Can You Hear The Thump-Thump-Thump of the Helicopter Parent?

Mom and daughter, Beckie and Jamie, went shopping together at the fantastical anniversary sale at Nordstrom on Saturday. To display the discounted sale price and the after-sale price on the tags was a grand marketing ploy, and Beckie bought into it hook, line, and sinker purchasing 7 For All Mankind jeans -- that normally sell for $191 -- at the discounted price of $125 (alterations included).

Jamie was going to part with $125 of her hard-earned dollars for a pair of 7 For All Mankind jeans, but realizing she had mom, a recovering helicopter parent, in her grasp, sidled up to Beckie with kissing sounds and said, "Mom, would you buy these for me? Please, please, please."

Beckie, who had proudly landed that chopper last year, said, "I'd love to, but I can't, Honey. You still have an outstanding loan with us. "

Does Beckie sound cruel?

Does Jamie continue to beg?

The answer to both questions is no.

Jamie traipsed off to a more reasonably priced store so that she could get rid of her hard-earned dollars, because evidently, they were burning a hole in her pocket.

Beckie, while standing in line in Nordstrom to purchase her jeans, called The Hubster on the cell phone to report that she seemingly had recovered from this dizzying malady called helicopter parenting.

The Hubster said he couldn't hear her due to the sound of the rotating propeller noise in the background -- thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!

Beckie yelled, "JAMIE WANTED A PAIR OF JEANS FROM NORDSTROM. I DID NOT BUY THEM FOR HER. I'M SO DARN TICKLED WITH MYSELF THAT I'M ABOUT TO POP!"

The Hubster, getting ready for his vertical takeoff put on his SPH-4 helicopter helmet and swung his helmet microphone out and said, "Breaker, breaker. Go ahead and buy her something. Copy?

Beckie said, "What did you say? I thought I heard a thumping sound in the background. Are you getting ready to take off again?"

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.

"All clear," The Hubster answered, and took off with a faint "y-e-e-e-e-s-s-s-s" in the background.

Beckie, who had mastered the art of hovering but was never close to being a Black Hawk, called Jamie on the world's longest umbilical cord, the cell phone, and said, "Dad and I want to buy you a little something-something."

"Thank you so much, Mom," she answered. "I love you."

"I love you, too, J."

Beckie has returned to HPA --Helicopter Parents Anonymous -- and is hopeful that her hovering has only kicked up clouds of love. Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. It's interesting that hovering has the same sounds as a heartbeat.

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In the ongoing series Beauty Secrets Revealed, we discovered that style trumps cosmetic procedures in the game of ageless beauty. This youthful looking professional design consultant looks a decade younger than her real age. What's her secret?

I try to pay attention to what I'm putting on, pull an outfit together, even if it's really casual. Then I add just one piece with some personality, even if it's a belt or a bracelet. And, of course, surround yourself with colors you love, both on your body and in your home.................or a GREAT purse!!

Now there's a woman who has played her beauty cards right, sans cosmetic procedures, and won. She looks fabulous.

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Fashion Thursday: K Street Tees

Sometimes you get a product to review that is just so ingenious that you want to cry. K Street tees ($65) brought tears of joy to my eyes. Women come in all different shapes and sizes, and so should a tee.

All K Street tees are made of certified organic pima cotton of the highest grade and feel luxuriously soft next to your skin, but here is the genius: The made-to-order tees are pre-measured, based upon a universal chart, and then modified by chest, waist, and hip measurements. When ordering a t-shirt, all you need to provide are your bra and waist sizes. Small, medium, and large are passe at K-Street.

Kari Weiner, the owner and creator of K Street tees, says,

I'm a jeans, flip flops, and t-shirt kind of gal. There is nothing I love more than that deliciously yummy go-to tee that feels great, looks great, and flatters my body. But, woe is me. If only such a perfect t-shirt existed?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been dreaming about finding that quintessential tee. Nothing trendy, something simple and basic, that anyone can wear, anytime! I’ve searched near and far, but still never found it. I've come close, but something was always off.

My objective was to find a flattering tee that always fit perfectly, day after day, wash after wash. I soon learned I was not alone in my quest for the perfect tee. The majority of women have issues with buying clothes that fit, flatter, and feel good.

Finally, I got fed up with my t-shirt hunt. Finding the perfect tee should not be harder than finding the perfect man! I realized that if there was a t-shirt I wanted to wear, I’d have to design it myself. A few months later, K-street was born.

This is the first tee in my wardrobe that fits all my curves -- or lack thereof. Thank you, Kari, for understanding that a woman's shape is as unique as her personal style. K Street tees will be a staple in my closet from now on.

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Style and Shopping in Chicago

InStyle magazine editor Gretchen Walh reported that Chicago is home to savvy shoppers who "are comfortable in their own skin and dress to please themselves, filtering fashion with an eye for what is unique, personal, or vintage." The Windy City woman is aware and contemporary without being trendy. Fashion and being attractive matters to That Girl.

According to Tricia Tunstall, co-owner of P.45 in the Wicker Park neighborhood, Chicago women pick clothing that works for them. You could find a Chicago women wearing high-waist trousers for chilly nights that dress up well with patent-leather belts, statement jewelry (Jessica Kagman Cushman bangles), and envelope clutches.

There were many sightings of puffer jackets on the streets of Chicago this week, as well as dogs decked out in Ugg boots. Stiletto Jungle has a good post on an array of puffer jackets on the market now. As of this writing, we cannot find anybody who manufactures Ugg boots for dogs, so we are making the assumption that the dogs are sporting baby Uggs. Does anybody have any information on the Duggs (dog Uggs)?

With world famous shopping hot spots and a detour to the best off-the-beaten path shops, whether you were born and raised in this fabulous city or are just visiting for the day, you should be able to find that one-of-a-kind gift and also be charmed by the style of the Chicago woman and the city's holiday ambiance.

Michigan Avenue:

Known as the “Magnificent Mile,” Michigan Avenue is a shopper’s utopia. The mile-long stretch offers four different malls and over 500 shops. View the epitome of luxury at Tiffany’s or Chanel and enjoy high end brands at Bloomingdales. Make sure you stop by the fifth floor of Bloomies to drool over Diane von Furstenberg, Vince, and Theory designs. Every little girl's trip to Chicago isn't complete without a trip to American Girl. You must make your reservation in advance.

State Street :

If your inner Scrooge is getting you down, you can lift your spirits at the former Marshall Field’s Department store. Macy’s now owns the store, but it retains the old-fashioned charm and holiday cheer of Marshall Field's. Recharge your spirit with tea or lunch in the Walnut Room.

According to Bella Sugar, Macy's worked with Philosophy to create the The Frango Mint Diet ($20), a three-in-one shower gel, bath gel, and shampoo. It's modeled after Marshall Field's famous Frango mints, which blend chocolate with a cool mint flavor. For the friend who is still mourning the loss of Marshall Field's, put a little history in their stocking this year.

State Street is also home of Old Navy, Urban Outfitters, and Aldo. Affordable and trendy, these stores will make you a hit with all the teen fashionistas on your list.

Chicago Premium Outlets :

For the bargain fashionista, the Chicago Premium outlets will not only take care of all of your holiday shopping in one fell swoop, but Mr. Hubby might send you a letter of acknowledgement for using your brain and saving buckets of benjamins.

Armitage Street:

For a more laidback stroll, mosey along Armitage Street and browse in one-of-a-kind boutiques, such as Lori’s Shoes. Although the stroll is laidback, the cost is not.

Wicker Park and Bucktown:

WARNING: You must take a girlfriend with you to shop in trendy, little boutiques in Wicker Park. Your BF will stop you from making the mistake of buying a $200 pair of jeans that were way too tight and a no-return policy.

From the "glam to the ghetto fabulous," these Wicker Park and Bucktown boutiques are well-stocked with fashionista finds.The contemporary boutiques of Wicker Park include sneakerhead boutique St. Alfred, unisex clothing and lifestyle equippers Hejfina, designer clothing boutique P45, and high-end stationery purveyors Paperdoll.

If I have missed one of your faves, give me a holler.


Happy Shopping,

Beckie

P.S. Per The Budget Babe, a great lunch spot is the Ralph Lauren store, and Akira Chicago is a great place to shop for shoes and accessories with locations in Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, and State Street with pricepoints for every shopper.

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