This dress is my take on the red and black plaid dress from Old Navy (similar here) that seems to be everywhere. While I like that dress in theory, I feel like it would swallow me alive. I found this adorable alternative at Pulse, and it's aptly named "Autumn Harvest Dress." Of course, when I try to photograph this, the wind makes it difficult. Let's try it with a knit hat.
OK, yeah, I can't do it. I always feel like I look dumb in hats.
It's feeling more and more like fall, which is all good - I loved grabbing these fall toned pieces and getting all bundled up! But what terrifies me is winter. How is it that snow is starting to creep into my Instagram feed? I have mixed feelings about the holidays - a part of me is really excited, but the other part is in denial that we're already at that time of the year. Seeing the Christmas Tree up at the mall over the weekend was a big wake up call that it's actually *not* too early to start buying Christmas presents. I really have no idea how time can possibly fly so darn fast!
Wednesday night was one of two big runway shows for St. Louis Fashion Week (#stlfw). This was the Saint Louis Fashion Fund's Emerging Designer Competition presented by Brown Shoe Company. The Saint Louis Fashion Fund was developed in order to support and promote aspiring designers in the Midwest and ultimately help them advance in their field. Six finalists were chosen by the Saint Louis Fashion Fund's panel, and this runway show featured their collections. One winner, chosen by expert judges, would receive $15,000 on top of all the networking benefits and exposure the competition in and of itself offers.
So where do I even begin to summarize this night? It was unlike anything I have ever experienced before in my life, and it absolutely was just like what you see in the movies in terms of talent and electricity. Honestly, it was way better than anything I have ever pictured a runway show to be. Let's start with what I wore and work from there.
Earrings: Kate Spade (option) | Necklace: Express (option) | Blazer: Frenchi (option, option) | Tank:Express | Bracelets: Kate Spade, Stella and Dot, Cara | Bottoms: Hue (similar in black here | Shoes:Kate Spade
I decided to go pants this round since I did dresses for the blogger awards and the Neiman Marcus event, and then I rocked my skort for the Blogger Lounge. Trying to be diverse here! Same reason why I kept my hair in the updo from that morning/afternoon - I wanted to change it up a bit. Plus it had been rainy and cold for about a week, and I really just wanted to be warm and comfy. These Hue Leggings were perfect for the event, and I was able to pull inspiration from my past collaboration partner, Jenna.
I was extra excited to have a partner to pose with me! Although, I'm standing awkwardly because I'm not used to posing next to someone! Haha! This is my cousin, Beth. The mother of the little girl previously mistaken as my daughter in this post here. How cute is she!? She pushed her comfort level on this outfit - faux leather is not usually in her wardrobe, but I love that she took the chance for the sake of being fashion forward at this runway show. The fact that she is pregnant and rocking heels just makes me love her even more. I couldn't help but snap a couple of details of her outfit.
The doors opened at 5:30, and we ended up arriving around 6pm. I heard that last year there was about 750 people in attendance compared to this year that was around 1,000. The show didn't start until 8pm but between the still fashion presentation, the photo booth, the Butik shopping, cocktails, and eats, there were plenty of things to keep us busy in the meantime.
There was also a people's choice award for Designers to Watch. A still fashion presentation of their collections was set up prior to the runway show, giving us spectators the opportunity to vote for our favorites. Not to brag, but my favorite designer - Pink Elephant Designs by Truly Alvarenga - won the $2500 prize. But seriously, I could wear this organza number every. Day.
That's not to say her competition wasn't equally as stunning. It really amazes me how much local talent we have here. I thought I knew, but I truly had no idea and I am now seeing St. Louis through a different lens.
Nasheli Ortiz
Paulie Gibson
OK, now for the show! I seriously came home with 300 photos, y'all, so narrowing this down for you was such a big feat for me! These pictures don't really even do the collections nor the experience justice, but here are some of my favorite looks from each designer.
Daniella Kallmeyer - the winner of the competition
Wai Ming
Jessie Liu
Remi Canarie
Collina Strada
Harbison - who ended up winning a last minute runner up prize of $3500
I have been over the moon excited ever since these #stlfw events started. It's been such an amazing experience that is hard to articulate into words. I truly feel more connected to the City, and I have a newfound respect for the fashion inspiration here! I am so thankful that Alive Magazine has given me this opportunity to network, grow, and become more inspired! More to come on the second runway show! It's time for me to get dressed for it!
Remember these awesome leggings? I wore them twice before - here and here. I was quite delighted to see that they're still available for you guys if you want them here! I think this is my favorite way I've styled them compared to the other 2 looks. It's a nice balance between casual and dressy. Apparently I can't wear this necklace without also carrying this clutch - I just realized I did this the last time I wore the necklace here! I think I just love it because the two together are the ultimate powerhouse accessory! Really gives this more of a summer look vs. a fall look.
Today I'm doing my first ever style collaboration with the beautiful and stylish Jenna over at Sincerely Jenna Marie! You may remember her from my Pinspiration post a little bit ago. After further reconnaissance, we realized we both had these awesome brocade leggings (originally worn here.) Naturally we decided to do a collabo, and the rest is history!
Since my original look was a bit dressier with bling and heels, I wanted to dress them down this time around. This was supposed to be my travel outfit for San Antonio last weekend, but since that trip ended up getting canceled, it was a no brainer to pack away for today coming home from a work trip. I didn't have to go into the office today, basically just had to hang out at the airport -- so, this fun pattern and color combo kept me going!
Hope you enjoyed this little collaboration to end your week! Please be sure to hop on over to see Jenna if you haven't already!
I've been really wanting to wear these leggings ever since I bought them with my Christmas money. I felt a tad hypocritical when they showed up because I realized that they're probably the same Hue leggings that look like pants, but aren't, and are folded up and sold in the hosiery department. So I will eat my words for wearing these, but I love them. And the husband had no idea they had an elastic waist. So. They do look and feel like real pants. But the print. The print is really what made me fall in love with them!
As I was building my outfit around them, I ended up just layering on the metallics. This bib necklace was last seen here. I was surprised how great this complemented the pants. And well, if I'm going to mix metals, I may as well throw in my mirrored heels (last worn here.) Unfortunately it was ridiculously windy this morning so I literally had to hold on to my vest, but at least the pants aren't blowing away and you can fully appreciate their beauty!
I highly recommend them. They definitely have that holiday style vibe about them, but they're more versatile than you think. Here are some other ways I'm thinking of styling them:
We're almost to Friday, folks! Hope it's been good so far and it's all downhill from here!
We're back from our little SoCal trip. Ok, I'm lying. I'm typing this on the plane while finishing my Bailey's on the rocks. (Not to be confused with the Bailey 44 dresses I ordered above. Hehe) However, by the time you read this, I will be in bed home from our trip. I didn't want to do any shopping there since packing space was limited. Just to get my Christmas presents home without having to check a bag was a feat. I may or may not have looked like this:
I really didn't want to exceed my 2 carry on limit and have to check a bag. I used all my body weight and managed to get it closed.You bet I let out a victorious squeal when it zipped! The added holiday weight certainly helped my endeavors - glad I ate those two breakfast tacos this morning even though I wasn't hungry! That being said, I certainly wasn't shy about loading up some online shopping carts. I've been on a self-imposed ban since Black Friday *and* I had Christmas money?! I was practically salivating to shop. We'll see how much of this actually works, but I'm pretty excited and looking forward to more shopping fun in 2014! What are you spending your Christmas money on? Anything Santa didn't bring you that you are *forced* to just buy yourself?
I can't believe we're already at week 3! We're halfway through this series - it's both exciting and sad at the same time because I am having so much fun! This week our focus is on Holiday Travel. My family lives out of state, so we are normally having to travel for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. This year, we are traveling for Christmas - we will be in southern California. I've had a couple of posts about packing already (cold weather packing here and warm weather packing here.) I've shared a couple of travel outfits - this one here happens to be my most re-pinned outfit EVER on this blog, by a long shot; which of course happens to be a gym selfie. Oh the irony.) So for this post, I not only wanted to post an airport outfit, but I also put together a little video with tips on what to expect when you're going through security, and how you can streamline the process.
Let's start with the outfit. As I've said in other posts, I always choose something wrinkle free. The flight to Cali is a pretty lengthy one, and since we arrive late morning, I still have the rest of the day I need the outfit to look fresh for. I tend to reach for dresses or skirts first because they are a lot more comfortable and less constricting for the plane. And layers are key. The scarf can double as a blanket on the plane if needed. Or if it's too hot, both the jacket and the scarf can easily be folded and put away in one of my carry on bags. The flat boots are great for comfort, and the tights are awesome because they won't come off when you pull your boots off - one less thing to fuss or worry about.
As for hair and makeup - I usually keep makeup pretty minimal as somehow the plane always ends up sucking the life from my face anyway and I have to reapply when I land. I'm mindful of how I do my hair - knowing that I'll be resting the back of my head on my seat. Updos aren't really ideal, unless it's a low pony, and even then, it can flatten. This is my easy hairstyle, I know I do it way too much - but it keeps the hair out of my face, it's faster to do when getting ready (I only haphazardly flat iron my hair), and it keeps its shape just fine on the plane.
I've gone through life checking my bags over and over because I overpack and/or I have too many liquids. You have no idea how many times my bag has gotten "lost." I've finally come to realize that I would rather be doing other things with my time than waiting in line to check my bag or watching the carousel turn a million times before my bag comes out at my final destination. This roller bag has gotten me comfortably through a one week trip - it deceivingly holds lots of stuff. And it's truly all about remixing the items you pack. Although this was a forced situation where I had to remix to the max, I prove here that a few pieces can go a long way.
Alright, so that being said - here's the video I put together about going through security. It all seems second nature to me, but I am amazed at how many people look lost and ask questions while I'm at the airport. Just because I may travel a lot, doesn't mean the majority does. So, I hope you'll find it useful whether you're traveling now for the holidays or for whenever your next trip may be!
