Goodbye Pink Lace and Barbie Clothing, Hello Sophisticated Saurette.

If I could just shrink down to a size 4T, I would most definitely fill my closet with Saurette (and I would probably have to enter some sort of clinic, because a 31-yr old old in a size 4T, not that hot). But, you get my point.

Kids look so amazing in pretty much anything they wear. My niece Avery rocks striped leggings with polka dot tees. Now, if I were to try that out.. yeah, not so much. And speaking of Avery, every day she heads to her closet (she's three; we've created a monster) and says " I want my blue dress from Saurette." And as cute as it is, my sister has an issue dressing her daughter in the same thing every day. But Avery is a die-hard Saurette fan, along with many hip moms across the US.

So here are some looks for Fall 2009.

Color, color, color!! I love it. A cape for the young ones makes so much sense to me. I mean, its easy and you don't have to deal with pulling arms through the jackets and all that stuff. ( Oh wow, that sounded like and ad for Snuggie... my nemesis). And this dress in the middle is so perfect for that late Summer - Fall transition. Today its about 75 and I am in shorts and a tee. Put on a cardigan or throw on some leggings under that adorable dress and Happy Thanksgiving!

Saurette is loved by many; perhaps you have seen? Real Simple, Cookie, Daily Candy, and not to name drop, but Gwenyth Paltrow is a fan. Ok, I name dropped. You can follow Saurette on twitter @saurette for updates. If you are a store buyer, stop by Saurette at the ENK Childrens Club October 4- 6th and if you are a shopper with a daughter /niece/friend age 2-12, stop by Tree House Social Club in Los Angeles on October 16th, 4-7pm and meet designer Lisa Kanouse. Discount off Fall 2009 and a sneak peak of Spring 2010.

Am I Really Writing a Post About L.L. Bean Fashion? Yes, Yes I Am.

Summer is gone. It's just the way it is. I remember thinking one day in August when we had our first summer- like weekend, "Winter is gonna be a bitch." Because, when you have one month only of summer, that means the cooler weather is going to wrap itself around us and not let go for about..hmmm... seven months. Ugh. No one looks cute with chapped lips and pale skin. (That's why we use bronzer ladies!)

Before we enter that dark zone though, we do walk through the lovely season of Fall, which from a fashion standpoint, is super cute! I was browsing through the L.L.Bean catalog out of boredom the other day, and came across some legit items that can be complimentary to your very chic wardrobe.

Don't laugh, but I am bringing the Barn Jacket back into my closet. I was looking at it, and its actually a great coat for Fall. I am getting to the point where "practical" makes sense to me. Too many years of not practical has left me with sore feet and a bad back. Thanks stilettos! The Barn Jacket is simple; I guess that why I like it so much. They go so well with scarves and apple picking! And flip up the collar, it will update the look.


Starting mid Fall, my toes start getting cold and as much as I love watching homecoming football games and being outside, my time outdoors is sometimes limited. That's why I picked these Shearling- lined Boots, because they look so warm and I think they would look very chic over jeans/ under a skirt. You choose.


And with the amount of travel I have been doing, I recognize that its time to update my luggage accordingly. This Wildlife Tote is just awesome. I know LL Bean prides themselves on their totes, and up until now my thought has been "meh" on the whole initial tote bag. But now there is an Owl and I must have it! I don't like checking any luggage if I don't have to, and after last weeks scare of lost luggage, I will now be carrying with me all of my jewelry and beloved items, like skin care that I can not do without!

L.L. Bean has fantastic customer service, which is a big seller for me as a customer. They take back products and fix them, no questions asked. And you may ask, "Is L.L. Bean a Kick PR client?" Nope, I just really fancy their Fall fashions at the moment.

Front Row Notes from Tibi & Willow Spring 2010

I have been a fan of Willow and Tibi for a while and walk away from these shows feeling very excited to incorporate more color into my wardrobe. Willow actually started out with some prints that had me cringing. I'm seeing a bit of late 90's this season, and that's fine, but I don't ever want to go back to the 90's, so you are on your own with that. But thankfully there were many more amazing looks to follow and Willow wiggled her way back into my heart. Coutorture has a great gallery of pics for this show, as my phone camera just didn't do the job. Willow presented some gorgeous beading on jackets and blouses that I just loved, with a very soft color palette and feminine draping. I was curious about some of the material used in several looks, dare I say it resembled picnic tablecloth texture? But that's not necessarily a bad thing in this case. It was kind of a papery, crinkled look which lent a hand to a futuristic style which works, if you can work it, and I believe you can all work it for Spring!

Aside from the loudest music I have ever experienced at a show, the Tibi presentation was beautiful and SO colorful! I sat next to Meredith Melling Burke from Vogue who, I have to be honest, looked a little bored and made me wonder, "Am I an idiot for thinking this line is beautiful? If Vogue is bored, shouldn't I be? "But no, I am sticking to my opinion, which is that I loved this line. Tibi, like many other designers this season, presented beautiful floral patterns with touches of beading, paired with slip like dresses and chic, barely there separates. And its great how Tibi incorporates signature patterns into their seasons, with an updated color and design. The dress here was one of my favorites along with an adorable and very chic sequined mini. Never would I think those words would come out of my mouth, but darlings, this skirt is fab! I always love when designers get standing ovations; long days and weeks and months of what ends up being under 15 minutes is worth it all for that long and very deserved applause, especially at Tibi.

Leanne Marshall Spring 2010: Ethereal Beauty

I don't know how full time bloggers do it! I had all intention of updating every single day since being here for NYFW, and time has just slipped on by! For the first 4 days, I didn't have internet access, so that explains a lot, but I feel a little bad about my upkeep.

Leanne Marshall's show went off amazingly well, so well that she got a standing ovation. Fans in the audience weren't only editors and fashionistas, but Project Runway alumni Suede brought flowers and Korto stopped by as well. Green goddess and model Summer Rayne Oakes came to support Leanne and her eco-friendly Spring 2010 collections as well as folks from NBC, Daily News, Daily Candy, WWD, Elle. And our friendly blogger friends from PR Couture, Clutch 22, My It Things and Fasshonaburu showed up as well. Thanks everyone!

These looks below were taken by Portland photographer Minh Tran who is a long time supporter and friend of Leanne. So take a minute to breathe in these looks. Lovely. Feminine. Soft. Honestly and Truly Leanne Marshall Design.


















That wedding dress. LOOK AT THAT WEDDING DRESS!!!! No words. I am kind of excited that when I do get married, Leanne is just a phone call away from making something pretty amazing.

What most people were talking about after the show was the way Leanne keeps her style consistent every season, but updates the look. She's so great at the origami -like folds and geometric patterns. I have seen it before in her collections, but not at all like this. And with music produced by her boyfriend Nathan McKee, it was just an ethereal experience overall. And though she is relieved its over and can take a breather, its already on to Fall 2010, can't wait!

Also, if you are out and about under the tents this week, keep an eye out for Leanne!

Nary Manivong Spring '10 and Fashion's Night Out

Over on Little West 12th street, across from Tory Burch who was seriously gearing up for Fashion's Night Out, Nary Manivong held a Spring 2010 presentation, with yet again another great collection full of mini dresses, deep v-neck tops and dresses and slouchy, feminine slacks ( yes, I said slacks, I like that word.)

The lovely models were showcased up on a platform while guests and editors ogled, took photos and notes and bopped to the live band, 40's from Akron, Ohio (worth the My Space click-through). My favorite pieces were the lime green and blue combo pieces. The dress above, on the model smiling, was hands down my favorite. The sleek silk top drapes nicely over the connected blue skirt, and an extra bonus, pockets. Nary is great with taking simple looks and adding his signature details like exposed zippers and one shoulder tops and dresses. But overall, it was the lime/ blue that really electrified the lie for me.

I ran out of juice, so have limited pics, but saw that WhatsWearNow has some great ones, so check 'em out! Also, www.narymanivong.com, to see past seasons collections.

Headed over next to stroll down Bleeker and Perry for the Teen Vogue runway show. The whole street was blocked off, and the Barbie Girls were literally throwing beauty goodness at everyone. LOTION! TOO FACE EYE SHADOW! LIPGLOSS!! COME GET IT! The lucky girls were toting around bright Marc Jacobs bags. I was jealous and suggested that they keep the lip-gloss, and I take the bag. No deal. Pft.

As the runway came to life, models that looked just like they climbed out of the pages Teen Vogue ( I think that was the idea), strolled down with fall fashions mixing argyle, sequins, blazers and bags from the Poppy collection, the newest and more affordable line from Coach. Lots of teenyboppers around, so my time there was limited.

Headed over to Bond No.9 and Intermix, popped in here and there to meet owners, shoppers and searched for the FNO Tee, but no such luck, they had been bought up. It reminded me a lot of Halloween, people out in the streets all for one purpose: searching for goodies.

I can't wait to hear about the other amazing events, such as Mary Kate & Ashley tending bar at Barney's and I heard Charlize Theron showed up at Dior, which I would have loved to see. But, my feet can only take so much.

Hayden-Harnett: Lava Fields of Love, Spring 2010

My day started off with a rude cab driver and a story that ends, $50 later... Not fun, but I kept on a smile and remembered what this week is about, which is fashion. And, as stood in Starbucks juicing my phone after buying yet another charger because I was unprepared, I thought about how very lucky I am to have the experience of NYFW. With it being day one of New York Fashion Week and also the big Fashion Night Out, the city was just very energetic. Even in stores that had nothing to do with the events, there was talk. 

First up was Hayden Harnett, over on 38th street off of Park. Going in, I knew I was in for a treat because I always like their collections. The theme of Spring 2010 is Lava Fields of Love, drawing inspiration from lava fields and desert landscapes. Amidst the beautiful live Opera from the Opera Company of Brooklyn, models stood and looked fabulous in jumpers, flirty, floral khaki dresses,  and fun jackets. I loved the playful look of the prints, which are geometric and feminine and add so much to what could have been, just another dress. Not here, no way, would you ever say "just another dress." 

Hayden Harnett is also great in the  accessories department,  which this season was a continuation of their leather cuffs, clutches , over sized bags with soft buttery leather, and of course, the swimwear. Always so classy, the swimwear gives a throw back to the Gidget days with high waist bathing suits paired with halters. Patterns this season incorporate some neon, just a bit, which is reflective of the lava theme.  And best of all, Toni the designer and co- owner is just the sweetest, and for me that just wraps the whole thing up in a nice bow. Oh, and some Tarte products in the gift bag, score. 

 I have more to say, but I am tired so will continue todays reporting, tomorrow. 

 

Behind the Curtain: Leanne Marshall Spring 2010

From the minute I found out that Leanne Marshall was on Project Runway Season Five, I knew in my gut she was going to win. I had met Leanne one year prior to her experience on Project Runway and practically harassed her until she let me do a little of her PR. And I say it like that because Leanne was like many struggling designers; she didn't have enough money for PR, never mind rent and fabrics. But she didn't pay me, I did it for free ( well, maybe I walked away with a few items of clothing) because I knew that this girl was good and I didn't want to take away from the growth that she deserved.

So, she won Project Runway, gained a friend in Diane von Furstenberg, presented a Fall 2009 collection and created a chic line for BlueFly.com which came out this summer. And now, as we speak, Leanne is working around the clock on her Spring 2010 collection which, last I heard, was about twenty three looks, all inspired by.... a font.

( Sneak peak over here on left)

I love it. Leanne used to be a graphic designer and for Spring, her collection inspiration stems from a font that she has worked with. Last season, she had just moved to Manhattan and found easy inspiration in the skyline and architecture of Manhattan, because it lends a hand to such amazing detail and design, which Leanne is especially good at.

And this season, a font has won her over. As someone who has seen the collection in the works, I will say that her vision transfers over to the collection unbelievably well. And what I love most about Leanne, is she works so hard to make sure that every detail, every piece of fabric is just how she imagined it. So, in other words, I don't think she sleeps. Seriously.

( On the right, a magnificent look from Fall 2009. Oh, I'm sorry, did I drool on you?")

Leanne Marshall shows this #NYFW on September 12th. We can hardly wait, its candy for the eyes! www.leannemarshall.com