Fashion Week Countdown

New York fashion week kicks off in just one week and it's finally hit me that it's nearly here! One of the highlights of my job is sending myself on assignment to Fashion Week. This year I'm dragging along our beloved photographer, Robbie.

J. Robert Schraeder is the professional name. You all know his as Robbie or "the Haute Market photographer".

Robbie has been shooting the Haute Market events for almost two years now. He's also done gigs for most of the magazines in Kansas City, many of the fashion shows and even our own KC Fashion Week in Fall 2007. It's only fitting that he steps up to NYC Fashion Week and goes "big time"!

While in New York we'll have a KC pow-wow as we meet up with my friend and fabulous journalist from the KC Star/Indulge Heather Renee, along with photographer Roy Inman.
It's going to be a fabulous trip and amazing week of gorgeous fashion.

Right now...most fun...all the invitations coming in the mail! These are no simple invites. These are intricate, beautiful and not inexpensive.

Kicking off the week of shows is Australian designer, Michael Angel, at 9am Friday the 5th. Michael Angel debuted at NY Fashion week last fall but has been no stranger to the runway in Australia. His Fall '08 collection, in a few words....colorful, strong, bold. I loved it!

Michael's blog shows a very small picture of his spring '09 collection. Such a stinker teasing us in that way!
I see some airy, light fabrics and beautiful, soft colors. EEK! I can hardly wait.

ULTA-mate Makeup Box

ULTA has the ultimate makeup kit for just $19.99. a 50 piece collection valued at $150.
WAIT! With their latest coupon you can get it for even less. Enter promo code 95193 at check out for 20% off any one item.

This collection includes 28 eyeshadows in shades such as Sandstone, Deep Sea, Wisteria Lane and Aztec Gold. 12 lip colors, 4 cheek colors, 2 full size lipsticks, 2 liners, 1 bronzer, 1 translucent powder.
Two full lipsticks in Iced Cappucino and Sheer Berry.
Plus 7 eyeshadow applicators, 2 lip brushes & a travel face brush.

Two layers and major organization and color choice. What a great back-to-school gift for your collegian, birthday gift for a friend and colorful treat for yourself!

Also just in the inbox:
Calling all Smashbox lovers...Get fab in 5 with this set of Smashbox must haves that will leave you looking gorgeous in a flash.

Kit includes: Photo Finish Primer SPF 15 with Dermexyl Complex, Bionic Mascara in Jet Black, new cream eyeliner pencil in Midnight Brown, Photo Op Under Eye Brightener and their new Fusion Eye & Cheek color in On In 5.

A $141 value for just $47.

As Seen on TV

Did you catch the Haute tv time on Kansas City's Fox4 station this morning? If not, we'll have the video posted soon. If so, you're probably wanting more info about finding the great deals I showed you on tv.

I found a few items at Forever 21 a few weeks ago which inspired the idea to do a piece on fashion finds, outfits under $100. Not exactly my forte' as of late, but we all need a challenge.

It was the first time I shopped the store and I wasn't sure I could make it through the racks and racks of clothing. However with my eagle-eye ready I went on a mission and pulled out some pieces that could be used for work, for cocktails and more. Pieces that could pass for a higher priced item, rather than the under $30 versions that they are.

High-waisted Denim pencil skirt $19.80.
I paired it with a white top with a bit of a ruffle down the front and a chic thin black belt at the waist. I couldn't find it online, but did spot a similar style/fit at forever21.com for $19.80.

Part of the challenge is the fit. An expensive item still looks bad on you if it's not the right fit. Don't try to hide parts of your body with baggy clothes. Learn the right shapes and sizes and work with the right silhouette.

Now the fun part, accessorizing. Since I saved such a bundle on the clothes I figured that my hard worked earned a splurge on accessories and extras. However, your fashionista knows how to shop. I found a beautiful pashmina/silk scarf at Frankie & Jules for just $20. A fabulous half-trench jacket at Deegie's Carma, which in the current sale was about $30, down from around $70!!!

Next is the real kicker. The Prada bag that I borrowed. Yes, borrowed! Not from a girlfriend, but from Bag, Borrow or Steal. It's my 5th or so bag from them and I love the concept. I search for the bags I want and borrow them for as long as I like. Instead of dropping $180+0 for a similar style in brown I found at Neiman Marcus, I used a coupon at Bag Borrow or Steal and have the precious purple bag for a month for a mere $150! That's special membership pricing and with a coupon, but still an amazing deal to carry Prada for a while. Get your own Bag Borrow or Steal a PRADA Bag.

I also borrowed two fab bags by Betsey Johnson. One of which I'm going to "steal" for sure. That means that if you love a bag, you let them know you want to keep and and they'll charge it to your account. Simple. Especially great for someone like me who changes her mind, and her handbags, often.

Watch the tv clip!

You're Invited

The next Haute Market shopping party is just around the corner and I hope all the fab fashionistas can attend.
There will be a fabulous fall trends fashion show feauturing outfits you can buy that night from our over 40 vendors and boutiques!

The Why Pink Fashion Show is a fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Why Pink is a new organization that will use a unique photography angle to raise funds for worthy causes.
Get your photo session scheduled today. The photos are done in black and white except for spot coloring of something pink. Use any prop you like. A pink top. Pink handbag. A flower. It's your photo, your creation, and your way to give to the campaign.

The Why Pink photographers will be on hand at the Haute Market event to take your photo! Pose with a friend or on your own. Bring a prop or use one of ours. We'll have lots of fun items to choose from - a pink feather boa perhaps?

Buy tickets today to the best shopping event in Kansas City. Don't be confused by cheap imitations. Haute Market is the the KC metro original, the best and the only one bringing you the hottest trends and fall fashions!

Slave to Sephora

I am addicted to deals. Not just any old deal that comes my way. It's the freebies Sephora adds on to my online orders. It's addictive. I love to place my goodies into my shopping bag then, though I know it's coming, I still act surprised when the "choose your freebies" page comes up! But the absolute best part?!? When the mail arrives! Because, although it's only a few days, I've forgotten that it's coming and forgotten what goodies I chose. It's like having a birthday but getting everything you love!

I get particularly giddy when Sephora sends me the inside scoop on a deal to share with all my fab fashionistas. FREE 10 day trial of bare minerals. A sample of foundation and necessary brush for flawless application can be yours with any Sephora.com purchase. Just use code 10DAY at checkout (while supplies last).

I recently hired my fabulous makeup artist and friend, Staci Broski of 7th Row, to give me a personal makeup consultation (which I highly recommend). She used the Laura Mercier foundation primer and I really liked it. So that will probably be my purchase today in order to claim my bareMinerals freebie.

Get your goodies today before they run out!

Music of Menopause

The Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change®
August 23 – October 26, 2008, Kansas City, MO.

Menopause The Musical® returns to American Heartland Theatre in Crown Center for a special engagement this fall after breaking many records at the theatre two seasons ago.

Set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance, the musical pokes fun at things such as hot flashes, memory loss, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and eating binges. The show is brassy, wacky, and knee-slapping hilarious and runs at American Heartland Theatre August 23 through October 26, 2008.

Upcoming KC metro events:

Plaza Art Fair - September 19, 20 & 21st. Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, MO. Experience the Plaza as it's transformed into and outdoor art gallery. Over 200 talented artists from across the country with treasures to tantalize the eye.

Hours:
Friday, September 19th, 5 pm to 10 pm
Saturday, September 20th, 10 am to 10 pm
Sunday, September 21st, 11 am to 5 pm

Mom Jeans

If you don't know what "mom jeans" are, that could mean one of two things. You do not own them, or you are wearing them now and don't even know it.

How to know if you're wearing mom jeans?
A few signs could be:
~they allow for your "poochy" area to hang out further than your bum sticks out giving the appearance of having a small innertube hidden inside, thanks to the incorporation of pleats.
~the waist band is elastic.
~the top of the jeans meets the bottom of your bra.

If you discover that you indeed have "mom jeans" and you wish to rid yourself of them, please just throw them away. Don't feel you need to give them to someone. If you have mom jeans, chances are you know how to make a quilt out so you can cut the jeans into squares or something more eco-friendly like that. Go for it.

Enjoy this hilarious video spoof from SNL.

Sweet Rockin'

This clever goodie was tantalizing me from my inbox this morning and looked so sweet I was nearly prompted to buy some and bake cookies. Then the mist cleared and I realized the only baking these cute cutters would see is if I gave them as a gift.


The Cookie Chaos set is new from the Punk Rock Kitchen. Each set includes a recipe booklet full of crowd-pleasing cookie recipes like "Max's Kandy Cities," "Peanut Butter Slackers," and "Loft Party Makeouts," suggestions of punk rock tunes to listen to while baking, and a copper guitar cookie cutter.

Check out the "boobtique" at BUST.com for your own set of chaos.

NY Fashion Week Buzz

The show schedule has been posted for New York Fashion Week where top designers will show their spring 2009 collections.

Michael Angel opens Friday morning, Sept. 5th, at 9am. Next up, one of my favorites, BCBG Max Azria. Last February Max showed us loads of subdued hues for fall. The constant: belts. No matter the design, it was belted. From soft flowing frocks to silhouette hugging ensembles, all belted and all showing a waistline.
A few pleated looks and many wearable designs graced the runway showing us a stunning and slightly more mature version of BCBG.

(Photos courtesy of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week)

How to wear it now?
Start small and work your way up. You don't have to pull off the exact look.

Try a simple BCBG top like the cotton poplin top for $118 at bcbg.com (left). Collared with front buttons, tiered cap sleeves and empire waist. A flattering and forgiving design suitable for many body types.


Step it up a notch. Start with some layers and a belt like this example from Macys.com, a short-sleeved jersey top. Not exactly the flowing fabrics of BCBG, but a good starting point.




Need a work look? Try this belted shirtdress from Macys.com (was $64, now just $38.40) and, since you're saving so much money on such a value item, add a fabulous jacket like this one found at Overstock.com by Cynthia Rowley for $149.99.


Don't forget to finish the outfit with fabulous shoes! Make me proud now fashionistas.

Fab Friday Fashions Under $100

For all you fab fashionistas gearing up for a shop this weekend, here are some fab Friday finds for under $100!
INC International Concepts Ruffled Henley $49 at macys.com. A versatile top with a bit of ruffle that can be dressed up under a jacket for work, or worn with jeans for a casual encounter. My favorite: machine washable.

Pair with a pencil skirt and these cute shoes in black/white by BGBGirls at Overstock.com, on sale for $69.99 - regular retail price $110.

Have an outdoor outing to attend? There are still some great concerts about town and you need a cool, yet hip look - not cut off jeans and a tube top please. Try this Lucky Brand Jeans Embroidered Camisole also at macys.com $78

Complete your look with these Utopia Sunglasses $88 at Lucky Brand Jeans. Offering 100% UVA/UVB protection, these sunglasses feature rock star-style wraparounds with open-end piece design. Peace symbol and Lucky clover at both ends of left temple.

Miss Sixty News

I am giddy with this latest news.

Fans of international fave, Miss Sixty, will celebrate this September. Miss Sixty has announced its partnership with Italian retailer Yoox for international e-commerce. It will launch just one day after the Miss Sixty Spring 2009 show on Sunday, September 7 in The Tent at Bryant Park.

The site will feature original content, including video and images from the show, celebrity sightings and product. Additionally, it will exclusively sell a limited-edition T-shirt

I'll do my best to get into the show and get some great footage to show all of you immediately so that you'll know what to expect to see on YOOX.com in just a few short weeks.

Great Hump-Day Deal

The Deluxe 5-piece gift featuring the very best of Prescriptives is free with purchase.

Receive a full-size Colorscope lipcolor in Posh Ginger (warm) or Rose Glow (cool), plus travel sizes of Colorscope Lip Gloss in Sporty (warm) or Sassy (cool), false eyelashes Plush Mascara in black, Super Line Preventor Xtreme and a luxury cosmetic bag.

Top Picks is FREE with any foundation or moisturizer purchase of $32.50 or more at Prescriptives.com.* Simply use offer code WARM for the Warm Set and COOL for the Cool Set at checkout to redeem this offer. *One per customer. Offer valid while supplies last.

Save The Date

The next Haute Market shopping party in Kansas City will be held October 9th, from 5-9 pm. Save the date on your calendar now. It might seem far away but it will be here before you know it.

Exciting new addition!
A Fall Trend Fashion Show for the Why Pink campaign, raising funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Raffle prizes spa services, boutique gift certificates and so much more!
This fashion show will not feature stick thin models 2 decades younger than our average guest. Nope, our models will be some of our guests, friends, store customers...real women wearing real clothes.

Pre-sale starts this week for our newsletter subscribers. Open everyone for purchase next week.

Summer Sales

My friends at Deegie's Carma just posted notice about further price reductions at their temporary pop-up store!
My hubby and I checked out the pop-up store a few weeks ago and spent a wad of cash on all the great designers deals. Hubby likes the Ben Sherman shirts. I think his was reduced so much that they paid us for it.
I scored some white Eight 14 jeans. I love this brand of jeans. I have to get them taken up about 3 1/2 feet because they are so long, and at the waist as well because apparently 7 foot models also have no waist definition. Aside from that, I love them. Since I've scored these on sale, it's not that big a deal to pay for altering. Remember...fit is IT.

Also in the shopping basket was a Diesel dress note here on a previous blog post.

Lots of great deals to be enjoyed at Deegie's Carma.

Designer Lusts

The bug has be in it's dirty little clutches this morning. With NY Fashion Week just a few weeks away my eyes have turned to seeking the great designer clothes on sale now. I've seriously been so obsessed this morning that I didn't realize it was 9 am and I hadn't yet posted a blog. I figured I'd take the easy way out and take you shopping with me.

Let's get on over to net-a-porter.com. Don't worry, it's not far. And I don't even have my contacts in yet, let alone in proper shopping attire, so join me in your pj's and let's have a look.

I've just added this darling Marc by Marc Jacobs dress to my shopping bag ($184 down from $368). I'm not sure how it will look on me, but I cannot resist the soft look of the navy velvet. It may be a bit much for September in NY, but it can't hurt to have it shipped to me for a try-on.

Oh but wait...this is a bit more summer-ish and I love the vibrant colors. Twisted-front dress by Single, just $189 down from $315. However it won't take me into fall as easily and I'd feel better if I could wear it at least twice.

Oh dear...here is another. Now my friends will have a good laugh because I'm probably going to be mocked as I said I wouldn't be caught dead in leggings after the mental scars of the 80's, but I might have to endure some scary deja vu to have this beautiful jersey dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim. Perhaps on my short self this dress will fall above the knee as the details claim and then I can carry on my ban of leggings. Was $430, now $215 at net-a-porter.com.

As you can tell, there are some fabulous discounts to be had online and in stores now. A few pointers on sale shopping: don't buy it just because it's on sale. Buy it because you will wear it, or it's not a savings at all.
Remember that you can often have jeans hemmed, taken in at the waist, etc. But once altered, it's yours, so be sure it can be altered correctly.
Enjoy!

A Sunny Idea

Who knew that sun protection could be washed right into your clothes? Not me, obviously. They say it won't change the color of your clothing. Clothing that apparently may not be shielding us from the sun like we thought.



For example, a typical white T-shirt is rated UPF 5. A single treatment with Rit Sun Guard is said to boost the t-shirts rating to UPF 30. UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) describes the capability of the fabric to prevent UV rays from reaching the skin. It is relatively equivalent to SPF ratings for sunscreen.



Wow. Again, who knew? And I thought it was best to put the kids in a thin white t-shirt outdoors.

There Aint No Sun On Me

August is here in a literal blaze of glory. Well, glory is stretching it a bit because I don't recall saying so many derogatory words about other glorious occurrences. We've spent more in the last two summers getting new air conditioner parts than the price of a pony-hair Dolce & Gabbana handbag, and the purse is WAY cuter than the dang a/c unit. Probably not as cool.

So what are we to do with this heat wave and piercing sun rays? Protect of course!
Sunscreen is a must. Moisturizer with sunscreen, foundation with sunscreen. You can even mist your face later with a sunscreen.


Finally, wear a hat if you are really going to protect your face. After seeing how much it's going to cost to treat the sunspots I have from years of sunscreen free swimming as a youth, ugh! Who knew a dang hat could have saved me so much! This and other cute, physician endorssed hats available at Dermadoctor.com.

Lastly...one hot outift for this crazy heat:

I love this halter top at Dillards, $68. Just a bit of beaded decor at the top, but a light-weight little number, in this lapis color or black.

Several other halter style tops there that I liked by Michael Kors and BCBGMAXAZRIA. Keep cool, look hot.

Check back tomorrow for more ways to beat the heat, the UV rays, and look great doing so!

Designer Bag Sale!!

Life is good when designer bags are on sale.

Fresh into my email box is this fabulous note, from MadisonAvenueMall.com, about a few dozen bags they have at ridiculously low prices. Well, not incredibly ridiculous considering they aren't this season's handbags. But all the same...if you're dying to own a real Marc Jacobs or Prada bag...now is the time.

This Marc Jacobs Elise bag is just $399. That's about 1/2 off original retail.

This Prada for $299. Sporty little should-bag number it is. Strap can be shortened to carry as a handbag. Lots of deals to "bag" if you act quickly!