NYFW Fall 2012: Lesson 1

Instead of focusing on the new trends for fall (that we won't wear for 7 months), I wanted to use NY Fashion Week as inspiration for right now!  As we all know, the winter months can be pretty dismal as far as fashion is concerned.  At least for me, when it is cold I seem to lose my inspiration... I just want to stay warm.  So, let's take looks from Fall 2012 and apply them to our closet today.  We might even be able to make smart spring purchases that will carry us through the upcoming fall season too!

First lesson - Layering.  Layering is key any time of the year, but is not always present on the runway.  I love seeing different designers take on this very important part of dressing.  The varying points of view on the topic give us loads of looks to mimic over the next few months.

NYFW is not over yet, but already we have designers putting dresses over button-down shirts, sleeveless dresses over blouses, cropped over long tops and dresses over pants. After going over these looks, I promise you will find so many new looks in your closet... combinations that you never would have thought to put together until now.

10 Crosby Derek Lam

Rachel Zoe

Timo Weiland

Tibi

My spur of the moment layering this morning... very vintage J.Crew shirt, sweater dress and jeans.  My H&M fur vest, an A&F belt (yes, I did work there at one point in time) and my favorite Frye booties.

I will post more layering inspired looks as I experiment... I am very excited to go "play".

      

                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                 - Allison

My Favorite Combination... so far...

While attempting my holiday challenge over the last couple of weeks (which turned out great!), I ended up putting together a look that I love.  We were going out for our annual Christmas adult family dinner (i.e. the perfect excuse to get dressed up) and I had nothing to wear.  Every year I look forward to this dinner, not only because it is fun, but it is a reason to get a fab new outfit!  I would have liked to purchase one of the zillion dresses that was sold out or backordered until February (which I have already complained about), but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.  So, I had to shop my closet.

When forced to make your creative juices flow, it really is amazing what you can come up with.  I have been very proud and excited about some of my new combinations lately.  I guess it is really all about rediscovering an older piece of clothing that fits really well.... and then you start to fall in love all over again.

I started with this amazing Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent dress.  I absolutely love this dress, but rarely get to wear it.  It fits like a dream and is very comfortable, but it is hemmed to wear with heels (not so practical with kids).  I am thinking that I should start fooling around with some sort of double-stick tape, and just maybe I could temporarily hem it to wear with all of my flat booties...

Once I had the dress picked out, I needed a topper.  I honestly would have loved to just wear my fur neckwarmer, but since I was going to dinner, live in the 'burbs and I get cold very easily, something didn't feel quite right.  I found several sweaters and jackets that would be good for different occasions, but by far the best was my black hacking jacket from J.Crew.  I love this blazer.  It fits so well and can be worn with anything!

Next up, shoes.  I had been dying to wear my animal print booties, but it just didn't feel right with the blazer.  Then, I caught sight of my leopard print clutch and thought that would be the most perfect bag to finish off my look.  However, if I used this clutch, I would need a black shoe.  I realized that my black bootie selection needs some improvement.  *Note-to-self - pointy toe, hidden platform black booties are a must have.*  So, I was back to the drawing board.  I could go with pumps, but I felt a little weird wearing pumps with a long maxi.  It just doesn't feel very "new" for a less formal event.  I stewed for a few minutes and finally decided to pull out my platform snakeskin pumps.  I figured that I could get by with a pump if I am mixing prints and it has a noticeable platform... I think it worked.

I didn't wear much jewelry... just some "go to" oversized crystal earrings from J.Crew and my beloved Alexis Bittar cocktail ring (I should probably put that on my Obsessions page).  For a bag I went to me always handy Rachel Zoe QVC black patent clutch.  By the way, this one of my best purchases... ever!  I use it all of the time and it looks great!

The result...

I felt very regal and polished... a bit like Kate Middleton!  Now I just have to work on my poses. 

                                               - Allison

My Evening with Rachel Zoe

Finally, after much deliberation on how to put into words my night with RZ and Ken Downing, it is finally finished... woo hoo!  It is posted on Bergen Health & Life's website.  Click here to check it out!

Discussing the sequin cardi... 

Taking a break!

How to wear the dress... decisions, decisions...

       

                                           - Allison

Come see me this weekend... literally!

And, I am not joking!  For those of you in the NY/NJ/CT area, I am going to be at the Paramus Neiman Marcus from 10-1pm on Friday and Saturday to answer all of your questions on updating your look for fall.  This is in conjunction with Neiman's Current Event that will be taking place this Thursday (the 22nd) through Saturday (the 24th)!

During NM's current event, you will receive an exclusive Rachel Zoe clutch with your $350 regular-priced Contemporary Sportswear or Dress Collections purchase.  Spend $500 in these departments and you will receive the Rachel Zoe clutch PLUS $50 off your purchase!  In other words, it's time for some fall shopping 

What do I have to do with this?  I am going to be one of four "Guest Stylists" featured during the event!  I will have my own circular rug in the Contemporary Department (the 2nd floor of NM) where I will be presenting my top picks for Fall!

I am so excited to be part of this event!  Neiman's is stuffed to the gills with fabulous fall clothing.  On a quick walk-through the other day, I spied some great pieces and can't wait to pull my picks!

A few pieces that grabbed my eye the other day...

Fab Faux Fur

Sparkle!

Bold Color/Bow Blouses

Ladylike Day Dresses

Make sure to set aside some time in the next few days to head over to the Neiman Marcus at the Garden State Mall.  I will see you there!

                                           - Allison

Packing to meet Rachel Zoe

I am leaving for LA today!  Meeting Rachel Zoe and Ken Downing tomorrow, and the booties are ready to go... 

Animal print, brown and my Chelsea style taupe pair... 

Yes, I am going to be gone for a very short amount of time, but this isn't about packing smart.  It is about having options.  I am not quite sure what my time in LA is going to bring, therefore I must have things to wear for whatever comes my way. Basically I packed maxi's, a tunic for exploring during the day, and layering pieces.  The only thing missing is my gorgeous floral maxi dress, but it is being altered.  I am picking it up two hours before I leave for the airport!  I may be a bit of a procrastinator...

I can't forget my jewelry!  I would have liked to purchase a few new pieces to freshen things up, but I am working on a budget.  All of my go-to pieces must come with me...

Well, I thought I was ready, and then I found out a few details... Wednesday night a cocktail party is being held at the Beverly Hill's Neiman Marcus.  This is to celebrate and promote Rachel Zoe's new clothing line.  The best part is that I get to be a VIP for a day!  My hair and makeup is being done by Neiman's, and (rumor has it) that I am having a private styling session with Rachel and Ken... amazing!!!

This means I might need a few more options since my plans have changed a bit...  white jeans, a white button-down, a striped button-down, wedges and flip flops.  Okay, I think I am packed.

See you in LA...

                                          - Allison

A Source of Inspiration

After attending a fabulous blogger breakfast at the Paramus Neiman Marcus last weekend, I have a new daydream.  It starts off with me sipping coffee, lazily eating my yogurt parfait, checking out what's new on flipboard (my fave ipad app)... all while sitting in the beautiful Rotunda restaurant.  (Note - this daydream definitely requires a babysitter!)  Once I finish, I grab my camera and moleskin notebook, throw on my fabulous messenger bag (still looking for the right one), and head off into the store.

fab group of NJ bloggers

me & Jean... she is the tweeter for NM (among other things!)

I may not be able to buy anything, but a girl can dream.  First, I stop off in the whimsical home accessory world.  Color, giant paper flowers, lots of greenery to add warmth... a little eccentric, but lovely.  It is full interesting pieces... a great place to find a gift or something unique for your own home.  Then there is the designer level... Valentino, Badgley Mischka, Gucci, Chanel... need I say more?!  It is so much fun to walk through this area and take in all of the beauty.  The design, fabric, patterns, tailoring.... gorgeous!  The perfect place to identify trends, take pictures and get some great ideas for my own wardrobe as well as future posts!

Then, it is down the escalator to the contemporary department... love!  A little DVF, Tory Burch, Joie, Elizabeth & James and don't forget Rachel Zoe!  I die!  This is my favorite department.  As much as I love the designer level, this is more accessible (for me, that is).  And, it is definitely easy to spot the trends.  Whether it is all of the bow blouses (do you have yours?), the remnants of colorful denim or the beginnings of faux fur, there is something for everyone.  Probably the coolest thing on this floor, aside from the amazing clothes, is the monolith.  The monolith is a superb sculpture and part of Neiman's art collection.  Did you know that they sold art?!

the debut of the Rachel Zoe collection

RZ cape... must have!

RZ dress... love!  Many ways to wear this...

some Tory Burch accessories...

cute cropped Burberry toggle coat

cute Burberry cape... I see a trend starting...

the Monolith

Moving on to the first floor, we have beauty, sunglasses, jewelry, handbags and shoes.  In other words, heaven!  The best part about this floor, aside from all of the most coveted brands, are the salespeople.  Full of knowledge and experience, they are the perfect resource when in doubt about making a large purchase (or should I say investment?!).  And, if you just want to look at yourself in the mirror holding an oversized Balenciaga bag, they understand, no worries!  Oh, and I did forget the men's department.  It is excellent, and I love the shoes!

jewels... sigh!

shoes...

a NM men's salesperson posing for the paparazzi

men's shoes... not too shabby!

As my daydream comes to a close (however, I do end up buying a Chanel bag before it is over), and I head back to reality, I am happy that I got to experience Neiman Marcus last weekend.  It is a completely different store than I what I had always envisioned.  It is three stories of beauty and smiles.  I can't wait to check it out again in a few weeks to see what is new... most definitely a good source of inspiration!

evening dresses... a destination at Paramus NM!

lots of sparkle this season...

                                           - Allison

I die, LITERALLY!!!

I won!  Can you believe it?!  I won the Neiman Marcus "Oh So Zoe" contest!!!  This is a very unbelievable moment in my life... maybe the best day ever (except for when I got engaged, married and had my babies)!!!  And, I get to meet Rachel Zoe & Ken Downing at the LA Neiman Marcus store... a-mah-zing!

Now I am starting to feel a bit stressed and anxious, what I am going to wear?  Stay tuned...

                                         - Allison

The Month of Zoe

Since the birth of her adorable baby Skyler this past March, we haven't heard or seen much about Rachel Zoe.  Maybe it was due to a much deserved maternity leave, or was it more about lying low in preparation for the RZ media blitz that is upon us as we speak.  On the eve of the launch of her much anticipated fall collection (select pieces are already available at Neiman Marcus), RZ is everywhere.  I am not quite sure how she does it, but she is doing a very large amount of publicity for her new clothing line (plus prepping for the Spring show), she just announced plans for a children's line, she is endorsing Exude lip stick, the 4th season of her Bravo show is debuting September 6, you can't forget her QVC line and there are rumors of a home accessories line and another TV show... phew, I am out of breath!

As exciting as all of these ventures are, I am here to discuss her new collection (of which I am a huge fan).  But, I must say that the photographs do not do the clothes justice.  When I first saw the photos earlier this year, I thought that the clothes were nice.  They definitely reminded me of RZ's signature look (jackets, blouses, flared pants, bohemian style dresses, faux fur, sequins), but I wasn't chomping at the bit to buy anything.  Then, I entered the "Oh So Zoe" styling contest (I couldn't resist).   It was a contest that Neiman Marcus held as a promotion for the launch of her new line, and that is when my opinion started to change...

As I played around with the various pieces in the line, they started to grow on me.  I began to realize the genius behind the collection.  Each piece could potentially be a classic in any woman's wardrobe.  Just as Zoe has said that this collection had been inspired by her own vintage pieces that she continues to wear, you are going to be able to wear and re-wear her clothes in many different ways over the years.  Not only does the potential longevity of these clothes make them a smart purchase, but they look good too!  I am partial to the well-tailored blazers and amazing outerwear, but the pants, the dresses and the blouses are just as fabulous.

As if I weren't excited enough, I was at Neiman's this past weekend and finally got the chance to see the clothes in person.  RZ is not reinventing the wheel, but she has put her styling experience to good use.  She is an expert at knowing the types of pieces women need in their wardrobes.  She is very knowledgeable about quality craftsmanship and fabric.  And, most importantly, she has a good eye.  She designs beautiful pieces that can be styled in so many different ways... in other words, she knows how to design a piece to stand the test of time.

My recommendation to you is to get yourself to a store carrying RZ asap!  You will fall in love when you see the clothes in person.  Just wait to you see the Bonnie Cashin inpired cape... I die!

                                             - Allison

*Photos courtesy of style.com.