DID YOU KNOW . . . .

Chicago has a Fashion Week just like the big four, New York City, London, Milan and Paris?

We are delighted to bring you a taste of Chicago’s first fashion week since the Pandemic!

Let us know what you think about the fashions at the Neiman Marcus luncheon and show . . .then heading over to Saks Fifth Avenue to meet Cinq A Sept founder, Jane Siskin to view the brands Fall 2024 Collection . . . .who would miss meeting the talented team of Badgley Mischka back at Neimans . . . a fabulous night at Chicago Fashion

Showcase when they took over iconic Union Station and our favorite Chicago designer, Lauren Lein, closed the show with her best collection ever, A BEAUTIFUL TRAINWRECK.

We love the quote about the show from Chicago Fashion Showcase founder, Wendy Callupe….”A nod to the designers, style-setters, creators, textile workers and everyone working behind the scenes to push Chicago’s fashion forward.

It’s not about clout or being the first – it’s about celebrating the creativity, beauty, and grit that makes this city so special.”

No Chicago fashion story would be complete without Entrepreneur Contessa with the final word on fashions at her Boutique at One Delaware Place

We have our favorite fashions of the week . . .please tell us yours . . . .

THERE IS BEAUTY IN SELF-EXPRESSION,IN CONFIDENCE, IN EXPERIENCE,

WHO WE’VE BEEN AND WHO WE MIGHT BECOME.

Each season, fashion offers us new propositions – YOU decide which fashions reflect your inner self. If fashion is art – you are the canvas to create magic.

For us, the fun of “dress up” to express ourselves has lasted a lifetime.

So we visited CONTESSA BOTTEGA IN CHICAGO,

one of our favorite bowers of fashion delights to share their treasures with you.

Here are words of wisdom

from designer, entrepreneur Contessa and Christopher Stefano, manager and assistant buyer: “It’s never a bad moment to think about Fall Fashion! Which is arguably the best time of the year for dressing.

It’s cold enough to wear all your favorite pieces at the same time.

Hello layers! But warm enough to actually go outside and show off your outfit from matching sets to full leather leggings and ankle boots, blazers, jackets and coats. These are the staple items to add to your fall wardrobe!”

From the Trunk Show

for classic Barbara Bui to romantic Camilla, click through to our YouTube Channel Dare to be Curious to choose YOUR perfect self expression!

sit right next to us…

for Fun and Fashion

It’s that time of year . . .you know the time . . .when you look into your closet and declare “It’s Spring and I have nothing to wear”

Your closet might resemble mine pictured here.

Trust me it looks larger and neater than it presents to me every morning.

Perhaps it is our childhood memories of wearing pretty flowery dresses for those Spring Rituals of old or that we are bored with our Winter black and more black….

Whatever the reason, bright happy colors beckon us.

So, when Neiman Marcus beckoned,

inviting us to premier fashion events, including an Oscar Luncheon and Fashion Show, we answered a resounding YES!

For many many pictures

of Oscar’s incredible designs viewed up close and personal and speaking hundreds of “Oohs” from the audience, please click through to our YouTube Channel, DARE TO BE CURIOUS

REMEMBER . . .”I LOVE NEW CLOTHES. If everyone could just wear new clothes everyday, I reckon depression wouldn’t exist anymore” Sophie Kinsella, Writer

It is something to consider.

Especially when confronted with the beauty and workmanship of an Oscar de la Renta dress.

“Spring is the time of plans and projects”

—Leo Tolstoy

As the weather warms up and Spring arrives our urge for renewal – new beginnings – sends us scurrying to redecorate – to clean our houses – particularly our closets.

More often than not, it is that fateful moment when we realize “I have nothing to wear!” Yet our closets are stuffed from floor to ceiling.

We determine it is time to weed out and replant with the best new Spring fashions to make us bloom!

And who better to help us decide the brightest and best to put in our newly uncluttered closets than Jodi Kahn, VP Luxury Fashion, Neiman Marcus. She tells the NM buyers what to put in the stores for our shopping pleasure.

IN – light layers, dresses, finely woven crochet dresses with fringe, maxi slim skirts – and, as always, beautiful shoes

THINK COLOR: lime, seafoam green, light purple (we call it lavender), and pink.

“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.”

Please join us on our YouTube Channel, Dare to be Curious, as we share our afternoon of fun and fashion.

Our friend and designer, Laurie Borsé, followed her dream to Paris, after she won First Place Evening Wear Designer and “All Outstanding Designer” in the Fashion Group International student competition of 39 Universities.  The Scholarship to PARIS FASHION INSTITUTE was part of her award.

Laurie told us,

“This changed my life!  I vowed I would NOT return until I worked for Yves Saint Laurent!’’

She did just that!  Among other opportunities in Paris!

Now a couture fashion designer under her own Brand Label: BORSÉ Laurie Paris she designs between Paris and Chicago designing for private clients Sur Measure.

We were recently fortunate to visit Laurie in Paris.

Yes, there was no elevator (just like in our fav series, Emily in Paris) – so we walked up the six flights to her tiny studio where we were greeted with fresh flowers in her narrow couloir, her door opened and she whisked us thru her studio, out the French doors to her flower covered terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower!

What a delight!

We sat enjoying French champagne, foie gras, fresh fromage all French delicacies prepared by Laurie.

We also visited her atelier next door where Laurie does EVERYTHING!

And we mean everything!

Laurie starts by sketching her designs – her sketches are truly frameable art!  Honestly, they are so very special.

She drapes the muslin to create the pattern and first sewn muslin sample.  She makes adjustments and the final muslin is also sewn by Laurie.

Since she designs for private clients, it may take a few muslins until the final muslin fitting. Then it is on to creating final patterns, cutting the fabric, stay stitching all pieces necessary before the final sewing and precision pressing.

Laurie’s love for the entire process from sketching to sewing and hand stitching the final garment is so obvious.

She takes the time and meticulous care needed to make sure each garment is made with quality and love.

Laurie assured us,

“All worth the effort and time.  Once my clients step into one of my creations . . .the smile I see on my clients face and in their eyes . . . warms my heart with love and joy and sometimes a tear.”

Laurie is a woman who is truly living her passion for designing.

We are thrilled to feature her on our Dare to be Curious YouTube channel and give our friends the opportunity to own one of her beautiful designs – created with love!

Sometimes magic happens!!

When DARE TO BE CURIOUS was invited to attend a fashion show at Neiman Marcus Chicago to present Law Roach’s collaboration with Herve Leger-Herve Leger X Law Roach…

we expected

fantastic designs, which we received – Sherrill particularly liked the first white dress and the last silver two-piece evening gown – absolutely beautiful!

we Received

SO MUCH more!

A conversation with one of the most in-demand stylist today!

Chicago born, Law Roach, moved to LA to pursue a career in fashion and almost immediately the image architect started working with A-List clients!

We loved hearing the story of his lasting friendship with Zendaya .  The pair met when she was fourteen years old and in need of a dress for the premiere of the Justin Bieber: Never Say Never documentary.

Since then his client list is a who’s who of Hollywood style icons: Celine Dion, Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kerry Washington to name a few.

He spoke with such love for Chicago – the fashion house wanted him to present his collection in New York or LA but he insisted on his home town. 

We were struck by his sincere message which truly was inspirational.

To watch and listen to his conversation and Q & A please watch our YouTube Channel Dare to be Curious.

We leave you with one of our favorite Law Roach quotes: ”Work hard, believe in yourself and treat others the way you want to be treated.”

It says it all.  

DO YOU LOVE PLAYING DRESSUP FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

WE DO!!

Have you ever stared into your closet and moaned…

“I have Nothing to wear to the party!”

Or

Sat in front of your makeup mirror, surrounded by your “beauty aids”

and thought you needed a refresher class on

how to bring back your “GLOW?”

Well, that is how we are feeling this season!

We have Beautiful, Fun, and Glamorous Solutions to share with YOU

We all have our own unique beauty routines and we all remember getting into our Mom’s or Grandmother’s closets to play dress up. 

We still like playing

with makeup and clothes.  It makes us feel good.

Know yourself but be curious about new things…

Dare to put a bit more elegance into your clothes and makeup this season – or any season!

Clothes and makeup express who you are so give yourself the freedom to be YOU!

Being daring and curious we set off to see what fashions this season make us feel naughty or nice – stick with elegance or go for edgy. 

We started with our favorite shopping mecca

and did a little “Pretty Woman” routine which proved to be very satisfying and fun. 

Inspired,

we visited one of our favorite Chicago designers to check out materials to create the “perfect dress” image we were carrying around in our heads.

Next stop

a new cosmetic counter offering those alluring words makeup lovers cannot resist, “free makeover.”

It’s really not a question of clothes or makeup, it’s how YOU sparkle!

Whatever your shape or age you can be seductive, sexy, gorgeous and beautiful. 

A smile and a joyful attitude are the best beauty tricks of all.

As two of our beauty icons, Sophia Loren and Coco Chanel stated,

“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief she is beautiful”

and

“The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.”

Dare to be Curious and join us on this week’s joyful adventure to prove them both right!

Pour yourself a glass of champagne and join us for this Thursday on our YouTube Channel,

“Dare to be Curious,”

You’ll get a sneak peek into our Beautiful, Fun, and Holiday Glam!

 

Always Dare to be Curious,

Cheers to You,

Sherrill and Debi

xox0

P.S.

Receive our Weekly Newsletter every Tuesday by Signing up at https://bigbiggerbiggest.life

Read our Weekly Wednesday Blog Post at https://bigbiggerbiggest.life/blog

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for new videos every Thursday at “Dare to be Curious” at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLdc0n6EVDC54JYYLlNgBQ

Follow us on Social Media on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sherrill_bodine/ and

Don’t forget to check out our books, which are easily found at https://www.amazon.com/Sherrill-Bodine/e/B001XSJ1X0? and at https://www.instagram.com/debicatenacci/

https://www.amazon.com/Debi-Catenacci/e/B07DLFP3H7?

“Talk of the Town” by Sherrill Bodine

“Divine Biscotti” by Debi Catenacci

Websites: https://bigbiggerbiggest.life/ and https://divinebiscotti.com/

Are you curious?

Wondering how you’re going to get from where you are to where you desire to be?  If so, join us on a new journey!

Today is the day, and we are launching ”Dare to be Curious” because we believe we all can mine the confidence, strength, and power within us to create the life of our dreams.

Dreams cost frustration, tears, courage, choices, perseverance and extraordinary patience.  WE can help you realize those dreams of a big, bigger, biggest life by encouraging you to DARE TO BE CURIOUS about your own life.  Whether you are feeling stalled, or if you are transitioning through a career change, divorce or widowhood, you can create and face the new version of yourself.

We will show you how to manifest the beautiful, elegant happy life that you desire.  By showing you how to be curious about yourself, your passions, your style and lifestyle.  Now is the time to invest in the greatest gift of all – YOU!

Ask Yourself This…

Are you curious as to how to be a more interesting person?

Curious as to how to bake something new?

Curious as to how to write a book?

Curious as to how to tap into your muse?

Curious as to how to create a beautiful happy environment, regardless of the size of your house or room?

Curious about travel, food, or fashion?

Curious as to how other entrepreneurial women have achieved their dreams?

Curious as to how to take the first step?

Well, you’ve come to the right place, and we are so happy you are here!

Once we read the following quote:

“When I look into the future, it’s so bright it burns my eyes”.

Well, put on your sunglasses and join us on this journey.  We invite you to read our blog every Wednesday and following us on our YouTube Channel every Thursday.

Every day is a brush stroke on the canvas of our lives – paint with joy!

Always Dare to be Curious,

Cheers to You,

Sherrill and Debi

xoxo

P.S. You can follow us on Instagram @sherrillbodine and @debicatenacci

Websites: https://bigbiggerbiggest.life/ and https://divinebiscotti.com/

Don’t forget to check out our books, which are easily found on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Sherrill-Bodine/e/B001XSJ1X0? and https://www.amazon.com/Debi-Catenacci/e/B07DLFP3H7?

“Talk of the Town” by Sherrill Bodine and

“Divine Biscotti” by Debi Catenacci