It’s a perfect size measuring at 13 x 13 x 6 with loads of pockets inside and out. Our favorite part of the bag is the adorable removable front clutch with detachable shoulder strap so you can leave the baby’s things (or luggage if using it as an overnighter or carry-on) behind in a snap!

This bag does not compromise function for fashion with exterior features such as the water resistant, full Italian cowhide leather, and 18k gold-plated signature hardware for a rust free easy pull!

The spacious interior features soil-proof lining, snaphook for keys, two bottle pockets, and two zipper pockets.

The only con is that the $300 price point might be out of budget for some women but we say it’s a great investment. Consider the fact that you will be using this bag every single day for the next few years:

# Full Italian Cowhide Leather
# 18k Gold-Plated Signature Hardware
# Removable Front Clutch with Detachable Shoulder Strap
# Lower Zipper Compartment Featuring a Plastic Zipper Pocket
# Embossed Honey Logo on Bottom of Bag
# Water Resistant Exterior
# Soil-Proof Lining
# Hidden Magnet Closure
# Interior: Snaphook for Keys, Two Bottle Pockets, Two Zipper Pockets
# Exterior: Two Side Pockets, Back Zipper Pocket
# Zipper Pull Top Closure
# Included Accessories: Shoulder Strap, Stroller Straps, Changing Pad, and Drawstring Storage Bag, Leather Stroller Straps with Separate Storage Bag, Separate Soil Proof Changing Pad, Drawstring Storage Bag
# Measurements: 13″L x 6″W x 13″H
# Front Clutch-12L x 1.5W x 5.5H

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is an organization that was created to raise awareness of and funds for pediatric cancer research. But it all started with a kid fighting cancer and his parents’ desire to help him and others.

When 2-year old Liam was diagnosed with a deadly form of pediatric cancer called Neuroblastoma, his family learned quickly it is a cancer that only about 30% of children survive. They were shocked to hear the reason for such terrible odds was directly related to how little money was being spent on research by both the government and the pharmaceutical industry. Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 18. Why then is it not a priority to develop new and better treatments for the children of our nation and the world? It is this very question that prompted Liam’s mom and dad, Gretchen and Larry, to get involved and to do all they could to help save their son.

Mascara and liquid eyeliners should be throw away and replaced every three to six months. This is not a marketing scheme to get you to buy more mascara, believe it or not.

Truth is, whether you pay $6 or $26, you are still going to get a buildup of bacteria if you aren’t careful with your mascara. Follow these guidelines below to make your mascara go the distance.

Make Mascara Last Longer:
*NEVER share your mascara. Ever. Doesn’t matter if it’s your best friend or your daughter, eyelashes have mite and dust and all kinds of things on them. Eyelashes are made to protect your eyes from bacteria etc, so they are catching all those things you don’t want in your eyes. By letting someone else use your mascara, you are getting whatever crap has collected on their eyelashes in your mascara, then you are introducing it to your own eyelashes. Gross!

*Wash your face and eyelashes before applying mascara. Don’t add additional coats of mascara again during the day to freshen your look. Whatever has fallen on your eyelashes since you washed them and applied the first coat, will then go into your tube of mascara and potentially contaminate it.

*Clean your mascara wand every month. Use a gentle soap, preferably sulfate-free, and let the wand dry completely before reinserting it into the tube of mascara.

*Stop using all your eye makeup if you get conjunctivitis or any other eye illness. Immediately throw away all your eye makeup products like eye liner and mascara and replace it only after your infection has been away for at least 4 weeks.

By following these simple steps, you can make your mascara last a lot longer than 3 months. Practice good hygiene and cleanliness with your mascara and it will last till the tube is empty, which usually takes about 4-6 months with daily use. It’s also best to only have 1 or 2 tubes of mascara at a time so you can use them up in a reasonable amount of time before they go rancid. Keeping used tubes of mascara around longer than 6 months isn’t a great idea. However, you can keep bran new, unopened tubes of mascara around for up to 2 years.

And remember that every time you pump the mascara wand, air gets into the tube. This creates a possible breeding ground for germs and eye mites. Not only that, it can make your mascara dry out and get clumpy much sooner.

Here’s the details: FASHION FEST 2009 “ROCKAHOLIC” private outdoor fest, on Division & Marion Street, features a live music stage and Runway Fashion Shows sponsored by Tigi Hair Products, an outdoor shopping experience featuring Exclusive booths of Chicago’s Local Fashion Designers, Salons and Boutiques, Department of Cultural Affairs, Neighborhood Arts Opportunities, Kidsmobile,a wide variety of high quality food and drinks offered by Moonshine, Nuvo, Don Julio, and Ciroc and plenty of ice cold beer.

The ROCKAHOLIC FASHION FEST has a variety of entertainment including Jade Production Dancers, In Analog Hip Hop/ Rock Band, Chicago’s Hottest DJ’s, Steve Starr Photo Booth Photography, M.GO Fashion Salon Collection, Wanda Cobar Collection, and much more. Also two exclusive private VIP Red Carpet Reception’s with Gift Bags sponsored by Don Julio Tequilla, Nuvo, Ciroc and Tigi Hair Products.

We’ve also paired up with Breakthrough Urban Ministries as a Charity to donate partial proceeds to. Breakthrough Urban Ministries demonstrates the compassion of Christ by providing neighborhood-based holistic services that empower individuals, families and urban communities to overcome poverty, addiction and isolation.

Performing LIVE on MainStage:
IN Analog
Jade Productions Dancers

Chicago’s Top DJ’s:
DJ Heather Dobel
DJ Kimya
DJ Victor “R”

Shopper’s Row Opens at 12PM thru 10PM Live Fashion Shows all day! Main Show 8PM
M.GO Fashion Salon
Sin Cosmetics
Wanda Cobar Collection
Funkshion Clothing
Thr3ee
Chii
Sugar & Spice
G Design
YadiArt
Ame Studio
Dolly Bird Designs
Designs by Britney

Also..
Fashion Focus Chicago
Crave Chicago
2 Exclusive Talent
Latino Fashion Week
Helping Hands Forever
Steve Starr Photos

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009
Time: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: MOONSHINE
Street: 1824 W. Division, Chicago, IL

Phone: 7737722772
Email: facebook.com/michelle.gofashion

tristinstyling project, is launching its first signed celebrity piece in collaboration with Mango Pop, Blacklava, and Brea Grant. Future celebrity pieces will include celebrity second hand or red carpet pieces!

100% off all proceeds will go to charities and/or non-profit organizations! That’s right, a project from the heart. August ‘09 donations will be going to IMPACT Personal Safety and TNKat. Click the links for more details on the organizations and what they’re all about!

Fans who make a donation through the end of August 2009 or until all gifts are sold out (whichever comes first), will receive an autograph and gym bag featuring a silk screened graphic by Mango Pop, custom designed for tristinstylingproject.  Click the image below to make your donation today while supplies last:

Duffle Bag Details:
Nylon Pack Cloth (100% Nylon) construction
Dimensions: 25 1/2″ x 12 3/8 (64.8cm x 31.4cm)
Nylon zipper closure
Dual handles

Founded by sister team, Maggie and Jennifer Gelber customer service is at the top of their list whether you are looking for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt or are in dire need of something special for a big event, they’re happy to help you find exactly what you need.

Don’t know if they’re your taste just yet? Take a look at their list of designers below and you’ll be dying to take a peek for yourself!

1101W. Fulton Chicago, IL 60607

Women’s Designers
Black Halo
Cleobella
Converse by John Varvatos
Corpus
David Lerner
Dekkori
Elizabeth & James
Generra
Genetic
Geren Ford
Ginette_NY
Grace Sun
Graham & Spencer
IRO
JF & Son
Kimberly Taylor
Loeffler Randall
Mike & Chris
Nightcap Clothing
Paige Premium Denim
Pencey
Rich & Skinny
Robert Rodriguez
Rozae by Rozae Nichols
Smythe
Splendid
Trovata
Tucker
Twelve St. by Cynthia Vincent
Vince
YARNZ

Men’s Designers
Aether
Converse by John Varvatos
Generra
Genetic
Hickey
Mackage
Paige Premium Denim
Rag & Bone
Rich & Skinny
Rogan
Rogues Gallery
Steven Alan
Trovata
Vince

Accessories
Cleobella
Dekkori
Ginette_NY
YARNZ

Here’s a cut and paste of the post from the Crossroads blog:

Congratulations to Christine Matsunaga, the July winner of our Best Fashion Find contest.  Christine has just won a $50 Crossroads gift certificate!  Here are her winning photos (left) and comments:

“My best find at Crossroads you ask? More like, ‘My best finds are always at Crossroads!’ I can’t walk into a Crossroads and NOT find something! I saw this lovely Trina Turk, black cracked leather ‘Big Cypress’ shoulder bag (originally retailed at $535) at the Wicker Park location and just had to have it. Just look at it! You know you’re jealous it was me and not you who found it!

This month, we had to give an honorable mention to Lil Miss Hot Mess.   We loved this glamorous city shot and accompanying comments:

“I needed a dress for the opening night of Frameline33, the SF International LGBT Film Festival.   And you know, a drag queen’s got to look fierce, but since it was a nice affair I wanted to go a little extra classy.  When I saw this dress, I knew it was the one; it has this classic, vaguely Hepburn feel, and better yet, it was exactly the same color as all the festival posters.  So, I paired it with green tights and a marigold bow to get the color combo just right.  It’s an Isaac Mizrahi for Target.”

We loved how she chose a figure flattering modern, sexy piece and mixed it up with vintage inspired 1ofmykind jewelry by one of our featured designers, Jody McGill!

Andreea Scarlat was born in 1986. She’s 5′7″. She loves drinking tea, painting, knitting and reading poetry. Andreea is an American Studies graduate in search of a new direction. She spends most of her days looking through the same window pane, yet managing to see something different every time.

Take a look at her winning set below. To view the runners up, click the arrows:

Andreea will be receiving a special gift and autograph from Brea as her prize for winning the contest!

Thank you to all the members who participated! It was a tough call with 1174 entries to choose from!