Fashionspiration: Happy Hour

Another office to happy hour look to get your taste buds drooling! Remember a blazer makes anything look profesh! I layered my blazer over a flowy chiffon and pearl top that I bought in Ireland for a soft but professional ensemble. And again, I'm aware 98% of you could not wear these shorts to work, so bring on the pencil skirts! Just pull out these ripped jean shorts and make this quick alteration before hopping over to the nearest watering hole for happy hour drinks with your colleagues. 

 Fashion tip #131: Shorts in heels make you have legs for days!

Add some fun heels like these Charlotte Ronson suede pumps

 for something great in your ensemble from head to toe!

Spotted. A special chica reigning as Happy Hour Queen. 

Be sure to enjoy your throne.

Fashionspiration: Socks with Sandals

Socks with sandals, socks with sandals, socks with sandals....am I really advocating this? Well, to be honest I'm kind've enjoying the thin layering saving my feet from blisters, and anything over the knee is, to me, amazing. Enjoy the photo opp from Herald Square - photos taken by my fabulous photographer friend Truc Nguyen, she's amazing!

Have you rocked your socks lately?

Fashionspiration: Easter Sunday Fashion

Mes cheris I had the greatest Easter Sunday, chocked  full of adventures, and my Easter Sunday Fashion was decided the morning of, and shaped up for a home run. Early morning the roomies and I grabbed a delish breakfast at Alice's Tea Cup...a.mazing! I ordered the Eggs Benny with smoked salmon on a buttermilk scone and oh wow it was divine. Not to mention the pumpkin scone I had later with leftovers!

After Breakfast, we walked in Central Park and enjoyed a leisurely stroll in beautiful warm weather. We danced around Bethesda Fountain, one of my favorite NYC spots, took lots of pictures...and probably blended in with the tourists...except for the cute outfits and heels.

Layered racerback tanks from Target and Buffalo Exhange started my Easter Sunday fashion. Buffalo Exchange also provided the finds for the sling purse and the cute Steve Madden platforms. The circle skirt I made myself with upcycled 70's fabric.

Although not totally bursting with color, I did make sure to pop some pastel into my outfit for a nod to traditional Easter Sunday fashion. It turned out to mimic the sky which did not stay this overcast all day. It actually shined brightly enough to give me a good dosage of color after laying out on my terrace when we got home.

I had no idea until writing this blog post that Buffalo Exchange had furnished 70% of my outfit! I am obsessed with this store filled with fashionable goodies from vintage to designer (and so much fun for those into the thrill of the hunt)!

After a fun filled day, I attended a wonderful and moving Easter Sunday service at my church. Then explored different areas of New York after, from Union Square to my neighborhood, the Upper West Side! I love that I live in a city where the day can take me any and everywhere!

I hope your Easter Sunday, as well as your Easter Sunday fashion was inspired and phenomenal...

What did you wear mes cheris?

Pourquoi Pas?

Why not have a Blog Feature mes cheries? Well here you go! I was so honored to be asked by the people of 24Blogazine on What to Wear for Spring...so hop on over and get your wardrobe Spring Fashion Ready!

The Embellished Life Feature

Photographer: Truc Nguyen

What will you be wearing this Spring?


Rather Interesting Event Experience
On a side note my darlings...not every event I go to is glamorous and amiable...this past weekend I attended a Trunk Show that I received an invitation to for Chloe & Reese.

Now let me sidebar to tell you I am a FIRM believer in never being "too big for your britches" for those of you not from the South, that means you should never act bigger than you are. I don't believe anyone, no matter how famous or what high end industry you work in, is EVER above being a decent human being. The unfortunate thing in NYC is it tends to attract many 'nobodies' that think they're 'somebodies' and feel the need to exert that on everyone else. You are NEVER above decent manners, people are people, and you should always treat them with your respect and attention. Case in point: Charlie Sheen and John Galliano... you are not above human decency no matter who you are.

So I arrive at the Chloe & Reese event expecting to learn about the line, mingle with the attendees and snap some photos for you. Boy was I wrong. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when the Sales Lady on Rodeo Drive would not help her. These women running the event were like and who are you? And I happily told them I'm a blogger, and I received the invitation and was excited to learn more about the line. And the conversation proceeded to go like this...

Snooty Staff Girl: Oh no no no this is not a press event, this is a closed private event.
Me: Oh I'm sorry, I'm just always asked to cover events, so when I received the invitation I assumed it was OK.
Snooty Staff Girl: Hmm well this is a private "undergound" event and the people here know the designer personally, I'm not really sure how you got the invitation but this is not an event we are publicizing.
Me: um...OK well I just thought I would do a feature on the line, the invitation never mentioned any restrictions.

...and after browsing around the room at the pieces for a few minutes and generally being ignored, I grabbed my coat and left...awkward.

My fabulous blogger friend Nubia of Nubia's Nonsense had an even worse experience than me with this group of women be sure to check out her story HERE. I was appalled that they would allow such an image to extend from this brand, I am a marketing professional in my career and this behavior is NOT acceptable for brand management.
So just an FYI to all of you about the line Chloe & Reese. Beware.

New York Fashion Week Finale & Naeem Khan

Well this New York Fashion Week has been a whirlwind, but my Grand Finale of the week was well worth the wait as I got a seat at Naeem Khan! Mercedes Benz had whisked my sparkly little heels over the rainbow this week, and now I've clicked them three times and I'm back in Kansas (or my apartment) only left fond memories and achy feet! Oh la la! This girl has some serious R&R booked...I'm thinking bubble bath, mani-pedi's, and a good sleeping beauty persona....cue Prince Charming for the wake-me-up at any time!

Outfit #7 Look Out!

French Leather Dress

Teal Scarf...scavenged from my closet

Heirloom Brooch

BCBG Silver Heels

 This young fashionista had the most Unique Look of the Week (in a very good way)! She styled this outfit herself creating the skirt from newspapers and even lacing up the back with silk silver ribbon. Details, Details!

I love this Tribal Chic with 80s Glam. This fitted LBD with the brushed gold accessories in everything from feather to studs to spikes...LOVE!

This is a look I am working on for the Spring: Over the knee socks are so cute and styled with heeled oxfords for classic Americana and rocked out with a dazzling feather skirt has me smitten!

Ready for your teaser? That's right, I snagged a seat at Naeem Khan and darlings I must say...this show blew. me. away. I have never loved a show more live, online, in print...anything. Filling New York's runway with timeless feminine glamour, Naeem's show was certainly the highpoint of my week and a fabulous Finale to New York Fashion Week!

Backless, flowing, and breathtaking. I can hardly wait to show you more!

 And a little celeb spotting for you. Robert Verdi was appearing front row all week and I finally grabbed a shot of him coming out of the LAMB show, phone in hand like all the other New Yorker's...no doubt texting about how fabulous Gwen Stefani's show was!

I will be back to report the runways of New York Fashion Week after some much needed rest!

xoxo my loves!

Fashion Week: Fashion 2.0 Awards

Fashion Week is rocking on, no matter the weather of the city nor energy level of its participants...fortunately the weather is shaping up to a warm breezy weekend! Just in time for all involved to relax with a well deserved New York City Brunch and stroll in Central Park! The Fashio 2.0 Awards happened last night and of course I was there to capture the inspiration for you! 

 Outfit #6: Rockstar Glam!

This look is definitely a combination of my inner rockstar side

The creme de la creme being my Glam Vintage 80s Belt dug out of a thrift store!

French Chanel Inspired Tweed Skirt

BCBG Sparkly Stilettos (some may call my Birthday Shoes) and

Mossimo Silver Top 

The night brought an eclectic group of people who I enjoyed meeting very much!

Whether it was a glitzy Anthropologie blazer, or the sweet Jackie O stylings (how I wish those days would come back again) from Heather from Combine Couture the night definitely did not disappoint.

 Sharp dressed men pulled out all the stops from great detail to bright colors like 

Donn at Donn Sterling Menswear and Ben at Faster Pants.

Whether its the LBD and sassy heels or the romantic drapings of Yuli Ziv, co-founder of Style Coalition, 

the night was a wonderful event for honoring great companies making strides in the fashion industry.

And one award was presented by the lovely Gala Darling! It has been beyond inspiring this week

to see all the progress blogging has made in such a short time. Taking over the fashioniverse...one post at a time. Vogue...beware!

NYFW: Winning Outfit & Narciso Rodriguez!

NYFW has been excited and exhausting at the same time, but so goes the fabulous world of no sleep and all parties right? A big highlight of my week was getting a seat at the Narciso Rodriguez show! But just check out the scene, no matter what you are bound to have a good time in the Lincoln Center Tents!

Outfit #5

and the winner is...VINTAGE!

I bragged about your fabulous fashionistas to one and all at the tents.

People were so excited to hear you guys had picked an outfit of mine for Fashion Week!

But with such fashionable readers as I have, would you expect any less? 

ABSOLUMENT PAS!

From fun furs...

 to impeccable detailing, the tents are aglow with outfit inspiration!

 This lovely lady had my attention all night for the 

adorable love note placed on her head. And guess what?

 Here is the designer! Jennifer Diederich is the fabulous hand 

behind both her and her models ensembles and stunning, they are!

The Box Presentation by Frank Tell was a dreamy adventure through the wolven wilderness. 

Even the models' hair exudes this raw quality!

And du-da-da-daah! My cherry on top of the day was a seat to the exclusive

Narciso Rodriguez show! A full feature will soon come, but know that it was a great show

and very exciting to admire live!

Don't forget to get the full scoop on the

History of Fashion Week here at Fashion 101!

New York Fashion Week: Inspirational Dreams

New York Fashion Week is definitely consuming my life right now, but it is oh so dreamy and inspirational! 

Outfit #4 is LAYERS!

Target Dress  |  Express Vest

Bamboo Cobalt Blue Booties

(notice the victorian buttons down my leggings!)

Old sash turned Headpiece complete with heirloom brooch!

This gal is wearing my must have for this Spring... Midriff Top! 

I'm so excited for warmer weather that I am embracing belly shirts

for th first time in my life!

The new Diet Pepsi Skinny Can has premiered at NYFW and 

Betsey Johnson decked out the cute Pepsi girls for the occassion. Betsey is so amazing!

 It has been interesting to see how  much technology has effected even Fashion Week. There is now a blogger central in the center of the sponsor tent...does anyone else remember the days when bloggers had no street cred? Three cheers for progress! There are also many stations set up in the tent where visitors can film a live video reporting from Lincoln Center and take a photo shoot for Mercedes Benz and the files are sent straight to your inbox!

Keep up on the latest fashion trends, events, and tips...support The Embellished Life by becoming a follower! 

Just click FOLLOW located in the left column. 

NYFW: Weekend Report - Cynthia Steffe, Yoana Baraschi

It was a stunningly beautiful weekend at Lincoln Center and NYFW was in full swing!

Outfit #3 was perfect for the warmer weather!

H&M Dress

Shoegasm Over the Knee Boots

Vintage 1950s Cocktail Hat

Eclectic Eccentricity Feather Bracelet

Spotted: Rocked out fashionistas ready for their photo op. I love the glove/head piece combo...and am SO wanting to play with the duo earring ensemble tres soon!

 On left a lovely hippie ensemble that is calling my name, and right is gorgeous blogger Hoda of The Damsel in Detroit showing the truest essence of career chic!

Blogger May Lin had a funky Bebe dress paired perfectly alongside the sweet sparkle of this diamond feather headband, and this fashion vixen was the envy of every cameras lens, just check out that shoulder detail (btw her shoes were spiked Louboutins...of course that will arrive in Coming Soon post)!

As we neared the time for Tommy Hilfiger's show I found more and more dashing gentlemen much like this classically layered lad. Bandmates of Two Lights showed off their rock style with creative blazer ensembles, This lovely lady had my eye all day. I'm already in love with the bustier + high waist combo, and add a rocker pink leather jacket, and you're really ready to party!

 Piece de resistance of the day? Why this future super model of course! There are a handful of teenagers around this week, but this little darling is ready for her catwalk time already. Petite clutch in hand she has her stunnah fur on and she is ready to go!

Sneak Peeks:

Yoana Baraschi

 Cynthia Steffe

Don't forget! Today is the last day to vote on my outfit at New York Fashion Week!

NYFW: Weekend Report - ADAM, Vivienne Tam, and Toni Francesc

NYFW is kicking strong on the weekends, making it so wonderful to have Lincoln Center the new home for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week...SPACE for all the people!! I wanted to post some outfit recaps for you Embellishers since, if you're anything like me, you just love drawing inspiration from the creativity of others.

 Dolce & Gabbana Scarf

Urban Outfitters Romper  |  Swedish Belt

Steve Madden Ankle Booties  |  Express Necklace  |  Crazy Tights

I must say, I had quite a lot of fun with outfit #2! Mainly due to my creative concoction of my silk scarf. I'm not ever a scarf wearer, so I sadly have a few really cute scarves in my closet...including this Dolce & Gabbana...therefore I was desperately trying to find a way to wear my scarf...that still suited my style. And darlings, I believe I've found a new signature style!

*This is KEY: Always feel yourself darlings. Style is not style, if it is not yours. Trying to wear things just because they're trendy, will only look like you are wearing someone else's clothes*

Due to tired arms, my resting arm on the side of my head lead me to try my scarf tied sideways! But then I had all this tail excess that needed to go somewhere...and...since I love side braids...BINGO! I braided my scarf into my hair and I was instantly excited about the outcome. You see how fluid fashion is? Its a creative process; always moving.

Here were some looks from the beginning of the weekend. 

Things of note: I love the fun fur that pops up at Fashion Week! People have so much fun with where and how its worn (FYI the last guy pictured had fur popping out from under his collar!!) Trop cool!
I also love how nice the men look in the NYFW tents! I love an atmosphere that promotes clean, sophisticated dressing for men in an otherwise sloppy world.

I had a very successful day as far as fashion shows go as well! I was able to snag a seat to...

ADAM

Vivienne Tam

Toni Francesc 

(and an After Party Invite too!)

But don't worry my dear...all in due time. For now I'm giving you a taste of the tents, but you will get the full Fall/Winter 2011 Analysis all too soon! Especially a recap of the shows I was blessed to attend! This much fabulous information can't possibly fit in one post though.

Stay tuned mes cheries!