NYFW Picks:
Surprises (Pleasant and Not)

My biggest surprise like during NYFW was Tommy Hilfiger, which is not normally a brand I go for. (Too sporty and many neutral colors for me.) However, I was pleasantly surprised by their Spring 2014 collection:

The collection was sporty, but with pops of vibrant color that made even bookish me want to pull on the wet suit inspired shorts and go deep sea diving. 

Another surpise was Tory Burch. I have been warming to Tory ever since I saw this bag from her summer collection:

I am still mad I didn't snatch this up when it was on sale. Sigh. Oh well, there's always ebay. Still, I like her bags better than her clothes generally, but was pleased by what I saw in her summer collection:

True to form, I love the bags even more than the clothes. I am especially digging the 
belt bag as seen in picture three above. The notion of having something you can hang at your waist instead of off your shoulder appeals to me, especially on rainy days when you have an umbrella, lunch pail, and coffee cup to juggle on the way to work. Is that just me? And so much more chic than a fanny pack. 


I hate to end on a sad note, but my biggest NYFW disappointment was by far Carolina Herrera. Normally, I devour everything Carolina serves like a model given pizza after the last fashion show of the season. I am used to wanting every piece, every single piece, or her collections. But it seems to me that she has lost her mojo this season. The femininity and tailoring that are so much the essence of her style were gone: replaced with dull patterns of lines and straight, harsh silhouettes  Much of it seemed like dresses that had already been done a hundred times before by lesser designers. With the exception of this dress, I didn't like any of it:

And even this piece didn't inspire the oh-my-goodness-I-have-to-have-that-right-now-I-don't-care-if-I-go-broke attitude I normally have about her work. 

See what I mean?

I think the last dress was designed for those women who want to look like they have a swarm of flies buzzing around their assets. Or something. So disappointing  Let's hope she brings back more of that classically beautiful styling to her next collection. We believe in you, Carolina!

(All Photos courtesy of Style.com)

More Picks from NYFW:
Jeremy Scott's Cacophony of Color

I know this has been said before, but I LOVE Jeremy Scott's take on the old color bars from television. (Probably because I can never get enough of a good rainbow.) His other prints were fun too, and totally different from anything else anyone did, in New York or elsewhere this fashion week season. Now that's what I call originality!

My Favorites from NYFW:

Pretty Pretty Princess

 I'll admit, I tend to like Spring Fashion Week better than Fall, simply because of all the color and florals. This year was no exception, with more than a couple of designers creating some fairy-tale princess-worthy pieces. Here are some of my favorites:

Marchesa:

Photos courtesy of Vogue.com

Anna Sui:

Photos courtesy of Style.com

Bibhu Mohapatra:

Photos courtesy of Style.com

Marc Jacobs:

Photos courtesy of Style.com

I'm Back!

Did you miss me? I know I've been gone for a long time. Between getting a job, moving, and building a relationship with the man of my dreams, I have been pretty busy of late, and haven't been blogging. But I'm back in just in time to give you my take on Fashion Month. Stay tuned this week for my favorites from all the Fashion Weeks from New York to Paris. And once that fun is over, I have some great new outfits to share with you. Fall is here, and I am busting out the layers. 

As a sneak peek, here is a piece I just ordered from yoox.com to keep me bright and cheerful as Seattle enters its nine months of grey drizzle:

 

I can't wait for it to get here! I think it will look great paired with a chunky sweater, some black tights or leggings, and my black studded Zara boots.

Gilt 

This week I received some recent purchases from Gilt.com Since I am currently broke, I used the store credit I had from returning a few ill-fitting items a couple of months ago. I've been waiting to find the perfect items to use my credit on, and I finally found some. I bought three pairs of Wyeth NY heels and two sparkly Avaleigh tops.  Check it out:

I wore the last pair to a recent job interview and was complimented on them by the manager interviewing me. 

And here is a picture of me with the shoes and the white sequined tank top I got:

Top Ten

My picks from the Pre-Fall 2013 Collections

1. Carolina Herrera

I am absolutely in love with this gown (and with everything by Carolina Herrera, for that matter). Lucy Liu looked absolutely stunning in it at the Golden Globes:

2. Bottega Venetta

I love the Mad Men-esque feel of this dress.

3. Prabal Gurung

I would wear this dress constantly if I owned it.

4. Gucci

I will bet you money we see Anne Hathaway in this beauty very soon.

5. Erdem

Erdem's Pre-Fall collection hits all the right notes. This is just an example of their floral and feminine pieces. I want every single one.

6. J Mendel

This dress looks like it should be worn by an angel: soft, fluttery, white, and lacy.

7. Nina Ricci

Right now, I wish I worked in an office so I had an excuse to wear this suit.

8. Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton always produces something to covet, and this pink jacket and skirt combo are no exception.

9. Stella McCartney

Colorblocking is big, and this dress does it perfectly.

10. Jason Wu

Give me a gold-sequined top any day.

Wish Fulfilled

Remember this beauty I posted as my #2 pick on my handbag  Lust List a couple of months ago? 

Well my wonderful boyfriend gave it to me for Christmas! Turns out he read my blog for gift inspiration, and I am certainly glad he did. I think I am going to keep both him and the bag around for a long time. :)

Here it is, my new go-to bag: