New York Fashion Week SS 2010 - Part Three

3.1 Phillip Lim

Phillip's collection was fantastically showcased against a red backdrop. His colour palette was filled with red, grey, khaki's and black. It was a beautifully done, sophisticated collection for that typically chic and young New York woman. All of his looks can easily be translated to the street and I look forward to purchasing similar styles of clothes next Spring, because who am I kidding... my budget does not include actual 3.1.



Badgley Mischka

While some of Badgley Mischka's designs were a little too flamboyant for me, there were definitely some gems amongst them. The collection made me want to head to St Barths. Anyone want to finance that trip for me?




Betsey Johnson

She's the quintessential free spirit at fashion week and this collection didn't disappoint. Think can can dancers mixed with punk rocker.



Carlos Miele

Love. Pure and simple. This collection is gorgeous. If I were a celebrity, these are the gowns I would be rocking on the red carpet. Hands down one of my favourite collections thus far.





DKNY

I look forward to this collection each year because it's normally quite edgy and street. This season, I wasn't digging the whole thing. Just a few pieces here and there. The floral prints weren't really my cup of tea but I'm loving the slouchy, masculine trousers and blazers. And strappy shoes were to die for.



Donna Karan

Definitely a bigger fan of Donna's main line this season. Talk about chic... I can honestly say without a doubt that I loved the whole collection. With each click of my mouse, browsing through the outfits I got more and more excited about it. I had to do everything in my will power to not just put up all the looks on here.





Doo.Ri

While nothing really blew me away, Doo.Ri's collection was filled with pretty pieces that'll do great at the retail level. Not sure if the blue lipstick will catch on though...



L'Wren Scott

Perhaps it's because this woman is actually taller than me, but I love her. I do. Her clothing is impeccably tailored and chic.




Marchesa

Marchesa gowns are practically couture. They are so beautifully made and opulent. Like dresses from a fairy tale.




Marc Jacobs

While I would never wear the clothes that Marc designs as they just aren't my style, I still enjoy checking out the clothes he sends down the runway. This time around, his models were actually frightening. I saw scary Japanese mimes. There may be nightmares in my future.



Michael Kors

I watched this show live and loved every minute of it. Michael Kors is an American icon. He knows exactly how to capture that American chic look. If only fellow Americans could catch on...
I absolutely want this bathing suit for next summer.



Naeem Khan

I had never heard of Naeem Khan before today but it's a name I hope to hear again. This collection was beautiful with a hint of 1920's.



Oscar de la Renta

This man is a genius. I can't remember a show where he hasn't excelled. Rich colours and faultless embroidery. I would like to wear these pieces while strolling down the Rue St Honore in Paris... maybe on my next trip...




Proenza Schouler

I've been a fan of Proenza Schouler since they started and their collections keep evolving into one that is better than the last. This collection was like looking inside an aquarium filled with glimmering tropical fish. They may want to reconsider some of their models though... or perhaps force feed them backstage.




Ralph Lauren

I love Ralph Lauren's casual collection. Poor boy hats, boyfriend jeans, big shirts.



Rodarte

This futuristic design duo may just be my favourites... hmmm... how many favourites have I mentioned so far?

New York Fashion Week SS 2010 - Part Two

Alright... as promised, here's some more of the best of NYC Fashion Week:

Jason Wu

I loved the runway and set that Jason Wu showed his collection on. It was an absolutely gorgeous collection. The prints were beautiful, as were the flirty skirts. You know how much I love my pretty party dresses and this collection had no shortage of those. I even liked the feathers... and I don't do feathers.





Jeremy Laing

I got some Rodarte flashbacks from this collection (particularly from the first couple of outfits), which is probably why I loved it. And while most of the pieces certainly weren't items I would ever wear, the construction and the designs were beautifully done.




Juan Carlos Obando

Loved the splattered (almost Hypercolor) and rich looking fabric used in this collection. It was edgy and hot. Not keen on those gladiator / boot things... I love finding new designers to follow.




L.A.M.B.

This has to be my favourite celebrity turned designer out there. She's got a great eye and her clothes are always eclectic yet wearable. L.O.V.E. L.A.M.B. Although... her models could certainly gain a few pounds.



Luca Luca

I loved that this collection made me want to go to Paris to stroll along the Seine. I really need to go back to my natural curls...





Ports 1961

The colour and the beautiful silks in this collection made it absolutely exquisite. Definitely a lot of Asian influences here. Looks like obi's are being carried over to next season too.




Preen

Hello preen.




Rag & Bone

Danny, Vincent, Will and Briane distracted me from the actual collection. Funny how that happens...




United Bamboo

I have never heard of this line and I'm now a new fan. Fabulous party dresses.




William Rast

Justin Timberlake isn't just a pretty face. Look what else he does.

New York Fashion Week SS 2010 - Part One

I love this time of year.... It's fashion week season! I must admit, I'm a little bit behind on all my New York Fashion Week shows. So I've set aside a couple hours today (yes, you really do need that long at least) to peruse the latest shows. One of the best parts of sitting down and looking at all of the designers is discovering designers that I've never heard of. Sure, everyone loves the Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta and DKNY shows, but I also love some of the lesser knowns... I hope you have the time to check some of them out too.

Here are the highlights (and some lowlights) so far:

ADAM

While I thought most of this collection was a little bit blah, I did enjoy this particular look.

I love the colour in the shoes that ties the whole outfit together. I think I would wear this with a necklace though...

Alexander Wang

I must admit, I was a little disappointed with Mr. Wang's collection. It was too casual, too American for my tastes. I was hoping for hot and skinny European black numbers that he clothes all the models with. But not this time... I did not dig the football theme one bit. Not many retail friendly pieces here.


Altuzarra

This collection was a little bit 70's / Little House on the Prairie / bodice ripping romance novel. Can you picture it? Sound a little weird? Yeah... some of it was. I loved the shoes in this collection.

BCBG Max Azria

I have only just discovered the greatness of the the BCBG store in Vancouver - it certainly helped that I discovered it during sale season - and I can't wait for these two beauties to hit the racks next season. Although, I may have to venture into an outlet to put less strain on the wallet...



Boy by Band of Outsiders

These clothes are fabulous for a casual summer day / night. I want it all (well, except those long underwear type saggy crotch onesies)! And check out this red head's hair... that's exactly what I want my hair to do.

Charlotte Ronson

This Flashdance-esque collection really did it for me. The delicate sheer leggings are on my wishlist for spring and I so wish I had the balls to rock one of those head bands.

Cynthia Steffe

This collection was very very pretty and feminine but I couldn't help but notice how young the models looked. Some of them certainly weren't a day over 13.


Elie Tahari

While I used to think that I was just too young to wear Elie Tahari, this collection is actually quite youthful. Or maybe I'm just getting old?



Gary Graham

I love the British feel this collection has. It's romantic and old and that British side in me finds it all very appealing.



Oh wow... it's taking me a whole lot longer than I anticipated to go through all these shows... to be continued...

Tick Tock

I am obsessed with men's watches. I want one for myself. I greatly dislike those dainty wrist watches on women.

So I was absolutely thrilled when I saw this watch in one of my daily Shop Bop emails last week. Comes in silver or gold. I want one of each... is that too extravagant?

Also in the email was a selection of women's clothing inspired by menswear. Check it out here. I love almost every thing on the page. If only I hadn't done my new budget last weekend...

money money money

Today I did my budget. I haven't put together a budget since I was 24 - the last 5 years of my life, my money has just been draining out of my pocket without any kind of plan.

It was a scary task - I'm not going to sugar coat it. And I discovered a lot of things about my spending habits that shocked me...

I spent $300 on groceries last month and I just spent $75 on groceries this weekend! How does one person spend that much on food?! I really don't think I eat that much. And then there's the taxi's, coffees, wine, cover charges, and on and on. I've been spending more than I make each month. That's scary. I don't even put anything away for a rainy day or for emergencies.

After a good cry and a brief freak out, I realized that it's time to grow up and be responsible with my money.

Here's my new action plan:

• No more cover charges. If I have to pay more that $5 cover to get in, I'm not going. You heard me.
• Only one bar of heavenly 70% Lindt dark chocolate every two weeks instead of my current weekly purchase. Same goes for packages of dried mangos. That shit adds up.
• I have to put at least $200 into my savings account each month. This may not sound like a lot, but I've got to start somewhere until I get a better paying job.
• No more bought lunches unless it's an informational interview that may further my career. I'm packing a lunch every single day of the week. With all these groceries, god knows I've got enough food in my fridge.
• I'm cutting down my grocery bill to $200 this month, and next month I may cut it down to $150. It's time to get creative with my cooking.
  
• I'm only allowed to spend $50 a week on going out. This may be the most difficult part of my plan. I generally like to go to fancy schmancy places like Market where my typical bill comes to $50-80. Time to start nursing that glass of wine or to start winking at men at the bar in the hopes they will buy me a drink (only the attractive ones... I'm not that desperate).
• Only one taxi trip a week. That's it. I'm hopping on the loser cruiser or using my own two feet. This will force me to go out more in my own neighbourhood, Gastown / Crosstown, which is something I should've started doing ages ago.
• Clothes. I'm only allowed to spend $150 on clothes this month. Given that it's a new season and the stores are filling of with all kinds of lovely treasures, I'm going to have a tough time with it. Times like these and I wish I had kept up my sewing...

So there you have it. My test for the month of September. It will force me to start focusing on what's really important. I'm determined to find a new job, a better paying one. I want to pay off my $8,000 student loan before I turn grey. I want to have a nest egg. And I want to have the financial freedom to take off on a last minute trip to somewhere fabulous. I dropped way too much money on my last two trips and now I'm paying for it.

Here I go... Wish me luck.

Take me away

I'm being wooed by a 40 something Spanish man in New York. He works at Chanel. I suppose there are definitely worse men who could woo me. I had to call him yesterday to inquire about a purse for my boss' wife... he makes me laugh. Last night I received an email from him inviting me to New York. He said that I get the flight and all the rest would be on him. WOW!

Let's see how many men have invited me on trips this year, shall I:

Anthony:
Las Vegas x 2
Atlantic City
Philadelphia
Miami
Barcelona

The married man:
New York x 2
Los Angeles

A different married man:
Las Vegas

Have I accepted any? Nope.

Is there something wrong with me?

SJP's dress

Have you seen the new latest and greatest images from the set of Sex and the City 2? I am in love with Carrie Bradshaw's outfit. It's absolutely gorgeous. It looks so comfortable and I could see myself wearing this casually or dressed up. I want...


Oh... to have her wardrobe....