Let's Talk F-A-S-H-I-O-N

Step outside. 

Take a deep breath. 

Spring is in the air....finally!

I always love the first warm days of Spring. The grass is greener, the sky is brighter, and even though the pollen count is staggering, this season's styles are nothing to sneeze at. 

Ladies, tuck away your UGGS. Fold your sweaters nicely in your cedar chest. This season is all about Pleasing Pastels, Ladies in Lace, and Bold Florals. 

Looking for inspiration? Check out the runway shows of some of my favorite designers. 

Pleasing Pastels

- 3.1 Phillip Lim: The collection is effortless. The blouses are free flowing. The pastels are muted, yet optimistic. The pants are structured and add the perfect amount of tailoring to this collection of deconstructed masterpieces. 

photos courtsey of www.style.com

Click HERE for the 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring Show

- Louis Vuitton: Now, I love Marc Jacobs for his own line, but Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton blows my mind. This collection is the epitome of feminine elegance. There are pastels and lace, color blocking, and feathers. In one word, stunning.

photos courtsey of www.style.com

Click HERE for the Louis Vuitton Spring RTW Show

Ladies in Lace

- Valentino: Lace was apparent in nearly every piece of this Valentino collection. But in true Valentino style, this collection mixes the hard and the soft. Black leather dresses with lace embossing, a nude leather dress with a modest hem line, lace details at the shoulders, and sheer sleeves (amazing). Every garment is expertly done with just the right embellishments. And pockets! Where were we before the introduction of pockets?! 

photos courtsey of www.style.com

Click HERE for Valentino Spring 2012

Bold Florals

- Diane von Furstenberg: DVF updates the wrap in her Spring 2012 RTW collection. Her collection has a little bit of everything. Light, airy blouses, sheer fabrics, and lace detailing. But what caught eye were her bold floral prints. She has created a beautiful display of florals throughout her collection, from her iconic wrap dresses, to printed trousers. However, the stand out pieces to me? The amazing floral jumpsuits! You've outdone yourself, Diane. And I thank you for that. 

photos courtsey of www.style.com

Click HERE to watch the DVF Spring Show

- Peter Som: The Peter Som collection SCREAMS bold florals. The flowers seem to explode off of the garments in a dramatic fashion. While the gentle touch of a cropped jacket pulls the look together. The use of mixing pattern and texture is done brilliantly in this collection. A. must. see.

photos courtsey of www.style.com

**sorry, no video for this show**

These are just a few of my favorite looks for Spring. And because, once again, I did not win the Mega Millions,  I will be working on ways to get these and other great looks for less. I will keep you all posted on my challenge and maybe even provide a few Polyvore looks for you, my loyal readers.

p.s......

don't even get me started on handbags!

Love it or leave it?

So I don't know about all of you, but this beautiful weather that we have had here in New England the past few days is getting me excited to bring out one of my fashion favorites. Maxi skirts! Ahh! I'm obsessed! I've been obsessing over maxi skirts since my first purchase last fall and I can't get enough. My most recent purchase was this awesome maxi by Pure Sugar. Its navy and white, its got small chevron stripes (obviously trendy), and its pleated all over....and it is amazing. I will have to post a picture when I wear because the description really does not do it justice. 

Now that you are all aware of my maxi skirt obsession. I want to know what all of you think....kind of generic I know, but...

Maxi Skirts

Love it or Leave it?

Leave your comments below! Lets start a discussion!

all pictures courtesy of Pinterest

*which all of course came from some other website*

Back in the Big Apple

I was very much looking forward to my work trip to the Big Apple. I hadn't been back to the city since I graduated from FIT and I couldn't wait to hit up a few of my favorite restaurants and of course do a little shopping. I was told we would have some down time while we were there and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to get all of my new clothes for my upcoming Florida vacation. Needless to say - I had no time for shopping. *sigh*

But shopping or no shopping, I had a wonderful time on the trip. We were to NYC to participate in the 101st NRF (National Retail Federation) Big Show 2012. Isn't it ironic that I am able to attend events like this only after I leave the fashion industry? We had a successful trade show and met with several retailers from across the industry. From big names like Nieman Marcus to small retailers whose names I can't remember. And I was fortunate enough to sit in on a discussion presented by David Wolfe of The Donegar Group that focused on "Fashion and the Future."

He presented up coming trends in silhouettes, color, patterns, and textiles. It was wonderful to hear that color is back. Forget all of your black on black ensembles. It's time to bring bright colors back into your wardrobe. I know we started to see some of this coming back when the colored denim was a big trend last spring and fall, but more and more designers are embracing the color movement. From 3.1 Philip Lim to Marc Jacobs to Chanel, designers across the board are showing optimism in their collections through the use of color. And retailers take note, The Donegar Group is predicting that shades of bright blues will be the first color to be embraced by the general public. So take your cobalts and put them in your A location, they are going to be the hot item. 

We also discussed how the fashion industry needs to redirect their focus from the ever popular market of 18-34, and refocus on those who are a little more mature, 55-75 market. It was inspiring listening to Mr. Wolfe talk about how clothing should no longer be classified as "age appropriate" but rather be classified as "ageless appropriate." Encouraging retailers and designers to provide fashionable pieces that are appropriate for all ages. Longer hem lines, and long sleeved blouses....concealing more, instead of covering less. He explained that designers need to refocus on the baby boomer generation...the generation that is still highly focused on fashion...and the generation that has the money to spend on luxury items. 

It was nice to be back in NYC and discussing fashion with industry professionals. And even though I wasn't able to go shopping, I was able to learn about the upcoming trends, so now I am even more prepared to stock my closet this spring. 

And for those of you who want to be on the cutting edge of fashion - 

"leopard is out...zebra is in." 

- David Wolfe.

compliments of Style.com

3.1 Philip Lim Spring RTW 2012

Check out the runway shows for Spring RTW 2012 on Style.com