Vote for Haute Market

Since you may be in a voting mood today, help Haute Market win it's campaign to be Best Shopping Blog.

Go here to vote: http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/43888
You need to register, but don't worry, it's quick and easy. I've not received any other mail from them, so it's not like it put me on an annoying spam list.
Log in, vote and spread the word.


If you vote for us, email us and let us know your name, address, email addy and your voting screen name on the blogger choice awards. We'll enter you in our contest to win a pair of these Chic Buds. Ear buds for your ipod, mp3, etc.
Adorned with swarovski crystals (price color may vary from picture).
Donated by All Things Beaded in Overland Park, KS.

Drawing will be done next Monday, Nov. 10th at noon CST and the winner announced in our Nov. 11th newsletter (subscribe here).

Must be 21 or over and a legal resident of the United States. Haute Market not responsible for misdirected emails/entries. One entry per person. No cash value, cannot be exchanged for cash or other prizes.

The new name

It's almost here...what is it?

Find out soon!

Fashionable Friday Deals

Don't let the rumors of a bad economy spook you. If gas is down to $2 a gallon, can things really be so bad?

Here are your Fab Friday deals to start your weekend off with a treat instead of a trick:

Gap - Women's SALE like this cute ruffle-neck tank with floral print for just $17.99. Limited sizes available.

Or this great cardigan, made of soft merino wool. Was $68, now just $32.99. Also available in a nice cream color and in several sizes.



Here is a great one-day offer:


Other offers:

20% off EVERYTHING at Chicos.com. Offer valid 10.30.08 to 11.02.08. Use code 6156.


Save an additional 15% on sale & clearance at the Onlineshoes.com Spooktacular Sale. Shop the incredible selection of scary savings! Hurry, offer ends Friday October 31.

Smashingly good deal!

My inbox had another great beauty deal inside today!
Ulta has this fabulous SMASHBOX kit at a crazy-low price.

A must- have eye, cheek and lip color palette with nearly 100 shades of Smashbox favorites! Take your look from daytime chic to evening drama flawlessly.
Perfect to give as a gift or keep for yourself.


Palette includes:
70 shadows
8 cream eyeliners
8 lipglosses & 4 lipcolors
2 blush shades
brow techsoft lights
4 brushes

Free shipping when you buy the above item.
Plus get $5 off purchases of $10 or more with code 96306.

A Beautiful Thing

A baby's first smile, a warm cloudless day....
a great shoe?
My babies are fighting, not smiling.
The sky is actually cloudless, for the moment.
It's the shoe that got me today.
DSW sent yet another fabulous deal to my inbox. 25% off online clearance shoes! ACK. Grab a credit card and get online!
I spied this fab shoe that comes in seven different colors and patterns.

It's a 3 3/4" inch heel, not for the faint of foot. Will probably make legs look elongated and fabulous. No doubt worth buying two or three with that in mind. On sale for $54.94. Use code SAVE4 at check out for another 25% off. By golly that's only $41.21. Almost half the original price! Beautiful.

Grand Opening Celebration

GRAND OPENING !!
Join us for a Day of Celebration,Fashion & Fun!!
Caleb's Lighthouse...A Sea of Beads
DATE: Wednesday October 29th
TIME: 10 am-8pm
LOCATION: 6421 W. 119th St. Overland Park,KS 66209
Located in The Fountains Shopping Center
By the Cheesecake Factory & across the street from Sprint

Demos all day : How to make earrings,necklaces,bracelets and more. You'll want to check out Debby's new Flat Spiral Crystal Bracelet demo 2-6pm.

Day of Design: Bring in your favoritetop, cocktail dress or other outfit and the friendly & knowledgeable staff of accomplished jewelry designers will find just the right beads to create your own one-of -a -kind piece!

Gorgeous Finished Jewelry: There is a wonderful selection of handcrafted pieces made by local jewelry designers..perfect for gift giving..or for you!!

Trunk Shows: Laura Timmons of Vintage Moon Creations ,check out her beautiful jewelry and trendy tops. Michelle Barta, from Lawrence, with her gorgeous leather peyote stich cabachon cuff bracelets. Plus hand-crafted glass bead artists .


Raffle Giveaways all day!!
Win finished Jewelry,free bead insruction/room rental for 10
Coffee &Pastries in Morning

Hor d'ouevres & a Bead-a-lini drinks, the Best Bead Bar in Town

Triple Your Pleasure

If you are a lucky DSW rewards member like I am, then join me in receiving triple points now through Oct. 26th in stores and online! I have scored some fabulous Michael Kors shoes at DSW lately.

This boot caught my eye with it's crushed velvet and croc print. The Luichiny Hemangi Stretch Velvet Boot is only $59.95 online.

Happy shopping!

Heart Throb

My trusty UPS guy dropped off another box. Honestly, I had no idea what it was.
The Haute Market event had just passed and that usually means the constant door bell ringing would too cease.
At further inspection it was revealed that the box was yet another from Avelle - the new Bag Borrow or Steal. That's odd. I just returned the fashion show bags to them.
Oh dear....some people drink and dial.....did I drink and online shop again? It happens.

I tore into the box. Oh yes...I borrowed a Betsey Johnson bag. Yet I could not remember which one. As I opened the dust bag the shiny black patent leather bag shone back at me. My heart started pounding and my breath fell short....it was ADORABLE! My gawd I have good taste! The Betsey Johnson Ms. Mod rooomy hobo is better in person than online. This great tote is adorned with a sweater-like scarf that snakes in and out of the sides of the bag and ties in a neat little bow at the front. I am in love. You'd better hope they have more in stock because this borrowed bag has become stolen! (only $40 per month w/ membership!)

Hot Products

We love local Kansas City based company, DERMAdoctor, so our beauty contributors have put together a page of our top product picks. Check it out!
DERMAdoctor Hot Products

Fab Friday

We have loads of new deals on the Diva Deals web page. Local discounts, online discounts!
Check it out and save!!


Stock up early on some stocking stuffers and teacher gifts with this fabulous discount! 25% off total order thru 10/31/08. Code: FABFORLESS





I can always use a great babysitter. Trouble is, it's hard to find one that can take care of three little boys. If you live in the Kansas City area, Ella's Silver Spoon Sitters is here to help. They are offering FOUR FREE hours of babysitting for new customers that are friends of Haute Market!


More on the Diva Deals page!

It's Fashion Week

L.A. Fashion Week is wrapping up, Project Runway has had it's finale and soon celebrities will be jet-setting to the next affair.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in L.A. is a fabulous spring affair giving us great glimpses of the upcoming fashions. The Ed Hardy collection was especially colorful and busy with models wearing uber-long nails in yellows and oranges.

Kevan Hall's collection (photo left) was a beautiful and classy look full of femininity, leaving me hoping for some fabulous party invites in the spring for an excuse to wear his designs.

Lauren Conrad also showed at LA Fashion Week. Her collection featured full-skirted mini dresses, longer dresses of flowing fabric and a fresh spring color palette. Of course many celebs were there to cheer her on.

A month ago, in New York, the Project Runway designers faced off for the finale and a chance at hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of prizes.



Read more...

Wrapped up

I am loving the scarves this season. They are in every store I visit, available in every fabric known to man, and in so many patterns that it's hard to choose just one or five! Check out today's pick:

Tolani Oblong Paisley Scarf The hottest accesory of the moment. Worn and adored by the stars…the Tolani Scarf comes in the most gorgeous prints. This Tolani Oblong Paisley Scarf in Red has an allover paisley print and cute fringe detail. Super soft and comfy, you're sure to fall in love with this celebrity favorite.

On With the Show!

Our fashion show started a bit late, as is the norm for fashion shows. However, it was well worth the wait once our fab models hit the runway in the latest fall fashions! Take a quick peek:

Save the Shoes!

One secret to keeping my very small closet well organized so that I can buy even more shoes and boots is the ShoeStor storage boxes.
These clear plastic boxes are genius! You can store shoes, boots...even handbags! The clear view sides make it so much easier to find just the right accessory.

I used to keep shoes in their original shoe boxes, but then I had to pull them out of the stacks, open the boxes, etc. Now with just a glance I can find what I'm looking for and get ready that much more quickly.
Plus, my shoes and handbags don't get thrown around the closet, smashed or dusty. For just a few dollars per accessory, mine can last longer!

Haute Party tonight!

It's finally here! I've been a slacking blogger thanks to all the preparations that have to be done last minute, but I promise you it's worth it. The Haute Market shopping party, tonight in Overland Park, Kansas, is going to be fabulous! Get your girlfriends and come for a night of power-shopping and indulgence.

Complimentary massages and makeup touch-up all night long.

A fall trends fashion show for the Why Pink campaign and amazing raffle prizes with all proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

A limited number of tickets are still available at the door for $15. Please join us for a great night. You deserve it!

New Diva Discounts!

Hey ladies...we have loads of great new discounts available for you! Make sure you have your Diva Discount card on your key chain at all times. You don't want to miss out on some of the local deals.

New deals on our site!

Discounts at Two Chic Blvd., TeaMoka and more!

Loads of new online discounts from national companies! Clinique.com, Shoes.com and more!

How to get yoru card: make sure you have subscribed to our newsletter. Take the coupon on the newsletter to the Haute Market event to pick up your card.

Tv Today

Haute Market got another tv plug as I featured more fall trends on FOX4 TV. Check out the video for a sneak peek at the fall looks you can buy for less at the next Haute Market shopping party!

Fab Friday - essentials

Need some fab outfits for the Haute Market or other fashion events this week? Treat yourself to some fabulous frocks that will last you through this, and possibly future seasons.

This satin, v-neck dress at Yoox.com is by Mochino Jeans. It's a great basic type piece, but with a bit of interesting detail. Would look gorgeous with a colorful trench! Currently $168 at yoox.com.

This is a great basic black ruffle top that is also very versatile. On sale at yoox.com for $48, was $310! Wear it under a vest, trench or on it's own with some great jeans and colorful shoes.

Another great basic is this black sheath dress at Macys.com, on sale for $104. Dress it up for work, glam it up for cocktails. Zips up the back, hits just above the knee.

Plaid is always in for the cold-weather months in some form or another. Get a great cropped wool jacket like this one from JNKS, right here in the KC metro area and a vendor at the next Haute Market event.

Giving Great Prizes!

Jack FM at 105.1 on your dial has been giving away great Haute Market prize packages all week long! Congratulations to our recent winners of the pack of two Haute Market admission tickets and two $50 gift cards for Avelle - The New Bag Borrow or Steal! Let us know what you borrow with your credit!

Lunch-time lift anyone?

In this give-it-to-me-now age of speedy drive-thru's from everything like lunch to coffee to meds...could drive through face-lifts be far off? The lunch-time lift is as common as actually eating during lunch time used to be.
"Would you like ketchup or topical anesthetic with that mam?"

I can visualize a Starbucks-ish corner location with mini-vans lined up as far as the street and local authorities can handle.
"I'll take the number 11 please"
No, that's not a big-mac, it eliminates the "elevens" between the eyebrows.
And it can be done at drive-thru speed. I've been in and out in under 20 minutes for a Botox refresher between the brows. Still had time for the burger and fries.

So why not do it drive-thru style? I could drive up, lay my seat back so that the esthetician can sit in the seat behind me, administer and shoot off to the next car in line. They could partner with a local sandwich shop and take my order while I'm being pricked, then I pay at the next window and pick up my lunch. I think it's genius! You read it here first fashionistas. No more choosing lunch versus lift. You can have your cake and eat it too!

To do, or not-to-do...

In reviewing the sick amount of money we wasted over the weekend, I thought a to-do and to-not-do would be good for this Monday morning.

My not-to-do:
Our family visited the Kc Renaissance Fest. Had it not taken almost 30 minutes to get there, park and walk 1/2 mile to the gates I would have demanded we leave when I saw it was nearly $18 for an adult to get in. So for all 5 of us (one was under age limit and didn't have to pay) was just over $50. That includes nothing. Just the privelege of walking around. Then we dropped another $60-70 on drinks and snacks, a few games for the kids. I mean really....I could see paying a tenner to get in. But $18?
So I could have bought advance tickets for a few bucks less. If I'd tried that we would not have gone in the first place.

So, sad to say...the Ren Fest did not live up to expectations and show value for our $100+ 4 hours. We only stayed that long because I refused to not walk every path in search of something worth seeing.
I'm sorry to bag on such a KC tradition...but there has to be value equal to the amount one pays to attend.

Other things going on to put on your to-do list:
Monday, Oct. 4th - Complete Your Sytle, Complete your Look .
Caleb's Lighthouse, A Sea of Beads:
Local jewelry designers will be able to assist you in designing the latest trends in jewelry
Bring in an outfit we can help you accessorize..you can make the jewelry yourself in the bead boutique or we will custom design a piece of fabulous jewelry for you.
Handcrafted, one-of-a-kind necklaces,bracelets and earings made by local jewelry designers are always available.
We have the best Bead Bar in Town..come in for a Bead-a-lini Happy Hour 5-7pm.
jewelry making all day long.

Damage Control

I have decided that I should take my role as a responsible member of the media in a more serious manner (yeah, whatever) because it's possible that things I say/write, could be taken too literally (by an eegit).
In some cases, things I have said or done have been taken quite seriously so I'm going to make sure I'm careful about my rantings. Case in point...my dear husband. He's a bit of a male fashionisto. He's quite on top of the men's trends, brands and such. And, apparently, he occasionally listens to me. He commented this morning that he's now finding himself checking out the handbags of his female co-workers, trying to see if the C's on the Coach bags line up on the seams (real) or if they just cut off and start at a new place on the pattern (fake).

Unfortunately most of them are fake. Which in a way, is nice, because he realizes my rantings were not unfounded, that we are truly dealing with a knock-off epidemic in our area. So...girls in the communications company campus (I feel I shouldn't put the co. name here)....you are hereby put on notice, because you are being noticed.

To all of you out there....if you can't afford the real thing, don't buy the fake. There are some fabulously cute bags at Target right now that would do more for your personal styling efforts. Except for my one friend who simply bought hers because it's very cute and colorful and she doesn't give a damn what I say about it....you go girl. ;)

Pedi's and Printz

There are some editors and photographers who choose to endure fashion week the easy way. .. with sneakers and otherwise comfortable, but not fashionable, shoes.
I chose the blistering, painful route of stilettos and platform sandals. Yet this fashion season I was spared the pain because of my new found love....Printz. Of course I also indulged in the ritual of my mid-fashion week massage (Hey, I'm a suburbian. We don't walk, we drive our minivans. I needed a pick-me-up).
In addition to the massage that helped my screaming calves, the Printz shoe pads by Apara saved the day, for 5 days in a row, through 9 pair of shoes.

These little pads are perfect comfort for the feet. I could not have paraded around the tents without them. I tried, the first day. I don't know if I was rushed and forgot the Printz or what. It was horrible. I had to soak my feet in ice cold water when I finally limped back to the hotel room. From then on I had Printz in my shoes and an extra pair in my Prada.

I get my Printz at the local DSW. Two pair per cute little purse shaped box. Also available at select stores online.

The Emmy Ladies (and their dresses!)

Sunday night should be a night of relaxation as you recharge for the work-week. Not for me. I spend it fast-forwarding through the speeches and stupid skits (had to tivo some of the show to play "mommy" before getting back to fantasy-fashionista land) so that I can dissect the dresses of the evening.

Wow! Glamour abounds at the Emmy's. So many beautiful looks and so little time to talk about them.

One of my favorite gowns was the Carolina Herrera worn by Jennifer Love Hewitt. She was bagged on in another blog this morning for this white gown with braided black lines. I thought the gown was stunning, it was her hair that was anything but fierce. Looked more like she'd just had a romp in the hay, if you catch my drift. (photo 2008 Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com)



Christina Applegate was absolutely lovely in this one-shoulder, draped blue and gold dress from the Reem Acra Spring 2009. She looked radiant and full of health considering her recent cancer scare. (photo 2008 Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com)

I think I lost track of Heidi Klum's gowns. I believe she wore eight throughout the evening, but I could be mistaken.

Sandra Oh was another lady of the evening with a dress to die for. Her Oscar de la Renta was a masterpiece of lace. Very classy.

I love the new sleek bob on Kate Walsh (Private Practice). On stage her dress didn't look nearly as stunning as it did outside in the daylight. The mermaid looking gown was created by Zuhair Murad.

Definitely a night of stars and stunning gowns!

Fab Friday Friends Contest

How many friends do you have? Not many? Yeah...me neither. But pretend if you must because you need to tell all the women you know about Haute Market's fabulous weekly newsletter, fashion and beauty articles, and amazing shopping parties.

Refer a friend week!
Send the newsletter to your friends. For each one that subscribes and lists your first and last name as the referrer, you both get entered into the contest to win gift certificates to American Laser Center in Lee's Summit, MO. One for you ($500) and one for a friend ($450).

How?
Open the most recent newsletter we sent to you. Click on the Forward Email link at the bottom. Send to all of your friends and make sure you include a note that they must list you, by first and last name, as the referrer. You get an entry for each litsed referral and that friend also goes into the contest.

This contest ends Friday, Sept. 26th at 12:00 pm CST.

More prizes coming with more chances to win. Share the love and maybe even a prize package!

Shop for a Cause

If you love shopping, you won't want to miss Macy's annual Shop For A Cause on Saturday, September 20th. For just $5, you can purchase a one-day shopping pass good at any area Macy's.

The Shop For A Cause pass entitles you to save 20% off regular, sale, and clearance priced apparel, jewelry, houseware, and technology items. You can also save 10% off regular and sale priced furniture, mattresses, and rugs.

To purchase your all day shopping pass in the KC area, please contact Michele Pfeiffer at mpfeiffer@safehome-ks.org or 913-378-1512. One hundred percent of the tickets sold by SAFEHOME will benefit victims of domestic violence in our community.Click Here To Learn More About This Shopping Event

Binging at Bloomies

My recent trip to Fashion Week proved to be a much more successful shopping excursion than my last season trip. Now that I've "been there done that" I learned how to carve time out of the busy catwalk schedule to get in some much needed NYC shopping.

After lusting after my friends DVF dress I decided I MUST have one. I was on a mission and on my way to Bloomingdales. I fell in love with this Diane Von Furstenberg "Olivier" dress. Cap sleeve, all over negative floral printed wrap dress. Shoulder and sleeve in lace detail throughout. A-line skirt. $365 at Bloomingdales. A bit of a binge shopping trip indeed.

Then I stopped by the MAC cosmetics area for some number 33's. Lashes that is. I was fixed right up and ready to go. Changed into my new dress, killer heels and lusty eyes and marched myself down into the subway and back to Bryant Park. I even have my own Metro Pass. New York is growing on me Toto. This Dorothy may go back to Kansas kicking and screaming.

Save the Date

As Haute Market is based in the Kansas City area, I like to post some of the great events happening in the metro.
Here are a few things to jot down on your calendar:

Plaza Art Fair, September 19th, 20th & 21st.
I'm reminded of my anniversary each autumn, not usually because I simply remember, but because I got married the weekend they held the Plaza Art Fair. This three day affair is always a delight as top artists from around the country set up their tents and show off their creations.

While beautiful alone, the visual arts aren’t the only treat for the senses. The culinary, musical, and interactive arts also delight art fair attendees. With delicious food, wonderful music and interactive art experiences for all ages, something fantastic is awaiting discovery around every corner.
Friday 5pm to 10pm
Saturday 10am to 10pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm

Kansas City Week of Fashion - Oct. 2-9, 2008
A week of fashion related events all over the metro area. From Overland Park, to Raymore to the Crossroads District, there is fashion everywhere in our fair city. Includes Wearhaus's first Thursday trunk show at the Velvet Dog downtown Oct. 2 and the Haute Market shopping party and fall trends fashion show oct. 9.

Fashion Week Wraps

Fashion Week is soon coming to a close but not until this day filled with fabulous fashion shows is through.
Right about now people are shoving their way into the Tent to watch the final three of Project Runway show their latest collections in hopes of winning the competition.

Also on board for today:
Carmen Marc Valvo, The Tent (2:00PM)
Carmen Marc Valvo lifestyle collection boasts fierce femininity for every age and famed tailoring offered in everything from evening wear to sportswear to swim to sunglasses and lingerie.
Expected celebrities to attend: Emmy Rossum, Vanessa Williams, Jaime King, Tamara Tunie, Leven Rambin, Laura Bell Bundy.

Also at 2pm in an off-site location on Greenwich Street is Donna Karan's Spring/Summer '09 collection.

A star studded affair at 4pm.
Badgley Mischa, The Promenade.
Celebrities expected to attend: Brooke Shields, Heather Graham, Molly Sims, Danity Kane, Amanda Beard (Olympic Gold Medalist), Nastia Liukin (Olympic Gold Medalist), Carmelo Anthony (Olympic Gold Medalist), Emma Stone, Amy Grant, Jason Biggs, Jamee Gregory, Ivana Trump, Nathalie Kaplan, Cornelia Guest, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Ramona Singer, Kelly Bensimon, Nina Griscom, Nathalie Kaplan, Carol Mack, Naty Abascal and Tinsley Mortimer.

Fashion Followers

A few more celeb sightings for your Thursday morning...
Mary Kate Olsen attends the Rock and Republic show at the Tent in Bryant Park - actually smiling several times and appearing to be enjoying herself with seatmates Jessica Szohr and Chace Crawford. Loads of the young and hip looked on as R&R put on another fabulous runway fete. Of course the cell phones were passed around and the cool kids laughed about some unknown text joke, but otherwise they were perfectly well mannered.

Also in attendance was hottie Robert Buckley from the hit show Lipstick Jungle. I'm sorry I missed that sighting!

Fashion Week: Celebrity Sightings

If you've ever seen the paparazzi stalking around for celebrities, you know it's an eerie feeling. They were everywhere at New York Fashion Week just waiting for any celeb to come their way. Inside the tents it wasn't quite so bad, but you definitely knew when an A-lister was in the house because the place lit up with camera flashes like the fourth of July for about 60 seconds.

The Haute Market team made several sightings to share with you, but managed to do it from afar instead of the in-your-face treatment the starts usually get.

From left to right:

1-Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. (photo by J. Robert Schraeder)

2-Me with Jack Mackenroth, known for his too-short stay on Project Runway. What you may not know is that he is an All American swimmer. Hence the great bod. (more about Jack later)
3- Nina Garcia was kind enough to stop for a quick pic with me. Love her turquoise gems!

More coming in the coming days!

Box, Jab, Lose That Flab

Haute Market has partnered with Title Boxing Club here in KC to find out what the talk is all about. Be trained by "real" boxing and kick-boxing professionals and benefit from their real-life experience, not by someone who's read about it.

And how can a diva resist when they offer PINK boxing gloves?!? I might even get off my arse and give it a kick. Don't worry, we would definitely video tape the experience, if it actually occurs, so you could all have a good laugh! I think we should organize a lovely bitch-fight in their 18 x 18 ring and see what happens. New Haute Market event maybe? Hmmm...maybe not.

In just a few short weeks Title Boxing Club will open a bigger and better Overland Park, KS location since they have already become so popular and outgrown the original. Also located in Lee's Summit, Missouri!

Go get your gloves on girls. Get fit! Get a TITLE body.

Fashion Week Update

Happy Monday morning! It's mild and NOT raining in NYC today so I'm pleased as punch to get on over to the tents and see what other fabulous frocks will be sent down the runways.

Yesterday I spent some girlfriend time with my best friend who flew in to join me for a few days. We found 5th avenue and our budgets went to hell in a hand basket faster than you can say Prada. Speaking of which...it was my first time in Prada and I absolutely fell in love. All of those beautiful bags lined up and waiting for me to take them home...it was too much excitement for me. I couldn't decide as I loved almost all of them, so bought my favorite perfume for now. I'll be back Prada. Don't you worry.

Bag Borrow or Steal (who have changed their name to Avelle) gave me a fabulous bag to carry around at fashion week. I didn't know what bag they were sending over, so it was a major surprise to find this limited edition Louis Vuitton waiting for me at my hotel!

This Louis Vuitton 'Graduate' Monogram Jokes Tote is emblazoned with jokes dear to Richard Prince, the Graduate bag represents the essence of this artist from New York. Features a combination of acid colors and monogram canvas with karung snakeskin trim.

Thank you friends at Bag Borrow or Steal for lending me an amazing bag for my fashion week trip! I loved the surprise and definitely love the bag.

Keep checking back for fabulous fashion updates on the blog all week. Great news and trends will be seen on the newsletter tomorrow morning. Make sure you are subscribed!

Fab Friday in the Big Apple

Good morning fashionistas! I'm checking in from the tents at Bryant Park where it's been back to back shows for the last three hours. Fabulous collection, as always, from my man Max and BCBGMAXAZRIA. Soft silhouettes and flowing fabrics. I love the loose fitting fabrics that will be forgiving. Bright fuchsia, teal and more graced the runway.

I'd love to tell you more but we must get in line for the Duckie Brown show. Rumor has it that Brad Pitt may be sitting front row. It's not just the clothes at fashion week!

NYC Ready!

Today is the day. Finally I'm off to New York Fashion Week again. It's Spring '09 at fashion week and the tents at Bryant Park will be hopping.

It's packing day right here at fashionista central. I have a dilemma. Do I stuff it all in one suitcase and risk having to pay extra for being over the weight limit, or just bring a second bag and pay extra for that, not having to squash everything? The added bonus of an extra bag is possibly having room for all the goodies I'll score on my shopping excursions. Also, as I'm staying with a friend for a few days and she has a 4th floor walk up. Yes, this means no elevator. All stairs. This is common in New York. It's foreign in my world. I'm not sure I can walk four flights with my handbag in tow, let alone two pieces of luggage. Oh, scratch that. Three pieces of luggage. I also have a carry on. Cripes!

While I ponder my possibilities I'll share with you a morning funny....
My husband and eldest boy came downstairs with curious looks on their faces.
"Mom, why do you need 8 pair of shoes if you're only there for 5 days?" (eight...what happened to the other two?!?)
Eight years old and already perplexed by the female species. Men, they just don't get it. Good thing they didn't notice the 4 or 5 handbags packed in there. And we won't event start with the outfits. Two per day at least! I love New York!!!

Brrrrr....

Fall (or possibly winter) just hit here in the Kansas City area. If it weren't raining I'd be a bit more excited. I love fall because it's just the right weather for wearing some layers and fabulous jackets. I've scored three fabulous jackets in the past week!

This khaki cropped trench by Fillmore was a huge diva deal for me as I picked it up for such a pittance at the huge Deegies Carma sale. Last time I was in, they had just one left, but there are several places online that carry it.
The photo shows the tie in the back. I prefer it in front, but either way, it accentuates the waist and gives you better shape.

Unfortunately the weather in NYC is supposed to be warm this week for Fashion Week. But that just means I have more room to pack handbags and shoes without all my jackets hogging the luggage space!

Shoe Whore Strikes Again

Shoe shopping is one of my new favorite hobbies. It gets slightly out of control at times, and we need to extend the house in order to make a larger closet, but it's all in the good name of fashion. A few of my recent finds:

Two Lips Two Lips Bitten Reptile Platform Sandal, mine are in all gray. $59.95 online at DSW.com, but mine were on sale in the store, I think it came to $20-30. These are a little bit tight fitting but well worth the wiggling to get into them. Ooh la la! Bakers has them online for $39.99 in brown. These will look hot with so many of my planned fashion week outfits that I can't decide which to pair them with!



Madden Girl's Lyisa Menswear Print Platform, just $39.95 at DSW. The purple colors follow the fall fashion trends and give a bit of oomph to an otherwise plain-ish black dress I'll wear them with. Patterened fabric upper, covered high heel and low platform, Also in a blue/brown/green version. I found them elsewhere on the web, but non as low priced as DSW. Zappos.com is $58, endless.com is $49.95.

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.