Working Girl

So sorry to be a bit MIA via cyberspace this week, I'm officially a working girl! Not that I haven't always been insanely too busy for sanity, but this time I'm a working girl in my dream career, in my dream city. I may be pulling 14 hours days to get the world ready for New York Fashion Week but truth? I'm loving every minute of it. Even the minutes I'm hating...I'm loving.

Source: caribbeansurfingsummer.tumblr.com via vintage on Pinterest

I can't divulge too much about my new gig, but I can say it's with a prominent PR agency in NYC for New York Fashion Week, and I am working on big shows...big shows. It's truly the break through I have no joke been fervently praying for, and I thank God for opening such an amazing door full of such great experience!

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Ainsley on Pinterest

So here's to the working girl! 

conquering the world in stilettos 

and loving every minute!

Earthquake in Manhattan

if you live in Manhattan for any given amount of time you will be guaranteed a full list of crazy life stories to go home with. I experienced my first earthquake yesterday, but shockingly not on the West Coast where it is normal. An Earthquake in Manhattan who knew?

I was clicking along in my new job with invite requests for many of the shows for NY Fashion Week that is RAPIDLY approaching, when my chair started rumbling and the ceiling lights started swaying. After checking outside for some catastrophe, our deduced an earthquake in NYC? So we evacuated the building for a vary fashionable earthquake break in the meatpacking district.

So East Coast, did you survive?

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

Magazine Cover Release Party for PCOS Awareness

As Summer rolls on, the vacations seem to be hitting a climax. I am still not accustomed to so many friends constantly jet setting off to somewhere fabulous all at one time. But true to form no matter the time of year (or how many people stay in town) New York City always has things to do and people to see!

 I was recently invited to a Magazine Cover Release Party for 24 Blogazine on the hip Lower East Side. There were great cocktails and great fashion to be had, and all in the name of PCOS Awareness (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome).

The event was held at The White Rabbit on East Houston St. 

It was the perfect place to learn promote PCOS awareness, 

the most common hormonal disorder in the US.

There were many beautiful ladies present like Yumnahna Jah, who were selling goods to raise funds for the cause. Yumnahna, in her show stopping maxi dress, hand paints beautiful statement earrings which you can find here. There really are works of art, be sure to stop by and say hello!

For the happy hour magazine cover release party I decided to go with an understated summer outfit. Nicole Miller silk tank, Hugo Boss belt, and Camaieu white skinny jeans. I love white pants....a LOT, and I look for any excuse to wear them!

What is your magazine cover release party look?

Be sure to be a follower of The Embellished Life here

as well as on Twitter and Facebook!

NYC Digs: Paul Labrecque Salon

It is about this time every season, the end of the season, where I begin yearning for a refreshing change in my beauty routine, to gear me up for the following months. I hit that point last week where every time I left the apartment, covered in sweat, I felt my hair needed a hairstylist's magic touch to breathe new life into it. Well that dream came true at what I think is the most amazing salon in New York City, the Paul Labrecque Salon! Prepare yourself this NYC Digs post is filled with luxury on the Upper East Side....

 I started the day off with a curly do, tousled by the NYC elements a la Carrie Bradshaw. I was eager to see my transformation as I gazed out at the sunny day on East 65th street.  Before and after lovers beware!! This one's a doozy!

I met hair stylist Jerami back in the Winter, at the fabulous Onassis Clothing Gentleman's Night Out event in SoHo...couldn't get him off my mind since then...he is AMAZING!

And so Jerami got to work...as you see he had a lot to work with! 

I sat coddling my coffee as mornings and I get along never, and chatting.

I felt like a beauty parlor lady in the 50s while my color set 

and I sipped an espresso and read further in my book.

The whole team at Paul Labrecque works like a family, everyone chatting and smiling, checking in on each other and helping out where needed. Here I'm getting my nails done by Manana. I also went down later and chatted with their makeup artist Taymour. Paul Labrecque has a full service spa, as well as nail parlor, makeup specialists, and hair salon. It's a dream getaway for a weekend morning. 

Et VOILA before and after delivered! I was so excited when I saw my new reflection in the mirror, I'm a redhead now! I spent the day getting mistaken for Amy Adams, complimented left and right, and I couldn't have been happier. Jerami did an amazing job, I couldn't believe his talent. The whole staff at Paul Labrecque instantly feels like your family...the kind that send you away looking fabulous rather than frazzled...making you giddy for your next visit. 

Be sure to get over to a Paul Lebrecque Salon asap for your own transformation. Jerami is at the Upper East Side salon, but there is a Midtown and Upper West Side location as well. And be sure to stop by the website to learn some hair tips & tricks as well as get some great products...or start following this blog for a fabulous surprise coming soon...hmm...

What do you think mes cheris?

Brand New MacBook Pro!

Well it took longer than expected, but I am officially blogging to you for the first time from my brand new MacBook Pro! It was quite a strain to financially take that jump to Mac, but I have been reassured by all my surrounding Mac community that it will pay off in the end. I will report back in a few on that. Beyond the minor initial frustration of trying to relearn navigation with this new operating system, I am excited to finally have my MacBook Pro.

But you know what that means right? SHOPPING! I will now need a new carry case for my MacBook Pro as well as maybe a cute new briefcase. Patience young grasshopper all things shall come to pass! I was not much up for shopping yesterday since I had a load of To-Do Items to check off now that I finally picked up my new computer...and the fact that it was raining cats and dogs outside in NYC! But I always love the rain, summer rain that is, it is just divine. Maybe its my Carolina upbringing or the feeling that it washes everything anew but summer rain just feels refreshing! That, and it cools down the scorching temperature! Here are some shots I could not pass up the opportunity to snap since I was in such a state of nostalgia yesterday!

And now for the new MacBook Pro bag shopping! All of these lovelies have caught my eye, and they are oh so stylish albeit expensive. I will have to narrow down to just one...hmm...

Mac Bag Shopping by fashiondiva304 featuring tote handbags

Dorothy perkin
£89 - dorothyperkins.com

Lanvin shoulder handbag
$3,285 - net-a-porter.com

Sang A antique bag
$1,195 - kirnazabete.com

Loewe logo tote
$1,060 - stylebop.com

Hayden Harnett tote handbag
$295 - haydenharnett.com

Rebecca Minkoff denim bag
$155 - rebeccaminkoff.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs nylon handbag
$128 - nordstrom.com

Juicy Couture embroidered bag
$98 - couture.zappos.com

Which one shall I decide mes cheris? 

Bryant Park: Summer Movies in the Park

New York City has an unending activity list to partake in throughout the summer. Last night I met up with some friends in Bryant Park for their Summer Movies in the Park Series. Last night they showed Airplane, the classic 1980's comedy.

I got their early to save a spot for our group, and even a couple hours ahead of showtime, it was packed! But I had some time to lounge out and read, in a cute white lace tank and pink polka dot shorts! Then once my friends met up with me, we had a lovely picnic from Fairway, the famous NYC grocery store. Cheese, hummus and pita, fresh olives...the food was amazing.

Bryant Park: Summer Movies in the Park was fun, the food was great, and the company was even better. It is definitely a must-see if you are in New York on a Monday night.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

Broken Laptop and Weekend Beach Trip to Connecticut

Mes cheris the worst has happened....well maybe not the worst, but my laptop has died! All last week I have been functioning VIA smartphone, Droid Incredible to be exact, but it is just not as efficient. Tomorrow's mission is to replace my broken laptop with, wait for it, a MAC! I know, I'm finally giving in and making the switch. So here's hoping the hype is all it is cracked up to be!

This weekend, sans broken laptop, I took a weekend beach trip to Connecticut to visit a friend. She was amazing and so was Connecticut I must say. Like a little Suburbia Oasis tucked away just an hour from NYC. Maybe I could live here one day (I may need to find my finance man first)!

I started off with a knock you off your socks muffin from Magnolia Bakery while waiting for my train at Grand Central. Complete with a large coffee of course. While waiting I spied the most interesting tattoo I've seen in a while, a Model T Ford! After deboarding, I was off to the beach, lunch on Main Street, dog walking, grilling outside and of course lots of quality girl time. It was refreshing! Here are some pics of my weekend beach trip to Connecticut, I hope you enjoy them.

Here's to blogging to you next time from a brand new MacBook! Goodbye broken laptop, rest in peace!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

Funny Fashion Friday

Here's a fun post to jumpstart your weekend. While walking around The Village this week, I looked up while crossing the street to find this entertaining gem of a fire escape.

Thank you to Greenwich for never ceasing to point out that rednecks do truly exist outside the South. PS those are mannequin legs sat upside down, framed by a dashing display of colored Christmas lights in August...yeah.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.3

Fashionspiration: Farewell McQueen Exhibit

In light of the fact that this is the last few days the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit is open at The Met, I trotted my fashionable self, coffee in tow, across The Park to the East Side...very early in the morning...to skip the line that has eagerly been accumulating each day.

I was excited to wear my new Nicole Miller top I won from their Facebook page contest! Pairing the silk printed peekaboo with Urban Outfitters shorts, a Hugo Boss belt, and Old Navy wedges (I know!), I was ready to see my favorite fashion exhibit one last time.

I love his quote about how he seeks to empower women. I feel that way through my style and I hope to serve as a backboard of ideas in which you can gain empowering fashionable inspiration from to serve yourselves the same way.

Be empowered today mes cheris!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.3

Current Obsession: High Waisted Wide Leg Jean

Mes cheris, I have officially begun my search for the perfect high waisted, wide leg jean, and so far... not so bad, but I'm still not quite there yet. To say this is my current obsession is putting it lightly, I'm definitely a woman on a mission! 

I tried on style after style in a variety of Anthropologie locales, Urban Outfitters (no luck), and even J.Crew, Banana, and Zara (equally unfruitful) throughout this weekend, but nothing. Fortunately I have a bit of time before the weather turns cooler again, and it's permissable for me to sport jeans without turning into a sexy sweatbomb...yes that is what I said.

The closest pairs I could find were all in Anthropologie of course (constant obsession). I tried on a couple that were stunning, but not high waisted and that is really what my target is. I need a pair of awesome jeans that I can permissibly wear my crop tops with in the Fall and not feel like I'm trying to be "on display" what's a girl to do? I did find one pair that is too die for...but they are J.Brand and therefore out of my current price range. Maybe one day, but for now I still must be quite strategic about my purchases.

{merci pinterest}

High waisted wide leg jeans are just so classic and make for such a statement piece in an outfit. I love that they provide a different shape to my body, instead of the constant spandex skinny jeans I've been sporting as of late. I love that they are always made as Trouser Jeans which are always chicer. The high wait makes your waist look smaller and your legs go on for days, and the wide leg tones down any hippyness. Nice. I am also favoring the lighter blue washes lately as well. It provides an earthly refreshing breeze from my dark wash, all business jeans.

It wasn't a completely unfruitful shopping weekend though, I found my last current obsession at a store in Chelsea this Saturday. I finally found some taupe platform wedges that will go with everything and a perfect go to pair for chic put together looks and "Wowza" entrances...generally the only kind I care to make.

Will you wear high waisted 

wide leg jeans come Fall?

Fashionspiration: TGIF

TGIF my dears!!! I don't know about you, but I feel un peu over worked lately...and just the thought of Friday feels good...even if it doesn't mean I'm off tomorrow. Here's a fun, flirty look for your to jump start your weekend. Try a wild print on a feminine dress paired with a super fitted power suit vest (love these). Pull it all together with sky high heels and kicka$$ jewelry and you have yourself a go-getter ensemble mes cheris!

 TGIF: Tactfully Gauging Inert Fabulousness

 TGIF: Totally Gracing Inner Fierceness 

TGIF: Turning Gambles Into Frenzies

Urban Outfitters dress

Express vest

Steve Madden platforms

Erickson Beamon necklace

The only thing to remember is master that wind in NYC! A flirty frock like this also warrants many opportunities for Marilyn Monroe moments. I'd rather leave that to The Seven Year Itch!

What is your TGIF?

Fashionspiration: A Lesson in Layering

Mes cheris sometimes the simple things in your closet can be made more interesting and fabulous just by layering those duds in creative ways! This lesson in layering is great to shop your closet for new outfits...now that's good news for your busting closet and your bank account!

Start with one of your favorite attention getting cocktail dresses.

Then add a sheer layer. 
This allows the dress to still be seen, but adds intrigue to the passer by and more depth to your outfit.

And layer with fun accessories. 

Here I've gone with a massive pearl necklace that has been looped 4 times!

Catherine Deane dress

Nanushka top

Erickson Beamon necklace

Steve Madden platforms

How will you layer your closet?

Fashion 101: Oscar de la Renta

There are so many great fashion designers in this world that have changed society in pivotal ways. It's hard when you sit down to decide who the very top houses are...but I don't feel that is so much necessary as knowing who the fashion royalty are in general. Valentino, Dior, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, and of course Oscar de la Renta. Of course this list could be much longer, this is just me rambling off the top designers that are on my top of mind recall. I always love learning of how these great visionaries got their start, and I am always interested to learn how intertwined this industry is.

{Merci fashionista.com}

Oscar de la Renta was born in 1932 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At 18, he moved to Madrid, Spain to study painting and quickly became enveloped by the world of fashion. He began sketching for top Spanish fashion houses until he landed a prominent apprenticeship for the couturier Balenciaga, not a bad start. From there he moved to Paris and began work at Lanvin as a couture assistant.

Working for incredible talents like Balenciaga and Antonio Castillo [Lanvin], I learned about the immense skills and creativity involved in couture work. Today, I apply some of that same detailing and artistry in some of my own designs. 

 In 1963, Oscar notices the future of fashion shifting to ready to wear and moves to New York to trail-blaze the path. Upon taking the advice of Vogue Editor in Chief Diana Vreeland, Oscar designs custom clothing for the Elizabeth Arden label where she will help promote his name and work that will advance his future line. Two years later, with grown public recognition, the house of Oscar de la Renta is launched.

I have always felt my role as a designer is to do the very best I can for a woman to make her look her best. Fashion is only fashion once a woman puts it on.

{merci ShinyStyleTV}

Being honored for his talent is no new territory for Oscar, as he has won many awards over the years for his excellence in design.  Oscar also served as President for the Council of Fashion Designers of America from 1973-1976 and made one big change that you may all be interested in, Oscar added the CFDA Awards! This allowed the fashion industry to award their own for a job well done, rather than going to an outside sponsor. Oscar has been awarded:

Coty Awards

1967 Fashion Critic's Award

1968 Fashion Critic's Award

1973 Coty Hall of Fame

CFDA Awards

1990 CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award 

2000 Designer of the Year 

2007 Designer of the Year 

Before expanding into his diverse and fabulous accessory lines, Oscar makes a detour from 1993-2002 to be head couturier of Balmain...the first American to do so for a French house! Oscar is able to turn Balmain, a failing line that had not sold a dress in two years, into a leading house for dress sales in France.

{merci brides.com}

Oscar de la Renta is equal parts designer and business man which is apparent when you see the deep footprint he has firmly planted on the fashion world. I always look forward to his new collection each season, as it prances down the runways full of color, life, and lots of embellishment!

{Merci The Fashion Mag Pie}

{dates and info thanks to Wikipedia and Oscar de la Renta website}


Learn more about what other 
Fashion Bloggers are posting here!