Dress: Tibi Jungle Escape (via Rent the Runway); Shoes: BCBG (via DSW); Cuff: New York & Co.
This past weekend, Rent the Runway saved the day when it came time for finding something to wear to Fashion Week. I knew what I wanted — something tropical, preferably one shoulder, and dressy but casual at the same time. The Tibi Jungle Escape dress fit all the criteria, and thanks to some referral credits, I only had to pay $27 to rent the dress (originally a $50 rental, retails for $288).
This is my second time renting from Rent the Runway, and I can’t tell you how great it is! I ordered the dress on Monday, and it was at my doorstep Friday afternoon, just in time for the weekend. Think about how much time it would take to go to the mall and find something you like and within your budget. Plus, it always seems like when you actually need something, you can’t find anything at the mall; it’s only when I don’t need clothes that I see a bunch of stuff that I like. Anyway, compare all that time to how long it takes to find something on Rent the Runway and order it, and you just can’t beat that. You also don’t have to worry about dry-cleaning — just stuff the dress in the pre-paid return envelope, drop it in a mailbox, and you are all done. Simple as that!
Join Rent the Runway
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Todd and I have been talking about spending a weekend together in Miami for so long, so when the opportunity to attend Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM came along, we thought, what better reason to book a hotel and head down there for the weekend? You might be thinking, “Whoa, how’d you get your husband to tag along at a fashion event?” Let’s put it this way — a night that included complimentary Skyy Vodka cocktails and swimsuit models didn’t exactly require a lot of arm twisting.
MAKE UP FOR EVER, official makeup sponsor of MBFWSwim, asked if I wanted to head backstage to some of their shows and interview the makeup artists. I could only attend Saturday shows (you know, because of that 9-5 job I have), and since I’ve always been a Mara Hoffman fan (I blogged about her fall collection earlier this year), deciding which show to attend was a no-brainer for me.
Mara Hoffman is a New York-based fashion designer. She is a Parsons School of Design grad and also attended Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. She launched her line in 2000. Known for her hand-dyed couture pieces and original silk prints, she gets inspiration from nature, world travel, and fantasy. Mara’s latest swim collection is for the strong, feminine woman who is not afraid to show her individuality.
Everything was surpringly calm backstage at the Cabana Grande before the show, but we were also there about an hour and a half before showtime. Supposedly, about 30 minutes beforehand is when things start to get hectic. The key makeup and hair stylists were super nice and took the time to give me a rundown of the look for the show.
Get the Look
Cheeks
- For a modern, glowing complexion – MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation
- Flushed cheeks – MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Blush and MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Bronze
Eyes
- “Blessing”-like smudge between the eyes – neon orange MAKE UP FOR EVER Wet Make Up
- Sculpt brows straight, almost masculine in shape
- Line eyes with heavy black using MAKE UP FOR EVER Khol Pencil #1K
- Apply thick coat of MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash Mascara
Lips
- MAKE UP FOR EVER Glossy Full Couleur #10, a sheer peach
Hair
- Styled by TRESemme and featured double french braids that extended to fishtail braids. Overall, the look was very tribal and worked to complement the collection.
After stopping backstage, we headed to the MAKE UP FOR EVER Lash Lounge Cabana at the Raleigh Hotel where I had custom faux eyelashes made and got my makeup touched up.
Then we made our way over to the Cabana Grande for the Mara Hoffman show. And since all my photos of the show came out looking like this…
I recommend checking out this YouTube video of highlights from the show. To see more photos from our weekend at MBFWSwim, check out my Facebook album.
Special thanks to MAKE UP FOR EVER for securing press credentials for us! We hope to be back again next year.
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I was so excited to see the next Bloggers Do It Better challenge: The Maxi. I love maxi dresses and bought two a few months. At first, my initial excitement for this challenge caused me to overlook an important detail. Upon closer reading, I learned that it had to be a maxi skirt–a spring/summer trend that I honestly wasn’t that crazy about. That is, until I saw this black maxi skirt at Macy’s for $29.99. I thought, what the heck, I will give it a try. Standing there in the fitting room, the skirt really started to grow on me.
This look is very different from something I would normally wear, but this challenge inspired me to give it a try, and I like the way it turned out. This is one of those fold-over skirts, so if I don’t want the high-waisted look, I can fold it down. I’m looking forward to experimenting with this new wardrobe addition.
Skirt: Macy’s Juniors; Top: Target; Sandals: Miss Me (Endless.com); Purse: Asos; Sunglasses: Tom Ford
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The Raleigh Hotel, South Beach
In just a few short days, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM will take over Miami. Kicking off Thursday July 14 and lasting through the weekend, the event will showcase over 25 international designers from Australia, Brazil, Columbia, and the United States.
The Raleigh Hotel, the official host of MBFWswim, will be bustling with some of the world’s most well-known models, editors, photographers, and fashion lovers. Just a sampling of some of the designers that will take over the runways: Diesel, Beach Bunny Swimwear, Mara Hoffman, Aqua di Lara, and Luxe by Lisa Vogel (see the full schedule here).
I am lucky enough to be attending some events and will be covering them on the blog next week. If you do not have insider access to MBFWswim, don’t worry–there are plenty of events open to the public. For example:
MAKE UP FOR EVER lash inspiration
MAKE UP FOR EVER, the official makeup sponsor of MBFWswim for the third consecutive year, will not only be providing makeup application backstage for top swim shows, but they will also be helping local fashionistas embrace summer’s beauty trends. Have difficulty applying faux eyelashes? Want your makeup touched up before heading out on the town? MAKE UP FOR EVER is hosting a “Lash Lounge” Party at Sephora in South Beach for one night only: Saturday July 17th from 4:00-7:00 PM. The public is invited to stop by and design a pair of custom Faux Lashes, and artists will be on hand to provide lash application lessons as well as complimentary makeup touchups. MAKE UP FOR EVER also created a “Miami” lash inspired by the city’s iconic beaches and lush palm trees. Purchase any pair of MAKE UP FOR EVER Faux Lashes for just $15. All customizations are complimentary — choose from nine different lash styles, which can be customized by adding bows, feathers, beads, light dusting or bold pop of color, or special effects like glitter or shimmer. Sephora South Beach, 721 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, tel (305) 532-0904
Head over to the Sun-Sentinel’s Fashion blog for a list of additional events open to the public.
If you’ll be in the area, please do say hi! I’d love to meet you :)
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After last week’s post about the Banana Republic Mad Men collection, I received a few requests for where to find Mad Men-inspired clothing. Looks like I am not the only one to be disappointed with the BN collection. But lucky for us, there are plenty of outlets to find that 1960s style.
Etsy. You could browse for days at all the vintage clothing on Etsy. There are good deals to be had, but keep in mind vintage sizing is different from today’s sizes, and returns can be difficult or just not even possible with many Etsy sellers. Some pieces might be too costumey and would only work if you are dressing up as Betty for Halloween. However, you can get lucky and find something truly amazing and one-of-a-kind. Check out some of these dresses:
Thrift & Consignment Stores. A few weeks ago, I stopped at the Salvation Army to drop off some old clothes. And naturally, I had to browse through the racks to see if I could find any treasures. Sure enough, I walked out with a fits-to-the-T coral pencil skirt and a beige, body-fitting sheath dress. Both reminded me very much of the ladies of Sterling-Cooper-Draper-Pryce. My total? $6. Just remember to inspect clothing carefully before purchasing.
ModCloth. ModCloth is an online boutique with vintage-inspired pieces from indie designers. You might be surprised to find that they have a lot of dresses that are very similar to some of the Mad Men clothing but with a modern twist. Prices can be a bit steep, but if there’s a Betty/Joan/Peggy/etc. dress that you really like and are having a hard time finding something similar, ModCloth might be the place to splurge at. I have purchased from ModCloth in the past and been very happy with my purchases. Here are some Mad Men-look-alikes at ModCloth.
ModCloth Lemon Fizz Dress $274.99
ModCloth Sippin’ Smoothies Dress – $57.99
ModCloth Sweet Little Librarian Dress – $64.99
ModCloth Forever Green Dress – $134.99
ModCloth Band of Sisters Dress – $74.99
ModCloth You’ve Got It Plaid Dress – $69.99
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I wear my nude Marc Fisher heels with almost everything it seems, and they are starting to show some wear and tear. These Huacho Aldo heels have been on my mental wish list ever since I laid eyes on them a few months ago. I love the cutout details and the caged look. Most shoes at Aldo are frightfully too high for me, but these are a comfortable 4-inch height, and I’m a huge fan of slingbacks. I knew these shoes would be the perfect replacement for when it comes time to retire my Marc Fisher heels. It was just a matter of price.
Everything fell into place this weekend. Todd and I were at the mall, and Aldo happened to be having a great sale. The Huacho heels were marked down from $100 to $69.99, plus an extra 30% off of that, so the final sale price came to $48.99. How could I pass up a deal like that? Aldo is still having their Hot Summer Sale, with prices up to 50% off, if you want to check it out.
Hope you had a lovely weekend!
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Banana Republic recently announced that they are teaming up with AMC to produce the first-ever limited edition Mad Men-inspired clothing collection. Janie Bryant, the show’s Emmy Award-winning costume designer, and Banana Republic’s creative director Simon Kneen worked together on the collection. The collection will be sold in Banana Republic stores nationwide and online beginning August 11, 2011.
I have been a big fan of the TV show and consider the clothing to be one of the show’s most alluring aspects. Thanks to the director’s extreme attention to detail and historical accuracy, the show gives today’s generation a window into the style of the ’60s workplace and has inspired people to change or add to their wardrobes. Hence our obsession with Mad Men style.
To help feed that obsession, Janie Bryant designed her own line Mod for QVC. Last summer, before the fourth season’s premiere, Banana Republic didn’t go as far to design a Mad Men-inspired collection, but the store offered “Style Guides,” and mannequins featured the dappy, retro style to offer further inspiration. However, these two efforts to bring Mad Men style to our closets were rather disappointing.
Unfortunately, the Banana Republic collection is no different. After looking through the images of the complete collection, I am sad to say there is nothing in the collection that makes me scream, “Oh! I want that!” like I do when I’m watching the show. Where are the deep purples, the bright hues, the unique details? The silk tie-neck blouse is the only piece I remotely felt any excitement for, but you don’t need a Mad Men-inspired capsule collection to get one of those.
The Banana Republic Mad Men Collection
Is anyone else having a hard time understanding why this collection is so boring? After all, the same woman who wowed us with her designs on TV helped to design this collection. It’s not awful; it’s just not what I expected. Maybe the pieces will look better in person, maybe they look better on TV, in a 1960s set. What do you think of the collection?
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After the rather drab Calypso St. Barth collection, Target could possibly be making up for it with their next designer collaboration: Missoni. The luxury Italian label has been around since 1953 and is known for their zig-zag, swirl, and stripe prints.
The collection debuts September 13, 2011, at all Target stores and Target.com and will be available until October 22, 2011. A Missoni dress could easily cost you upwards of $1,000. The pieces in the Target collection will be priced between $2.99 and $599.99, with most items less than $40. And this is supposedly Target’s biggest designer collaboration collection to date with over 400 pieces including men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and home decor, luggage, linens, dinnerware, and more.
I know what you must be wondering. What could be $599.99 at Target? Word on the street is it’s a Missoni patio furniture set. Furniture? Yes, they went all out on this one.
I’ll be sure to post the lookbook once it’s released, but for now, you can check out some unofficial photos here.
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While in New York, we ate lunch at Cafe SFA, which is on the 8th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. Little did I know that the restaurant shared the floor with the biggest shoe department I have ever seen–so big they say it has its own zip code. Just as I stepped off the elevator, I was greeted by tables and tables of shiny Louboutins. 30% off the regular prices, you say? Hold it right there. Of course I had to try on a few!
Sadly, I left empty-handed. There’s certainly no room in the budget right now for Louboutins, even if they are 30% off. These black kitten heels would have cost me $500!
The sale was not limited to just Louboutins. There were many other designer shoes marked down, and the floor was practically empty! From what I’ve been reading on Twitter, the sale is still happening. So if you’re in the city, I highly suggest stopping by! Note: More details about the Saks sale can be found at Madison Avenue Spy.
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I was in New York City last week for a whirlwind of a trip. My mom was selected to be on the Today show, and she wanted me to go along with my dad and keep her company. Nothing to complain about there! We flew up Sunday morning and flew back Monday night, so that didn’t leave much time for sightseeing, but we did manage to stuff ourselves at the Meatball Shop, shop at H&M, enjoy a Father’s Day dinner at Mesa Grill, and stroll through Central Park.
So how did my mom get on the Today show? I’m really proud of her, so I hope you don’t mind me sharing the story :) My mom entered the “Kick-Start Your Life Today with Marlo Thomas” essay contest, and her essay was selected, along with two other women. This is what she wrote:
I am 52 years old and I want kick-start my life. I’ve already made efforts to do so. My daughter got married a year ago, March 7, 2010, and I helped her plan her wedding. I enjoyed it so much, that I have authored a Wedding Guide which will be published nationwide in May, 2011, and I also have registered at a local college to take classes to become a Certified Wedding Planner starting in June 2011. I would like to work on a part-time basis helping busy brides-to-be plan their weddings. I am 52 years old and I finally found something that inspires me! I have found a purpose, a passion, and now I have a plan. I am on my way to “kick-starting” my life even if it is at the ripe old age of 52!
What’s funny is that when the Today show called my mom about her submission, my mom vaguely remembered writing it, and she had no idea what she would win! Not only did Marlo Thomas, a Today show producer, and camera crew come to Florida to interview my mom, but they also enlisted the help of David Tutera, expert wedding planner and designer, to offer my mom some advice about breaking into the competitive wedding planning industry.
Marlo’s “Kick-Start” series is aimed at helping women who are “stuck” –whether it be due to financial problems, a divorce, or empty nest syndrome–move on to the next phase in their lives. It’s a great series that brings to light the value of women. My mom really enjoyed the whole experience, and she couldn’t be more prepared to start her new career. If you want to watch her segment, it can be found here: TODAY: Kick-start your new, stellar-career.
Hanging out with David before the segment.
David, Mom & Marlo
My Studio Outfit - Skirt: H&M (last seen here); Top: Gap; Purse: Asos; Heels: Enzo Angiolini; Watch: Michael Kors
Lunch with David at Saks Cafe on Fifth Avenue
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Dress: Tibi Jungle Escape (via Rent the Runway); Shoes: BCBG (via DSW); Cuff: New York & Co.
