Spotted at Fashion Week

Just a quick fashionspiration pop for you today. I know we are finally hitting the warmer weather Thank God! But my best friend was spotted at Fashion Week by Chictini and I had to show her off! You can go vote for her adorbs style on the ChicBook so show some love if you would like!

Here is my best friend and here is her scarf. I love them both.

Have you been spotted at the 

fashion week tents?

Fashion Show | Yigal Azrouel

I realize it has been several weeks since New York Fashion Week, but believe it or not, I still have some behind the scenes photos for you guys! Yigal Azrouel was a fun show to work because it was in one of my favorite fashion show spaces, The Highline Stages. Exposed brick, Meatpacking District industrial chic, and of course fashion...it's all a great combination.

Nestled next to the Highline Park at the ground floor of the Milk Studios building is The Highline Stages, the setting for the Yigal Azrouel fashion show Fall/Winter 2012. After the seat cards have been placed, along with the run of show (programs), and any front row gifts, rehearsal can begin.

The models, most usually still in Converse sneakers, skinny jeans, and hair rollers, walk the Yigal Azrouel runway after the camera crew are in place in the photographer's pit. This is the opportunity the fashion show crew has to adjust lighting, make sure the timing of the music and models walks is in sync and address any last minute changes.

After a successful Yigal Azrouel rehearsal at The Highline Stages, the house opens and the people fill in to take their seats. Then the lights will dim and the show, complete with fully dressed and styled models, can begin. The crowd gets quite, the front row tucks their feet and purses underneath their seats for the camera's best view, and the music fades up.

 Yigal Azrouel had a very chic line full of many gorgeous trapper hats, long leather gloves, and well constructed modern clothing. A bit too androgrenous in the shape for me, but beautifully made nonetheless. Here are a sampling of my favorites from his New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012 line. I hope you like winter white and fur...you'll be getting a lot this go around!

 {Merci Style.com}

What's Happening on the Runways: London

Last week was London Fashion Week and here is a recap of the looks I'll be drawing inspiration from for my wardrobe for Fall 2012.

Wine will definitely be the color of the season, but did it quite as fun as the bold red legs of Vivienne Westwood Red Label. I always find I love several things from her line and I will so be getting some red tights to follow suit.

{Merci for all photos Style.com}

Now I always get a kick out of unique fashion shows (I'm a big fan of different), and the Burberry Prorsum show, beyond being fab as usual had the models in snow with umbrellas for their final walk! And I absolutely love the cropped puff coats in the Fall 2012 line. I usually have a strict NO Walking Sleeping Bag Policy, so the cropped provides a  nice alternative!

Inspired by Marlene Dietrich, the Fall 2012 line of Marios Schwab was swimming in beautiful dresses topped with too-cool-for-school hats! You know I love a good hat. And these side sloped babies come packed with sass!

Technicolor patterns are definitely a thing of 2012 and although very reminiscent of Prabal Gurung's S/S2012 line, I was still loving the electricity in the looks of Peter Pilotto. 

Although not a line that I would mark as innovative, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Todd Lynn (who's also kind've a cutie) had me loving about every look that walked the runway. Bold colors, feminine silhouettes. This one look in particular with the full sleeve leather gloves had me floored! Forget Opera Length he has upped the ante!

That's what happening on the runways in London. 

Color, as I love to always count on from this town, edge, and class. 

What was your favorite London look?

Get Ready for Fashion Week with Pre Fall 2012

The tents are going up and my sleep hours are dwindling down which could only mean one thing...NY Fashion Week is right around the corner! So allow me to apologize in advance as it will get harder and harder for me to be responsive. But fear not, I will have your Fashion Industry Insider information coming soon! For now here are some Pre Fall 2012 looks that have me dreaming...

 Alice + Olivia Pre Fall 2012

Blazers with pops of color and a chic beret.

 Matthew Williamson Pre Fall 2012

Long sleeve dress with a dramatic V neck.

 Nanette Lepore Pre Fall 2012

Leather blazer and power color combo.

 Prabal Gurung Pre Fall 2012

Geometric prints and awesome pockets.

Rachel Roy Pre Fall 2012

Colors, layers, and a skinny belt.

 Jason Wu Pre Fall 2012

Sweetheart neckline and a frilly dress.

And ok, ok, I get that these aren't Pre Fall 2012 looks but uh...look how pretty! 

 Zac Posen Spring/Summer 2012

Can you believe how gorgeous these dresses are? We had the red one in the office last week and I wanted to cry...or wear it on a date but unfortunately the former is more of a possibility right now. And this show stopping finale dress is a pure jaw-dropper. Fitted, fishtail, and silver grey.

 THIS is how you do a red carpet dress! 

Are you ready for NY Fashion Week?

Thankful for your Wardrobe: Shopping Your Closet for a New Outfit

Brace yourself, because here is something you will never find in a magazine, how to be thankful for your wardrobe and find that fabulous new outfit by shopping in your own closet. I love magazines, they fed me my recommended daily fashion dosage my entire life, but they always are selling, always are pressing the buy, buy, buy mentality. But in times like these, you more often find yourself having to "make-do" with what you have. But what's wrong with that?! Being content with what you already have is the big hurdle to happiness...right? So here are some pointers to gather inspiration, shop in your closet, and create a fabulous new outfit for Thanksgiving...or any time.

1. Gather Inspiration
Pinterest is a very good site for building inspiration boards full of pictures that inspire your personal style. AND I personally make sure I post mucho inspiration for your fashionista pleasure like here, here, and here! Whether it is a color scheme in a modern painting or an actual piece of clothing from the latest runway of Oscar de la Renta, an inspiration board is important to push you to spin those creative wheels and think outside the box.

Source: mydreamcanvas.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

2. Evaluate your closet
Shopping your closet means you pull anything that reminds you of the inspiration you are pulling from. **Key Note: Do NOT think. Just pull. And mix & match. Being thankful for your wardrobe means appreciating the great pieces you already have and maximizing their potential.

Source: welltodoyou.com via Susan on Pinterest

3. Begin testing outfits - Start outside the box
Try on the first thing that comes to your mind from the selection on your bed. Whether this is a safe outfit you know, or a scary concoction that would never be fashionable. DO IT. To be creative you just have to start Doing and stop Thinking.

Source: lookbook.nu via Anne on Pinterest

4. Try on more outfits
Yes this warrants a repeated step. Try on as many combinations of outfits that you can muster...and more. From the "pushing it" to the completely insane. Shopping your closet means you channel your inner quirky Carrie Bradshaw and can put the cookiest things together and look brilliant.

Source: kingdomofstyle.typepad.co.uk via snuffy on Pinterest

5. Evaluate your concoctions
Never look negatively at anything you try, remember you are thankful for your wardrobe. This is your time to find the perfect combination without scrutiny from peers, colleagues, or anyone in the world... What do you like about this look? What don't you like about this look? NEVER say "NO" and just take it off. FIGURE OUT why you hate it. LEARN from your evaluations, and allow your opinion to EVOLVE as you tweak your styling.

Source: styleessentials.tumblr.com via Karen on Pinterest

6. Test run your top choices - With Confidence
**Most important in this step: If you do not wear your look with confidence then no one will buy it.** You have to wear it knowing that the moment you step out of the door you are wearing the chicest, most fierce outfit in your city today and the paparazzi are in waiting for you to photo-opp your way around town. Be thankful for your wardrobe.

Source: prlog.org via Sarah on Pinterest

CONFESSIONS: My greatest style strides were forged from living in cities (Like Lille, France and NYC) where I am encouraged to push the limits, wear what I want, and embrace it), this helped me tremendously... so stop caring and start pushing. Creativity needs limitless options and zero judgement.

Source: dustjacketattic.blogspot.com via Christine on Pinterest

Find your creative stride that makes your boots made for walkin' and feel fully confident that you are an amazing person that can be thankful for your wardrobe by shopping in your closet and still be 100% fabulous!

Give me your feedback! 

How did you go shopping in your closet?

Organize your Boots: DIY Boot Shapers

I did some major Fall cleaning this Saturday! After working for two straight weeks with only enough time to go home, sleep, and start all over...this weekend was a God send. My room however, was proof of my insane schedule, as it was in shambles. This is not my norm for acceptable tidiness and I was going crazy. Out of my Mary Poppins adventure I finally organized my closet further and found a solution to organize my boots! Enjoy this simple DIY Boot Shapers tutorial may it inspire you this Monday to reform your own closet and organize your boots!

DIY Boot Shapers

1. Start with some cardboard.

2. Cut out large rectangle pieces (one side of the box).
3. Roll them up, cardboard side out. Optional: Paint a fun color.
4. Hot glue in place to prevent unraveling. 

5. Organize your boots in your closet and enjoy your new found freedom of being able to find them all!

How chic will your closet look now?

Pourquoi Pas?

Why not bundle up in some chic layers today? The Fall is here and it's my favorite clothing season, all the fun colors, and comfy fabrics without the miserableness of the cold winter wind!

Source: dsquared2.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: lovelyclusters.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com via Carolyn on Pinterest

Source: tallgirltales.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

How will you layer today mes cheris?

Visit NYC and NOT Look Like a Tourist

Today's post goes out to Ava, of My Skin Concierge Ava, who hit me up for some advice on dressing like a New Yorker. She is visiting NYC for the holidays (such a magical time), and wants some advice on how to NOT look like a tourist in NYC! Great question... I'm so glad you asked.

How to not look like a tourist in NYC

1. Black, Black, Black 
Black is the go to "color" of New Yorkers, it is always chic, and easy to put together. Most subscribe to the theory of the more black the better. Also it makes you look fierce, so no one questions your street smart...also important but we'll get to that later.

2. Bundle up in Layers
It gets really (really) cold in NYC. Fortunately, the holidays is when the cold is still charming winter chill rather than the wrath of Mother Nature like us locals have to endure from January - March. Start with a base thermal layer, then a hip sweater, topped off with a super structured (preferably rocked out) leather jacket. For pants switch between black skinny jeans and black leggings. Then add a statement scarf, a floppy beanie, and leather gloves (you may need more coverage than these half gloves but I couldn't resist). *Oh and the Starbucks is also crucial to your warmth as well as your New York street cred.*

3. Boots
New Yorkers pretty much wear boots all year round, don't get me started on the people that wear this exact outfit in July (yes I've witnessed this exact incident). The important thing to remember as a Tourist "New Yorker" is that you are not used to walking as much as we are everyday, and your feet will seriously hurt. But never under any circumstances are you allowed to wear sneakers unless you are coming from the actual gym in your workout clothes. Here are some adorable combat boots with only a slight wedge for style and all the right sass.

4. Backpack
You will inevitably have lots of tourist things to carry with you. Camera, maps, guide books, souvenirs, and maybe snacks. GREAT TIMING! Not only is the backpack the biggest accessory trend to hit the runways recently, it is perfect for hiding your tourist stash without leaving you unprepared! *Remember a smart phone is vitally important* it can give you directions so you don't wander in circles with a map, plus everyone wears them for good tunes to drown out the sirens.

5. Bling
Layer on the accessories and rock like no tomorrow. Multiple layered rings and bracelets are super hot right now. Grab a handful at Forever 21 and wear them all at once! *Let your confidence bling too* 90% of a New Yorker persona is in their demeanor. -When you go somewhere you don't Sunday Stroll, you power walk. -You wear an outfit likes it's the hottest thing from the runways of Lincoln Center. -And you definitely don't let people walk all over you...you are NOT rude, but you are always assertive.

NYC and Not a Tourist by fashiondiva304 featuring black wedge booties

So what do you think mes cheris? 

You ready to visit NYC for the holidays and not look like a tourist?

Don't forget you can still win some NYC swag 

even if you're aren't 
visiting NYC for the holidays!