1st Annual Fall Taste of Trend

“A night full of fashion & beauty featuring Dallas’ hidden gems!”

Thursday night, burlesque-inspired hotspot Teddy’s Room was the place to be! Hosted by Cheki Signature Accessories and various local businesses including Lash Candy, About Face Medical Spa, and Vive, the 1^st Annual Fall Taste of Trend kicked off to a house full of Uptown’s most fashionable and fabulous. Guests indulged on tasty appetizers courtesy of Greenz and sipped Grey Goose concoctions while browsing the silent auction and mini boutiques set up by vendors. My favorite drink was a delicious raspberry creation that had the perfect balance of sweet and tart, kudos to the bartender!

The stage, normally frequented by pin-up style dancers, was dominated by models showcasing the latest and greatest fashion trends. My favorite look of the evening was a mustard sweater with dark skinny jeans and a mod yet feminine take on the “faux-hawk.”  

Proceeds from the event went to Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas, also known as Girls Inc. For more than 40 years, Girls Inc. has motivated young women across DFW to be “strong, smart, and bold” through life skills and enrichment programs that empower girls to take charge of their lives. For more information on Girls, Inc. or to find out about volunteer opportunities visit their website Girls Inc. Dallas or email info@girlsincdallas.org. Remember my fabulous friends, giving back never goes out of style!

They Call Me Mellow Yellow

Take your wardrobe from bland to bold with fall’s newest color sensation, mustard yellow.

Often times shied away from because people immediately associate the color with 70s style appliances or the more obvious…a hot dog, mustard yellow has received a bad rap in the fashion world. But not anymore, designers are craving the condiment inspired color this fall! Don’t believe me? Then take a hint from the always fabulous Michael Kors, “Mustard yellow might be just the thing to add zip to an otherwise bland style.”*

Confused on what colors to pair it with?  The safest route is to start by pairing with neutrals, but my favorite is to throw navy or rust into the palette. Here are my recommendations:



Navy Blue, Chocolate Brown, Charcoal Gray, Garnet, and Rust

Look for mustards that (ironically) aren’t overwhelmingly sunny. Think bold statement pieces, or fabrics like tweed that incorporate rusts or browns .Need a little more inspiration? Check out the looks I styled below:  

From Left to Right: Jacket, Modcloth; Dress, Dorothy Perkins; Ring, Max & Chloe;
Clutch, Modcloth; Booties, heels.com

 Show up looking fun and fabulous in a mustard cocktail dress for girl’s night out! Need a quick dose of fierce? Add a caramel biker jacket; it’ll come in handy when you jump on the back of Mr. Right’s motorcycle.



From Left to Right: Sweater Vest, Buckle; Skirt, Mango; Pumps, Polyvore;
 Tank, Old Navy; Earrings, Oasis Stores; Bangles, JcPenny



Slip on a pair of mustard pumps with a sparkly sweater and steel pencil skirt and you’re ready to conquer the corporate world.



From Left to Right: Dress, Old Navy; Handbag, Modcloth; Booties, Zara; Ring, Dorothy Perkins



All about comfort? Try a cozy sweater dress and mustard accents for a casual and cool weekend look.

* Quote From Michael Kors- Courtesy of Richard Drew/AP



I Walk The Line



Image via neutrogena.com



Ever look in the mirror up close? I’m talking nose-almost-touching, breath-fogging-up-the-mirror close.  Well I did that not too long ago and you know what I found…lines! Granted I did just turn 26, but I like to think of myself as a vibrant, youthful 26 years old not one that suffers from fine lines under her eyes. After a brief reality check I realized…it’s never too early or too late to start giving your skin a little extra love.

Skip the overpriced goodies at the makeup counter and head for the beauty aisle of your local drugstore for today’s fabulous find - Healthy Skin Eye Cream by Neutrogena. Although most products require a month or so for you to really notice a difference, I’ve used Healthy Skin for two weeks and so far I am absolutely loving it! Not only do my eyes look brighter, but the dark circles from a few too many late nights catching up with my DVR have begun to fade!

The lightweight formula is fragrance-free and contains Alpha-Hydroxy Acid to gently ease away the appearance of fine lines around the eyes.  The patented Melibiose works within the skin’s surface to maintain firmness. I use it every morning before I put on my makeup, and again in the evening after I wash my face. All you need is a small, pearl sized amount and you’re good to go!

Healthy skin is in…and that goes for every season!

Eight On Top: Fall Essentials

Friday marks the first official day of fall, so in honor of my favorite season I’ve gathered together a list of my “Eight on Top” to get your closet fall fashion ready. Try one, try all, and by all means mix and match! Enjoy!

1.       Jeans: Say goodbye to your skinny jeans, this season it’s all about pants with a 70s style flare! Try with a light, breezy blouse, and a pair of  boots with wooden heels for a retro look that shouts fashion forward.

From Left to Right: Braided Trim Trouser, $34, Old Navy; Hi Rise Retro Flare, $36.94, Old Navy;
1969 Mid-Weight Buckle Trouser, $49.99, Gap


2.       Leopard: Like I said in "You Have The Right To Remain Stylish" leopard is everywhere this season! My favorite way to rock the trend? By taking a walk on the wildside with a pair of leopard pumps! A discrete, yet sexy way to add a dash of fierce whether it’s a conservative three inch heel or stunning sky high Manolo Blahniks.

From Left to Right: Traisie Pumps, $89, Steve Madden; Regal Platform Pumps, $71.20, Macy's;
Ali Platform Pumps by Material Girl, $39, Macy's

3.       Laced-up Boots: A delicate and feminine trend that began in the Spring/Summer fashion season has been revamped just in time for fall! This season look for boots with a sexier/edgier feel and a chunky heel.

From Left to Right: Diba Pilot Bootie, $50, DSW; Suede Oxford Ankle, $35, Old Navy;
Toby Open Back Lace Up, $27, Asos

4.       Fur Vest: Be bold and go for an eye-catching color like the ombre vest featured below. Prefer to play it safe? Stick to neutral tones for natural beauty. Combine trends and try it with a thin leather belt to draw in the waistline.

From Left to Right: BKE Bobcat Vest, $45, Buckle; Waistcoat, $47, H&M; Daytrip Ombre Faux Fur Vest, $49, Buckle

5.       Ladylike Lace: Nothing makes a woman feel more flirty and feminine than this trend! A perfectly placed top or conservatively cut yet stylish piece creates a polished look  any lady can appreciate.

From Left ot Right: Trousers, $28, H&M; Coffee Crochet Lace Dress, $39, dorothyperkins.com;
Lace Corset Top, $46, lulus.com

6.       Oversized Clutch: Clutches have the IT factor this season when it comes to handbags. Look for leopard, bold colors, and metal details and go BIG or go home!

From Left to Right: Bronze Oversize Clutch, $47, missselfridge.com; Portfolio Clutch, $37, Asos;
Covered Lock Clutch, $27, Asos

7.       Bordeaux lipstick: The number one beauty trend of the season, this is definitely a color that cannot be missed...Pucker up!  

From Left to Right: Shine Lip #21, $27, Giorgio Armani; Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lip, $7, Revlon;
P24 Bordeaux, $24, Shiseido

8.       Gold: Who knew King Midas was such a trendsetter! Don’t underestimate the power of gold for fall. Dress up your basic black or make a stand-out piece stand out even more. Look for bold cuffs and necklaces for the perfect ways to integrate this trend into your wardrobe.

From Left to Right: Faux Stone Geometric, $16.80, Forever 21; Metal Twisted Bracelet, $22, Piperlime;
Antique Gold Suzie Drops Necklace, $25, oasis-stores.com; Indie Spirit Spike, $45, Zappos

Planes, Trains, and...School buses?

Image via thevintagemobile.com

That’s right fashionistas, a bright green 1980s school bus turned mobile boutique to be exact. A product of local couple Jeremy and Kelsey Turner, The Vintagemobile is full of old school treasures for men, women, and the home ranging from...1950's cowboy boots, rad tour shirts, mad men style dresses (Halloween is fast approaching ladies, it's never too early to start shopping!), retro purses and belts, and unique knick knacks that you never knew you always wanted.

Look for The Vintagemobile at The Dallas Flea this Saturday September 24^thfrom 9:00 to 4:00, and in The Belmont hotel parking lot (next door to SMOKE) on Sunday from 11:00 to 2:00. Need an excuse for a road trip? Visit the Vintagemobile at Vintage Glamporium in Austin on October 8^th and 9^th.

Fashion's Night Out 2011: Northpark

From Atlanta to Australia, Fashion’s Night Out celebrated a very successful third year.  Stores in over 250 cities across the country, and over 1,000 retailers in NYC alone extended their hours and popped champagne in honor of the after-hours extravaganza. This year I had the opportunity to attend the festivities at Northpark and by the end of the evening my eyes were on style overload.

As I eagerly moved from store to store I was sent on a visual journey. Six foot models adorned in tutus and bling for days smiled and swayed in the windows of Betsey Johnson; waiters with specialty drinks greeted guests at BeBe; and over at Ted Baker a DJ kept the energy on HIGH! Associates were dressed to the nines and everywhere you turned photographers were anxiously awaiting a photo.

The highlight of the evening for me though was, like for most girls, the eye candy!  No matter where I looked platform pumps reigned supreme – from the overly embellished (think 6 inch heels with studs and spots) to the natural and nude, the women at Neiman Marcus proved why the platform pump is and will forever be a fashion staple.

Another growing trend I spotted (and can’t wait to wear) – mustard yellow! The rich mellow hue was popping up everywhere – on shoes, handbags, etc., but my favorite of the night was a sheer, mini shirt dress worn by a woman attending the Neiman Marcus fashion show. Keep an out for this one fashionistas!

Here are a few pics of my favs from the evening:

You Have the Right to Remain Stylish!

A self-proclaimed Jersey girl, leopard has quickly become one of my favorite prints when I want to add a feminine dash of fierce! Used correctly leopard can awaken the wild side of any ensemble, but one wrong move and you’ll end up looking more like Peg Bundy than Queen of the Jungle. To avoid a dreaded fashion faux “paw” this season, check out my Laws of Leopard:

1. Back to Basics: Partner the print with clean, neutral colors - black, white, tan… and steer clear of mixing with crazy prints unless you want a super wild style that looks less daring and more I got dressed in the dark. If you prefer to keep the leopard to a minimum – start out with a stylish accessory, like heels or a clutch, to ease yourself into the print!

2. Balancing Act: Balance the amount of leopard you wear with the drama level of your hair and makeup. Meaning, unless you’re starring in a production of The Lion King keep your mane tamed! Nix the overly-styled wild, hair when sporting a leopard dress or run the risk of being confused for Mufasa (ooooh, say it again!).  Too much going on up top can overwhelm your look and send someone into fashion overload. Try a more sleek and straight do to ooze appeal a ’la my girl Kim K!

3. Cheap + Chic: It’s tempting, believe me I know. Deliciously shiny and crazy shades of leopard are EVERYWHERE. If you take anything from this post, make it this…AVOID THEM. The key, especially when it comes to accessories, is to make sure the print actually looks like real animal print! Have you ever seen a sparkly purple leopard at the zoo? I didn’t think so.

Check out the looks I've created below for a fierce feminine style that won’t break the bank - each is under $155 total! And don’t forget my helpful hints to keep your closet Posh + Pennywise…Rawrrrrrr.

Mark Your Calendar!

Founded in 2009 by Vogue , the Council of Fashion Designersof America, retailer NYC & Co. and the city of New York, Fashion's Night Out (FNO) is a fashionista's dream come true.This year, events will take place from New York to South Korea, and everywhere in between...including DALLAS!

The party kicks off at 6:00, and stores from Uptown to Plano will keep the music pumping and champagne flowing until 10:00. (Never too early to start for Christmas, right? I've been a very good girl this year.) But there's plenty more to keep you entertained: fashion shows, a styling competition, exclusive merchandise, and appearances galore. The list of events is lofty, so here's a taste via the team at FD Luxe.

Highland Park Village:

Slip on your red soles and check out the collection at the newly opened Christian Louboutin . Stop by Ralph Lauren to talk trends with hosts Heather Washburne and Elisa Summers, and FD Luxe editor Tracy Achor Hayes. Have your picture snapped for the chance to win an $1,800 wardrobe in Anne Fontaine's FNO most- fashionable contest. Hit up Chanel to have your nails lacquered with the label's exclusive FNO nail polish by technicians from neighboring Frédéric Fekkai.

Downtown/Uptown:

Stanley Korshak will host Abi Ferrin with her fall collection and FD Luxe photographers Anthony Chiang and Richard Krall for live photo shoots. At Forty Five Ten grab a glass of Fashion Punch from Kim Dawson Agency models, then head to the photo booth with your new limited-edition Herff Christiansen scarf.

Northpark:

Look for celebrity judges Jacquelin Sewell, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, FD's Jason Sheeler and Dallas Maverick Jason Terry at Neiman Marcus. The fashion-savvy four will choose the winner of NM's "So you think you can style?" contest, who are competing for the opportunity to assist on an FD Luxe fashion shoot.

Shoppers who spend $1,000 or more at participating stores get a gift bag along with $100 in NorthPark Gold. The Fashionistas host cocktails (and earn 20 percent of sales) at Barneys New York. Enjoy champagne and truffles at David Yurman, or if you're on the hunt for the official Fashion's Night Out tee (40 percent of proceeds benefit the NYC AIDS Fund) check out one of my fav stores, Henri Bendel or Nordstrom. Henri Bendel will also offer a very limited-edition "Swarovski Crystallized" version of the tee.

Galleria:

Stylists at the Saks Fifth Avenue spa and salon will offer complimentary rock 'n' roll blow-outs, and jewelry designer Deborah Gaspar will make an appearance with her fall 2010 collection.

Willow Bend:

Neiman Marcus hosts three separate runway shows - a fall trend roundup at 6 p.m. (appetizers by Sambuca 360), a men's show featuring Ermenegildo Zegna at 7 p.m. (appetizers by Dish), and a Boot Camp accessories show at 8 p.m. (appetizers by Cyclone Anaya's). The store also hosts an after-party and screening of The September Issue at Angelika Film Center at the Shops at Legacy.

Participating stores:

• 7 For All Mankind, NorthPark
• American Apparel, NorthPark
• Anne Fontaine, Highland Park Village
• Anthropologie, Highland Park Village
• Avant Garden, Highland Park Village
• Aveda, NorthPark
• Bare Escentuals, NorthPark
• Barneys New York, NorthPark
• BCBG, NorthPark
• Betsey Johnson, NorthPark
• Bottega Venetta, NorthPark
• Billy Reid, NorthPark
• Build-A-Bear Workshop, NorthPark
• CH Carolina Herrera, Highland Park Village
• Chanel, Highland Park Village
• Christian Louboutin, Highland Park Village
• Cole Haan, Highland Park Village
• David Yurman, NorthPark
• Eiseman Jewels, NorthPark
• Escada, Highland Park Village
• Everything But Water, NorthPark
• Fast Fix, NorthPark
• Forty Five Ten
• Frederic Fekkai, Highland Park Village
• Fresh, NorthPark
• Guess, NorthPark
• Hadleigh's, Highland Park Village
• Hanna Andersson, NorthPark
• Harry Winston, Highland Park Village
• Henri Bendel, NorthPark
• Hermès, Highland Park Village
• Ilori, NorthPark
• Jimmy Choo, Highland Park Village
• Judith Ripka, Highland Park Village
• Kiehl's, Highland Park Village
• Lacoste, NorthPark
• Leggiadro, Highland Park Village
• Lilly Pulitzer, NorthPark
• L'Occitane, NorthPark
• Loro Piana, Highland Park Village
• Macy's, NorthPark
• Metropark, NorthPark
• Michael Kors, NorthPark
• Montblanc, NorthPark
• Neiman Marcus, NorthPark
• Neiman Marcus, The Shops at Willow Bend
• Nordstrom, NorthPark
• Perfumania, NorthPark
• Pinto Ranch, NorthPark
• Pockets Menswear, Highland Park Village
• Ralph Lauren, Highland Park Village and NorthPark
• Rugby, Highland Park Village
• Roberto Cavalli, NorthPark
• Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria Dallas
• Scoop NYC, Highland Park Village
• St. John, Highland Park Village
• Stanley Korshak
• Stephanie Anne, Highland Park Village
• Stuart Weitzman, NorthPark
• Swag, NorthPark
• Swatch, NorthPark
• Ted Baker, NorthPark
• Tory Burch, Highland Park Village
• True Religion Brand Jeans, NorthPark
• Valentino, NorthPark
• Vans, NorthPark
• Vilebrequin, Highland Park Village
• Vince, Highland Park Village
• Wolford, NorthPark