Fashion's Night Out 2012

After experiencing some intensity last month, I am ready to start September and my favorite season (Fall!) off with some glamour. I think it's Samantha on SATC who says she needs "some glamour" in her life. And that's definitely how I felt in the weeks leading up to last night. I knew it would be good and just what I needed and well....I got my just desserts.

Thank you Anna Wintour, for encouraging us to go shopping while stores serve us food, drinks and play music. It's hard to go back to normal shopping after Fashion's Night Out. FNO is meant to encourage consumers to go out and spend money; it's about investing in the fashion industry. Not to mention, FNO kicks off Fashion Week in New York and begins the Domino effect of fashion weeks around the world (Milan, London, Paris). Fall collections (as previewed in the September issues of fashion magazines) debut in stores just in time for FNO. So in my book FNO marks the official end of summer, the time to start buying for fall (or begin Christmas shopping), while the fashion shows you see start you thinking about Spring. The whole of the year in terms of fashion truly eclipses in September.

This is definitely my favorite shopping holiday (Black Friday being my second). I chose to head out to Fashion Island in Newport Beach, because that's where I attended the first FNO three years ago and remembered it being amazing. I'm blanking on what got in the way last year, but it felt good to be back and helping the economy. I purchased the most amazing top at Juicy Couture, incorporating the embellished trend. It has rhinestones and spikes all over it. They have it in black too, so I am thinking I may have to head back for a duplicate in the coming weeks. Especially since I scored an awesome coupon last night that is good for the rest of the year (thanks Juicy!). This was the only piece I bought though, because I am going on vacation next week. And vacation requires $$$.

Well, that isn't entirely true. I was going to resist Casey's Cupcakes but they made the cutest ones for FNO. They were red velvet with pink frosting and topped off with a glittery shoe. I have said many times that I could eat a shoe I love it so much, but this time it felt good to actually eat a shoe that tasted as divine as it looked. Even the cupcake place participated in FNO and gave me a free mini cupcake for purchasing the special edition one. I also made a stop at the new Lette Macarons and indulged salted caramel and dark chocolate wonderfulness. Oh soooo good!!

Other fashionable stops for the evening included Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus (though they didn't seem to have any festivities); Kate Spade had super cute displays and their salespeople were kind as always serving up lemonade and cookies; it was all about bikinis and martinis at Trina Turk. They served up sparkling wine and a signature pink cocktail. I loved all the prints, colors, and sparkly shoes at that store. By far the most festive FNO party at Fashion Island! Jonathan Adler didn't have much of a party, but I loved the Union Jack coasters (of course). But the people at Juicy Couture are just hard to beat. They served champagne and were friendly as ever. There was also a giant catwalk and mini fashion show right outside.

And since the evening was all about glamour and presentation, I thought it was an occasion that warranted dressing up. I wore some happy color combos including a yellow Jill Stuart , orange Kate Spade clutch, rainbow shoes and jewels from Kate Spade, while stacking my arms with vintage gold and rhinestones along with local favorite Gorjana-Griffin. I got my toes pedicured yesterday and I liked that they matched my clutch. The other color on my hands is really cool too (Bikini so Teeny from Essie). And you know what they say, the happier the colors and you are with your outfit, the happier you will feel. And that couldn't have been truer than last night.

Happy (fall) shopping!!

Some Like it Hot

As I said in my previous post, times have been hectic and stressful. I usually combat such times with excessive gym going or vacationing. So perhaps it was fate working everything out that a Living Social escape I had purchased weeks ago was ready to be cashed in Monday night.

But I have to tell you, I almost didn't go on this trip. I just didn't feel like it. I felt guilty for not being at home, where I felt I was needed. But the people in my life are a true blessing, and I was given the support and encouragement that it was OK to go away for one night.

So go away we did to Palm Springs. I hadn't been there in a few years, which is part of why I purchased the deal. The majority of my reasoning was based on the beauty of this hotel and how downright fun it looked. And the Saguaro was all of this and more!

I know now I would have definitely regretted not going on this mini vacation. The desert air did me good. I felt completely refreshed. Our first night there we dined at Tinto, where they have amazing food and cool, soothing sangria. The pool is open until midnight, so we floated around under the stars for a while. The next morning we had breakfast in town and then hit up the pool again. They were doing a photo shoot that morning, so it was nice and quiet. Poolside at the Saguaro is heaven! The water is perfectly warm, the jacuzzi is a fun shape, and the bar makes the best skinny margarita ever (they use agave syrup). But the best part was being surrounded by so many inspiring, happy colors and wonderful architecture. All the rooms were painted a different color, so it is like staying in a rainbow. Everyone is so friendly and sunny there too. The rooms overlook either the mountains or the pool -- perfect scenery. And each room comes with a vintage camera and coffee table books to keep you extra entertained. How cool is that?! Every morning there is yoga, bikes are lent out throughout the day, and there's a shuttle to downtown. And right now downtown Palm Springs is sizzling, not only from the heat, but because of their tribute to Marilyn Monroe (which is where this giant statue is located).

In all honesty, this is the best hotel I have stayed in to date. It's fancy without being overtly so. It is just fun. And everyone's attitude coupled with the area only makes it a more positive experience. My boyfriend even raved about how much he enjoyed his stay (and he hates the heat)! I am already looking into going back. Next time, I want to hit up the spa. I'm thinking girl's getaway, bachelorette party, anniversary, and birthday trips are all in order. I strongly advise you to check this place out. It just opened in February (it was a former Holiday Inn) and I have a feeling it will be getting more and more popular. So go before it is full year-round and the price goes up.

Joie de Vivre!

Courage in Spades

I have completely fallen in love with Kate Spade as of late. This brand is quirky, colorful and all about a fun sophistication. It's grown up, but not too much. As I am nearing 30, I am identifying more and more with this brand and I am head over heels.

On my recent Vegas trip I visited the Kate Spade outlet, which is an absolutely deadly thing to do, as I always walk away with shopping bags. And this time I beheld the Ellie Flicker Clutch in coral and grabbed it up. Only problem was the line was incredibly long at the cashier. We had a whole bunch of valuables and food sitting in our car in the 110 heat and we had just dropped a lot of money on the trip itself. I came down with buyer's remorse and put the clutch back.

Then the inevitable happened: I regretted it. I made my boyfriend stop at the other Kate Spade outlet on our way home at Primm. And they did not have the clutch! I began an instant eBay search via iPhone app and found it  -- for a lot more money. I was completely heartbroken. But as I have said before, patience is a necessity when it comes to bargain hunting. So, I waited and was so happy to find the clutch recently for the outlet price. I got it Sunday when I returned from our road trip and it is perfect! I love the neon orange, which is on trend, and the classic polka dots and spades inside. An extra sweet touch was the wording on the tag that reads: "Have courage." I love that Kate Spade tells her buyers to wear these pieces with confidence; to face the day with that added brightness that gives them courage. I cannot wait to wear this bag out, courageously and happily.

I love pondering the idea of luck, especially in a place like Vegas. While I don't believe in it, I am so interested in the ideas behind gambling, betting on one's self, and I love a good charm necklace. The spade is such a great symbol for this brand and I like how they are incorporating it more and more. My picks from Kate Spade of late is this Sparkle Spade Bow clutch, also in coral, this ring, and brand new Spade to Spade Scatter Necklace.

Hope today brings you courage in spades!

Cobblestone

I've always had a thing for pumps. I love how the current pump is not pointy toed (though I do love those), but it is rounded instead. I have always wanted gray pumps, and much to my delight, Juicy Couture had a great sale last week (including free shipping and $25 off a $100 + purchase). Included in this sale were these gray velvet pumps named Cobblestone. I had to take advantage. I love the wooden heel and velvet is becoming one of my favorite fabrics to wear. The package came yesterday, wrapped beautifully, in this tissue paper. The name of the shoes reminds me of the streets in London, all cobblestone. I remember seeing women in heels hobbling down those old streets. I had no idea how they did it, as the points of their heels would get caught in between stones. Luckily for me, I will be wearing these velvet beauties comfortably down the smooth, Southern Californian streets. The perfect winter shoe.