOA (aka North American Soccer League NASL)

Miami FC Blues
They buy rights to NASL name. They have not mucho fans except for Burrito and some vatos called the Ultras (3 guys and one of their girlfriends). Owners of team Traffic Sports have mucho dinero. If Traffic wants to make a good team now is time to do it. No more excuse. Will Blues change name to Strikers? We will see... Nowheres to go but up for Miami FC. Vamos Miami!

Minnesota Thunder
No moneys, no players, no nothing. Thunder owe money to everyone and their mami! USL trying to kill them to make sure TOA league doesn't work but even if Thunder say bye, bye there are enough teams now to make new league work. Burrito hope other TOA members help Minnesota survive.

Montreal Impact
The new USL Champions are on top of the world. Joey Saputo playing all sides and running the show. Everyone want Montreal in their side but so far Impact only on their own side. If Saputo could he make his own league where Impact play with themselves... no pun intended...
Impact will play where they want, they don't need MLS, with the 40 million franchise fee they can start the new league and give free croissants to fans for the rest of the year!

Vancouver Whitecaps
They going to MLS anyway but they want the better for futbol in North America by sticking with the TOA (unlike the Timbers who just dont care). Whitcaps say they will keep a team in NASL even though they move to MLS.

Carolina RailHawks
Burrito call them Railchickens. A loyal TOA member they were along with Miami and Minnesota the first teams to be kicked out by USL a move that Burrito thinks was the stupidest thing since Mild Sauce!

Atlanta Silverbacks
They took a year off from USL cause they no like them. USL turn around and want to put team in Atlanta.

St. Louis Soccer United
No team yet but Jeff Cooper have the dinero and the organization to make this team happen soon.

Tampa Bay Rowdies
Rowdies have already given some pesos over to USL but are loyal to TOA. If they cant jump this year they will do it in 2011. Burrito looking forward to Florida derby!

Baltimore Crystal Palace
USL-2 team ready to move up. They might have the same legal issues that Tampa have so they might have to stay in USL for another year but Burrito hope 2010 they will be in NASL!

More Teams?
Burrito hear other teams may join NASL. One is Ottawa who waiting to see what happens before they make up their minds.

Epylogue:
Burrito enjoying the War of the Soccer Leagues telenovela but hope it get resolved soon so that Miami FC can concentrate on getting star players like the ones who play in NASL back in the day like Pele, Beckenbauer, etc, etc.

What do you think will happen with NASL? Will NASL be a strong league? Will USL survive? Will USSF approve the new League? Will Taco Bell ever make a decent quesadilla?

Burrito leave you with a Great goal from back in NASL glory days by George Best!

Alexander Sasha

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Alexander Sasha Picture
Alexander+Sasha
Alexander Sasha

Alanis Morissette

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Alanis Morissette Picture

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Alanis Morissette Wallpaper

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Alanis Morissette

Aimee Mann

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Aimee Mann Wallpaper

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Aimee Mann

Monday, November 23, 2009

Charlotte Russe Student Savings

My friend Nikole told me that Charlotte Russe gives a 10% discount on regularly priced merchandise when you show your student i.d.! Visit them on Monroe/State Street! It pays to be a student...:-)

SMART Holiday Shopping

I've decided to be smart about my holiday spending for this Christmas. Last year, I spent way beyond my means trying to fit everyone in. Well, the truth of the matter is that I wasn't being realistic. NO MORE CREDIT CARDS FOR ME! This year, I've decided to get creative in my gift giving. I've set an overall budget and divided it evenly amongst everyone on my list. Next, I'm going to make a list of cute trinkets that each person would enjoy and use. For the girls, I'm going to make Christmas stockings filled with their faves! FOREVER 21 has AMAZING stocking stuffers, mostly priced between $3-5! How many expensive gifts do you buy people that they toss to the side???

Any funds that are left over from one person's gift you can shift to another if you need more. Make it work for you! For all the people that I will not be able to get gifts this year, I am going to give a Christmas card with an inspirational saying inside. You never know who needs a word of encouragement and that sometimes can be worth much more than money can buy...And besides that, it's the thought that counts! :-)


Furthermore, it's not always about what you can buy someone, but how you love and appreciate that person on a daily basis. This Christmas, let's take the focus off material things and realize the true meaning of Christmas, that God gave us His son, and that's why we live a life full of mercy and grace today! Telling someone about Jesus, and leading them to salvation is the best gift one can ever give in this earthly life; it's something that cannot be tossed to the side...

This holiday season, despite what we lack, let's be gracious and thankful to God for all that we do have and set our focus on that!

An Important Dressing Lesson: Let’s Talk Hemlines: glamour.com

Cute outfit! But the hemline is all wrong. This article from Glamour magazine will inform you of all the do's and dont's.
An Important Dressing Lesson: Let’s Talk Hemlines: glamour.com

The Rebirth of State Street

For a little while, I only heard talk of the Magnificent Mile. I don't know when you last shopped on State Street, but it's making a comeback! I remember State Street being a go-to place for shopping when I was younger, but in recent years, a lot of stores closed, and it was pretty dead to the world...Well, I'm here to tell you that it's on the rise as a shopping destination once more! It is now home to Forever 21, Foot Locker stores, Old Navy, Wet Seal, Urban Outfitters, ULTA, Payless Shoe Source, A'GACI, Loehmann's, T.J. Maxx, Filene's Basement, Nordstrom Rack, and H&M just to name a few. New stores are opening in what appears to be a mall on Black Friday! These stores are located between Madison & Lake Street. Steve Madden has already opened its doors; Anthropologie, Puma, Zara, and Swarovski are soon to follow! If you haven't taken a stroll down State Street in a while, now's the time!

Tavi Gevinson


http://tavi-thenewgirlintown.blogspot.com

Have you guys heard of Tavi Gevinson? She's a 13-year-old fashion blogger who has recently caught the eye of many in the fashion industry. She began her fashion blog 'Style Rookie' at age 11, recording her fascination with high fashion. Now, she is the face of Rodarte for Target, appears on the cover of 'Pop' magazine, and even scored a seat at New York Fashion Week. She's the fashion industry's next big thing! Can you imagine getting fashion advice from a 13-year-old?...More power to her.

I think the whole blogging concept is pretty cool. When I started, I didn't know that it would be this much fun! As for me, I'm not really into high fashion; I'm more of a street style kind of girl. A $3,000 dress in all of its beauty just does not appeal to me! I wonder if I'll still be bargain hunting when I'm rich and famous...probably will; I find secret pleasure in finding good deals. But moreso than that, as I expressed in an earlier entry, I dislike carbon copy fashions. Street style allows you to take on the role of trendsetter to develop your unique image, as opposed to hopelessly following trends; the difference between a 'Fashion Maven' and a 'Fashionista.'

This blog is going to be my online portfolio for fashion. I'm constantly changing my mind about my desired career path. Soon to have a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Retail/Management, but what to do??? I like styling, writing, modeling, stage and performance coaching, dancing, singing...Help me out people! The phone lines are open...*waiting to be discovered*

Aaja Corinne's Personal Style: Look #4

Might be the best deal yet!

Look #4:
Dress - $10, Buy one, get one free Clearance (Akira)
Tights - $5 (Wet Seal)
Boots - $22.99, Buy one, get one $15 Footwear (Charlotte Russe)
Not Shown:
Earrings - $3.80 (Forever 21)
Ring - $7.80 (Forever 21)
Ring - $5.80 (Forever 21)

Total cost: $55 =D

Oh yeah...thanks for the snapshot, Jerdane! I know I was a pain...Hey, that rhymes! :-)

Friday, November 20, 2009

TOA League goes up to 9 teams! Baltimore and Tampa join!

Last week we mentioned the possibility of Tampa joining the TOA (read HERE) which lead to much skepticism on behalf of a number of readers and on bigsoccer, but today it has been confirmed! I hate to tell you I told you so...

The Kartik Report indicates Tampa's inclusion into the TOA League might be a bit premature due to legal binds with USL. Still, Tampa is a TOA member and worst case scenario might spend 2010 with USL jumping ship in 2011.

According to the Whitecaps website the TOA League is now 9 teams strong!
The addition of Tampa Bay and Baltimore brings the new league to nine teams, as they join the owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis Soccer United and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
More HERE

It goes on to report that the new league will be announced some time next week! The new league is also active in its search for a full-time commissioner and will introduce an extensive marketing campaign in the coming months.

USL News goes on to report that Miami FC Registered Two NASL Trademark Claims on 11.16.2009!
According to a search of the United States Patent and Trademark Office records, North American Soccer League, LCC in Delaware filed two trademark claims on November 16th, 2009. They claims were marked c/o Miami FC 501 Brickell Key Drive, Suite 407 Miami FLORIDA 33131
More HERE

More news to come!

The Kartik Report
Inside Minnesota Soccer
MLS Rumors
Match Fit USA
Railhawks site
WVHooligan
Major League Soccer Talk
PitchInvasion

Regina King

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Regina King Picture

Regina+King
Regina King

Rebecca Gayheart

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Rebecca Gayheart Picture

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Rebecca Gayheart

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Rebecca Gayheart Wallpaper