It's offically a SNOW DAY

You can say I am enjoying every minute of this snow day. I caught up on the past few episodes of KELL ON EARTH and then met a friend for hot chocolate at the delicious Hungarian Pastry shop.  The rest of my night consists of oatmeal cookies, tea and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

I was hoping to catch up on life today - but there's always tomorrow, right? I finally explored Polyvore and created my perfect 'Snow Day' ensemble.

Snow Day

[Men's Fashion] New Converse & Adidas!

Spring is almost here! I know it's hard to think about with the current weather. Here are a few new sneakers that may be on your feet this spring...

Converse has a line of classics with a new twist. I like the lace-less high tops and the woven canvas low tops. I have an old pair of lace free Chucks that I refuse to get rid of because they are so damn comfortable. Converse is one of those timeless lines that will always keep me buying.

Adidas Originals by David Beckham

Just For Fun! Star Wars

Adidas has some eclectic styles coming your way this spring. The David Beckham originals do a good job of capturing his own personal style. On the other end of the spectrum we have the Adidas Star Wars collection, colorful and fun. They remind me of my fondness childhood memories, spread out on the floor with spaceships and tanks. I'm looking forward to spring and spotting some of these sneakers on the street.

Financially Chic: Interview with 'Fabulously Broke'

Recently I came across the fantastic blog Fabulously Broke in the City. Her story is liberating; she made creative moves to pay off $60,000 in student loans in ONE year!





So Miss FB was kind enough to share her wisdom with me in a two-part interview...

  

A majority of fashionistas/women are scared of facing their finances, how would you approach waking them up? In other words how would encourage them to take a look and a stand on their finances?

"It's not as bad as you think.

You'd be surprised and relieved to finally know THE NUMBER(S) of what you owe and what you own.

Not knowing my numbers was a lot more stressful than just being aware of my finances.

All it takes is a little courage (perhaps some candy or wine at your side), gathering all your paperwork into ONE spot, and opening each bill one by one.

Grab a sheet of paper to record down your numbers.

Sort them all into like piles -- Mastercard, Visa, etc. And then look at the LATEST statement balance of each, as well as noting the minimum payment and interest rate.

Then tally up the numbers and look at your total debt owed.

Next, look at your latest bank statements (either on paper or online) and see how much you own.

Put the two numbers side by side, and give yourself some time to let the numbers sink in.

After that, it's just a matter of starting a plan to own more and owe less, all of which begins with simply tracking your expenses and tallying up how much you spend in each category each month.

From there, you can build a realistic budget and start cutting back on your frivolous categories, and start paying more towards your debt, or being able to set aside more in savings to help build up your finances.

Only then should you start thinking about a plan for your savings -- retirement, emergency fund, vacation fund, shopping fund.. whatever you want.

Living recklessly and shopping on the edge of your credit cards is not fun, it's actually stressful if you sit down and think about how all of it makes you feel after it's said and done."

Next Friday, Miss FB shares her advice on how to be financially chic! 

Chic Storage Ideas for Makeup Brushes

When it comes to makeup brushes I treat mine like gold.  Feel the same way? Therefore we should be storing them properly.  Not only will it extend the lifetime of your brushes, but it's important to keep them away from germs & dirt.

Being the germ-o-phobe that I am, I store mine upright in a cup. The other day I was inspired to recycle a glass candle holder and added some gems to beautifully display my brushes.

Ok, so you might not have quite the collection of makeup brushes like myself. However you should have the basics (foundation, blush, eye shadow brush, etc...).  A fun way to store a few brushes is to find a fun, chic toothbrush holder - like the Perspex holder below.

When traveling I use the fabulous Brush Guards to protect my brushes. I swear by them (check out my review).  Get excited - I am giving away 3 Brush Guard Variety Packs! Simply enter your name & email below.

Winners will be announced next Wednesday. 

Tuesday's Trend Report: Fur Baby, FUR

As I reported last week from NYFW, fur is everywhere!

Whether you're for faux fur or the real deal, it's here to stay. If you are diggin' this trend, then go ahead & invest in a fur piece because the madness is here to stay (well at least for the next year).




I have been on the hunt for the perfect faux fur vest. Personally, I've been eye-balling Rachel Zoe's Faux Fur Vest in Chinchilla ($72) for the past few months now.   However I decided to do some research & see what else is out there...

 

Young, Fabulous & Broke ($319)

Curations by Stefanie Greenfield ($149)

 

Michael Kors Faux Fur Coyote Vest ($129)

Are you going to rock this trend?
If so, are you for real or faux fur? I'm dieing to know!

Mantra Monday

NYFW Fall/Winter 2010 Recap

PHEW! I have been in a fashion-coma for the past couple of days. NYFW definitely comes at you strong leaving your brain full and on overload. It's a week full of non-stop action and inspiration from the shows, and parties to meeting tons of fashion enthusiasts like myself...

I decided to do a recap of what the who, what and wear that I was exposed to this week. This way you can start getting an idea of what to stock your wardrobe with and what not to get rid of (a lot of the trends we are wearing this season will be back once again).

I had the pleasure of attending AMEX's 'Tweetup' with stylist, Kate Nobelius at the Skybox Lounge hosted by Jennine Jacobson (from Independent Fashion Blogger).  We talked about the trends we were seeing on the runway and Kate mentioned she saw a lot of play between masculine and femininity. Once again we saw the military look, those military jackets you are rockin' now will take you into next season!

Olive Green is going to be a strong color during Fall/Winter 2010, as well as browns, reds and purples. New trends include ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles! And you better brush that dirty off your shoulder because I saw the one-shoulder look in dresses, gowns and shirts. 

Last but not least - FUR!  I saw a lot of fur on & off the runway this past week. Whether you're for real or faux it's here to stay...

 

 What trend would you like to see come back?  Or go 'buh-bye?'

Financially Chic Friday: Save for REAL!

Make your virtual savings REAL!  How you ask? 

Well, say you buy a $100 jacket on sale at 50% off and pay $50. Have you really saved $50? Noooo. Not until you take that $50 and put it into your savings account. Viola! Now, you have saved $50.  Even if you still don't consider yourself a saver, this is the perfect strategy to start with.  

When shopping jot down the actual dollar amount that you saved, then transfer the amount right into your savings account. Once you start seeing your savings grow it gets addicting - in a good way. 

So, JUST DO IT! 

Source: SELF Magazine 

{Fashion Technology} Fitting Room Attendant

Mirror, mirror on the wall...


Well, not really a mirror but a touch screen LCD and if 5 Grad students from Carnegie Mellon University have their way, it will be in fitting rooms everywhere!

So what is it?

It's a wide screen LCD that is installed into fitting rooms where shoppers get a customized fitting experience. It uses RFID to identify the items that you wish to try on, then it shows you selections that it recommends based on what you have. The selections change with the store's inventory to ensure items are always current. Think of the possibilities..... stores could have stylists come in, look at their lines and create custom looks. The consumer simply walks into the fitting room and the "Mirror" shows them complete looks containing the item they still have in their hand.

I think it is an excellent idea that could change the world of fashion retail.
Check out the video!

What do you think?

SPOTLIGHT: (Goodbye) Bryant Park

Today marks the end of an era - it will be the last time NYFW takes place in Bryant Park. 

If you haven't heard by now the tent will be moved uptown to Lincoln Center in September. Fern Mallis (Director of NYFW) stated that the shows became too big for Bryant Park.  There will be a huge 'so long' celebration at the tent tonight. 

Of course, I am visiting family in MA - dammit.  

Anyways,  I thought it would fun to honor Bryant Park and share with you some interesting facts about the past 13 years NYFW.  Source: Daily Front Row

30, 038  tubes of lipstick used 

2, 509 shows held in Bryant Park 

60,117 model turns on the runway

2, 527, 242 bottles of water consumed 

703, 111 glasses of champagne consumed 

and 1 marriage prosposal! 

(Alice Roi's Spring 2005 show) 

Didn't get enough of Bryant Park? Well Patrick McCullan created a fabulous coffee table book capturing behind the scene moments at NYFW.  Let's just say this is on my 'chic reads' list.

 

*You're probably wondering why am I taking a bite out of an apple in front of the tent, huh? Well that photo is for a friend's upcoming book, which will debut here on ACCIDENTAL Chic when it is finished. Stay tuned!

Tuesday's Trend Report: Celebrity Designers

It only seems fitting to dedicate today's trend report to a topic swirling around NYFW - celebrity designers.  Kim Kardashian for Bebe,  Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's line Row,  Victoria Beckham's  Collection Lindsay Lohan for Engurao and now...Madonna is creating a line for Macy's?!

Well sources from both Madonna and Macy's won't confirm anything just yet, but it looks promising.

Personally I am all about expressing yourself and your creativity through fashion (hence the blog, right?). However a part of me has little patience for celebrities using their status to get into the fashion game., especially after reading DELUXE. Wouldn't we all like to create our own line?

I do respect those celebs who are genuine fashionistas at heart like Mary Kate & Ashley, Victoria Beckham, Madonna and even Kim Kardashian.  Lindsay Lohan - well, that's another story.  It will be interesting to see how celebrity designers take an active roll in the fashion industry. Time will tell if this is just another trend. 

What do you think? 

And what celebrity designer do you respect the most?

Inside the Tent: Who, What and Wear

There's nothing I love more than personal style,
NYFW definitely brings out the best in everyone...

 

  

  

  

Mantra Monday

Christian Siriano Fall 2010

I had the pleasure of attending Christian Siriano's show this afternoon.  The tent was packed with fashionistas eager to see his collection. Amber Rose was spotted in the front row, as well as someone who tried to pull a Rhianna/Lady Gaga by wearing just a bodysuit - not kidding. 

Siriano's collection was inspired by the very glamorous Parisian women in the 1960's.  The first few pieces that graced the runway screamed sharp femininity.  Black silk cocktail dresses and pant suits with asymmetrical draping.  The show gradually became colorful with midnight blue pieces and metallic thrown in. Of course, the best was saved for last - fuchsia & ruffles!  Both are going to play big roles in the fall. 

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

[Men's Fashion] Duckie Brown NYFW Fall 2010

Yesterday kicked off NYFW Fall/Winter 2010. Snow or not, the show had to go on. We had the privilege of attending the Duckie Brown show, which was amazing. The atmosphere of the show was exciting (I was excited being my first MAJOR show). Show sponsorship and goodie bags were provided by Gillette, which was their first time sponsoring a major show. The music selections matched perfectly which were The Special A.K.A. - Gangsters and Madness - House of Fun.

Duckie Brown consisted of twenty looks that were well tied together...

Personally, the line seemed to draw from two major inspirations, London's 80's Rude Boy Clash culture and everything war. On the military side you see Military Hats, Pea Coats and fully laced combat boots. The Rude Boy culture inspired the Alpaca Gloves, clashing plaids, tweeds and exposed socks.

One of the star pieces was a yellow lime Pea Coat, which is unusual for a fall line release. I liked the coat, it broke from the norm and adds a splash of color to a dreary winter. The line was consistent with an unapologetic English feel. According to Duckie Brown Military Coats and plaids are still in!

Links to the music selections!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ecPW-BJvvk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIacAO4Ttyk