Get ready for cold weather skin care!

For those of us in the Northeast, our skin has already been tormented by one chilly, snowy weekend. Unfortunately, there are many more to come. So gear up now and start your cold weather skin care regime!

You may think the Summer sun demands more attention to our skin. However, in the summer months, we are more apt to keep our body hydrated and apply more sunscreen and moisturizers. Unfortunately, these important processes are often forgotten in the Fall and Winter months, when all we want to do is get under the warm covers as quickly as possible!

Take the time to pamper your skin and give it the nutrients it deserves. For some helpful tips, check out this guide from Elle magazine.

Not sure what products or services to start with? Contact one of my favorite Connecticut beauty experts who offer a wide range of skin care treatments and products.

Jennie Fresa Beauty Library - Clinton, CT

Fuzion Medical Aesthetic Boutique - Branford, CT

Integrated Aesthetics - Woodbridge, CT

Happy Moisturizing!

Supporting The Cause...

October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Millions of people are affected by breast cancer, and during this month, millions of people world-wide take the time to find their own unique way to support this important cause. Please join in the fight against breast cancer! Whether it is supporting someone in need, volunteering or contributing to a charity, every little bit helps the fight for a cure. There are some great things happening in Connecticut this month so check out the information and links below and feel free to pass on to your friends!

Don't miss out on the Greenwich 2011 Food & Wine Festival presented by Serendipity Magazine to benefit Breast Cancer Alliance. There will be amazing food to sample at the festival or at a Grand Tasting Gala. There will also be live performances by Rusted Root, Sister Hazel and Natasha Bedengfield. View their website for more details!

Get your tickets in advance for this great event happening at Foxwoods Casino in CT. It will be an evening of hope and inspiration featuring breast cancer survivors as fashion models and role models. 100% of the funds raised by this show will be directed to the Breast Cancer Survivors Fund at The William W. Backus Hospital and will be used for the benefit of patients in the local community.

Mammogram Reminder

The link above is a free service to remind you to schedule your mammogram! Please take advantage and forward on to a friend!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of New Haven

2011 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of New Haven, CT

Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011

1pm at Lighthouse Point Park

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, The White Dress by the shore in Clinton is donating a percentage of October's gown sales to the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation.

Complimentary Massage for Breast Cancer Patients & Survivors

Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Time: 9:00 AM · Other dates and times

Venue: Sabita Holistic Center, Southport, CT

If you can't make it to these events, then create your very own personal donation page!

Fashion, Food and Fiats! Inspiration from Italy...

I recently had the great fortune to travel to Italy - a country rich in history,

steeped in tradition and filled with people who appreciate the same things I do: Food, Wine and Fashion! I must say, I had sensory overload enjoying all three things during my two week stay. For this I say, Grazie Italia!

During my trip to the Amalfi Coast, up north to Venice, and back down to Rome, I wished I could bottle up all of my experiences, so that I could enjoy them again back home, in small savory doses.My vivid memories and many photographs will serve well, and I now share with you my favorite finds!

FASHION

This season, it's clear in Italy that the Fall Fashion trends are heavily focused on shoes and accessories, which is great for our shopping budgets! Clothes are bold in color- whether jewel tone, primary or citrus! Orange, red, teal and purple are HOT!

Scarves- once again, a must have for the season. Whether silky with a vintage print, or a textured cotton blend, be sure to accessorize your fall wardrobe with

a great scarf.

Leather Wrap Around and Obi

Tie Belts- I'm in LOVE with all the colors available for these perfect accessories! I picked one up in Venice, in a deep aquamarine, and it looks amazing with my little black dress or to contrast with other brights. Find a stock of these belts and pick one up in your best color. You can never go wrong with the neutral tones to accessories your skirt or jeans with a crisp white blouse. If you can't make it to Italy in the next couple of weeks, there are many great options online. Just seek and you will find.

Bold Colors- Bold hues of green, purple and orange. Red pants, red scarves, red shoes- anything red. Colorful silk blouses and skirts paired up with your new obi belt and your ready to strut your stuff on the streets of Rome and Milan!

FOOD

La Dolce Vita - Certainly not a new trend, but simply the Italian way of life. A panini for lunch. An afternoon siesta. A delicious pasta or risotto with fresh seafood. And don't forget the

Gelato for dessert! So how do they keep off the pounds? To start, they walk everywhere! The hundreds of steps in all the small towns of the coast and the sloping cobble streets and walkways of Rome and Venice. Standing at their local coffee bar instead of sitting. Also, the meals consist of all fresh ingredients. Fish caught that same day, home-made pasta and fresh sauces with zero preservatives and additives. Fresh fruit and greens along with plenty of water! The plentiful fountains in Italy make keeping hydrated very easy.

Our inspiration to kick off this season: Start up the Italian workout and mangia as healthy as you can! Replace processed foods with those that are all natural. Instead of using your bottled, heavy dressings simply use a drizzling of olive oil and a shaving of fresh pecorino cheese. Now as for the dolci...don't over indulge. But certainly don't deprive yourself of a cup of your favorite gelato as a special treat. In addition to your regular workout routine, WALK every chance you have. Park farther away at your trips to the store or at your office parking lot. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and an extra lap around the grocery store. Take the long way around the office back to your desk. Walking helps to clear your mind and will reduce over all stress. Carry on with the Italian way of life...and to everything just say "Va Bene"!

FIATS

Who could not help but love this little car, which is now available in the U.S! (Oh, and the guy...well, I can't help but love him too- my amazing husband. Thanks for a great trip to Italy!)

Think Spring!

Don't let the winter blues get you! Start thinking ahead to sunny days of Spring, when all the snow and ice will melt away and your closet will be filled with soft blush colors, floral prints and sailor stripes!

Featured pictures are some of my favorites from Victoria's Secret, JCrew, Banana Republic, Forever 21, Ann Taylor and BCBG. Start shopping the sales now so you can get lucky with the perfect outfit for your special Valentines Dinner!

Need help shopping for the Spring Season or sorting through your closet? Contact Chica Guapa for a consultation!

Lingerie Sale...Ladies & Gents beat the holiday rush and Stock Up!

My favorite lingerie store, Beneath The Gown in Clinton, is having a BLOW OUT sale to kick off the start of the HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON!

Check out their blog for more details!

Guys...if you're not sure what to get your lovely ladies for the holiday, why not treat them to a lingerie makeover! Josie, Owner of Beneath The Gown, will personally help to pick out the right pieces for the lady you love. You can also purchase a gift certificate to let your lady surprise you with her picks! (wink, wink!)

Ladies...stop in this amazing boutique and register for your favorite pieces...help your man out!! Or pick up great gift sets for your friends, sister, mother or for a bride to be! Even better...treat yourself to something special!

Don't miss out on this great sale!!

My search for rain booties is over....LOVE THESE!!!

Nina Rain Bow Booties...

I think they speak for themselves!!

Available online at SenseOfFashion.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

The 2nd Annual Chica Guapa Clothing Swap was a BIG Success!!

THANK YOU FOR DONATING!!

Thank you to all the ladies who attended and contributed to TWO GREAT causes!

I am so happy to report that we did meet our goal and surpass our donation amount from last year for the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation! This year, the money we raised will be donated in honor of a very special woman- Lucia Contento. Lucia is the sister of Laura Malangone, owner of Studio Elle Salon. Lucia is not only beautiful woman inside and out, but she is courageous and strong for winning her battle against breast cancer!

We give thanks to everyone for supporting the cause and hope that all of us FABULOUS ladies continue to ban together, support eachother and live the amazing lives we so deserve!

SPECIAL THANKS!

A great big special thank you to my fabulous event partner and talented hair dress, Laura Malangone for hosting the event with me!

Thank you also to our on the spot makeover winer Jaclyn Klein for being such a GREAT sport! You looked gorgeous before, but you were one HOT lady after hair, make up and wardrobe!!!

Special THANKS also goes out to all of the vendors who supported the event and donated all the raffle prizes:

*Studio Elle Salon

*Eli's on Whitney

*Valentino Productions

*Integrated Aesthetics

*Camouflage Boutique

*Eli’s on Whitney - Hamden

* Beneath The Gown Lingerie

* Celebrity Brows

* FUZION

* Posh Skin & Nails

* Light Thief Photography, LLC

* New Haven Fitness

* LA Fitness

* Valentino Tailors

STRIVE NEW HAVEN

I also want to thank Brian from STRIVE New Haven for attending the event and picking up all of the donated items.

*Many of you expressed interest in volunteering at STRIVE New Haven. Please email me directly so that I can coordinate a night or two for us to go as a group! alicia@chicagaupaimage.com

SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR CLOTHING SWAP ATTENDEES!

Each of you that signed the Clothing Swap guest list will receive a 20% off of any Chica Guapa Service! The Holidays and special events are coming, so be sure to book your appointment now! Also, group swaps, fashion parties and theme events can also be booked!

View my website for a listing of services. Customized services always available! Send me an email or give me a call to book!

www.chicaguapaimage.com