Pre Concert conversation: 7:00p.m.
Concert: 8:00p.m.
Post Concert: Reception with Measha Brueggergosman

Concert location TBD, check details on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra website.

Here at Take Note, we happen to be vertically challenged.

We’ve long heard that accessories should correspond to our height and size–so when we look for handbags, we always wonder: How much handbag is too much? (Too much handbag? Who ever heard of such a thing?)

To find out, we checked in with sage Chicago personal stylist Erin Carpenter, who tells us:

Fashion is subjective, so I hesitate to issue any absolutes. But there is some truth to what you’ve heard: When it comes to accessorizing, it’s best to keep scale in mind. Being vertically challenged myself (okay, just plan short—I’m 4’11”), I can empathize. Huge, hold-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink bags are everywhere, and it’s tough striking a balance between “fashionably large” and “swallow you whole.”

For petites, if the body of a bag is hanging well past your hip or is wider than your torso, consider this: It may look trendy, but it’s also working to emphasize your slight height. It’s kind of like a little girl wearing her mom’s heels.

When shopping for handbags online, try styles that are categorized as small or medium instead of large. Satchel styles, which are meant to be carried on the arm instead of the shoulder, are safe bets for petites in terms of size. They also happen to be plentiful this season.

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Shoulder Carries:

If, like me, you prefer shoulder carries, try a crescent-shaped hobo or narrow tote (i.e., one that would hold a magazine vertically) rather than a huge bucket or shopper style. If you’re in a store, take off your coat and try on the bag in front of the mirror. If you think it may be dwarfing you, it probably is.

Of course, the reverse is also true. If you are very tall, plus sized or just generally curvy, tiny bags get lost on you. A tiny, monogrammed designer pouch under your arm may look expensive, but it’s also advertising your voluptuousness and/or making you look taller-than-life.

When handbag hunting, look for styles that are categorized as large or oversized instead of small or medium. Tall girls can get away with the new, slouchy, cross-body styles that hang past the hip. Curvy girls look great carrying wide shoppers and totes with all the bells and whistles—outside pockets, decorative hardware and so on. Don’t be afraid to be bold.

Above all else, have fun with your accessories. Don’t take the “rules” too seriously. After all, it’s just fashion!

Beyond the Bag: Accessorize to Scale:

1. Cuff bracelets and chunky watches abbreviate the length of your arm. When pairing these with three-quarter length sleeves, beware of visually eliminating your entire arm.
2. Dainty earrings should be left to those with dainty ears and earlobes.
3. Be mindful of belt widths: Petites and short-waisted girls should stick to under three inches. Tall and curvy girls look best in belts that are three inches and up.
4. If you have a short neck, chokers and scarves tied around your little neck serve only to highlight that fact.

Mangrum has the ability to connect with her clients by listening for what matters to them and creating a look that is a natural expression of who they really are. With over 17 years of experience and owner of Freedom Salon, located in Chicago’s Bucktown, Mangrum has raised the standards of excellence in the beauty industry.   Today, the salon has become a haven that allows people from all walks of life to experience the “freedom” of self expression. Using a combination of creativity, hair restoration and inspiration, Mangrum transforms tresses from the inside out.

A Chicago Native, Mangrum’s work has shown up in editorial and on the covers of Ebony, Essence, Harper’s Bizarre, InStyle, Vibe, Modern Salon, Black Hair’s Sophisticate, Michigan Avenue and Jet. Her candor and strait talk about hair is now regularly featured in Black Hair Sophisticates and SalonSENSE. Mangrum’s commitment to excellence has made her a popular request for top photographers Steven Liddel, James Spada, Ben Staul, Robert Becarski and Kermit Hayes; and her ability to create avant-garde hair has made her very popular on the fashion runways of Ralph Lauren, Vivian Tam, Catherine Malandrino, Edwin De’angelo and DeColon.

Though fame and fortune has made Mangrum a success, her passion for artistic mastery, teaching and making a difference fuels her daily motivation to push the creative envelop and inspire change. As one of the leading international educators and spokespersons, Mangrum continues to host educational forums for stylists across the country.

As more and more people suffer from hair loss, Mangrum launched Interweave International as an educational platform addressing hair loss issues and teaching stylists basic and advanced weave techniques. Mangrum’s use of weave and custom wigs has helped many of her clients regain their self esteem. When Mangrum used a custom wig on one of her clients who lost her hair due to cancer, she found a place where she could really make a difference.  In 2009 Mangrum founded “Her Crown and Glory”, a fundraising event dedicated to African American women with cancer who are challenged with Alopecia.  The event raised $10,000.00 for the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer of Northwestern University.

Mangrum has a style of her own and continues to create a future filled with infinite possibilities.

SEARCH FOR ME ON SKYPE OR VISIT FREEDOMSALON.COM

top 9 favorite runway looks

for Fall & Winter.

Click on the images to see the look in more detail and product information.

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Prior to pursuing her dream of being a makeup artist in the beauty and entertainment industry, Deida worked as a paralegal for the Public Guardian’s Office of Chicago’s Cook County. During the day, she advocated for abused and neglected children; but her love for makeup led her to moonlight as a makeup artist at night and on the weekends. It didn’t take her long to trade in her cushy, nine-to-five job for a more creative and rewarding career in makeup artistry.

By assisting some of Chicago’s renowned makeup artists that include Marcus Getter, Reggie Wells and Tryphena Johnson; Deida later signed with Ford, Inc. as an artist in 2000. In fact, it was her love and passion for makeup artistry that gave her the courage to take a leap of faith. She left the “Windy City” in June 2002 and moved to Los Angeles.

While living in LA, Deida quickly ascended to become one of the most sought after make-up artists. She landed a job as an assistant make-up artist on the hit TV show “My Wife and Kids” in addition to numerous commercials, film productions, editorials and personal appearances. Moreover, she was one of nine artists selected to work as a celebrity makeup artist on Oprah Winfrey’s Legend Weekend in 2005. Deida states: “This extraordinary experience was the epitome of my career as an artist.”

Why a career in makeup:

“I felt compelled to express myself creatively — and making faces more beautiful was a natural choice for me.”

Favorite cosmetic lines:

Nars, Makeup Forever, Iman and Black Opal.

Her philosophy on beauty:

“Reel beauty is skin deep.”

Best beauty tip:

Mix a little gold eye shadow with your favorite liquid foundation, and this creates an illuminating glow all over the face.

According to Deida, what is “reel” beauty:”

It’s a way of giving back in the community. Deida started a not-for-profit organization, called “Reel Beauty” in Chicago and Los Angeles. “Reel Beauty” is a mentoring program, which targets at-risk girls helping them learn about the importance of self-worth and self- esteem. The mission of “Reel Beauty” is to provide self-esteem workshops as tool that will assist young women growing into womanhood as they re discover their beauty inside and out. It is our goal at “Reel Beauty” to take an active role in these adolescents’ lives, I hope to provide social change and restore and revitalize their mind, body and spirit.

Namedropping:

Honing her craft on everything from editorial shoots to music videos, Deida has touched a few famous faces, including basketball superstars Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Juanita Jordan, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland formerly of Destiny’s Child, Keisha Whitaker (wife of Forest Whitaker), Letoya Luckett, Rolonda Watts, Lisa Raye, Shaunie O’Neal and actor Micheal, Jai White. Hip Hop artists include Bow Wow, DMX, Ludacris as well as the Philadelphia rap group, The Roots.


CHAT WITH ME ON SKYPE – 773-519-3482

Erin Carpenter launched her dream career in 2007. As a personal stylist, she works one-on-one with professional women to provide full-service wardrobe management, from close consultations to personal shopping. Erin delivers to her client an edited, versatile and maximized wardrobe, along with the knowledge of how to save money while dressing to flatter her figure, fit her lifestyle and project her personal brand. She likes to think she is changing the world one confident woman at a time.

Find her at www.erincarpenter.com.

Accessories: Vertically Challenged

The designer also happens to be Vice President of sales at Fifth Third Bank in Chicago, having held posts in the past at IBM, Xerox and Citibank, among other giants of the corporate world. But throughout her 20-year career in finance, Ragland-Brooks has simultaneously pursued a life of design. Initially, she created jewelry as a side passion–but in 2007, launched LeAnita Jewelry officially.

Her price points–from $195 to $450–put the line squarely in the world of affordable luxuries. “I like the fact that I can put gemstones and real gold and sterling within reach for a lot of women,” says Ragland-Brooks, who also works with unique stones from far-flung locales like Thailand, Africa and Czechoslovakia.

While her early designs tended to be understated, Ragland-Brooks is making statement pieces today. It’s the kind of jewelry you select an outfit for–not the reverse. Still, they’re practical pieces. “As I’m working, I keep in mind that I want these pieces to look just as good with a pair of jeans as with an evening gown.”

Every necklace on Ragland-Brooks’ site (www.leanita.com) is one-of-a-kind, but lately, she’s taken customization to a new level, creating pieces for specific women she admires. Throughout the most recent presidential election, Michelle Obama’s strength as a leader moved Ragland-Brooks to create a necklace in her honor.

Combining a Tibetan drop pearl with sleek sterling, Ragland-Brooks designed the piece to reflect the first lady’s ability to be self-expressive in terms of fashion while staying within the more traditional parameters of public life.

Once she completed the necklace, Ragland-Brooks worked her connections until she knew it was with Mrs. Obama’s Chicago publicist. The first lady hasn’t yet been seen in the necklace. But isn’t hers the family that reintroduced America to hope? For our part, we’re keeping it alive.

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Take Note Magazine

Now the other items were this midriff olive green sassy leather coat that demonstrated confidence and sleek style? Plus, here at Take Note Magazine we are huge supporters of the ‘Jackie O’s’ sunglasses. Crystal, Take Note Magazine’s, contributing advisor loved the items so much she bought them quickly and left with a huge smile.

Give us your feedback on this leather jacket, do you love it, like it, or it’s ok?