Fashion Week(s) Fall/Winter 2010--NYC

My obsession with the Winter Games completely caught up with me and I forgot that Fashion Week had begun the day of the opening ceremonies!! Sorry about that. `=( I did pass by NY Fashion Week while going in & out of work on my lunch break. Just seeing the tents at Bryant Park was exciting and also bittersweet. This is the last season fashion week will be held in the tents in NYC. As of next year, they'll be moved to Lincoln Center...Alot of designers have protested the move to Lincoln Center since Bryant Park is right by the Garment District and where most designers have their workrooms & showrooms, as well as their resources for materials such as buttons & zippers. I honestly forgot why the move was sanctioned, and I am sad that I won't be able to stake out fashion week like I used to. Not that I ever got into a show, though. LOL. Anyways, onto the clothes!!!

The fall collections are always my favorite. Why? Well, b/c I love fall. It's the perfect time between summer & winter...And, doesn't set my allergies ablaze. `=P

Gettin' Down To Business

As you know, I tend to be slightly biased when it comes to Vera Wang. I loved her Spring/Summer collection, and the same goes for her Fall/Winter. Although, I feel like she went back to basics, color wise. It seems as though black is back! with her. And, coming from someone who's worked at a high-end department store, black was always back with me. However, coming from Vera, it looks so much cooler.

These two outfits, if I worked for like...Vogue or something (which will never happen)...I'd be wearing everyday to the office during the fall season. For the first outfit, I love the jacket b/c of the tuxedo look. Normally, I tend to have an issue with a blazer/jacket that looks like a tux, since I'm more petite and it would probably look like it's eating me alive instead of me trying to look stylish. Although, this doesn't look as bad. I like the formal, yet casual look to this.

The 2nd outfit I love more b/c of..well, you guessed it... The jacket. Although, it's hardly a jacket since it's so slouchy. It's more like a fancy cardi with sequins. I love the skinny pants look, since I'm slightly over skinny jeans. Just the fact that these are normal skinny pants make it more work appropriate, and what's best is that I could see myself wearing this to go out somewhere.

While I love accessories, I'm not sure if I'd layer such a big bib necklace with that black top in both shots. I also don't have a model body, so that's also open to debate. `=P I'd definitely do a layered necklace look with both tops, just nothing bibbed.


Flirty & Fun

Now, this outfit, I'd be rocking every night, to go out. LOL. Notice, I'm more of a pants girl. I really have nothing against dresses & skirts, just that I prefer pants since they're easier to match with a top. However, I think I just threw this outfit in just b/c I liked it. LOL.


Hmm...this outfit I'm actually more torn about. I love the top, but I'm not crazy about the pants...Or, maybe it's the pants & the top together. Like the other looks in this line, I'd prefer the skinny pants with this kind of top. Although, this top (I think) could probably be worn as a dress/tunic. Well, probably just for me.

Last but definitely not least... My favorite outfit from the Vera Wang show. `=) I love the short cocktail dress, and while I can't really rock strapless all that well... I'd love to just own this dress. I'd probably wear it exactly the way the model wears it, minus the necklace. Cocktail/short formal dresses are sure to be in once fall/winter comes around thanks in part to the the holidays. There's always going to be a reason to get dressed up for.

My other favorite outfits weren't all just from Vera. No, I like other designers, too!! These are just a few of my favorites..

Tommy Hilfiger

For the longest time, I never liked Tommy Hilfiger, even though my mom used to dress me in it...head to toe. But the last few years, he's had a resurgence in his brand. He's changed up the style and made it more...runway worthy, instead of me digging it out at Marshall's.



NGL, I'd wear this for X'Mas. I could still rock the little girl look, right? LOL.




To be honest, I'd wear this during the summer. I seriously believe that shorts shouldn't be worn during the winter..even WITH tights. That would just make me feel colder. Although, I'd wear the jacket separately.



Now, this dress I'd wear if I were the height of this model. Where would I wear this to? To whatever special occasion the fall/winter season puts me into. `=D I just love that this dress is so simple, that accessories wouldn't really be needed.

Ralph Lauren




I actually mostly picked this outfit b/c I loved the skirt. The blouse inside looks cute, too...But, I'm mostly after the skirt & tights. LOL.

This was my favorite look of the entire Ralph Lauren collection. I'd love to wear this dress just about everywhere. However, I'd also freeze like no tomorrow. LOL. This dress just looks like a fun dress to wear at an X'Mas party...Maybe not an office party, though. LOL.

The Olympics Are Coming!!

THE OLYMPICS ARE COMING!! THE OLYMPICS ARE COMING!!

Well, they'll be here in TWO days. `=D And, I, for one am psyched. Now, you're probably wondering what the Olympics has to do with fashion. Well, just about everything. Not that couture gowns & designer handbags aren't everything in fashion, they are. But, athletes and the sports they do have an influence on everyday dressing. We probably wouldn't have Polo if we didn't have polo players, and Lacoste if no one played tennis. Okay, maybe not, but you get the idea. With the games in Vancouver coming up (opening ceremony is Feb. 12 on NBC), alot of focus is on the USA Olympic Team's uniform. That's what everyone always wants to see during the Olympics.

For the last few years, the Canadian clothing company, Roots, has designed the team uniforms for both the USA & Canada during the Olympics (both summer & winter). However, that all changed in April of 2008, when Ralph Lauren won the contract to outfit the USA team for the Beijing Summer Games. I remember watching the opening ceremony and getting excited to see the USA team in their RL uniforms, and I have to say, you couldn't mistake them for another company. I always thought that seemed to be the problem when Roots did the USA team uniform, they looked like the Canadian team. The USA team looked every bit of summer Americana that only Ralph Lauren could do.


(USA Summer 2008 Olympic Uniform)

If there were any other way for the USA team to look more American, this was it. I was in love with their uniform, and almost bought something from the line myself, but I held back since...Well, I was broke at the time. LOL.

As much as I love the games, I wasn't all into the Beijing Games b/c I'm more of a winter girl. My birthday is in the winter, and my favorite sport is a winter sport (figure skating)... AND part of the Winter Olympics.

This year, the 2010 Winter Olympics will be taking place in Vancouver , CA. I've noticed that these winter games has brought on a big surge of American pride, but I say it's b/c Canada is close to the USA. The last time the USA hosted the winter games was in 2002, in Salt Lake City, Utah, not long after 9/11.

On Friday, when Team USA marches into Vancouver at the opening ceremony, they'll be sporting Polo once again!! I've seen the mens' collection at work, and I already love it. It's really nothing new, and not exactly a departure from what Polo does normally.



Women's Skinny Fit Polo $125

What I like about Polo doing the Olympic uniforms is that once they go on sale, you can wear these items year round, Olympic year or not. It's a great way to show off your American pride, or pride for another country, since Polo has an option on it's site to select another country to put on the polo. If only they had the Philippines, I'd soOo order mine NOW. LOL.

Now, for the Olympic fan looking for the more, "souvenir" type of memorabilia, Polo has you mind also!




Awesome, no? LOL. I'd probably wear this, just not together.

My favorite part of the opening ceremonies is always seeing the athletes rock the team uniform. Since it's not Friday yet, the Ralph Lauren site has a feature that lets shoppers take a peek at some of the athletes representing USA. I chose the figure skaters b/c they're the ones I'm more familiar with.

Tanith Belbin & Benjamin Agosto:

I was never into ice dancing, but I've seen these two perform in person and they're amazing. They're considered major medal contenders this year for the games, and the irony is that Tanith is Canadian. LOL. They won a silver in Turin, 2006, and were lucky to just get there to skate since it took awhile for Tanith to gain US citizenship (in order to represent the US in an international event, you must be an American citizen). In Turin, Tanith was also named the "Hottest Olympian." LOL.

Evan Lysacek is our hope for a gold medal in the men's event. If he ends up with the gold, he'd join a handful of male skaters who have achieved the same feat. It's scary to think, the last man who won gold for the USA (in figure skating) at the winter games was 22 years ago!! I haven't seen him skate in person, but I have watched his career since he debuted as a senior. He's only gotten better, and I have a slight bias with him b/c he's coached by Michelle Kwan's former coach, Frank Carroll.

Now that I've given you a brief history of the Winter Games' uniforms (sort of) and a slight overview of some of the athletes, I hope you all tune in while the games are on, even if you're into a sport or not. It's just a nice time to cheer on the USA and keep things light, even though there are more important things going on in the world. And, remember, it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game. Corny? Yes. However, I've seen athletes during the games give their best and their all, to come so close to a medal, but coming up short and learning something that they'll keep with them for the rest of their lives. I consider that more important than winning a medal.



"Success isn't always measured by a gold medal."

Jeggings...WTF?!

Yes, I realize I've been away for nearly two months, and for that, I am sorry. :( Life & work basically took over, and I couldn't stop it. Anyways, while I was away and working & toiling away, I've noticed a certain trend take over that I wish would just stop, and it makes me agree with my floor manager...

Women need to start wearing pants again.

I normally don't agree with my floor manager on many things, but the trend of jean leggings a.k.a. JEGGINGS needs to stop. First came skinny jeans, then came straight leg, then came super skinny jeans that eventually led to the trend that is, JEGGINGS.

Ugh, just typing the word makes me nauseous. I can understand not wanting to wear jeans, and going for an alternative, but really..when leggings themselves are jeans, why not just go for the real thing?



Take for example, HUE's Skinny Jeanz Leggings (pictured above). They look like real jeans, they feel like real jeans, and yet...they're just leggings. I've seen these in person (also come in black) and they're hideous. They have real back pockets, which still leads me to wonder what the point of these leggings are. I guess the only slight difference is that unlike jeans, jeggings let you breathe some more because they lack a button & zipper closure. However, this also just leads me to think, people are getting lazy to button & zip their pants. `=T

Now, like most trends, jean leggings can be done right. As tacky as this trend is, I believe there are people out there who can wear these right. Who are they? I have no idea, they're not my friends. I've helped so many people out at my job pick out a pair of jean leggings, and I'm always tempted to ask them why they feel so compelled to just buy jeggings instead of regular jeans and/or leggings.



But, that would be unprofessional. (leggings pictured above are TopShop.)

Either way, I just really hope this trend dies soon.

Black Friday Tips

Spring & summer have gone, and now the leaves are changing colors and have fallen to the ground. Halloween has passed, all the candy is gone. What is next on this journey to winter? BLACK FRIDAY!!! Okay, it's really Thanksgiving, but if you're a shopper, Thanksgiving is the dinner event before the big day. Now, I know Black Friday is the day when all consumers get to go crazy & kill each other for a bargain.... And it's legal, too!! `=D However, there are ways to be safe and still be able to get what you're looking for. As a retail store employee, I've worked many Black Friday's, and frankly, I think that if customers knew what we went through, we'd get some more respect on a day like Black Friday. Just a few tips, from me to you..

1.) Patience is ALWAYS a Virtue

As a retail employee, I can tell you from experience that rushing a sales associate (or anyone else helping you find something) is never a good idea. Why? It will only create confusion, aggravation & frustration with all party's involved. Yes, everyone in the store is there to assist you in every way possible, but that doesn't mean you are the sales associate's main focus. Sales people are already bombarded with random questions, and customers who do need their assistance. But on BF, rules change. It's a "first come, first serve," type of mentality. Sales people are most likely helping at least 2 other people out. As a customer, the best you can do is BE PATIENT. Give the SA time to help out the people before you approached them, and remind them every minute or so that they remember they're also helping you.

2.) If At First You Don't Succeed..We Don't Do Returns!

Okay, no store that I know does not--not take returns. In fact, most stores make their bread & butter from "welcoming" back certain customers...and their returns. Ironically, a customer making a return can be considered a form of "loyalty." If they're coming back to return something, it's a chance for a store to persuade a customer to buy something else in place of the item they're returning. Consumer-wise, you're full within your right to return something you're not happy with. Also, remember to always read the return policy! I can't stress that last fact enough. I've seen customers throw a fit because they can't return something because they've gone past the return time limit. Let me tell you, read the receipt and/or sign(s) near or at the register regarding ANY return policy. PLEASE. It will save both you & the sales associate some time & grief, and Black Friday is supposed to be stress free, or as stress free as possible.

3.) Location, Location, Location!

This is another important fact. If you're going to hit up the major stores on Black Friday, anything from Wal-Mart to Saks, consider your location. It's always best to get to the nearest location to save you some time & hassle. Plus, it'll be easier to lug all your loot to your car and/or to your house if you live nearby. Less gas cost! Also, take into account how busy one branch will be from the other. If you're going to go flagship, consider your options & chances of either being helped or finding the item you want & getting as quick as possible. Most of the time, that will not happen at a bigger store. If possible, see if the store has another branch, which will probably be smaller, and make sure they carry the brand/item you're searching for. Remember, just because there's more than one store in the area, doesn't always mean they'll carry the same things. Each branch is tailored to fit the area they're situated in, so take that into account when considering where & what you're going to try & snag on Black Friday.

4.) Shop Before You Drop!

What I mean by this is to pre-shop before you decide to head to the store. Shop the website first so you can decide what you want & to avoid #2. LOL. Although, be mindful that some (if not all) websites will have their own Black Friday specials & deals not applicable to the store itself. Thanks to technology and the popularity of online shopping, stores with websites now take into account the amount of sales they do both online & in-store. Most people nowadays want to avoid crowds all together and shop online for their deals & steals. If you decide to go online shopping for Black Friday, make sure the laptop's charged up and the cards free of debt!!

5.) Last But Not Least---Safety First!!

If you all remember last Black Friday, a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death by the crazy crowd waiting at the door. This year, Wal-Mart is taking precautions to try and control the crowd so that everyone gets out in one piece & with their loot. While I know it's fun to stampede like the Pamplona running of the bulls on Black Friday, take note of your surroundings. No need to wrestle the person next to you for that toy for your kid. Your kid would probably rather see you alive on X'Mas, instead of being black & blue on Black Friday. As easy as it is to say, "Play nice!" in this sense, it's not. (I know that! I ain't no fool!) If you're part of the big crowd waiting at the door, don't push & shove your way through. The best way to get in quickly is to arrive early. Sleep over if you have to! Okay, maybe not. But, arriving early Friday morning is best. Awaiting a store opening on Black Friday is like trying to be the first one to get to Ticketmaster for Jo'Bro's tickets. It's the rush, it'll get to you.

And, that concludes this post. I'll leave you with this one last tip:

6.) Don't Eat Too Much Turkey!

Why?! You might oversleep & miss the store openings!!! YIKES!!

Just kidding. LOL.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!! Eat, Drink & Be Merry!! `=D

Stella McCartney for Gap Kids

Well, I'm jealous. `=T Kids shouldn't look this fab unless I, too can get a share of the action. While I am the size of a child, I, by no means, fit into their clothing, and for once, I'm saddened by this. Why? Because Stella McCartney's done a line for Gap Kids!!! This isn't Stella's first foray into the price-conscious shopper's realm, she's done this before...err, twice, to be exact. A few years ago, she did a line for H&M (she was after Lagerfeld, if I recall) and has been doing an exclusive line for Addidas. In regards to her H&M line, I couldn't even get near the store during the opening day for it for two reasons:

1.) I was in school.

and

2.) I was broke and it was utter chaos.

What made it even worse was that my school was a block away from the flagship H&M in NYC. By the time my lunch hour rolled around, the store was sold out. `=T I saw the whole line for H&M and it was nothing short of gorgeous. And Stella doesn't disappoint this time either with the tots. This is what makes me jealous, and yet endeared at the same time. I haven't been able to see the line in person yet (it's not sold at a Gap Kids store in my area.), but from the lookbook alone, I'd definitely buy it if I had a kid of my own.



It's funny when I think back to kids clothes and to the days when mine came from Kids R'Us, and how that was the cool thing, then. My, how times have changed. Back then, kids clothes was just a mini version of teens/adults clothes with a cartoon character on it and/or a pretty pattern on it. Not anymore, it seems. Designers and top brands have tapped into the kids market in their quest to constantly expand the brand. And tap into it they have. Kids clothes have become completely redefined & redesigned to look alot trendier so that kids clothes aren't so basics anymore. Not only that, they've also become designer.



Looking at Stella's line on the Gap site alone, I have to say I really am jealous of the kids who'll get to sport these clothes. They'll be the coolest kids on the playground! The one thing I'm sure most parents will have a problem with is the price range. Gap was never a high-end brand, but they're definitely in a stratosphere where they don't charge $50 for a child's sweater. However, this is Stella McCartney we're talking about, so they can slide with that. The price range of the line is more than what the average Gap customer/parent usually pays, but you can't put a price on style, can you? I think not! Okay, not every parent will share that sentiment during a recession, but it's the logic Gap is willing to run with. Either way, I can see where Gap as a company is going with this. They're in major trouble and have been for the last few years. They've tried bringing in designers to jumpstart the adult line to almost no avail. But, by taking the focus away from the adult line and concentrating on the kids, they might be able to find a way back into the market. I can tell, they're starting slowly & carefully. Good move.

Palette That I Love--- PIXI Eye Beauty Kit in Blue Energy

Normally, I'm pretty basic about make-up, I leave that up to my friend Monica or my other friend, Sha...they're both make-up freaks. I usually wear my basic foundation with pale lip gloss and/or light blush. When I do go all out, I throw in eye shadow, but even then, that's almost a nude-ish shade, just so I look like I have a certain glow. However, recently, I became enamored with a certain make-up palette that I probably wouldn't have heard of had my cousin not lost her job. She worked for a major magazine company that folded and called me over from my internship to drop by & raid their beauty/fashion closet. To which, I happily accepted. I even risked being late to work that day. SO WORTH IT THOUGH! I made out like a complete bandit, and it was that night while looking through all the stuff I had gotten, I discovered Pixi Beauty. I had a tiny eyeshadow single palette in an infamous nude color that I love. I tried it out for a day and fell in love with it. So, I decided to look up this make-up company and see where else I can buy their product.

Lo & behold, they had a gorgeous site that reminded me of Tinkerbell, and I started thinking that this is probably the make-up she'd wear while hating on Wendy & trying to get Peter Pan. While browsing the site to see their other eyeshadow colors, I found that they also came in palette's, which made me excited. More bang for my buck!! `=D They had so many variety's in each palette I almost couldn't decide!!



After much deliberation, and consulting with Monica, I decided on the Blue Energy palette.



I always did love blue. Plus, it had all the colors I knew I'd use on an almost daily basis. The best part of this whole deal was that the price was reasonable, $28 for one whole palette with 8 colors. And, it was available at my local Target. Yes, you heard right! I was not traipsing through Sephora, and going through the aisles because it's alphabetical...And I'm sure PIXI would've been at the back. I was in Target, shopping for my Tinkerbell make-up, my bras AND a box of cookies. `=P

Anyways, I've worn almost every shade of the palette this week at work, including Halloween, where I brought out the blue, and I'm thrilled to say that I've gotten compliments on all the colors I've worn. `=D It really does make your eyes pop, and works well with sensitive eyes. I have sensitive eyes and while wearing it, they weren't irritated at all. The other best part? It helps improve the skin on your eyes.

And, I quote:

Beneficial Ingredients and what they do: 1. Aloe Vera Leaf Extract: Soothing and healing for the sensitive eye area. 2. Vitamin E: A powerful anti-aging vitamin with antioxidant properites. 3. Titanium Dioxide: Natural mineral with SPF factor.

Straight from the site, folks!!! `=D I wish I had been able to take a picture with all the looks I did with the palette. But, since I mostly wore them for work I forgot to do so, and you'll just have to take my word that I looked great. `=P My one piece of proof is this one video I did to show my buddy Monica that I took her advice to blend 2 of the colors. Enjoy!!




All in all, I really do love this palette. I really do recommend it for anyone who's not in the mood to run through Sephora and pay about $40 for the same thing, only to be disappointed in the end. However, a bit of a warning... The eyeshadows are a bit more powdery than most, and it can get everywhere. Although, that can be remedied by blending and/or water. Don't forget to check out PIXI Beauty's other products!!!

Me with the Blue Energy Palette:

Yeah, I only did one eye. LOL.

A Video for Monica

I did this video a few weeks ago for my friend, Monica, who's stuck in the DR for awhile. She's a big make-up freak, and I got this amazing palette for free, and thought that it would be my gift to her. She won't be back til December for the holidays, so I thought this would hold her over. LOL.

This was my first time ever doing a video via my webcam on my laptop. So, pardon the appearance of the whole video, and the fact that I look like a wreck. It was late, and I was bored. LOL.