NYFW - Tory Burch Fall 2014

When I think of Tory Burch, I think of 1970s Country Club. Preppy, pretty, and vintage inspired. When I saw the collection for fall 2014, I couldn't believe I was looking at designer Tory Burch! It is so far removed from the average piece and I love where she went with the show! Inspired by armor that her parents once collected, you truly get that Medieval vibe without going too costumey. Sure, there are pieces that are truly meant for the runway, but there are pieces that I would love to get my hands on! Chunky knits, buttery leather, hints of chain and tapestry are just a few elements that she used through out her collection. Check out some of my favorites from her show!

This has to be my favorite piece! I love a chunky, sweater dress and this one is so cool! I love the chain detail around the neck and sleeve and I love how she styled it with knee socks! Just a hint of that 1970s vibe...

I am loving the uses of fur for fall and this coat is no exception. The hunter green is so rich and the fur is just perfect!

The pleated swing leather coat is just a new twist on a classic. And I love the black and white scroll design of the dress. 

The concept of this turtleneck sweater is amazing! Blue and black, which I used to fear, is meshed with chunky cable, leather, and that metallic sheen I've seen so much on the runway.

 I am a sucker for an encrusted anything! I love the use of jewels, and the pattern created, on this zipper sweater. Such an easy piece to throw on with just about anything in your closet.

 I adore the dress!

A modern take on the suit and I love it! Each piece can be worn separately in various ways and the fabric has amazing texture and richness.

 How cool is this look? I love the burgundy fur, the intricate fabric, and the use of brushed gold accessories.

Lastly, the use of "chainmail" is amazing on this jacket and skirt! Again, a suit that can be worn so many ways and pieces that are utterly timeless!

Tory Burch's 2014 fall collection is stunning, wearable, and has something for everyone! Can't wait to add a few to my wardrobe!

All photos courtesy of WWD. All photos by Giovanni Giannoni.

NYFW - Milly Fall 2014

 I had the pleasure of watching Milly's Fall 2014 runway show via coverage provided by the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week site. I love that you get a front row seat to all the major shows with just a click of a button. However, it doesn't replace a front row seat, or any seat for the matter, which is why I will find a way to attend shows in person! Major life and blogging goal!

I was in love with Milly's collection from the first look! It was sleek, edgy, modern, vintage, and so relatable! I could see myself wearing pieces to work, on dates, on the weekends, and when traveling. I adored the fluffy fur, the fringy fur pants, the sequins, and the coats! OMG, the coats! They were stunning! I would throw out every coat I have just to fill my closet with these! So amazing!

I thought I would share with all of you, courtesy of Fab Sugar, some of my favorite looks from the show.

This was the opening look and I was hooked. I felt like Meryl Streep wore this in a scene from "Out of Africa" and I'm totally okay with that! The sweater is my favorite piece. As well as the shoe that's worn throughout. A definite must-have!

This coat is amazing! I know I keep using that word, but that's all I can say. Everything was simply amazing! And I love that a cropped pant is still on trend. It's the best way to show off the shoe!

 

This is the coat that stole my heart! Just look at it! Seriously, I gotta have this piece!

  

I loved the use of sequins within the skirt and the pants. The colors are so rich and the texture they create is stunning.

The little bolero jacket is darling! 

Again with the exaggerated fur coat. But I also love the skirt. I've seen this metallic lamé foil a couple of times on the runways this week. Love it!

This top is incredible. The movement it created down the runway was awesome. I love the sheer sleeves and the colors throughout. And who knew Culottes could be so, well, cool!

I have saved the best for last. These pants! I am giddy about these pants! They are a Chevron stripe fringe of fur, I think. Not sure what the actual fabric is, but I am dying over them! I would wear these babies to work, on weekends, to the movie, on a plane. I'm like "Sam I Am"! I would wear them everywhere! 

 

 This was such an impressive show to watch. One look after another oozed so much sophistication and helped me drain my bank account with every step onto the runway. Milly, you are on my fall radar! Did I mention how much I love those pants?

All photos courtesy of Fab Sugar. Photo credit: IMAXTREE / DANIELE OBERRAUCH INFO@OBYPHOTO.COM

I'm Royalty!

 

Coat: J.C.Penney (old); Sweater: Ann Taylor; Skirt: Rachel Zoe; Tights: We Love Colors;

Boots: Aquatalia; Scarf: ?; Gloves: Target; Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Lip Color: MAC Dark Side

Apparently, I can only wear this sweater with leather (real or faux) because that's how I've paired it here and here! I have worn it with jeans but have never taken photos of that look. I will have to wear it again on the weekend to capture a newish look!

I'm not even sure why I wore a necklace yesterday because I lived in my scarf! It was freezing, which is when a leather mini is a perfect choice, but I had worn jeans for so long that I was excited to dress up! These boots are awesome. They are an all weather boot, lined too, so they're perfect for braving slush, salt, grime, and cold weather. And, Princess Kate has them as well. Does that mean I'm royalty? Yes, yes it does....

Hairspiration

With winter comes a lack luster of pretty much everything for me. I am so tired of my sweaters, which normally I adore. I'm over boots of any kind, especially the Sporto's I've been sporting for over a week. I'm tired of a coat over every outfit that's also paired with a scarf, a hat, and gloves! Do you see a pattern here? I've simply tired!

I'm always trying to mix things up with shoes, makeup, handbags, and accessories, but sometimes I real change is needed! I am due for a cut and color later this week and I need some hair inspiration, or hairspiration, if you will! Because of the natural curl, I'm always afraid of trying new styles or going to short, but I love looking at all the amazing cuts that are out there! Dreaming about what my locks would look like that if it weren't for the curl or the wrong facial features. I long for a wedge cut, blunt bangs, ombre color, but I know I'm not that edgy or daring. 

I've been browsing the net and here's what I've come up with. Join me as I peruse the hair stylings of the rich, famous, and bloggers I follow! 

I love this cut!! And Drew looks amazing! 

I love the long side swept bang and slight bob of this cut on Heidi!

I love the texture and the length on Scarlett. Wonder if I could pull that off?

 

I had to throw a couple of brunettes in there, right? It appears, via the web, that only blondes get short hair! This was an original hairspiration several cuts ago!

This recent hair cut is what started it all! I love the choppy/piece cut on Kendi. Seriously thinking of copying!

And the bangs! I love bangs. I so wish I could wear them! And when Botox is needed, I will go straight to the bangs. Mark my word! 

I love how effortlessly these ladies wear them. I love that Rachel's are just a blunt bang. Looks amazing with this hat!

I adore Mandana's bangs! Blunt, side swept, chic, and effortless. And if you don't know Mandana Dayani, she is the Vice President, and right hand woman, to Rachel Zoe. God she's cool!!

Jessica just recently added bangs to her do! I love them. Again, they are just effortless and I love the ombre effect of her current color. So chic!

Chic looks from pretty fabulous women, wouldn't you say? Now, which one to chose. Which one will actually work for me? I need something low maintenance, sophisticated but a little edgy. Something that makes this 40 year old feel amazing. That's nothing short of impossible! Stay tuned.....

Photo of Kendi courtesy of Kendi Everyday.

Photo of Jessica courtesy of What I Wore.

Dream to Reality - A New Designer Collaboration

Target is at it again! They have teamed up with designers Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, the duo behind Peter Pilotto, and I can honestly say I don't know much about them. From what I have read, they are heavy handed in florals and mixed prints, or what some call are calling a "kaleidospocic print heavy designer duo". I haven't seen too many of their pieces on the runway or on major blog sites, but I have seen the lookbook (via Lucky) for their Target collection. I have decided this is something I need to add to my closet! Mark your calendars and set your alarms because the collection goes on sale this Sunday February 9th!

These looks are not for the mild. They are bold in design and print. They are fashion forward and edgy. They are elegant and a little girly. They are right up my alley! Take a look at some of my favorite pieces from the 60+ piece collection that will debut on February 9th! 

This dress is probably my favorite piece from the collection! I love the bold colors, the long sleeves, and flared skirt. 

Want something a little less obvious? This one is perfect! And the black and red trend is hot for spring.

This is actually two pieces, but I love how it looks like one! Talk about versatility! Two pieces equals so many ways to wear them separately. And this style of skirt is the new "It" skirt according to The Zoe Report.

Another two piece option! I love the shorts. I actually more into shorts now than I've ever been. Yes, they're perfect for summer, a must-have really, but I love that you can wear them to work if styled correctly. Like this below! But that blazer is darling and can be worn over a simple black dress for a pop of color or with skinny jeans and heels!

We continue the two piece trend below. Again, a more subtle print but just as bold as those above with the use of strong color.

Another "It" skirt, another two piece look, and I love the use of mixed prints! Afraid to try the trend on your own? Try one that's already done for you.

Lastly, it's the "It" top of 2014. The crop-top. I'm terrified of the crop-top, but after reading alternate ways to style it in this month's Lucky, I'm ready to try the trend!

What's even better? They've teamed up with Net-A-Porter so the collection will also be available internationally. This is the first time a collaboration such as this has gone outside the Target footprint! A trend that I hope continues!

What pieces would you buy from the collection? I'm swooning over the dresses! Can't wait to shop! 

Happy Friday Fashionistas!

XOXO

My Closet - A Work in Progress

  This is my closet! Okay, so I wish this were my closet! How amazing is this work of art?

This is my actual closet. Pathetic, huh? I've always said that in our next house, a house that we will probably never move into, will be a five bedroom and the fifth bedroom will be transformed into my very own closet! Until then, I have my very own closet(s), just one that looks like this!

I've thought and thought and thought about ways to transform it. I've looked and looked for a space in my house to create a closet, but we just don't have it available! I'm currently thinking of taking one of our storage closets in the basement and turn it into a "seasonal" closet. A closet where I would house spring during winter and then rearrange to the next season. (No true plans are in place. Just in my head.)

So what to do with this tiny closet that's filled to the brim? I really need to get rid of the tiny chest of drawers. It's truly taking up too much space! More clothes will fit from my other closet, freeing up that space for an expanding McKinley wardrobe. I need to consolidate my sweaters into one box, or several for under the bed storage. And what to do with the shelf space that is truly a mess I fight every time I look for a pair of jeans.

 

I have a possible solution for the jeans. Remember when I organized my handbags? Well, I've purchased one for my closet to house jeans! Get rid of the ones I truly can't wear, won't wear, will never fit in again, and house only the ones I wear daily or often. What do you think?

I also need to evaluate tons of things within my closet. How many scarves do I really need? I'm a wearing all those shoes (yes there are more where they came from) hanging from shoe bags inside said closet? Do I need the pieces of jewelry I never really wear? They're just collecting dust, taking up space, and needing a new home. 

I consider this space my work in progress. I will check in every now and then to give you updates on how the clean out is going. I will also share ideas of space saving along the way. I can't be the only with a closet this small, right?

Until then....if you need me, I'll be cleaning and sorting and weeding out and crying... I think a glass of champagne is in order.

Closet photo courtesy of Eye for Design.

Snow Day/Sick Day/SATC

So here's the scenario. I've been sick since Friday and today we are supposed to get upwards of seven inches of snow! When I was a kid, snow days/sick days, meant time on the couch watching my favorite TV classics. There was Leave it to Beaver, Bewitched, and The Brady Bunch. Today, when I think of a snow day/sick days, I think of TV show marathons on the level of Sex and the City! The fashion, the friendships, the fashion....

I not only own all seasons on DVD, but E! has mid-afternoon marathons as well! I'm covered! So in thinking of SATC, I started thinking of some of my favorite Carrie looks. If I can't get dressed up this week, why not blog about such an icon style!

Why am I so intimidated by my tulle skirt? Here is a prime example of how to style one and style it so effortlessly! Maybe it's because I live in Overland Park, not NY, and I worry about the judging eye of those around me. I need to get over that and get skirt out on the town!

 

Season three was one of my favorite style seasons! Carrie really explored the 70s in a very high fashion way! She was dating the City Treasurer elect and needed to look the part of the first lady! I love this look! A camel wrap dress, over-sized shades, loads of gold bangles, and I can only imagine fabulous shoes! This is actually a look anyone can pull off today!

 

 

This fur coat seemed to be the quintessential piece that Carrie owned! I've looked high and low for something similar and I've finally found it on sale at Anthropologie! It's on my wish list, and I'm constantly keeping an eye on it! Just hoping the price goes down a little....Okay, I just purchased it. Carrie made me do it!

Carrie sported a crop-top before they were ever on trend! They are everywhere in 2014, and if I had abs like these, I just might consider the look. However, I did just read in Lucky Magazine that if you're not a crop-top girl, wear it as a layering piece. I can do that!

And finally...the most iconic look of all seasons...the Paris dress! I adore this look. I would love to wear this dress! It's amazing, just like the fashion and friendships of Sex and the City!

 As the snow is falling, and the fever wears on, I hope to just lay around on the couch and get some time with the girls of the city! What are some of your favorite looks from season past? And if the SATC isn't your show, which marathon do you prefer to watch? 

Photo one courtesy of Elspeth Jane.

Photo two courtesy of Polyvore.

Photo third courtesy of Sophie and Anna.

Photo four courtesy of She Knows.

Photo five courtesy of Coco's Tea Party.